California university to investigate police use of pepper spray
Under pressure to resign, the chancellor of the University of California, Davis, on Saturday called police use of pepper spray on seated Occupy protesters "chilling" and established a task force to look into the incident.
The video broadcast by CNN Sacramento affiliate KOVR showed a campus police officer, in a sweeping motion, spraying protesters point blank on Friday before other officers moved in. Eleven people were treated on site for effects of the yellow spray. Two of them were sent to the hospital, university officials said.
"Yesterday was not a day that would make anyone on our campus proud; indeed the events of the day need to guide us forward as we try to make our campus a better place of inquiry, debate, and even dissent," Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi said in a statement.
The incident set off a flood of comments on the school's Facebook page, most of them critical of police and the administration.
Protesters rallied again Saturday evening, chanting "resignation" and "we are peaceful, you are not."
In a press conference, Katehi refused calls from faculty members and others for her to step down, saying she did not violate campus policies and that she has worked to make UC Davis a safe campus.
"Very unexpected, sad and very inappropriate at least on the face of it," she said of the video, adding she wants the task force to look at how students can safely express their opinions. Officers sent in to remove tents had been encircled by protesters, creating a safety issue, police said.
The Davis Faculty Association, citing incidents at other campuses, demanded "that the chancellors of the University of California cease using police violence to repress nonviolent political protests." It called for greater attention to cuts in state funding to education and rising tuition. Its board demanded Katehi resign, saying she exhibited "gross failure of leadership."
"Student debt has reached unprecedented levels as bank profits swell," the group said on its website.
Time: Watch video of police pepper-spraying and arresting students
UC Davis spokeswoman Claudia Morain told CNN that 25 tents were in place Friday afternoon -- despite fliers explaining the campus prohibits overnight camping. It does so for security and health reasons, Katehi said.
After written and verbal warnings, officers reminded the protesters they would be subject to arrest if they did not move their tents from the quad, Morain said. Many protesters did decide to remove their tents and equipment, officials said.
A group of about a dozen protesters sat on a path with their arms interlocked as police moved in to remove additional tents. Most of the protesters had their heads down.
At one point, protesters encircled the officers and blocked them from leaving, Morain said. Cut off from backup, the officers determined the situation was not safe and asked people several times to make room, Morain said. One officer used pepper spray when a couple of protesters and some of the 200 bystanders moved in, she added.
One of the protesters hit by the spray told CNN's Don Lemon that she was still feeling some after-effects Saturday evening.
"I was shocked," said Sophia Kamran. "When students are sitting on the ground and no way of moving to be violent, being totally peaceful, I don't understand the use of pepper spray against them."
Kamran said she and others had sat down in "solidarity" of five others she said were arbitrarily arrested by officers.
Annette Spicuzza, chief of campus police, said officers in riot gear were unable to get out after they were encircled.
A use of force review will "determine whether we made all the right decisions and handled it the way we should have handled it," Spicuzza told reporters.
Ten people were arrested during the face-off, Morain said late Friday. Tentative citations were failure to disperse and lodging without permission.
Morain said the pepper spray was used in lieu of batons. "Obviously, they use this only as a last resort," she said of the officers.
Katehi said the incident followed weeklong peaceful demonstrations on the campus over the cost of higher education and other issues.
"During the early afternoon hours and because of the request to take down the tents, many students decided to dismantle their tents, a decision for which we are very thankful," she wrote. "However, a group of students and non-campus affiliates decided to stay. The university police then came to dismantle the encampment. ... As indicated in various videos, the police used pepper spray against the students who were blocking the way. The use of pepper spray as shown on the video is chilling to us all and raises many questions about how best to handle situations like this."
Katehi said the task force made of faculty, students and staff will review the events and provide a report within 90 days.
"This report will help inform our policies and processes within the university administration and the Police Department to help us avoid similar outcomes in the future," she said.
Obama declares Asia-Pacific trip a success
U.S. President Barack Obama declared his nine-day Asia-Pacific trip a success on Saturday, returning to the trip's domestic impact after focusing for days on the United States' role in the region and its relationship with China.
In his weekly address, delivered from Bali, Indonesia,Obama said the trip helped cement trade deals that will support nearly 130,000 jobs. Agreements announced to export Boeing aircraft and G.E. engines to the region could increase U.S. exports by up to $39 billion, he said.
"These agreements will help us reach my goal of doubling American exports by 2014 -- a goal we're on pace to meet," he said.
Obama was flying back to the United States on Saturday. He was scheduled to be back in Washington early Sunday.
The administration advertised the trip, which began with a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Hawaii, primarily as an effort to shore up to United States' role in the economically important region as a means of helping boost the ailing U.S. economy.
Secondarily, White House officials characterized the trip as an effort to demonstrate its commitment to the region and its allies there as the United States winds down its military commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan and China begins to exert its own rising influence.
During the trip, Obama announced an agreement to station U.S. Marines in Australia and held face-to-face meetings with Chinese officials and other leaders on economic and security issues, in addition to participating in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic summit and the East Asia Summit in Indonesia -- a first for a U.S. president, according to the White House.
During the summit, Obama and his counterparts discussed economic issues, disaster response and territorial disputes over the South China Sea, an area critical to maritime shipping and one rich in oil and fish.
China has claimed a significant portion of the South China Sea as its own territorial waters, putting it in conflict with other nations that have made claims on portions of the region.
Sixteen of 18 leaders present at the meeting spoke out strongly against China's stance in what was a productive, but not confrontational meeting, according to a senior administration official. Premier Wen Jiabao told the group that China wants to see the issue resolved peacefully, according to the official.
"I think it was constructive, and one has to believe that the Chinese premier will go back to Beijing with the sense that the center of gravity in the Asia Pacific area is around the adherence to the principle of the rule of law, peaceful resolution, and a constructive, rules-based approach to the resolution of territorial disputes," the official said.
Obama later met with the Chinese premier in a hastily-arranged meeting to continue their discussion on economic issues and the territorial dispute.
Those talks occurred against the backdrop of Chinese consternation over the United States' increasing assertiveness in the region.
An editorial published Friday by the state-controlled Xinhua news agency chided the United States for what it called a willingness to flaunt international rules, even as it insists other countries follow them. It highlighted the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
"Today, when the world is still facing many difficult global challenges, the United States needs to first revisit its double standards on international rules and start observing them itself instead of lecturing China." Xinhua said in the editorial.
Obama's last appointment Saturday before leaving for Washington was a meeting with Thailand's first woman prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Obama congratulated Shinawatra on her "inspirational" election win, and offered condolences and assistance to those affected by the flooding in Thailand.
He also described Thailand as one of America's oldest allies and spoke of the two nations' great friendship. When Shinawatra expressed her regret at not having visited the United States, Obama responded by inviting her to Hawaii.
Source-CNN
Pope calls for African peace and reconciliation
Pope Benedict has presented plans by the Roman Catholic church to encourage reconciliation in Africa, on the second day of his visit to the state of Benin.
The Pope travelled to the city of Ouidah, the heartland of the Voodoo religion, where called for respect for traditional beliefs but issued a warning against witchcraft.
Ouidah is home to one of the largest Catholic cathedrals in West Africa.
Earlier he denounced corruption when he spoke to political and church leaders.
Large crowds have greeted the Pope since he arrived in Benin on Friday.
His first public engagement was at the presidential palace in the economic capital, Cotonou.
In front of an audience of politicians, diplomats and church figures, he issued an appeal to Africa's leaders.
Do not deprive your peoples of hope. Do not cut them off from their future," he said.
"There are too many scandals and injustices, too much corruption and greed, too many errors and lies, too much violence which leads to misery and to death," the Pope added.
The Church's reconciliation plans are contained in a 135-page formal apostolic exhortation entitled The Pledge for Africa (Africae Munus in Latin), which the Pope signed in Ouidah.
The document was drawn up two years ago at a meeting in Rome by Catholic bishops from all over Africa.
It is intended to encourage reconciliation, peace and justice - calling for good governance and the abolition of the death penalty and condemning abuse of women and children.
Pope Benedict reflected these themes in his address to the packed basilica in Ouidah, saying reconciliation was needed to overcome "the tensions, the acts of violence, the wars, the injustices and abuses of all sorts, new and old, which have marked this year".
He urged his audience to recognise elements of traditional cultures and religions to be recognised, if they are compatible with church teaching.
But he warned people to reject magic and witchcraft, which the Church condemns for what it believes is their negative effect on families and society.
The cathedral in Ouidah was built on land which was originally a Voodoo "sacred bush" - where offerings are made to the gods.
It now overlooks a temple where the snake-god is worshipped.
Voodoo is widely practised in Benin, where it has none of the negative connotations often associated with it in Western countries.
'Useless nationalism'
On the first day of his visit the pontiff spoke of avoiding "exacerbated and useless nationalism or tribalism" which he said could fuel deadly inter-religious tensions.
He also urged Africans to avoid the "unconditional surrender to the law of the market and finance".
"Modernity must not cause fear, but it cannot be built by forgetting the past," he said.
The Pope is likely to face questions about the Church's attitude to the use of condoms during his trip.
He caused controversy on a previous visit to Africa, in 2009, by saying that handing out condoms could speed up the spread of HIV.
Africa has the highest prevalence of the virus in the world and his comments angered Aids campaigners.
The Pledge for Africa concedes that Aids calls for a "medical and pharmaceutical response", but describes it as an "ethical problem".
Taiwan moves to legalize oldest profession
In Taiwan, legislation is moving towards legalizing the world’s oldest profession, but in practice the trade remains largely underground.
Under the revised Social Order Maintenance Act, which went into effect in early November, prostitution is legal in designated red-light districts, but so far no local governments have been willing to create these zones, rendering prostitution anywhere illegal.
“You [the government] tell us that both the sex worker and the client would not be penalized within the district, but where is it?” Chung Chun-chu, secretary general of the Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters told the Taipei Times. “So far, none of the local governments have any plans to create red-light districts.”
All 22 county and city mayors have expressed concern that creating prostitution districts would lead to increased crime and plummeting property values, according to an Apple Daily survey.
“We will not consider opening a sex trade zone because there is no public consensus on this highly controversial issue,” Edward Zhang, spokesman for the Taipei City Government, told the Taipei Times.
The new amendment also overturns Article 80 of the act which criminalized prostitutes but not their clients based on its unconstitutionality.
Now, both sex workers and their customers could be fined up to NT$30,000 ($994) for engaging in prostitution outside of these designated areas. Brothel owners operating outside the red-light districts would also face fines of up to NT$50,000 ($1,655).
This law is aimed at protecting women in the sex trade, but Mei Hsiang, a prostitute working in Taipei is worried it will affect her ability to make a living.
“Punishing the clients is worse than punishing us because the clients will not come for fear of being caught and fined and we won’t be able to make a living,” she told the Taipei Times.
Some argued that Taiwan should follow the Swedish approach to prostitution regulation. In Sweden, paying for sex is illegal, but selling it is not, meaning clients are prosecuted while prostitutes are not. Jiang Yi-huah, Minister of the Interior, argued that this sort of legislation may be unconstitutional.
But Huang Sue-ying, a member of the minority Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) questioned this claim, saying “equality means equality in essence and not equality in form. Women are at a more disadvantaged position than men, who are not prosecuted. Men have to pay for the social costs they cause.”
Source-CNN
15 Dead in Syria as Arab Deadline Looms
Syrian activists say at least 15 people were killed in a crackdown on dissent across Syria Saturday, as and Arab League deadline neared for Damascus to end the bloodshed.
The activists said most of the deaths occurred in fresh raids by security forces, while at least two army deserters died in clashes in Homs.
The state-run SANA news agency said authorities raided the “hideouts of terrorists groups” Saturday and arrested more than 140 “wanted men.”
The Arab League has set a deadline of Saturday midnight, local time, for Syria to end the crackdown or risk sanctions. A week ago, the 22-member bloc has suspended Syria's membership.
The league's plan also calls for Damascus to allow in teams of observers to monitor its compliance. On Friday, Syria agreed to the plan “in principle,” but had submitted unspecified amendments that were under review.
Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Syria was responsible for the deteriorating relations between the two countries. He accused Syria of not fulfilling promises to Turkey, the Arab League and to the world for reform or to stop the bloodshed
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak acknowledged that Israel would benefit from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's downfall, saying it would mean less support for militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
Damascus has been facing mounting international pressure to end the unrest that the U.N. says has resulted in more than more than 3,500 deaths.
On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed concern that Syria could slide into civil war.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he would meet with Syrian rebel leaders in London Monday. Hague has condemned the violence and called for Mr. Assad to step aside.
Ashton Kutcher's First Mistress: I Told You So
Ashton Kutcher's alleged mistress added fuel to the divorce statement from Demi Moore. Brittney Jones, who was the first woman stepping forward with the claim that Kutcher had cheated on Moore, said people will now believe her story about sleeping with the actor.
Jones went public with the alleged affair in 2010, just a year before another woman, Sara Leal, told tabloids that she had passionate night with Kutcher. The "Two and a Half Men" star said through his lawyer that Jones' allegation was a lie but did not deny it entirely.
In a new statement to TMZ, Jones said, "Although divorce is often sad I do feel somewhat vindicated. For so long people have thought that I was dishonest or just making up my passionate nights with Ashton, when in fact I was being used."
Jones also backed up Chelsea Handler's theory that Moore and her husband of six years had an "open relationship". Jones said, "Ashton told me that both he and Demi had an 'open relationship' and that he was not in fact cheating. Now I can tell all the facts about how Ashton really was, and hopefully people will believe my side of the story."
She added, "I feel for Demi very much and wish her nothing but the best during this hard time."
Source-AceShowbiz
Demi Moore says she is divorcing Kutcher
Actress Demi Moore said Thursday she plans to divorce Ashton Kutcher.
"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton," Moore, 49, said in a statement.
"As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life," she said. "This is a trying time for me and my family, and so I would ask for the same compassion and privacy that you would give to anyone going through a similar situation."
Kutcher, 33, currently stars in "Two and a Half Men."
The prolific Twitter user sent a message Thursday afternoon: "I will forever cherish the time I spent with Demi. Marriage is one of the most difficult things in the world and unfortunately sometimes they fail. Love and Light, AK"
The couple started the Demi & Ashton Foundation (DNA) to combat the international sexual slavery trade.
Moore and Kutcher began dating in 2003 and married in September 2005.
It was the first time to tie the knot for Kutcher, the third for Moore. Before Bruce Willis, Moore was married to rock musician Freddy Moore.
Source-CNN
Chris Brown and Ex-Girlfriend Deny Sex Tape Existence
Chris Brown is back on the headlines after reports emerge that he has a sex tape with ex-girlfriend Draya Michele. Before the report got out of hand, the singer's representative spared the time to say, "The report is absolutely not true."
MediaTakeOut.com was the first to report of the tape's existence, saying they were offered the video for the price tag of $50,000. The gossip website has viewed the tape but the asking price was out of their range, so they made a pass. They said the video is "extremely graphic", featuring the two of them taking "turns holding the camera while they performed sex acts on each other."
Brown's rep added in a statement to TMZ that whoever was on the tape performing XXX act, Brown is not the person. The "With You" crooner was not the only one who came up with denial. Michele took to her Twitter to say, "Don't get caught up in the hype. You can't have 'the first glimpse' of something that doesn't exist. Next."
Michele is the woman whom Brown dated last year following his split from Rihanna.
Source-AceShowbiz
Rick Ross Pushes Back ‘God Forgives’ Release to 2012
The release of Rick Ross’ next album “God Forgives, I Don’t” has been pushed to early 2012 after originally being scheduled to drop Dec. 13.
Island Def Jam senior vp of marketing Chris Atlas tells Billboard that the label hopes to release the album “around first quarter, early second quarter” of 2012, with an official release date still to be determined. Atlas says that the seizure Ross suffered while on a flight to Memphis, Tenn. in mid-October is part of the reason for the delay.
“I think we’re all aware of his recent health issue, and based on some of the minor setbacks with that, we weren’t able to confirm certain opportunities, because he physically wasn’t able to deal with certain things at the time,” says Atlas. “We want this to be his biggest album — we know it’s going to be his biggest album — so we did not want to pressure him into releasing an album based on the sake of a date.”
After the health scare last month, Ross canceled a scheduled concert date in Greensboro, N.C., citing health concerns. In an appearance on MTV’s “RapFix Live” on Wednesday (Nov. 16), Ross said that the Dec. 13 date was still “tentative,” and that, “If I wanted to, I’m pretty sure I could still meet that date.”
“You The Boss,” the Nicki Minaj-assisted single from “God Forgives, I Don’t,” is currently at No. 19 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while another single, the Just Blaze-produced “I Love My Bitches,” is at No. 99 on the tally. Meanwhile, Wale’s “Ambition,” which was released on Ross’ Maybach label and was executive-produced by Ross, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 last week.
Queen Latifah ‘Definitely’ Ready to Adopt
In an interview with More magazine, Queen Latifah opens up about the devastating loss of her brother and admits she wants to adopt a child as soon as next year.
“I’m definitely going to adopt – or have – a child,” she tells the publication. “I’ve wanted to adopt since I was 17 or 18 years old.”
In discussing the 1992 death of her older brother Lance Owens – who died at the age of 24 while riding a motorcycle that she’d bought him – the 41-year-old Jersey-born rapper -turned-actress says the ordeal has inspired her to live life to the fullest.
“I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to not stop living,” says the Chicago actress who often wears her late brother’s motorcycle keys around her neck.
“As my Aunt Elaine says, ‘You never get over it, but you get through it’. I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to not stop living. I know for a fact that my brother would not want me to stay right there, stuck in that misery.”