Greek PM George Papandreou to unveil new cabinet
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is set to announce a new cabinet as a concessionary move as he seeks support for new austerity measures.
Mr Papandreou, who will stay in his post, says he will put the new government to a vote of confidence in the parliament.
Renewed fears that Greece will default on its debt have shaken markets.
The proposed measures are necessary to gain EU and IMF aid, but have
been met with fierce opposition in Greece.
Athens witnessed some of the most violent protests in more than a year on Wednesday as demonstrators went on to the streets and took part in a general strike.
Mr Papandreou had also faced the threat of a revolt in his socialist Pasok party over the controversial package.
'Road of duty'
Mr Papandreou, who came to power in 2009, has not indicated the extent of his ministerial shuffle, but correspondents say it may include the replacement of Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou.
The government is seeking approval for a package of 28bn euros (£24.6bn; $40.5bn) of cuts, due to take effect from 2012 to 2015.
The policies are required for the release of the next tranche of aid - 12bn euros - from the EU and IMF.
In an address on Wednesday, Mr Papandreou announced he would "continue on the same course".
"This is the road of duty, together with Pasok's parliamentary group, its members, and the Greek people.
"Tomorrow I will form a new government, and then I will ask for a vote of confidence," he said.
During talks, Mr Papandreou was said to have offered to step down to clinch a coalition, but later agreed to carry on.
EU commissioners are said to have a "profound sense of foreboding" about Greece and the future of the eurozone, according to leaked account of a meeting on Wednesday seen by the BBC.
Greece became the world's least credit-worthy nation after Standard & Poor's ratings agency downgraded it earlier this week.
On Wednesday, tens of thousands of activists and unionists gathered in Syntagma square in Athens, near parliament.
A further 20,000 people also demonstrated in Thessaloniki, police said.
The general strike was the third in Greece this year.
The events destabilised markets, with major indexes witnessing the biggest drop on Wednesday since 1 June, and the euro sliding more than 1% against the dollar.
Yields on Greece's 10-year bonds reached a record high of 18.4%.
Serena Out of Eastbourne Tournament
Serena Williams’ comeback run at Eastbourne ended today in the second round with a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 loss to top-seeded Vera Zvonareva.
According to the AP, Zvonareva came through a tense match in 3 hours, 12 minutes for only her second win in eight matches against the 13-time Grand Slam champion.
“I know I can do better,” Williams said. “I can improve and I’m so close to being there, it’s good.”
The No. 3-ranked Russian avenged her 6-3, 6-2 loss in the 2010 Wimbledon final, which turned out to be Williams’ last match for almost a year. Williams won her fourth title at the All England Club, but stepped on broken glass at a restaurant in July and needed two foot surgeries. She later developed blood clots on her lungs.
Williams showed her trademark tenacity in the third set, coming back from 5-2 down to make it 5-5, saving three match points at 5-4. But Zvonareva immediately broke again and a tiring Williams couldn’t muster another rally.
Williams lost on grass for the first time since dropping the 2008 Wimbledon final to her sister Venus. Today, Serena was awarded a Wimbledon seeding of No. 7, which is 19 places above her ranking.
Despite the loss, Williams is pleased with her preparations for the defense of her title — and even happier that the foot injury is no longer troubling her.
“It was a good two matches for me,” she said. “I couldn’t be happier with the amount of tennis I played so it’s good, just keep going.
“I haven’t played in almost a year, so I’m a little sore. But it’s good that I’m sore now because hopefully next week I won’t be as sore. (The foot) is holding up really well, and I’m just really excited about that.”
Venus Williams wins through at Aegon International
Five-time champion Venus Williams continued her Wimbledon preparations with a 6-3 6-2 defeat of Ana Ivanovic at the Eastbourne Aegon International.
The American, 31 on Friday, has dropped to 33 in the world rankings but will be seeded 23rd at SW19 next week following withdrawal of Kim Clijsters.
Williams has been sidelined since the Australian Open in January because of abdominal and hip injuries.
She needed just over an hour to oust former world number one Ivanovic.
Having marked her return with a 7-5 5-7 6-3 victory over Germany's Andrea Petkovic on Monday, she looked sharper against Ivanovic, breaking her opponent's serve four times.
"Obviously, it's great, no breaks of serve. That's ideal for me in the match," she said.
"To get a double break at the end just feels awesome. I was really happy to have those clean service games and not a lot of errors."
It was not all good news for the Williams family, however, with Serena beaten 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 5-7 by top seed Vera Zvonareva in a match lasting three hours 12 minutes.
Playing for the first time in a year after two operations on a foot she cut after last year's Wimbledon followed by further surgery in February to remove blood clots from her lungs, Williams was serving for the match at 6-4 5-4 but double-faulted after two net cords.
The 29-year-old, who hit 59 winners, fought back from 5-2 down in the deciding set and saved three match points at 4-5, but Zvonareva immediately broke again and secured only her second victory in eight completed matches against the American.
"It was definitely a tough match, Serena is a great champion and played some unbelievable tennis after a year not playing. A lot of respect to her," 26-year-old Zvonareva said.
"I was really happy with the way I played today and that I won this match."
Despite the defeat Serena was also pleased with her progress as she prepares to defend her Wimbledon title and said: "It was a good two matches for me. I couldn't be happier with the amount of tennis I played so it's good, just keep going.
"I haven't played in almost a year so I'm a little sore. But it's good that I'm sore now because hopefully next week. I won't be as sore. (The foot) is holding up really well and I'm just really excited about that."
Fourth seed Francesca Schiavone was another casualty, losing 6-3 6-2 to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.
Bahrain Grand Prix cut from 2011 F1 calendar
Formula 1's governing body the FIA has confirmed that the Bahrain Grand Prix will not be part of the 2011 programme.
The race, originally scheduled for 13 March, was called off in February after more than 30 lives were lost during pro-democracy protests in the country.
Earlier this month, it was reinstated and rescheduled for 30 October.
But teams objected on logistical grounds and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was forced to come up with another calendar with Bahrain removed.
When asked to ratify the calendar, the World Motor Sport Council, which decides on rules and regulations for the FIA, unanimously voted in favour of staging the inaugural Indian Grand Prix on 30 October.
The FIA's decision at the start of June to restore the race to the calendar, with Bahrain taking the October slot and the Indian Grand Prix moving to 11 December, was announced as unanimous but proved highly controversial.
The decision to reinstate the Bahrain race also outraged human rights campaigners, with nearly half a million people signing an online petition demanding a boycott.
Cancellation was seen as inevitable since any change to the calendar required the unanimous written agreement of the teams.
They expressed their concerns to the FIA and F1's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, voicing strict opposition to the idea of a race in December.
Fota - which represents all the F1 teams bar back-of-the-grid Hispania - explained how a grand prix so late in the year would be "unbearable to our staff".
Max Mosley, the former head of world motorsport, said the sport would suffer enormous damage if the race took place.
He told BBC Radio 5 live at the time: "I will be astonished if the event goes ahead. I don't think it will happen."
Bahrain lifted emergency law this month after crushing anti-government protests but tensions remain high.
It remains on the FIA's provisional 2012 calendar as the 11 March season-opener, although one of the 21 races is expected to be dropped.
WI cricketer Marlon Samuels says he's confident form will return
It was a confident Marlon Samuels who touched down at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday, as he looks forward to the Jamaica leg of the Digicel Pearls one-day inter-national series.
The West Indies and Jamaican middle order batsman, who spent two years out of the game after an International Cricket Council ban, made his return last year and is playing in only his second series since.
"Everybody appreciates me coming back, so it is just for me to continue putting in the hard work and show the world what I can do, but everything takes time," Samuels shared. "My cricket is basically taking time, but once I get the flow going there is no turning back and most definitely I will be unstoppable.
"The greatest thing is that I am back, and I am in international cricket, so I guess everything else will fall into place," he added.
Despite the West Indies being 3-1 down in the five match ODI series, Samuels believes the team is a good one and it is just a matter of time before they start winning consistently.
"It is a good team, it is a happy team and we are gelling together; it is just for us to get the complete cricket going; batting, bowling and fielding and just try to win more games," Samuels expressed. "We have to get accustomed to winning, and that is what this team is trying to do because the hard work is there, it is just for us to start winning more games," he added.
The 30-year-old Samuels is looking forward to playing in Jamaica in front of his home crowd and intends to put on a show for them.
"Coming here to Jamaica, I am definitely looking forward to playing here; it is home," Samuels highlighted. "I am here to entertain my fans, so I am definitely pumped up right now and ready to come and show Jamaica what they have been missing for a long time," he added.
The part-time off-spinner who averages 28.84 runs in 30 Test matches is looking forward to playing the longer version of the game if picked for the Test series, which begins on June 20.
"Coming back after a long layoff from cricket, I am most definitely looking forward to playing the longer version," Samuels said. "I have been playing some one day cricket, but the longer version will put me in a better rhythm," he added.
Bolt shoots new Gatorade commercial
As he prepares for what is expected to be another career-defining year in his already illustrious athletic career, the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, recently took time out to participate in the filming of a commercial for a new Gatorade campaign to be launched this summer. The commercial was filmed right here in Jamaica.
This campaign will roll out less than a year after Gatorade successfully launched the Bolt-inspired Lemon Ice flavour in Australia. It will feature a stylish new Gatorade package and more competitive pricing for consumers.
Shot at the University of the West Indies/Usain Bolt track where Bolt has been preparing for this championship season, the commercial did not impact too much on the champion sprinter's training schedule. He also explained that it was very important that he shot the commercial there. "Any opportunity to showcase Jamaica in a positive way is important to Brand Usain and Brand Jamaica," Bolt said.
very animated
The triple Olympic and World Champion was very animated while speaking about the shoot and the upcoming campaign which he believes further cements his relationship with Gatorade. "Jamaica is an important location to any brand, and it is my home, so I am always excited about Jamaica," Bolt said. "I do realise that Gatorade was a company committed to maintaining relationships with the best sport has to offer, and I thought I represented an aspect of that. Gatorade is an A-class organisation and I am pleased. I look forward to strengthening that relationship."
The campaign will feature Bolt drinking from the new Gatorade bottle and, according to the world record holder, he is already in love with the new design. "It's cool, and easy to handle," he said.
Word is that behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot will be made into a viral video that can be viewed on facebook.com/ pepsijamaica, as well as other popular sites, to prepare the public for the upcoming campaign that should be ready for launch about June or July this year.
Bolt has been using Gatorade since 2008 and continues to because he said it has become an essential part of his daily training regimen. "Gatorade represents rehydration, which is key to training, especially in Jamaica's warm climate," he said.
Ne-Yo seeks local talent - Launches Caribbean leg of his record label
R&B superstar Ne-Yo has launched the Caribbean leg of his record label and yesterday, announced plans to have a series of parties in Negril for Emancipation weekend.
The singer announced his intentions for the island's music at his media launch last night at the Spanish Court Hotel.
He unveiled the Caribbean leg of Compound Entertainment label, dubbed 'Compound Island.' The Compound brand takes the Jamaican initiative even further with his Compound Island series of parties set for Negril from July 29 - 30 this summer.
Speaking about his Compound Island label Ne-Yo said, "the reason we decided to do this here, besides the obvious talent, is that the Jamaican market is very single-driven, where you have that one special song. We believe that is where the music business is heading right now, that singles matter more than the album."
Ne-Yo explained that artistes like Rihanna and Bruno Mars have taken Jamaican melodies, rhythm and reggae music to achieve success overseas. The singer believes that local acts can reach just as far with reggae music. "Reggae music is global music, you can go anywhere to hear it, you can go to Australia and hear it," Ne-Yo said. He added that it is a lack of knowledge on the worldwide, global music business that has been the drawback for local acts.
According to Ne-Yo, his label will be doing a local online talent search competition for singers, groups, songwriters, producers and more in the near future. Compound Island has a team who will be working here, conducting the search and more. Nonetheless, Ne-Yo explains that he plans to be very 'hands on' for his new venture giving his expert advice to local talent.
Ne-yo told The STAR, "we're looking for fresh talent, people we can mould." What can persons do to impress the international star? Ne-Yo explained, "be the best you can be, at what you do."
To introduce 'Compound Island' to Jamaica, Compound Entertainment will be hosting the Compound Island Party Series. The Compound Island Series will feature three events over two days to be held at the Jungle nightclub. The first day features the VIP Welcome Party, with the second day hosting the 'All White Party' during the day and the 'Finale Party' in the night.
The singer was in Jamaica for a three-day stay, hitting the local entertainment scene visiting various parties. This marks Ne-yo's third visit to the island, the last, being when he performed at Reggae Sumfest in 2009. He said, "this experience has been a lot different, the other times I was here it was for a show, which was the highlight of my time here. This time I got to hang out and experience the Jamaican night life."
Justin Timberlake Rejects Chance of Jay-Z Collabo
Justin Timberlake has ruled out a collaboration with Jay Z after the rapper snubbed a chance to record a track for the singer’s 2006 album.
In the new issue of Vanity Fair, the star of “Bad Teacher” said he reached out to Jay Z while he was working on “FutureSex/LoveSounds” to discuss a possible duet, but the rap mogul was unable to fit the studio session into his schedule and instead promised to help out on Timberlake’s next project.
But Timberlake turned down the offer – because he’s convinced they’ve already missed the perfect opportunity.
He tells Vanity Fair magazine, “Jay Z has put out 11 albums, and I was talking about doing a collaboration with him, and he said, ‘I can’t do it right now, but I’ll get you on the next album.’ I was like, ‘No, man, I don’t work like that. This sounded good to me for you and me to do together, and if it doesn’t work, then I totally get it, but I won’t be putting an album out next year; these aren’t a dime a dozen to me.’”
Prequel to ‘Takers’ a Big Possibility
Chris Brown alerted his fans via Twitter this week about a possible prequel to the movie “Takers.”
He wrote, “S/O 2 every1 watching Takers … talked studio into writing a PREQUEL..”
However, there is no real backbone to Brown’s announcement. The producer of the original film, Will Packer, neither confirmed nor denied the next movie.
He said in a follow-up tweet, “guess it’s time 2 go 2 work again *puts down margarita *.”
This isn’t the first time talk about a prequel came up. Last summer producer and co-star T.I., Brown and actor Michael Ealy talked about the possibility before the film premiered.
“I just wanna see how this eclectic group of people got together… It’s interesting. We talk about back-story [a little bit] but how did this British guy, this guy from the South and this surfer guy, how did they all come together to form this crew?” Ealy discussed with MTV News. “That’s going to be interesting to see, it all comes together.”
“There are definitely whispers around the studio about that… Some phone calls have been made about that. But ultimately, it depends on what happens on August the 27th,” said T.I.
Aug. 27, 2010 was the movie’s release date and it did well, making more than $20 million during opening weekend and grossed triple that overall. Given the film’s popularity, a prequel is definitely worth looking into.
Bond producer Barbara Broccoli accepts libel damages
Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has accepted undisclosed libel damages from newspapers that suggested she used her position to fund a charity she chaired.
Last August, the Mail papers claimed Broccoli, as a board member of the UK Film Council, had improperly awarded the First Light charity a grant.
On Wednesday the High Court was told the articles were "deeply upsetting" and had been harmful to her reputation.
Broccoli took over the Bond franchise from her late father Albert "Cubby".
She and her stepbrother, Michael G Wilson, are currently working on the 23rd official James Bond film, due out in the UK in October 2012.
Founded in 2001, First Light provides funding and expertise to enable five to 19-year olds in the UK to create digital short films.
The organisation received £1.1m of National Lottery funding each year from the now-defunct UK Film Council.
Broccoli, who has been chair of First Light's board of directors since its inception, was appointed to the Film Council's board in August 2008.
According to articles in the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, the 50-year-old used her latter role to award herself or her company a sum of public money.
Her solicitor, Michael Skrein, said their publisher, Associated Newspapers, had now accepted that she "did not award herself or her own company any grant [and had] not misused any public funds".
He said that Broccoli accepted neither remuneration nor expenses from First Light and donated to it herself.
In a statement, Broccoli said it had been "very important" for her to get a correction and a published apology and that the damages would be passed to First Light.
"I am very committed to my work with the charity... and am delighted that all of these damages will assist in funding film-making projects for kids from all backgrounds across the country," she said.