Mediaboss Marketing

LOS ANGELES (AP) Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto said Thursday that he is not the creator of bitcoin, adding further mystery to the story of how the world's most popular digital currency came to be.

The denial came after Newsweek published a 4,500-word cover story claiming Nakamoto is the person who wrote the computer code underpinnings of bitcoin.

In an exclusive two-hour interview with The Associated Press, Nakamoto, 64, denied he had anything to do with it and said he had never heard of bitcoin until his son told him he had been contacted by a Newsweek reporter three weeks ago.

Nakamoto acknowledged that many of the details in Newsweek's report are correct, including that he once worked for a defense contractor, and that his given name at birth was Satoshi. But he strongly disputed the magazine's assertion that he is "the face behind bitcoin."

"I got nothing to do with it," he said, repeatedly.

Newsweek stands by its story, which kicked off the relaunch of its print edition after 15 months and reorganization under new ownership.

Since bitcoin's birth in 2009, the currency's creator has remained a mystery. The person or people behind the digital currency's inception have been known only as "Satoshi Nakamoto," which many observers believed to be a pseudonym.

Bitcoin has become increasingly popular among tech enthusiasts, libertarians and risk-seeking investors because it allows people to make one-to-one transactions, buy goods and services and exchange money across borders without involving banks, credit card issuers or other third parties. Criminals like bitcoin for the same reasons.

For various technical reasons, it's hard to know just how many people worldwide own bitcoins, but the currency attracted outsize media attention and the fascination of millions as an increasing number of large retailers such as Overstock.com began to accept it.

Speculative investors have jumped into the bitcoin fray, too, sending the currency's value fluctuating wildly in recent months. In December, the value of a single bitcoin hit an all-time high of $1,200. It was around $665 on Thursday, according to the website bitcoincharts.com. Bloggers have speculated that bitcoin's creator is worth hundreds of millions of dollars in bitcoin.

Visit link:
AP Exclusive: Man denies he's bitcoin creator

DGAP-News: DF Deutsche Forfait AG / Key word(s): Preliminary Results/Final Results DF Deutsche Forfait AG publishes preliminary 2013 financials

07.03.2014 / 07:50

=--------------------------------------------------------------------

DF Deutsche Forfait AG publishes preliminary 2013 financials

- One-time expenses weighing on profitability: Group results at EUR -3.8 million.

- Business volume and margin clearly down on the previous year

- Company is making intensive efforts to be taken off the OFAC list

Cologne, 7 March 2014 - DF Deutsche Forfait AG (Prime Standard, ISIN: DE0005488795) is reporting a negative Group result for the financial year 2013. Based on preliminary figures, the loss amounts to approximately EUR 3.8 million (EUR -0.56 per share). The company's ad hoc press release of 12 February 2014 anticipated a loss between EUR 3.0 and EUR 3.3 million based on information available at the time. In particular, two special effects weighed on the company's profitability, namely the creation of provisions for VAT payments as well as the inclusion of DF Deutsche Forfait AG in the sanction list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), an agency of the US Treasury due to alleged violation of Iran sanctions. The negative earnings impact of these two special effects amounted to approximately EUR 3.8 million.

In addition, the company's performance clearly fell short of the targets set for its operations. The fourth quarter saw the forfaiting volume and margin clearly below expectations due to delays in placing receivables. Reasons for this included the longer processing times for business with new customers in the strategically important African market. The DF Group's business volume for the full year came to EUR 523 million, down 22% on the previous year. Higher refinancing costs resulting from the bond issue and a lower turnover of receivables meant that the margin declined to 1.4% (previous year 1.9%). The company expects that with the realisation of its strategic projects, namely Trade Finance Funds and ABS programme it will increase the turnover rate which will lead to an improvement of the overall margin. The gross result including financial results dropped from the previous year's EUR 13.0 million to EUR 7.2 million. Administrative expenses before one-time expenses amounted to EUR 10.5 million, up 17% on the prior year; contributing factors included the higher costs for the development of the new Asset Management business which is yet to generate earnings. In order to counterbalance the increase in administrative expenses, the company initiated a cost reduction programme in the fourth quarter of 2013. The estimated savings amount to approximately EUR 1.0 million in 2014.

Frank Hock, member of the Board of Management of DF Deutsche Forfait AG, said: "We have clearly missed our 2013 operative targets. Following a good start to the current year, the unexpected inclusion of our company in the OFAC list not only weighed on our 2013 results but also continues to substantially constrain our scope for action. However, we are confident that our intensive talks with the OFAC and the ongoing internal and external examinations will result in these allegations being invalidated so that we can fully focus on our day-to-day business again at the earliest possible point in time. An additional audit by the German Bundesbank will also assist us in the complete elimination of the allegations of sanction infringements."

Read this article:
PRESS RELEASE: DF Deutsche Forfait AG publishes preliminary 2013 financials

Updated MAR 07, 2014 3:31p ET

DEFAULT PG=SPTFB4 AP=1089 SIZE=300x250

2 COLUMN PG=SPTFB4 AP=1089 SIZE=300x250

1 COLUMN PG=SPTFB4 AP=1089 SIZE=300x250

Charges have been dropped against three football fans who were facing prosecution for using the y-word.

Gary Whybrow, 31, Sam Parsons, 24, and Peter Ditchman, 52, were all hauled before magistrates after allegedly using the language at Tottenham matches last autumn.

However the Crown Prosecution Service said the words could not legally be counted as "threatening, abusive or insulting" in the circumstances.

Baljit Ubhey from the CPS said: "In accordance with our duty to keep all cases under review we have conducted a senior level review of this case.

"It has now been concluded that, according to the Code for Crown Prosecutors, there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and that the cases against Peter Ditchman, Gary Whybrow and Sam Parsons should be discontinued.

"In considering whether a criminal offense could be proved we have to look objectively at the words used, and the context in which they were used.

Follow this link:
Charges dropped against trio accused of using y-word slur

Show map Ceibo Hostel Ibiza Hostel

Ceibo Ibiza is a guest house which is managed by a young family, opened its doors over 20 years ago. It's located in the heart of Ibiza+ view more Town, just two minutes away from the best shops, the harbor area whit all the nightlife and the bus station that takes you to all the places of the island (airport, beaches, discos...). Ceibo Hostel Ibiza is a perfect location to enjoy your holiday on this beautiful island of Ibiza.

Hostal Ibiza, recently renovated in early 2012, with young spirit, modern and animated, is located in Ibizas Port, in the heart of our+ view more city, few meters away from the mains points of interest as restaurants, bars and major retailers.

Santos is a new concept that breaks with all the norms of Ibiza and is set to be the leader in its field. Hotel Santos takes the best of+ view more the tradition of the Pitiusas and passes it through a filter of relaxed luxury: with a fiercely contemporary interior, an easy going spirit, avant garde with vintage touches, a 100% rock n roll attitude. Experience authentic boho chic style, beside the sea, with the best music, all wrapped up in a summer of legendary parties in a privileged environment.

Recently refurbished, the modern BOSSA PARK, in the typical architecture of Ibiza, is only 250 m away from the wonderful beach of Playa+ view more den Bossa, less than 3 km from the centre of Ibiza. Next to bus stop and commercial centres.

Don Quijote Hotel, recently renovated, is located in the central area of Figueretas, with its beautiful beach and promenade with palm trees+ view more just 100 meters away, surrounded by a wide range of bars, restaurants, shops and supermarkets.

The Piscis Park hotel is located in the centre of San Antonio, opposite to the beautiful San Antonios Bay, just 150 meters from the beach.+ view more

5 apartments located in the heart of Ibiza, in Figueretas beach, each one good for 4 people.+ view more

The new Club Hotel Mare Nostrum is a favorite for sun lovers and fun seekers right in the centre of Playa d'en Bossa.+ view more

The Maritimo Hotel is the only establishment in this chain that remains open year-round. If we have to highlight anything about The+ view more Maritimo Hotel it will be its exclusive beach area. The hotel is standing on sea shore for the guests well being. The Maritimo Hotel has a beautifully landscaped promanade, full of Palm Trees. Enjoy a cosy jacuzzi and great swimming pool in The Maritimo Hotel.

Go here to see the original:
Ibiza Town Hostel in Ibiza: Hostels and Cheap Ibiza Town ...

Balearic islands worry about potential damage to tourism.

Hoteliers protest at ITB. Foto: fvw/Georg Kern

Controversial plans to drill for oil off Ibiza have outraged the Spanish tourism industry and generated a protest at ITB, overshadowing good bookings for the country so far this year. The central government in Madrid wants to approve plans to install drilling rigs about 40km from Ibiza. Oil multinationals believe there could be sizeable reserves close to the island, and Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy supports the project.

But on the Balearics, the tourist industry and residents have staged mass protests. At ITB, Dirk-Michael Sieper, head of the Ibiza Feeling hotel group, unfurled a protest banner in front of the Ibiza stand. Were worried about the ecological effects of oil exploration for tourism, said Sieper.

Carmen Ferrer, Ibiza tourism minister, said: We expect this project to fail.

See original here:
Ibiza fears arrivals of offshore oil rigs