₦airaland Forum

Kremlin tries to explain away Putin's Katsav rape joke

The Kremlin on Friday tried to explain away President Vladimir Putin's joke about rape charges against Israel's president, blaming difficulties in translating from Russian to English.

Putin's comments to visiting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday, in which he appeared to joke about the allegations, have come as a shock to Kremlin-watchers hardened to the president's earthy language and comments.

"Say hello to your president. He really surprised us, ," Putin said to Olmert as reporters were being ushered out just after the two men got down to talks in the Kremlin. An Israeli official said Putin continued about President Moshe Katsav: "I met him. He didn't look like a guy who could be with 10 women."





Putin often tries to establish rapport with fellow leaders by joking about current affairs, but the jokes often seem to be a vehicle for exposing their weak points.

At a July news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in St. Petersburg, Putin parried a question about democratic backsliding in his country by pointedly referring to a corruption scandal implicating the British leadership.

But Putin also shows off earthy language - sometimes in jest, sometimes in anger. Early on in his presidency, Putin crudely called for "wiping out Chechen rebels in the outhouse" and he famously suggested that a French reporter who had posed an uncomfortable question about abuses against civilians in mostly Muslim Chechnya travel to Russia for a circumcision.

"I would recommend that he who does the surgery does it so you'll have nothing growing back, afterward," Putin said.

In June, foreign news executives were taken aback when Putin hit back at a question about whether Russia would favor sanctions against Iran if it failed to stop enriching uranium.

"What if my grandmother had certain sexual attributes?" he snapped, dismissing the question as merely rhetorical. "Then she would be my grandfather."



http://www.haaretz.com/news/kremlin-tries-to-explain-away-putin-s-katsav-rape-joke-1.202938

Sorry guys, looks like the video has been removed.

Try these:

http://topics.cleveland.com/tag/pothole/index.html


Cleveland pothole claim delivers quite a story: Road Rant
http://www.cleveland.com/roadrant/index.ssf/2011/01/cleveland_pothole_claim_delive.html

Cleveland woman blocks road as pothole protest:
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/Cleveland-woman-blocks-road-as-pothole-protest
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/03/woman_protests_and_gets_birthd.html

Can one of those who want us to believe that everything is perfect outside Nigeria, particularly the US of A, please explain to this man why a pothole almost swallowed his vehicle considering the fact that he pays his tax!

http://news.yahoo.com/video/cleveland-wews-20910953/superior-sinkhole-24635312;_ylt=AihCpR00GaKFe3I3jQ257Liz174F;_ylu=X3oDMTExYnUzOTZvBHBvcwMyNQRzZWMDY2xpcHMEc2xrA3N1cGVyaW9yc2luaw--


Okay, now I get it.

It is the PDP/ACN government or the Nigerian governor/mayor that has 'chopped' the money along with the nigerian contractor who constructed the road.



Funny, its is the same Ohio where those locomotives came from!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYK2ROrFazU

Kudos to El-dee for speaking out and so eloquently too.

proudly9ja:
Nope, attend the concert and stone them all off the stage. That should send a message.

LWKMD

PapaBrowne, good analysis.

I am with you on this one!

"In my opinion, any of the winners would bring something to the table which I think puts us in a better place than the 2007 elections!!"

Democracy is a process.

Weeks after the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, not much has changed in the lives of the common man except the feel-good complex!

Someone, please let me know when 48 hours are up.

Berlusconi’s sex tape scandal now has Putin’s bed in it
By ANI
Wednesday, July 22, 2009


LONDON - Besides Silvio Berlusconi and his alleged sexcapades, another mysterious element which emerged from the sex tapes was his reference to Putin’s bed. The audiotapes of the Italian Prime Minister’s alleged encounter with an escort girl at his Rome residence were posted on the Internet.


The Italian daily La Repubblica and its sister weekly, L’Espresso, published bits and bobs of the alleged bedroom conversation between Berlusconi and Patrizia D’Addario, the woman whom his aides describe as a prostitute, reports The Times.

D’Addario claims to have made the recordings during two visits that she made to Palazzo Grazioli, Berlusconi’s Rome residence.

The tapes have been presented as evidence to back her claims.

In one, Berlusconi apparently tells D’Addario to wait for him on the four-poster “Putin bed” - said to have been a gift from Vladimir Putin, the Russian Prime Minister - while they each take a shower.

Berlusconi is heard to say: “I will take a shower as well . . . and then wait for me on the big bed if you finish first?” D’Addario replies: “Which bed . . . that Putin one?”

Berlusconi: “The Putin one.”

D’Addario: “Oh how sweet, the one with the curtains.”

When The Times reached Vladimir Putin’s office, a rep said that the Russian Prime Minister had never given the gift of a bed to Berlusconi.

Another theory is that Putin spent a night in the bed while staying at Berlusconi’s Rome residence.

The pair are known to be good friends.

At a press conference, Berlusconi described Putin as “very friendly. He has shown himself to be a great friend by coming here.”

Repaying the compliment, Putin said Italian women were second only to those in Russia.

He added: “I have always reacted negatively to those who with their snotty noses and erotic fantasies prowl into others’ lives.” (ANI)


http://news.gaeatimes.com/the-mystery-of-berlusconi-sex-tapes-and-putins-bed-117003/

Fashola promises to turn Mile 12-Ikorodu road to six lanes

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has promised to rebuild the Mile 12-Ikorodu Road, if re-elected into office next month.

He said commuters, who avoid the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, use the road as an alternative.

The governor said this had put pressure on the road.

Fashola said: ‘’There is too much pressure on Mile 12-Ikorodu road. When Lagos-Ibadan Expressway packed up, commuters shifted to this road.’’

He said: “We have completed the design for the road. It will be a six lane-road, with one line for BRT.”

Fashola urged the people of Ikorodu to be vigilant.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was allegedly planning to mobilise thugs from Oyo and Ogun states to disrupt the elections in Ikorodu.

The governor spoke at the campaign rally organised by leaders and members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ikorodu.

Fashola said: “PDP held a meeting. They are afraid of elections. They mobilised people from Oyo and Ogun states to create confusion in Ikorodu.

‘’They want to repeat the same during elections. Let our fathers and leaders be vigilant. We will resist them.

“On the day of election, thumb print the space where you see the broom. Give us that one day and we will give you four years of great and unquantifiable service.”

Party supporters from Ijede, Ipakodo, Owutu, Imota, Ibeshe, Isiwo, Odogiyan and and Igbogbo were hosted by Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Olukoga and Prince Lanre Balogun.

State Chairman of the party Otunba Dele Ajomale presented flags to Alhaji Gbenga Ashafa (Senate), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa (House of Representatives), Sunai Agunbiade and Mrs Nosmot Akinsola (House of Assembly).

Defectors from the PDP, led by Olu Ogunborisa, a former lawmaker, were admitted into the ACN by Ajomale.

The party chairman enjoined them to work for the success of the party at the polls.

Present at the campaign, which took place at the Ikorodu Town Hall, were Fashola’s wife, Abimbola, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Joko Pelumi, Chief Adeseye Amingo, Mrs Toun Ajomale, Chief Funso Ologunde, Kayode Opeifa, Mrs Folake Sokunbi-Kalokalo, Bolaji Sanusi and local party leaders.

Fashola paid tribute to the monarch, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Salau Oyefusi, and other eminent Ikorodu leaders, including the late TOS Benson, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Chief Babatunde Ogunsanya, Olukoga, Basorun and Ogunleye.

He said they were credible leaders.

The governor hailed the people for defying the sun to hear their leaders.

He said it was a demostration that they were ready to support him and ACN at the elections.

Fashola appealed to the party leaders and followers to put the acrimony behind them and work for the interest of the party.

He listed his achievements in Ikorodu as the building of a High Court Complex, provision of water, jetties, roads and establishment of a drivers’ institute.

The governor said: “Thirty-one road projects are going on. We have awarded Ibeshe road and Isawo and Isheri roads.

Fashola told the people to reject the PDP.

He said the PDP frustrated the Independent Power project (IPP), which was hosted by the division.

Fashola said PDP could not do much for Nigerians because it devoted 25 per cent of the budget to capital project.

http://www.ascology.com/news/local-news/7422-Fashola-promises-turn-Mile--Ikorodu-road-six-lanes.html

If you ask me the Italians are some of the most corrupt people in the world.

As for Berlusconi, the guy is an artful dodger.

Check this rap sheet out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trials_involving_Silvio_Berlusconi

You can see why the guy has to be prime minister, even at his old age (undergoing all kinds of surgery to look young).

He needs the power to protect his business and pleasure interests!

Putin?

They are probably birds of the same feather!



Putin Implicated in Berlusconi Sex Scandal

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's name has been involved in the sex scandals around his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi, according to the Italian press.

The Italian prime minister is facing accusations of paying to have sex during erotic parties that he hosted in his houses and apartments in Milan. Prosecutors accuse him of having had sex with Kariba el-Mahroug, an underage girl of Moroccan origin known as Ruby.

Italian media have made public wiretaps describing the sex parties in Berlusconi's premises. The Italian PM has refuted the accusations as a plot.

The worsening of Berlusconi's new sexgate in Italy could jeopardize his government as, unlike a previous sex scandal in 2009 that he fended off, this time he enjoys a thin majority.

A new detail has added international flavor to the sexgate – the allegation that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was present at one of Berlusconi's sex parties on April 25-26, 2010, in a villa outside Milan.

The Italian prosecutors are investigating whether Putin met the underage prostitute Ruby; reports say an Italian court could even summon the Russian PM as witness during the investigation of Berlusconi's orgies.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=124358

Photo: Berlusconi (left) with Medvedev and Putin in December 2010 in Sochi. Putin has become an alleged participant in Berlusconi's sex orgies. Photo by BGNES

I want to propose a referendum here.

Should Seun remove the caption at the top of the Politics page:


"Our country Nigeria is the giant of Africa!"


AND I MEAN IT

Don't Americans pride themselves on respect and national unity?

Well, maybe not.

johnie:
Natasha:
The Japanese are resourceful, innovative and disciplined people with a great sense of national pride. While they also have criminals and felons, it is not quite in comparison to the sleaze balls we have in our streets. It was disgusting to watch these scum bags loot stores in New Orleans during Katrina when they should have helped their fellow citizens in need. While watching the devastation in Japan is heart wrenching, it is so refreshing to see the civility of people within the calamity they are facing.

I also don't think it can happen in the grand ol US of A.

Let's see what becomes of Berlusconi in Italy.

I am not expecting much though.

Very instructive.

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:

In the wake of Japan's deadly earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant explosions, we have witnessed the almost indescribable chaos that follows a disaster of this magnitude: loss of life, severe injuries, homelessness, lack of water, food and proper medical care, the physical destruction of towns and cities, and a growing fear of radioactive contamination from power plants that seem beyond anyone's ability to control.

But one heart-wrenching byproduct of disasters like this one has been missing in Japan, and that’s looting and lawlessness.

Looting is something we see after almost every tragedy; for example: last year's earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, the floods in England in 2007, and of course Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. It happens when some people who've seen life as they know it get tossed out the window feel that all morality has been tossed out too. It's survival of the fittest and whatever you can get your hands on is yours, no matter who it belongs to.

But that's not happening in Japan.

Journalist and social commentator Ed West wrote in the UK Telegraph yesterday how struck he was by the Japanese culture throughout this ordeal. He observed how supermarkets cut their prices in the days following the quake and how vending machine owners were giving out free drinks as "people work together to survive." And West was most surprised by the fact that there was no looting.

Many have pointed to the popularity of Japan's distinctive Buddhist and Shinto religions as well as how the values of conformity and consensus are considered virtues in their culture. That's one explanation, but it probably has something to do with remaining true to your moral code even in the darkest hours.

Here’s my question to you: Why is there no looting in Japan?

Interested to know which ones made it on air?


Kim:
Because Japanese culture, unlike all other modern cultures, is based primarily on honor and dignity. Unlike our Katrina disaster, the Japanese don't see this as an opportunity to steal everything in sight. The so-called civilized world can learn much from the stoic Japanese.

Greg in Arkansas:
Two words: National pride. The people of Japan love their country and do what is best for the nation, unlike the United States where we love our country and do what is best for ourselves.

Natasha:
The Japanese are resourceful, innovative and disciplined people with a great sense of national pride. While they also have criminals and felons, it is not quite in comparison to the sleaze balls we have in our streets. It was disgusting to watch these scum bags loot stores in New Orleans during Katrina when they should have helped their fellow citizens in need. While watching the devastation in Japan is heart wrenching, it is so refreshing to see the civility of people within the calamity they are facing.

Larry in Georgetown, Texas:
Jack, I was blessed to visit Japan several years ago on business and was told that if I lost my wallet in downtown Tokyo that the person who found it would make it their mission to return it to me in tact. These people are very gracious and kind.

Carol:
Sociologists will tell you that the lack of looting is just the result of large numbers of people developing a more orderly society to cope with living in a smaller land mass. Personally, I've always thought it's because they're a more highly evolved race.

Joy:
It's the Japanese culture - very refined, dignified, disciplined and civilized. We should all learn from them. They're the types of people you help out willingly because you know that they'll make full use of any opportunity to get back on their feet.

Richard:
I don't really know. It would be easy to say that they are a very homogeneous society and perhaps in a way consider each other family. In any case they are to be applauded.

http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/15/why-is-there-no-looting-in-japan/

22 March 2011 Last updated at 15:23 GMT

Israel ex-President Moshe Katsav jailed for violation

Moshe Katsav still maintains his innocence

Israel's former President Moshe Katsav has been jailed for seven years for violation and other sex offences.

He was convicted at an earlier hearing of despoiling an employee in the 1990s when he was tourism minister, and of later sexual offences while he was president.

The violation victim, known as Woman A, told the court he had first attacked her at the tourism ministry office, and later at a hotel in Jerusalem.

Katsav, 65, resigned from the largely ceremonial post of president in 2007.

He had initially agreed with prosecutors to plead guilty to sexual misconduct, avoiding more serious charges.

But he later withdrew the agreement and denied the violation allegations.

Sentencing Katsav - the first former Israeli head of state to be jailed - the judges told him no-one was above the law.

The Associated Press reported that Katsav broke down in tears when he heard the sentence, shouting at the judges: "You made a mistake. It is a lie. The girls know it is a lie."

'Riddled with lies'

Mr Katsav will not go to jail immediately, with his sentence due to begin on 8 May. However, he has 45 days to appeal against the sentence.

After his conviction in December last year, Israeli media dubbed the case a political earthquake, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as "a sad day for Israel and its residents".

According to court documents, he committed the violation in April 1998, and sexually harassed two women in 2003 and 2005 during his presidency.

Judge George Karra told him: "We believe the plaintiff [Woman A] because her testimony is supported by elements of evidence and she told the truth."

The judges said Katsav's evidence had been "riddled with lies".

Women's groups in Israel welcomed the conviction, arguing that allegations of sexual harassment were too often ignored.

Both Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the sentencing marked a sad day for Israel, Israel's Haaertz newspaper reports.

"This is an extraordinary day in the state of Israel," Mr Netanyahu said.

"This is a day of sadness and shame, but it is also a day of deep appreciation and pride for the Israeli justice system."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12815941

This debate is not the first in Nigeria.

In 1993, there was a debate between Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe (Abiola's running mate on the SDP ticket) and Sylvester Ugo (Bashir Tofa's running mate on the NRC ticket).


I remember that it was interesting watching that debate just as the Abiola/Tofa tango.

The UNSC has voted to impose a no-fly-zone over Libya.

This follows the threats of Gadhaffi to take over the "rebel's" last stand -Benghazi.

Interestingly, Nigeria is one of the countries that voted in favour of the resolution. China and Russia abstained.

Immediatelt after the resolution was passed, Egypt began sending arms to the "rebels" in the east of Libya.

I expect NATO and the "allies" to start pre-emptive strikes any moment from now.

I hope all Nigerians have now been evacuated.

I salute the courage of the people of Benghazi who stood up to the dictator and his threat to "clean the city house by house, road by road, alley by alley" despite the delay in getting support from the international community as Ras Lanuf, Tabruk, etc fell back to Gadhaffi one by one.

Gadhaffi, look up,
Its a bird, a cloud, ,

No, its the allied planes coming to get you!

I dey laff for all of una posts.

I'll come back in May to check your "predictions."

Bookmark this post cos I go still dey laff then!

mohamosh:
First, Bimbo and Seun Somolu were never paid a dime.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-610244.32.html#msg7790143

Awuff dey run belle (and mouth)!

toba1909:
You goofed dude
BRF was not rattled throughout the debate session, i was very much present at the debate, so stop passing wrong signals around.
Both aspirants proved themselves beyond doubt, no sentiments about that, i'll probably paste the video here once it's uploaded.

Still waiting for the video,

Channels TV hosts governorship debate
Segun Balogun

March 3, 2011 01:25AM


The five governorship candidates for Lagos state where at Channels TV last night for a debate over their plans for the state.

The debate, which was aired live, had the incumbent governor, Babatunde Fashola, who is also the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria; Adegboyega Dosumu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party; Dominic Agboola, the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance; Yomi Tokoya, the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party; and Jaiye Randle, the candidate of Social Democratic Mega Party.

Several issues, ranging from housing, employment, power supply, security, and transparency and accountability formed the core of the arguments among the debaters.

For Mr Fashola, what Lagos needs is continuity of the "transformation process" he has started in the state and not a new experiment.

"The economy of Lagos is working. New businesses are springing up and many international businesses are now operating in the state. Our bonds are oversubscribed and these are signs that investors' confidence in our economy is growing," he said.

Mr Dosumu on his part, wanted the state's number one job to relieve Lagosians of "excessive taxation" while also promising to bring ‘federal presence' back to Lagos.

"When Lagos partners with federal government Lagos will benefit," he said, adding that he would run a transparent and accountable government.

"Every Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council publishes the list of contract awards and their costs. That is the level of transparency we expect in Lagos also," he said, challenging Mr. Fashola to publish the list of all the projects the state government has done and their cost.

In response, Mr Fashola said, "Award of projects is done by the State Tenders Board and the list of these projects, the cost, and details of contractors are on the website of that Board."

But Mr Randle of the Social Democratic Mega Party said his untainted credibility and years of service rendered to Lagos State "without collecting any money" stood him in better position as the prospective governor than all other candidates.

The All Progressive Grand Alliance candidate, Mr Agboola promised to turn Lagos State into a "construction yard," adding that industrialisation stimulated by constant power supply is the most critical need of Lagos now.

The All Nigeria Peoples Party candidate, Mr Tokoya, promised to address the housing deficit in Lagos by utilising locally made building materials.

The debate did not end without some heated moments. Mr Fashola and Mr Dosumu exchanged verbal attack after Mr Randle accused Mr Fashola of being inaccessible to citizens, having tried unsuccessfully himself.

"The first time you tried to see me was about a criminal matter and the Attorney General is in the best position to handle it. The second time was about your house that was sitting on drainage and causing flood," said Mr. Fashola in his reply, which enraged Mr Randle.

When asked by Mr Tokoya why he refused to submit himself to an investigative panel set up by the House of Assembly over allegations of financial improprieties, Mr. Fashola said "to the contrary, I was actually investigated by a panel set up by the Assembly. It was a court order that stopped that panel from continuing the investigation and as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, I will not violate a court order," Mr Fashola said, seizing the moment to take a swipe at Mr Dosumu, who despite a standing court injunction restraining him from parading himself as PDP's flag bearer, still appeared at the debate.

Mr Randle caused another scene at the end of the debate when he refused to shake hands with Mr Fashola, but proceeded to embrace the other candidates.




http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/5681092-146/channelstv_hosts_governorship_debate__.csp

Where are the Tinubu supporters?

Kobo, do you need to know the pastor before you can comment on his sermon?

Kobo, what's your comment on the pastor's sermon?

Hilary Clinton at the UN has just announced USD10m humanitarian aid through USAID and dispatch of aid workers to the Tunisian and Egyptian borders of Libya.

US is also proposing a no fly zone over Libya.

George and Tinubu, abi?

Interestingly, some of the evacuees were convicts in Libyan jails, about 17 with some even on death row.

Definitely, there's more to this than meets the eye.