Yemen’s President Orders Probe Into Deadly Violence
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered a probe into deadly violence in the capital, Sana'a, Thursday, a day after he agreed to a Gulf Cooperation Council plan that calls for him to relinquish power.
Witnesses said five people were killed and at least 34 wounded after Mr. Saleh's loyalists opened fire on protesters who were upset over a provision in his power transfer deal that gives him immunity from prosecution.
Mr. Saleh, who signed the plan Wednesday to transfer power to his vice president and hold early presidential elections, condemned the killings and ordered an investigation into what happened.
An Interior Ministry official denied that the government was responsible for Thursday's violence.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Thursday three of its aid workers, who were kidnapped by insurgents two days ago in the country's volatile south, have been released.
Yemeni officials blamed the kidnapping on the Southern Movement, a group that wants independence for Yemen's south. The kidnappers were demanding the release of prisoners held by Yemeni authorities.
Kidnappings of Western tourists or aid workers by tribes seeking ransom or concessions from the government have been frequent in Yemen, one of the Arab world's poorest countries. Most hostages have been freed unharmed.
Also, al-Qaida-linked militants have seized control of several parts of southern Yemen as the government has struggled to contain unrest in other regions.
Prosecutor: Make doctor pay $100 million for Michael Jackson's death
When a judge sentences Dr. Conrad Murray next week for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, he can choose anything from simple probation to up to four years in prison plus a hefty payment.
Prosecutors, in a sentencing memo filed this week, asked for the maximum, four years behind bars. They also want Murray to pay Jackson's children more than $100 million in restitution.
Defense lawyers, in their filing, asked for probation, not prison time, in light of the "manifold collateral consequences" Murray is suffering because of the felony conviction, including the loss of his medical career.
A jury found Murray guilty this month of causing Jackson's death on June 25, 2009. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor set Tuesday for Murray's sentencing.
The coroner ruled Jackson died from a fatal combination of the surgical anesthetic propofol and sedatives, which prosecutors blamed on Murray's reckless efforts to help Jackson sleep.
Murray has "displayed a complete lack of remorse" about Jackson's death, and is "even worse, failing to accept even the slightest level of responsibility," deputy district attorneys David Walgren and Deborah Brazil wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed Wednesday.
The prosecutors cited Murray's decision not to testify in his own defense, even while he was giving interviews for a documentary that aired days after the verdict.
"In each of these interviews, the defendant has very clearly stated that he bears no responsibility for Michael Jackson's death," the prosecutors said. "Moreover, the defendant has continued to express concern only for his individual plight and portrays himself, not the decedent, as the victim."
"I don't feel guilty because I did not do anything wrong," Murray said in the documentary quoted by the prosecution.
"Finally, the defendant consistently blames the victim for his own death, even going so far as to characterize himself as being 'entrapped' by the victim and as someone who suffered a 'betrayal' at the hands of the victim," the prosecutors said.
Jackson's death came as he was preparing for a series of comeback concerts in London, which the defense argued caused great pressure on the singer to seek sleep or risk having the concerts canceled.
The prosecutors contend in their sentencing memo that Murray should be ordered to pay Jackson's three children restitution for the subsequent "wage and profits lost," as provided under California's "victim's bill of rights" law.
"The (Michael Jackson) estate estimates Michael Jackson's projected earnings for the 50-show O2 concert series to be $100,000,000," the prosecutors said.
With nearly $2 million in funeral expenses and 10% interest added each year, the prosecution is asking Pastor to order Murray to pay Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson more than $120 million in restitution.
While it is doubtful that Murray, who is unlikely to ever practice medicine again, could pay much of that sum, it could prevent him from reaping financial benefits from any books, interviews or film projects in the future.
The defense sentencing memo asking for probation and no jail time included a biography of Murray that described him as "a self-made man of humble origins."
"He was raised in a home that lacked indoor plumbing or electricity, and he walked to school barefoot for his first couple years of school," the defense said.
Murray paid his own way through medical school without scholarships or family funds, it said.
He worked as a doctor for 20 years, with "no prior contacts with the law," and many of his patients were elderly in low-income, underserved communities, the defense said.
"It seems reasonable that the transgression for which he is to be judged should be viewed within the context of the larger life of which it is a part," it said.
The defense filing challenges the prosecution's contention that Murray is not remorseful.
"Dr. Murray wishes to make it unmistakenly clear to everyone that he deeply mourns the loss of Michael Jackson's life, and he profoundly regrets any mistakes or oversights on his part that may have contributed to it," the defense said.
The judge should also consider "the manifold collateral consequences that Dr. Murray has sustained as a result of his mistake," the defense said, including the loss of his medical career, the public disgrace and loss of privacy.
"Dr. Murray has been described as a changed, grief-stricken man, who walks around under a pall of sadness since the loss of his patient, Mr. Jackson," the defense said.
The defense memo included a letter from Murray's elderly mother, Milta Rush. She sat in court for much of her son's trial, just a few feet away from Katherine Jackson, the mother of Michael Jackson.
"I sympathize with Mrs. Jackson as a mother," Rush wrote in a letter to the judge. "I sense she was very close to her son. I really wanted to approach her personally and tell her I am sorry for the loss of her son but I was unsure if she would be receptive, and I did not want to take the chance of violating court rules. I am sorry for all her loss."
While Murray's mother told the judge her son is "saddened and remorseful" about Jackson's death, she said "his compassion and his soft heartedness for others led to this dilemma."
The defense contends that Murray was trying to help Jackson, who was desperate for sleep so he could be ready for rehearsals. "His compassionate intentions should not be overlooked," it said.
"The victim was a willing recipient of the medications administered," the defense said. "In fact, Mr. Jackson had repeatedly begged Dr. Murray for propofol to overcome his insomnia so that he could sleep."
Murray does not pose a safety threat to the public, it said. "The likelihood of recurrence is essentially nonexistent since Conrad Murray's medical license has been suspended."
Aside from the arguments of what Murray deserves, the defense contends California's prison and jail overcrowding mean that "neither the space nor the public funds exist to continue imprisoning non-violent, non-dangerous offenders who do not need to be incapacitated for the sake of public safety."
"Dr. Murray is clearly such a defendant," the defense said. "He is an individual who remained free on bond for more than two years prior to the jury verdict, adhering assiduously to all of the bond conditions that had been imposed."
If Murray takes up a state prison or county jail cell, it "may mean that someone else with higher potential for violence will be released," the defense said.
Instead, the defense proposed that Murray could be sentenced to community service along with probation.
"Though he will perhaps not again be a doctor qualified to make diagnoses, he could educate and counsel patients about heart care and disease prevention," it said. "There are many non-profit clinics and organizations that would benefit from his participation, if ordered to perform community service as a condition of his sentence and a means of 'putting some water back into the public well.'"
Lady Gaga releases holiday EP
Like many a pop star before her, Lady Gaga is debuting her own holiday (mini) record.
The 25-year-old digitally released the four-track "A Very Gaga Holiday" on Wednesday, reports Billboard. Below is Gaga's swingy rendition of "White Christmas," the classic that she admits to adding an extra verse to.
"As you can tell I'm very outgoing," she says. "I've decided that this song is too short, it's such a beautiful Christmas song but it's only one verse, so I added one extra one." She had to make it her own, somehow.
The holiday album - on sale for $3.99 via Amazon and iTunes - also includes "Orange Colored Sky," as well as "You and I" and "Edge of Glory." All of the songs are pulled from her ABC Thanksgiving special, "A Very Gaga Thanksgiving," which aired on the network lastnight at 9:30.
BG Heading To Trial In December; Associate Gets 22 Years
Former Cash Money Records rapper BG will stand trial for gun and obstruction of justice charges early next month.
A search of the vehicle uncovered three guns and two loaded magazines and two extended clips, resulting in charges for BG and the vehicle’s two other occupants.
In May of 2011, prosecutors charged BG, Fedison and a third man named Demounde Pollard, with conspiracy.
Earlier this week one of the three men, 29-year-old Jerod Fedison, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the incident.
BG and Fedison are accused of attempting to coerce Pollard into taking the blame for possession of all three guns.
Of the three men, Pollard, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, was the only one without a criminal record.
Prosecutors claim they caught Fedison on a recorded call from prison, instructing Pollard’s girlfriend to take the charges the importance of the issue.
Pollard eventually agreed to take the charges, but he later began cooperating with authorities.
He is currently serving 30 months in prison.
BG is a convicted felon who has been arrested multiple times over the years.
The rapper, who has a lenghy rap sheet for drugs and other charges, will stand trial on December 12.
BG has pleaded not guilty. If he is convicted he faces up to 10 years in prison.
ALLHIPHOP
Nelly’s Production School To Open In Saint Louis Next Week
Nelly’s new recording school will open at the end of this month in St. Louis, Missouri.
The rapper’s Vatterott College ex’treme Institute by Nelly-St. Louis will begin classes on November 28.
The 9,000 square-foot facility, which is located at Laclede’s Landing in downtown St. Louis, houses a recording studio, a music engineering space, and a design studio.
Students enrolled in the program create album covers, recordings and other merchandise and music related material.
The school seeks those who wish to become professionals in a variety of sectors in the music business.
“Working with Nelly and his team has been an exciting opportunity for us at Vatterott College,” said Pam Bell, Chief Executive Officer and President of Vatterott Educational Centers, Inc. “Nelly has shown such commitment to the people of St. Louis and is taking great steps in training the next generation of music producers. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with one of St. Louis’ most celebrated music artists.”
For more information and a complete list of the offered courses, visit www.eibynelly.com.
Jill Scott, Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, and Mary J. Blige on Stage for VH1 Concert
VH1 has an incredible line up for the upcoming “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” event with Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Estelle and Marsha Ambrosius on the roster.
Other performances include Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, and Jill Scott (pictured above).
This year’s event will be dedicated to the cities that have contributed to soul music, including Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis, and Philadelphia.
Besides the great music and righteous honor, the event’s primary cause is to help bring music back to public schools.
The concert will air on Dec. 19 at 9 p.m.
Trinidad PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar in 'security threat'
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says police have thwarted a plot to assassinate her.
Around 12 people have been arrested, including members of the army and police.
Ms Persad-Bissessar blamed the alleged plot on "criminal elements" acting in "reprisal" for a state of emergency she declared in August.
She said the Trinidadian government remained in control, with the security forces on full alert.
'Treason'
Police and government officials in the Caribbean nation have released few details of the alleged plot, saying they did not want to jeopardize ongoing investigations,
In an address to the nation, Ms Persad-Bissessar condemned the alleged conspiracy against her and several members of her cabinet as "an evil, devious act of treason".
She linked the security threat to the state of emergency she declared in August to counter a surge in violent crime linked to drugs gangs, saying she was not surprised that "criminal elements" were bent on "reprisals".
But the prime minister said the threat would not deter her government from pursuing its campaign against crime and insecurity.
She also reminded Trinidadians of a coup attempt in 1990, when a local Islamist group tried to overthrow the government.
Sex workers say: ‘Tax Us’
It has been called the oldest profession in the world and now head of the Caribbean Association of Sex Workers, Miriam Edwards, says sex workers throughout the region would be willing to pay taxes if respective governments started recognising what they do as a job.
“We are willing to pay taxes if they give us the right to work and if they accept sex work as a job,” she told delegates at the 2011 HIV Conference earlier this week at the Atlantis, Paradise Island Bahamas.
Edwards added that sex workers want to pay taxes so they can have access to benefits which other workers are eligible to receive.
“We are not prepared to stop sex work and we don’t want anybody to ask us to stop. We just want our job to be accepted just like that of the police and the nurses,” she told delegates.
The Guyanese national said she was forced to enter the commercial sex trade at age 14 as that was the only available option which allowed her to be able to remain in school and subsequently take care of her seven children.
Edwards, who proudly noted that none of her children had followed in her footsteps, said the way to keep young people out of the sex trade is to afford them proper parental support.
“When we talk about keeping young people out of sex work we have to ensure their parents are alive and there for them because there are lots of parents living with HIV and cannot work and the neighbour who gives rice and flour will start having sex with their 13 year old,” she said.
Edwards, at the same time, requested that more funding be allocated for prevention work tailored specifically to meet the needs of sex workers.
“Sex workers are being left out of these special programmes and so we need more programmes and more funding,” she said.
Princess Brown, president of the Jamaica Association of Sex Workers, said sex workers do not want to be accepted and put in a corner but be treated as any other worker.
“We don’t want them to put us away in a secluded place in some bush and say they accept us,” she said.
Although the HIV prevalence rate is high among commercial sex workers, Brown said sex workers have the right not to disclose their HIV status to their partners/clients.
“Sex workers are human beings and for any human being it is their right not to tell someone that they are HIV positive and so if a sex worker does not want to say then that is their right,” she argued.
She said that although she has several certificates and a diploma those never provided job opportunities for her as did sex work.
She said she is the mother of five daughters, one of whom is now in London studying medicine, and another studying to become a flight attendant.
Speaking to some of the challenges facing sex workers, Brown said she has lived many of them first hand, as she cited an experience when she worked at a night club in the Bahamas two years ago.
“Immigration here is terrible to migrant sex workers and I can tell you because I almost broke my neck trying to hide in a ceiling from immigration officers,” she said.
She said often times the human rights of sex workers are violated when they are caught. “When they catch us they will send you home in whatever they catch you in. They will carry you to the prison in whatever costume you were wearing, without any panty, in your G-string whatever you are wearing,” she said.
“I sprained my foot and was afraid to go to doctor because I was told if you can’t say what you are doing here they will call the immigration on you,” she said.
Caribbean 360 News
Britain and Cayman Islands sign new fiscal responsibility agreement
Britain’s Foreign Office Minister for the Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham, and McKeeva Bush, premier of the Cayman Islands, signed a framework for fiscal responsibility for the Cayman Islands on Wednesday in London.
The framework records the Cayman Islands government’s (CIG) commitment to prudent and transparent fiscal management through effective medium-term planning and putting value for money considerations at the heart of CIG decision making. It also includes a commitment to effective risk management and delivering improved accountability in all public sector operations.
Speaking after the signing, Bellingham said, “The agreement of a framework for fiscal responsibility with the Cayman Islands government is a strong example of the UK government’s strategy towards the Overseas Territories in action. The strategy aims to help territories strengthen public financial management and economic planning and this framework is a clear sign of the Cayman Island government’s commitment to those goals. I am sure this development, and returning the public finances of the Cayman Islands to a sustainable footing, will be welcomed in the Cayman Islands and internationally.”
The framework for fiscal responsibility sets out a range of measures to strengthen public financial management in the Cayman Islands. The provisions of the framework will be reflected in a revision of the Cayman Islands Public Management and Finance Law, which will enter into force by July 2012.
The Cayman Islands government and the UK government agreed that immediate compliance with the limits on public borrowing specified in the framework cannot reasonably be achieved. The framework therefore provides for full compliance to be achieved by the end of 2015-16.
Caribbean News Now
Bahamas PM says Caribbean will follow demands from France
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham believes that Caribbean countries named by France as tax havens, will have no choice but to comply with the measures outlined by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
“The reality is...the developed world has to fund their social systems and revenue becomes less and less available for them to do so, more efforts will be made to find additional sources of revenue and we have to see that places where some of the wealthy of the world hide their monies. The reality is the developed world doesn’t really believe we ought to be in financial services as we are and they are taking every step to drive back on shore the things we are doing on shore, “ he told the Caribbean Media Corporation.
Earlier this month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking at the end of the G20 summit in France named 11 countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, as tax havens for failing to meet transparency standards.
The three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have dismissed the French position and former regional diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders said that the Caribbean needed to adopt a united position on the issue.
However, Ingraham told CMC while he was not surprised at the French position, he could recall a similar position in which The Bahamas found itself leaving Nassau in the end with no choice but to comply and sign a tax agreement with the United States.
“I was not surprised by the comments of President Sarkozy in relation to the countries in the region, but i did not he included Switzerland and that gave me some comfort.
“In the Bahamas, for instance, we virtually swore we would never sign a tax information agreement (TIEA), the Americans used their might and we ended up signing with them. We firmly said we will not do so with anybody else in the world, that was a one off deal just because of our relations with them ...we ended up signing with everybody”.
Ingraham said that while Barbados took the view that it has double taxation treaties and had no need for TIEAs and when the OECD issued its black list of countries, Bridgetown was not included, while The Bahamas were.
“So it is ironic that Barbados is now been categorised by the French in that way, but Barbados will do what is necessary to comply and so will all,” he added.
Ingraham told CMC that the economy of his country had improved over the past few months, adding “we are making some progress, there has been some stabilisation...revenue is beginning to climb back up....and the government has been able to stimulate the economy significantly”.
He said the public investment programme has been “huge” in getting the economy moving , with tourism doing “fairly well”.