Thursday night proved to be a dangerous night as a man was kidnapped and another robbed outside his home in two apparently unrelated incidents.

The kidnapping and assault occurred in the early hours yesterday morning after which a 24-year-old Pembroke man eventually checked himself into the hospital. Police attended the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital around 1.55 a.m. after receiving a tip-off and spoke to the victim.

He told Police that at around 12.30 a.m. he was walking along Court Street with a female friend when he was approached by two men who forced him into a car against his will.

The man was taken to another location, beaten and later released. He was treated at KEMH for a broken nose, bruised ribs, a swollen eye and bruising. He was later released from KEMH.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident or anyone with any information to contact Acting Det. Insp. Jerry Laws or Acting Det. Sgt. David Greenridge at the Serious Crime Unit or the confidential Crimestoppers Hotline on 1-800-623-8477.

Three hours earlier, a man said he was parking his car outside his Victoria Row, Sandys home at around 9.20 p.m. Thursday when he was approached by three men.

The men punched and kicked the victim to the ground and stole two of his gold chains. His attackers then fled the scene. One man was described as five feet, eight inches tall, of slim build who wore a black and white scarf around the lower half of his face and a dark coloured cap.

The second man was described as six feet tall, of medium/stocky build, who wore dark coloured denim shorts. Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident or anyone with any information to contact the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on 234-1010.

Hurricane Frances is not a threat to Bermuda but weather experts are predicting it could become a category four hurricane over the weekend.

According to the Bermuda Weather Service, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Hurricane Frances was located near 15.7north 49.8 west approximately 1285 miles south east of Bermuda.

Hurricane Frances has maximum sustained winds of 100 knots, with gusts up to 120 knots, and is moving west northwest degrees at ten knots. The closest point of approach of Hurricane Frances to Bermuda within the next 72 hours, is forecast to be approximately 745 nautical miles to the south southeast at 3 p.m Monday.

Yesterday, the National Hurricane Centre said Frances was strengthening into a third category hurricane. The Northern Lesser Antilles and the Northeastern Caribbean Sea were warned t closely follow the progress of Frances over the weekend.

Forecasters are predicting additional strengthening of winds during the next 24 hours into a possible category four hurricane.

Spicelands Stables has been granted final planning approval to build an equestrian centre at their Middle Road, Warwick facility. Yesterday, staff at the stables were tight-lipped about the plans, telling The Royal Gazette it was actually a ?barn? that was being built and not an equestrian centre.

?Nothing?s changing,? said one staff member. According to the planning application the centre will be located on lot seven at the stables.

The Bermuda National Trust is looking for a tenant for its historical property Stewart Hall, Queen Street, St. George?s, one of the largest of the old town?s 18th Century houses.

For many years the home of the East End branch of the Bermuda Library, the building has become available again after the death this year of architect, Stanley Kennedy, who had his offices there.

?Now it welcomes a new business tenant who could move in immediately,? advises Valerie Wallace, a Trust spokeswoman. ?The building is air-conditioned and it is very light, airy and spacious offering about 1,500 square feet and three small bathrooms. We are hoping to grant a two year plus lease for 3,000 dollars per month.?

?Stewart Hall? is one of St. George?s historic landmarks. It was already built when the land on which it stood was granted to Walter Mitchell in 1707. Anyone interested in renting this historic building for business can contact Ms Wallace at the National Trust Office: 236-6483.

Government has announced the opening of the first Post Office in Ireland Island ? aimed at servicing area businesses, tourists and visiting yachtsmen.

In a press release, the Bermuda Post Office yesterday said the new Ireland Island Post Office will have its own date stamp and will service the businesses in Dockyard as well as visitors to the area.

?Because the location lends itself to Bermuda Post Office?s efforts to educate the public by portraying all facets of Bermuda?s heritage, culture and history, the location is also seen as an opportunity to increase awareness of philatelic items and create interest in stamp collecting,? they said.

The Post Office will officially open on September 1 and will be located at #10 Dockyard Terrace, across from the Visitors? Service Bureau. It will operate between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Police said there will be an increased Police presence at this weekend?s many social events ?to ensure the safe and orderly movement of patrons?.

?We are going to be vigilant about all the areas where there is activity this weekend. Particularly those non-traditional venues, without liquor licences, like beaches and places around the waterfront? Police media spokesman Dwayne Caines said.