FROM THE ROAD.
The ten biggest robberies in history
Trying to appropriate what does not belong to us has always been a characteristic of human beings. Moreover, ever since banks were invented, even violent robberies have been the order of the day.
Let's forget Clooney and Brad Pitt in Ocean's Eleven, some criminals have really tried, to rob millions of dollars from the world's safest banks, to some these have even succeeded, securing a huge fortune after taking great risks.
The magazine Focus has created a ranking of the ten biggest and most profitable robberies in history. Some of them have secured staggering sums of money for the robbers.
Central Bank of Iraq (March 18, 2003 - about $1 billion)
Baghdad (Iraq) - Before the U.S. invasion, former dictator Saddam Hussen had his son withdraw about a billion dollars from his (state-owned) bank to put them "in a safe place" away from the enemy. They ended up in the walls of one of his palaces.
Dar Es Salaam Bank (July 11, 2007 - about 282 million euros)
Baghdad (Iraq) - A group of guards inside the financial institution thought up this robbery. How the money was transported, to this day, remains unknown.
Knightsbridge Security Deposit (July 12, 1987 - approximately 220 million)
Knightsbridge (United Kingdom) - Author of the theft was the Italian Valerio Viccei. Pretending to be interested in purchasing a safe deposit box, he had himself escorted inside before leveling his weapons and having the vault opened.
Schiphol Airport (Feb. 25, 2005 - about $120 million)
Amsterdam (Netherlands) - This was a robbery in which two men disguised as vigilantes managed to intercept a truck carrying diamonds.
British Bank of the Middle East ( January 20, 1976 - about $120 million)
Beirut (Lebanon) - It was organized by a terrorist group linked to the OLP. This is a "Old School" robbery, where they forced their way in with weapons, explosives and locksmiths skilled in opening locks.
Harry Winston Diamond (Dec. 5, 2003 - approximately $110 million)
Paris (France) - Douadi Yahiaoui was the leader of a gang of four robbers who entered the jewelry store dressed as women. Personally threatening the sales clerks, whose names they knew, they took everything without using violence.
Antwerp Diamond Center (Feb. 16, 2003 - about 100 million euros)
Antwerp (Belgium) - This robbery was very skillful, led by the Italian Leonardo Notarbartolo. The gang managed very skillfully to evade cameras, heat sensors and other security systems, emptying the vault after guessing the combination.
Senado Federal - Wikipedia.org
Banco Central (Aug. 6-7, 2005 - about 71.5 million)
Fortaleza (Brazil) - This robbery sounds like a movie. A 25-member gang dug an 80-meter tunnel, posing as gardeners, all the way into the bank vault.
East House Archive - Wikipedia.org
Securitas Depot (Feb. 21-22, 2006 - about $65 million)
Tonbridge (United Kingdom) - This was a violent robbery. A gang of a few members took the family of the depot manager hostage, forcing him to open safes, and then escaping in a white van.
United California Bank (March 24, 1972 - 60 million)
Laguna Niguel (USA) - Amil Dinsio led a gang of robbers in looting this California warehouse. To this day, the exact dynamics remain unknown.
Natural Events
15/05/2024
The melting of glaciers is one of the greatest dangers facing our world in the near future. Indeed, the pouring of immense amounts of fresh water into the ocean, combined with rising ocean levels, could lead to devastating consequences for our world.
Two studies, published in Nature and conducted by scientists of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and Cornell University, used the Icefin robot to map the submerged part of Thwaites Glacier, the largest shelf in West Antarctica and called "The doomsday Glacier," with an area of 150 times Rome.
The data collected, unfortunately, do not reveal anything good. In fact, this huge glacier is reportedly melting much faster than expected, and the reason is not high air temperatures.
Home page
09/05/2024
Carnival is one of those festivals that have united people through folklore for centuries. It is usually celebrated following the Christian calendar, and comes before the period called Lent (the 40 days before Easter). Its history originates from some pagan holidays, such as the Roman Saturnalia or the Greek Dionysia.
Each country, over the centuries, has come to celebrate it in different ways, but in general you can find, everywhere, some things in common: the floats, the masks, the flowers, the dancing and the parties. It is a time when anyone can be whoever they want, and it once served to subvert, momentarily, existing social orders.
The magazine Forbes has compiled a ranking of what are the 8 best carnivals in the world to take part in. Alongside the most famous, we also find lesser-known but equally beautiful festivals.