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Financier Leon Black Buys $48 Million Raphael Drawing
New York financier Leon Black is the mystery buyer of a $47.9 million Raphael drawing auctioned by Sotheby's London last December, but British authorities are blocking his attempts to export the drawing to keep it in the country. Mary Lane reports.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... the the ... the identity of the secret bidder to score a forty seven point nine million dollar Ruffel drawing at some of these lines like you're it's been revealed ... but the question looms what he actually get to take his prize ... home to the U S Mary Lane one of our correspondence she joins us right now outside of some of these London with all the action and all the de tails ... first Mary thanks be with us and the lucky lab and wealthy winners for this eleven inch wide stance ... to AZ ... granted the appeal of May with the matter to me like an act of rebellion and Leon Black ... any item in the name of the steps that he got was the head was head of a Young Apostle what's so special about this particular sketch ... well cant that that that actually hit back and wrap they are trying to beat he bought recently in addition PT Green hundred million dollars ... if particular wine is that yes it with me at the black crappie Al asking me if he were to die ... any End in I'm in London for quite a long time and you take everything they had the can lead to a ... sissy now so some of these London right now and in ... great Britain there's a lot that they may actually prevent him from taking this drawing home to the U S ... explain for us ... the Treasury acted like it can patent historical significance that we have to be jumping older than the gain in her ... I'm a carve ... up before committee make recommendations to government on as to whether the direction you can get that you could change with any UK what happened and ... it private collector that the UK or in the kitchen but meeting and have a chance to cough up the money ... I equivalent to how much you Connecticut that I did you came to KL but they can be done to the AP ... the problem with it how is it any Friday collectors in the UK you want to work after the havoc that he did ... end up with a IDB's for years though ... Annie multibillion at the Buick Garrick unit deterred from wanting to keep the painting in China this year and a half ... how long exactly to make a counterbid ... they haven't come to life ... but if ... anyone is considered to be in to get back to peak at it and Intel ... Jr a scare tactic happening for team ... though but according to my perfect diamond gave it to because if the Tuesday at ... ten seems like it could even if he does eventually get to take it home that the screwed up the value that just because they try to keep it there all right Mary Lane think semester being with us appreciate that


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A New York comedienne had her videos removed and her account suspended from Funny or Die after posting a video of her breast feeding her infant twins to the site. After she complained that there are dicks and boobs all over the place on there, the powers that be apologized and is in the process of reinstating her account.
The offensive video wherein boobs are used for something other than sexiness is called "Leah Got a Job" and features New Yorker Ahna Tessler talking about how she's happy she got a job as an art teacher, even though she hates kids. While she's talking, the camera pans down to reveal that she's breast feeding during the tirade.
After posting it, she noticed after an hour that not only had the video not posted, but her other videos were removed. She asked a site administrator why the video was taken down, and was told that someone had flagged the breast feeding video as "obscene."
Another administrator clarified that because her account was new, whoever had removed it probably thought she was a spammer. A press rep for the site added that Funny or Die supports breast feeding "in all forms, especially between consenting adults."
Tessler had no idea that the site would take such umbrage with a depiction of a woman breastfeeding, and that she didn't even think she was pushing the envelope with the video. She told the Times,,
"If I wanted to shock them, I would have shown my breasts in a very sexual manner. I wouldn't have been feeding my children."
And the Great Breastfeeding Wars of the 2010's rage on. Someday, there will be a 10 part PBS documentary about this, directed by Ken Burns.
Breast feeding video prompts harsher response than intended [NYT]

subset: commoncrawl


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TORONTO - The secret to Canada's recent Oscar nomination streak appears to be the sugary breakfast cereal Lucky Charms.
For the third year in a row, a Quebec director will compete for best foreign-language film at the Academy Awards and this year's contender, Kim Nguyen, credits at least half of his good fortune to a bowlful of the stuff.
"Fifty per cent of the success of a film making it into the Oscars is making a good film and 50 per cent is eating Lucky Charms cereal —that's what (past nominees) Denis Villeneuve and Philippe (Falardeau) told me, so that's what I did," Nguyen said Thursday in a conference call with reporters.
Last year, Falardeau noted he had a bowl of Lucky Charms the morning he learned his film "Monsieur Lazhar" made the Oscar cut. He reportedly did it at the suggestion of his producer, who also produced Villeneuve's film "Incendies," which was nominated the previous year.
Nguyen said he's blown away by the nomination for his harrowing child soldier saga "Rebelle."
"I'm completely ecstatic and dumbfounded as well," Nguyen said.
A slight slip-up during the nomination announcement left him initially believing the film didn't make the cut. The nominees were supposed to be announced in alphabetical order but weren't.
"As soon as they said Chile we said, 'Oh darn, that's it, we're done.' And then ... they said, 'Canada, "War Witch''' and we just screamed."
"Rebelle," also known as "War Witch," will face off against Austria's "Amour," Norway's "Kon-Tiki," Chile's "No" and Denmark's "A Royal Affair."
Nguyen freely admitted that "Amour" appears to be the big favourite, especially since it's also nominated in the best film category. "Amour" director Michael Haneke is also up for best director and best screenplay.
"Strategy-wise, we're clearly the underdog in all of this in regards to Haneke. He has such a legacy," he noted.
"I think we're a strong contender but clearly there's a strong heritage behind Haneke. And the fact that he's nominated for two categories might go in our advantage — we don't know yet but that could be very helpful for us.... Underdogs are appreciated, I would think, in the United States. There's a place for newcomers so it could be to our advantage but who knows? Maybe he'll win both."
Nguyen said his schedule between now and the Oscar bash on Feb. 24 will be "nuts." He said he's flying to Brussels and Paris on Monday, then heads to Los Angeles, Montreal, then back to L.A. and likely New York to promote the film.
The goal now, he said, is to promote "Rebelle" and make sure that as many key academy members as possible see all five films. Members must see all five nominees in order to vote in the best foreign-language film category.
"We still have a lot of work to make sure that, for example, the Canadian members of the academy see all films and hopefully get behind us," he said.
"At this point the film must fight for itself, in a way, but our job is to make sure that as many members of the academy can see it."
There will be plenty of Canucks to root for at this year's Oscar bash.
Toronto-based composer Mychael Danna is up for two Academy Awards: for best song and best original score for his work on "Life of Pi."
And two Canadians are nominated in the best live-action short category: Halifax-raised producer Ariel Nasr for "Buzkashi Boys" and Quebec actor Yan England for "Henry."
Nguyen, whose "Rebelle" was inspired by an article about nine-year-old Burmese twin brothers who led an army of rebels, described Villeneuve and Falardeau as "dear friends."
"We've been having these things, once a year, called directors' clubs where we would just watch films and discuss whatever our projects were but mostly have fun together."
He downplayed a recent report that suggested 2012 was a bust for Quebec films at the box office. Cinéac, a company that tracks receipts in Quebec, said last year's share of the domestic market for Quebec films dropped to 4.8 per cent — the worst in more than a decade.
"All we can do is do the most powerful, authentic stories we can —whatever the theme, whatever the story — and hope it finds its way afterwards," he said, noting that "it's not just about money."
"Rebelle" producer Pierre Even said the fact Quebec has earned its third Oscar nomination in a row proves its film industry is as vibrant as ever.
"It means that our films are, you know, the first tier of the world wide cinema so there's no crisis here," said Even, whose other film credits include "Cafe de Flore" and "C.R.A.Z.Y."
"People from around the world are looking at Quebec cinema now and waiting for the new director, the new film that comes out of here."
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrectly stated "Buzkashi Boys" is a National Film Board film


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This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Action Plan for energy efficiency (2000-2006)
Action Plan for energy efficiency (2000-2006)
Action Plan for energy efficiency (2000-2006)
This summary has been archived and will not be updated, because the summarised document is no longer in force or does not reflect the current situation.
Action Plan for energy efficiency (2000-2006)
The Commission presents an Action Plan aimed at reducing energy consumption by improving energy efficiency. The goal is to protect the environment, enhance security of energy supply and establish a more sustainable energy policy.
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, of 26 April 2000, entitled: "Action Plan to improve energy efficiency in the European Community" [COM(2000) 247 - not published in the Official Journal].
Energy efficiency means reducing energy consumption without reducing the use of energy-consuming plant and equipment. The aim is to make better use of energy. Energy efficiency means promoting behaviour, working methods and manufacturing techniques which are less energy-intensive.
The measures to promote energy efficiency form part of the wider objectives of the European Community's energy and environment policy. Greater energy efficiency has a major role to play in meeting the targets set in the Kyoto Protocol. It encourages a more sustainable energy policy and is a key element in the security of energy supply in the European Community, a subject which has given cause for concern in recent years.
The Action Plan is a follow-up to the Commission communication adopted in April 1998 on the rational use of energy and the Council resolution on energy efficiency.
This summary presents the measures proposed by the Action Plan and, where appropriate, gives an update of certain measures taken since its adoption.
Barriers to energy efficiency
There are many barriers to energy efficiency, such as inefficient use of energy in the industrial sector. Commercial barriers are also a major obstacle to improving energy efficiency, as they can prevent access to technologies and the spread of efficient energy forms. These include in particular:
According to the 1998 Communication, the European Community's energy consumption could be reduced by 18% compared with the current situation by improving energy efficiency. The Action Plan proposes a target of a 1% decrease per annum until 2010 over and above that currently envisaged. This means that two thirds of the overall objective should be achieved by 2010.
In order to meet this overall objective, the Commission has set detailed targets with the aim of developing action in the area of energy and environment policy, refocusing attention on the subject, underlining the possibility of exceeding the objectives set and, finally, introducing measures to ensure the long-term improvement of energy efficiency, through the use of market forces and new technologies.
A wide range of instruments is to be used to implement the plan at European Community and national level. Many of the proposed actions are not mandatory (voluntary agreements, for example). The Community policies reinforce and supplement those of the Member States and the Community has an important coordinating role, through the SAVE programme in particular. It is important to note that SAVE projects will be undertaken in the areas described below. They are an important instrument for implementing the plan. A significant role is also attributed to the Fifth R&D Framework Programme.
The proposed actions are divided into three categories:
Category 1: Measures to integrate energy efficiency into other Community policies
There are six main areas:
The transport sector is a priority area for energy efficiency as it is responsible for over 30% of final energy consumption. The measures are mostly of a non-technological nature and include promoting the establishment of new infrastructures and, consequently, intermodality;
Modern enterprise policy
It is necessary to encourage sustainable development. This primarily concerns industries and can be achieved through voluntary agreements;
Regional and urban policy
This dimension should be integrated into the allocation of resources through the Structural Funds, the Regional Fund, the Cohesion Fund, etc.;
Research and Development
The Fifth Framework Programme of Research and Development and in particular the energy programme contribute to the research in this area. Of the 1 042 million allocated to energy between 1999 and 2002, 440 million will be allocated to energy efficiency;
Taxation and tariff policy
The Commission considers initiatives in these two areas important for improving energy efficiency. Tax exemptions for investments in energy efficiency are a possible example. In this connection, the Commission has already proposed a Community framework for taxation of energy products;
International cooperation and pre-accession activities
Approximation of legislation, harmonised efficiency standards, etc. as well as a measure of international liberalisation are desirable. In this context, the Energy Charter concluded with third countries and the participation of accession countries in programmes such as SAVE are important initiatives.
Category 2: Measures to strengthen and expand existing measures
It is necessary to strengthen and expand measures in four priority areas:
The proposed measures involve both non-mandatory measures (voluntary agreements) and legislation. The Commission has already set ambitious targets for this key sector, such as reducing the average CO2 emissions of new vehicles by one third by 2005/2010 compared with 1995 with the aid of voluntary agreements. Voluntary agreements have already been negotiated with the automobile industry. It is necessary to monitor and evaluate these agreements and to provide incentives to apply them in full.
Household appliances, commercial and other equipment
This covers equipment such as large domestic electrical appliances and lighting. The proposed measures principally concern labelling systems and minimum standards for energy efficiency.
It is necessary to reinforce and expand the existing Community labelling system which, although useful, has been relatively badly applied in certain cases (e.g. the labelling system for domestic appliances). In December 2006, the Community concluded a new agreement with the United States on energy efficiency on office equipment (the Energy Star label and programme). There must also be close synergy with the EU " Eco-Label " system.
As for agreements concerning minimum efficiency standards, voluntary agreements between the Member States and manufacturers on minimum efficiency standards for appliances have become an alternative to legislation. The Commission itself has concluded two agreements of this type (one on energy consumption by televisions and video recorders in standby mode and one on washing machines). The agreements will be extended to other appliances such as water heaters and dishwashers. There is no labelling system for the commercial and industrial sector. The Commission therefore believes that mandatory minimum efficiency standards are necessary if acceptable voluntary agreements are not concluded. The Commission is also going to propose a framework directive on concluding such agreements that will lay down minimum standards in certain areas, where necessary.
Industry (including electricity and gas companies)
There are plans to
In the first case, it is necessary to remove technical barriers. This can be achieved via agreements or protocols on minimum energy efficiency, which lay down guidelines for energy-efficient processes and production methods. Such agreements have already been concluded in certain sectors and the scheme should now be extended to the chemical industry, steel industry, etc. The Commission will prepare a communication on harmonising these agreements at Community level.
CHP has a double role in contributing to energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. An existing measure in particular is to be strengthened, namely Directive 88/609/EEC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants, which implies greater use of CHP.
Concerning the third objective, it will be necessary to conclude voluntary agreements through which utilities and service companies commit themselves to promoting energy efficiency, while also complying with the normal cost efficiency criteria. Use of rational planning techniques is desirable (the Commission has made a proposal on this subject).
Buildings represent approximately 40% of energy consumption and the potential energy saving is more than 20%. The Action Plan proposes amending one of the key directives in this area, i.e. Directive 93/76/EEC on the energy certification of buildings, which seeks to limit carbon-dioxide emissions and includes insulation measures and heating requirements (Directive repealed by Directive 2006/32/EC).
In May 2001, the Commission made a proposal for a complementary directive on the energy performance of buildings. The Directives on boilers (92/42/EEC) and on construction products (89/106/EEC) also figure among the main actions in the sector and, in September 2000, a Directive on energy efficiency for lighting was adopted. The dissemination of good practices, the extension of labelling and the training and qualification of fitters are also planned. Moreover, among the many initiatives in this sector, the Community also finances a "Green Light Programme" concerning lighting in commercial buildings.
Horizontal Measures
The Action Plan sets out a number of "horizontal" initiatives designed to improve energy efficiency, i.e. initiatives which affect several or all of the sectors concerned. These are:
Category 3: New Policies and Measures
New policies should be put in place in order to meet the targets. Some of them have already been implemented on a small scale in the Member States.
Promotion of energy efficiency in public procurement
Public procurement (public institutions, authorities, public enterprises, etc.) can promote the improvement of energy efficiency and thus stimulate demand for energy-efficient technologies. It thereby sets a good example in integrating energy-efficiency measures into public-sector policies/activities. The Commission has launched a study of Member States' public programmes to provide recommendations for launching pilot projects. In this context, the institutions of the European Union have launched initiatives regarding their own energy management.
Cooperative technology procurement
This involves coordinating the needs and requirements of public-sector calls for tender for energy-efficient technologies, in order to be able to benefit fully from all the available technologies. The introduction of competitive tendering in some Member States should facilitate this task.
Energy audits in industry and the tertiary sector
Energy audits already carried out in certain Member States (sometimes in conjunction with incentives) have supplied useful information which is often difficult to obtain and have identified energy-saving opportunities. The Commission is considering presenting a Community initiative on energy audits in the Member States.
Best Practice
Following a feasibility study on this subject, a best-practices scheme has been launched under the auspices of the SAVE programme. This scheme aims to supply decision-makers and end-users with independent information and advice on energy efficiency and to familiarise them with new techniques and technology.
Communication from the Commission of 19 October 2006, entitled: "Action Plan for energy efficiency: realising the potential" [COM(2006) 545 - Not published in the Official Journal]. The Commission has proposed a new Action Plan aimed at achieving energy savings of 20% by 2020. This Action Plan covers the period 2007-12 and is a follow-up to the Action Plan adopted in 2000; the initiatives taken under the latter Plan have either been implemented already or are being implemented at the present time.
Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy end-use efficiency and energy services and repealing Council Directive 93/76/EEC [Official Journal L 114 of 27.4.2006].
Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2005 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-using products and amending Council Directive 92/42/EEC and Directives 96/57/EC and 2000/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council [Official Journal L 191 of 22.7.2005].
Last updated: 26.03.2007