replica watches

Renault suspends senior managers over secrets leak

French carmaker Renault has suspended three senior managers following a lengthy investigation into the possible leaking of electric vehicle secrets.

One of the three is a member of Renault's management committee.

The investigation began in August following an "ethics alert" sent to the carmaker's compliance committee, Renault said.

Renault, alongside its partner Nissan, has invested heavily in electric vehicle technology.

"The actions are serious enough to damage the company replica Louis Vuitton handbags so that suspensions were necessary," Renault spokeswoman Caroline De Gezelle told the BBC.

She added that the three managers were being given the opportunity to respond to the charges made against them, before the carmaker's human resources department decided on any sanction.

Pure electric
 
According to reports, designer replica handbags the carmaker is concerned its work in developing electric technology has been compromised.

"Renault is a victim in this story. The group is a bit worried about its electric vehicle programme - it hopes that its leadership in this technology won't be threatened," a source told the AFP news agency.

Renault plans to launch a number of electric models over the next two years.

Along with Nissan, it has argued that pure electric vehicles are the best long-term solution to reducing carbon emissions from cars.

This is in contrast to General Motors and Toyota, replica handbags the world's two largest carmakers, which are instead investing heavily in hybrid vehicles, which use both an electric and a petrol engine.

Passengers thwart Turkish jet hijack attempt

Passengers on a Turkish Airlines jet have overpowered a man who tried to hijack their flight from Norway to Istanbul, security sources say.

Turkish media reported that the man put on a mask and tried to force his way into the cockpit, saying he had a bomb.

He is said to have demanded that the plane replica Louis Vuitton handbags return to Oslo before being subdued by passengers.

The man was arrested when the plane landed at Istanbul's Ataturk airport. No-one was hurt.

Turkish media said the suspect was a Turkish citizen from a Kurdish village in the south-eastern region of Anatolia.

The man's motives were unclear.

The Turkish Dogan news agency said the would-be hijacker had tried to force his way into the cockpit saying: "I have a bomb."

Lelya Kilic, one of the 59 passengers on board flight TK1754, said she heard voices from the back of the plane about 30 minutes before it was due to land at Istanbul.

"I saw a fight between passengers and a man with a mask, designer replica handbags carrying a device that looked like a radio handset," she said.

The pilot raised the alarm and police said that replica Louis Vuitton handbags when they entered the plane a passenger was sitting on top of the suspect.

Passengers were quickly taken off the flight and the man was arrested. The bomb was found to be a fake, Dogan reported.

Chemical plant blaze at Moerdijk sparks Dutch alert

The cloud from the fire at Moerdijk was floating north and had reached the city of Dordrecht, Dutch media said.

Some 400,000 litres of carcinogenic material are stored at the Chemie-Pack plant, De Telegraaf newspaper says.

Some reports said toxic fumes had been released, replica handbags but others said they were not dangerous.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide described the fumes as a "huge cloud of toxic black smoke".

However, Associated Press news agency quoted Moerdijk Mayor Wim Denie as saying measurements had not detected fumes that could form a health risk.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been established.

Huge flames
 
Residents in Dordrecht were being warned to keep windows and doors shut.

Sarah Raymond, a BBC News website reader who lives in Dordrecht, designer replica handbags said people in the area were frightened as they were unsure about any potential risks to their health.

"It is quite scary. The sky is thick with black smoke and we still don't know if it is toxic or not.

"There is a very unpleasant, chemical smell in the air. I could see the chemical site from my window at work this afternoon across the water and I only live 2 miles (3.2km) from there.

"But we have not been given any information from the authorities and there is no number to call to find out more. It is frightening."

The flames were said to be up to 40m (131ft) high and there were reports of repeated, loud explosions. Radio Netherlands Worldwide said the fire department had believed the blaze had been brought under control, but that it had then flared up again.

The Dutch government set up a co-ordination centre for emergency services and southern areas of the province of South Holland were placed on their highest state of alert.

Chemie-Pack, which is about 40km (25 miles) south of the port of Rotterdam, processes and packs products for the chemical industry, the company says on its website.

All 50 Chemie-Pack staff were safe, according to local officials, replica Louis Vuitton handbags and there were no reports of casualties.

A Shell refinery in the Moerdijk industrial zone was not affected by the fire, a spokesman told Reuters news agency.

However, shipping traffic on the Hollands Diep river, close to the Moerdijk area, was halted, a spokesman for the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice said.

 

Belfast driver told his legs would be 'blown off'

A motorist was threatened with having his legs blown off during an alleged hijacking in Belfast, the Magistrates Court has heard.

Joseph Kane, 24, of Herbert Street, faces 11 offences linked to the suspected seizure of a car on Sunday.

They include driving when unfit through drink or drugs, replica Chanel handbags assaulting the driver and having no licence or insurance.

The charges relate to an incident at Brompton Park before a collision brought the vehicle to a halt.

He is also accused of hijacking, dangerous driving, failing to stop at or report an accident, criminal damage and possessing Diazepam drugs.

Mr Kane appeared in the dock on crutches.

A police constable, opposing bail, said the accused had to be sedated before an ambulance crew could give him medical treatment.

'Worried'

"We are concerned about witnesses. The defendant knows replica Gucci handbags and has known the injured party for some time," he said.

"They live very close to one another. We are worried about any attempt to interfere with the injured party, especially as he threatened to blow the man's legs off."

A defence lawyer told the court Mr Kane had been drinking heavily following the birth of his child.

The solicitor said his client would be "totally replica watches ashamed" if the allegations against him were proven because he has known the alleged victim for so long.

"It is a sort of madness rather than any long-term feud," he said.

Mr Kane was remanded in custody due to the risk of re-offending.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall said: "I'm concerned about interfering with witnesses given the stage of the investigation."

Mr Kane will appear again in court via video-link next month.

Northern Ireland swine flu figures rise again

The number of swine flu cases in Northern Ireland has increased to more than 200, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has revealed.

The number of people found to have the H1N1 swine flu virus in NI in the week before Christmas had previously doubled to 129.

Dr Lorraine Doherty of the PHA said all pregnant replica watches women were to be asked to get the swine flu vaccine.

She said however that levels of flu "were not anything like" last year.

Dr Doherty said the latest figure for swine flu cases in Northern Ireland of more than 200 was for last week.

"What the PHA has done in conjunction with the Department of Health is consistently reinforce the message to the public about flu and about how to protect themselves from flu," she added.

"The single most important way to protect yourself against flu is to get immunised and we have consistently promoted the immunisation replica Gucci handbags message right across the Province since October."

Earlier, The Department of Health had been accused of not revealing the full extent of the flu outbreak in Northern Ireland.

Nichola Mallon of the SDLP said not enough was being done to warn the public and she understood three people were in intensive care with the virus.

"My information, and it comes from within the department, is that there is a very serious situation unfolding," she said.

"The three individuals in intensive care are not in the high risk category. The public deserves the fullest possible advice on what to do in the current circumstances.

"After all, the one thing that the Department of Health and indeed the various Health trusts are not short of is press officers.

Threat level
 
"So why has there been such a code of silence?"

Ms Mallon said that in other parts of the UK there had been a coordinated policy built around advertising the threat level and how to protect the public, but this had not happened in Northern Ireland.

"Instead there has been a totally ineffective approach," she added.

"Pregnant mothers last year were given extensive advice through the media and other information channels."

Earlier, in response to a query about whether there were people with flu in intensive care in Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency (PHA) replica Chanel handbags said it would "not be commenting on any hospitalisations".

"We do not hold any data for hospitalisations as we do not ask the trusts for this data," the PHA spokesperson said.

"This was different during the pandemic as different surveillance methods were used."

Beleaguered NI Water chief MacKenzie is to step down

Northern Ireland Water chief executive Laurence MacKenzie is to step down from his post, the BBC has learned.

Mr MacKenzie had faced sharp criticism over his handling of the water crisis. He joined NI Water in 2009 with an annual package worth £250,000.

Details of his stepping-down will be made public in the next few days.

Meanwhile, there are now about 100 homes still without water, replica Chanel handbags down from the tens of thousands cut off at the height of the crisis.

The Stormont minister responsible for government-owned Northern Ireland Water had refused to be drawn on speculation that its chief executive was set to quit.

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy, asked about Mr MacKenzie's performance, said he was focused on having people reconnected to the mains.

"Everyone's confidence in the operation of NIW has been shaken very badly," replica Gucci handbags Mr Murphy said.

"My focus at the moment, and this is with the agreement of the Executive, is ensuring all of those, and there are still people who remain unconnected, replica watches get connected and that the immediate lessons are learned and systems put in place."

Tens of thousands of households were affected over the Christmas holidays.

Mr MacKenzie, along with other senior managers, was due to appear before Stormont's regional development committee on Thursday.

The committee wanted to know who wasgoing to take responsibility for the crisis that left 40,000 households without water. The utility regulator was due also to meet with senior managers this week.

Meanwhile, NI Water said 1,300 properties in the Dunmurry area face a limited curtailment of supply on Tuesday evening. The area affected include parts of BT17 and BT27. Full details are available on the NI Water website.

The Department of Education has listed the schools which were due to reopen after Christmas but will be closed on Wednesday.

Eleven schools due to reopen after Christmas were closed on Tuesday due to damage caused by flooding.

It had been feared the number would have been higher after hundreds reported incidents over the holidays.

However, round-the-clock work to repair burst pipes at schools has been largely successful.

Schools with problems have been asked to contact the department between 0900 GMT and midday on 02891 279480, 02891 279481 and 02891 279473.

Whole Borders village votes for super-fast broadband

A Borders village has become the first place in Scotland where every resident has voted for super-fast broadband.

The whole 47-strong community of Abbey St Bathans has registered its interest in BT's Race To Infinity.

The scheme was launched last month to allow the public replica watches to vote for where it thinks the next stage of a £2.5bn broadband investment should take place.

A BT spokeswoman said it would now be investigating ways to improve the services in the Borders village.

Local MSP John Lamont recently highlighted his concerns about the service being provided to many areas across the region.

It followed one poll which showed Duns had the slowest broadband speed in Scotland.

"No community, regardless of size or population should have to suffer from low quality internet services - especially when it is such a vital tool for communication and for business," he said.

"There is a digital divide quickly opening up replica Gucci handbags between rural areas like those in the Borders and the superior facilities available in more urban areas in the central belt.

"Nearby Whitsome also suffers from chronically slow internet speeds, along with Abbey St Bathans where some residents have no service at all."

Strong demand
 
A spokeswoman for BT said it had invested heavily to ensure 99% of Scottish premises had access to first generation broadband which was "one of the widest broadband footprints in the world".

She added that it had worked with the Scottish government for a number of years to improve speeds and capacity in rural areas.

However, she also urged other towns and villages to vote in the Race to Infinity in the same manner as Abbey St Bathans.

The five UK exchanges with the highest percentage of votes - subject to a minimum of 1,000 votes - will see their exchanges upgraded by early 2012 at the latest.

She added: "Every vote does count because whether replica Chanel handbags communities win the race or not, each vote is an indication of demand for the next generation of broadband in Scotland."

The data collected in the poll will be used to help decide the future roll-out of such services.

Decisions expected on cuts to Northern Constabulary

Decisions are expected to be taken later on where cuts should be made to Northern Constabulary.

Force bosses have suggested closing 16 police stations across the Highlands and Islands to help avoid having to compulsory retire officers.

Northern Joint Police Board is to consider the recommendation at a meeting in Inverness.

Shutting stations are among 6% real-term savings proposed for next year's budget.

Some communities affected have asked for their stations to be saved.

Northern Constabulary has said where stations replica Chanel handbags are closed the force would seek to share facilities with other emergency services.

Earlier this week, Ch Supt Andy Cowie, head of support services, said the force would maintain its presence in communities where stations were shut.

The sites that could close are in Scalloway and Dunrossness on Shetland and Stromness on Orkney.

Barvas, Carloway, Ness and Tarbert on the Western Isles could also close, replica Gucci handbags as well as Broadford on Skye.

Across the Highlands, Bettyhill, Lybster, Evanton, Cromarty, Spean Bridge, Beauly, Drumnadrochit and Ardersier are also in the firing line.

Operating hours could be reduced at Lerwick on Shetland, replica watches Kirkwall on Orkney, Stornoway on Lewis, and Portree on Skye.

Also, Thurso, Alness, Aviemore, Nairn, Dornoch and Tain could also reduce hours.

North East England hit by heavy snow

Motorists across the north-east of England faced tough conditions after the first significant snow of the winter.

Overnight from Wednesday into Thursday some areas were covered by up to 6in (15cm) of snow.

During the day, most roads were passable with care, but some major roads were affected by incidents including the A1, A68 and A697.

More than 20 schools in Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear closed.

On Thursday evening a stretch of the A697, replica watches north of Linden Hall was closed for a time, after two lorries became stuck.

More snow showers across the North East are expected overnight into Friday. Forecasters said they would be heavy in places, replica Gucci handbags particularly towards the coast and over the hills.

Temperatures are expected to drop down as low as -4C (25F) leading to warnings of widespread icy roads.

Snow was lying 7ins (17.7cm) deep at Newcastle's Gosforth Park Racecourse, and Saturday's racing fixtures have been cancelled.

Airport closed
 
The worst-affected areas on Thursday appeared to be rural County Durham, parts of Northumberland and coastal areas near Sunderland.

Many motorists calling BBC local radio stations reported untreated roads and treacherous driving conditions early on.

During the morning rush hour, one lane of the A1 northbound was blocked near Carville, in County Durham, because of a jack-knifed lorry.

A stretch of the southbound A1 at Gateshead was at a standstill for a time after a car overturned, and traffic was disrupted on the A697 at Weldon Bridge, Northumberland, after a tree fell into the road.

On Thursday morning Richard Marshall, from the Highways Agency, claimed all major roads had been gritted overnight.

He said the difficulty was keeping on top of the situation overnight because the salt which was spread needed traffic to run over it for it to work effectively.

Earlier, rail travellers between Newcastle and Darlington faced delays of 40 minutes due to a faulty engineering train.

Newcastle Airport also reported a number of weather-related delays.

Durham Tees Valley Airport was closed in the morning, but reopened at 1300 GMT. Passengers were still advised to check with their airlines.

Council bosses in County Durham, which was badly hit in last year's cold snap, said two new road-salt barns had been built to increase the replica Chanel handbags authority's storage capacity by 50%.

The council said it was "confident but not complacent" its road network would be kept clear during the severe weather.

Refuse and recycling collections were temporarily suspended in the Derwentside and Chester-le-Street areas after heavy snow left conditions dangerous on back streets and side roads.

 

Police deny mistreatment of horse at Bristol protest

Claims that an officer beat a horse during student protests in Bristol have been denied by police.

The Avon and Somerset force said it had received several complaints following media coverage of mounted officers reacting when a firework was thrown.

Footage on the BBC website filmed by a protester shows an officer apparently striking a horse with a baton.

Police said the officer had to make a "snap decision" to bring the spooked horse under control.

About 2,000 people gathered in Bristol on Wednesday replica Chanel handbags to protest against plans to increase university tuition fees.

The BBC's Points West received complaints from some people after it broadcast the footage.

One wrote in an email: "No doubt the policeman involved was shaken by that incident, but that does not allow him to beat so ferociously an already plainly terrified horse."

'Padded covering'
 
Sgt Kerry Williams, replica Gucci handbags from the force's mounted section, said the horses were startled when the firework was thrown.

She said: "A number of comments have been received from members of the public claiming that a mounted officer had 'beaten' their horse. This was not the case.

"The mounted officers follow strict training protocol in calming and controlling their horses in potentially volatile situations.

"One officer used a baton to gain control of his horse which had been spooked by fireworks or firecrackers, and actually struck the horse on a padded covering on their hind quarters."

She added: "We would never advocate the use of baton by an officer to strike a horse.

"However, in this set of circumstances, in a contained environment, the officer concerned had to make a snap decision to get the horse under control, for the sake of the public safety and that of the nearby foot officers.

"We appreciate the concern shown by local people, replica watches who took the trouble to contact us and express their worries."

She said that six people were arrested for a variety of public order offences.

She added. "All the horses involved in the incident were checked when they returned from the protest, and although they had had several missiles thrown towards them, including fireworks and glass, none of them had sustained any injuries."