Knicks avenge loss to Bobcats
Carmelo Anthony spent all night watching his shot spin out, except for the times it was Amare Stoudemire's turn to miss.
But Anthony knew when it was close at the end, somebody would make a play.
And he was one, making the tiebreaking basket with 2:39 left and scoring 22 points as the New York Knicks avenged an embarrassing loss to the Charlotte Bobcats with a 91-87 victory Monday night.
"It was just a will to win out there tonight," Anthony said. "Shots was going in and out, we wasn't making shots, myself, Amare," Anthony said. "We shot 30-something percent from the field, so we had to grind it out on the defensive end and then crunch time we had to make something do."
Stoudemire shot 7 of 25 but had 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Tyson Chandler finished with 20 points and 13 boards. Anthony, perhaps still bothered by a sore lower back, was only 6 of 18 from the field, but scored eight of the Knicks' final nine points.
Iman Shumpert scored 16 points for the Knicks, who won their third straight since a 118-110 home loss to the Bobcats last Wednesday. New York still figures it will score like it did that night and defend like it did in this one.
"There's going to be definitely nights where we've got to lean on our defense, but I think once we start clicking we'll be in the upper 100s and these games will be blowouts," Chandler said.
Boris Diaw had 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Bobcats, who dropped their third in a row since that victory at Madison Square Garden. He scored a season-high 27 points in that game.
"They did play better than they played against us last week," Diaw said. "It was more of a defensive game tonight. They adapted from what we did in the first game."
The Knicks defended much better in the rematch but almost wasted it as they struggled to finish around the basket all night. They made just two field goals in the opening nine minutes of the fourth quarter, and D.J. Augustin's 3-pointer tied it at 82 with 2:57 remaining.
Anthony drove for the go-ahead basket with 2:39 to go, then was credited with another field goal on a goaltending call about a minute later. A jumper by Gerald Henderson was followed by a free throw by Anthony and one by Landry Fields to make it 88-84 with 13 seconds remaining.
Augustin's 3-pointer from the corner cut it to one with 10 seconds to go, but he missed a chance to tie it again with 3.7 to go after Anthony made two free throws with 8.6 seconds to go.
"The last play of the game we got a wide-open 3 from our best 3-point shooter. So I can't fault us at all for the effort," coach Paul Silas said.
DJ White scored 15 points and Henderson had 14 for the Bobcats, who opened a stretch of five games in six nights. Augustin had 12 points but shot just 4 of 13, missing six of his nine 3-pointers.
The Bobcats' points and 55 percent shooting were the highest allowed this season by the Knicks, who insisted they were committed to playing better defense after acquiring Chandler. But a crowd that was buzzing that night with the returns of Stoudemire and Shumpert from injuries was booing the Knicks by the second half.
"We did play an excellent game, but they're going to come at us with a vengeance tonight, no question in my mind," Silas said before the game, "because I don't know if they took us for granted or not a little bit, but I know tonight they're going to really go all out to show us that we don't belong with them."
But the Bobcats came out looking capable of a repeat, breaking out to a 10-0 start. The Knicks regrouped to take a 24-21 lead after one quarter, extended it to a nine-point advantage midway through the second, and were up 50-45 at halftime.
The Knicks finally put a charge into the crowd midway through the third. Shumpert threw down a dunk after a steal, then Chandler bolted into the lane to catch and slam down a lob pass from Anthony. Chandler then made a pair of free throws for the Knicks' first double-digit lead of the game at 69-59 with 4:33 remaining.
"They played a lot better in this game," Silas said. "They played tougher defense. They really played us hard and tough, and last game they didn't really play us that tough."
SI
Thierry Henry return to Arsenal a dream - Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger says Thierry Henry has added to his legendary status at Arsenal with his late winner in the FA Cup tie against Leeds United.
The 34-year-old - back on a two-month loan deal from New York Red Bulls after leaving Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007 - scored 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute to give Arsenal a 1-0 victory and a place in the fourth round against Aston Villa.
Henry showed his class with a composed 78th-minute strike and the Gunners manager said: "He was already a legend here but he added just a little bit more to the whole story with that goal.
"It was a little bit like a dream. It was a story you would tell young kids if you want to tell them a story about football.
"Unfortunately it doesn't often happen like that in our game, but it did tonight."
Henry, who scored his 227th goal for Arsenal, has signed for an initial six-and-a-half-week period which can be extended to eight weeks - but Wenger said no plans had yet been made to extend the stay.
"Thierry has seen it all and done it all," said Wenger. "You could see straight away when he came on he was a presence and that if we could find him he would be dangerous. He is sharp physically.
"In training I have seen that he was sharp and ready to play. With what he has done here, I wouldn't have put him on the pitch if was not ready.
"That would not have been fair but he is a special player and what is good for the club and the young players is that he is a guy who has done it all but still prepares 100%, is motivated and comes with an immense desire to do well.
"He still feels some pressure so he was so pleased to score. He is a proud guy - he doesn't want to disappoint people. It is a kind of a comeback and you want that to be a success when you are a player."
The veteran striker himself spoke of his delight at returning to the club he supports and scoring his side's decisive goal.
"I came back from holiday 15 days ago. I never thought I was going to play for Arsenal again or score a winner," Henry said.
"I don't know what to say. I love the club and I hope I can do more.
"I hope it won't be the last one. The feeling I had when I scored was amazing.
"I rejoined the club as a fan; [when I joined first time] I wasn't.
"With one opportunity, it's very important, you don't know if you'll have a second. You have to make sure you take it. I took it well."
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was a great evening. It was just made for him to come on and to score his trademark finish. The place just erupted when the ball went into the back of the net.
Trinidad beaten by Windwards
The Windward Islands shocked defending champions Trinidad and Tobago yesterday by 11 runs in the first match of the 2012 Caribbean T20 Cricket Competition at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Captain Darren Sammy led from the front, hitting 41 from 31 balls to help his team to 129 for six. He also dismissed the dangerous Darren Bravo for 15, and – off the penultimate ball of the innings – made a running catch to send the other Bravo, Dwayne, back to the pavilion after he tried to hit his fifth six in an enterprising topscore of 51.
Trinidad were restricted to 118 for nine, starting on a losing note under new captain Denesh Ramdin.
Next Former West Indies captain to coach Kent
Kent County Cricket Club have announced the appointment of former Jamaica and West Indies captain Jimmy Adams as their new Head Coach.
Adams, who is a former technical director of the Jamaica Cricket Board, will take up the role at the St Lawrence Ground in early February.
The 43-year-old was a determined left-handed middle-order batsman, capable left-arm spinner and occasional wicket-keeper. He averaged 41.26 with the bat in 54 Tests and made a career-best 208 not out against New Zealand in 1996, and also played 127 one-day internationals.
He went on to be coach and manager of the West Indies Under-19 team and was also a member of the West Indies management unit for the 2010 ICC World T20 Tournament, which was played in the Caribbean.
Adams said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity as head coach at Kent Cricket. They are a county with a proud history and tradition. I look forward to working towards further success in the year to come and can't wait to get started.”
Chairman of cricket Graham Johnson added: “We have run an extremely thorough process to select our new head coach and are delighted that Jimmy will take up the position.
“He has a strong desire to see young players develop and this shone through in our discussions with him. He also has a tremendous amount of experience from his time in international cricket, particularly as captain.”
Guyana beat Leewards by 5 wickets in T20 opener
Guyana recorded a last over 5 wicket victory over the Leeward Islands in their opening match of the West Indies Cricket Board Twenty20 tournament being played in Antigua yesterday.
Led by man-of-the-match Leon Johnson, who scored an unbeaten 37 including a huge six to finish things off, Royston Crandon 10 not out, Shivnarine Chanderpaul with a breezy 30 inclusive of four sixes, and skipper Christopher Barnwell 21, saw Guyana reach 139 for 5 off 19.2 overs chasing 134 made by the Leewards.
Coming in at number six Johnson partnered with skipper Christopher Barnwell to put up 47 and take Guyana from 69 for 4 to 116 for 5. Chanderpaul scored an uncharacteristically aggressive 30 off 17 which included four 6’s to push things earlier.
Leewards, who won the toss and batted first, looked set to score a dismal total but some blistering shots in the closing overs saw the home team posting 134 for 6 off their 20 overs. Justin Athanaze led the batting with 30 off 15 balls, while Kieran Powell was run out 22 off a brilliant direct throw by Sewnarine Chattergoon, Chesney Hughes 19 and Devon Thomas 26 led their effort.
Steven Jacobs grabbed 2 wickets, while Narsingh Deonarine, Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo each picked up one.
The win would be sweet for Guyana following the problems the team faced in the lead up to the tournament due to the administrative wrangling between the Guyana Cricket Board and government, who had set up an Interim Management Committee to take over the running of the game here, but had to back down after the intervention of the West Indies Cricket Board.
Guyana next face Trinidad and Tobago in the second match on Friday at 8:00pm and will look to continue their winning run against keen rivals who will be looking to rebound from their defeat against the Windwards in the opening match yesterday.
The early match on Friday pits Canada versus the Leeward Islands at 4:00pm.
The tournament continues today with Combined Campuses and Colleges against Jamaica at 8:00pm in the lone match.
Caribbean tops cruise passenger destination survey
The Caribbean continues to be the destination of choice for most cruise passengers, according to a new survey.
The region topped the Cruise Holidays 2012 Cruise Trends ranking with 59.88 per cent bookings, leaving Europe (including Mediterranean, Baltic, Scandinavia & Greek Isles) a far second at 11.47 per cent.
Western Caribbean cruises were the most popular overall, followed by the Eastern Caribbean and Southern Caribbean.
Cruise Holidays experts predict the best cruise values will remain in the Caribbean and Europe.
“These two regions are the clear-cut leaders when it comes to the bang for the buck that a cruise vacation can provide,” stated Mark Schiffner, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cruise Holidays.
“On the flip side, with fewer cruisers turning to the Mexican Riviera as a top vacation choice, its value proposition is increasing. Mexico’s famed Gold Coast is pulling out all the stops to showcase its world-class beach communities, which depend on tourism for their livelihood.”
Prices to the region and the Mediterranean are still averaging lower than 2008-10, the survey said, though there has been a slight increase since 2011 because of increased demand for travel.
Additionally, it appears that cruisers’ tastes are becoming more sophisticated since Celebrity Cruises – a “premium” cruise line – boasts the most popular new ships for both 2011 and 2012, according to Cruise Holidays cruise experts across North America.
The Celebrity Silhouette was selected as the favorite ship to debut in the past calendar year, while the fifth and final Solstice-class ship, Celebrity Reflection, was voted as the most anticipated ship for 2012.
Looking ahead to the first three months of 2012, known in the cruise industry as the “Wave Season”, the level of optimism is at a three-year high for Cruise Holidays experts.
More than 73 per cent of the 118 consultants surveyed between December 21, 2011 and January 4, 2012 said they are very optimistic or somewhat optimistic.
The survey is based on actual bookings from Cruise Holidays’ proprietary booking system and a supplementary opinion survey taken by top Cruise Holidays owners and agents. Click
Caribbean 360 News
US senator urges Jamaica gov't to understand the world
Jobs, education and an openness to foreign investors are the main factors for solving Jamaica's social, economic and crime problems, believes Democratic United States State Senator Malcolm A. Smith.
Smith, who travelled to Jamaica last Thursday for the swearing in of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, said it was essential that the new government provide incentives that would allow for small and large companies to do business with the country.
"The Jamaican government needs to understand that the world is no longer a big world, it is very small. Just like we are taking foreign investment in New York, they should do that here," said the state senator in the 14th district in Queens, New York.
He also advised that the government look at new industries while focusing on key ones, such as agriculture, the sciences, social networking and technology.
Smith told The Gleaner that, "As a ranking member on banking, I think it is going to be important to introduce the Jamaican minister of finance (Dr Peter Phillips) to the banking community in New York, perhaps have them come here and foster a relationship. Because at this point we know that the credit that banks are releasing today are very difficult and challenging but, given the financial capital of the world, and the number of people from Jamaica that live there, I think, from a banking perspective, that we can develop a good relationship to help with the economy."
Jamaican community excited
Smith, who is an integral part of the large Jamaican community in his district, said they were excited about the possibilities of working with the new Simpson Miller-led administration and fostering a good relationship.
Describing the existing relationship between Jamaica and the US as interesting, he said: "It is one where we are still struggling in New York. We just got rid of a big deficit. We think Jamaica is also struggling where it comes to jobs and the economy and perhaps we can foster some of the practices and best practices that we are doing to assist the government in moving forward with the economy here. We can learn from each other."
The senator, who has Jamaican roots through his father, who was raised in Mandeville, Manchester, revealed that there would be celebrations across New York for Jamaica's 50th year of Independence.
Smith was first elected to the New York State Senate in 2000.
Jamaica Gleaner
Trinidad signs multiple agreements with India
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other Trinidad and Tobago government ministers on Monday attended bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, after which several key memoranda of understanding were signed.
Five agreements were signed at the end of the delegation-level talks between both prime ministers. These focus on developments in the areas of air transport, culture, education, traditional medicines, agriculture and technical cooperation.
Singh highlighted the need for both countries to identify innovative ways of enhancing their economic ties. He noted that the joint commission meeting held at the end of November 2011 identified a number of areas for expanded trade and investment, most notably the energy sector.
He explained that India needs an assured and reliable energy supply, and that Trinidad and Tobago is well placed to meet India’s energy needs: “An energy delegation from Trinidad and Tobago would therefore be welcome.”
Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farook Abdullah stated that his ministry stands ready to share its expertise and offer training in solar and wind energy. It is expected that a demonstration unit will soon be set up in Trinidad and Tobago.
Air links are to be established between Trinidad and Tobago and India following the signing of a bilateral air services agreement (BASA). This BASA allows designated air carriers to operate flights connecting destinations in each country.
Singh also expressed his gratitude for the current visa waiver offered by the Trinidad and Tobago Government to Indian nationals and agreed that Trinidad and Tobago would act as a gateway for India to the wider Latin American market, thanks to its trade agreements with several Latin American countries.
Persad-Bissessar raised the issue of visa-waiver reciprocity to which the Minister of External Affairs, Shri S.M. Krishna responded that this would be considered at an upcoming joint commission meeting.
Education was the focus of another MoU. Singh, at the joint media briefing with Persad-Bissessar, stated that strong cultural and education links between the two countries provide the foundation for their relationship.
“The technical cooperation agreement in the field of education and the cultural exchange programme signed today will facilitate greater academic and cultural exchanges” stated Singh.
The University of the West Indies was one of the signatories to an MoU.
Bilateral technical cooperation through exchange of experts will also be improved, with the government of India agreeing to enhance the annual ITEC scholarship slots for Trinidad and Tobago from the current 30 to 50. Singh noted that the Indian IT industry is eager to expand cooperation through the Indian Technical Cooperation Fund and that a joint commission on ICT could provide a framework for cooperation in this sector.
Singh stated that over the next six to eight weeks India will send a delegation of IT experts, companies and education experts to see how to advance bilateral cooperation and increase 3G capacity in Trinidad and Tobago.
A MoU for co-operation in traditional medicines between India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Health of Trinidad and Tobago was also signed. The signing of the MoU provides a legal framework for the cooperation between the two countries for the promotion of Indian traditional medicine in Trinidad and Tobago. The main objective of the MoU is to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in the field of traditional systems of medicine between the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
Persad-Bissessar welcomed all offers of technical support offered by Singh, particularly initiatives in the coconut industry to deal with the red palm mite disease and ITEC exchanges.
Persad-Bissessar emphasised the need for renewed enthusiasm in the field of agriculture. The prime minister also expressed her gratitude to the Indian government for land at Pushp Vihar in New Delhi, which was donated to the Chancellery and the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission.
A joint statement at the end of the delegation level talks between Singh and Persad-Bissessar stated the two leaders also discussed global issues, including terrorism, climate change and the reform of the United Nations.
At the end of the bilateral meetings a banquet was hosted by Singh in honour of the prime minister and her delegation from Trinidad and Tobago, along with other specially invited guests.
Haitian migrants flock Brazil
The influx of Haitian economic migrants into Brazil does not amount to a humanitarian crisis, a spokesman for the UN refugee agency said yesterday while praising the country's efforts to welcome them.
"It is a difficult situation for the cities where the Haitians are arriving, but it is not a humanitarian crisis," said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The influx, which began in February 2010 shortly after Haiti was devastated by an earthquake, has been accelerating in recent days.
Most of the Haitians are assembling in the towns of Tabatinga and Brasileia, on Brazil's northern border with Peru.
In Brasileia alone, there are 1,100 Haitians, many with health problems or reporting to have been abused by traffickers, according to human rights officials.
"The Haitians arrived claiming to be refugees although virtually none of them qualify for this status. But Brazil generously gave them a humanitarian visa so that they can stay in the country and look for work, which is what they are really after," said the UNHCR spokesman.
For that reason, the UNHCR is not directly involved but has offered to assist Brazilian authorities if needed, the source added.
The Haitians in Brasileia, which has a population of 20,000, are being sheltered in holding centres where authorities are providing food and medical care.
Many of the migrants say they had to pay between US$1,500 and US$5,000 to traffickers in exchange for air passage from Port-au-Prince to Ecuador and Colombia from where they trek to Brazil via Peru and Bolivia.
Brazil, Latin America's dominant economy, has become the choice destination for Haitian and Bolivian migrants lured by ongoing massive infrastructure projects linked to the country's hosting of the 2014 football World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Brazil also leads the UN peacekeeping contingent in Haiti.
Landslide kills eight in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state
A least eight people have been killed in a landslide in Brazil.
Emergency workers said 14 people could still be buried in the mud in Jamapara, in Rio de Janeiro state.
Officials said rescuers had only been able to reach the site by helicopter after the main road to the town was cut off by torrential rain.
The landslide happened in the same area where thousands of people were evacuated last week when heavy rains caused a dam to burst.
Local residents said they were woken by a sound which resembled that of an explosion.
Nine houses were buried in the mud.
Emergency funds
One family is believed to have been buried in their car. Their neighbours said they had slept in the car for fear their house could be swept away.
On Monday, the government launched an emergency plan to deal with the torrential rains which have affected the southeastern states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff approved a fund of $240m (£155m) to help communities affected by the rains.
Heavy rains and landslides are not uncommon in the mountainous area of Rio de Janeiro state.
A year ago, more than 1,300 people died or went missing during a particularly wet season.