NBA Round Up for Tuesday
Anthony Davis scored 34 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 109-102 to level their NBA Western Conference first round play-off series.
Davis, 28, also served up 10 rebounds, while LeBron James added 23 points for the Lakers to level the series at 1-1.
"I put it on myself as all leaders do and wanted to make sure I made a statement in this game," said Davis.
"Since last year, LeBron has been on me about perfection, playing hard and playing in environments like this."
The Lakers will now switch to their home court at the Staples Center for game three of the best-of-seven series on Friday.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic scored 39 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, adding seven assists and seven rebounds in a 127-121 win.
Doncic's second straight 30-plus-point game leaves the Mavericks 2-0 up in their Western Conference series, which now heads back to Dallas for game three on Friday and game four on Sunday.
Kevin Durant scored 26 points and Joe Harris added 25 as the Brooklyn Nets eased to a 130-108 win over the Boston Celtics to lead their Eastern Conference play-off series 2-0.
The Nets entered the play-offs as favourites to land the NBA Championship but now have two matches at Boston's TD Garden in the seven-game series.
Source-BBC
Akon's SUV was stolen as he was pumping gas
Akon was targeted by a brazen car thief in the early Tuesday as the "Smack That" artist was fueling up at an Atlanta gas station.
WAGA-TV reports that Akon, 48, had apparently left his car running as he was pumping gas into his Range Rover SUV, allowing an opportunistic thief to jump into the driver's seat drive off with the luxury vehicle.
Atlanta PD Captain Dorian Graham said of the unfortunate situation, "It only takes a second for someone to jump in your vehicle and take off."
Akon wasn't harmed and, luckily, was able to retrieve his car by using a tracking app on his phone to locate his vehicle's whereabouts.
The SUV was located in nearby Forest Park, Georgia -- which is about an 11 miles drive. An investigation is ongoing but no arrests have been made.
The brazen theft transpired the day after Atlanta officials mulled over a new measure that could deter wannabe car thieves by mounting security cameras directly on gas pumps.
Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong said that the additional cameras are necessary, adding, "It is a significant enough crime and a consistent enough crime that it warrants this intervention."
In addition, drivers are being cautioned not to leave their vehicles running during gas runs.
Source-ABC
Tiger Woods makes rare public appearance following accident
Three months after undergoing emergency surgery following a serious car accident, golf pro Tiger Woods appeared in public for the first time over the weekend.
A picture shared on a Luna Perrone's Instagram account shows Woods, on crutches, posing next to the youngster who is battling Ewing's Sarcoma.
"I got to have a quick chat with @tigerwoods this weekend when I bumped into him at the soccer fields!" Luna captioned the picture. "He told me to 'stay strong' which has always been my goal! Stay strong physically and mentally and inspire others to do the same! No matter what you are going through YOU GOT THIS!!!"
"Luna ran into Tiger at the soccer fields. His daughter plays soccer and flag football at the same fields that she plays at," Luna's mother Hailey told E! Online. "He was very nice and encouraging! He told her to stay strong and she told him to stay strong, too!"
Tiger was injured in a rollover car crash in Southern California back in February. He underwent emergency surgery on his right leg and later received follow-up procedures for his injuries.
During a press conference in April, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said speed was the cause of the accident, as well as Woods' "inability to negotiate the curve of the roadway."
Woods was driving at an estimated 84 to 87 mph before the accident. The car was moving at 75 mph when Woods struck a tree, according to the sheriff.
Source-ABC
Minister for Physical Planning and Infrastructure, Hon. Akierra M. D. Missick, travels to South Caicos with PPID team
The Minister responsible for Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Akierra M. D. Missick, recently travelled to the Island of South Caicos affectionally known as ‘The Big South’. She was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ian Astwood, Director of Public Works, Mr. Garvin Thomas, Principal Architect, March Macaulay and Executive Administrator, Ms. Bernadya Smith.
On arrival the Minister and PPID team were met by the District Commissioner, Mrs. Yvette Cox, and Public Works Team Member Maxwell Thomas, who escorted them as they visited various sites on South Caicos.
This initiative provided an opportunity to become cognizant of the needs, as they pertain to repairs and maintenance of the buildings visited as well as to conduct an assessment of other areas on the Island, that may also warrant preservation.
The Minister’s objective was to review ongoing government projects and to assess any additional required maintenance works on South Caicos.
The team first toured and assessed the Turks & Caicos Government Complex. They next viewed upgrades to the Conch Ground Port, where Hon. Missick met with some of the local fisherman and was able to get their views on improvements that would increase the efficiency of the seafood industry in South Caicos.
The Minister and the PPID Team then visited the Marjorie Basden High School, where the Principal Mr. Rodney Cox, afforded them a tour of the facilities, pointing out the works that were done and highlighting other maintenance needs.
Hon. Missick reminisced; “It is always a heartwarming experience returning to South Caicos, an Island that I formed many of my favorite childhood memories on. The task of revitalizing the Island of South Caicos will not be an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination; but with the guidance of key stakeholders, and the Community in South Caicos, we look forward to enhancing and developing sustainable and resilient communities together.”
The Minister expressed her commitment to offer any required assistance through the Department of Public Works and by extension, the Ministry and assured the community of South Caicos that she and the Team at PPID will maintain an open-door policy and is readily available to hear any concerns and rectify any issues that may arise.
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT WEDNESDAY 19TH MAY 2021
A QUASI-STATIONARY FRONT CONTINUES TO PRODUCE WIDESPREAD CLOUDINESS AND INCREASED SHOWER ACTIVITY MAINLY OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS. MEANWHILE, MODERATE TO STRONG WINDS CONTINUE TO FLOW ACROSS THE ISLANDS DUE TO BUILDING HIGH PRESSURE NORTH OF THE AREA.
THERE REMAINS THE POSSIBILITY OF WATERSPOUT ACTIVITY IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS…BEACHGOERS AND MARINERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS MAINLY ALONG THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORELINES.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY CLOUDY TO OCCASIONALLY OVERCAST, WARM AND WINDY WITH WIDELY SCATTRED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS THROUGH TONIGHT.
A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL AREAS…EXPECT GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 20 TO 25 KNOTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS…& NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 7 TO 10 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS, HIGHER IN GUSTS…AND 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 88°F 31°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 73°F 23°C
SUNSET: 7:47PM MOONRISE: 12:54PM HIGH TIDE: 2:15PM 2:37AM THU.
SUNRISE: 6:23AM THU. MOONSET: 2:20AM THU. LOW TIDE: 8:18PM 9:10AM THU.
***FIRST QUARTER MOON @ 3:12PM***
WEATHER OUTLOOK: VARIABLY CLOUDY, WARM AND WINDY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN VICINITY OF THE FRONT IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: A NON-TROPICAL SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP A FEW HUNDRED MILES NORTHEAST OF BERMUDA BY LATE THURSDAY AND PRODUCE GALE-FORCE WINDS. THE LOW COULD THEN MOVE SOUTHWESTWARD OVER WARMER WATERS ON FRIDAY BEFORE THE SYSTEM MOVES TOWARD THE NORTH AND NORTHEAST INTO A MORE HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT BY SUNDAY. THIS SYSTEM HAS A 30% CHANCE OF TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION DURING THE NEXT 5 DAYS AND IS NOT EXPECTED TO POSE ANY THREAT TO THE BAHAMAS.
8 Cars are carrying Wireless Apple CarPlay And Android Auto In India
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have become a major trend in India and an array of popular models currently get these connectivity features. Here we have listed 8 cars that offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In-car connectivity is becoming more and more popular among Indian car buyers right now.
Today a considerable number of customers opt for car variants that get connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are usually higher-level trims. As always, with time technology also evolves, and currently, wireless tech has become a major trend when it comes to cars, be it wireless phone charges or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. In fact, the latter two are a fairly new addition in the mass-market segment, and we already have an array of popular car models that offer these features. Here we have listed 8 cars that offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Nissan Magnite was one of the initial models to offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology, and the first one to get it in the subcompact SUV segment. The feature is offered with the XV and XV Premium variants of the Magnite, and if you get the optional Tech Pack, you will also get a wireless charger, JBL speakers, ambient lighting, and air purifier among other features.
Like the Magnite, the Renault Kiger is based on the same CMF-A+ platform, and thus share most of its traits as well. This includes wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. However, unlike the Magnite, the Kiger only get them on the top-end RXZ variant. That said, Renault too offers an optional Smart+Pack with the Kiger which comes with features like a wireless charger, front parking sensor, ambient lighting, and air purifier among other features.
Source-
Apple Powerbeats 2 headphone customers receive payout
Apple is paying up to $189 (£133) in compensation to customers of Apple Powerbeats 2 headphones in the US.
In 2017, a class action lawsuit claimed the headphones did not retain battery life and were not sweat or water-resistant.
The firm paid $9.75m (£6.9m) to settle, but denied all allegations and said it wanted to avoid expensive legal fees.
Anyone who bought Powerbeats 2 earbuds before August 2020 was eligible to receive a payout.
Customers told the MacRumours news site they had now started to receive individual payments from the settlement.
Those users and others on social media reported receiving between $57 and $114, but the court documents say a maximum of $189 could be paid out, with proof of purchase.
But some US customers said they had missed the November 2020 deadline to apply for compensation, and complained their headphones still didn't work.
Class action lawsuits - where a legal case against a business is brought on behalf of a group of people - are commonplace in the US.
However, these are rarer in the UK.
But there are are currently several high-profile cases against Google, Facebook and TikTok open, on behalf of millions of users of the technology platforms.
"The large amount of the settlement payout by Apply is likely to be reflective of the number of members of the class action," said Jowanna Conboye, technology and intellectual property partner at law firm Spencer West.
"As the settlement agreement held anyone who bought the headphones during the relevant period is eligible for the payout this could be in the hundreds of thousands considering the popularity of Powerbeats 2 in the active earphone market.
"Tactically Apple probably did the right thing in settling the case since it gets much less negative publicity that way and any issues with its product design or manufacture that would form part of the evidence before court remains secret and protected for Apple."
IOC 'must guarantee world-class Covid-19 protections', says World Players Association
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) "must urgently guarantee world-class Covid-19 protections" if this year's Games are to be held safely, the World Players Association (WPA) says.
IOC protocols "lack the same rigour and resources" seen in professional team sports, says the WPA, which represents athletes globally.
Tokyo is set to host the Games, delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic.
But the city is under a state of emergency because of a rise in cases.
That state of emergency is set to remain in place until the end of May, with the Olympics scheduled to start on 23 July.
Brendan Schwab, the WPA's executive director, said: "Despite having the benefit of time, knowledge and experience to prepare for this year's Olympics, it is alarming that so close to the planned opening, the IOC's measures fall so far behind the required standards.
"Given significant concerns over new and more harmful [coronavirus] variants and a vastly inconsistent global vaccine rollout, the IOC must urgently guarantee world class Covid-19 protections at the Games."
Organisers have created playbooks that lay out guidelines for the games including daily testing.
An IOC spokesman said, "We would refer you to the comments made by the Executive Director of World Health Organisation's (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Michael Ryan, who has just recently welcomed our strict Covid-19 countermeasures.
"Acknowledging that the Games are a complex event that requires a great deal of logistics and risk management, Dr Ryan said that the WHO has "confidence that the IOC and the host city Tokyo, and the Government of Japan, will make the right decisions regarding how best to manage the risks, and are working extremely hard right now to ensure that those risks are well managed.
"We would have nothing further to add to this endorsement of our approach by the world's leading health authority."
On Wednesday, IOC president Thomas Bach said that he would ease the burden on local medical systems during the Tokyo Olympics.
He added that national Olympic committees will be asked to arrange their own medical staff where possible and that the Games will be safe for the Japanese public.
Also speaking on Wednesday, the Swedish Olympic Committee's chief executive Peter Reinebo said the Games could "become a turning point in the global pandemic".
Reinebo added: "I think that Tokyo 2020 and the IOC have done a fantastic job in creating these bubbles and the testing programme in a way that feels safe and secure."
Tokyo and several regions of Japan were under a state of emergency as a test event was staged at an empty Olympic stadium earlier this month, while a small protest took place outside, calling for the Games to be cancelled.
American sprinter Justin Gatlin, the men's 100m champion in 2004, was one of 420 athletes to take part in the test event and said: "I felt beyond safe. The bubble has been very successful."
However, the United States track and field team have cancelled their pre-Olympic training camp in Japan because of concerns over the pandemic.
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka said last week that rising Covid-19 levels in Tokyo are a "big cause for concern" and she was "not really sure" the Olympics should go ahead this summer.
And Japan's top-ranked men's player Kei Nishikori, speaking at the Italian Open last week, said: "This is not like 100 people like [we have at] these tournaments. It's 10,000 people in an Olympic Village. With what's happening right now in Japan; it's not doing good."
Source-BBC
Netanyahu vows more Gaza strikes despite pressure
Israel's army says it has targeted the head of Hamas's military wing, Mohammed Deif, during the ongoing strikes on Gaza.
A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Brig Gen Hidai Zilberman, said Israel had tried to assassinate Deif, the head of the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades.
Deif, who has been on the Israeli army's most-wanted list for over two decades, has survived repeated attempts on his life over the years, including in the last major conflict in 2014.
Israeli news website Ynet reported that in one of the operations, Deif had been in his bunker when Israel hit the location.
He tends to stay in the background and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Hamas has not confirmed the reports.
Israel has accused a United Nations relief agency of "cynical misrepresentation" for suggesting it was preventing humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip.
On Tuesday the aid agency for Palestinians, known as UNRWA, called on Israel to enable access to Gaza for humanitarian supplies and its staff.
The agency said Israel had not approved such access and was therefore failing to meet its obligations under international law.
But Israel's foreign ministry denied this in a statement on Wednesday.
It said rocket fire from Palestinian militants in Gaza, not Israel, had halted the transfer of humanitarian aid on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“UNRWA’s claim that Israel is preventing humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza is a cynical misrepresentation and simply a lie,” the statement said.
"Israel will continue its efforts to co-ordinate the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza, taking into account security considerations.”
Now let's turn to the UK, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned a spike in anti-Semitic incidents in the country since the Israel-Gaza conflict began.
Johnson was asked what he would do to support Jewish communities in the UK during questioning by opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer in parliament.
"I share his horror at the outbreak of anti-Semitic incidents and the government has conveyed that message loud and clear to those who are responsible for enforcing the law against hate crime," Johnson said.
He said anti-Semitism must be called out "at every stage", adding: "We will not let it take root, we will not allow it to grow and fester."
His comments came after 116 anti-Semitic incidents were reported over 11 days from 8 May in the UK - a five-fold increase on the previous period.
Those incidents were recorded by the Community Security Trust (CST), which offers safety advice to the Jewish community in the UK.
Recent incidents dealt with by the police include an attack on Rabbi Rafi Goodwin near his synagogue in north London.
The head of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has said that Iran backs the Palestinians against what it calls the "Zionist regime" (Israel).
In a televised address, Hossein Salami said the conflict showed that "Palestinians have emerged as a missile-equipped nation."
Iran is a major supporter of Hamas, which it backs financially and militarily. The two sides fell out after Hamas refused to support Iran's ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Syria's civil war. But the two sides have since reconciled.
Following news of Joe Biden's call for a "de-escalation", a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Hazem Qassem, has told reporters that Israel has been refusing to engage with diplomatic efforts to end the violence.
"There are no specific dates for the issue of the ceasefire, because all the international efforts that are being made, as well as the Egyptian efforts, are met with an Israeli position that refuses to deal with ceasefire initiatives," he said.
He told Reuters news agency that if Israel ended its "bombardment on Gaza... there can be room to talk about arrangements to restore calm".
Source-BBC
Pipeline boss confirms $4.4m ransom payment
Colonial Pipeline has confirmed it paid a $4.4m (£3.1m) ransom to the cyber-criminal gang responsible for taking the US fuel pipeline offline.
Its boss told the Wall Street Journal he authorised the payment on 7 May because of uncertainty over how long the shutdown would continue.
"I know that's a highly controversial decision," Joseph Blount said in his first interview since the hack.
The 5,500-mile (8,900-km) pipeline carries 2.5 million barrels a day.
According to the firm, it carries 45% of the East Coast's supply of diesel, petrol and jet fuel.
Chief executive Mr Blount told the newspaper that the firm decided to pay the ransom after discussions with experts who had previously dealt with DarkSide, the criminal organisation behind the attack.
"I didn't make [that decision] lightly. I will admit that I wasn't comfortable seeing money go out the door to people like this.
"But it was the right thing to do for the country," he added.
The US government has recommended in the past that companies do not pay criminals over ransomware attacks, in case they invite further hacks in the future.
Colonial Pipeline took itself offline on Friday 7 May after the cyber-attack.
In return for the Bitcoin payment, the company received a decryption tool so it could unlock the systems compromised by the hackers - although that was not enough to restart systems immediately, according to the newspaper.
Operations resumed on the pipeline last week, although petrol shortages seen across states such as North Carolina and Georgia have persisted, according to data tracking firm Gas Buddy.
Mr Blount added that it would take months before some other business systems are recovered, and estimated that the attack would ultimately cost the company tens of millions of dollars.
He also regrets that the company has lost some degree of anonymity, having led the firm since 2017.
"We were perfectly happy having no one know who Colonial Pipeline was, and unfortunately that's not the case any more," he said. "Everybody in the world knows."
At the time of the hack, the DarkSide criminal gang acknowledged the incident in a public statement.
"Our goal is to make money and not creating problems for society," DarkSide wrote on its website.
"We do not participate in geopolitics, do not need to tie us with a defined government and look for... our motives," the group added.