Soca Artiste Ricardo Drue has Died
Antigua and Barbuda’s renowned international soca artist, Ricardo Drue, died at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre after he had been unconscious and unresponsive at midday (local time) on Tuesday.
The cause of death has not been made public.
Drue dominated the Soca Monarch and Road March competitions here and had a large following across the region. He was engaged to Trinidad and Tobago soca sensation Patrice Roberts.
Among his hit tunes were Vagabond and Professional.
RTC News will have more on this story.
Six dead, at least 36 injured during tornado outbreak in Tennesse
Six people died and at least 36 others were injured Saturday after severe tornadoes touched down in parts of Tennessee, officials said.
Three people died and 23 were injured following a tornado in Montgomery County, Tennessee, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said. Officials said that it was two adults and one child who died.
Another three people were dead after severe weather in Nashville, the city's emergency office said. Thirteen people were injured following a church building collapse, the office said, adding that they're currently listed in stable condition.
The tornado in Clarksville, Tennessee, has been rated an EF-3 with peak winds of 150 mph. The tornado in the Madison, Hendersonville and Gallatin areas, which are the northern suburbs of Nashville, have been given a preliminary EF-2 rating with winds of 125 mph.
Source-ABC
SZA tops RIAA's Gold & Platinum certifications for 2023
In 2023, everything SZA touched turned to Gold ... and Platinum.
The "Snooze" singer ends 2023 as the Recording Industry Association of America's most-certified artist of the year. She scored the most certified releases this year — 15 — as well as the Top Album, SOS, certified three-times Platinum, and the Top Single, "Kill Bill," certified five-times Platinum.
Taking to Instagram on December 10, SZA celebrated the first anniversary of the release of SOS, which originally dropped on December 9, 2022. "Happy 1st anniversary to an album that is ACTIVELY CHANGING MY LIFE .. like rn currently changing my life," she wrote. "I haven't processed this year AT ALL cause it's still happening .. this is beyond my wildest dreams."
She added, in part, "Thank you to every person that streamed this album, came to a show, blasted it in traffic, and connected with ANY part of me. To everyone who continues to believe in me and be patient with me as I figure it all out. your [sic] my driving force. I love you."
SZA also shared some artwork for LANA, which is the title of the upcoming deluxe version of SOS.
The RIAA also saluted artists who received their first Gold & Platinum certifications this year, including Ice Spice, who scored two Gold singles with "Munch (Feelin' U)" and "In Ha Mood," and the Platinum-certified "Boy's a Liar Pt. 2" with Pink Pantheress.
Source- ABC
Cricket U19-Schedule released for World Cup
West Indies Under-19s will feature on the opening day of the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup against hosts South Africa on January 19 next year at J.B. Marks Oval in the city of Potchefstroom.
The ICC, the sport’s world organising body, released the schedule on Monday for the 16-team event, which was moved from Sri Lanka, after provisionally suspending Sri Lanka Cricket on November 23 because of extensive government interference in the SLC’s administration.
The 15th edition of the global youth showpiece will be held from January 19 to February 11 next year, and five venues across South Africa will host the 41 matches over more than three weeks, with the final taking place at Willomoore Park in Benoni.
“In the past 12 months, we have seen South Africa successfully deliver two milestone events for the sport – the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup last year, and the ground-breaking ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that immediately followed,” ICC head of events, Chris Tetley said in a news release.
“The relocation of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 to South Africa allows us the opportunity to build on this momentum and welcome the best young cricketers on the planet to five notable international venues.”
West Indies Under-19s will also face Scotland on January 24 at J.B. Marks Oval, where they will also meet England two days later to end their fixtures in Group B of the tournament.
Five-time champions India will begin their defence against 2020 winners Bangladesh at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.
The Indians prevailed in the previous edition of the tournament last year in the Caribbean, and they are placed in Group A with Bangladesh, Ireland, and the United States as they attempt to claim a record sixth title.
Group C features Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia, while Group D is made up of Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand and Nepal.
The top three sides from each group progress to the Super Six phase of the event ahead of the semi-finals and final in Benoni.
It will be the third time that South Africa has hosted the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup – after previous editions in 1998 and 2020.
Source-CMC
Revenue from cruise ship tourism hits all time high in Bermuda
Bermuda is reporting record revenue from the cruise ship sector with the British Overseas Territory estimating that the 2023 cruise-ship season will bring in revenue of US$221 million, an increase over last year’s figure of US$154 million.
Transport Minister Wayne Furbert, said the figures show that Bermuda has bounced back from the coronavirus (COVID-19) of 2020 and 2021, when cruise ships were barred from entry to Bermuda.
According to the latest figures, Bermuda received 539,127 cruise ship passengers so far this year, with an associated revenue forecast of US$168.7 million in passenger and crew spending, as well as estimated US$24.7 million in passenger taxes, US$10.7 million in transport infrastructure taxes, US$6.9 million in visitor fees and US10.4 million in cruise ship port expenses.
Furbert said the cumulative economic impact is estimated at US$221.5 million dollars for the year and that most cruise visits to the island were operating at close to 100 per cent capacity.
“The cruise ship season in the Bermuda has proven to be remarkably resilient and continues to thrive. Bermuda, renowned for its stunning beauty and warm hospitality, has managed to adapt and recover, showcasing its commitment to providing an exceptional cruise experience for visitors.”
Furbert said that the authorities had been able to bolster the number of cruise ship arrivals by encouraging smaller companies to make one-off visits in addition to regular, mega-ship visitors, and also to entice liners here during the off-season.
“The two major cruise lines that we deal with are RCL and Norwegian, who serve as the primary drivers of cruise visits to our destination. But during the intervals between the visits of our two primary partners, a multitude of other cruise brands made port calls in Bermuda, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Scenic Luxury Cruises, Silver Sea Cruises, Saga Cruises, Star Cruises and Azamara Cruises.”
Furbert said that the upswing in both the number of occasional callers and passenger spending, underscores the success of our initiatives to promote Bermuda as a premier cruise destination throughout the year.
Furbert said that changes in the taxes that had boosted cruise ship revenue in recent years, noting “in 2019, the cabin tax was phased out. In its place, a visitor fee of US$16 per person was introduced and designated to Bermuda Tourism Authority.
“Additionally, the transport infrastructure tax at a rate of US$25 was introduced. Furthermore, the passenger tax for ships berthing at Dockyard was elevated to US$25 per person.”
Furbert said that there’s no doubt that one of the major reasons for the increase in economic impact within the cruise industry has to do with the increase in passenger tax that the authorities were able to work with the cruise industry to obtain in 2019, including an infrastructure tax and a visitors fee.
He said there had been 37 cruise ship cancellations this year, adding, “it is no secret that the cruise ship visits to our region were impacted by an unprecedented hurricane season.
“The frequency and proximity of hurricanes to our area directly affected the planned cruise itineraries, causing disruption to the anticipated schedule of cruise ships. We are now benefiting from the vision that premier Ewart Brown had back in 2009.
“If we had not opened up Dockyard and made the investment and only relied on the City of Hamilton, we would not have the cruise ships that we currently have. The investment that the government made back then is now reaping benefits.
“Through dedicated efforts, Bermuda has not only weathered the storms but also emerged stronger, reaffirming its status as a premier cruise destination.”
Furbert said that as the country moves forward, it is imperative to remain vigilant, ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all cruise passengers, while further enhancing Bermuda’s reputation as a remarkable and enduring cruise destination.
“False expectations should not be encouraged”
The former Commonwealth secretary general, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Monday said “false expectations should not be encouraged” in the talks on Thursday between President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro over the disputed Essequibo region.
The talks will take place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at 10.00 am (local time) and in a statement, Sir Shridath, the co-Agent of Guyana before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said that it is important that the limits of the talks in Kingstown are understood
He said for decades, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been “the most vocal and consistent supporter of Guyana with regard to the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. “Never was that support more evident than when its Heads of Government held an emergency meeting in that context on 8 December 2023. They did not falter. CARICOM Heads repeated where they stood on the most critical aspects of the current situation,” he said.
Sir Shridath noted that the regional leaders “firmly” supported Guyana in pursuance of the resolution of its border controversy with Venezuela through the process of the ICJ and that they urged Venezuela to respect the conservatory measures determined by the ICJ in its recent ruling until a final resolution.
He also noted that the regional leaders reiterated that the Caribbean should be regarded as a Zone of Peace and the maintenance of international law.
“It is in that context, and with perfect awareness that the Guyana-Venezuela matter is under consideration by the ICJ and that the Court’s proceedings cannot be compromised, that CARICOM Heads have called for an ‘appropriate’ dialogue between the leaders of Guyana and Venezuela to ensure ‘peaceful co-existence’, ‘the application and respect for international law’, and ‘the avoidance of the use or threats of force,” Sir Shridath said.
He said that there “was no call for any discussion on the Venezuelan controversy over the Essequibo region of Guyana.
“It is within those parameters that Guyana’s President has responded positively to the region’s call for an ‘appropriate’ dialogue with Venezuela’s President. Guyana has always urged Venezuela in the direction of peaceful coexistence. All Guyanese should bolster President Ali’s efforts in this regard,” the former Guyana attorney general said.
Sir Shridath said that “if President Maduro responds in like manner, CARICOM’s efforts will have the reward of deference to not only regional but international norms of peace and security”.
On Sunday, President Ali said his meeting on Thursday with Maduro would be confined to discussing the need for peace and respect for international law despite their ongoing border disoute.
Ali, in a letter responding to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who has arranged the meeting in Kingstown, said that he would be attending the talks “in answer to the call by colleague” CARICOM leaders for “appropriate dialogue” “to ensure peaceful coexistence, the application and respect for international law and the avoidance of the use or threats of force.”
Gonsalves said the two leaders had agreed to meet face-to-face under under the auspices of the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), of which St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the pro tempore, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), whose current chairman is the Dominica Prime Minster, Roosevelt Skerrit.
Gonsalves said that Ali and Maduro have requested the presence of the President of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, adding that an invitation had been sent to the Brazilian leader.
“I don’t want to preempt what we will do or preempt what will be the outcome of the discussion but we have made it very clear…and we are hoping that good sense will prevail. We are hoping that there will be a full commitment to peace, respect for our borders, and for peace within the region,” Ali said.
“We are not going to remove from the ICJ, we are not going to step out from the ICJ. We have made it clear that this controversy with the ICJ,” he added.
Source-CMC
Barbie and Succession lead the nominations for the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards
On Monday morning, Cedric the Entertainer and Wilmer Valderrama revealed the nominees for the next Golden Globe Awards, with Barbie and HBO's Succession tied for the top spot at nine nominations each.
This is the first year the Globes will air on CBS. It is also the first year the awards will not be run by the now-disbanded Hollywood Foreign Press Association, an organization that was embroiled in scandals including that its membership of journalists didn't include a single person of color. Dick Clark Productions is now the owner of the awards show.
The next Golden Globes will also be the first to give flowers to the best stand-up special, and one for box office achievement.
The 81st annual Golden Globe Awards will air live from the Beverly Hilton on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET.
The nominees are:
Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
Barbie
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
John Wick: Chapter 4
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Best Motion Picture – Drama
Anatomy of a Fall
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Past Lives
The Zone of Interest
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Bradley Cooper - Maestro
Leonardo DiCaprio - Killers of the Flower Moon
Colman Domingo - Rustin
Barry Keoghan - Saltburn
Cillian Murphy - Oppenheimer
Andrew Scott - All of Us Strangers
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Annette Bening - Nyad
Lily Gladstone - Killers of the Flower Moon
Sandra Hüller - Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan - Maestro
Greta Lee - Past Lives
Cailee Spaeny - Priscilla
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
Willem Dafoe - Poor Things
Robert De Niro - Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr. - Oppenheimer
Ryan Gosling - Barbie
Charles Melton - May December
Mark Ruffalo - Poor Things
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
Emily Blunt - Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks - The Color Purple
Jodie Foster - Nyad
Julianne Moore - May December
Rosamund Pike - Saltburn
Da’Vine Joy Randolph - The Holdovers
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Air
American Fiction
Barbie
May December
Poor Things
The Holdovers
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Nicolas Cage -Dream Scenario
Timothée Chalamet -Wonka
Matt Damon - Air
Paul Giamatti - The Holdovers
Joaquin Phoenix - Beau Is Afraid
Jeffrey Wright - American Fiction
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Fantasia Barrino - The Color Purple
Jennifer Lawrence - No Hard Feelings
Natalie Portman - May December
Margot Robbie - Barbie
Emma Stone - Poor Things
Best Television Series – Drama
Succession - HBO/Max
The Crown - Netflix
The Diplomat - Netflix
The Last of Us - HBO/Max
1923 - Paramount+
The Morning Show - Apple TV+
Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Drama
Brian Cox - Succession
Kieran Culkin - Succession
Gary Oldman - Slow Horses
Pedro Pascal - The Last of Us
Jeremy Strong - Succession
Dominic West - The Crown
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Helen Mirren - 1923
Bella Ramsey - The Last of Us
Keri Russell - The Diplomat
Sarah Snook - Succession
Imelda Staunton - The Crown
Emma Stone - The Curse
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role on Television
Elizabeth Debicki - The Crown
Abby Elliott -The Bear
Christina Ricci - Yellowjackets
J. Smith-Cameron - Succession
Meryl Streep - Only Murders in the Building
Hannah Waddingham - Ted Lasso
Best Television Series – Comedy Or Musical
Abbott Elementary - ABC
Barry - HBO/Max
Jury Duty - Amazon Freevee
Only Murders in the Building - Hulu
Ted Lasso - Apple TV+
The Bear - FX
Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical
Bill Hader - Barry
Steve Martin - Only Murders in the Building
Jason Segel - Shrinking
Martin Short - Only Murders in the Building
Jason Sudeikis - Ted Lasso
Jeremy Allen White - The Bear
Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical
Rachel Brosnahan - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Quinta Brunson - Abbott Elementary
Elle Fanning - The Great
Selena Gomez - Only Murders in the Building
Natasha Lyonne - Poker Face
Ayo Edebiri - The Bear
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television Series
Billy Crudup - The Morning Show
Matthew Macfadyen - Succession
James Marsden - Jury Duty
Ebon Moss-Bachrach - The Bear
Alan Ruck - Succession
Alexander Skarsgard - Succession
Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Jerskin Fendrix - Poor Things
Ludwig Göransson - Oppenheimer
Mica Levi - The Zone of Interest
Daniel Pemberton - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Robbie Robertson - Killers of the Flower Moon
Joe Hisaishi -The Boy and the Heron
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
All the Light We Cannot See - Netflix
Beef - Netflix
Daisy Jones & the Six - Amazon
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Matt Bomer - Fellow Travelers
Sam Claflin - Daisy Jones & the Six
Jon Hamm - Fargo
Woody Harrelson - White House Plumbers
David Oyelowo - Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Steven Yeun - Beef
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Riley Keough - Daisy Jones & the Six
Brie Larson - Lessons in Chemistry
Elizabeth Olsen - Love & Death
Juno Temple - Fargo
Rachel Weisz - Dead Ringers
Ali Wong - Beef
Best Original Song – Motion Picture
"Addicted to Romance" - Bruce Springsteen - She Came to Me
"Dance the Night" - Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt - Barbie
"I’m Just Ken" - Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt - Barbie
"Peaches" - Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond & John Spiker - The Super Mario Bros. Movie
"Road to Freedom" - Lenny Kravitz - Rustin
"What Was I Made For?" Billie Eilish & Finneas - Barbie
Best Motion Picture – Animated
The Boy and the Heron
Elemental
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Suzume
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Wish
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Barbie
Poor Things
Oppenheimer
Killers of the Flower Moon
Past Lives
Anatomy of a Fall
Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television
Chris Rock - Selective Outrage
Sarah Silverman - Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love
Wanda Sykes - I’m an Entertainer
Ricky Gervais - Ricky Gervais Armageddon
Trevor Noah - Trevor Noah: Where Was I
Amy Schumer - Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact
Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language
Anatomy of a Fall - France
Io Capitano - Italy
Past Lives - United States
Society of the Snow - Spain
The Zone of Interest - United Kingdom
INDEPENDENT EFFECTIVENESS REVIEW OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS INTEGRITY COMMISSION
Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and the Chairman of the Integrity Commission Hon. Justice Lobban Jackson, with the support of the Board of Commissioners, today announce jointly an independent effectiveness review of the
Integrity Commission.
The effectiveness review will assess the accountable and transparent discharge of the Integrity Commission's constitutional duties.
This will include the effectiveness of its governance and compliance framework, its resourcing, and the discharge of its enforcement powers. Public consultation will form a key part of the effectiveness review.
Her Excellency the Governor said "The Integrity Commission holds a significant role within the governance of the Turks and Caicos Islands affirming standards of accountability for individuals holding public office. The review will ensure the effective fulfillment of the Integrity Commission's duties and provide public confidence in our governance of public standards of accountability."
Hon. Ms. Justice Lobban Jackson said, "We welcome this review to ensure the Integrity Commission is performing its constitutional duties to maximum effect and to reassure the public's confidence in our institution."
The terms of reference for the review are attached as an annex. Further details concerning the review and how individuals and organizations will be engaged as part of the public consultation will be issued in January.
T&T end bottom, SVG grab first win in Gold Cup
Trinidad and Tobago finished bottom of their group in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup qualifiers, following a 1-0 defeat to Mexico on Tuesday.
Playing at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, the hosts conceded through Cristina Ferral five minutes before half-time and never found their way back into the contest.
The defeat was their fourth in Group A of League A, their only point coming in a nil-all draw with Puerto Rico last October.
Hoping to end an otherwise disappointing campaign on a high note, T&T were lucky not to fall behind early in the contest as Mexico created a flurry of half chances but failed to finish any.
Jacqueline Ovalle twice came close while Stephany Mayor missed a gilt-edged chance from the middle of the six-yard box.
However, Ferral’s brilliance gave her side the lead in the 40th, the 30-year-old collecting the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and curling her volley into the far corner.
Down 1-0 at the break, T&T then survived an assault early in the second half and needed the sharpness of goalkeeper Simone Eligon to keep the scoreline intact.
Eligon saved low from the feet of substitute Alexia Delgado in the 48th, reacted well to push away Ovalle’s low drive in the 63rd before collecting Mayor’s on-target cross in the 74th minute.
At the same venue in League B, St Vincent and the Grenadines scored three goals in the space of eight minutes towards the end to beat Barbados 4-2 and log their only win in Group C.
With the game deadlocked at 1-1 after 74 minutes, goals from Samayaa Connell (82nd) and Asanteni Charles (89th), coupled with an Ashanee Thompson 84th minute own-goal, turned the result in SVG’s favour.
They finished bottom of the group on three points with Barbados one above them in third.
In Group B of League C, visiting St Lucia were put to the sword by hosts Cuba, Eunises Núñez (9th, 14th) netting a first half brace.
St Lucia finished second on six points behind group winners Cuba on 12.
Source-CMC