Barbie and Oppenheimer tie with four noms for SAG Awards
It looks like the 30th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday, February 24, will be another Barbenheimer double date.
Nominations for the awards were announced Wednesday morning by Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, and Barbie and Oppenheimer tied with four nominations apiece, while on the TV side, HBO's trophy magnet Succession led the pack with five.
Winners will be announced at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in a telecast streamed live for the first time by Netflix.
Here are the nominees:
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
American Fiction
Barbie
The Color Purple
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Bradley Cooper – Maestro
Colman Domingo – Rustin
Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Annette Bening – Nyad
Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon
Carey Mulligan – Maestro
Margot Robbie – Barbie
Emma Stone – Poor Things
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Sterling K. Brown – American Fiction
Willem Dafoe – Poor Things
Robert De Niro – Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer
Ryan Gosling – Barbie
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple
Penelope Cruz – Ferrari
Jodie Foster – Nyad
Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
The Crown
The Gilded Age
The Last of Us
The Morning Show
Succession
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Abbot Elementary
Barry
The Bear
Only Murders in the Building
Ted Lasso
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Brian Cox – Succession
Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
Kieran Culkin – Succession
Matthew Macfadyen – Succession
Pedro Pascal – The Last of Us
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show
Elizabeth Debicki – The Crown
Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us
Keri Russell – The Diplomat
Sarah Snook – Succession
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
Hannah Waddingham – Ted Lasso
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Brett Goldstein – Ted Lasso
Bill Hader – Barry
Ebon Moss-Bachrach – The Bear
Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso
Jeremy Allen White – The Bear
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Uzo Aduba – Painkiller
Kathryn Hahn – Tiny Beautiful Things
Brie Larson – Lessons in Chemistry
Be Powley – A Small Light
Ali Wong – Beef
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Matt Bomer – Fellow Travelers
Jon Hamm – Fargo
David Oyelowo – Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Tony Shalhoub – Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie
Steven Yeun – Beef
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
Ahsoka
Barry
Beef
The Last of Us
The Mandalorian
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Barbie
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
John Wick: Chapter 4
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Source-ABC
Cryptocurrency swings as watchdog X account 'compromised'
Bitcoin jumped briefly on Tuesday after a post on the US markets regulator's X account (formerly Twitter) said it had approved new so-called exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the cryptocurrency.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) later deleted the post and said its account had been "compromised". The social media platform has said the compromised account was not due to a breach of its systems.
US regulators are expected to announce the new ETFs this week.
The false post appeared on the SEC's official X account shortly after 16:00 Washington time (21:00 GMT). It said the regulator "grants approval for #Bitcoin ETFs for listing on all registered national securities exchanges".
The post was immediately picked up and quoted by social media users and business news outlets.
Within minutes the SEC's chair Gary Gensler posted a message refuting the erroneous announcement on his personal X account: "The @SECGov Twitter account was compromised, and an unauthorized tweet was posted. The SEC has not approved the listing and trading of spot bitcoin exchange-traded products."
"The SEC has determined that there was unauthorized access to and activity on the @SECGov x.com account by an unknown party for a brief period shortly after 4 pm ET," an SEC spokesperson told the BBC.
"That unauthorized access has been terminated," they added. "The SEC will work with law enforcement and our partners across government to investigate the matter and determine appropriate next steps relating to both the unauthorized access and any related misconduct."
Later on Tuesday, X said it had completed a preliminary probe into the false post on the SEC's account and found that it was not due to a breach of the social media platform's systems.
"We can confirm that the account @SECGov was compromised and we have completed a preliminary investigation," X said.
"Based on our investigation, the compromise was not due to any breach of X's systems, but rather due to an unidentified individual obtaining control over a phone number associated with the @SECGov account through a third party," it added.
"We can also confirm that the account did not have two-factor authentication enabled at the time the account was compromised."
Bitcoin jumped to almost $48,000 (£37,800) immediately after the erroneous post before falling back to around $46,000.
Investors are hotly anticipating an SEC announcement on the potential approval of spot bitcoin ETFs, which is expected this week.
It would mark a key milestone for the cryptocurrency market in gaining acceptance to mainstream financial markets.
Several asset management firms have applied for SEC approval for spot Bitcoin ETFs.
ETFs are portfolios that allow investors to bet on multiple assets, without having to buy any themselves.
Traded on stock exchanges like shares, their value depends on how the overall portfolio performs in real-time.
Some ETFs already contain Bitcoin indirectly - but a spot Bitcoin ETF will buy the cryptocurrency.
Source-BBC
TCIG announce 3 new appointments in January
The office of the Deputy Governor over the last year has been promoting and hiring Turks and Caicos Islanders in high-ranking positions within the Civil Service.
For the new year, we are pleased to announce 3 new appointments...
Vershina Forbes to the post of Head of Secretariat within the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development.
Forbes, a former Educator, commenced her professional journey in 2008 within the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service, initially contributing to the Department of Statistics. Transitioning through roles in District Administration, her pursuit of a B.Ed. in Secondary Education Mathematics signaled a shift toward an impactful tenure in Education.
For over a decade, Forbes devoted herself to shaping young minds, primarily as a Secondary Mathematics Teacher. Her multifaceted experience in teaching coupled with various administrative roles within school management endowed her with a robust professional skill set and insight.
In 2022, Forbes transitioned to the core public service, taking up the role of Executive Administrator within the Ministry of Health & Human Services. Subsequently, she was transferred to the Ministry of Physical Planning & Infrastructure Development. In June 2023, Forbes assumed the acting position of Head of the Secretariat, showcasing her leadership and organizational abilities. This temporary role is now formalized with this most recent appointment.
Throughout her career journey, Forbes pursued continuous development, earning certifications that align with her professional profile. Her most recent milestone is the attainment of an MBA in Finance from Edinburgh Napier University, further enhancing her skill set and strategic acumen.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, in extending congratulatory remarks to Ms. Forbes stated: “I am delighted to congratulate Ms. Vershina Forbes on her appointment as the Head of Secretariat within the Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID).
PPID carries significant responsibility in a government’s budget and capital program as it is responsible for not only facilitating but also the carriage of various infrastructure and maintenance programs throughout our islands. As Head of the Secretariat, Ms. Forbes bears the responsibility for the overall management of the ministry’s administrative functions. She assumes responsibility for the oversight of payment processing, communication with the Cabinet Office, management of various diaries within the ministry executive, record-keeping for the ministry’s human resources, and communication with executives in other ministers, departments, and statutory bodies across government. As a former educator, Ms. Forbes has displayed her talent in organization and management of deadlines and policies. We anticipate her talent being highlighted even greater in her new role." End
Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs to the post of Director of Special Needs within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services.
Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs stands as a testament to the power of dedication and the unwavering commitment to enhancing mental health care in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Her journey, spanning across various pivotal roles and accomplishments, echoes a story of relentless passion and expertise.
Born and raised in the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs’ educational ascent began with a flourish. Excelling as Salutatorian at the Ianthe Pratt Primary School and later as Head Girl and Valedictorian at Clement Howell High, she embarked on a remarkable academic voyage.
Awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, she ventured to Howard University in Washington, DC, earning magna cum laude honors in Psychology.
Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs pursued her soul’s passion for mental health, traversing the halls of the American School for Professional Psychology. There, she earned a terminal Master’s and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) degree, driven by a resolute determination to bring transformative change to her homeland.
In 2015, she returned to the Turks & Caicos, joining the public service in the Department of Behavioral Health Services as a Clinical Psychologist. Her impact reverberated through the islands as she spearheaded workshops, addressed conferences, and broke barriers, fighting the stigma shadowing mental health.
Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs embodies resilience, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to fostering a society where mental well-being thrives. Her accolades, including the prestigious Youth Award for Health & Wellness, reflect the magnitude of her dedication and accomplishments.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, in extending congratulatory remarks to Dr. Malcolm-Gibbs, stated: “I am delighted to congratulate Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs on her appointment as the new Director of Special Needs within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sport, and Social Services.
The Turks and Caicos Government is heavily focused on providing quality learning to students at all levels, in all stages of life; this includes students that have unique learning needs.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has made significant strides in the progression and ongoing care of mental health concerns in our islands. This appointment further develops work that has been done as we now have a dedicated department whose sole purpose is to care for, develop, resolve, and advance concerns and policies for our students with special needs." End quote
Dr. Virginia Clerveaux as the Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Governor.
Dr. Clerveaux’s journey in public service commenced in 1997 as a graduate teacher in the Ministry of Education. Her educational voyage began at Shortwood Teachers College in Kingston, Jamaica, culminating in a Diploma in Education.
She embarked on her teaching career at the Ona Glinton Primary School in Grand Turk, subsequently returning to her alma mater, the Marjorie Basden High School, where she imparted knowledge in Geography, History, and Social Studies before pursuing higher education.
Her academic pursuits led her to obtain a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Jamaica, followed by a Master’s of Philosophy in Geography also from UWI. Dr. Clerveaux furthered her academic prowess by completing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Gunma University in Japan, backed by a Monboshei Scholarship from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
She boasts numerous certifications from esteemed organizations like ICPS, CDEMA, and FEMA, alongside co-authoring books and publications and creating the Disaster Awareness Game (DAG).
Dr. Clerveaux's career has been characterized by significant contributions to disaster management.
In 2021, after nine years of unwavering commitment to disaster management at national, regional, and international levels, Dr. Clerveaux was appointed as the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the National Security Secretariat (NSS), spearheading crucial areas such as Maritime sovereignty, food security, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
With an extensive tenure spanning over two decades, Dr. Clerveaux brings a wealth of knowledge, diverse skill sets, and a robust network of public-private partnerships garnered through collaborations with local, regional, and international entities like CDEMA, FCDO, the British Red Cross, UNDP, and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
The Governor, Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, in extending congratulatory remarks to Dr. Clerveaux, stated: “It is a great pleasure to announce officially and congratulate Dr. Virginia Clerveaux on her appointment as the new Permanent Secretary to the Governor’s Office.
Dr. Clerveaux is an experienced public officer, having worked with various ministries and departments during her career. She has a strong track record of delivery and in her current role as Deputy Permanent Secretary of the National Security Secretariat, she has worked diligently to ensure the delivery of many key security initiatives. I look forward to working closely with Permanent Secretary Clerveaux and know that she will bring invaluable expertise in supporting and taking forward the objectives of the Governor’s Office.” End quote
We would like to congratulate you three ladies on your new appointments and wish you all the best in your new roles!
Trinidad records several Murders in January 2024
Trinidad and Tobago has witnessed a distressing start to the new year with 15 killed in just the first week.
This grim statistic is more than double the country’s murder toll for the corresponding period in 2023. Reports are that at the same time last year, the murder toll stood at seven.
It has been reported that between Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, six murders occurred within Port of Spain and several other areas in Trinidad.
Amid this unsettling surge in homicides, Police Commissioner Earla Christopher has emerged as a voice of authority, expressing confidence in the ability of law enforcement to combat crime.
Despite the grim statistics, Commissioner Christopher remains resolute in restoring peace and order in the country.
Statement from the Wheeland Member of Parliament and Chairman of Solid Waste TaskForce
To My Constituents,
As many of you may be aware, the landfill in Wheeland experienced a fire earlier today, which is currently being extinguished by the contractor operators. I have been in constant dialogue with the Minister responsible for Health, who has made the necessary resources available to extinguish the flames.
Blatant attempts at sabotage will not be tolerated under any circumstances, as I will see to it that the incident in question will receive the necessary attention and investigation.
We kindly ask the public to stay away from the landfill for your safety as well as to allow the authorities to work diligently and unimpeded to extinguish the fire.
I will keep you all updated as I receive further details and relevant information.
Hon. Kyle Knowles
Ecuador declares war on armed gangs after TV station attacked on air
Ecuador's president has ordered that criminal gangs be "neutralized" after days of violence culminated in an attack on a television studio.
Masked gunmen broke into public television channel TC's live studio during a broadcast, forcing staff to the floor.
Police made 13 arrests following the attack, which injured two employees.
At least 10 people have been killed since a 60-day state of emergency began in Ecuador on Monday.
The emergency was declared after a notorious gangster vanished from his prison cell. It is unclear whether the incident at the TV studio in Guayaquil was related to the disappearance from a prison in the same city of the boss of the Choneros gang, Adolfo Macías Villamar, or Fito as he is better known.
President Noboa said on Tuesday that an "internal armed conflict" now existed in the country and he was mobilizing the armed forces to carry out "military operations to neutralize" what he called "transnational organized crime, terrorist organizations, and belligerent non-state actors".
In neighboring Peru, the government ordered the immediate deployment of a police force to the border to prevent any instability from spilling over into the country.
The US has said it condemns the "brazen attacks" in Ecuador and is "co-ordinating closely" with President Daniel Noboa and his Ecuadorean government and stands "ready to assist".
Ecuador is one of the world's top banana exporters but also exports oil, coffee, cocoa, shrimp, and fish products. A surge in violence in the Andean nation, inside and outside its prisons, has been linked to fighting between drug cartels, both foreign and local, over control of cocaine routes to the US and Europe.
Source-BBC
Tiger Woods is no longer a Nike athlete
Tiger Woods is no longer a Nike athlete after 27 years, ending a partnership between Nike and golf’s biggest star and raising questions about the future of both in the sport.
Woods in a social media post thanked Nike co-founder Phil Knight for his “passion and vision” that brought them together when he turned pro.
Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports, confirmed the end of the deal that began in 1996 when Woods turned pro after winning his third straight U.S. Amateur.
Woods signed a five-year deal worth $40 million when he turned pro. It was shocking money at the time to most in the industry except Nike, and his father. He renewed the deal believed to be worth over $100 million in 2001. His eight-year deal in 2006 was reported to be $160 million, and his latest deal was signed in 2013 for a reported $200 million.
On the golf course, Woods set records as the youngest to win the Grand Slam at age 24, the only player to hold all four major titles at the same time and his 15-shot win at the U.S. Open, the largest margin for a major in golf history.
But there were signs in recent years of a fractured relationship. Woods returned from his February 2021 car crash that shattered bones in his right leg by wearing FootJoy shoes, saying it was a better feel considering his injuries.
Nike stood by him when his personal life imploded in 2009 over extramarital affairs, and when his schedule was reduced greatly because of leg and back injuries. Woods remarkably returned from fusion surgery to win the Masters in 2019, his fifth green jacket.
Nike also has shown signs of slowing its golf business. It decided to get out of the hard goods business in 2016, sending Woods to play different clubs and a different golf ball.
Nike, meanwhile, said in a recent earnings call it planned to cut $2 billion over the next three years, raising questions about how much it would remain invested in golf.
Fire erupted at a hospital in Southern Iraq
A fire erupted Monday evening at a hospital in southern Iraq, sending smoke through a maternity ward and killing four babies who had been born prematurely, health officials confirmed.
The fire started at a pile of debris belonging to a construction company working on renovations at Women and Children’s Hospital in Diwaniyiah, Iraqi Health Minister Saleh al-Hasnawi told journalists at the scene.
The hospital building did not burn but it was filled with smoke, and the four infants died of chest problems as a result of smoke inhalation. Some other patients suffered minor injuries.
Iraq’s Red Crescent Society said in a statement that its teams successfully evacuated 150 children and 190 relatives from the hospital.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office directed local authorities and the health ministry to open an investigation into the circumstances of the fire, the state-run Iraqi News Agency reported. Officials overseeing the hospital were suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Global economy set for weakest growth since pandemic
The global economy is set to grow at its slowest pace since the pandemic, the World Bank has warned. It has forecast growth of just 2.4% in 2024 and stated higher interest rates were a major factor.
Global trade and investment would continue to be stifled by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, it said. Outside of the pandemic, growth of 2.4% would be the weakest since the 2009-09 financial crisis.
It said the resilience of the US economy meant last year's growth was likely to come at 2.6%.
Indermit Gill, chief economist, at the World Bank Group said: "Near-term growth will remain weak, leaving many developing countries - especially the poorest - stuck in a trap".
Problems he explained include "paralyzing levels of debt and tenuous access to food for nearly one out of every three people."
Global growth is at historically "mediocre" levels and growth in global trade remains sluggish, he added.
The twice-yearly lookahead warned that fallout from the Israel-Hamas conflict "has sharply heightened geopolitical risks". It said the disruption to key shipping routes caused by attacks on vessels in the Red Sea increased the likelihood of "inflationary bottlenecks".
Political concern about rising prices was voiced by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on his ongoing tour to the region on Monday. He tweeted that the attacks "have disrupted or diverted nearly 20% of global shipping. This increases the cost and time of moving food, fuel, medicine, and humanitarian assistance."
It comes at a time when central banks around the world are beginning to feel that they are getting on top of the cost-living crisis. Nearly two years of steady increases in the cost of borrowing have brought inflation closer to the 2% target in the US, UK, and Eurozone and rate cuts are widely expected this year.
However, those higher interest rates in the world's biggest economies also make borrowing more expensive in poorer countries and the World Bank is particularly concerned about how affordable that is for the world's 75 poorest countries.
This is one way in which the report highlights that richer countries are recovering better from the pandemic than poorer nations.
"At the end of 2024 we project that all advanced economies will have a per capita income that is higher than what they had before COVID," said Mr Gill.
However, he added the average income of an individual in an emerging economy will be 75% of the pre-covid level, while it could be as low as 66% in the poorest countries
There is particular concern about the cost of food for the world's poorest people, especially given last year's 27% increase in the price of rice, which has been linked to
India severely restricts exports. However ample supplies of other crops such as grains mean average food prices are set to fall 1% this year.
There is another reminder that China, the world's second-biggest economy, continues to be blighted by a reluctance for consumers to spend money in the shops which has led to prices falling. Combined with the vast debts in its troubled property sector the economy is forecast to grow just 4.5%.
That would be the lowest in decades and even below the modest 5% target the government set for 2023. As well as foreign companies investing less some of this slowdown is because of longer-term trends such as an aging population and the difficulties in maintaining the pace of development seen over the last 20 years.
"That slowing growth in China presents a headwind to other developed economies, especially those for which China is a major trade partner," said Mr Gill.
Overall the World Bank is forecasting that the five years to the end of 2024 will add up to the slowest half-decade of global economic growth in 30 years.
However, there is optimism that the trend can be improved if governments do more to encourage the investments, particularly from the private sector, that will be needed to tackle challenges including climate change and the energy transition.
Source-BBC
Tesla recalls more than 1.6 million cars in China
Tesla is recalling more than 1.6 million vehicles in China over issues with steering software and door-locking systems, the country's regulator says.
The recall includes its models S, X, 3 and Y, and 7,538 imported vehicles.
The problems will be fixed by remote updates to software, meaning the vehicles will not need to be taken to dealerships or garages.
It comes less than a month after Tesla recalled two million cars in the US due to autopilot software issues.
In May last year, the Chinese regulator said more than a million vehicles may have acceleration and braking system issues.
The American electric car giant then discovered problems with assisted driving functions and door-locking systems.
The Chinese regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), described the planned vehicle update as a recall, even though it will happen remotely.
Tesla will release an over-the-air software update for a total of 1,610,105 vehicles, including imported Models S and X and the China-made Models 3 and Y cars made from 2014 to 2023, the SAMR said.
The regulator added that this was to tackle issues with the autosteer function and cut the risk of collision.
"For vehicles within the scope of this recall, when the automatic assisted steering function is turned on, the driver may misuse the level two combined assisted driving function, increasing the risk of vehicle collision and posing a safety hazard," the SAMR explained.
Separately, Tesla will also upgrade the software for 7,538 units of Models S and X cars to fix the problem of doors that could unlock in crashes.
This is the second recent blow for Tesla in the country, after China's BYD overtook Tesla's electric car sales worldwide in the last quarter of 2023.
Another similar move in 2022 saw Tesla recall nearly 128,000 cars in China over a rear motor inverter defect.
Tesla has a large consumer market in China - where people have been encouraged to buy electric and hybrid vehicles through subsidies. The country aims to have a majority of cars powered with clean energy by 2035.
China also hosts a major manufacturing plant in Shanghai, which is Tesla's first "gigafactory" to be built abroad. The facility delivered 947,000 vehicles in 2023, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Source- BBC