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.
Kartel remanded into custody
Self-proclaimed 'World Boss', Vybz Kartel, made another appearance in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday on his second murder charge and was remanded into custody.
A bail application for the deejay was not made as the deejay's attorneys have not yet been served with the relevant documents.
He is to return to court on December 19.
Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey ruled yesterday that the prosecution must hand over video and voice evidence to the defence no later than December 15.
Kartel, whose real name is Adija Palmer, along with his fashion stylist Calvin 'Moonie' Haye, deejay Shawn Storm, and Cairo Jones, have been charged with the murder of Clive Williams.
It is reported that on August 16, Williams, a resident of Portmore, St Catherine, was killed in Havendale, St Andrew.
Williams was allegedly taken to a house in Havendale, where he was beaten and stabbed to death over the loss of an illegal gun.
His body has not been found.
Investigators are alleging that attempts were made to destroy the evidence when fire was set to the house.
Meanwhile, the deejay was on Thursday offered $3 million bail in the Barrington 'Bossie' Burton murder case.
He is to return to court on December 21.
It is alleged that on July 11, Kartel, along with Nigel Thompson and Linberg McDonald killed Burton of a Gregory Park address in St Catherine.
Kartel is also charged with conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
Nikki Z expectations high for Beach Sexy
Having been in the island for a week, overseas-based media personality is excited about her birthday party, Beach Sexy, that will be held at Sugarman's Beach in Portmore on Saturday.
Nikki Z, who has been busy promoting the event, said her expectations are high.
"My expectation is to have a good time. It's a time to party with my family, friends and fans. I want people to get drunk from good music and good vibe, and if they get drunk from liquor, I hope they have a designated driver," she told THE JAMAICAN STAR.
In addition to celebrating the night with well-wishers, Nikki Z said she will be offering a lot to her patrons. She said there will be drink specials all night, and women will enter two for one before 6 p.m. She said there will also be a fire show with professional fire-eaters. Also, patrons will get the opportunity to win prizes every hour on the hour of the party that will start at 4 p.m. and end at 2 a.m.
Selectors for the event are Razz & Biggy, ZJ Chrome, Foota Hype, Flava Unit and Chris Diamond, but Nikki Z said there might also be impromptu performances from her celebrity friends.
But after a two-year absence and finally being able to host her party in Jamaica, Nikki Z said she is grateful for the help she received from Hapilos International.
"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be having this party. Hapilos is the one that reached out to me and say let's do this," she said.
Rory McIlroy falters as Alviro Quiros leads Hong Kong Open
A disappointing third round left Rory McIlroy three shots off the lead in the Hong Kong Open.
The Northern Irishman slipped to fifth after carding a level-par 70 as Alvaro Quiros's 67 gave him the outright lead on 10 under par.
Quiros is one stroke clear of Peter Hanson, while England's Ian Poulter went round in 67 to move to four under.
"I just didn't have anything out there and mentally I wasn't at the races," said McIlroy.
"But then I am only three behind and if I can get off to a decent start tomorrow I am right back in it."
The US Open champion, who must finish in the top two to have any chance of overhauling Luke Donald in the Race to Dubai, shared the overnight lead with Quiros.
However, he found sand at the fourth en route to two bogeys in the first five holes. Birdies on the 13th and 17th only partly repaired the damage.
Spaniard Quiros, by contrast, did not drop a shot all day and a birdie on the penultimate hole enabled him to hold off the challenge of Sweden's Hanson.
"I only used the driver four times today so this golf course is still a very different challenge for me," said the big-hitting Quiros.
Hanson's 65 featured four birdies on the back nine, while South Korean YE Yang also went round in five under at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
"It was nice," Hanson said. "To sum it up, it was very good putting."
Yang rated his chances as "fairly good", adding: "I'm in a good position - better than being ahead in the first or second round."
Yang heads into the final day tied for third with Thailand's Pariya Junhasavasdikul, with McIlroy their closest challenger and Englishman David Horsey one of five players who are a further two shots adrift on five under par.
Poulter, whose outward nine contained four birdies and two bogeys, said: "This week is as tough as the course has played."
McIlroy is third in the order of merit, £970,000 behind Englishman Donald, who is not playing in this event.
Brazil football legend Socrates dies at 57
Former Brazil captain Socrates has died at the age of 57.
He had been in a critical condition with an intestinal infection since being admitted to intensive care on Friday at a hospital in Sao Paulo.
Socrates, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest ever midfielders, was moved onto a life support machine on Saturday.
He played in two World Cups, won 60 caps for his country between 1979 and 1986 and scored 22 goals.
The former Corinthians player, whose full name was Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Sousa Vieira de Oliveira, was taken to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo with food poisoning on Friday, according to his wife.
A hospital statement said on Saturday that the former footballer was "in a critical condition due to a septic shock of intestinal origin".
It added he was breathing with a ventilator and using a dialysis machine.
Socrates was taken to hospital twice in August and September this year with bleeding in his digestive tract.
After these incidents he admitted he had problems with alcohol, especially so during his playing career. He is also well known for his smoking habit.
In a recent television interview, Socrates said he had considered alcohol his "companion" but believed its regular use did not affect his performance on the field.
"Alcohol did not affect my career, in part because I never had the physical build to play this game," he said.
"Soccer became my profession only when I was already 24. I was too thin and when I was young I did not have the opportunity to prepare myself physically for the sport."