Sunday, November 15, 2009 LONDON: Gale-force winds and heavy rain have brought flooding and damage to Britain as forecasters predict the worst storm of the year so far.Forecasters say that winds in excess of 80mph, that’s strong enough to cause damage including bringing down trees and branches, are expected to intensify this weekend as the storm sweeps across the UK.MeteoGroup said that Wales, southern and eastern England are likely to bear the brunt of the storm, but winds could reach a "rare" 70mph inland in London and the Home Counties.The forecasts comes after five people, including a pregnant woman and two small children, had to flee their car when it was enveloped by floodwater in Dorset.A Dorset Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said the water was up to the car bonnet by the time crews arrived but all five had got out and were safe.In a separate incident two people in a car were also pulled out of floodwater at Broadwindsor in Dorset and were unhurt, whilst in Bournemouth, the roof of a covered car parking area of student accommodation was blown off in high winds but none was injured.
Sunday, February 28, 2010 HAVANA: Hundreds of wealthy merchants and cigar aficionados from all parts of the world gathered in Havana this week to bid high stakes for humidors full of premium cigars. Cuba's annual Habanos festival ended on Friday night with an auction of ornate humidors of cedar and mahogany stacked with hand-rolled stogies that raised 800,000 euros ($1.09 million dollars). Habanos S.A. executives this month said cigar sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. Women now make up only 5 to 10 percent of customers for Habanos. But even with the creation of the Julieta, Garcia said Habanos has only modest hopes for 2010 sales, due largely to a weak economy in Spain, the biggest market for Cuban cigars. The flavor of premium tobacco relies on the soil and climate in which it is grown. The western province of Pinar Del Rio, famous fo...
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