Italy's Berlusconi faces key vote amid economy fears
Italy's PM Silvio Berlusconi is set to face a crucial vote on the budget, amid fears that Italy could be the next victim of the Eurozone debt crisis.
Borrowing costs for Italy's government have soared because of fears it may be unable to repay its huge debts.
On Monday, Mr Berlusconi, who has survived dozens of confidence votes during his tenure, dismissed reports he planned to resign.
Meanwhile, European finance ministers are due meet in Brussels for talks.
Concerns over Italy are overshadowing developments in Greece, where political leaders are wrangling over the formation of a new unity government to impose austerity measures in return for international loans.
Defections?
Italian 10-year bond yields rose to a euro-era high of 6.67%, with markets viewing Italy's ability to repay its debt as increasingly doubtful.
While Italy's deficit is relatively low, investors are concerned that the combination of Italy's low growth rate and 1.9tn euro ($2.6tn) debt could make it the next to fall in the Eurozone debt crisis.
On Monday, Mr Berlusconi denied on Facebook reports that he was about to resign.
Stock markets across Europe bounced up on the chance of the Italian premier's departure but returned to negative territory at Monday's close.
Correspondents says there is speculation that Mr Berlusconi no longer has a majority in parliament, after reports that some MPs from his government have defected.
Mr Berlusconi has remained defiant, insisting that his government has all the support it needs.
"I don't understand how rumours of my resignation are circulating," Mr Berlusconi was quoted as saying by Libero newspaper, AP reported.
But if Mr Belusconi were to lose the budget vote then it is hard to see how he could continue in power for long, says the BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome.
Our correspondent says is certainly worth remembering that Mr Berlusconi is a master deal-maker and political infighter, having survived more than 50 confidence motions in the past.
But this crisis is different as it goes beyond Italian politics - it is instead linked to the international money markets, which have lost faith in Mr Berlusconi ability to fix Italy's economy, our correspondent says.
The markets now forcing this country to pay interest rates that could eventually ruin it, which means the pressure on Mr Berlusconi is extraordinary, he adds.
On Monday, finance ministers from the Eurozone met in Brussels to push ahead with a deal put together late last month.
After their meeting they called on the new government of Greece to approve in writing the terms of the international bailout in exchange for the release of the next tranche of funds.
They are also said they welcomed the monitoring of Italy to reassure the markets, and said they were seeking further clarification of when it would pass the economic reforms it has promised.
The European Union's Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said he wants answers from Italy by the end of the week.
"It is essential now that Italy will stick to its fiscal targets, ensure their implementation and intensify the structural reforms that can boost growth," he said on Monday, according to AFP.
On Tuesday, finance ministers from all 27 EU countries will meet.
However, the BBC's Europe correspondent, Chris Morris, understands there will be no agreement on details of the expanded European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) bailout fund.
Leaders have agreed in principle to boost the EFSF from its current 440bn euros (£375bn) to 1 trillion euros, in order to tackle debt problems in Italy and Spain.
Obama, NATO Secretary-General Meet at White House
U.S. President Barack Obama met with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the White House Monday for talks that covered Libya and other topics.
The White House issued a statement Monday, saying Mr. Obama thanked Rasmussen for “his strong and effective leadership” during NATO's seven-month operation in Libya. The statement said the president and the secretary-general agreed that by acting quickly and decisively, NATO saved the lives of thousands of Libyan civilians.
The NATO formally ended its mission to Libya last week, as Rasmussen visited Tripoli, Libya's capital, for talks. Libya's transitional leaders had urged NATO to continue for a while because of security concerns.
The alliance's bombing campaign helped Libya's former rebels drive Moammar Gadhafi from power. NATO formally decided to halt the mission last month after the United Nations canceled the mandate.
Separately, the White House statement said the talks covered goals for a NATO summit which Mr. Obama will host in Chicago next May, as well as the NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan.
Deadly Riots Erupt in Liberia Ahead of Runoff Poll
Riots have erupted between Liberian police and opposition protesters in Monrovia, killing at least one person on the eve of a presidential runoff vote.
Police fired tear gas at hundreds of rock-throwing supporters of former justice minister Winston Tubman, the incumbent president's challenger in the runoff.
Tubman has called on his supporters to boycott Tuesday's poll because of alleged electoral fraud favoring President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Liberia's government says the polls will go ahead as scheduled despite the violence Monday which erupted outside the headquarters of Mr. Tubman's Congress for Democratic Change party.
A VOA correspondent on the scene said that at one point, United Nations peacekeepers charged with securing the scene took defensive positions against Liberian riot police.
Witnesses said guns were fired, but it was not clear who may have fired them.
Members of Mr. Tubman's party say several other people were killed in the clashes, but this could not be confirmed.
U.S. President Barack Obama said the international community will hold accountable those who choose to obstruct Liberia's democratic process. He also encouraged security forces in Liberia to exercise maximum restraint and allow peaceful protests.
President Sirleaf has said Mr. Tubman's boycott violates the country's constitution and laws, and imperils Liberia's future.
Mr. Tubman says Liberians have the right to abstain from voting as an expression of their displeasure with the government.
Election observers said the first round of voting was generally free and fair.
President Sirleaf defeated Mr. Tubman in the first round, 44 to 32 percent, short of the majority required for an outright victory.
This is Liberia's second presidential poll since the end of a civil war in 2003.
US Expects IAEA to ‘Echo’ Concerns on Iran Nuclear Program
The White House said Monday it expects the International Atomic Energy Agency to “echo” U.S. concerns about Iran's nuclear activities when the U.N. body releases a report on Iran later this week.
White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters the Obama administration believes the report will reinforce the view that Iran has failed to comply with its international obligations. Western nations accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy program. Tehran denies the charge.
Carney said the U.S. continues to pursue a diplomatic approach, but refused to rule out other options such as military force. He did not comment on details of the IAEA report leaked to the media in advance of its expected publication.
A State Department, spokesperson repeated the U.S. and international position that Iran has the right to use its nuclear program for peaceful purposes, as long as it is transparent and allows full inspections. But she said Iran has not allowed full inspections and has continued enriching uranium to more than 20 percent — well beyond what is needed for energy purposes.
The Washington Post newspaper says IAEA experts and diplomats, who reviewed intelligence on Iran's nuclear program, believe Tehran has been working with a Russian scientist and other foreign experts to develop a device to trigger a nuclear weapon.
Former IAEA official David Albright told the newspaper that Iran's nuclear advancements include designing a capsule used to trigger a nuclear explosion. The New York Times says some officials briefed on the IAEA's intelligence believe Iran also has built a facility to test such a device.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad responded to the leaks by repeating that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. He warned the United States and Israel against carrying out an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, saying Iran's military capabilities are increasing and causing “fear” in the West.
Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said Monday IAEA chief Yukiya Amano should not release a report containing lies about Iran, because doing so would hurt the U.N. agency's credibility.
The German foreign ministry said Berlin will call for “greater political and diplomatic pressure” on Tehran if the IAEA report confirms Western suspicions about a military dimension to Iran's nuclear work.
But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cautioned against military action, saying it would be a serious mistake leading to unpredictable consequences. He said there is “no military solution” to the Iranian nuclear issue.
KAZZ FORBES’ COLLECTION DAZZLES AT THE RED ROSE BALL
Turks & Caicos very own Kazz Forbes went to The Bahamas with one clear agenda – leave people in awe and wanting more, as to the abundance of talent from his budding fashion ability.
Forbes, Principal Designer for the Saint George Fashion House (SGFH) label was invited to showcase his ‘Le Caicos Chic: A Romance with Decadence’ all black collection at this years’ prestigious Red Rose Ball -‘A Night at the Opera House, Australia’ - which took place on Saturday, November 5th in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
The Red Rose Ball is a charity fundraiser that sees all proceeds benefits the Grand Bahama AIDS Awareness Committee in Freeport Grand Bahama. Each year, the gala is held under the distinguished patronage of The Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and Mrs. Delores Ingraham.
Held at the Radisson Grand Ballroom at Our Lucaya, Forbes outdone himself when his collection opened the gala’s entertainment section. With a bevy of statuesque models wearing his Fall/Winter 2011 collection, the 300 plus attendees were left mesmerized. Guests were transfixed and thrilled to see the professional models, which featured TCI Top Model 2010 Ashley Smith, brought in by Forbes, to open the showcase.
“The showcase was flawless indeed, the guests at the event were cheering and gave me an arousing round applause. They said the showcase and collection was a spectacle that one would normally experience in New York, Paris or London. I felt proud and honoured to bring an international flair to The Bahamas shores,” said Kazz Forbes.
Forbes went on to say that he was impressed with the event and thankful to the Red Rose Ball Committee for extending the invite. He noted that this would be his first of many collections not only to be featured in The Bahamas, but also headline at future Red Rose Balls.
Of Forbes’ collection, Mrs. Odette Knowles, Chairman of The Red Rose Ball said: “A fabulous show opener and stopper indeed. While setting the tone for one of his best noir inspired collections seen on the night, six feet tall models took to the runway and dazzled our guests. Our attendees were truly fascinated by the level of professionalism the models displayed in which they sauntered down the runway in a demure fashion, striking glamorous poses that could have been seen at any international high fashion event!”
Knowles went on to add that: “The Red Rose Ball Committee was happy with the decision made and was very pleased with the high level performance, professionalism and talent of Kazz Forbes and his selection of models.” She noted that a contract was signed immediately after the event for Saint George Fashion House to be the opening at the Red Rose Ball 2012.
Forbes’ work is featured on: www.SaintGeorgeFashionHouse. com and www.KazzForbes.com
Fourth woman accusing Herman Cain of harassment
A fourth woman accusing Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain of sexual harassment is due to speak publicly, her lawyer says.
The unnamed woman's appearance at a news conference in New York would the first time any of Mr Cain's accusers have made a public statement.
High-profile celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred said the woman had been harassed by Mr Cain in the 1990s.
The candidate has labelled such allegations a smear campaign.
Mr Cain, a former pizza magnate who has never won an election, is a leading contender for the Republican nomination to take on President Barack Obama in 2012.
Washington news website Politico reported a week ago that at least two women had complained of sexual harassment while Mr Cain was head of a lobby group, the National Restaurant Association, in the 1990s.
A third woman came forward days later, accusing Mr Cain of inappropriate behaviour at around the same time.
Journalists have gathered for the news conference, which is due to be held at a comedy club in Manhattan.
"A woman who alleges that she was sexually harassed by presidential hopeful, Herman Cain, when she sought his help with an employment issue when he was president of the National Restaurant Association will hold a news conference," said a statement from Ms Allred.
Ms Allred is a discrimination attorney who has represented several high-profile clients, including a woman accused in media reports as having had an affair with golfer Tiger Woods.
Her statement continued: "The woman is not one of the three women who have previously been reported to have alleged sexual harassment by Cain.
"Ms Allred's client will be the first to give her name and to speak out about details of what she alleges occurred between her and Cain."
Mr Cain acknowledged last week that one woman received a financial settlement from the National Restaurant Association.
That woman - who reportedly won a $45,000 (£28,000) payout - issued a statement on Friday through her lawyer saying that Mr Cain had made a "series of inappropriate behaviours and unwanted advances".
But despite being released from a confidentiality clause in the settlement, she said she wished to remain anonymous.
Source-BBC
Conrad Murray jury begins day two of deliberations
The jury in the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor has begun its second day of deliberations after failing to reach a verdict on Friday.
The panel of five women and seven men in Los Angeles must decide whether or not Dr Conrad Murray, 58, is guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
The accused denies giving the pop superstar a fatal overdose of a powerful sedative, propofol.
If convicted, the cardiologist could spend up to four years in prison.
He could also be banned from practising medicine if found guilty of Jackson's June 2009 death from an overdose of propofol, given to help the singer battle chronic insomnia.
The jury - made up of one African American, six whites and five Hispanics - deliberated for more than six hours Friday.
During the six-week trial, 49 witnesses and more than 300 pieces of evidence were presented.
In his closing argument last Thursday, the prosecution said Dr Murray had caused the star's death through negligence, depriving Jackson's children of their father and the world of a "genius".
The defence argued that Jackson was a drug addict who caused his own death by giving himself an extra dose of propofol while Dr Murray was out of the room at the star's rented mansion in Los Angeles.
Justin Bieber Agrees To Paternity Test
Just a few days after denying that he fathered a child with a fan last year, Justin Bieber has reportedly agreed to take a paternity test in the matter.
According to TMZ, Bieber, 17, has vowed to take a DNA test in two weeks when he returns from an overseas trip to prove that he is not the father of accuser Mariah Yeater's three-month old child. TMZ, citing unnamed sources "directly connected with Justin," reported that after Bieber takes the paternity test his lawyers plan to sue Yeater. The sources said that Bieber's lawyer, Howard Weitzman, reached out to Yeater's attorneys on Friday to confirm that the DNA test will take place and have already chosen the lab they will use. After the test takes place, the "Baby" singer's team will reportedly file suit, though TMZ did not specify what kind of legal action is planned. A spokesperson for Bieber could not be reached for comment on the TMZ report.
Bieber -- who was a big winner at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday night with wins as Best Pop and Best Male -- appeared on the "Today" show on Friday to promote his just-released Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe, and addressed the situation. "I'd just like to say basically that none of those allegations are true," he told Matt Lauer. "I know I'm going to be a target, but I'm never going to be a victim."
Bieber explained on "Today" that the logistics of her claim don't fit with his hectic schedule. "I think it's crazy because every night after the show, I've gone right from the stage right to my car," he explained. "So it's crazy that some people want to make up some false allegations, but to set the record straight, none of it is true. Never met the woman." It was also reported last week that the incident could spark a statutory rape investigation by Los Angeles police because the woman was 19-years-old at the time and Bieber was allegedly 16.
While Yeater awaits the results of that test, the Associated Press reported that she faces a bench trial on December 12 in Las Vegas on a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a December 2010 incident involving her 18-year-old ex-boyfriend. According to court records, she faces a misdemeanor battery charge for allegedly slapping the unnamed man during an argument about a broken window on his new girlfriend's car. She could get six months in jail and a $1,000 fine in the case.
Yeater's lawyer in that matter said she's pleaded not guilty. TMZ reported that Yeater accused that man of fathering a child with her as well.
Actor Gary Dourdan Arrested after Domestic Dispute
Former “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” star Gary Dourdan has been arrested following an alleged altercation at his California home, reports TMZ.com.
The actor is said to have been detained by cops at his property in Venice, California after they were called to investigate a disturbance at the house.
Dourdan was reportedly embroiled in an argument with an unnamed ex-girlfriend, who was reportedly found with a broken nose, according to TMZ.
The website reports Dourdan was arrested on suspicion of felony battery and held on $50,000 bail.
CIVIL SERVICE ASSOCIATION RESPONDS THE SEVERANCE PAYMENT
In response to H.E Governor Todd release on severance pay, The CSA has followed up with a release to RTC News.
The Interim Administration recently released a document outlining a Voluntary Severance Scheme in which they are encouraging civil servants to participate. The TCI CSA was invited by the Interim Administration to make recommendations to contribute to the development of this severance scheme document to ensure that the scheme is in the best interest of all civil servants. However, after reviewing the final version of the Voluntary Severance Scheme being offered to Civil Servants a number of disturbing things jumps off the page. This is particularly disappointing given the fact that the TCI CSA was asked to provide feedback on a number of provisions and we have done so with the full backing of our membership. This release serves to highlight those issues and confirm that the TCI CSA stands squarely on the side of every civil servant in Turks and Caicos Islands.
Firstly, the rhetoric used in the opening body of the Voluntary Severance Scheme document with reference to there being much higher expectations of public servants in the future, jobs being more challenging, and expectation of a higher quality of service, is completely unfounded, off base and downright disrespectful to all current civil servants. This is not the type of language you would expect from the CEO of the Civil Service, let alone sanctioned by the Governor. Civil Servants are hard working, and will continue to be, no matter what is the new incarnation of the Civil Service at the end of the reform exercise.
Secondly, it is very disingenuous for the Interim Administration to pretend that they care about civil servants when they are rolling out this Voluntary Severance Scheme in the midst of a yet to be completed reform exercise. Having not completed the assessments of all of the Ministries and Departments, neither the Interim Administration nor civil servants fully know which areas should have a reduction in staff from those that will benefit from staff increases. The TCI CSA knows for a fact that in the ministries where the assessment is incomplete, there are significant staff shortages, but yet the Interim Administration is asking civil servants to within a few weeks to a month to decide whether to participate in the voluntary scheme when they are not certain of the jobs prospects within their Ministries or others, not to mention the private sector. The CSA can confirm that the first time that the reform team met with the Labour Commissioner was Wednesday 26th October 2011. So how genuine could the Interim Administration really be if such a key person is only brought into the process almost ten months after the reform process has begun and with two months left? And in addition, the Interim Administration has yet to conceptualize and develop a training and private sector employment plan for persons who are to be made redundant voluntarily or mandatorily.
In reviewing the various provisions contained within the Voluntary Severance Scheme document, we must note that the following with condemnation:
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This scheme is being sold as a voluntary scheme, but we must note that if this is truly a voluntary programme, persons that confirm they want the compensation payment should be accommodated. Furthermore civil servants who do not apply for the voluntary severance package but are later made redundant through mandatory means will not receive the full benefits of the severance package being offered to those opting for voluntary redundancy. Persons should be allowed to leave without restrictions or penalties if they so wish and also those being made redundant mandatorily should be paid severance benefits equivalent to those who opt for the voluntary redundancy package. This is especially important and only fair in light of the fact that there is an eight million dollar provision within the budget for meeting the milestones, with a five million dollar retainer of sorts. Financial implications of the scheme should have no bearing on who goes and who stays.
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The severance payment to civil servants is being based on current salaries after the 10% deduction of last year. In fairness all civil servants should be paid based on their salary before the 10% deduction. Given that they would have already made a significant sacrifice to the budget saving efforts by the Interim Administration and should not be short changed anymore.
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Weekly paid wage staff will be compensated one week pay for each year of service. This level of compensation is what is normally paid as outlined for Redundancy in the current General Orders. But the problem with that provision is that those clauses in the General Orders were written in 1998 when cost of living in the TCI was much lower. Thus a minimum of two weeks’ pay for one year service or calculations based on standard ex gratia payment would have been more considerate and palatable. But to hold tight on this provision of one week pay for each year of service further highlights the heartlessness of the Interim Administration which has identified areas such as Office Cleaners, Street Cleaners, Night Watchmen and the like for redundancy when the majority of those positions are weekly. Furthermore most persons in this category would not have the luxury of voluntary redundancy as most of them are being targeted for mandatory termination of service.
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If civil servants apply for the voluntary severance offer and are accepted and made redundant, they will be ineligible for reemployment in the civil service. This provision is outrageous as its intentions could only be to keep qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders out of the civil service. Not only is this unconstitutional, it is unbeneficial to the long term development of the country. Is it to be understood that if a 35 year old person takes the package and over the next nine year receives a PhD in Public Service Management, they will be forever barred from making that contribution? The previous reform exercise in the early 90’s had a wait period of five years before reemployment, but a three year ban is more practical in light of a maximum pay out of two years under the scheme, in addition to three years being the standard contract period. The resulting savings would more than justify a persons’ reentry into the Public Service. Also, should the economy turn around with local government, there will be no opportunity for re-joining the public service as the demand for public services increase.
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In this Voluntary Severance Scheme document (Annex A), the Interim Administration uses 365 days for the calculation of untaken vacation. This calculation method is grossly incorrect. To use 365 days would suggest civil servants are paid for each day of the year when clearly they are paid for five days of each seven day week i.e. 30 days vacation is 6 weeks off work and not one month. The correct number to be used is 260 days.
Finally, it is clear that the Interim Administration is receiving poor advice or at least ignoring good advice once it is given by organizations like the TCI CSA. It is not too late for them to reverse their policy positions in fairness to all civil servants that have admirably served this Country for so many years especially given the significant decision persons have to make.
CSA Management Council