Tunisian police battle militants before political talks

1 of 6. Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration calling for the departure of the Islamist-led ruling coalition in at Kasbah Square where the government headquarters are located, to call for the departure of the Islamist-led ruling coalition, in Tunis October 23, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/Anis Mili

By Tarek Amara and Patrick Markey

TUNIS | Wed Oct 23, 2013 4:50pm EDT

TUNIS (Reuters) - Six Tunisian policemen were killed in armed clashes with militants in a central town on Wednesday, as the government cracked down on Islamist fighters using the chaos in neighboring Libya's to get weapons and training.

The violence, some of the worst since Tunisia's 2011 uprising, unsettled the start of negotiations between the Islamist-led government and opposition to end a crisis over the country's transition to democracy.

Authorities did not identify the militants involved in fighting south of the capital, but two months ago Tunisia banned Ansar al-Sharia, a hardline Islamist movement officials blamed for killing two opposition leaders this year.

The interior ministry said a gun battle broke out after police raided a house where suspected militants were hiding in Sidi Bouzid, 260 km (160 miles) south of the capital. Police found arms, explosives and a car bomb being prepared.

"They were carrying out a raid, and the terrorists opened fire on them. We have six security forces dead and four wounded and one gunman dead," Mohammed Ali Aroui, spokesman for the interior ministry, told state television.

Militant violence is less common in Tunisia than in some other North African countries, where al Qaeda-linked groups have a stronger presence. But hardline Islamists have grown in influence since the 2011 Arab uprisings.

Security forces at the weekend killed 10 militants blamed for attacking Tunisian police patrols in a remote area near the Algerian border and killing two officers.

The assassination of two opposition figures this year by suspected Ansar al-Sharia gunmen outraged the secularist opposition, which has accused ruling Ennahda, a moderate Islamist party, of failing to stamp out religious extremists.

THREE WEEKS TO GO

Under pressure from mass protests, and mindful of the army's ouster of the Islamist president in Egypt, Ennahda has agreed to step down, and talks with the opposition on a political transition were due to begin on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Ali Larayedh on Wednesday confirmed Ennahda was ready to resign, but insisted on the completion of the country's new constitution, the establishment of an electoral commission and a clear election date before handing over power.

The three weeks of talks are meant to choose members of the transition government, decide on a new electoral commission and set a timetable for presidential and parliamentary elections.

But opposition activists doubt Ennahda's intentions. Thousands of opposition supporters packed the capital's central Avenue Habib-Bourguiba earlier on Wednesday to demand the government live up to the agreement to step aside.

"There is no trust that this government will go," said Saloua Faza, a teacher carrying a large Tunisian flag marching in Tunis. "They have never shown us any good faith."

Ennahda won 40 percent support in Tunisia's first post-revolt election for an assembly to draft a new constitution, and it formed an interim coalition government with two secular parties.

Its popularity has fallen during its period in power, but Ennahda remains the best organized movement in Tunisia. It faces several leftist and secular groups, as well as Nida Tounes, a party that includes figures from the previous regime.

Ansar al-Sharia is just one of the hardline Islamist groups based in North Africa. Its leader is a former al Qaeda fighter in Afghanistan who is accused of inciting his followers to attack the U.S. embassy compound in Tunis a year ago.

(Reporting By Tarek Amara; Writing by Patrick Markey; Editing by Robin Pomeroy and Mike Collett-White)

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Contractors Battle over $600 Million CIA Computing Contract

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Bankruptcy estate of meningitis-linked pharmacy to battle states

By Tim McLaughlin

BOSTON, April 12 | Fri Apr 12, 2013 6:12pm EDT

BOSTON, April 12 (Reuters) - The bankruptcy estate of the pharmacy linked to a deadly U.S. meningitis outbreak plans to battle nearly 30 states to preserve its right to redeem several million dollars worth of insurance policies for creditors.

The insurance policies are key assets in New England Compounding Center's bankruptcy estate.

Paul Moore, the trustee for NECC's bankruptcy estate, requested court approval to hire Collora LLP, a Boston law firm known for its high-profile defense work, according to documents filed on Friday. Collora would battle pharmacy board regulators from at least 28 states and contend with an ongoing, previously disclosed investigation by the U.S. Justice Department, according to the trustee.

Creditors in the bankruptcy include the victims of the outbreak, court records show. Their claims, however, are much larger than NECC's assets, which have been listed at between $1 million and $10 million.

In January, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Henry Boroff temporarily restricted NECC's owners from selling their luxury homes or spending up to $21 million they received last year in salary and shareholder distributions. The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, which represents meningitis victims, has said it would like to claw back that money for the bankruptcy estate.

Lawyers for NECC's owners have said there is no evidence that any of them directly participated in the events that led to the deadly U.S. meningitis outbreak. They have been named in a number of civil lawsuits.

NECC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration shut down its operations after the compounding pharmacy shipped thousands of vials of steroids tainted with fungal meningitis. The ensuing outbreak that killed 53 people and sickened 733 others is attributable to injectable steroids distributed by NECC, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Moore said he initially thought NECC creditors would be best served if he allowed the pharmacy's operating licenses to be forfeited in various states. But he said he quickly learned there could be "adverse collateral consequences," namely the ability to redeem various insurance policies and claims for the benefit of creditors, if he let that happen.

As of early March, there have been actions in at least 28 states to compel a suspension, revocation or forfeiture of NECC's license, the trustee said in his court request.

In addition, the trustee learned that one unnamed state may seek to impose a penalty of more than $2.5 million.

Collora law partner Paul Cirel has been interacting with the U.S. Justice Department, which is investigating the Framingham, Massachusetts-based pharmacy, the trustee said. Cirel has represented NECC since 2003 on regulatory matters. He also has represented Barry Cadden, NECC's chief pharmacist. (Reporting By Tim McLaughlin; Editing by Bernard Orr)

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Official: Rolls-Royce Wraith revealed, ready to battle Bentley

WORLD DEBUT FOR ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

- Elegant fastback design hints at dynamic prowess of the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever: 624 bhp/465 kW, 800 Nm from 1,500 rpm : 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds (0-62 in 4.6)
- Debut of Satellite Aided Transmission. A technology that uses GPS mapping data to ensure the correct gear is always pre-selected for the road terrain ahead
- Voice activated connectivity augments effortlessness – the 'on-board valet'
- Canadel Panelling sweeps through a sumptuous, contemporary and yacht-like interior cabin

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly presents the world debut of Wraith, the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history. At its heart lie hallmark Rolls-Royce attributes of luxury, refinement and hand-craftsmanship, but the new model from the world's pinnacle super-luxury marque also presents a unique character defined by power, style and drama. With just a hint of the noir.

"Today we launch the ultimate gentlemen's gran turismo, a car that embodies the spirit of Charles Stewart Rolls," commented Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "The most powerful Rolls-Royce in history, Wraith promises the sense of adventure and speed that drove our founding forefather. But of course, Wraith's starting point is luxury, refinement and quality, traits that remain as important to Rolls-Royce customers today as they were more than a century ago."

Rolls-Royce Chairman and BMW Group board member Harald Krüger added the following: "The BMW Group today reconfirms its full commitment to the future of Rolls-Royce. Growth and a prosperous future lie ahead thanks to continued investment, careful brand stewardship and the launch of groundbreaking new models like Rolls-Royce Wraith, a magnificent addition to the product range."

In profile, Wraith's sweeping fastback design gives the car its unique character. Bold lines, tension in the panels and a raked rear screen evoke the image of a world class athlete poised in the starting blocks. Further expression of dynamic intent can be seen in Wraith's deeply recessed grille, wide rear track and dramatic two-tone presentation.

Coach doors open to reveal a sumptuous interior complete with softest Phantom-grade leathers and expanses of wood called Canadel Panelling. Named after the famous cove in the South of France where Sir Henry Royce and his design and engineering teams spent their winters, this contemporary and tactile finish sweeps through the interior, cosseting four occupants in a space bathed in light and warmth.

The interior ambiance is complemented by Starlight Headliner, a Bespoke feature available beyond Phantom family cars for the first time. 1,340 fibre optic lamps are hand-woven into the roof lining to give the impression of a glittering, starry night sky.

Performance delivers on the promise of Wraith's styling. Power delivery is effortless, but dramatic, thanks to a V12 engine married to 8-speed automatic ZF transmission. 624 bhp / 465kW is available to the driver while the 0-60 mph sprint is achieved in 4.4 seconds, compared with 563 bhp / 420kW and 0-60 in 4.7 seconds for Ghost.

From 1,500 rpm 800 Nm of torque is available (780 Nm for Ghost), while a wide rear track, shorter wheelbase and lower roof height further contribute to the most powerful, involving driving experience of any Rolls-Royce in history. The car's suspension has also been tuned to minimise body roll and discreetly amplify feedback when cornering; while steering weight is heavier at high speeds and lighter at low speeds adding to the spirited drive.

However, Wraith is no GT bruiser. Agility improvements have been achieved with absolutely no compromise to the sensation of riding on a bed of air. Furthermore, the debut of Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT) technology takes the powertrain to a new level of effortless delivery, one that perfectly suits the Rolls-Royce brand.

Satellite Aided Transmission uses GPS data to see beyond what the driver sees; it anticipates his next move based on location and current driving style, then selects the most appropriate gear for the terrain ahead. Corners, motorway junctions and roundabouts are all anticipated in advance meaning Wraith is constantly poised to deliver on its promise of performance.

A more polished, effortless driving experience and even better response brings a new, more dynamic dimension to the famous Rolls-Royce trait, waftability.

For over a century a Rolls-Royce motor car has featured technologies designed to support occupants discreetly, delivering a peerless driving experience epitomised by the term 'effortlessness'. In every Rolls-Royce these assist the driver when called upon, but are prepared to return without fuss to the background when no longer required.

Advances in mechanical and electrical technology deliver systems like head-up display, adaptive headlights and Wraith's keyless opening boot. But improvements in connectivity have taken the human-machine interface to a new level of sophistication, a suite of aids that could be likened to a contemporary on-board valet.

Voice activation commands, for example, come with a one-touch call button located on the steering wheel. A destination no longer requires manual input from a navigation menu and route assistance begins immediately, on-screen and via audio guidance following a voice command such as "navigate to Piccadilly in London."

Additional improvements in communications come in the design and functionality of the elegant Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller. This allows navigation through on-screen functions using a touch pad that features pinch and pull functionality to echo smart phone usage. Letters can also be 'drawn' onto the pad by hand rather than by scrolling through a series of available characters on-screen.

In Europe, Wraith will be priced at c. €245k. Confirmation and further pricing details in all markets will be revealed later in the year.

First deliveries of Wraith will be made to customers in the final quarter of 2013.

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