Jean-Claude Duvalier

Advertisements

Jean-Claude Duvalier. Amnesty International today urged the Haitian authorities to bring former president Jean-Claude Duvalier – also known as 'Baby Doc' – to justice for human rights abuses committed during his regime in the 1970s and 80s.


The widespread and systematic human rights violat ions committed in Haiti during Duvalier’s rule amount to crimes against humanity. Haiti is under the obligation to prosecute him and anyone else responsible for such crimes," said Javier Zuñiga, Special Advisor at Amnesty International.

Jean-Claude Duvalier returned to Haiti on 16 January after nearly 25 years in exile in France. He fled Haiti in 1986 after a popular uprising which w
as violently repressed by the former Haitian Armed Forces and a local militia known as the “tonton macoutes”.

Throughout his 15 years in power (1971-1986) systematic torture and other ill-treatment were widespread across Haiti.

Hundreds of people "disappeared" or were executed. Members of Haiti’s armed forces and the militia National Security Volunteers – also known as t
he "tonton macoutes" -- played a primary role in repressing pro-democracy and human rights activists. The “tonton macoutes” were disbanded in 1986 after Jean-Claude Duvalier went into exile.

The Haitian authorities must break the cycle of impunity that prevailed for decades in Haiti said Javier Zuñiga. “Failing to bring to justice those responsible will only lead to further human rights abuses.

Natalie Portman Pregnant

Advertisements

Natalie Portman Pregnant. Is Natalie Portman pregnant Maybe her loose-fitting dress at the Golden Globe Awards confused some people into thinking that the actress had just eaten a few too many cookies after she was finished with her role in “Black Swan.” She was named Best Actress for that role.

After all, she did lose twenty pounds to play that role last year. Maybe Natalie Portman just ate a little too
much after she finally didn’t have to keep her weight down so low to fit into her ballerina costumes.

Sorry, it wasn’t cookies. Natalie Portman is pregnant! She is engaged to Benjamin Millepied.

Jennifer Connelly

Advertisements

Jennifer Connelly.The Oscar-winning actress has a new movie and is expecting a new addition: The star showedher baby bump at the premiere of her new movie, "The Dilemma." Connelly appears in the romantic comedy with Vince Vaughn, Winona Ryder, and Kevin James.

Jennifer Connelly has recently entered her fourth decade on December 12, 2010. The mom of two, who's married to fellow actor Paul Bettany, won an Oscar for the 2001 film "A Beautiful Mind," and will appear next in the 2001 thriller, "Salvation Boulevard."
Jennifer Connelly attends the Gala Presentation of her movie 'Creation' at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival.

Jennifer Connelly attends the Gala Presentation of her movie 'Creation' at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival.

Jets vs Patriots

Advertisements

It's rather hard to describe the action from yesterday's games. The Baltimore Ravens had a chance to put away the Pittsburgh Steelers and instead managed to yack it up big time. I'm not quite sure yet whether the Steelers should get the credit or the Ravens should get the blame for that final score. The Ravens held a 21-7 lead at one point but Joe Flacco completed combusted and cost the Ravens a spot in the NFC title game. The Steelers defense stepped up with a solid performance, particularly against Ray Rice and the Ravens rushing attack, but the Ravens blew this one.

n the NFC the Green Bay Packers justified my decision to move them from number two to number one. I had the Falcons higher last week, but Aaron Rodgers convinced me to move them higher in the divisional round. There was no doubt who was in charge this week as the Packers really swung the momentum late in the first half. The Falcons held an early 14-7 lead but the Packers swung things wildly in their direction courtesy of a final minute of insanity.

After scoring a go-ahead touchdown with 42 seconds left in the second quarter, the Packers swung the momentum about as wildly as possible to close the half. Tramon Williams picked off Matt Ryan and ran it back 70 yards to give the Packers a 28-14 lead heading into the half. That's the kind of play that decides a Madden game. The Packers added a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter and really never looked.

Today's schedule features a mix of potentially awful and potentially awesome matchups. The morning matchup features the Seattle Seahawks traveling to the Chicago Bears with a 10:00am pacific kickoff. I remain convinced this will be a fairly ugly game but what do I really know at this point? Matt Hasselbeck had the game of his life last week so we have to wonder whether he can repeat the performance.

On the other side of this particular equation one has to wonder how Jay Cutler will perform for the Bears. Cutler is a very inconsistent QB who can put together amazing performances one minute, and some hideous performances a few minutes later. Normally I'd say the Seahawks have no chance, but can anybody really make any predictions about the Bears.

The afternoon matchup features the budding rivalry of the New England Patriots and New York Jets. This has become an intense trash-talking affair and the NFL has actually issued a warning about the escalating trash talk. As I've said before, I'm not a Rex Ryan fan, but his heel antics have me starting to enjoy it just a little bit like I would a traditional WWF villain.

Irish PM Brian Cowen

Advertisements

Irish PM Brian Cowen. Deputy PM Mary Coughlan said Brian Cowen would shortly conclude two days of consultation with colleagues in the ruling Fianna Fail party.

Mr Cowen has faced recent scrutiny about a meeting with the head of Anglo Irish Bank shortly before he announced a multi-billion euro bank guarantee. Several Fianna Fail backbenchers have called for Mr Cowen to resign.

On Saturday, one Fianna Fail member of parliament called for the party to unite behind the foreign minister, Micheal Martin. Noel O'Flynn said he had been contacted by the prime minister on Saturday afternoon and had told him that his leadership had not worked.

Former Anglo Irish chairman Sean Fitpatrick, who Mr Cowen met at a golf course in 2008, is still subject to official scrutiny over his role in the collapse of the bank and has previously been questioned by police.

The Taoiseach (prime minister) has denied that he discussed bank matters with Mr Fitzpatrick at the golf course and insisted that he had not done political favours for any financial institution.

On Thursday, Mr Cowen made clear that he did not intend to resign and said the process of talking to his parliamentary party should take about 48 hours.

He is also facing a motion of no confidence, tabled by the opposition Labour Party, in parliament next week.

Mr Cowen, who took power in 2008, has been under pressure since Ireland was forced to seek an international financial bail-out late last year.

Following the intervention by the EU and the IMF, there were rumours of an internal push against him but his critics pulled back at the last moment.

His coalition government has only a slim minority in parliament and a general election is expected in the spring.