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.
World economy top worry for leaders at Americas talks
Leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean pledged closer ties to safeguard their economies from the world financial crisis as they formed a new bloc yesterday including every nation in the hemisphere except the US and Canada.
Several presidents stressed during the two-day summit that they hope to ride out turbulent times by boosting local industries and increasing trade within the region.
"It seems it's a terminal, structural crisis of capitalism," Bolivian President Evo Morales said in a speech yesterday. "I feel we're meeting at a good moment to debate... the great unity of the countries of America, without the United States."
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and some of his closest allies called the new regional bloc a tool for opposing US influence. But other leaders focused more on economic concerns and on working together to confront issues such as drug trafficking and the effects of climate change.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said that if the nations are to keep thriving they will need to look more to their neighbours.
"The economic, financial crisis should be at the centre of our concerns," Rousseff said Friday night. She said Latin America should "realise that to guarantee its current cycle of development despite the international economic turbulence, it means that every politician must be aware that each one needs the others".
The region has so far weathered the economic woes better than the US or Europe, achieving economic growth of more than five per cent last year.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said the region has immense potential "in this world that's going through great uncertainty, where there's a hurricane that's hitting the so-called industrialised economies hard". He said Colombia's current trade with Brazil, for instance, is minimal and could grow significantly.
Chavez read aloud a letter from Chinese President Hu Jintao congratulating the leaders on forming a new 33-nation regional bloc, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. Hu pledged to deepen co-operation with the new group.
The US remains the top trading partner of many countries in the region, with exceptions including Brazil and Chile, where China has become the biggest trading partner. China has also made diplomatic inroads, including by granting about US$38 billion in loans to Venezuela in exchange for increasing shipments of oil.
Chilean President Sebastian Pinera touted the region's opportunities for growth, while Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said building trade among the countries should be a priority.
Bolivia's Morales took a different focus, strongly criticising the International Monetary Fund and saying "they've just pillaged us and led us to poverty".
Morales also appealed for strong steps at this month's climate change conference in South Africa, saying it's critical that developed nations renew pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
"If they kill the protocol, they kill the planet," Morales said.
Trinidad and Tobago's prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, also expressed concerns about changing weather patterns and said nations should work together to better plan for disasters.
Several leaders called for closer co-operation to fight criminals and drug trafficking.
"Our region is seriously threatened by organised crime," Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom said.
Colombia's Santos said the new bloc could help in re-examining whether current counter-drug efforts are the right approach.
Caribbean leaders, including Haitian President Michel Martelly, thanked Chavez for selling their nations oil on preferential terms, including long-term, low interest loans.
"The people of Haiti love you with all their hearts," Martelly told Chavez during his speech, saying "south-south co-operation" is key to the future of his impoverished country.
Chavez assured leaders he will survive cancer, reiterating that he underwent recent tests in Cuba after finishing chemotherapy and they found no "malignant cells in any part of my body, thanks to God".
Trinidad's prime minister gave Chavez a vial of what she described as holy water, and Chavez thanked her, saying "soon we will have a summit of those of us who've beaten cancer".
Venezuela's Government celebrated the gathering at a Caracas military base with bursts of fireworks that could be heard from the session. Other events included an orchestral performance led by Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and a post-summit concert headlined by Puerto Rican hip-hop duo Calle 13.
The leaders planned to formally launch the new bloc known by its Spanish initials CELAC yesterday by approving the group's procedural rules as well as a clause dealing with democratic norms and a declaration of shared principles.
Both Chavez and Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said they hope the bloc eventually overshadows the importance of the Washington-based Organisation of American States (OAS). Unlike the OAS, the new group will have Cuba as a full member and exclude the US and Canada.
"We need a new inter-American system and, more specifically, a new system to guarantee human rights," Correa said Friday, referring to the Washington-based Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which has received complaints from Ecuadorean newspapers and television channels that accuse his Government of trying to silence critics.
"All these attacks and threats are made in the name of freedom of expression," Correa added, accusing powerful media outlets of manipulating public opinion.
Several other presidents said they see CELAC as an important forum to resolve conflicts and build closer ties, but not as an alternative to existing bodies such as the OAS.
China may construct new stadium for Grenada
China has indicated an interest in constructing a new track and field stadium in Grenada.
This was hinted by Chinese ambassador to Grenada, Xu Jianguo during the recent signing of the second phase of technical cooperation for the cricket stadium.
In reiterating China’s commitment to Grenada’s development, Xu indicated that a Chinese technical team, expected on the island before the end of the year, will make a determination on the best option.
The Grenada government has been criticised for its tardy response in rebuilding the facility, which was partially destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
However, Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports, Patrick Simmons said that projects like these call for tremendous resources and planning, noting that efforts were made as early as 2008 to reconstruct the stadium facility. Simmons expressed appreciation to China on behalf of the government and people of Grenada.
“Based on preliminary discussions there are indications that the Chinese may demolish the track and field and football stadium and rebuild a new facility,” Simmons said. The new facility will include 8,000 permanent seats and an additional 2,000 temporary seats which could be relocated to other playing fields around the island.
He said that the existing facility will be unavailable for cultural and sporting activities including the annual Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships when construction work starts in the New Year.
“The safety of the athletes and spectators are paramount so a determination has to be made on the best possible venue to accommodate these championships,” he said.
The Grenadian minister also joined Ambassador Xu in signing the handing-over certificate of first phase of the technical cooperation agreement. The first phase included the treating and repainting of the metal structure of the stadium as well as the training of locals on maintenance of the facility.
The second phase which will be for a period of two years will include the lighting of the cricket stadium as well as ongoing maintenance.
Xu also handed over some computers to the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Sports.
Caribbean News Now
Brazil bus crash leaves 33 dead
At least 33 people have been killed and about a dozen injured in a crash involving a lorry and a bus in north-east Brazil, officials say.
The accident occurred early on Saturday near the town of Milagres, in north-eastern Bahia state.
An official told AFP the bus was carrying sugar-cane cutters from the central state of Mato Grosso to the north-eastern state of Pernambuco.
The crash is reported to have occurred as one vehicle passed the other.
Witnesses told CBN radio that a third vehicle crashed head on with the bus which then was hit by the truck, AFP said.
Dr. Conrad Murray files appeal notice
Dr. Conrad Murray filed notice Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court that he will appeal his conviction last month of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.
Murray was sentenced to four years in the Los Angeles County Jail on Tuesday, three weeks after a jury found him guilty of being responsible for Jackson's 2009 death.
"He disagrees with the jury's findings and the pretrial rulings made by the court," defense lawyer Nareg Gourjian said Friday.
Murray, who signed his own appeal notice, has not hired a lawyer to represent him in the appellate process, Gourjian said.
The appeal notice was filed "In Pro Per," legalese that means he's representing himself. The return address on the document is the jail where Murray has resided since his conviction.
It's not unusual for appeal notices to be filed in that manner before a lawyer who specializes in the appellate process is chosen, Gourjian said.
Murray's trial lawyers have complained that a series of pretrial decisions by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor limited their ability to defend the doctor.
Judge Michael Pastor blocked their efforts to introduce evidence and testimony about Jackson's past drug use and his finances.
The defense argued that Jackson's fear of financial ruin if his comeback concerts were canceled led him to self-administered the drugs that killed him in a desperate search for sleep.
The judge did not allow them to call to the stand other doctors they believe would testify they used propofol to put Jackson to sleep for years before his death.
Murray's four-year sentence, unless overturned on appeal, is expected to keep the doctor in jail for only two years since state rules give him credit for two days served for every one day behind bars.
Martin Scorsese new film Hugo wins first award
Martin Scorsese's 3D family tale Hugo has been named best film by the National Board of Review in the US.
The Oscar-winning moviemaker was also chosen as best director by the group.
Tilda Swinton won best actress for her role in gritty drama We Need To Talk About Kevin, with George Clooney taking best actor for The Descendants.
The NBR, made up of film historians, student and academics, was established in 1909 and is one of the first groups to select its picks for awards season.
Silent film The Artist, which was named best movie by the New York Critics Circle earlier this week, was among the NBR's roll call of favourites.
Violent thriller Drive, the final Harry Potter instalment and George Clooney's The Ides of March were also among the NBR's top 10 of the year.
'Visually stunning'
As well as Clooney's best acting trophy, The Descendents won best screenplay and best supporting actress for Shailene Woodley.
Best supporting actor was awarded to 81-year-old Christopher Plummer for his performance as a dying man awakening to his homosexuality in Beginners.
Other winners included Iranian drama A Separation for best foreign language film, while Michael Fassbender was given a special acting award for his roles in four films during 2011, including Jane Eyre and X-Men: First Class.
The cast of civil rights era drama The Help were awarded the best ensemble prize.
NBR president Annie Schulof hailed Scorsese's Hugo as "a personal film" touching upon cinema's early years, using cutting edge technology.
"It is visually stunning and emotionally engaging," she added.
The NBR has gone on to choose the eventual winner of the Academy Award for best film on a number of occasions.
But last year the organisation chose Facebook movie The Social Network over The King's Speech, which triumphed at the Oscars.
The NBR's annual awards gala is due to take place in New York on 12 January.
Cowboys and Aliens makers sued by comic book author
A US writer has taken legal action against the makers of Hollywood film Cowboys and Aliens, claiming he had the idea prior to the 2006 graphic novel on which the film is based.
Steven John Busti's court claim states the 100-page work published by Platinum Studios and its creator Scott Mitchell Rosenberg bears "striking similarities" to his own work.
Platinum and film studios Universal and DreamWorks have declined to comment.
Daniel Craig starred in the film.
Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde were also among the cast of the movie which topped the US box office in June.
However, it is considered to have been a financial dud barely earning back its reported $163m (£103m) budget.
Mr Busti says that he came up with the concept of a group of 19th Century cowboys who fend off an alien assault in a Wild West backdrop in 1994.
The story was printed in an edition of a comic anthology called Bizarre Fantasy.
His legal action claims that the Platinum publications, released more than 10 years later, contained characters which resemble his own, including an alien commander called Morguu.
The Hollywood studios bought the rights to make a Platinum version.
Mr Busti failed to register to copyright for his original story until last year, but his lawyer insisted copyright is obtained as soon as material is created.