Fraudster donor Michael Brown held in Caribbean
A fraudster and Lib Dem donor who went on the run has been arrested in the Dominican Republic, police have said.
Michael Brown was sentenced in his absence to seven years in jail in 2008 for stealing £36m from clients including nearly £8m from Manchester United's ex-chairman Martin Edwards.
He posed as a bond dealer and claimed royal connections to steal the money, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Brown gave some £2.4m to the Lib Dems ahead of the 2005 general election.
City of London Police said they were "pleased" to hear he had been detained and were establishing contact with authorities in the Caribbean country, which has no extradition treaty with Britain.
'Buffer zone'
"Clearly, at some stage we will look for his return to the United Kingdom, so he can serve the sentence for the fraud offences for which he has been convicted in this country," a spokesman said.
The British Foreign Office said it was aware of the reports of his arrest.
Brown used investors' money to fund the money he gave to the Lib Dems' election war chest - its largest ever donation.
Charles Kennedy, who was leader at the time it was made, said in September his party went the "extra mile" to check Brown out before accepting his money.
"We were very careful, we always were in the Lib Dems, to keep a distance, a buffer zone, over donations," he said.
The Electoral Commission ruled in 2009 the party could keep the money.
A Lib Dem spokesman said: "The Electoral Commission inquiry in 2009 found that the party accepted the donation in good faith, and were in no way at fault.
"It cleared the party of all wrongdoing and accepted that at the time of the donation, Michael Brown was a permitted donor.
"There is no indication that the Electoral Commission will revise its opinion in this matter but any arrest abroad should lead to his extradition to the UK."
Jamaica to break links with Queen, says Prime Minister Simpson Miller
Jamaica's new Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has said she intends to make the island a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth as the head of state.
In her inaugural address, Ms Simpson Miller said the time had come for Jamaica to break with the British monarchy and have its own president.
The announcement comes ahead of celebrations to mark 50 years of Jamaican independence from Britain.
The Queen's grandson, Prince Harry, is due to the visit the island this year.
'Time come'
"I love the Queen, she is a beautiful lady, and apart from being a beautiful lady she is a wise lady and a wonderful lady," Ms Simpson Miller said after swearing the oath of office.
"But I think time come".
"As we celebrate our achievements as an independent nation, we now need to complete the circle of independence," the prime minister added.
In response, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said "the issue of the Jamaican head of state was entirely a matter for the Jamaican government and people".
Ms Simpson Miller, 66, became prime minister for the second time after her People's National Party won a big election victory on 29 December.
Her inaugural address mostly focused on her plans to revive Jamaica's economy.
The Caribbean island has widespread poverty, high unemployment and huge debts.
Ms Simpson Miller is not the first Jamaican leader to promise to move towards a republic.
In the early 1990s, then-Prime Minister PJ Patterson also said it was time for the island to have its own head of state, and set 2007 as the deadline.
Nick Cannon in 'Stable Condition' After Kidney Failure
Mariah Carey shared good news on Twitter this afternoon: her husband, Nick Cannon, is in stable condition after his recent episode of mild kidney failure. Carey tweeted, "Nick is in stable condition with a good prognosis, hopefully he'll be discharged within 2 days. As always he's laughing and in good spirits."
Ever the optimist, Carey also posted a photo of herself kissing the America's Got Talent host as he reclined in his hospital bed, surrounded by balloons and flowers.
Yesterday Cannon, 31,was transferred from a medical facility in Aspen, Colorado, to one in the couple's hometown of Los Angeles. He was hospitalized while vacationing with his family for what Carey disclosed as "mild kidney failure," the cause of which has not been disclosed. He took to his own Twitter account to say, "Currently being [transferred] to a hospital in LA. Thank you all for all your love, prayers and concern. You know me . . . I will be a'ight." A few hours later, he was clearly feeling better – he posted a photo of his haircut and also a party plug for his friend (and Tom Cruise's son), DJ Connor Cruise.
Nicki Takes Over Twitter
Rapper Nicki Minaj continues her run of success, this time in the world of social networking.
The popular rapper is now the most followed Hip-Hop artist on twitter, with a following of 8,194,350 followers as of press time. The previous record was held by Eminem, who was announced as the most followed person on Twitter in July of 2011.
As of press time, the race to be the top rapper on Twitter is very close, with Eminem at 8,177,381.
Chris Brown quits giving interviews
CHRIS BROWN has reportedly said that he will decline all interview requests this year.
The controversial singer will instead focus on recording and performing, his manager, Tina Davis, told gossip website Nicole Bitchie.
"We're not trying to be rude, selfish, or disrespectful in any way. If people are going to judge anything, judge him for his talent," Davis said.
During a promotional interview on Good Morning America to promote his album FAME last year, the Look At Me Now star flew into a violent rage on air after he was probed about his assault on ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.
Following the incident, ABC News released a statement that read: "As always, we ask questions that are relevant and newsworthy, and that's what we did in this interview with Mr Brown."
I-Octane set to release debut album next month
I-Octane will release his debut album Crying To The Nation on February 14, 2012. The 16-track opus is a joint venture deal with reggae powerhouse VP Records and Scikron, which is owned and operated by Robert Livingston, former long-time manager of multi-platinum artiste Shaggy.
On I-Octane's first full-length LP, he will reinvigorate the feeling of roots and dancehall at its purest. I-Octane has already proven himself as a powerful lyricist and unveils his uncanny ability to sing romantic ballads and socially aware tunes on this traditional reggae album.
I-Octane's Puff It, which is featured on Crying To The Nation, is chosen as one of National Public Radio's Top 5 dancehall tracks for 2011.
NPR's Baz Dreisinger describes I-Octane as "2011's buzzworthy newcomer: a Rastafarian DJ in the vein of Sizzla or Capleton, comfortable moving from conscious music to hardcore dancehall and back again."
The year's favourite anthem showcases his "signature style: rapid-fire rhyming skills, haunting vocals and simple, sing-a-long hooks," Dreisinger adds.
I-Octane also renews his Digicel sponsorship deal for 2012. This is the second year he will serve as the sole Brand Ambassador for the Caribbean's largest mobile communications provider.
Crying To The Nation Track Listing:
1. Rules Of Life
2. Help I Please
3. Vanity Will Come
4. Nuh Love Inna Dem
5. Puff It
6. No More Violence
7. System A Beat Dem
8. Zion Awaits
9. L.O.V.E. Y.O.U.
10. Missing You ft. Agent Sasco
11. Once More
12. The Master's Plan
13. Lose A Friend
14. All We Need Is Love ft. Tarrus Riley
15.Space For All Of Us ft. Alborosie
16. Crying To The Nation
Rihanna’s TTT goes gold
With hit singles like We Found Love and You Da One as part of the tracklist, it was only a matter of time until Rihanna’s Talk That Talk (TTT) was certified gold in the United States.
On December 16 last year, the RIAA solidified RiRi’s sixth studio album as gold status after shipping out over 500,000 copies of the project. This week the Barbadian singer passed the 500k mark by selling another 42,000 copies this week, bringing the total sales to 514,000.
Her gold status comes less than two months after her November 21, 2011 release of TTT.
In other RiRi News, Rihanna is ending the year with a huge paycheck from her “Loud” tour efforts, making over $90 million. And it nearly cost her health along the way.
The superstar’s hard work actually beat out Jay-Z and Kanye West on their “Watch the Throne” tour which made only $48.3 million. According to Pollstar’s Top 25 Worldwide Tours of 2011, the “Loud” tour ranked No. 7 also stomping out Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.
Rihanna appeared in 78 cities around the world promoting her 2010 album “Loud.”
The project also produced three No. 1 records: “Only Girl (In the World),” “S&M,” and “What’s My Name?”
But that’s not all. Her fifth and latest album, “Talk that Talk” debuted at No. 3 last week.
James dominates in return, Heat beat Nets 101-90
LeBron James returned to the lineup and scored 22 of his 32 points in the first quarter, and the Miami Heat rolled to a 101-90 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night despite playing without Dwyane Wade.
Wade missed his third straight game with a bruised left foot, but James had the game under control by the time his All-Star teammate arrived at his seat on the bench.
James made his first seven shots, leaping high for dunks, lobs and blocked shots and showing no effects from the sprained left ankle that forced him to miss a game. The NBA's leading scorer added nine assists and seven rebounds.
Chris Bosh added 16 points after a slow start for the Heat, who won their third straight and ran the NBA's best record to 8-1. They hope to have Wade back when they move to the West for the final three games of a five-game trip.
Kris Humphries tied a career high with 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Nets, who shot just 33.7 percent in front of a sellout crowd of 18,711. Deron Williams had 10 points and 10 assists but was just 4 of 16 from the field.
James took part in the morning shootaround, but the Heat didn't decide he would play until shortly before tipoff in order to see how he felt after warming up.
He was fine.
James quickly proved it, taking a hit but converting the basket for a three-point play barely a minute into the game during the Heat's 10-0 start. He hung on the rim as the backboard shook for a couple of seconds after one dunk, appearing to motion to someone near the court.
Wade also worked out prior to the game before the Heat decided to give him additional rest. He arrived at the Heat bench near the end of the first quarter, just in time to see James throw down a fast-break dunk in the final minute and later hit a 19-foot jumper with 0.2 seconds left for a 31-18 lead.
James finally missed after returning from a second-quarter rest, off on an attempted bank shot, but made his final shot of the half and Miami took a 57-35 lead into halftime.
Bosh, who had 33 points and 14 rebounds Thursday in the Heat's triple-overtime victory in Atlanta without the other two-thirds of the Big Three, shot 1 for 6 in the first half.
The Nets were 15 of 31 behind the arc in Friday's 97-85 victory over Toronto, and coach Avery Johnson said the 3-ball needed to be a weapon because his team has no post game with starting center Brook Lopez out with a broken right foot. But the Nets missed 18 of their first 21 Saturday before finishing 10 of 33.
Still, the Nets cut it to 10 on Williams' 3-pointer with 4:27 left in the third, and had a chance to get closer on their next possession when rookie MarShon Brooks drove for a layup. But James blocked the shot to trigger a fast break that led to Shane Battier's 3-pointer, and rookie Norris Cole followed with one to make it 72-56.
Udonis Haslem had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat.
CARICOM chairman calls for a year of change
The incoming Caribbean Community (CARICOM) chairman, Desi Bouterse, has called on the region to make 2012 a year of change.
Bouterse, who is also the president of Dutch-speaking Suriname, said that “by changing the way we do things, this Community will be a changed one – for the better – by the end of 2012.”In his first message since taking over as chairman of the 15-member regional grouping from St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas, the Suriname head of state said that the uncertainty caused by the continuing global crisis would continue to pose a problem for the Caribbean.
“The global economic and financial crisis shows no signs of abating, with the resulting challenges of unemployment, low or negative growth and increasing disparity between the rich and the poor. Given the relationship between the economic health of the major nations and its effect on us in CARICOM, it requires a major effort to overcome the challenges presented by this on-going situation.
“It also requires that we take a hard look at the way we operate, and accept changes that may be necessary,” said Bouterse, noting that the challenges can be overcome if CARICOM countries bind themselves even closer together.
“We stand a better chance to confront these challenges as a group united, than each swimming against the tide alone,” he said, adding it is also the task of the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat to lead the change.
He said the review of the Secretariat must be completed and the relevant recommendations implemented to improve the management and operation of the Secretariat, as it is CARICOM’s principal organ.
Dominican-born Irwin La Rocque was appointed CARICOM secretary general in August last year, and Bouterse said he should be at the forefront of the changes.
“My colleagues and I have every confidence in the ability of Ambassador La Rocque to effect the necessary repositioning of the Secretariat,” Bouterse said, adding that, as CARICOM chairman, he would place emphasis on enhancing awareness of the efforts being undertaken by the regional grouping.
“We must ensure that the people of the Community feel the impact and recognize the benefits that come to them from integration. In 2012, we will increase our focus and attention on these areas, and on ways the population can more readily feel the benefits,” he said.
He said that one of the main areas he would be paying attention to will be the involvement of young people within the region.
“The Paramaribo Declaration of 2010 laid out ideas and recommendations for greater youth involvement in the affairs of the Community. These must be pursued urgently and diligently, as the participation of the young people in the integration movement is essential to ensure that it is kept alive and dynamic,” Bouterse said.
He said he would also be looking improve the coordination among the various regional blocs to which CARICOM belongs, adding “we must aim to strengthen our position in these organizations and groupings, and make the best of the opportunities they present.
“Through working more closely together, we can improve the standard of living of our citizens,” Bouterse added.
Guyana moves ahead of other CARICOM countries
Guyana advanced ahead of other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries when it passed the amendment to the Caribbean Community Free Entry of Skilled Nationals Act to include an additional nine categories of persons under the free movement regime.
At a press conference on Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett made reference to Guyana’s compliance with the requirements under the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) which she said is substantial since it puts Guyana ahead of other countries with regards to legislation.
The foreign minister also alluded to the CARICOM retreat that was held in Guyana, during which several areas such as education, agriculture, energy, foreign investment and Information Communication Technology (ICT) were highlighted.
Guyana noted the importance of the issues and “is pleased that Suriname …now chairing CARICOM will continue with the work identified during the retreat,” she said.
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI)
With regard to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), Rodrigues-Birkett stated that much work has been done since the meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Jamaica where she announced the $77 million fund for the CBSI.
At the bilateral level under the CBSI an agreement was signed to look at two key areas: law enforcement and money laundering.
Bilateral relations
Guyana/Venezuela
Bilaterally, Guyana also made much progress in relations with Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil and Rodrigues-Birkett said that the implementation of several cooperation initiatives will continue. She expressed hope that the homeless shelter, which is being funded by the Venezuelan government, will be completed this year.
Guyana/Suriname
Guyana’s relations with Suriname were taken to a different level as there is now very active cooperation in law enforcement. Discussions on the Corentyne River Bridge have also progressed to the preliminary designs stage. This, the minister said will be advanced in this year.
Guyana/Brazil
With regard to Brazil, much progress has also been made as several meetings were held at the level of the Guyana/Brazil frontier committee. Significant advancement was made in terms of the language training by both countries. Brazil would provide experts to teach Portuguese in schools starting in Region Nine, while Guyana would reciprocate likewise, Rodrigues-Birkett said.
The 4th Political Consultation meeting held in Guyana also discussed several issues including the Linden to Lethem road and the additional list to the partial scope agreement. Guyana has completed its internal work in terms of bringing the agreement to its implementation stage.