Colombia and Ecuador Destroy Seven Drug Labs on Shared Border
By Dialogo August 13, 2012 On August 9th Colombia and Ecuador dismantled seven drug labs, found on their shared border during a joint operation, according to Ecuador’s Interior Ministry. In a press release, the ministry indicated that six labs were discovered on the Colombian side during the operation on August 8th, in which the district attorney’s office and police from both nations participated. The drug-processing facilities were located in the bordering area between the coastal province Esmeralda, Ecuador (northwest) and the Colombia’s Nariño region, in which authorities also destroyed coca crops. “Thanks to this collaboration, we were able to dismantle a drug processing network that thrived on the chemical consumption in Ecuador and the raw material (coca leaves) from Colombia”, he added. The operation left seven detained in Ecuadorian territory. Since last January, Ecuador has seized about 18.5 tons of drugs, mainly cocaine. The amount of drugs seized reached 26 tons in 2011, compared to 18 tons in 2010 and the record of 68 tons in 2009. On July 25th, President Rafael Correa said, Ecuador, which borders with Colombia, is applying mechanisms to prevent the infiltration of international drug trafficking organizations.
Developer Pradella has started construction on the first stage of a $125 million dual tower community centred around the city’s iconic SkyNeedle.CONSTRUCTION on the first stage of South Brisbane’s dual tower $125 million SkyNeedle project has kicked off, centred around the city’s iconic Sky Needle.SkyNeedle, an 88 metre pillar, was a key feature of Brisbane’s World Expo in 1988, and remains a prominent marker on the city skyline.Last Thursday, Pradella director Kim Pradella joined Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to officially launch the start of construction on the first tower, comprising 110 of the total 237 apartments in the project, which will incorporate a refurbished SkyNeedle as part of its design.SkyNeedle in South Brisbane.More from newsMould, age, not enough to stop 17 bidders fighting for this home4 hours agoBuyers ‘crazy’ not to take govt freebies, says 28-yr-old investor4 hours agoPradella has appointed RCC Builders to build SkyNeedle Apartments. The two-stage project will be complete with a cafe at the base of the second tower and a tropical garden oasis with a pool and barbecue terrace for the exclusive use of residents.More than 70 per cent of apartments in the first stage have already sold for a total of $38 million, with remaining one-bedroom apartments priced from $428,000 and two-bedroom abodes available from $544,000.“Brisbane is evolving into a new world city and it’s important that as we usher in this next chapter of growth, we recognise the foundations this fantastic city was built on by preserving monuments of the past, like the SkyNeedle and the old gas and light station,” Mr Pradella said.“SkyNeedle has already attracted strong interest from both owner occupiers and investors not only from Brisbane, but also nationally and internationally, who are ready to be a part of what will undoubtedly be one of Australia’s most unique and identifiable addresses.”Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the SkyNeedle had been a much-loved icon of Brisbane for nearly 30 years and it was exciting to see it returning to its true home in South Brisbane to be restored to its former glory as part of a high-quality residential project.
Roger Federer made a winning return to the French Open with a dominant first-round victory over Lorenzo Sonego.The Swiss 20-time Grand Slam winner, playing at Roland Garros for the first time in four years, beat the Italian 6-2 6-4 6-4.He arrived to a standing ovation on Philippe Chatrier court and left with the crowd on their feet in delight.The 37-year-old will play German lucky loser Oscar Otte, ranked 145th in the world, in the second round.Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber said the pain from an ankle injury was “not my excuse” after her shock first-round exit at the French Open.The German fifth seed lost 6-4 6-2 to world number 81 Anastasia Potapova.The three-time Grand Slam champion said she “did not have much expectation” after pulling out of the Madrid and Rome clay tournaments this month.Elsewhere, Spanish 19th seed Garbine Muguruza came from a set down to beat American Taylor Townsend 5-7 6-2 6-2.Muguruza was broken for a second time late in the first set by the world number 83 but breezed through to win the next two sets in the first main draw match on the new Simonne Mathieu court.The 2016 French Open champion will play Sweden’s world number 172 Johanna Larsson in the second round, following her victory over Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova.Russian Potapova, playing in her first French Open, faces Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic next. Source: BBC