"Destiny awaits": Kevin Hart, Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis rock out in new Borderlands trailer
On Wednesday, Lionsgate dropped the snarky, shoot-'em-up trailer to Borderlands, the action-comedy movie based on the bestselling video game franchise.
For the big-screen bow, Kevin Hart and Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis team up, respectively, as the franchise's mercenary Roland, Lilith the Siren and archeologist Dr. Patricia Tannis.
Joining their party are Ariana Greenblatt — a veteran of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Barbie and Ahsoka — as demolitions expert Tiny Tina. Creed II heavy Florian Munteanu plays her mysterious masked protector, Kreig, and Jack Black voices the game's wise-cracking robot companion Claptrap.
Set to Electric Light Orchestra's "Do Ya," the trailer shows the hunt for a mysterious vault located on the wasteland Pandora.
Blanchett's character calls it "the weirdest, most dangerous dumpster fire of a world in the universe." But for all of its monsters, ravaging bands of marauders and gulleys apparently filled with urine, Pandora's vault hides real treasure: a jackpot of alien tech and other assorted priceless loot.
The problem is, pretty much everybody in the universe is willing to kill to get their hands on it.
"Well, destiny awaits," Hart's Roland sighs.
Horror director Eli Roth directs Borderlands, which also features Édgar Ramírez as the heavy.
The Borderlands games have sold more than 66 million units worldwide, according to Gearbox Software, which co-produced the movie. The sneak peek says the film is "coming soon" to theaters.
Source-ABC
Russia's Putin gifts luxury car to North Korea's Kim
Russian President Vladimir Putin has given North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a luxury Russian-made car.
Pyongyang's state media said the limousine was delivered to Mr Kim's top aides on Sunday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later confirmed the gift, saying it was an Aurus, a full-sized luxury sedan of the type used by Mr Putin himself.
The two internationally isolated countries have forged close relations since Russia invaded Ukraine.
North Korea is thought to be supplying Russia with artillery, rockets, and ballistic missiles for the war, despite international sanctions on both countries. Both sides deny breaching sanctions.
Mr Putin welcomed Mr Kim to the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Russian Far East last September, in what was his first trip abroad in four years.
During that visit, the North Korean leader inspected Mr Putin's own Aurus Senat limousine and was invited to get in the back seat. They also swapped guns as gifts.
Kim Jong-un is believed to be a car enthusiast and to have a collection of luxury foreign vehicles.
Kim's sister Yo Jong said the "gift serves as a clear demonstration of the special personal relations between the top leaders" of the two countries, in remarks quoted by North Korean state news agency KCNA.
But South Korea's Foreign Ministry said the gift breached UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea, which prohibit supplies of certain categories of vehicles including luxury cars.
Source-BBC
Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police provides updates
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force responded to reports of a motor vehicle incident along the Millennium Highway.
At 8:20 am on Monday, February 19th, the Police Control Room received a call that two persons were struck by a white vehicle near Rubis Gas Station.
Medical personnel and officers arrived at the scene and rendered assistance.
The victims were rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and treated for several injuries sustained from the incident.
The RTCIPF can confirm the victims are a 27-year-old female and a 38-year-old male.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit is continuing investigations into the circumstances.
Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit are actively investigating three woundings and two robbery incidents that occurred within hours in Providenciales.
At 4:54 pm Sunday, February 18th, officers responded to a report of a 28-year-old male seeking medical attention at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who indicated that someone attacked him, resulting in several injuries. The incident occurred in Dock Yard.
At 8.20 pm, officers received information and went to the Cheshire Hall Medical Center. Whilst there, officers interviewed someone who indicated that at 7.20 pm, a group of armed men wielding weapons entered the yard and attacked a 26-year-old male. The suspects fled the scene while the victim was rushed for medical treatment. This incident occurred in Dock Yard.
Additionally, officers are seeking the public's assistance for information following a call to the Police Control Room at 10:03 pm. A male who identified himself reported that someone attacked him with a machete while in Kew Town. Officers and medical personnel were dispatched to the given location. A comprehensive search was conducted, but the victim was not found.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are asking persons to be cautious of their surroundings when entering their vehicles.
This follows a report made on February 15 by a male victim who was robbed of his vehicle. Based on reports, at 9:15 pm, a 39-year-old male and colleagues were leaving the TCI Community College, West Campus, Providenciales, when a group of men surrounded his vehicle.
The male, noticing that one of the men had stooped at the rear of the vehicle, approached to investigate and was struck on the head. The men escaped in the victim's car.
The victim was transported to the Cheshire Medical Center by officers.
In a separate incident, at 9:40 pm on (February 18th), the Police Control Room received a report of a robbery along Butterfield Drive, Kew Town.
Initial investigations revealed that the 25-year-old female victim was working at a business establishment when an armed male entered, announced a hold-up, and proceeded to rob the victim. The suspect fled the scene.
The RTCIPF is seeking persons who may have any information on crimes or illegal activity, contact 911, the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 232-9645, the nearest police station, the Serious Crime Unit at 649-231-1842, contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can download the CrimeStoppers P3 app.
Bahamas moves into space tourism
The Bahamas government Tuesday said it had successfully negotiated and executed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with Space Exploration Technologies Corporation ( SpaceX) “marking a revolutionary leap for The Bahamas into the realm of space tourism”.
“The Bahamas is poised to embrace its newfound role in the global space industry, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. We look forward to a future where The Bahamas stands proudly as a trailblazer in space tourism and technology in line with our Blueprint for change and our Innovate242 initiative,” said Tourism, Investments and Aviation Minister, Chester Cooper.
In a statement, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation (MOTIA) said that the LOA establishes a strategic collaboration that positions the country as a global destination for witnessing booster landings.
SpaceX, a pioneer in space exploration, is currently finalizing mission designs where one of the company’s autonomous drone ships will serve as a Falcon 9 landing location east of The Exumas, offering a spectacle that will be visible only in The Bahamas.
“This unique opportunity sets the stage for tourists to witness awe-inspiring space events from cruise ships, resorts, and various tourist hotspots, solidifying The Bahamas’ position as a key player in the emerging space tourism industry,” the MOTIA said.
It said that the exclusive visibility of rocket landings on an autonomous drone ship from various Bahamian islands distinguishes this destination as the only one of its kind worldwide.
”The respective Bahamian landings covered in the LOA will not only support SpaceX’s Starlink mission but also contribute to saving lives, enhancing first responders’ capabilities, and ensuring connectivity in times of disasters.”
Cooper said that the LOA with SpaceX “marks a new era for The Bahamas.
“We are honored to work with SpaceX to enable their Falcon 9 rockets to safely land on an autonomous droneship within Bahamian waters, helping to continue their rocket reusability efforts,” said Cooper, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister.
“Simultaneously, through Starlink’s high-speed internet from space, this agreement opens doors to unprecedented opportunities for our citizens, fostering long-term advantages for education, emergency response, and innovation.
“The Bahamian government aims to utilize this partnership for economic growth, job creation, and enhanced educational opportunities,” Cooper added.
MOTIA said that in tandem with the LOA, SpaceX has committed to supporting the creation of a space installation or exhibit showcasing recognizable hardware and a SpaceX spacesuit. It said this exhibit, the only one outside the United States, is expected to draw significant attention and attendance from both Bahamian citizens and international tourists.
MOTIA said that in addition to potential revenue growth, The Bahamas has secured Starlink internet connectivity at multiple locations across the Family Islands. It said these terminals, specifically designated for schools lacking sufficient internet capacity, will also bolster the capabilities and operations of first responders in the area.
”SpaceX’s commitment to educational outreach through STEM and space-focused presentations every quarter will leave a lasting impact on the growth of STEM education in The Bahamas, providing invaluable opportunities for students and teachers.”
Former NASA rocket scientist, and STEMBoard Founder and chief executive officer, Aisha Bowe, is credited with playing a significant role in the new initiative.
“In 2024, she is set to become an astronaut, marking her as the first Bahamian in space. Her inspiring journey shared globally through interviews, presentations, and a documentary, aligns with the Bahamas’ vision for innovation and education.
“In collaboration with SpaceX over the past fifteen months, Bowe’s expertise and STEMBoard’s contributions were integral in outlining procedures for space operations in Bahamian territory,” MOTIA added.
Japan's economy is now the world's fourth-largest
Japan's economy is now the world's fourth-largest after it contracted in the last quarter of 2023 and fell behind Germany.
The government reported the economy shrank at an annual rate of 0.4 percent from October to December, according to Cabinet Office data on real GDP released Thursday, though it grew 1.9 percent for all of 2023.
Two straight quarters of contraction are considered an indicator an economy is in a technical recession.
Japan's economy was the second largest until 2010 when it was overtaken by China. Japan's nominal GDP totaled $4.2 trillion last year, while Germany's was $4.4 trillion, or $4.5 trillion, depending on the currency conversion.
A weaker Japanese yen (the official currency) was a key factor in the drop to fourth place since comparisons of nominal GDP are in dollar terms.
But Japan's relative weakness also reflects a decline in its population and lagging productivity and competitiveness, economists say.
Both the Japanese and German economies are powered by strong small and medium-sized businesses with solid productivity.
Like Japan in the 1960s-1980s, for most of this century, Germany roared ahead, dominating global markets for high-end products like luxury cars and industrial machinery, selling so much to the rest of the world that half its economy ran on exports.
As an island nation with relatively few foreign residents, Japan's population has been shrinking and aging for years, while Germany's has grown to nearly 85 million, as immigration helped to make up for a low birth rate.
The gap between developed countries and emerging nations is shrinking, with India likely to overtake Japan in nominal GDP in a few years.
The U.S. remains the world's largest economy by far, with a GDP of $27.94 trillion in 2023, while China's was $17.5 trillion. India is about $3.7 trillion but growing at a sizzling rate of around seven percent.
Cedella Marley donates a guitar that belonged to her father Bob
Cedella Marley will donate a guitar that belonged to her father, reggae legend Bob Marley, to the Island SPACE Caribbean Museum in Broward County, Florida.
Cedella announced the inaugural Reggae Genealogy music festival and concert event at Broward Mall this past weekend, where she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Island SPACE Caribbean Museum.
Cedella has not only contributed to the preservation of Bob Marley’s legacy but has also made significant contributions to Jamaican culture and sports.
She is the CEO of her father’s recording label, Tuff Gong International. She also helps run her family’s charitable organization, 1Love.
Cedella is the acting director of the Bob Marley Foundation, which seeks to deliver social interventions throughout Jamaica through educational and community development initiatives.
Additionally, she oversees Hope Road Merchandising, LLC, a Marley family entity that manages the rights to Bob’s name and likeness, and the Marley merchandising conglomerate House of Marley.
Up until last month, she was also a sponsor and official ambassador of the Jamaica Reggae Girlz team. She most notably helped fund the team through their surprise qualification for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She is also a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer.
Bob Marley: One Love tops box office with jamming $34.1 million Presidents' Day weekend
Bob Marley: One Love topped the domestic box office, grabbing $28.6 million between Friday and Sunday, and an estimated $34.1 million through Monday. The biopic, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary reggae artist, which opened on Wednesday, Valentine's Day, is expected to bring in $52 million in its first six days of release.
One Love pulled in an estimated $29 million internationally, bringing its global tally to over $80 million so far.
Sony/Marvel's Madame Web took second place, delivering $15.3 million over the traditional three-day weekend, and an estimated $18 million through Presidents' Day. The Dakota Johnson-led film, which also opened on Wednesday, has earned an estimated $26 million in North America over its first six days of release.
Overseas, the film took in an estimated $25.7 million, bringing its worldwide total to $52 million.
Pulling up in third place was Argylle, snatching up $4.7 million at the domestic box office between Friday and Sunday and an estimated $5.5 million over the four-day weekend. The spy thriller has collected $37.2 million in North America and $76 million globally.
The animated comedy Migration finished the weekend in fourth place, grossing $3.75 million over the three-day weekend and an estimated $5 million through Monday. It now stands at $116 million at the domestic box office and $254 million worldwide.
Rounding out the top five was Wonka, earning $3.49 million between Friday and Sunday, and an estimated $4.4 million through Monday. To date, the film has grossed $210 million in North America and $604 million globally.
Source- ABC
Mbappe agrees to join Real Madrid in Summer
Paris St-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has agreed to join Real Madrid this summer.
The France captain, 25, has told PSG he intends to leave the club with his contract expiring in June.
Mbappe has not signed a contract with Real yet, but the deal could be announced once it is no longer possible for the clubs to meet in this season's Champions League.
The World Cup winner is PSG's record goalscorer with 244 goals.
Mbappe wanted his future sorted before March, so on 13 February, before training, he met PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and told him he was leaving and joining Real.
After reports emerged last Thursday that he would leave, Mbappe was left out of the starting line-up for Saturday's match against Nantes but came off the bench to score a penalty as PSG went 14 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
He is set to sign a five-year deal with Real, earning 15m euros (£12.8m) a season, plus a 150m euro (£128m) signing-on bonus to be paid over five years, and he will keep a percentage of his image rights.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti has already thought about how he will use Mbappe in his team, with England midfielder Jude Bellingham playing a deeper role, Brazilian Vinicius Jr playing on the left and Mbappe playing left of center.
If Croatia midfielder Luka Modric leaves this summer, then Mbappe would inherit the number 10 shirt he wears for France.
PSG are 2-0 up against Real Sociedad after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, while Real lead RB Leipzig 1-0.
Mbappe won the French title with Monaco before joining PSG as an 18-year-old in 2017, initially on loan before a 180m euro (£165.7m) move.
Overall, he has 244 goals and 93 assists in 291 games for PSG and has helped the club to five Ligue 1 title wins.
Mbappe was set to leave PSG on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-22 season but ultimately signed a two-year contract extension, with the option of a further year.
However, after Mbappe told PSG he would not agree to the additional 12 months of the deal, he was not selected for their pre-season tour to Japan last July.
He subsequently refused to meet with representatives of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who made a world record £259m offer for him.
Mbappe turned down a move to Real when he agreed to his current deal with PSG in May 2022.
Paris St-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has agreed to join Real Madrid this summer.
The France captain, 25, has told PSG he intends to leave the club with his contract expiring in June.
Mbappe has not signed a contract with Real yet, but the deal could be announced once it is no longer possible for the clubs to meet in this season's Champions League.
The World Cup winner is PSG's record goalscorer with 244 goals.
Mbappe wanted his future sorted before March, so on 13 February, before training, he met PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and told him he was leaving and joining Real.
After reports emerged last Thursday that he would leave, Mbappe was left out of the starting line-up for Saturday's match against Nantes but came off the bench to score a penalty as PSG went 14 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
He is set to sign a five-year deal with Real, earning 15m euros (£12.8m) a season, plus a 150m euro (£128m) signing-on bonus to be paid over five years, and he will keep a percentage of his image rights.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti has already thought about how he will use Mbappe in his team, with England midfielder Jude Bellingham playing a deeper role, Brazilian Vinicius Jr playing on the left and Mbappe playing left of center.
If Croatia midfielder Luka Modric leaves this summer, then Mbappe would inherit the number 10 shirt he wears for France.
PSG are 2-0 up against Real Sociedad after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, while Real lead RB Leipzig 1-0.
Mbappe won the French title with Monaco before joining PSG as an 18-year-old in 2017, initially on loan before a 180m euro (£165.7m) move.
Overall, he has 244 goals and 93 assists in 291 games for PSG and has helped the club to five Ligue 1 title wins.
Mbappe was set to leave PSG on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-22 season but ultimately signed a two-year contract extension, with the option of a further year.
However, after Mbappe told PSG he would not agree to the additional 12 months of the deal, he was not selected for their pre-season tour to Japan last July.
He subsequently refused to meet with representatives of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who made a world record £259m offer for him.
Mbappe turned down a move to Real when he agreed to his current deal with PSG in May 2022.
He has a one-year extension clause, so it is expected his departure will involve either a sale with a transfer fee or financial sacrifices on the player's part.
He has a one-year extension clause, so it is expected his departure will involve either a sale with a transfer fee or financial sacrifices on the player's part.
Source- BBC
Guyana & Haiti miss out on Women Gold Cup
Both Guyana and Haiti suffered defeats to miss out on the group stage of the Women’s Gold Cup.
Playing at the Dignity Health Sports Park, both sides suffered 1-0 losses to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico respectively.
Guyana put up stiff resistance in their encounter before being sunk by Kathryn González’s 55th-minute strike while Haiti went down to a 41st minute goal from Jillienne Aguilera.
The Dominican Republic will now do battle in Group A alongside hosts United States, Mexico, and Argentina while Puerto Rico will compete with Panama, and CONMEBOL invitees Brazil and Argentina, in Group B.
Twelve teams will compete across three groups in the Women’s Gold Cup runs from February 20 to March 10.
Guyana made a fist of it in the first half, goalkeeper Chante Sandiford snuffing out a chance from defender Brianne Reed in the ninth minute and Shanice Alfred then coming close for the Caribbean Football Union side in the 17th.
Gonzalez then opened the scoring following a corner, Jaylen Vallecillo winning the ball on the left side of the box and teeing up her teammate for a superb 22-yard volley.
Meanwhile, Haiti had chances to open the scoring inside the first half-hour when Shwendesky Joseph and captain Nerilia Mondesir both came close.
They were made to pay for their wastefulness when Danielle Julia Marcano was fouled in the area and Jillienne Aguilera converted from the penalty spot.
Source- CMC
Robbie Ginn donates Inspirational books in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Travel agent and Chairman’s Royal Club (CRC) member, Robbie Ginn recently visited the Turks and Caicos Islands, bringing with her, three hundred (300) copies of inspirational literature geared towards strengthening community bonds and fostering the moral development of youth and adults alike.
Having participated in several educational outreach efforts in different schools throughout Providenciales on previous visits, Ginn returned with a better understanding of what some of the needs of the wider society are.
Ginn uses her skill of organization and knowledge of the travel industry to serve her community service groups both locally and internationally.
Knowing her passion for education, caring, and outreach, once she made a request among her peers for unused copies of the literature to be provided, she received more than she had bargained for but left nothing behind. Titles of some of the study guides are, “From Wonder to Rejection”, From Conquest to Kingdom” and “From Captivity to Restoration”.
Accompanied by Orville Morgan and Jodian Scott-Banton, the Public Relations team at Beaches Turks and Caicos, Ginn visited the Jericho Baptist Church and the New Life Worship Centre.
The visit to the New Life Worship Centre was one of historical significance... Ginn and the Sandals Foundation team were warmly welcomed by Pastor Derek Hanna and wife, Nicola Hanna.
The conversational exchange revealed that Pastor Hanna’s mother, Helena Green, had worked at Beaches Turks and Caicos as a hostess at the Reflections restaurant between 1998 and 2002 and that Nicola had also worked at Beaches as a Weddings and Sales Assistant in 1999 when Ginn made her first visit to Beaches Turks and Caicos. The two marveled over the fact that they may very well have crossed paths at that time and how this donation has allowed them to establish a direct connection twenty – four (24) years later.
Ginn shared, “In places where I have been, there are many people whose lives are falling apart and we need to find a way to reach them so they can help reach others. I hope that this donation will help provide an opportunity for moral guidelines and principles to be strengthened among the members of the community thus promoting virtues such as honesty, compassion, and empathy.”
As the donated books find their place in the hands and hearts of readers, the Sandals Foundation anticipates the positive transformation of the moral and intellectual landscape of the community.