Star Magazine – Was Rihanna Pregnant?

Rihanna was hiding a shocking secret when Chris Brown brutally beat her. In the March 9 issue of Star — we exclusively report that days before the terrifying incident, Rihanna consulted an ob-gyn at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after confiding to close friends that she suspected she was pregnant with Chris’ baby.

Wearing sunglasses and dressed in all black, she appeared nervous and upset. “She was extremely fidgety. She seemed totally uncomfortable,” an eyewitness at the doctor’s office tells Star. With their relationship already on rocky ground, Rihanna feared a pregnancy could be the last straw and Chris might dump her.

“She was scared he would react badly,” says an insider. But Rihanna did not get the chance to tell her boyfriend of a year about her trip to the doctor. Before she got a chance to say anything, Chris beat her black and blue after she tried to grab his cellphone to read a text message he had just received.

Source: industryfinest.com

• Star Magazine – Rihanna Still Loves Chris

Mia No-Confidence Move Against Thompson

Opposition leader Mia Mottley says she will move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister David Thompson this week in the House of Assembly over his handling of the CLICO situation.

 At a public meeting on Sunday night at the Southern Plaza Complex in Oistins, Christ Church, Mottley waved a document which she said proved that things at CLICO might not be as stable as suggested.

“We believe that the facts that have been displayed to us, both from the document which I have in contradiction to the statements which he made to the country on January 31, as well as a number of other facts that I laid out, they ought to form the basis of stating that we have no confidence.”

The Opposition Leader said: “I have said tonight that the one thing that would secure panic in this country is a Minister of Finance failing to take the people into his confidence.”

Earlier in the night she suggested that Thompson follow Trinidad’s lead. “If he does like the Trinidad government, tell the people the problem, face it and fix it, there will no panic, as there has been no panic in Trinidad.”

When asked if the motion was premature she responded: “A no-confidence motion is not determined by the length of time in Opposition; it is determined by the worthiness of the cause and the worthiness of the cause is the financial exposure and potential risk that exists that his Cabinet was informed about.”

Source: nationnews.com

Europeans Chiefs Propose Global Rules

European leaders mounted a united front against the global financial crisis yesterday, proposing sweeping new market regulations, but it remained unclear whether economic giants like the United States and China would go along.

Heads of government and finance ministers from Europe’s largest economies joined German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin to lay the groundwork for a common European position on economic reforms before an April 2 summit of the Group of 20 nations in London.

“Europe will own up to its responsibility in the world,” Merkel said.

Leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic agreed to press for sanctions on tax havens, caps for managers’ bonus payments and a stronger role and increased funding for the International Monetary Fund. While the plans were based on an agenda adopted by the G-20 in November, the measures announced yesterday were more far-reaching and concrete, particularly on long-disputed issues such as hedge fund regulation.

However analysts say other G-20 members, including the US, China, Japan and nations like India and Brazil, might not share Europe’s zeal for blanket global regulations.

During Germany’s turn at the presidency of the Group of Eight two years ago, Merkel pushed hard for more transparency on financial markets and, especially, hedge fund regulation. But her efforts ran into resistance from Washington and London. Even the global crisis and a change of Administration may not be enough to convince the US to hand over its autonomy.

“I see the US as wary of giving away powers of oversight and regulation,” said Robert Brusca of Fact And Opinion Economics in New York.

Financial industry leaders, on the other hand, might have lost too much credibility to fight off heavy restrictions on their practices.

“What the industry thinks is irrelevant,” Brusca said. “It has squandered any goodwill it had by being given a leash of self regulation – then running amok.”

Source: nzherald.co.nz

European Banks May Need 25 Trillion Bail-Out, Secret EC Document Warns

European banks sitting on GBP16.3 trillion of troubled assets may suffer massive losses, The Daily Telegraph reports, citing a confidential Brussels document.

European Commission officials have estimated that impaired assets may amount to 44pc of EU bank balance sheets. The Commission estimates that so-called financial instruments in the trading book total £12.3 trillion (13.7 trillion euros), equivalent to about 33pc of EU bank balance sheets. In addition, so-called ‘available for sale instruments’ worth £4trillion (4.5 trillion euros), or 11pc of balance sheets, are also added by the Commission to arrive at the headline figure of £16.3 trillion.

A secret 17-page paper discussed by European Union finance ministers Tuesday (11/02/09), also warned that government attempts to buy up or underwrite such assets could plunge the E.U. into a deeper crisis.  National leaders and E.U. officials share fears that a second bank bailout in Europe will raise government borrowing at a time when investors – particularly those who lend money to European governments – have growing doubts over the ability of countries such as Spain, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy and the U.K. to pay it back.

        “Estimates of total expected asset write-downs suggest that the budgetary costs – actual and contingent – of asset relief could be very large both in absolute terms and relative to gross domestic product in member states,” the European Commission document, seen by The Daily Telegraph, cautioned.

The Commission figure is significant because of the role EU officials will play in devising rules to evaluate “toxic” bank assets later this month. New moves to bail out banks will be discussed at an emergency EU summit at the end of February. The EU is deeply worried at widening spreads on bonds sold by different European countries. In line with the risk, and the weak performance of some EU economies compared to others, investors are demanding increasingly higher interest to lend to countries such as Italy instead of Germany. Ministers and officials fear that the process could lead to vicious spiral that threatens to tear both the euro and the EU apart.

“Such considerations are particularly important in the current context of widening budget deficits, rising public debt levels and challenges in sovereign bond issuance,” the EC paper warned.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

Star Magazine – Rihanna Still Loves Chris

Chris Brown left her bruised and battered, but, according to friends, Rihanna can’t help her deep feelings for her boyfriend of more than a year. In the March 2 issue of Star we report that, to the shock of many, the singer has stayed in touch with her battering beau – and her unhealthy devotion to him is making those close to the abused singer worried sick.

“She keeps saying she wants to make sure that he’s okay,” a friend tells Star. “She thinks this will all just blow over and they can go back to how they were.”

Rihanna on front cover of the March 2 issue. Source: Star magazine 

LAPD Furious After Beaten Rihanna Photo Leaked

Los Angeles police have launched an official investigation into how a photograph allegedly showing a badly bruised Rihanna was leaked on the internet.

The shocking snap, which was posted on celebrity website TMZ.com, features a close-up of what appears to be the Umbrella singer with contusions on her forehead, a swollen nose and a bloody lip.
The injuries are said to relate to a reported fight between the singer and her boyfriend Chris Brown in the early hours of 8 February (09), which allegedly left her in need of hospital treatment.
Brown was charged with making criminal threats following the incident.

To see photo click here

L.A. police have refused to confirm the identity of the woman in the photo, but admit the picture was taken during a recent domestic violence investigation.
The Los Angeles police department (LAPD) has confirmed it will open an enquiry into how the picture of Brown’s alleged victim was leaked to the media. While there is no confirmation that the woman involved in the Chris Brown case is his former girlfriend Rihanna, the Roman numeral tattoo seen on the woman’s shoulder in the photograph concerned is identical to the Umbrella star’s.A police source close to the investigation into Brown’s arrest is quoted by E! News as saying the photo leaked online was taken close to the scene of the alleged attack in Hancock Park.

“There was another set taken at the hospital where the swelling is even worse,” the source added.

The law enforcement inside source is also quoted as claiming the fight began when Rihanna intercepted a text message to Brown’s mobile phone from another woman.

The Disturbia star is said to have told police that this wasn’t the first time Brown had been physically abusive towards her, but according to the police source, “she may have thrown the first punch” on this occasion.

Source: contactmusic.com

• Oh dear, Oh dear, Previous Alleged “Assaults” On Rihanna By Chris Brown Got LA Police On The Hunt! 
  

A Slap In The Face For Owen Thompson Going After Barbados National Bank

 

 

Photo bnbbarbados.com

Government wants back the Barbados National Bank Inc. (BNB) and will be looking to reclaim its majority shares once again.

Yesterday at a post-Cabinet Press conference at Government Headquarters, Prime Minister David Thompson said Cabinet had approved the move.

“We met and considered the current financial crisis which was affecting the world and some of the spin-off implications which have affected the Caribbean, particularly what has been happening in relation to CL Financial.

“When we look at the Barbadian scenario, as a Cabinet, we felt that it was extremely important that every effort be made to retain BNB.

“Therefore the Cabinet has agreed that I can enter into discussions with ongoing negotiations with the government of Trinidad and also with the Barbadian partners, to seek to repurchase our shareholding in BNB at the earliest opportunity,” Thompson said.

The Government currently holds less than 50 per cent of BNB shares, but will be seeking to buy, at the current market rate, controlling interest in the bank. BNB was established by the Government in 1978 as an amalgamation of Government-owned financial institutions that had been in operation for a number of years.

In the year of its establishment, it acquired the branch assets of the banking business of Bank of America. Then in 2003, the (BLP ) Government sold a majority stake in BNB to Republic Bank Limited (RBL) of Trinidad and Tobago. RBL initially acquired 57 per cent, but their holdings in BNB as of September 30, 2008, stood at 65.13 per cent. Thompson did not give a specific date when he would be meeting with the government of Trinidad, but said it would be “whenever the opportunity arises and I am pretty certain that it will be soon”.

He said Government was also looking for any joint ventures in the effort, including that of credit unions or local business, to reclaim BNB.

“I think that any economic or financial instability in the region . . . causes people to look inwardly and become more reactionary and more protective of their own space.

“We have to avoid that and we have to get people to think of our space as a collective space because we are so intertwined. Now having said that, one might ask why we want back BNB?

“Barbados is the third best regulated banking system in the hemisphere with Canada ranked as No. 1 and Chile ranked as No. 2. Against that background, the absence of what would be considered an authentic Barbadian bank is something that is regrettable.

“That does not preclude the involvement of other regional partners, but we are looking for the majority of shares for the Government to reclaim in BNB,” he said.

Source: nationnews.com

•  Legal Hurdle In BNB Share Buyback
• Republic Doesn’t  Intend To Sell Shares

$15m Stimulus To Help Barbados Tourism Sector in Tough Times

Photo barbados.org

Cabinet has agreed to a $15 million stimulus package called the Tourism Industry Relief Product (TIRP) to assist any failing properties and maintain employment in the tourism sector.

Speaking to Press yesterday at Government Headquarters, Prime Minister David Thompson said the money was for the current financial year and there was the possibility of a further sum in the next.

“We looked at options available and we found that a programme of that sort, in addition to the $20 million – $10 million supplementary last week and $10 million last year – that was already made available to the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), as well as other initiatives, we think would positively impact on the tourism sector, so that we can mitigate the worse aspects of the current economic crisis,” he said.

The Prime Minister however said that the TIRP was not just a hotel relief fund, noting the last fund of that sort was from the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) administration which only targeted hotels.

“But we think the tourism sector is much larger than hotels and that it covers a variety of other activities, some of which will be very badly affected in the downturn. So we are putting measures and facilities in place to ensure that those investments can be protected,” he added.

Thompson said the tourism sector so far for the year “has been a mixed-bag” but stated Barbados was doing reasonably well in the challenging economic times.

Source: nationnews.com

 

Mia Mottley – Is Clico Fund In A Deficit?

Opposition leader Mia Mottley wants to know whether a fund which should protect almost 40 000 Barbadian policyholders of the cash-troubled CLICO is in deficit.

 The Barbados Labour Party leader made the query yesterday, after Prime Minister David Thompson revealed Government would be seeking to get back majority interest in the Barbados National Bank. Government currently holds less than half of the shares in it, with Trinidad’s Republic Bank being the majority shareholder.

Thompson had noted such a decision to seek a majority stake again was necessary in tough economic times, and in the background of the financial crisis affecting the CLICO financial group.

“I must confess that I am a little confused, since the Prime Minister had announced in his last Budget the sale of the remaining shares in the bank to help with the upgrading and the expansion of the Queen Elisabeth Hospital,” Mottley said in response to the move yesterday. “We will await the further details of the Prime Minister’s statement, including the cost of these shares before we can comment further.”

She noted, however, that the Prime Minister’s decision brought into sharp focus the fact that the action was been precipitated by the CLICO crisis.

“It is against this background we would want the Minister of Finance to answer whether the CLICO statutory fund in Barbados to protect the 38 000-plus policy-holders is in deficit.”

She said the country’s Insurance Act required the insurance company to establish this fund and place sufficient assets in it to match the liabilities so that the policy-holders were protected in the event of difficulties.

“The policyholders and the public deserve an answer,” Mottley concluded.

Source: nationnews.com

West Indians Winners Risk Millions In Stanford Fraud Probe

 

 

False celebration: Allen Stanford and his Superstars celebrate beating England in the Stanford Super Series match last November, but five of the players – including Shivnarine Chanderpaul (bottom right) have not been paid their winnings

Five West Indian players, including Shivnarine Chanderpaul, are set to lose their million-dollar winnings in the fall-out from the Allen Stanford fraud probe that has left English cricket reeling.

The players – Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Kieron Pollard, Sylvester Joseph and Dave Mohammed – were part of the Stanford Superstars team who thrashed England in Antigua last November in the first of what was supposed to be five Twenty20 matches with a million dollars going to each member of the winning side.

Although Stanford, who has gone missing ( but since found in Virginia on Thursday, and served  with a complaint accusing him of an $8 billion fraud) after being accused of ‘massive fraud’ by U.S. regulators, paid the players in full, the five are said to have been persuaded to reinvest the money with the controversial Texan and now risk losing it all. Chanderpaul, one of the world’s top batsmen, has cut a subdued figure here at the third Test since news which has seriously embarrassed the ECB, who signed a five-year deal with the American last year, broke on Tuesday.

And it is particularly poignant that Mohammed, the Trinidadian spinner, is one of those affected because it was his mother who was pictured overcome with joy at the end of the match over what seemed a life-changing experience for her son.

The five players are not the only West Indians to regret trusting Stanford with their money. Joel Garner, one of the Stanford ‘board of legends’ sacked in December when the American’s problems were first exposed by Sportsmail, is said to have invested his earnings with Stanford, while Lance Gibbs, the Superstars manager, has not been paid the $100,000 he was due for working with the American.It is highly unlikely he ever will be. Pertinently, the West Indian board have not been paid the £3.5m they were due from the $20m prize fund, which flies in the face of the claim of Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, that Stanford had paid all that was due from the tawdry week of challenge matches.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Allan Stanford Exposed After Madoff Fraud Scheme Collapsed

The SEC complaint filed in federal court in Dallas, Texas, said that the SIB is operated by a close circle of Stanford’s family and friends. Its investment committee, responsible for the management of the bank’s multi-billion dollar portfolio of assets, is comprised of Sir Allen; his father who resides in Mexia, Texas; another Mexia resident with business experience in cattle ranching and car sales; Pendergest-Holt, who prior to joining SFG had no financial services or securities industry experience; and Davis, who was also Sir Allen’s college roommate.(Photo: sportingo.com)

As Bernard Madoff was arrested and charged with the world’s biggest scam on December 11, another billionaire was just 24 hours away from watching his own alleged fraud unravel before his eyes.

Among the millions of hapless investors, banks and charities who scrambled to discover how much they had lost to Mr Madoff was Allen Stanford, whose vast investment empire stretched across the US, the Caribbean and Latin America.

He was told on December 15 – less than a week after the alleged Madoff “Ponzi” scheme collapsed — that his firm had lost a relatively modest $400,000.

But the loss marked the beginning of the end for Mr Stanford. His business activities, which included a bank and a fund-management company, had already aroused the suspicion of his own clearing bank, Pershing, one of the world’s biggest financial institutions.

On December 12 Pershing had effectively thrown in the towel on Mr Stanford by ceasing to process any wire transfers for his investment firm because it had grown concerned about the lack of transparency in his business. Pershing had no idea who Mr Stanford’s clients were or how he made his money.

Mr Stanford relied on Pershing to process his commercial transactions. Between 2006 and December 2008, Pershing had sent to the Stanford Bank in Antigua about 1,635 wire transfers worth about $517million, from about 1,700 accounts.

As Mr Stanford allegedly lied to his anxious investors — telling them that his own businesses had no exposure to Mr Madoff — the American financial regulators had begun an investigation into Mr Stanford. It took them three months, until Tuesday afternoon, to charge him and two of his associates with fraud.

Apart from the obvious two connections between Mr Madoff and Mr Stanford – that one invested in the other and that both have been charged with fraud — they have a good deal else in common.

The investment schemes of both came to light primarily because of the slump in the US economy and the collapse of world stock markets. Mr Madoff’s alleged “Ponzi” scheme was laid bare after his own investors rushed to withdraw their savings, which they believed to have been held in stocks and shares.

Mr Stanford had run into trouble after big investments such as holdings in Florida property started to unravel.

The two alleged frauds are also similar in scale – though Mr Madoff’s victims believe that they lost about $50billion, far more than the $8billion fraud with which Mr Stanford is charged. And both have involved American, offshore and British financial regulators scouring the globe for assets.

Source: timesonline.co.uk

Sports Minister Dr Suckoo Have No Problem With Women Beating Each Other Up!

This morning I went into a state of shock when I came across a particular news item that send me reading it  twice again. What de hell is Barbados coming to when our female sports minister can get up and endorsed women’s boxing? 

 As an elected representative of family and  youth, what blatant message is the Minister sending to our young females in this country? It is alright for females to be bashing each other in a fight even if sanctified? Isn’t there enough violence in this world than for the Minister to believe that putting in a bid to host a women championship here in Bim is a step in the right direction for the upliftment of  womenfolk here? The absurd explanation given is lost on me.

Emphasising the importance of the championships, Byer Suckoo said: “Our country has proven its capability as a host to world-class sporting events and we view this opportunity as a vital one toward further testing and strengthening our capacity and enhancing our global reputation.”

What global reputation are we enhancing? The dehumanization of women? Yuh mean we are know for that already!!! Good grief! and yuh want to popularized some more? Seriously, this appalling behaviour from our Minister is downright irresponsible and regrettable from a woman and a doctor no less who claims to have our youth best interests at heart! The voices of professionals voicing their concern of the increase of aggressiveness and violence among our youngsters especially our females, the brain injuries among male boxers, seems to have escape the attention of the Minister and/or rather ignored for the almighty dollar! Even if we were to give the dear doctor some benefit of the doubt of not coming up with the idea, the fact of the matter is that the lady will be winging her way to Italy on taxpayer’s monies to convinced a bunch of Neanderthals the benefits of hosting a women’s championship event ’bout hey.

It was back  in August we posted that the International leg of women’s boxing was proposing the idea of having the event on the 2012 Olympic ‘s calender. We also reported that  Joyce Bowen, committee chairperson of the local AIBA’s women’s committee readily supported it.

“We have every opportunity to get in there,” said Bowen, of Barbados. “We’re looking forward to it. The time has been there for a long while. We were just waiting, but we’ve been ready long enough.”

Seems like Miss Bowen or some other misguided person(s)  convinced Dr Suckoo  that hosting an event such as this will be the feather in the cap for Barbados? Of all the niche sporting events out there, this is the only one we can tap into? Braininjury.blogs.com quote from a New York Times article of the increase exposure of brain injuries for women boxers.

The article suggests that the rapid growth of women in competitive boxing following the movie “Million Dollar Baby” (the one with Clint Eastwood training a female boxer) comes with increased risk of serious brain injury since they may not have had sufficient training and experience in learning how to avoid blows to the head. Female boxers are progressing through the ranks of novice to professional fighter without sufficient experience and training.

Of course inflicting head injury is the aim of boxing.  The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Pediatrics of all called for a ban on boxing because of the serious risk of head injury and permanent brain damage.

The cumulative effect of receiving numerous blows to the head can result in permanent and significant brain damage.

As a female, Mrs Suckoo discredits herself as one not qualified to speak on women issues. As a doctor, Dr Suckoo is discrediting her profession for even contemplating such a disgraceful display of human brutality in its female form.

• Barbados To Host Womens Boxing Championships
• Barbados Bidding To Host Women’s Boxing Championships
• What’s So Great With Women Beating Each Other?

Oh Dear, Oh Dear, Previous Alleged ‘Assaults’ On Rihanna By Chris Brown Got LA Police On The Hunt!

 

Rihanna, Clive Davis and The Recording Academy present the Annual Pre-Grammy Gala Beverly Hills, California – 07.02.09 

Los Angeles police are reportedly investigating the possibility of a history of heated rows between RIHANNA and CHRIS BROWN in the wake of the R&B star’s alleged attack on his girlfriend at the weekend.

The probe comes as it was revealed by police sources that the Umbrella hitmaker was forced to wear an eye patch last year (08), after suffering an alleged scratched cornea.
Brown was arrested on Sunday (08Feb09) and charged with making criminal threats after a heated exchange in Los Angeles that morning, hours before he and Rihanna were due to attend the Grammy Awards.
Reports later suggested the woman involved was his girlfriend, who was allegedly hospitalised after the fight – although no official confirmation as to the female’s identity is yet to be declared.
And now officials are set to look into whether Brown caused the star’s previous cornea injury, reports Britain’s The Sun newspaper.
A police source tells the publication, “We’re investigating if her eye injury could have been caused by Brown.
“There could be an innocent explanation – but police believe Rihanna has previously refused to make a complaint against Brown. She is now being asked about her past injuries and is beginning to open up about incidents in their relationship.”
The tabloid alleges that the 20-year-old was reluctant to file a police complaint after the weekend’s incident – but was persuaded to by her mum Monica.
And cops are now reportedly talking to those close to Rihanna about an alleged history of injuries.
The source contines, “We’re talking to her friends and management, who say she’s appeared with mysterious marks or injuries before, but always refused to explain what happened.
“There was one instance when she suddenly appeared with an eye patch, saying her cornea had been scratched.”
Source: contactmusic.com

Property Investment In Antigua Seen As An Alternative to Barbados

Homes for sale on the idyllic island of Antigua could now present a far better bet for buyers of investment homes than Barbados, developers say.

According to property figures, the average spend for holiday homes on Barbados in 2007 was £500,000 ($718,000) compared with just £300,000 ($431,000) for a similar property in Antigua.

Both Caribbean islands attract property buyers thanks to clear blue seas, warm climates and world-class beaches, with Barbados traditionally commanding greater attention.

But according to the developers of a boutique residence hotel on Antigua, the island is beginning to emerge as one of the region’s more glamours property spots.

South Point is a typical example, featuring 23 one and two bedroom apartments situated in Falmouth Harbour, offering owners the chance to rent and gain hotel income when not in use.

Jeff Hadeed from the development said: “Antigua offers an ideal alternative for those priced out of the Barbados property market.

“At present, property prices on Antigua offer great value for money and are expected to appreciate considerably as the island begins to establish itself.”

Due to be complete in July 2009, the homes at South Point start at £331,931 ($475,000), with the development featuring a restaurant, concierge service, private beach and swimming pool.

Source: offplanpropertyexchange.com

Michelle Obama On March Vogue Cover

Tsvangirai – Prime Minister In Power Sharing Dealt With Mugabe

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai took the prime minister’s oath Wednesday as part of a power-sharing agreement with longtime President Robert Mugabe that Zimbabweans hope will bring help as they suffer through economic and humanitarian crises.

But quick solutions are unlikely given the enormity of Zimbabwe’s problems and the legacy of a long, bloody rivalry between Tsvangirai and Mugabe.

 Neighbouring leaders who pushed for the coalition say once they join in the unity government, the two men will overcome mutual mistrust and work together for the good of their country amid an economic meltdown and cholera epidemic that has killed 3,400 people. Tsvangirai told reporters Tuesday he did not see himself as joining Mugabe, who remains president under the agreement originally reached in September.

 ”This is part of a transition arrangement that has been negotiated,” Tsvangirai said. “No one is joining anyone.”

 Mugabe, who turns 85 on Feb. 21 and has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980, has so far treated the 56-year-old Tsvangirai as a junior partner at best, often not bothering to hide his contempt. But Tsvangirai won the most votes in the first round of the presidential election held almost a year ago, and withdrew from a June run-off only because of attacks on his supporters.

 Tsvangirai’s party, the Movement for Democratic Change, also broke ZANU-PF’s lock on parliament for the first time since independence in those March 2008 elections. The two men have clashed repeatedly since the decade-old MDC emerged as the most serious threat to the ruling regime since independent.

Source: ca.news.yahoo.com

Haiti May Benefit From ‘Baby Doc’ Frozen Assets

Mr Duvalier and his followers were accused of abusing state funds

Authorities in Switzerland said Thursday they will return the assets of former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier to Haiti, for use on development projects.

The money has been frozen in Swiss bank accounts since 1986. The Federal Office of Justice in Switzerland rejected more than 20 years of legal challenges by the Duvalier family.

It also ruled that the lawful origin of the assets, totalling US $6 million, could not be proven by the account holders.

But authorities said the Duvalier family still has 30 days to lodge a final appeal to the Swiss Supreme Court to try to stop the return of the funds to Port au-Prince.Mr Duvalier and his followers were accused of plundering hundreds of millions of dollars of state funds during their 15 year reign.

The Swiss Justice Office said the money must be used for social or humanitarian projects to benefit the Haitian population.

Source: bbccaribbean.com  

A Sneak Preview Behind Chris And Rihanna Relationship

The below post was taken from one of Rihanna’s fansite rihanna-fenty.com. The story like most other gossip may be true or false. As they say yuh don’t believe everything yuh read on de internet. Makes for interesting reading though!

I’ve got this e-mail from an anonymous person (thanks though!), I don’t know if it’s 100% sure but we will see.

“Rihanna & Chris Brown broke up 2 weeks ago. Rihanna didn’t want to break up with Chris but he was done with her. Management forced him to act “lovey” for the Clive Davis party. He didn’t want to. Rihannas publicist in confidence asked him to the same. He agreed. They attended the Clive Davis party together. Management asked for Chris to drive with Rihanna in his car after the event was over for paparazzi pictures. Rihanna started acting like they were in a relationship still, not realizing that it was indeed over. Chris told her he wasn’t really with her, it was for publicity and that she needed to get it through her head that it was over. Adding insult to injury, Chris PICKED up a girl he had a date with that night WHILE Rihanna was in the car. Turns out Chris moved on with this new chick. Very childish for doing all this in front of Rihanna. Rihanna snapped, the situation got crazy. Rihanna punched Chris in the face while she was screaming, he hit started hitting her back. Noticing there was blood, the girl panicked and called 911. As of right now, Rihanna’s headed to Barbados. Chris is being flown out. The other “girl” is in questioning. Both Rihanna & Chris’s team are trying to get her to side with them. If she testifies as eye witness saying Rihanna was the injured party, she could put Chris in jail for a maximum of 12 years. If the girl testifies stating Rihanna indeed made the first punch and if Chris’s attorneys can spin it in court, Chris can get off his charges all together. A lot is at stake. Also, there’s proof lingering around. Rebel One Management is trying to stop it from leaking to the media and keep it strictly for legal affairs to try protect themselves if a case does happen. Rihanna’s team doesn’t want her to press charges as it will damage her name and career. Rihanna’s being pressured and most likely will seize to press charges. The eye witness, the other “girl”, is the most valuable piece to this puzzle.. I can’t reveal the other girl as of right now, she is a well known personality but she is in custody and NOBODY knows who she is. So if I reveal it, it will be obvious that the information leaked within the inner circle. You will be in shock when you find out who.”

• Abusive People Are Hurt Peope Too
• Wrigley Suspends Chris Brown, Rihanna Silent
• Rihanna Helps 5-year Old Leukemia Fan
• Rihanna Out 51th Grammy Due To Injury

CLICO Downgraded, On Negative Watch – Barbados, Bahamas Subsidiaries Also Weak

Colonial Life Insurance Company Trinidad Limited (CLICO) has been placed on review, with the possibility of further downgrade as Trinidadian authorities assess just how bad a financial position the insurance company is in.

Insurance ratings agency, AM Best, said the financial strength and credit rating of both Trinidad and CLICO Bahamas remain on negative watch, even with the downgrades last week which knocked the company’s FSR, from good to fair.

The reviews follow the takeover of CLICO and other assets of parent CL Financial Group on January 30, including CLICO Investment Bank (CIB). The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago stepped in to cauterise a run on CLICO that, up to intervention, was about US$40 million. The company’s debts have been assessed, so far, at about US$1 billion.

Liquidity support

A Barbados subsidiary has also started to show signs of weakness. Last week, the Central Bank of Barbados deposited up to BDS$10 million (US$5 million) with the CLICO Mortgage and Finance Corporation (CMFC), and gave the company access to a new government facility in the event it needs added liquidity support. The central bank, with the endorsement of the ministry of finance, also proposed to provide inter-bank guarantees, which cover lending by other banks to CMFC, if necessary.

CLICO’s Barbados interests are held under CLICO Holdings Barbados Limited, which controls assets of US$500 million including the mortgage company, a property development company; a balanced fund and general and life insurance firms. CLICO’s interests stretch right across the Caribbean, including Jamaica where CIB owns 40 per cent of Jamaica Money Market Brokers, while parent CL Financial controls 86 per cent of spirits conglomerate Lascelles deMercado and Company.

Sharp declines in methanol and real estate prices in recent months began to tell on CIB, whose liquidity had tightened, impacting the balance sheet of CL Financial.

Challenges

“As part of its investment strategy, CLICO maintains a high concentration in related party assets, including large holdings in the banking and financial services, energy and manufacturing sectors,” said AM Best.

“Thus, the liquidity challenges at CIB are expected to impact CLICO.”

The ratings agency said it had previously raised concerns about liquidity of CLICO’s ‘non-quoted affiliated assets’, adding that the insurance company’s rapid growth in its pension business and annuities was through expensive credit. Key to maintaining its current ratings is whether the Trinidad authorities can quickly unravel CLICO’s holdings and “quickly diversify away from its large affiliated investment holdings and related party transactions in order to provide greater liquidity,” said the ratings agency.

And: “The review will also include an understanding of the level of involvement of the Trinidad government in CLICO’s ongoing operations.”

Further negative rating actions might be warranted following this review, the agency said.

Trinidad’s parliament last week approved a bailout plan that will see the government taking over CIB and taking an equity stake in CLICO.

Source: jamaica-gleaner.com

Abusive People Are Hurt People Too

 In light of the recent reported attack involving Chris Brown on his girlfriend Rihanna, news reports have pull up a 2007 interview given by Chris to Giant magazine in which he claim his stepfather was a terrifying force within the family.

“He used to hit my mom… He made me terrified all the time, terrified like I had to pee on myself.
“I remember one night he made her nose bleed. I was crying and thinking, ‘I’m just gonna go crazy on him one day…’

However his stepdad was quick to dismiss any such charges. According to US magazine.com, when asked  about  his thoughs on  his former stepson attacking his grilfriend, Donelle Hawkins states “”I wouldn’t be surprised,” adding, “He has to take responsibility for his own actions.”   Then adds “There was a lot of arguing between his mom and I (but) I never raised a hand at his mom.
“I spanked Chris one time. I became the bad guy. Chris was really mad at his mom for leaving his dad, so I became the scapegoat. No matter how much I tried to be a father figure, nothing worked.”

Nevertheless folks, regardless of family history, it ain’t an EXCUSE for a man hitting a woman!  Unfortunate but not an excuse. Since this disturbing change of events, many voices have been heard around Barbados on the issue of domestic violence. One of our readers, Dr Dawn Maddalone, have written us on the health perspective involving the treatment of domestic violence. For those in that type of situation, please seek help and seek it fast.

Domestic violence…Solutions

“Hurt people hurt people” in other words, people involved in abusive relationships, the perpetrator of the abuse and the victim are “hurt people” in need of care according to current health knowledge.

 Adults involved in abusive relationships were exposed to abuse as children in many cases.  They watched it or were attacked themselves; this trauma repeated over many years conditioned or “taught” them how to behave.  Some will follow the lead of the attacker and become aggressive and violent, others will learn to “let people abuse them” they will not protect themselves.  Instead of simply walking away from an abusive relationship they stay even after multiple hospitalizations, rapes, and beating or rape of their children.  Murder is often the only event that can “end” this type of relationship if treatment is not sought. 

Evaluation and counseling by a clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist, along with self help groups are common treatments.  In Barbados a crisis center provides safe lodging and other assistance free of cost. 

Alcohol and drug abuse are often key factors pushing otherwise healthy individuals into abusive acts.  A common definition of an alcoholic/ addict is a person whose drinking or drug use, affects their personal or professional life.  For example if family or coworkers are complaining or distancing themselves  from me, stating my drinking  or marijuana use as a reason, I am well on the way if not already displaying  full blown addiction.

 Alcoholism/ addiction are considered diseases, illness which can be treated.

Hospitalization is necessary for some alcoholics/addicts; others successfully go straight into self help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

The abusive behavior of addicted people damages others they come in contact with, family, friends and coworkers.  Individuals, who try to “help” the addicted person, frequently burn themselves out trying to fix something which is out of their power and become ill themselves.  In many cases their “help” actually enables the alcoholic/addict to continue abusing themselves and others. 

Self help groups such as Al-anon and Nar-anon help the family and friends of alcoholics/addicts learn to provide effective help for their sick loved ones while learning how to protect themselves from the abusive behavior caused by the disease of alcoholism/addiction.

Denying and covering up domestic violence kills.  Treatment for emotional disturbance is readily available in Barbados and throughout the world; many programs are free, provided by employers, government health services, the church and self help groups.  Private health insurance covers many treatments.  Lots of information is provided on the internet.  In other words, there is a solution!

 

Dr Dawn Maddalone DC is a registered Chiropractor treating domestic violence injuries for the last 20 years in Barbados.

Dr.Dawn MaddaloneDC 

d.maddalone@hotmail.com

435-9595, 251-4287

# 1 Kyro Rockley Terrace, Rockley Ch Ch