Brazil president-elect Lula urges 'peace and unity' after vote
President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for "peace and unity" Sunday in bitterly divided Brazil, saying the country was no longer an international pariah, and highlighting the need for a "living Amazon".
In his victory speech, Lula reached out to supporters and rivals alike, highlighting the need for "a Brazil of peace, democracy, and opportunity."
He touched on gender and racial equality and the urgent need to deal with a hunger crisis affecting 33.1 million Brazilians.
"The wheel of the economy will turn again," he promised.
Da Silva won with 50.90 percent to far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro's 49.10 percent, a snapshot of how polarised the country has become after a dirty election campaign.
"It is in no one's interest to live in a divided nation in a permanent state of war," the 77-year-old leftist said, vowing to serve all 215 million Brazilians, and not only those who voted for him.
"This country needs peace and unity. This population doesn't want to fight anymore."
He signaled that Brazil was ready to take its place again on the international stage after Bolsonaro aligned himself with former US president Donald Trump and took frequent aim at traditional allies.
"Today we tell the world that Brazil is back. It is too big to be banished to this sad role of global pariah."
All eyes in western capitals have been on the outcome of the election, with the future of the Amazon rainforest and its impact on the global climate emergency at stake.
The issue took a backseat in an election dominated by personal attacks and economical concerns.
"Brazil is ready to take back its role in the fight against the climate crisis, protecting all of our biomes, especially the Amazon forest," said Lula.
"Brazil and the planet need a living Amazon."
Source-AP
Alicia Keys releases new holiday song off first Christmas album, Santa Baby
Alicia Keys is feeling the Christmas spirit, as she dropped her holiday song, “December Back 2 June," on Friday.
The original track is from her first Christmas album, Santa Baby, due out on November 4. It is also the debut release from the 15-time Grammy winner’s self-titled label, Alicia Keys Records. The album is now available for pre-order on her website.
The “Girls on Fire” singer posted the album cover on Instagram with the caption, “I know it’s not even Halloween yet, but I had to let y’all know first! Santa Baby Nov 4th. Just in time for good vibes.”
- The album features four original songs and seven-holiday classics, including “The Christmas Song,” “Ave Maria,” and “Christmas Time Is Here.”
Santa Baby follows Alicia’s previous studio album, Keys, which she released in December 2021.
Source-ABC
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen are divorcing after 13 years of marriage.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and the Brazilian supermodel, who married in 2009, confirmed their split on social media.
In both their posts, Brady and Bündchen said they had "gratitude" for their time together and that the decision had been made "amicably."
"We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way," Brady wrote. "We will continue to work together as parents to always ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve."
Bündchen echoed that sentiment, writing, "My priority has always been and will continue to be our children whom I love with all my heart. We will continue co-parenting to give them the love, care and attention they greatly deserve."
Brady called the situation "painful and difficult," and said he and Bündchen "only wish the best for each other as we pursue whatever new chapters in our lives that are yet to be written."
"The decision to end a marriage is never easy but we have grown apart and while it is, of course, difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together and only wish the best for Tom always," Bündchen said.
Both Brady and Bündchen also asked for privacy.
The news comes after much speculation on the status of their relationship. Tabloid reports have hinted at alleged contention between the two due to Brady's decision to return to football after a brief 40-day retirement earlier this year. Brady has struggled this season and the Buccaneers have stumbled to a 3-5 record and current three-game losing streak.
The supermodel tweeted her support for Brady before his game on September 11, writing, "Let's go @TomBrady ! Let's go Bucs !"
The couple also shared several loving posts for one another throughout 2022 and celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary in February, with Brady describing Bündchen in a post as the "best mother and wife and supporter in the world."
Brady and Bündchen share two children together: 12-year-old Benjamin and 9-year-old Vivian. Brady also has a 15-year-old son, Jack, from his previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan.
Source-ABC
Hiccups hamper digital currency roll-out
The central bank of Jamaica is urging all commercial banks to participate in the full roll-out of digital currency by the end of December 2023, but technical difficulties among large merchants have so far hampered the process.
At a meeting of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) on Wednesday, which met to discuss the Government's fiscal policy paper for 2022/23, governor of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Richard Byles explained that successful roll-out of the central bank digital currency (CBDC) Jamaica Digital Exchange (Jam-Dex) requires getting merchants on board, an effort which the commercial banks have to undertake since these are their customers.
The only institution which has fully operationalized the use of the CDBC so far is National Commercial Bank (NCB). Jamaica National Bank has been testing a mobile wallet since September, and is likely to come on stream by the end of this year, the governor advised.
"Small merchants aren't a problem, you can use a phone [but] for merchants who have a point of sale machines, and retail systems that tie back into their inventory, the software for that has to be adjusted. I will claim responsibility for not assessing that this would be a challenge to overcome. Also, all the ATM machines have to be adjusted to be able to dispense CBDC and to exchange it for cash. So those are significant technical issues even for NCB, but also for the other banks that have merchants with POS, as well as ATMs. There is some capital cost but doesn't believe it is such that the banks would resile from adopting the currency," Byles told the PAAC.
St Catherine Southern Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson, who has been vocal over the years about the need for transform banking policies, said he noted no sense of excitement in the transacting world, either by the consumers, or merchants.
"The advantages are clear but if you don't have people coming on board but whatever advantages that there may be won't be achieved, so it would be a good idea that will never manifest," he remarked.
Source-Observer
Police Commissioner gives TCI update
Good afternoon Turks and Caicos, it’s Wednesday 26th October 2022 and I am here to update you on a series of exercises that were conducted within the last week.
Policing operations have been undertaken by teams comprising Officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and our colleagues from the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
I remain grateful to the Commissioner of Police for the Royal Bahamas Police Force Mr. Clayton Fernander and the Bahamian Government for their continued support of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our Bahamian colleagues are working side by side with local officers, tackling criminality and criminals. Our combined team remains relentless in pursuing those who carry firearms, those who deal in drugs, those who are seeking to commit robberies and burglaries, and those that are causing fear and harm.
If you are involved in crime, don’t think our operations will be stopping anytime soon. If you have a family member involved in crime, expect officers to be at your door, expect them to be in your house. Criminals cannot hide amongst family and families cannot hide criminals.
Officers on the ground continue to be supported through our aerial colleagues from US Law Enforcement and UK Royal Nay Wildcat helicopter. These support mechanisms are protecting the border of the TCI, which includes the routes frequented by criminals traversing the TCI by illegally entering and leaving. We have strong collaborative relationships with our US colleagues and I anticipate that their support will continue into the future hovering in the TCI skies.
In terms of investigations, it is expected that a large number of investigators will be arriving from the UK and funded by the UK Government. These officers will support our local investigation teams, ensuring the results of their hard work is supported by robust and thorough investigations, thereby causing criminals to face the full force of the law.
In terms of operations, the last week has been a major success. A mixture of both visible and covert operations have been carried out. All of which was intelligence-led targeting criminals.
An operational summary from the last 10 days are as follows:
· 205 vehicles have been checked;
· Numerous fixed penalty tickets issued;
· Illegal tints removed from 23 vehicles;
· 20 Drug searches;
· Eight persons detained under Immigration Legalization;
· Four warrants executed in relations to searches for firearms;
· Two firearms and ammunition seized;
· Large quantity of drugs seized including cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines;
· Seven persons arrested for drugs and firearms offences and
· Laptops and cell phones seized for examination
· Joint Police and Immigration operation resulted in the detention of 21 people believed to be working illegally
The last ten days has seen very little criminal activity and we are working hard to keep it that way.
I can report that earlier this morning (Wednesday 26th October,2022) a report was made of an attempted robbery in the South Dock area. The people involved escaped from the suspects without being robbed or harmed and this is under investigation.
Additionally, this week, the RTCIPF is also investigating a shooting incident in Kew Town which resulted in one man being injured. The circumstances of this incident are not yet clear. The RTCIPF are building a strong, intelligence network concerning criminal activity and I wish to recognise the overall support that we are receiving from the public, both in terms of your public gratitude for the hard work undertaken by the officers and the information that we are being provided with.
I especially want to mention the generous tokens of thanks from local businesses. Never underestimate how deeply the support from our community is felt by the Force.
We truly appreciate building collaborative efforts within our communities, which is a critical factor in ensuring the TCI is a safe and secure place to live, work, invest and visit.
Sensitive Investigation on-going
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are actively investigating an alleged incident which occurred at the H.J. Robinson High School in Grand Turk.
Given the sensitive nature of the report and the fact that all involved are minors, the RTCIPF is appealing to members of the public and media houses to exercise responsibility in how they disseminate information via their respective platforms.
The RTCIPF will not be commenting further on the status of this investigations given the seriousness and sensitivity of the report made.
Additionally, the RTCIPF advises that if you suspect a child is being abused or sexual abuse is taking place to IMMEDIATELY utilize any of the following options, make a report at the nearest police station, contact the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit at 232- 6696, or call 911.
Cricket Apologies for Windies performance
West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons apologized for the side's disappointing performance that resulted in their shock exit from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia but said his decision to resign was not a knee-jerk reaction to that situation.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced Simmons' resignation in a statement on Monday evening, saying that his last assignment would be the upcoming two-Test series against Australia from November 30 to December 12.
"From a personal perspective, this is not a knee-jerk reaction, but a move I have been considering for some time, and now is the time to make public that I will step down as West Indies head coach at the end of the Test series against Australia," Simmons said.
"It is earlier than hoped for, but I will now focus my energies in Australia on continuing to build on the excellent progress the Test team has made. Of course…we will also carry out the necessary review into our World Cup campaign."
West Indies' nine-wicket defeat to Ireland last Friday saw them eliminated from the main draw of the tournament.
Simmons, who was at the helm in 2016 when West Indies won their second ICC Men's T20 World Cup title, said the regional side's performances this time around were just not good enough.
Source-CMC
NBA 2K League bans 6 players, coach for gambling violations
The NBA 2K League has indefinitely disqualified six players and a coach from any league activity for violating gambling and fantasy rules, it was announced Thursday.
An investigation found that Christopher Lafanette, Dorian Earl Miller and Robert Nastasi of Blazer5 Gaming, Kimanni Ingram of Jazz Gaming, and Zekirri Dennis of Mavs Gaming all wagered or attempted to wager on NBA 2K League games, either on their own or through other individuals, the league said in a statement.
The five players also broke league rules by failing to report any violations or cooperate with the investigation.
Blazer5 Gaming coach Andrew Maxie and player Marquis Gill were also disqualified indefinitely from all league activity for failing to report violations or cooperating with the league's investigation.
The integrity of our game is, and always will be, the NBA 2K League's top priority," league president Brendan Donohue said in a statement. "We take our obligation to the competition and to our fans incredibly seriously, and we will always act forcefully regarding violations of the rules governing game integrity and the related reporting and cooperation requirements."
Source-ESPN
Elon Musk completes $44bn Twitter takeover
Elon Musk has completed his $44bn (£38.1bn) takeover of Twitter, according to an investor in the firm.
Twitter's chief executive and finance boss have reportedly left with immediate effect.
It brings to a close a saga that saw Twitter going to court to hold the world's richest man to the terms of a takeover deal that he had tried to escape.
Mr. Musk tweeted his interest in the platform was not about making money.
Twitter investor Ross Gerber, who is chief executive of Gerber Kawasaki Investments in California, confirmed to the BBC that the deal had been completed.
"I think the court pushed him over the line," said Mr. Gerber. "Quite frankly, this has sort of been a disaster from the beginning, of course, starting off very aggressively courting Twitter
in a way that really forced Twitter to the table... then getting all upset and having a public spat over what to me was pretty well-known issues."
The company's chief executive, Parag Agrawal, chief financial officer Ned Segal, and the firm's top legal and policy executive, Vijaya Gadde, are no longer with the company, according to US media reports.
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone thanked Mr. Agrawal, Mr. Segal, and Ms. Gadde for their "collective contribution" to the business.
The social media platform's shares will be suspended from trading on Friday, according to the New York Stock Exchange's website.
Mr. Musk said he bought the social media platform to help humanity and he wanted "civilization to have a common digital town square".
Earlier this week Mr. Musk tweeted a video of himself walking into Twitter's headquarters in San Francisco carrying a kitchen sink with the caption: "let that sink in!"
He also changed his Twitter profile to read "Chief Twit".
Source-BBC
Unusually warm weather for France and Spain
Parts of France and Spain are seeing an unusually warm late October, with bathers enjoying water temperatures of 20-21C on the French Riviera.
"This year is exceptional," Rose-Marie Martini told Reuters news agency as she tanned on the beach at Nice.
"At the end of October it cools down normally and by All Saints Day [1 November] it usually rains."
Millions anxious about the jump in Europe's fuel prices will not have to turn on their heating just yet.
However, it may also be a sign of changing weather patterns after a summer that saw extreme heat in Europe, with ferocious wildfires and droughts.
Heatwaves have become more frequent and more intense, and last longer, because of human-induced climate change.
The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.
The UN has warned there is "no credible pathway" to keep the rise in global temperatures below the key threshold of 1.5C.
In the next few days, Nice can expect a daily high of around 24C, with a similar forecast for Malaga in the south of Spain.
France recorded temperatures of five to six degrees above normal in the past 10 days.
Source-BBC