Putin's United Russia party suffers exit poll blow
An exit poll for Russia's parliamentary elections points to a sharp drop in support for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.
The poll for Russian state TV showed 48.5% support for United Russia, down from 64% in 2007.
That would give Mr Putin's party 220 members in the 450-seat lower house of parliament, down from 315.
Russia's only independent monitoring group, Golos, logged 5,300 complaints alleging violations of election laws.
Another exit poll, by state pollster VTSIOM, gave United Russia 48%, while one by the FOM group put it at 46%.
If the result is confirmed, United Russia could lose its current two-thirds majority which allowed it to change the constitution unchallenged.
Nonetheless, party chairman Boris Gryzlov says the party hopes to get a majority in the Duma.
Exit polls suggest the Communists will take second place, with about 20% of the vote.
"We have received thousands of calls from regional offices, confirming massive violations and fraud," said party deputy head Ivan Melnikov on the party website.
"Throughout the day, it was like receiving reports from a war zone."
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, in Moscow, says if confirmed, the result will be a significant embarrassment to Mr Putin, three months before he is scheduled to run again for the Russian presidency.
He says opposition parties are alleging widespread fraud, including the stuffing of ballot boxes and voters being offered money.
Source-BBC
Prosecutor files assault report against TCI AG, Huw Shepheard
A senior lawyer in the Turks and Caicos Islands Attorney General’s Office has made a report to the police alleging that he was physically assaulted by Attorney General Huw Shepheard.
Police sources confirmed to that an official report was made by veteran prosecutor Leonard Franklyn who claimed that the incident occurred on Thursday December 1st, in the Attorney General’s office.
RTC News understands that Franklyn has since been placed on administrative leave with full pay, but Government officials are saying that this disciplinary action was imposed because of a heated exchange which occurred prior to the alleged incident, and not because Franklyn reported the AG to the police.
In a press statement, spokesman in the Governor’s Office Neil Smith, said: “We can confirm that a member of the Attorney General’s Chambers has been placed on administrative leave under Ordinance 8.1.11 on full pay and until further notice, following an incident yesterday, Thursday, 1 December 2011. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is investigating a complaint in relation to this incident.”
Police officials say they will have to take formal statements from both Shepheard and Franklyn and do a thorough investigation in order to determine whether any charges will be brought.
Shepheard, a barrister from the UK, has held the office of Crown Counsel and served as Acting Deputy Solicitor-General in the Bermudan Attorney General's Chambers since 2007.
His previous positions have included work for a local authority in Wales and within central government for Her Majesty's Procurators-General and Treasury Solicitor in London.
Franklyn, native of St. Vincent who also holds citizenship of the Turks and Caicos Islands, has been in the AG’s Chambers for more than two decades.
2011 Hurricane Season Ends
The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) marks the official end of the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season by reminding TCI residents how blest we were that there were no lives lost, as where there is life there is hope.
The TCI was threatened on several occasions, but the only impact came from Hurricane Irene which resulted in significant flooding across the country, especially on Providenciales. A number of lessons were learnt from TCIG’s response activities and these are being targeted for implementation by the beginning of the next hurricane season.
Key among them is greater utilisation of TCIG human resources in disaster mitigation and a review of government’s vehicle use policy.
In the meantime, the DDME would like to highlight the participation of a team of TCIG professionals in the Caribbean Comprehensive Disaster Management Conference in Trinidad and Tobago December 5th to 9th. TCI Youth Parliament Debaters are also attending the conference as defending champions and will compete against a regional team selected through an elimination process. We wish all those participants good luck in representing the TCI.
The DDME encourages all residents of the TCI to continue to remember the importance of being prepared as hazardous events can occur anytime of the year as with the Haitian Earthquake which occurred in January.
CHTA STATEMENT CONCERNING UK AIR PASSENGER DUTY
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) is deeply disappointed by the UK Treasury's announcement on November 29, 2011 that Air Passenger Duty rates to the Caribbean out of the UK will increase by 8% starting in April 2012.
The UK Government will publish its response to the consultation on APD reform on December 6, 2011. This document will set out the UK's view on the representations that have been made by the Caribbean, its airline partners, the community in the UK and others.
CHTA will wait until publication of this document before making a full statement.
Data suggests that APD increases in the past two years have contributed significantly to falling arrivals from the UK, a prime source market for visitors for many Caribbean destinations.
Any failure by the British Government to address the discriminatory nature of the banding system will be deeply concerning and will justify the strongest possible condemnation by Caribbean Governments and territories.
Beyonce Reveals Baby Details on ABC’s 20/20
In a recent interview with Katie Couric on ABC’s 20/20, Beyonce discussed her pregnancy, including rumors that she was wearing a fake baby bump, opening her own production company, and her new concert DVD “Live at Roseland: Elements of 4.”
The DVD includes footage from the four sold out performances at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom, as well as other intimate footage and clips from earlier moments in her career including her childhood. Beyonce also shared that she was editing parts of it herself using Final Cut Pro at her newly opened production company, The Parkwood Group, which she toured with Couric during the show.
During the interview, Beyonce also spoke on announcing her pregnancy at the MTV Video Music Awards, saying it was only fitting to make the announcement on stage and in front of millions watching at home, as it was hard to keep such big news to herself. In regards to the positive reaction she received after wordlessly announcing the pregnancy on stage by rubbing her stomach, she said it was a “beautiful feeling,” admitting that she cried tears of joy after she went off stage to hug her mother and husband, Jay-Z. She also added “you can’t even imagine” how excited her husband is and that for them “the time can’t come fast enough.”
Beyonce also used the interview as a platform to make light of and deny rumors of her alleged bizarre pregnancy cravings, which included ice cream covered in hot chili sauce. She also denied rumors that she was wearing a fake baby bump, saying that these “ridiculous and over the top” rumors were so far off that they didn’t even bother her. She remained mum on the gender of the baby, even when Couric brought up how one of her best friends, Kelly Rowland, referred to the baby as a she. Beyonce made it known that she had no preference on whether the baby was a boy or girl, telling Couric, “I just want a healthy baby.”
Source-Allhiphop
DMX and Ex-Wife Tashera Are Going to ‘Relationship Rehab’
As DMX makes his way back to the industry and living a very public life, he and his ex-wife Tashera Simmons have agreed to appear on VH1’s upcoming “Relationship Rehab” according to TMZ.
On the show, the two will attempt to work out their differences after their failed marriage.
Tashera and the rapper split up in July 2010 after 20 years and four kids together. But they remain close friends, according to a source close to the pair.
Allegedly, DMX repeatedly cheated on his wife and even fathered six other children during their marriage. Ouch. Hard to forgive, but maybe they can make it work.
With professional help, maybe the two will repair their family and get it back together.
Vanessa & Eddie Long Divorce is in Play Again
First she did. Then she didn’t. Now she does again.
We’re talking about Vanessa Long, the wife of embattled Bishop Eddie Long, who on Friday filed for divorce, then announced that she was stopping the petition and now we’re back full circle to her saying that she will go through with the divorce after all. Geez, it’s enough to make your head spin.
In a statement issued late Friday, Mrs. Long’s attorney says “she has determined that dismissal of her divorce petition is not appropriate at this time.”
Earlier Friday, a few hours after she made it public she divorcing Bishop Long, she said in a statement released New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, that she loves her husband and planned to withdraw her petition.
By the way, according to the divorce petition filed Thursday in DeKalb Superior Court, the couple is “currently living in a bona fide state of separation.”
The split comes more than a year after allegations that Eddie Long used his lavish lifestyle and position of spiritual authority to lure four young men into sexual relationships. Long settled the cases but has never admitted to any wrongdoing.
Jackson Kids Considering doing Reality TV Series
The Jackson family can now move on since the Conrad Murray trial is finished. But there’s no rest for the weary.
Word is that the Jackson kids could be getting their own reality show.
This would be a great opportunity for the youngsters to live in the limelight, the same fame their father sheltered them from for such a long time.
According to reports, Paris, Prince Michael and Blanket have been offered an opportunity to do a reality series and they seem to be seriously considering it.
Senior editor of InTouch magazine, Dorothy Cascerceroi, told Fox News:
“After living their lives under the guise of Mardi Gras masks for so long, this could be a risky choice, but it may not even be their decision to make. The decision will most likely come down to their grandmother’s discretion, but there are whispers that the children are intrigued by the idea.”
Sizzla performs for Nigerian foreign minister
Reggae artiste Sizzla Kalonji, who is successfully recovering from a motorcycle accident, recently kicked off his live performances at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
The artiste had been invited to perform for Nigerian Foreign Minister, His Excellency Olugbenga Adeyemi Ashiru, and Ambassadors of the World.
According to Sizzla's spokesperson, Olimatta Taal, the invitation was made official by Nigerian Ambassador Peter Oyodele, and the artiste agreed.
This marked Sizzla's first performance since his accident in August.
Although the artiste has not fully recovered, Taal disclosed that it was a good opportunity for Sizzla to represent the Rastafarian community and the diaspora at large.
"It was an historic reception which marked an important union between Nigeria and Jamaica … Jamaica representing the breadbasket of the Caribbean, and Nigeria as a pioneer in opening doors between Africa and the Caribbean," she said.
Sizzla was expected to perform one song at the event. However, according to Taal, the diplomatic guests insisted that he performed up to five songs.
Eloquent speech
The artiste also delivered an eloquent speech, illuminating the joy of the occasion and shared his views on Pan-Africanism.
Sizzla was accompanied by elders from the I-ncient Council. The council delivered a letter to the Nigerian foreign minister, addressing the goals of African repatriation and building relationships with the Rastafarian community in Jamaica.
Other performances for the night included African dance routines from Stella Maris, and The Etutu Dance Troupe from Hanover.
The organisers used the opportunity to share dishes prepared by local and Nigerian chefs, and according to Taal, the reception gave patrons an opportunity to see that African retentions exist in Jamaica.
"You can take the African out of Africa, but you can't take Africa out of the African, no matter where we are in the diaspora," she said.
Sizzla also shared similar sentiments. "It felt good being there in an atmosphere of love and unity... seeing the connection of both countries doing business. It will be good to connect ourselves spiritually and culturally, as we know Africa is our home," he said.
TRINIDAD PM: I have no fear
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she is not in fear of her life if the 16 detainees being held in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate her and three Cabinet colleagues walk free. “If the detainees are released tomorrow I have no fear for my life,” the Prime Minister stated during a press conference at the VIP Lounge of the Piarco International Airport on her return from a summit in Venezuela last night. Describing the state of emergency as a “success” the Prime Minister said more than $1 billion in illegal narcotics were seized and destroyed. Among narcotics confiscated were—3,000 rounds of ammunitions and 300 high-powered weapons.
Persad-Bissessar also noted that there was a significant drop in crime, in particular the homicide rate. The issue of security and the fight against crime, the Prime Minister said, was also raised at the summit where Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez promised to partner in the fight against illegal guns and ammunitions trade in the Caribbean. “We are trying to negotiate in the United Nations Treaty the issue of small arms which is responsible for the death of young people. T&T seems as a transshipment point for drugs and guns.” The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to respond to Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley comments in relation to the alleged assassination plot describing his statements as “irresponsible” and “defamatory.”
Rebuking the allegations, Persad-Bissessar said it was her security adviser Gary Griffith who confirmed to the media that nation’s security had increased. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the Government was preparing to welcome Cuba President Fidel Castro and 80 other officials who are expected to attend Cuba Caricom Summit this week.