Hip hop legends LL Cool J and Q-Tip spotted "cooking" up new music in the studio
It's been nearly seven years since hip hop giant LL Cool J released a full-length album. But wait no more, new music is on the way.
On Tuesday, the New York rap legend shared a photo of himself in the studio with legendary lyricist Q-Tip. "We cooking B," captioned LL on Instagram.
"Oh [snap]" wrote Busta Rhymes in the comments, while videographer and filmmaker Benny Boom Benny Boom wrote, "Let's Go."
LL mentioned he was working on new music with Q-Tip last year, tweeting, "I just started recording new music produced by my lil bro @QtipTheAbstract." In another tweet, he confirmed the new music would be released under Def Jam Records.
LL has released 13 albums since his 1985 debut, Radio. His last album, Authentic, was released in 2013 under S-BRO Music Group, 429 Records. Lately, LL's been keeping busy with his radio show, Rock the Bellsand starring as Sam Hanna on CBS's NCIS: LA for the last 12 seasons.
CONSULTATION ON PETROLEUM (EXPLORATION & EXPLOITATION) BILL 2020
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Utilities & Transport, Department of Energy & Utilities is pleased to announce a two-week online consultation commencing today 1st October to 14th October 2020 on the newly established Petroleum (Exploration & Exploitation) Bill 2020.
With increase interests showed by developers on procedures for acquiring permission &/or licensing to conduct reconnaissance testing and analysis for possible petroleum deposits in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) over the years, and given the absence of relevant policies and legislation related to permitting and licensing for the assessment, exploration, extraction, and production of petroleum; in the Energy and Utilities Department with the assistance of the Ministries of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning & Home Affairs, Public Utilities & Transportation, began and completed the process of developing relevant policy and legislation to guide and regulate all upstream activities related to oil and gas. We have through further assistance of experts in the field collated a comprehensive Bill. We are now soliciting the support of as broad a stakeholder participation as possible to add to the value of this Bill.
Like all major legislation, the process of completion requires structured input from its stakeholder groups to provide their views on the various provisions detailed, such as safety, research & development, environmental considerations, standards, penalties, permitting, etc. The on-line consultation will further, seek comments on the framework established to oversee and ensure the safety and compliance with industry standards and practices.
In addition to the two-week online consultation, we will coordinate Focus Group meetings with core stakeholders in the petroleum sector via virtual platforms.
Hon. Goldray Ewing, Minister responsible for the Energy & Utilities Department, stated, "I am elated to see this Bill advance to the consultative phase, as it will seek to standardize procedures for research & development, whilst affording opportunities for stimulating economic growth & investment in this untapped sector."
We are encouraging you, the general public, to participate and provide your input.
Send comments to email address petroleumbill2020@gov.tc
You can also access the on-line consultation via the Turks & Caicos Islands Government Portal at www.gov.tc
Petroleum_Exploration_and_Exploitation_Bill_2020.pdf
Narine's bowling action cleared by IPL committee
West Indies spinner Sunil Narine has been taken off the warning list for suspected bowling action in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the tournament's organisers said yesterday.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) off-spinner was reported for suspected chucking during a game on October 10; another report would have resulted in a bowling ban from this season's tournament.
Kolkata appealed to the IPL's suspect bowling action committee to review Narine's action.
“KKR requested for an official assessment of Mr Narine's action from the IPL Suspect Bowling Action Committee, submitting action footage in slow motion with back and side angles,” the IPL said in a statement hours before Kolkata's game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“The committee carefully reviewed all the deliveries of action footage sent of Mr Narine with the naked eye and has come to the conclusion that the elbow-bend appears to be within the range of permissible limits.”
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), bowlers are allowed to bend their elbow by up to 15 degrees, beyond which the action is deemed illegal.
“Narine should reproduce the same action going forward in the IPL 2020 matches as presented to the committee in the video footage,” the statement added.
President Trump blasts Fauci, underplays pandemic
Less than 15 days until Election Day and President Donald Trump has increased his attacks on Doctor Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading expert on infectious diseases.
In an all-staff campaign call on Monday, the president ripped the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, saying Americans are "over COVID" and belittled the severity of the pandemic.
"People are tired of COVID. Yep, there's gonna be spikes, there's gonna be no spikes, there's gonna be vaccines—with or without vaccines, people are tired of COVID," President Trump said in the call. "I have the biggest rallies I've ever had and we have COVID. People are saying whatever, just leave us alone. They're tired of it."
The president also expressed dismay that he cannot fire Dr. Fauci, saying it would be a "bigger bomb" if he was dismissed.
"People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots -- these, these people, these people that have gotten it wrong," he said. "Fauci's a disaster, I mean this guy, if I listened to him we'd have 500,000 deaths."
When reminded that reporters were listening to the call, the president quipped, "If there’s a reporter on, you can have it just the way I said it, I couldn't care less."
As for who he thinks is doing their job properly, the president said, "I love Mark Meadows, and Mark Meadows is doing a great job."
Beyoncé's second Ivy Park Collection drops next week
Gather your coins, ladies -- Christmas is arriving early. Beyoncé has subtly announced the release date of the second Ivy Park x Adidas collection.
Queen Bey shared a vibrantly colored picture of a field of orange flowers with multi-color mountains in the distance on Instagram, with the caption "DRIP 2 October 30" letting her 155 million followers know, "This Is My Park."
The Beyhive swarmed the Adidas' website when the Ivy Park collection first launched in January. Dozen of celebrities received personalized gift boxes with burgundy- and orange-colored pieces, including Zendaya, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi and Reese Witherspoon, as well as Bey's Destiny's Child sisters Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and Bey's sister, Solange.
According to the post's latest comments, everyone is trying to secure their gift boxes for the second Ivy Park x Adidas collection launch, including Ashley Graham. "OHHH FOR MY BIRTHDAY?! Thank you Bey," the model commented on the picture.
"Queen, don’t forget us this time ima dm you my P.O. Box!" wrote JT from the City Girls.
Oct. 30 is right around the corner, which means you have a small window remaining to grab some Beyoncé drip before your virtual Halloween party, but plenty of time before the Christmas holiday.
INTERCEPTION in the TCI
On the 9th October 2010, at approximately 9:28 pm, an illegal Haitian migrant vessel was spotted by the Coastal Radar Unit and subsequently intercepted by the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force in our territorial waters just off the coast of Providenciales.
At approximately 4am, officers of the Marine branch arrived at the South Dock port, where these individuals were handed over to the Immigration Department’s Enforcement Unit and Public Health officials for immediate medical assessment and transportation to the Detention Center, Five Cays, for processing.
A total of two hundred and seven (207) individuals were on the vessel inclusive of one hundred and forty-eight (148) males, fifty-nine (59) females and two (2) minors.
All other supporting agencies including the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Tactical team, Ministry of Health’s Public Health team and Ports Authority were available to assist.
All 207 detainees were repatriated back to Haiti on Sunday, 11th September 2020.
This interception over the weekend brings the number of persons arriving on illegal migrant vessels for this Fiscal Year to 880 individuals. Also, seven (7) vessels were successfully intercepted for the April – October 2020.
Hon. Vaden D. Williams, Minister responsible for the Ministry of Immigration, Citizenship, Labour and Employment Services, following the successful interception of the vessel and the repatriation of the illegal individuals, stated that he would like to first and foremost thank his team within the Ministry for their continued hard work and dedication they continue to display in assisting to protect the Turks and Caicos Islands borders. The Minister encourage persons living here and have information about this type of illegal activity, to please come forward and provide information that can assist in eradicating this problem as it is very costly to the Turks and Caicos Island.
The public is also requested to continue to provide the Immigration Department and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force with tips or any information related to this or any other illegal landing. We also encourage the general public to submit information or tips anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either to www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.
MINISTRY APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF MARITIME-THECLA JOSEPH
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and by extension the Ministry of Tourism is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Thecla Joseph as the Director of Maritime within the Maritime Department.
Mrs. Thecla Joseph-Charles is a well certified and experienced professional within the Maritime sector. Her passion and drive as well as her attitude of service has made her an asset within the sector. This is true as her early training and certification in the field of Hospitality and Hospitality Management has shaped her approach to problem solving and the idea of service delivery that can be boasted anywhere.
She started her career as an administrative officer with the St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority within various department. Seeing the need to improve upon her Associate Degree in Hospitality which she attained with Distinction, she would go on to further her knowledge in that field earning her a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management from Monroe College, USA where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.
After completing studies, she returned to her native home St. Lucia and continued with the Ports Authority where she started and would be transferred to serve in the capacity of Maritime Assistant within the Division of Maritime Affairs. Always one seeking to add value by new learning, she was exposed to several courses and regional training workshops which would cement her belief that she can be a contributor to something important both locally, regionally and even internationally. She was certified in basic Seamanship and earned certification from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy in the form of a Certificate in Trade and Transports and a Diploma in Maritime Business Management all through distance learning while on the job.
Her interest was further sparked and encouraged her to pursue a Master of Science Degree in Maritime Affairs from the prestigious World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden. Upon completion she was given the responsibility of Assistant Registrar of Ships and also acted as the Director of Maritime Affairs.
Mrs. Joseph-Charles is a firm believer in the motto of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College “In pursuit of excellence” and is clear in her purpose to motivate, build, educate and reinforce the gains already made by the Turks and Caicos Islands in the maritime sector. Her warmth and service-oriented attitude will offer opportunities for all who are presently and those who seek to engage in the Maritime sector.
Commenting on her appointment, Permanent Secretary Cherylann Jones stated; “I wish to welcome Ms. Joseph to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and the team of the Ministry of Tourism. She has joined the Department of Maritime in a critical time as we continue to prepare for and advance III code audit, key policies and legislation in an effort to improve and enhance the TCI’s Maritime sector. She comes with a wealth of knowledge and we are confident that with the support of the robust team, and requisite skillset in her ability to lead the Department.”
National Insurance Bill 2020 has passed in the House of Assembly
The National Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020 was passed in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, 13 October. The Bill which will see the inclusion of temporary unemployment benefits, was laid by the Premier and Minister for Finance, Investment and Trade and Statutory Bodies, Honourable Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson.
In response to the significant increase in unemployment due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, the National Insurance Board was engaged by the Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade to provide a resolve.
The outcome of those discussions was a proposal to Cabinet, to establish and fund a temporary unemployment assistance benefit in the sum of $4.2 million.
The National Insurance Board has approved $4.2 million for payout in unemployment benefits this year. In 2018, consultations were conducted countrywide on the introduction of an unemployment benefit and concluding those consultations.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government requested its actuary to produce a feasibility paper on the introduction of an unemployment insurance provision to the Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance System to which the Actuary concluded that an unemployment insurance programme seems feasible. It is the Actuary’s belief that adding the programme to the current TCI National Insurance System would have no significant impact on the financial sustainability of the system as it currently exists. The report also set out parameters for the benefit for consideration which are proposed as follows:
- Contributors would need to have a minimum of 250 or five years of contributions, with special provisions for Turks and Caicos Islanders and permanent residence card holders.
-The applicant must either have been laid-off or terminated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The benefit rate is set at 50% of the individual’s average weekly insurable earnings and is payable for an initial period of eight (8) weeks or until the exhaustion of the $4.2 million.
The Premier commenting on the Bill stated, “The National Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2020 is a remarkable and important initiative that my Government is proud to have delivered to the people of these islands. We believe that there is no better time to roll out this programme than now - when our people are in urgent need of further support amidst this COVID-19 pandemic.
The implementation of a permanent unemployment benefit has also been agreed for April 2022. I wish to thank the Ministry of Finance and the National Insurance Board who has worked hard to ensure that this programme is progressed to completion.”
The programme is an unemployment insurance therefore, all applicants will need to be unemployed in order to qualify for the benefit. The fund is estimated to assist up to 2,200 insured persons.
PREMIER PARTICIPATED IN PRE JOINT MINISTERIAL COUNCIL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
The Premier Honourable Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson on Tuesday, 6 October attended the annual Pre Joint Ministerial Conference, held virtually for the first time.
The annual conference joins together members of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) to discuss matters that promote the interests of the Territories and the co-operation between them and the collective and individual partnerships between the Territories and the UK Government.
The aim of the one-day meeting was to agree upon topics to be discussed and addressed at the Joint Ministerial Conference which, due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be held virtually later this year.
On the agenda at this meeting:
- Crisis and Security: COVID-19: Economic Impact, Vaccines, Disaster Management: support to deal with hurricanes etc. and Border Security
- Environmental Protection & Climate Change
- Protecting Vulnerable Groups in a Pandemic
- EU Exit & International Trade
- Recent press regarding Her Majesty’s Government sending asylum seekers to Overseas Territories for processing.
The Premier participated in the multilateral meeting and led discussions on border security during the meeting which outlined the Turks and Caicos Islands Government strategy, planned developments and partnerships for managing maritime safety and security in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Premier was accompanied by the Executive Director for the Office of the Premier, Local Government and Community Affairs, Ronlee James and UK Representatives for the Turks & Caicos Islands, Tracy Knight and Kimo Tynes.
UKOTA is a representative group of 12 inhabited Overseas Territories (OT) including the Turks and Caicos Islands and presenting the collective view of the Overseas Territories through dialogue and contact with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and through other UK Government Departments; both at official and Ministerial level.
The annual Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) brings together political leaders from the Overseas Territories along with the Minister for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The conference will meet this year from 26 - 27 November 2020.
Corbyn wins party backing in Brexit vote
Jeremy Corbyn's policy on Brexit has triumphed at Labour conference, as members endorsed his stance to stay neutral while negotiating a new deal.
The party voted against a motion which would have seen Labour backing Remain in any future referendum.
But there was confusion as the votes were called, as the chair of the proceedings faced calls for a recount.
Labour's position on Brexit has dominated the conference agenda, with huge disagreements over the issue.
The party's draft plan for its Brexit policy, put forward by Mr Corbyn, suggests that, if Labour wins power in a general election, it would remain neutral while negotiating a new deal with the EU within three months.
It would then hold a referendum within six months, and the party would decide which side to back ahead of that at a special conference.
Grassroots activists at the conference have been pushing for an unambiguous stance, tabling a motion calling for Labour to campaign "energetically" to Remain.
But this motion was rejected in a show of hands while a motion setting out the leadership's official position and another endorsing its handling of Brexit were overwhelmingly passed.
After the results were announced by trade union official Wendy Nichols, there were charged scenes in the conference hall.
Several delegates called for the votes to be counted individually, suggesting the outcome of the Remain motion was much closer than officials had suggested.
One delegate said there had to be an official card vote as "this is one of the most important decisions Labour is going to take in the next decade".
The result is a major boost for Jeremy Corbyn, who was backed by the majority of Labour's 12 affiliated unions, including Unite and the GMB.
Unison had broken ranks with other unions to back the Remain motion.
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said he was disappointed by the result of the vote, and that he would campaign for Remain.
Source-BBC