Mark Wahlberg earned $42m more than the best paid actress last year
The size of the gender pay gap in the movie industry has been laid bare in new estimates of stars' pay packets.
The world's 10 best-paid actors earned a total of $488.5m (£380.5m) in the past year, Forbes magazine calculated.
That's almost three times more than their female counterparts, who took home $172.5m (£134m) between them.
Transformers star Mark Wahlberg tops the male list with $68m (£53m) - compared with $26m (£20m) for the best-paid woman, La La Land's Emma Stone.
Another 13 men earned more than Stone between June 2016 and June 2017, according to Forbes - including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Jackie Chan and her La La Land co-star Ryan Gosling.
Stone recently said some of her male co-stars have taken pay cuts so she can "have parity with them".
Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lawrence are among the other stars who have spoken out about the issue.
Bets-paid male stars
1. Mark Wahlberg - $68m
2. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - $65m
3. Vin Diesel - $54.5m
4. Adam Sandler - $50.5m
5. Jackie Chan - $49m
6. Robert Downey Jr - $48m
7. Tom Cruise - $43m
8. Shah Rukh Khan - $38m
9. Salman Khan - $37m
10. Akshay Kumar - $35.5m
Best-paid female stars
1. Emma Stone - $26m
2. Jennifer Aniston - $25.5m
3. Jennifer Lawrence (pictured) - $24m
4. Melissa McCarthy - $18m
5. Mila Kunis - $15.5m
6=. Emma Watson - $14m
6=. Charlize Theron - $14m
8=. Cate Blanchett - $12m
8=. Julia Roberts - $12m
10. Amy Adams - $10.5m
Forbes writer Natalie Robehmed said the pay disparity was down to the types of roles on offer.
She wrote: "In release schedules dominated by superhero movies and brawny blockbusters, there are simply fewer parts for women that pay the sizeable backend profits that result in leading men's large paydays, or the franchise sequels that permit aggressive negotiation for favourable deals."
Source-Forbes
Former cricketer sorry for 'unacceptable' comment
Former England cricketer and BBC commentator Geoffrey Boycott has apologised for an "unacceptable" comment about West Indian cricketers.
Boycott is reported to have said it would be more likely he would be knighted if he was to 'black his face'.
It is also claimed he said some knighthoods were handed out like "confetti" to West Indies greats.
The 76-year-old has now described his comments at a Q&A in Birmingham on Saturday as "clearly wrong".
The Yorkshireman added he loves West Indian cricket and has "the utmost respect for its players".
The Q&A event, hosted by Sky Sports presenter Gary Newbon, was held during a break in play and was attended by about 200 people.
Waheed Saleem, who was in the audience, told our affiliate & partner, BBC Sports: "I was completely disgusted. I don't think anyone saw it as a light-hearted joke. I was absolutely gobsmacked."
Boycott was part of the BBC's Test Match Special commentary team for England's day-night Test against West Indies at Edgbaston last week.
A BBC spokesperson said: "He has rightly apologised unreservedly for these clearly unacceptable comments.
"We use a number of different contributors in our cricket coverage. He remains part of our team."
A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Cricket Club said: "We were very disappointed by Geoffrey's comments and are pleased to see that he has apologised and recognised that it was unacceptable."
Source-BBC
Panama to require visa for Venezuelans amid crisis
Panama's president says his country will begin requiring an entry visa for Venezuelans beginning in October as their homeland slips deeper into crisis.
President Juan Carlos Varela said Tuesday that recent events in Venezuela forced him to act to preserve Panama's security, economy and job sources.
Varela also said Panama will regularise the status of the approximately 25,000 Venezuelans already in the country for humanitarian reasons.
He had earlier hinted that Panama would take action. The move also comes after a visit by US Vice President Mike Pence, who has tried to rally allies in the region to increase pressure on Venezuela's government.
Varela says it was a difficult move, but things in Venezuela have gotten worse. He cites the power grab by Venezuela's new constitutional assembly.
Source-AP
US hits Chinese and Russian firms over North Korea
The US has imposed sanctions on a dozen Russian and Chinese companies and individuals it accuses of helping North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. It comes after the UN Security Council, including Russia and China, voted for further sanctions against Pyongyang.
The US Treasury said its actions would "increase pressure" on North Korea, but the move has angered China.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, meanwhile, praised North Korea for "a level of restraint" in recent days.
"We have had no missile launches or provocative acts on the part of North Korea since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution," he said.
This, he said, could pave the way for talks between the two sides "sometime in the near future".
The Treasury will continue to increase pressure on North Korea by targeting those who support the advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, and isolating them from the American financial system," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
The action means American individuals and companies are no longer permitted to do business with these firms.
China responded swiftly, calling on the US to "immediately correct its mistake" of punishing its firms.
A series of missile tests by North Korea in recent months - along with its repeated threats to carry out a sixth test of a nuclear device - have increased tensions between Pyongyang and the US.
North Korea has been angered, as it is every year, by scheduled US-South Korea military drills, and threatened to launch missiles near the US island of Guam in the South Pacific.
US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, threatened the isolated regime with "fire and fury like the world has never seen".
However, speaking at UN-backed disarmament conference in Geneva on Tuesday, a North Korean diplomat insisted that the weapons programme was "justifiable and a legitimate option for self-defence".
Source-BBC
TCI Police Clarifies Rumors
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police wishes to clarify a rumor that is circulating on Social Media and Whatsapp that a ‘Robbery’ had taken place yesterday (Monday 21st August 2017) at the Quality Supermarket on Industrial Road.
Around 10:40am that day, acting on information, the Tactical Unit officers conducted a stop and search on a three men at the mentioned location for illegal firearms.
The three men were further detained and taken to the Police Headquarters for questioning and later released. Therefore to clarify, it was not a Robbery.
No arrest were made.
CBU Announces Results of the 2016 Caribbean Broadcasting Awards Competition
The President of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Mr. Gary Allen today congratulated the winners of the 2016 Caribbean Broadcasting Awards.
The Awards were presented during a live television event at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in Nassau, the Bahamas during the 48th CBU Annual General Assembly.
During the show, the Executive Director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities announced that it will be introducing a new sponsored category to recognize the best Caribbean coverage of persons living with HIV.
The CBU wishes to thank all fourteen (14) of the member entities from ten (10) countries who submitted a total of one hundred and seventeen (117) entries across twenty (20) categories as well as this year's awards sponsors: UNESCO, PAHO Eastern Caribbean Office, Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency and the Caribbean Development Bank.
This year's entries were assessed by a three-person judging panel drawn from Barbados, Jamaica and Grenada.
AWARD WINNERS
TELEVISION
Best Documentary Programme
1. Award Winner: The Vote at 70 – Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago – Trinidad & Tobago
Producer/Production Team: Sunity Maharaj, Maria Nunes, Colleen Holder, Candice Dubarry
Best Magazine Programme
2. Award Winner: Jamaica Beat - Creative Production & Training Centre – Jamaica
Producer/Production Team: Andre Bidwell, Keisha O'Meally, Simeon Hedge
Best Investigative Report (Sponsored by UNESCO)
3. Award Winner: A Race for Life (Part I) – Caribbean Communications Network – Trinidad & Tobago
Producer: Mark Bassant
Climate Change & Renewable Energy (Sponsored by CDB)
4. Award Winner: An Interagency Approach to Fighting Illegal Fishing
Great Belize Productions Ltd. – Belize
Production Team: Isani Cayetano, Chris Mangar
Clare Forrester Award for Best Health Journalism (Sponsored by PAHO Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean)
5. Award Winner: Healthy Living: Sugar Tax for Healthier Living in Barbados – Great Belize Productions Ltd. – Belize
Production Team: Marleni Cuellar, Jorge Tabora
Best Public Service Spot
6. Award Winner: Ministry of Health – Health & Wellness Message (Zika) – Great Belize Productions Ltd. - Belize
Production Team: Great Belize Productions, Ministry of Health
Coverage of Disaster Risk (Sponsored by CDEMA)
7. Award Winner: Healthy Living Looks at Water Safety Post Hurricane - Great Belize Productions Ltd. – Belize
Production Team: Marleni Cuellar, Shawn Tewes
RADIO
Best Documentary Programme
8. Award Winner: En La Memoria De Un Pueblo - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television – Cuba
Producer: Michael Garcia Perez
Best Magazine Programme
9. Award Winner: Desde La Musica - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television – Cuba
Producer: Elizabeth Alvarez Hernandez
Best Drama Programme
10. Award Winner: Perdoname Conciencia - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television – Cuba
Producer: Enrique Irsula Acebo
Best Investigative Report (Sponsored by UNESCO)
11. Award Winner: Del Intento De La Vida - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television – Cuba
Production Team: Rebeca Diaz Acosta, Indira La O Herrera
Climate Change & Renewable Energy (Sponsored by CDB)
12. Award Winner: SOS Planeta - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television – Cuba
Producer: Raiza Fernandez
Coverage of Disaster Risk (Sponsored by CDEMA)
13. Award Winner: Escape De Amoniaco - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television – Cuba
Producer: Suly Mary Carrasco Fonte
ENTRIES RECOGNIZED BY SPECIAL MENTION
TELEVISION
Best Documentary Programme
1. Special Mention: En Contra Del Viento - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television - Cuba
Producer: Television Serrana
Best Magazine Programme
2. Special Mention: EnviroConnect Belize Competition: Terrestrial Resource Protection - Great Belize Productions Ltd. – Belize
Producer: Rick Romero
Best Drama Programme
3. Special Mention: De Blanco - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television – Cuba
Producer: Dionad Cesar Pire Rojas
Best News Item
4. Special Mention: Part I: Supreme Court Strikes Down Section 53 – Great Belize Productions Ltd.- Belize
Production Team: Isani Cayetano, Chris Mangar
Best Investigative Report (Sponsored by UNESCO)
5. Special Mention: Iron Monsters (Part III) – Caribbean Communications Network – Trinidad & Tobago
Producer: Mark Bassant
Clare Forrester Award for Best Health Journalism (Sponsored by PAHO Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean)
6. Special Mention: Scanning the Truth – Caribbean Communications Network – Trinidad & Tobago
Production Team: Mark Bassant, Brandon Benoit, Anthony Nelson
7. Special Mention: Salud De Primera Mano - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television – Cuba
Producer: Yordany Salazar Arcia
Best Commercial Spot
8. Special Mention: World Wildlife Fund – Save Our Heritage Ad – Great Belize Productions Ltd. – Belize
Production Team: Great Belize Productions, World Wildlife Fund
Coverage of Disaster Risk (Sponsored by CDEMA)
9. Special Mention: Hundreds of Residents Displaced in the Aftermath of Hurricane Earl - Great Belize Productions Ltd. – Belize
Production Team: Duane Moody, Darrel Moguel
RADIO
Best Documentary Programme
10. Special Mention: Bajan Fishermen – Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation – Barbados
Production Team: Janelle Gilkes, Colbert Goddard
11. Special Mention: Scammed – Radio Jamaica Ltd. – Jamaica
Production Team: Archibald Gordon, Ivan Shaw
Best Magazine Programme
12. Special Mention: The Youth Perspective: Independence – Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas – The Bahamas
Production Team: Keshagen Adderley
13. Special Mention: Rhythm N' Youth - Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas – The Bahamas
Producer: Keeshan Fowler
Best Drama Programme
14. Special Mention: Barquito De Papel - Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television – Cuba
Producer: Elizabeth Alvarez Hernandez
15. Special Mention: Bajan Values, Attitudes and Beatitudes – The Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation – Barbados
Production Team: Anthony Thompson, Colbert Goddard
Famed Comedian, Jerry Lewis dies at the age of 91
For decades, Jerry Lewis’ star had been as bright as any comedic force in America. His partnership with Dean Martin forged the hottest comedy team of an era, and his films were embraced by audiences raised on his manic, over-the-top, rubber-faced routines.
Then, as if by design, he shifted gears and poured his energy and time into philanthropy as host of the annual Muscular Dystrophy Assn. telethon, a charity event he hosted for 44 years. As he raised hundreds of millions, however, his own work as an actor and filmmaker became eclipsed, sliding into the distance.
But in a dramatic and unexpected return to cinema in Martin Scorsese’s “The King of Comedy” in 1982, Lewis reignited the admiration of longtime fans and introduced himself to a whole new generation of movie lovers.
Lewis died Sunday morning of natural causes in Las Vegas with his family by his side, his publicist Candi Cazau said. He was 91.
Source-New York Times
CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION CALLS FOR UNITED STATES/CARIBBEAN STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has called for a formal partnership between the region's tourism sector and those responsible for implementing the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act, known as H.R. 2939.
The Act, which was passed in the United States Congress on Dec. 13, 2016 and signed into law by then U.S. President Barack Obama three days later, mandates a new long-term strategy to strengthen ties between Washington, D.C. and the Caribbean region. It is designed to increase the security, prosperity and well-being of the people of the United States and the Caribbean.
Addressing the importance of the Act to Caribbean tourism at a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., CTO Secretary General Hugh Riley referenced a tourism working group established by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government at their meeting in Guyana in February, to guide the development and marketing of Caribbean tourism.
This, Riley said, appears to align with the U.S. government's strategy for the Caribbean on many areas related to sustainable development, and a mechanism that incorporates the Caribbean's tourism working group with the entities tasked with implementing H.R.4939 would be a winning formula for both the U.S. and the Caribbean.
"What an accomplishment it would be for all of us and for the architects of H.R. 4939 if we could report back to our region's prime ministers and presidents when we meet with them in February, that there is now a working partnership between the region's tourism working group and the U.S. Caribbean Strategic Alliance. Our recommendation is that together, we waste no time in making that partnership a reality. Without doubt, shoring up the Caribbean's main economic driver is the surest way to protect the third border of the United States," Riley said.
His remarks were delivered during a panel focused on "building sustainable economies" as part of an event staged by the Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA) titled: "Caribbean 2020 Implementing H.R. 4939 from Vision to Engagement."
Select members of the U.S. Congress addressed the audience of Caribbean Diaspora, diplomats and public sector policy makers including the co-author of the legislation, Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member, The House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Chairman, The Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Ranking Member, The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations; and Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Ranking Member, The Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy, and Environment.
The Caribbean region is considered the United States' "third border," characterized by common interests and societal ties that yield daily, tangible benefits for U.S. citizens. The U.S. is the Caribbean's primary trading partner, representing a vibrant economic partnership that, in 2016, saw a $4.6 billion trade surplus for the United States, 14 million U.S. tourist visits, and 11,042 Caribbean students studying in the U.S.
CCAA organized the half-day event to move discussions along between the U.S. and key stakeholders involved with the Caribbean region. The meeting began with a discussion of the Act followed by a panel about "The Security Agenda" featuring discussions on the need for stronger regional cooperation and public-private partnerships to advance citizen security. The second panel, "The Prosperity Agenda" focused on the outlook for regional investment, building sustainable economies, and finance and trade options. The final panel "The Well-Being Agenda," dedicated its discussions to the health, education and future of the Caribbean."
During his presentation, Riley called for a balanced approach to the development of strategies and policies that are designed to spur tourism growth while protecting the resource base on which tourism depends.
He advocated for a sector-specific tourism approach that would provide the greatest effectiveness and long-term sustainability which would be carried out with partnerships between the CTO and the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA).
TCI Care issue Appropriate Precautions when enjoying the Waters of the Turks & Caicos
A number of incidents within the waters of the Turks & Caicos recently have prompted the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) to reiterate necessary etiquette while on holiday or enjoying a cooling swim.
The DECR would like to remind visitors and residents that the ocean holds many creatures and that appropriate safety precautions should be taken. Globally, such incidents are exceptionally rare and are typically associated with fishing or fish-feeding activities (the latter being banned in the TCI).
In order to minimize incidents related to marine animals, the DECR also urges the public to be familiar with the following swimming, snorkeling and dive etiquette prior to jumping into the water:
· DO use biodegradable suntan lotion whenever possible and allow time for all lotions to soak into the skin before going into the ocean. Suntan lotion is toxic to the reefs;
· DO NOT touch, stand on or kick the coral; it is a living animal and you will harm it;
· DO employ the 'buddy system' (swim / snorkel / dive with a friend and make sure someone knows where you are at all times) whenever going into the ocean;
· AVOID kicking sand with your fins when snorkeling so that fine particles do not smother and choke living coral;
· DO NOT remove corals, sand, shells and wildlife, whether dead or alive, from the Protected Areas. It is illegal;
· For your safety, please swim within the "swim zone" (within 300 feet of shore in designated areas);
· DO NOT fish in protected areas such as National Parks and Nature Reserves. It is illegal to do so. This includes 'catch and release' fishing or hunting for conch and lobsters;
· For your safety, so as not to attract fish, DO NOT swim, snorkel or dive whilst wearing shiny jewelry, watches or accessories;
· Be cognizant of vessels in the water, even if you are within a demarcated swim zone;
· If you are a first time snorkeler, please adhere to these guidelines:
o Practice with your gear first;
o Stay relaxed and reduce your effort;
o Learn to read ocean conditions;
o Choose your first location carefully;
o Choose a calm spot;
o Be a steward!
The DECR hopes to encourage a safe and fun experience for both visitors to and residents of the islands, through the above guidelines.
Venezuela's Maduro makes surprise visit to Cuba
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro paid tribute to the late leftist icon Fidel Castro during a surprise visit to Cuba, state media reported Wednesday.
The daily Granma said Maduro traveled Tuesday to Castro's tomb in Santiago de Cuba.
Maduro was accompanied by his wife Cilia Flores, Cuban President Raul Castro — Fidel's brother — and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, according to the newspaper.
"On the 91st birthday of the Commander in Chief a tribute by the president of Venezuela was appropriate for someone who always stood by the Bolivarian revolution," the newspaper said.
Fidel Castro, born on August 13, 1926, died in November 2016. His remains are buried at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, some 960 kilometres east of Havana.
Venezuela is Cuba's most important economic and political ally, and Havana has offered strong support for Maduro's embattled leftist regime.
Source-AFP