Crazy World: India firm launches gold, diamond 'cash machine'

An Indian company has launched what it says is the world's first "cash machine" that dispenses gold and silver coins and diamond-studded jewellery.

The Gitanjali Group launched the Gold and Diamond automatic teller machine at a central Mumbai shopping mall for the annual Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, on Wednesday.

Diwali is traditionally an auspicious time for Hindus to buy gold and jewellery while Indians are the world's biggest importers and consumers of the precious metal.

"The machine is a first of its kind anywhere in the world and will further revolutionise the processes by which precious metals and jewellery is bought," said Gitanjali Export Corporation chief executive Sanjeev Agarwal.

AFP reports the ATM offers customers the choice of up to 36 products of varying sizes, designs and prices, from 1,000 rupees to 30,000 rupees ($20 to $600). Payment is either through credit or debit card or by depositing cash.

The company said in a statement that the machine was "ideally suited for last minute purchases on auspicious occasions and for gifting".

Gitanjali, which runs a chain of jewellery shops across India, said it plans to install more machines in the coming months in shopping malls, airports and temples.

Indians bought 540 tonnes of gold in the first half of 2011, up 21 percent from the same period last year, according to data from industry body the World Gold Council (WGC).

Misbehaving S Korean diplomat ordered home

A senior South Korean diplomat has been summoned home from Russia for behaving in an offensive manner under the influence of alcohol at an event that took place just three days after he started his job.

The consul general in Russia's Irkutsk City, whose name was withheld, has been under fire for being drunk and disorderly at a dinner on October 20.

"The ministry has decided to pull him out of Irkutsk as a disciplinary measure," a senior official from the foreign ministry told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"When he returns home, he will be put under investigation about the incident," he said.

According to AFP, it happened when South Korean tourism officials and hospital operators were meeting with Russian authorities in the Siberian city as part of efforts to promote medical tourism in South Korea.

During the dinner, he reportedly disturbed speeches by participants, and gestured as if he were licking the hand of a Korean female professor.

The summons came after Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan said on Monday that no leniency would be granted in cases of lapses in discipline among diplomats.

In March this year, Seoul disciplined 10 diplomats at its Shanghai consulate who were embroiled in a sex-for-favours scandal that saw some of them conduct affairs with a married Chinese woman.

 

Late for work, officer accused of going 120 mph

A Miami police officer is accused of driving 120 mph on a turnpike because he was late for his off-duty job working security at a school.

The Florida Highway Patrol says officer Fausto Lopez was arrested at gunpoint after leading police on a brief high-speed chase as reported by AP.

According to a police report, a trooper spotted a patrol car changing lanes in a dangerous manner earlier this month. The report says the patrol car ignored warnings to pull over and led a brief high-speed chase before stopping near Hollywood.

Miami police spokesman Delrish Moss told The Associated Press on Saturday that any administrative action against Lopez will be taken after the outcome of the criminal case.
Univision first reported the arrest.