Hip-hop legend Biz Markie dies at age 57
Hip-hop legend Biz Markie, best known for his 1989 single "Just a Friend," has died at age 57.
His rep confirmed his passing in a statement to ABC News Friday.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce, this evening, with his wife Tara by his side, Hip Hop pioneer Biz Markie peacefully passed away," the statement read. "We are grateful for the many calls and prayers of support that we have received during this difficult time."
"Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years," the statement continued. "He leaves behind a wife, many family members and close friends who will miss his vibrant personality, constant jokes and frequent banter. We respectfully request privacy for his family as they mourn their loved one."
It was in 2010 that Markie revealed he'd been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. After a 140-pound weight loss, Markie told ABC News in 2014 that he "wanted to live" and that if he "didn’t make the changes, it was going to make the diabetes worse." The rapper was hospitalized in April 2020 due to complications from his diabetes, and the following December it was reported that Markie was staying in a rehabilitation facility after going into a diabetic coma and suffering a stroke.
Markie's rep refuted reports in late June, 2021 that Markie had died, saying that his client was "under medical care, surrounded by professionals who are working hard to provide the best healthcare possible."
Born Marcel Theo Hall in Harlem, New York, Markie began his music career with the Juice Crew, serving as the group's beatboxer. Often referred to as ''Clown Prince of Hip-Hop'' for his ability to inject humor into his lyrics, Markie gained mainstream attention with the 1989 hit single "Just a Friend," from his second studio album, The Biz Never Sleeps. Sampled from Freddie Scott's "(You) Got What I Need," the song features Markie both rapping and singing. It became his biggest career hit, reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 11 singles chart.
In addition to several studio albums, Markie made numerous guest appearances on songs including the Beastie Boys' "Bennie and the Jets" and Will Smith's "So Fresh." He was even sampled by The Rolling Stones for their track "Anybody Seen My Baby?"
Markie also enjoyed a successful acting career, appearing on several episodes of the sketch comedy show In Living Color, portraying a beatboxing alien in Men in Black II, and making several cameos on the children's show Yo Gabba Gabba for his segment "Biz's Beat of the Day." Other credits include Sharknado 2, The Meteor Man, and Breath Control.
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT
GENERAL SITUATION: THE NORTHERN EXTENT OF A TROPICAL WAVE MOVING WESTWARDS ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA WILL TRIGGER A FEW LINGERING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AS IT CONTINUES TO EXIT THE AREA. MEANWHILE, HIGH PRESSURE WILL PROGRESSIVELY BUILD IN ITS WAKE THROUGH TONIGHT.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS IN THE EXTREME NORTHWEST BAHAMAS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT DUE TO THE RISK OF POSSIBLE WATERSPOUT ACTIVITY. BEACHGOERS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE SLIGHT RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORELINES.
FOR ALL AREAS:
WEATHER:VARIABLY CLOUDY, HOT, AND A BIT BREEZY WITH A FEW PASSING SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY OCCURRING OFFSHORE IN THE EXTREME NORTHWEST BAHAMAS THROUGH TONIGHT.
ADVISORY: EXPECT GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 KNOTS.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 90°F 32°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 75°F 24°C
SUNRISE: 6:29 AM MOONRISE: 10:39 AM
SUNSET: 8:00 PM MOONSET: 11:35 PM
HIGH TIDE: 11:40 AM HIGH TIDE: 11:57 PM
LOW TIDE: 5:44 PM LOW TIDE: 6:25 AM THU
EXTENDED FORECAST: (FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS) THE SURFACE RIDGE WILL GRADUALLY WEAKEN ACROSS THE BAHAMAS. MEANWHILE, A LOW TO MID-LEVEL TROUGH ACCOMPANIED BY A PLUME OF TROPICAL MOISTURE WILL SPARK SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE ISLAND CHAIN AS THE TROUGH PROPAGATES NORTHWESTWARDS THROUGH TO FRIDAY.
Microsoft announces Windows 365, a subscription cloud PC
Microsoft has announced a new "cloud PC" product where users can stream a Windows device from anywhere.
Windows 365 will work similarly to game streaming - where the computing is done in a data centre somewhere remotely and streamed to a device.
That means all sorts of devices - including tablets or Apple Macs - can stream a full Windows desktop PC.
It is being sold to businesses to begin with, as many firms move to a mix of office and remote working.
Microsoft is marketing the new way of using a PC as "hybrid Windows for a hybrid world".
The company says that every user's apps and settings will boot instantly from any device - allowing personalised Windows PCs to be accessed from anywhere.
"The Windows experience is consistent, no matter the device," the announcement promised.
"You can get the same work done on a laptop in a hotel room, a tablet from their car between appointments, or your desktop while you're in the office."
It will launch in August for business customers "of all sizes", Microsoft said. To begin with, it will stream a version of Windows 10 - but the successor, Windows 11, will also be available once it launches.
There is no news on whether a personal product will follow. However, Microsoft has been moving towards a subscription model for its man services for nearly a decade.
Microsoft Office began marketing subscription licences with Office 2013, which was launched alongside Office 365, as the subscription version is known. It now makes more money than its single-purchase desktop-bound version.
Similarly, Microsoft has been championing the ongoing subscription model in its gaming division. Its Xbox Games Pass service has largely won over sceptical gamers, providing a range of titles to download and play for a monthly fee. It has recently added game streaming, using similar technology to this new version of Windows.
The backbone of the service already existed, using Microsoft's widely-used Azure platform and existing virtualisation technology.
The downside to such services is that their long-term cost for individuals is often much higher than a one-off purchase.
Microsoft has also dramatically lowered the price of Windows for many customers. Where once it was sold on discs at computer stores for a significant cost, the company has offered customers free upgrades from one version to another for many years, and will do the same for Windows 11.
Source-BBC
Kia Soul EV won't go to the U.S.
The Chicago Auto Show is the first show where the Kia EV6 has been displayed for the public to see, and it's highly impressive. But it got us wondering about another Kia EV that was announced a couple years ago but still hasn't shown up in America: the Kia Soul EV. We spoke to a Kia representative, and he didn't have good news.
Apparently the Soul EV won't be offered in the U.S. It was delayed in part because of supply issues, and the company reportedly wasn't going to bring the next-generation version, here, but apparently even the current one is officially dead for the U.S. The representative said Kia is making the Niro EV the small electric crossover focus for America. Part of the reason is that its slightly larger size and more traditional crossover appearance make sense for the U.S. market.
Source-AutoBlog
Britney Spears says she wants dad Jamie charged with conservator abuse
Britney Spears is so happy, she's doing cartwheels -- literally.
On Wednesday, the 39-year-old singer took to Instagram to post a video of herself horseback riding and doing cartwheels in the grass. Alongside the post, which was fittingly set to KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," Britney wrote, "Coming along, folks ... coming along [middle finger emoji]!!!!!"
"New with real representation today ... I feel GRATITUDE and BLESSED," Britney continued. "Thank you to my fans who are supporting me ... You have no idea what it means to me be supported by such awesome fans !!!! God bless you all !!!!!"
Britney was referring to Wednesday's development in her ongoing conservatorship battle, in which a judge approved Spears' request to appoint high-powered attorney Mathew S. Rosengart as her new legal counsel on Wednesday for her conservatorship case. Rosengart immediately pledged to get Britney's father, Jamie Spears, removed as her conservator.
Britney's celebratory Instagram post concluded, "Pssss this is me celebrating by horseback riding and doing cartwheels today," adding #FreeBritney. By the way, it's believed this is the first time that Britney herself has used the #FreeBritney hashtag in a public social media post.
Britney's boyfriend, Sam Asghari, as well as celebrities Ariana Grande, Jersey Shore's Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and thousands of fans, showered the "Stronger" singer with support in the post's comments.
"YOU ARE SO VERY LOVED AND SUPPORTED," Ari commented.
Britney Spears addressed California Superior Court Judge Brenda J. Penny on Wednesday, stating her desire to have her father removed from her conservatorship. "I am here to get rid of my dad," she said.
She also said during Wednesday's hearing that she wanted to charge her father, Jamie Spears, with conservator abuse.
Britney also has a new attorney. Penny approved high-powered attorney Mathew S. Rosengart to be the pop star's new legal counsel. The judge also approved Samuel D. Ingham III's request to resign as the singer's court-appointed attorney.
While Rosengart appeared in person in court, Britney and Jamie Spears called in via telephone. Also appearing remotely were Britney's mother, Lynne Spears, as well as co-conservator Jodi Montgomery, who has served as the conservator of the singer's personal affairs since 2019 when Jamie vacated the role.
Penny also approved the request from Bessemer Trust to step down as co-conservator in the handling of Britney's estate, leaving Jamie in sole control of her finances. Jamie's involvement in the conservatorship has been a point of contention for some time; during Wednesday's hearing, Britney spoke about her "serious abandonment issues" and said that as a child, she was "extremely scared" of her father.
"My dad needs to be removed [from the conservatorship] today," she said, adding that she approved of Montgomery's job as conservator of her person.
These developments came three weeks to the day after her bombshell testimony about her conservatorship on June 23. This testimony did more than just make headlines -- it served as the catalyst for several changes regarding her 13-year conservatorship.
Britney, 39, has been in a conservatorship since 2008, when she was hospitalized for mental health reasons.
The Grammy winner's next day in court is scheduled for September 29.
Source-ABC
Minister of Foreign Affairs for Japan to visit Jamaica
TOSHIMITSU Motegi, minister of foreign affairs for Japan, will visit Jamaica from July 19 to 20, the Japanese Embassy in Kingston announced yesterday.
During his visit, the minister will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Andrew Holness and hold ministerial dialogue with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. In addition, he will hold a Japan-Caricom ministerial meeting.
“Through this visit, Minister Motegi will exchange opinions on cooperation for the maintenance and expansion of free and international order based on the rule of law, globally faced issues such as measurements against the novel coronavirus and strengthening economic relationships,” the release said.
Provo Eagles wins the 2021TCI Elite Boys U17 Youth League
The inaugural Fortis TCI Elite Boys U17 Youth League concluded on Saturday, 12 July 2021. The tournament provided an excellent opportunity for 127 players from across the Turks and Caicos Islands to compete. The league consisted of one team from South Caicos (Mariners), one team from North/Middle Caicos (Seals), two teams from Grand Turk (Dynamos and Dolphins), and four teams from Providenciales (Jaguars, Falcons, Lions, Eagles).
During this first season, fifty-nine matches were played within fifteen rounds of competition. A total of 281 goals were scored, by 61 scorers.
Aisha Laporte, CFO of Fortis TCI said “All of us at Fortis TCI are very proud of this league, and very committed to our partnership with the TCIFA, which has made this possible. We are especially pleased at the level of competition that this tournament has given to our young footballers from all across our family islands. It means so much to us that players from Grand Turk, North/Middle Caicos, South Caicos, and Providenciales could be in Providenciales week after week.” She continued, “since we’ve partnered with the TCIFA in 2017 to launch the Fortis TCI Youth Football Leagues, our goal continues to be the development of our youth as players and as young people who will one day lead this country.”
Indrani Saunders, TCIFA Executive Committee Member with responsibilities for youth football, commented, “The past year has been challenging for us all, but especially for the youth. For months, this pitch has been empty due to the pandemic. But the last eight weeks have brought back some normalcy to our lives. We enjoyed watching the talented players from across the TCI come together.” She continued, “This league would not have been possible without Fortis TCI’s partnership. It has continued to make a positive impact on our youth football development throughout our islands.”
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS:
MVP GRAND TURK DYANOMOS: DAVIDSON MENEIDE
MVP GRAND TURK DOLPHINS: OMARION LIGHTBOURNE
MVP SOUTH CAICOS MARINERS: MARCO WILLIAMS
MVP PROVO JAGUARS: MIKE LEGERME
MVP PROVO FALCONS: PETERSON ST. FLEUR
MVP PROVO EAGLES: CALLUM PARK
MVP PROVO LIONS: LOUIS SANDRO
GOLDEN GLOVE: SAMUEL HARVEY (PROVO JAGUARS)
GOLDEN BOOT: LOUIS SANDRO (PROVO LIONS), 18 GOALS
MVP OF THE SEASON: LOUIS SANDRO (PROVO LIONS)
THIRD PLACE: PROVO JAGUARS
SECOND PLACE: PROVO LIONS
CHAMPIONS: PROVO EAGLES
Black Widow opens with pandemic record $80 million at the weekend box office
Marvel's long-delayed Black Widow opened with an estimated $80 million, crushing the previous pandemic-era record set by F9: The Fast Saga just three weeks ago. Disney also reports the standalone prequel adventure of star and executive producer Scarlett Johansson's titular Avenger, also available on Disney+ with Premier Access for $30, collected an additional $60 million through the streaming service.
Black Widow, also starring Florence Pugh, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, Olga Kurylenko, William Hurt, Ray Winstone and Rachel Weisz, cleaned up overseas as well, bringing in an estimated $78 million, bringing its worldwide haul to around $158 million.
Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
The aforementioned F9: The Fast Saga dipped to second place with an estimated $10.9 million, bringing its stateside totals to $141.3 million after three weeks. Overseas -- where the film debuted before it did in the U.S. -- F9 has earned $400.5 million, bringing its worldwide gross to $541.8 million.
Grabbing third place was The Boss Baby: Family Business, a follow-up to the 2017 smash, The Boss Baby, delivered an estimated $8.7 million in its second week of release, raising its domestic total to $34.7 million.
Fourth place belonged to the latest chapter in The Purge franchise, The Forever Purge, earning an estimated $6.7 million, for a two-week total of $27.4 million.
Rounding out the top five was A Quiet Place Part II, earning $3 million in its seventh week. Its total here in the states now stands at upwards of $150 million. Overseas, the movie has added an estimated $128.3 million so far, bringing its current worldwide earnings to $279 million.
Source-ABC
EU puts its digital tax plan on ice
The EU has said it will suspend its plans to tax online tech giants in the light of global efforts to agree a minimum corporate tax rate of 15%.
The move comes after G20 finance ministers agreed at the weekend to support the global effort, which will now go before G20 leaders in October.
The EU said putting its own plan on ice would make it easier to achieve "the last mile" of the international deal.
But Ireland declared it would stick to its lower tax level of just 12.5%.
"We have decided to put on hold our work on our new digital levy," said European Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie.
The announcement coincided with a visit to Brussels by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who urged all 27 EU countries to join the global deal.
"We need to put an end to corporations shifting capital income to low-tax jurisdictions, and to accounting gimmicks that allow them to avoid paying their fair share," she said.
However, Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, said his country's 12.5% corporate tax rate had "worked for Ireland" and said the reform plan was about "big countries trying to get a bigger share of the pie".
"We've taken about €10bn a year in corporation profit tax, double what the average European country does per head," he said.
"It's one of those examples of where low taxes result in higher revenues, in a world where wealth capital, labour, corporations are very mobile."
Governments have long grappled with the challenge of taxing global companies operating across many countries.
That challenge has grown with the boom in huge tech corporations such as Amazon and Facebook.
Source-BBC
Germany floods leave 48 dead and dozens missing
At least 48 people have died in western Germany and many more are missing following severe floods, police say.
The worst of the flooding has been in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, where buildings and cars have been washed away.
At least six others have died in neighbouring Belgium, and the city of Liège has urged all residents to leave.
It follows record rainfall in parts of western Europe that has caused major rivers to burst their banks.
The Netherlands has also been badly hit, with flooding rivers damaging many houses in the southern province of Limburg. A number of care homes have also had to be evacuated.
Malu Dreyer, chief of Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate state, described the flooding as a "catastrophe".
"There are dead, missing and many people still in danger," she said. "All of our emergency services are in action round the clock and risking their own lives."
Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is in the US ahead of a meeting with President Joe Biden, said she was "shocked by the disaster".
At least 19 people died in the Ahrweiler district of Rhineland-Palatinate, after the Ahr river, which flows into the Rhine, burst its banks.
Police helicopters and hundreds of soldiers have been deployed to some areas to help stranded residents. Earlier, police said dozens of people were waiting on rooftops to be rescued.
Schools have been closed around the west of the country, while transport links have been severely disrupted.
Forecasts suggest more heavy rain is due in much of western Europe on Thursday and Friday.
Experts say that climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events.
Source-BBC