WikiLeaks: A Few Highlights..

WikiLeaks cables: US suspected Allen Stanford long before ECB deal

..US diplomats were so concerned about rumours of "bribery, money-laundering and political manipulation" surrounding Allen Stanford that they avoided contacting him or being photographed with him.

The extent of the widespread concern among embassy staff in Bridgetown, Barbados, where Stanford invested millions of dollars in Caribbean cricket before his empire came crashing down after being accused of an $8bn fraud of "shocking magnitude" and arrested by the FBI, will raise fresh questions about the wisdom of the England and Wales Cricket Board in getting into bed with him in June 2008.

The concerns are revealed in a cable dated 3 May 2006..  Emphasising the chance nature of the encounter, the cable notes: "Allen Stanford is a controversial Texan billionaire who has made significant investments in offshore finance, aviation, and property development in Antigua and throughout the region. His companies are rumoured to engage in bribery, money-laundering and political manipulation."

Who's Allen Stanford? Well, pre-prison, he was a corrupt Texas billionaire. He's changed careers now, but is unhappy with his status as penitentiary punching bag.. I guess I'd have more sympathy for him if he wasn't such a gigantic, horrible asshole. But, such is life, right?

WikiLeaks cables: Bulgarian nuclear project 'dogged by safety concerns'  Because nuclear energy is the best industry for shoddy, half assed workmanship..
The cables claim that despite its due diligence, RWE's confidence had turned to "buyer's remorse" within weeks. In the cable, the US ambassador cited local contacts as saying there was a rush to start construction so that the project would keep RWE on board. RWE had reportedly said that it would not provide funding until it sees the "first concrete poured", signalling the start of construction. Belene project experts privately expressed "serious concerns" that if safety practices continued to be ignored "it could pose a huge risk". RWE's partner, the state-owned Bulgarian electricity company, NEC, which held 51% of the project, declined to comment on any of the allegations.
 
Is Apple scared, or looking for a fight?