Bahamas Opposition Leader to call for a select parliamentary committee to investigate crypto exchange company FTX
Opposition Leader Michael Pintard says the opposition will call for a select parliamentary committee into the collapsed crypto exchange company FTX that is reported to have lost more than eight billion US dollars of its customers’ money.
FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried,who is facing several charges in the United States, is accused of stealing FTX customer deposits and using billions of dollars of those stolen funds to support FTX’s and Alameda’s operations and investments, to fund speculative investments, to make charitable contributions, and to enrich himself, the indictment notes.
Pintard, the leader of the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM), said that are unanswered questions about the bankrupt company, noting a recent report about Prime Minister Philip Davis. There has been no evidence of wrong doing on the part oi Prime Minister Davis.
“The prime minister and his colleagues have refused to answer questions we raised while ,” Pintard told a news conference.
“And this is even more relevant now since it has surfaced that the prime minister has asked the principal who’s now being investigated to provide advice to a member of his family.”
The question is: Is the prime minister and his colleagues prepared to have a full discussion of the role any of his members played in terms of helping FTX get established, acquire properties, hire persons, some of whom worked previously with government, and have they benefited personally or politically from any resources from this company?”
Pintard told reporters that the opposition legislators intend to call for a select committee on FTX in the month of November and to have the matter debated at a later stage.
Source-CMC
Media association condemns gunshots being fired at radio station
The Surinamese Association of Journalists (SVJ) has “strongly condemned” the attack on a radio station here as police continue their investigations into the circumstances that led to bullets being fired upon the private radio station on Tuesday.
Police said that unknown persons fired shots at the Radio LIM FM in the capital during the early hours where the manager and owner, Clifton Limburg, resides with his family.
Limburg said that he had no idea where the attack came from, but that he will not be “intimated” not deterred by the action that damaged the vehicle belonging to his wife.
Limburg served as the spokesperson for former president Desi Bouterse during the previous government, and his radio program “’Bakana Tori” is critical of the current Santokhi administration.
In a statement, the SVJ said while the “motive for this shooting is still unknown” it “strongly expresses its rejection of what happened and condemns this shooting.
“If it turns out that this is an intimidating attack on the media house and the presenter, it would constitute undermining and violating the freedom of the press and freedom of expression, which are guaranteed in the constitution and international treaties and declarations to which Suriname is a party.
“Shooting and other attacks on democratic foundations, institutions, persons, and organizations create an unsafe and burdensome feeling in society,” it said, calling on the judicial authorities and the government, and in particular the Ministry of Justice and Police, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Justice Minister Kenneth Amoksi , who condemned the attack, told reporters on Wednesday that every effort is being made to solve the case and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the ruling Progressive Reform Party (VHP) has also condemned the attack saying it “does not fit in with our democratic system at all.
“This is not only an attack on the rule of law and democracy, but also on our hardworking entrepreneurs. If this cowardly act is directed against the medium of LIM FM, it goes against fundamental rights such as freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom of life,” the ruling party said in its statement.
The ruling party noted that regardless of the motive for this “cowardly act”, there is no room for anarchy and lawlessness in the Surinamese system.
“We must always walk the path of democracy. No one has the right to take matters into their own hands,” the VHP said.
The extra-parliamentary party, Democratie en Ontwikkeling in Eenheid (DOE) said in a statement that “such events” against anyone or any agency have no place in a democracy and the rule of law.
“It creates an imbalance and a heavy feeling of insecurity. The party would like to see that the facts of this unsavory event are quickly exposed by the authorities,” DOE said.
Source-CMC
RTC Scores
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Arizona 4, Philadelphia 2 (Arizona wins series 4-3)
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Denver 119, LA Lakers 107
Phoenix 108, Golden State 104
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Los Angeles 6 Arizona 3
Vegas 3, Philadelphia 2
Toronto 4, Washington 1
Buffalo 6, Ottawa 4
Tampa Bay 3, Carolina 0
New Jersey 5, Montreal 2
Dallas 4, Pittsburgh 1
Final Florida 3 San Jose 1
Colorado 7, NY Islanders 4
Seattle 5 Detroit 4 (OT)
Anaheim 3, Columbus 2 (OT)
Winnipeg 4, St. Louis 2
Boston 3, Chicago 0
Minnesota 7, Edmonton 4
Vancouver 3, Nashville 2
NY Rangers 3, Calgary 1
TCISS Inter-High School Boys Basketball 2023/24 Season Opens November 3rd
Just one week after the Inter-High School Boys Football Championships, the TCISS Inter-High School Boys Basketball 2023/24 Season opens on November 3rd. Thirteen schools will be vying for the Championship title, which is currently held by the Clement Howell High School (CHHS) Eagles. CHHS defeated the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School Hawks 92-56 for the gold last season.
Each week until the Championships, there will be games on Fridays and Saturdays. Like last year, there will be away games on each island affording all teams a chance at a 'home-court' advantage throughout the season.
Teams introduced this season who did not compete last year are the Precious Treasures International School, TCIPS Comprehensive High School and Holy Family Academy.
2022/23 Season Top Four Ranking
- Clement Howell High School
- A. Louise Garland Thomas High School
- HJ Robinson High School
- Alpha Christian Academy
| Basketball School Pools (grouped by a draw) |
| Group A |
| TCIPS Comprehensive High School - TCIPS |
| Holy Family Academy - HFA |
| HJ Robinson High School - HJRHS (Mascot: Stallions) |
| Raymond Gardiner High School - RGHS (Mascot: Bulldogs) |
| British West Indies Collegiate - BWIC (Mascot: Spartans) |
| A. Louise Garland Thomas High School - ALGTHS (Mascot: Hawks) |
| Group B |
| Clement Howell High School - CHHS (Mascot: Eagles) |
| Precious Treasures International School - PTIS |
| Marjorie Basden High School - MBHS (Mascot: Knights) |
| Maranatha Academy - MA (Mascot: Blizzards) |
| Wesley Methodist School - WM |
| Elite High School - EHS |
| Alpha Christian Academy - ACA |
Following shortly after Basketball, the TCISS Inter-High School Girls Softball 2023/24 Season will open on November 17th. These two sports seasons will be running concurrently, allowing fans the luxury to spectate both games at the Gustarvus Lightbnourne Sports Complex and the Downtown Ballpark.
Hurricane Otis smashes into Mexico
Hurricane Otis has made landfall on the coast of southern Mexico, bringing wind speeds of up to 165mph (270km/h).
It touched down near the popular Acapulco resort just after midnight on Wednesday (06:25 GMT), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Authorities have warned of a life-threatening storm surge and the possibility of landslides as heavy rain pelts the area.
The storm has already begun to weaken as it moves inland.
David Hall arrived at the Princess Mundo Imperial resort in Acapulco for a work conference hours before Otis made landfall. He told the BBC that the building had been damaged by the wind and rain.
He said the hotel room windows buckled from the force of the winds and smashed, sucking items out of the room.
Mr Hall, who is from the Mexican city of Colima, roughly 600km (372 miles) from Acapulco, said the building "shivered" as if an earthquake was happening.
He and hundreds of other guests at the hotel have been hunkering down together while the worst of the hurricane passes.
"A lot of people are scared," said Mr Hall.
A hurricane warning is in effect for a 350km-long stretch of coastline between the coastal towns of Zihuatanejo and Punta Maldonado in the state of Guerrero.
Power outages have already been reported in Guerrero, according to Mexico's civil protection body. School classes across the state were cancelled in preparation for the storm's arrival.
Unverified videos posted online show damage to a hospital in Acapulco and flooding outside the Copacabana hotel.
Mexico's national water agency said that waves of up to 10 metres high (32ft) were expected on the coasts of Guerrero and in western Oaxaca state. Possible mudslides have also been forecast.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged people to move to emergency shelters and away from rivers, streams and ravines.
The NHC also said that Otis was expected to produce up to 20in (51cm) of rainfall on Friday across Guerrero and western coastal areas of the neighbouring Oaxaca state.
Scientists said the speed with which Otis intensified from a tropical storm into a category five hurricane - the highest level of storm - on Tuesday was rare.
It broke the record for the fastest intensification rate over a 12-hour period in the Eastern Pacific, gaining 80mph in that time, according to meteorologist Philip Klotzbach.
Parts of Mexico's Pacific coastline have already seen significant flooding earlier this month after Tropical Storm Max hit. Local media reported two deaths as a result of the storm in Guerrero.
A few days later, one man was reported killed after powerful Hurricane Lidia made landfall in the state of Nayarit, north-west of Guerrero.
Source-BBC
Richard Roundtree, 'Shaft' star, dead at 81
Richard Roundtree, best known for playing the titular character in the groundbreaking Shaft franchise, passed away Tuesday, October 24. His longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed to ABC News Roundtree died at age 81 following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He said Roundtree's family was at his bedside.
Roundtree’s career spanned five decades, but it was his portrayal of Detective John Shaft in the 1971 action thriller that established him as the first Black action hero. He went on to star in the sequels Shaft’s Big Score! and the short-lived 1973 TV series Shaft in Africa.
Roundtree would reprise the role in the 2000 John Singleton movie Shaft, starring Samuel L. Jackson, and the 2019 Tim Story-directed sequel.
Roundtree’s many other film credits included 1981's Inchon, opposite Laurence Olivier and Ben Gazzara, and 1984's City Heat, opposite Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds, as well as Se7en, George of the Jungle, Body of Influence, Amityville: A New Generation and What Men Want. His last big-screen appearance was in the comedy Moving On in 2022.
His television credits included playing slave Sam Bennett in the acclaimed 1977 miniseries Roots. Other roles included the series Generations, 413 Hope St., Alias, Diary of a Single Mom, Buddies, Desperate Housewives, Soul Food, Being Mary Jane and Family Reunion, as well as Mandeville "MV" St. James in season 2 of Ava DuVernay’s OWN series Cherish the Dayin 2022.
Roundtree's talent agency, Artists & Representatives Agency, released a statement reflecting on his acting legacy, noting, "His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Roundtree's Being Mary Jane co-star Gabrielle Union reacted to his death on X, formerly Twitter, writing, "Working with Richard Roundtree was a dream. ... He was ALWAYS the coolest man in the room with the BEST vibes & ppl would literally run over to come see him. He was simply the best & we all loved him."
Source-ABC
2 Israeli hostages released by Hamas, Israeli Hostage Center says
Two hostages have been released by Hamas, the Israeli Hostage Center confirmed. The hostages are two elderly women who are both Israeli nationals, the center said.
The released hostages are 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz and 79-year-old Nurit Cooper, both from the Nir Oz kibbutz, the center said. The Red Cross said it helped transport the hostages out of Gaza Monday evening
Mission: Impossible 8 delayed to summer 2025
Ethan Hunt's next mission will have to wait nearly a year as Paramount Pictures has bumped the release of Tom Cruise's eighth Mission Impossible movie from June 28, 2024, to May 23, 2025.
The movie was forced to halt production due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike and won't be completed in time to open next summer, according to Variety.
Mission Impossible 8 will also have a new title. Paramount and Skydance have removed Dead Reckoning Part 2 from the title, though it will still be a direct sequel to 2023's Dead Reckoning Part One.
In a related move, A Quiet Place: Day One, a prequel to the 2018 blockbuster, will hit theaters on June 28, 2024, three months later than its initial March 8, 2024 release date.
Returning for Mission Impossible 8, along with Cruise, are Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Kirby, and Frederick Schmidt. Henry Czerny, who appeared in the first Mission: Impossible movie back in 1996 as IMF Director Eugene Kittridge, also returns, along with newcomers Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Rob Delaney, Charles Parnell, Indira Varma, Mark Gatiss, Cary Elwes, Shea Whigham and Holt McCallany.
Source-ABC
Turks and Caicos Islands Government Launches Innovative Terminal Benefits Registration Portal
Since its successful launch in August 2023, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Employee Terminal Benefits Program has been providing crucial support to all post-1992 employees. Additionally, the Pre-1992 TCIG Employees Gratuity Program has been reinstated to benefit our longest-serving public servants. Today, the Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands wishes to remind employees about the invaluable TCIG Terminal Benefits Registration Portal.
Three Separate Terminal Benefit Programs
It's essential to note that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government currently operates three distinct terminal benefit programs:
Pre-1992 Program: Public Servants confirmed before April 6, 1992
Post-1992 Program: Public Servants confirmed after April 6, 1992
Contract Employees: Public Servants with contracted lengths of employment and receive gratuities.
All employees, regardless of their category, are required to register on the TCIG Benefits Portal. Deductions currently being made from your salary contribute towards your individual terminal benefit entitlements under these three separate programs.
Two-Phase Launch
The portal's initial phase, which is now fully operational, focuses on simplifying registration, making it more convenient for public servants to enroll. The second phase, to be introduced in the future, will enhance the system's capabilities by facilitating benefit calculation and tracking data, providing comprehensive support for all participants.
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, reaffirmed the program's significance, stating:
"The Turks and Caicos Islands Pension Fund was launched with an initial investment of $7.8 million fully funded by the Government, and it has continued to thrive. As of September 2023, the TCIG Pension Fund holds approximately $16.2 million in its accounts, bolstered by employee and employer contributions, also fully funded by the government.
The introduction of this program has been enthusiastically embraced by the public service, especially for addressing the absence of a terminal benefits program for employees hired post-1992. In the 2022/2023 financial year, the fund distributed payouts to twenty-four Post-1992 public servants, including retirees and those who left the service for various reasons.
My office will continue to work diligently on the fund's private administration and investment management, with the goal of completing these processes before December 2023. An announcement regarding the successful bidder will be made in due course. In the meantime, we encourage all public servants to register their personal information and beneficiary details on the portal. This will expedite the processing and disbursement of benefits upon retirement or departure from public service."
How to Register
All serving Employees of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government are urged to register their personal and beneficiary data on the TCIG Benefits Portal to confirm their participation. To initiate the registration process, please visit https://tcigpension.gov.tc.
To access the portal, you will need the following details:
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
Your Employee ID (found on your monthly payslip)
Your TCIG email address
Upon submission, you will receive a verification code via your TCIG email address to grant access to the portal.
To complete the registration, have the following information ready:
Your employment start date
Two copies of identification (passport, status card, driver's license)
Beneficiary details, including name, birth date, address, telephone number, and email address
Once your registration is successfully completed online, you will receive an email confirmation of your registration details and beneficiary data for your records.
Statutory bodies will receive guidance on their registration process.
Should you encounter any issues during the registration process, please email tcipension@gov.tc for assistance.