Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Wednesday; Bolt's missing funds; Clarke anger; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Wednesday, January 18, 2023 FSC calls press conference to address SSL saga The Financial Services Commission [will host a press conference on Wednesday]( at 10:00 am in relation to the ongoing saga at Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL). This comes after lawyers representing Usain Bolt [wrote to SSL giving the company 10 days to return millions of US dollars owed]( to him on Tuesday. It also comes after the Opposition People's National Party expressed concerns about what it charged is the apparent failure of the FSC to provide adequate regulatory oversight in the matter. In a tweet, FSC said the press conference will “update the public on matters pertaining to the enhanced oversight of SSL.” The press conference will be aired via FSC's Instagram and Facebook pages. Bolt ultimatum! The clock is ticking on a [10-day ultimatum]( lawyers representing Olympic great, Usain Bolt, have given to the principals of Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) to return the millions of US dollars that Bolt has been defrauded, reportedly by a SSL employee. Bolt had [invested the money in 2012]( to sustain him through his later years. Effectively, Bolt regarded the money as his pension, according to reports. The law firm of Frater, Ennis & Gordon has written to SSL, pointing out that on October 31, 2022, the balance in Bolt's account was US$12 million plus (J$1.8 billion) but it has now been depleted to just over US$12,000 (J$1.8 million). The law firm has warned that if the full US$12 million is not paid in the next 10 days it will take civil and criminal action. Parliamentary committee meets re Bail Act The Joint Select Committee [examining the Bail Act 2022]( will resume its meetings today. The virtual meeting will be an all-day one. Several individuals and organisations have already made submissions before the committee. Advertisement Leslie Jones hosts ‘The Daily Show’ Comedian Leslie Jones will be [taking a temporary whirl as host of “The Daily Show"]( this week, and she says viewers can expect her trademark — some blunt, edgy humor. “I’m not Jon Stewart. I’m not Trevor Noah, I’m Leslie Jones. So I’ll be bringing that vulnerable honesty,” the “Saturday Night Live” alum joked in an interview on the eve of her new gig. Jones’ stand-in as host on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on the Comedy Central topical show yields to four more upcoming weekly gigs by comedians: Wanda Sykes, D L Hughley, Chelsea Handler and Sarah Silverman. Jones' guest on Tuesday was Morris Chestnut, starring in “The Best Man: The Final Chapters.” In a video promoting her guest host gig, correspondent Roy Wood Jr is seen helping her practice identifying prominent people like Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Supreme Court Clarence Thomas. SPORTS: NCAA challenges court decision on pay for athletes The NCAA will today ask a federal appeals court to block a lawsuit that seeks to have [athletes treated as employees who are paid for their time]( the latest high-profile challenge to amateurism in college sports. A number of Jamaicans compete on the NCAA circuit each year and would therefore be impacted by the case. The Division One athletes and former athletes who filed the suit being argued in Philadelphia on Wednesday are seeking hourly wages similar to those earned in work-study programmes. They say the nation’s colleges are violating fair labour practices by failing to pay them for the time they put into their sports, which their attorney said can average more than 30 hours per week. The attorney, Paul McDonald, said it’s not about huge payouts, but about the athletes sharing in some of the millions being spent on their coaches, college administrators and facilities. He suggested they might earn about U$2,000 per month or US$10,000 per school year for sports that stretch across five months. “It’s about the kids having walking-around money that their parents don’t have to give them, out of their own pockets, just like their fellow students working at the bookstore, the library or at the games,” said McDonald, who filed the suit against the NCAA and member schools including Duke University, Villanova University and the University of Oregon. The NCAA has one eye on the court case but another on Congress, where it hopes to find relief after a series of legal setbacks involving its long-held amateurism model. They include the unanimous US Supreme Court decision last year that lifted the ban on compensation beyond full-ride scholarships, and lets colleges give athletes education-related benefits such as computers and study abroad programmes fees. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING WATCH: Marley family and friends bid farewell to Jo Mersa Jo Mersa Marley, the first born of reggae singer/producer Stephen Marley and grandson of the genre’s icon Bob Marley, was [laid to rest in Nine Miles, St Ann]( after a thanksgiving service at the Bob Marley Museum in St Andrew and a funeral procession stop in Trench Town, the birthplace of reggae and hometown of his legendary grandfather. ‘Shock and anger’: Clarke disgusted by ‘evil’ fraud allegations at SSL Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke is [expressing “shock” and “anger”]( at the multi-million-dollar fraud allegations at Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL). Student shot by licensed firearm holder in St Thomas A student at the St Thomas Technical High School was [shot and injured by a licensed firearm holder]( Tuesday. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY MLK Day becomes holiday On [January 18]( 1986 Martin Luther King, Jr Day is first celebrated as a holiday. 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