New York Man's Rare Minerals Collection Includes "Sharon Stone"
Rock solid prices are expected in a rare minerals auction to be conducted by Heritage Auction Galleries on September 28, 2008 in Dallas, Texas and online. One of the specimens in the auction, a seven-inch tall group of rainbow-hued group of Tourmaline crystals found in Brazil in 1998, was nicknamed by the miners who discovered it, "Sharon Stone," because of its natural beauty.

Gambling and the 20th century Rulers Part1.
The history of the 20th century is inseparably connected with wars, revolutions, forcible change of governments and other political cataclysms in which the leading role was often played by bright, extraordinary personalities - leaders, chiefs. Impetuous was also the history of legislative regulation of gambling games and bets. They were allowed, then prohibited, then allowed again? A lot of these bans and legalizations were directly connected with the principle political acting personalities of the 20th century. How venturesome were the most famous totalitarian rulers of the previous century and what was their role in regulation of activities on organizing and playing games and bets?

Francois Pierson to Fully Dedicate Himself to His Role of Global Head of AXA's P&C Insurance Operations
PARIS, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AXA announced today that Francois Pierson will fully dedicate himself to his role of Global Head of AXA's P&C insurance operations and that Nicolas Moreau will become Chief Executive Officer of AXA France.

Update on the AXA APH Transaction
PARIS, July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AXA, AXA Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (AXA APH) and National Australia Bank Limited (NAB) are currently in advanced discussions regarding extending the period for NAB to satisfy the concerns raised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).