Curry Does it again in the All Star Challenge
Stephen Curry shot his way to another 3-point title and Domantas Sabonis made sure the Skills Challenge still belongs to the bigs.
Then Portland's Anfernee Simons sealed his final, winning dunk with a kiss. Well, almost.
Curry, the Golden State Warriors superstar, provided a dramatic preview for his seventh All-Star Game appearance when he sank his final 3-pointer to edge Utah's Mike Conley for the title on Sunday night. Curry also won the 3-point content in 2015.
Conley had the lead with 27 points before Curry was the final shooter of the contest. Curry had 26 points before sinking his final shot from the corner for 28 points and the win.
''I could hear the temperature rise a little bit,'' Curry said of the reaction from the small crowd allowed in State Farm Arena.
''It was some awesome competition,'' Curry said. ''I'm glad I got it done.''
After a runner-up finish to 2020 Skills Challenge winner and fellow big man Bam Adebayo of Miami, Indiana's Sabonis returned to win the title.
The 6-foot-11 Sabonis did not miss a pass or 3-point shot in elimination wins over Julius Randle of the New York Knicks and Luka Doncic of Dallas in the test of passing, ball-handling and shooting ability. Doncic fell behind by missing in his first two tests of his passing accuracy.
Sabonis beat Orlando's 7-foot Nikola Vucevic in the matchup of big men for the skills title. Each missed two 3-point shots before Sabonis sank his third attempt and then clinched his fist in victory.
''It was fun,'' Sabonis said. ''I wanted to come out and make sure I got it done this time.''
Curry had 31 points in the first round to lead the contest. Also advancing were Jayson Tatum, with 25 points, and Conley, with 28.
Tatum led off the final round with 17 points while making only one shot from the ''money ball'' rack. Conley nearly duplicated his first-round total and it appeared it might be enough until Curry solidified his reputation as one of the top shooters in NBA history.
Simons showed off his leaping ability and creativity to beat New York's Obi Toppin and Indiana's Cassius Stanley in the two-round dunk contest that started off with Stanley's spectacular slam that received a surprisingly low score.
The 6-foot-3 Simons soared, almost kissing the rim, on a powerful right-handed jam to beat Toppin in the final. Simons puckered his lips as if kissing the rim, even though he was a few inches away.
Source-AP
En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa, Gladys Knight, Davido and more appear in Coming 2 America
If you haven't watched Eddie Murphy's new film, Coming 2 America, you have no idea what you're missing.
The star-studded sequel to the 1988 comedy of the same title follows Murphy as Prince Akeem, who prepares to take his seat as King of Zamunda upon his father's death. His plans are almost halted after he returns to New York to find his long lost son Lavelle, played by Jermaine Fowler.
Coming 2 America also features cameo appearances and performances from a number of artists, who just so happen to be featured on the film's soundtrack.
Fowler and Teyana Taylor team up to perform their track "Gett Off" with Brandon Rogers at a royal party. In the film, Taylor plays the daughter of Wesley Snipes' character General Izzi and a love interest for Lavelle.
Female icons En Vogue and Salt-N-Pepa perform a mashup of their 1993 classic "Whatta Man" and Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" at a royal party. Fellow music legend Gladys Knight also appears to perform "Midnight Train from Zamunda," a takeoff on her classic 1973 hit with The Pips, "Midnight Train to Georgia."
The Coming 2 America soundtrack also features hip hop legends Public Enemy, Ice-T, and PMD as well as Nigerian superstars Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy and Davido, who performs at the royal wedding.
Coming 2 America is available on Amazon Prime. You can find the film's soundtrack on streaming services everywhere.
Source-ABC
TCI records 15th COVID-19 related death
The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital announced to RTC News that they are saddened over the country's fifteenth COVID-19 related death.
An elderly patient with known confirmed COVID-19 disease passed away at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Friday, March 5th, 2021, shortly before midnight. The patient was under isolation and clinical management at the hospital, and their condition worsened. The next of kin has been notified of the death, and relatives were supported.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health wish to extend our deepest condolences to the grieving family and friends on the unfortunate loss of their loved one.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health would like to remind the general public to practice the relevant public health measures to suppress the spread of COVID-19.
If you have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, please stay at home and contact the Ministry of Health Hotlines on 232 9444 or 333 0911. Please do not visit health care facilities if you have symptoms or signs of COVID-19. If your symptoms are severe, please call 911. Consult with your health care provider regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Kobe Bryant to be honoured at the NBA All-Star game
The 2021 National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star game was in jeopardy of not being played due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, but the league and players made a decision to proceed. However, like just about everything else, the 'All-Star Weekend' is going to be very different from those that have gone before.
Instead of a big weekend, the NBA's annual celebration of the game will take place on one night for the first time. On Sunday, March 7, the cream of the NBA crop will converge at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, home of the Atlanta Hawks, and compete in both the All-Star Game and the usual 'skills' events.
The Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest (normally held on the Saturday of All-Star Weekend) will take place pre-game, while the Dunk Contest will be held at half-time. In addition, the league announced that they will honour Kobe Bryant during the All-Star Game by once again incorporating his jersey number (24) into the determination of the final target score.
A number of participating players (and Atlanta's mayor) have voiced their objections, mainly due to the risk of contracting the virus, but the one-day extravaganza will not be denied. To counter dissenting voices, the NBA has established additional measures to supplement the league's current health and safety protocols. These include private travel to and from Atlanta, the creation of a “mini bubble” environment within a single hotel for players and coaches, and enhanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
Additionally, for enhanced safety, there will be no fan activities, ticketed events or hospitality functions as part of the festivities. However, four guests will be allowed per person for All-Star participants and every attendee will be required to remain within the hotel during the weekend, except for activities at State Farm Arena.
A lot has been altered to facilitate the 70th installment of All-Star Weekend; however, one of the things that remains the same is the All-Star Captains picking their teams. That relatively recent tradition has been an exciting addition to the All-Star Games in the past few years.
The last two years saw Giannis Antetokounmpo (East) and LeBron James (West) being All-Star captains but, this year, Brooklyn Nets' forward Kevin Durant has been installed as captain of the East while LeBron reprises his now familiar role. However, for the second time in three seasons, injuries will prevent Durant from playing in the NBA's annual All-Star Game, but he will remain as captain and participated in the All-Star draft last evening (Thursday, March 4).
Indiana Pacers' forward Domantas Sabonis will replace Durant in the line-up as his left hamstring injury, sustained on February 13, will force him out. Durant is averaging 29.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the 19 games played and was named an NBA All-Star Game starter and team captain, his 11th All-Star selection.
Sabonis has now earned his second-straight NBA All-Star selection. He is averaging a career-high 21.5 points, 11.7 rebounds (fifth in the NBA) and a career-high 5.7 assists in 30 games played this season. He joins NBA All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Julius Randle of the New York Knicks as the only players who are averaging at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
Four players (Jaylen Brown, Zach LaVine, Julius Randle, and Zion Williamson) will be making their first All-Star Game appearance, while LeBron James will be making his 17th appearance. That number puts him third all-time, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) and Kobe Bryant (18).
The line-up of participants in this Sunday activities include the following:
Skills Challenge: Robert Covington (Portland Trail Blazers), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns), Julius Randle (New York Knicks), Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers), Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic).
3-Point Contest: Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).
Dunk Contest: Anfernee Simons (Portland Trail Blazers), Cassius Stanley (Indiana Pacers), Obi Toppin (New York Knicks).
All-Star Game: Along with Lebron James (frontcourt), the Western Conference starting pool includes the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (guard), the Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (guard), the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic (frontcourt) and the LA Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (frontcourt). In the Eastern Conference, Kevin Durant (frontcourt) is joined in the starting pool by the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (frontcourt), the Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal (guard), the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (frontcourt) and the Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving (guard).
A record five international players have been voted NBA All-Star Game starters — Antetokounmpo (Greece), Doncic (Slovenia), Embiid (Cameroon), Irving (Australia) and Jokic (Serbia). The previous record was four, which was set last year.
Usually, All-Star Weekend includes fun festivities and lucrative endorsement opportunities for players over several days — not this year. There really won't be any fans in attendance, so the energy and electricity will be dimmed but, with the invited pool of talent, it should still be an entertaining event.
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NBA Champion
Team Odds
Los Angeles Lakers 3.60
Brooklyn Nets 3.95
Los Angeles Clippers 5.80
Milwaukee Bucks 8.00
Utah Jazz 8.00
Philadelphia 76ers 14.00
Denver Nuggets 25.00
Boston Celtics 30.00
Miami Heat 30.00
Phoenix Suns 35.00
Source- Mark Archer-Jamaica Observer
Regional financial integration a US$57-billion opportunity
Acting chief executive officer (CEO) of Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange Limited Eva Mitchell says with an estimated US$57 billion in investable funds across the Caribbean, integration can strengthen the region's financial services sector and enhance global competitiveness.
Mitchell indicated that given the unique and inherent vulnerabilities that impact the region, improving financial integration, for instance, through more intraregional trade and policy coordination, can help economies build greater resilience and scale, as well as technological innovations.
“The two major economic benefits I see [are] economic growth and risk-sharing. Firstly, mobilising the savings of our regional population to finance the growth of our companies, both large and small, will fuel the growth of our countries and promote the development of the Caribbean financial system,” she said at the virtual launch of the JSE e-Campus Caribbean Securities Trader Professional Certificate programme on Monday.
“Secondly, by allowing cross-border financing and investment, it facilitates portfolio diversification, thereby the sharing of risks across the countries. Such risk-sharing allows income to be assured against country-specific shocks and therefore consumption and income to be smooth and sustainable over time,” she argued.
However, while there is a greater level of cross-border investments, Mitchell noted that if these initiatives are seamless throughout the region it can allow for greater efficiencies and a more diverse range of products.
“… This can only be done if we address the structural deficiencies of our regional economy, which is the lack of linkages across the various countries. And to do this we must come together and position our workforce, talent pool, and financial services, so that we meet investor demand by issuing financial products in one country that would allow regional and international investors from other territories to easily benefit,” she contended.
“We must also enhance our digital capabilities, and COVID-19 has mobilised the entire world into a digitalised society and global economy. Therefore, it is imperative for the financial sectors across the region to seamlessly transition to become more technologically-driven.”
Pope Francis to become first pontiff to visit Iraq
When the pontiff touches down in Baghdad on Friday, it will be the culmination of a Vatican trip decades in the planning.
Pope Francis will be the first pope to ever visit this area of great biblical importance -- home to ancient civilizations. His trip is happening despite escalating violence, rising COVID cases and international concerns.
Questions about the timing of trip were raised repeatedly at a recent Vatican press conference. But it was the pope himself who addressed these concerns on Wednesday before his departure.
"The Iraqi people are waiting for us," the pope said. "They awaited St. John Paul II who was not permitted to go. One cannot disappoint a people for a second time."
St. John Paul II had tried without success to undertake this same trip to only be blocked by concerns of safety and political instability.
The church says the visit, which will last from March 5 to March 8, is to show support to the people of Iraq after years of violence.
The pope wants to use this trip not only to support the Christian Iraqis, but to reach out to all the religious communities in Iraq. In Ur, the birthplace of Abraham, who is a prophet important to Christians, Muslims and Jews, the pope will hold an interfaith meeting that will include readings from the Quran. Members of all the main religious segments have been invited.
Source-ABC
Drake drops Scary Hours 2 EP with features from Rick Ross, Lil Baby
Drake is back!
As promised, the Canadian rapper dropped his EP, Scary Hours 2, on Friday. The new record consists of three lyrically-heavy songs and include guest features from Lil Baby and Rick Ross.
Right off the bat, in the first track, titled "What's Next," Drake addresses the many rumors and speculation surrounding what he's been up to since the release of Dark Lane Demo Tapes in May 2020. As fans may recall, his album Certified Lover Boy was set to be drop in January, however a knee injury has delayed the release.
"Summer, all I did was rest, okay? And New Year's all I did was stretch, okay?" he raps on the record, before telling listeners, "We'll see what's about to happen next, okay?"
On the second track, "Wants and Needs" featuring Lil Baby, the 34-year-old rapper again addresses the media and fan speculation, beginning the song with a demand to "leave me out the comments, leave me out the nonsense." Meanwhile, in the chorus, he sings of the thoughts that run through his mind -- sins, M's, friends, and women.
Drake continues to talk about what it's like to be in the industry on the Rick Ross-assisted "Lemon Pepper Freestyle," confirming the ongoing theme of Scary Hours 2 -- the never-ending expectations of being an influential artist.
Source-ABC
Ambassador Irwin LaRocque ends Cariom duty this year
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) will this year be seeking a secretary general to replace the retiring Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.
In his opening remarks at the recent 32nd Intersessional Meeting of Caricom Heads of Government, the chair, Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago, mentioned that the tenure of the secretary general would end in August, and he commended Ambassador LaRocque for his unwavering commitment to regional integration.
“I would like to put on record today that you, with your quintessential cool, calm and steady manner, have served our community with distinction. Well done.” LaRocque has been in the post since 2011 and has served two five-year terms.
In the communique of the 32nd Intersessional Meeting, held February 24-25, there was no mention of the secretary general demitting office and of the start of a selection process for his successor. Ambassador LaRocque will still be in office, July 5-6, when the 42nd regular conference of Caricom heads will be held, chaired by Antigua and Barbuda, and at that conference, the matter of his departure and replacement should be more formally addressed.
Sir Edwin Carrington, who had been secretary general, demitted office in December 2010. In 2011, Senator Maxine McLean of Barbados, then minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, was appointed to head a selection committee for the new secretary general and the post was widely advertised. It is likely that deputy secretary general Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan of Suriname will act in the post while there is a search for the new secretary general. This has happened before.
Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas states that the secretary general shall be appointed by the conference, on the recommendation of the Community Council, for a term not exceeding five years.
Since 1973, there have been eight secretaries general. These were William Demas, Trinidad and Tobago; Sir Alistair McIntyre, Grenada; Joseph Tyndall, Guyana (Acting); Kurleigh King, Barbados; Roderick Rainford, Jamaica; Edwin Carrington, Trinidad and Tobago; Lolita Applewhaite, Barbados (Acting); and, currently, Irwin LaRocque, Dominica.
TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 2nd meeting of Cabinet on Monday 1 March 2021 at the Office of the Premier, Hilly Ewing, Providenciales.
All members were present.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Approved the revocation of the $200 Household Relief Stimulus Program and agreed on steps to ensure the re-distribution of existing funds in support of new stimulus programs.
· Approved a Citizen Relief Program of $11 million from the Covid-19 Stimulus Program and Contingency fund, enabling income assistance and relief of $1,000 to be paid to all eligible Turks and Caicos Islands Status Holders and British Overseas Territory Citizens permanently resident in the Turks and Caicos Islands within the last 12 months.
· Approved the exemption of Customs Import Duties on the importation of Personal Protective Equipment, Cleaning, Hygiene and Sanitation Supplies for a period of 6 months commencing March 3, 2021.
· Approved the waiving and write off of late fees or penalties through to 28 February 2021 on all outstanding contributions to the National Health Insurance Board owed by subscribers.
· Approved the waiving and write off of additional charges on late payment of National Insurance contributions by employers and self-employed persons, up to and including 28 February 2021.
· Approved contractual terms for Mr. Delton Jones as Director of Ports and noted the need for a review of the steps being taken to implement the recommendations from the Statutory Boards’ Review Report.
· Were updated on progress with the TCI - Bahamas Maritime Law Enforcement MOU and Shiprider Agreement.
· Approved the release of escrowed funds confiscated on behalf of the United States of America from the National Forfeiture Fund for transfer back to the United States Government Department of Treasury.
· Approved an extension of the Chairperson of the Procurement Board to 31 March 2021.
· Were updated on the state of the nation and discussed measures to further address and mitigate against any escalation of Coronavirus (Covid-19).
· Approved funding required for the efficient and effective roll out of the second tranche of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine to residents of the TCI.
Approved the following extensions or new measures with effect from midnight on Tuesday 2 March until 5am on Wednesday 17 March 2021 unless otherwise stated:
a) Night curfew on all islands from 23.00 (11pm) to 05.00 (5am),
b) All businesses on all islands to be closed by 22.00 (10pm),
c) Bars and restaurants to be limited to 30% of normal capacity both indoors and outdoors for sit-down only. No congregating around bar and restaurant counters allowed,
d) Pleasure craft to be limited to 30% of normal capacity for excursions,
e) Religious places of worship to be limited to 30% of normal capacity,
f) Extended restrictions on Weddings and funerals as follows:
- limited to 20 persons,
- must be held outdoors, and
g) Extended a complete ban on public and private gatherings, sporting or social activity of any description on all islands, including on beaches.
· Approved amendments to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public and Environmental Health (Covid-19) (Control Measures) Regulations 2021 in order to facilitate protocols to be issued by the Ministry of Health for the ceremonial first sitting of the House of Assembly.
· Approved an expanded use of lateral flow devices, with medical oversight, for the use of Covid-19 surveillance purposes in the TCI.
Aston Martin: The billionaire building 'a British Ferrari
This week sees the return of one of the most evocative names in the British car industry to the top level of motorsport.
On Wednesday, Aston Martin will unveil its first Formula 1 car in more than 60 years.
The move into F1 is the keystone of a bold plan to revive the flagging fortunes of the company and turn it into a sporting and commercial brand to rival Ferrari.
It is the brainchild of Canadian billionaire and executive chairman Lawrence Stroll. His intention, he says, is to build a business that will have "the strongest profile of any luxury automotive brand".
In early 2020, Aston Martin Lagonda was in deep trouble. Sales were poor, and the company was burning through cash. Its shares, launched on the London stock market in 2018, had been haemorrhaging value.
Lawrence Stroll provided a lifeline.
A billionaire who made most of his money through investments in luxury designer brands, notably Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors, he led a group of investors who were willing to inject new funds into Aston Martin.
The need for those funds became more acute when the effects of the Covid pandemic emerged and the industry ground to a halt.
The move left Mr Stroll as executive chairman - and in charge of the company. Meanwhile, he had already taken control of an F1 team, after leading a bid for the assets of Force India, which went into administration in 2018.
These elements are now coming together. The F1 team, which spent two seasons competing as Racing Point, has been rebranded as Aston Martin.
When it takes to the track this year, it will be the first time an Aston Martin has competed in F1 since a largely unsuccessful foray in 1959 and 1960.
With four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and Mr Stroll's son Lance as the team's drivers, it will be used to focus attention on the car company, which has been heavily restructured.
The parallels with Ferrari are evident and Mr Stroll clearly admires his Italian rivals.
"Ferrari has a great business model, and there are a great deal of similarities," he explains.
"But Aston Martin has a British, iconic 108-year history. If I'm not mistaken, about 50 years longer than Ferrari!
"F1, for a luxury performance automotive company, is the greatest platform in the world."
F1, he argues, provides both a marketing platform and an environment in which technology can be developed and refined for the next generation of roadgoing sports cars.
But the car industry is changing, and while policymakers around the world are increasingly forcing manufacturers to look towards electric cars, F1 appears to have no plans to abandon fossil fuels.
"F1 already uses the lowest emission power units in the world, which sadly is the world's best kept secret," says Mr Stroll.
The F1 community, he insists, is well aware of the direction in which the world is going, and has ambitious plans for new technologies to mitigate emissions further, using new engines and special fuels.
Source-BBC