PJ Morton, H.E.R., Yolanda Adams and more to perform at the Black Music Collective pre-Grammy event
The Recording Academy has announced PJ Morton, H.E.R., Yolanda Adams and more artists as performers for the Black Music Collective's pre-Grammy event.
According to a press release, the new initiative will celebrate Black creators and professionals and their influential contributions to the music industry, including a performance from Grammy-nominated rapper and producer Freddie Gibbs & Alchemist.
"As the first of its kind, we created this event with every intention to amplify Black voices and each of our experiences within the industry," said Harvey Mason Jr., Chair and Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "The BMC will continue to foster a space for members and industry professionals to educate and elevate Black creators during GRAMMY Week and beyond."
The BMC event will also reflect on the contributions of industry executives, including Universal Music Group's Jeff Harleston, songwriting veteran Jimmy Jam, Quincy Jones and former BET chief Debra Lee.
Viewers can also look forward to fireside chats regarding the Black experience in the wake of social justice with John Legend, Janelle Monáe, activist Tamika Mallory, and the multi-hyphenated actor, producer and director, Issa Rae. Together, the culture icons will discuss topics such as "the impact of Black music, the culture shifting power of Black music, impact of Black women in music, and the power, purpose, and progress of the state of Black music."
Tune into the virtual Black Music Collective event Wednesday, March 10 at 8 p.m. ET on Grammy.com.
Source-ABC
PAHO director says the Americas should be a 'global priority' for COVID-19 vaccines
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr Carissa Etienne yesterday described the Americas, which includes the Caribbean, as the “epicentre” of the COVID-19 pandemic and called on the international community to make regional access to vaccines “a global priority”.
“The life-saving power of vaccines should not be a privilege for the few, but a right for all – especially the countries at greatest risk like those in the Americas, which remain the epicentre of the pandemic,” she said during her weekly media briefing. “Our region needs vaccines as soon as possible, and as many as possible, to save lives.”
Asserting that the Americas has been the region hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, she said “millions remain vulnerable to infection and death”.
While 28 countries have started providing COVID-19 vaccines through bilateral deals with manufacturers or small donations from other countries, “that is not enough, and it is not acceptable,” the PAHO director said.
Countries receiving COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX — the global mechanism working to ensure equitable access — will receive hundreds of thousands of doses in the next few weeks. PAHO's Revolving Fund has been leading efforts on behalf of regional countries to purchase vaccines through that facility.
Despite the steps being taken to deliver vaccines as quickly as possible, Dr Etienne said, “We are still way behind where we should be as a region.”
“That is why we are urging the global community to make COVID vaccinations in the Americas a global priority, as it is where the need and risk are greatest,” she said.
The initial distributions of COVAX-procured vaccines to countries in the region will cover about two to 2.5 per cent of the population.
Although noting that pandemic conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean are mixed, Dr Etienne said: “I want to emphasise that we are certainly not out of the woods.”
In many countries, infection is still growing. In the Caribbean, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Turks and Caicos Islands are reporting a rise in new infections.
“To control the virus, we must remain vigilant and committed to the public health measures we know are effective — especially as new variants circulate in the region and may increase the burden on our health systems,” Dr Etienne said. “That is why PAHO continues to monitor the virus' spread in our region for any changes in transmission, and why countries must continue to practice social distancing, wear masks and avoid mass gatherings.”
Dr Etienne provided assurance that COVID vaccines procured through COVAX are safe and effective. The vaccines — evaluated rigorously and thoroughly by WHO and, in many cases, by national regulatory authorities — have been shown to dramatically reduce possibilities of severe symptoms.
“Through the power of vaccines, our region has eliminated smallpox, polio, rubella and measles,” the PAHO director said. “With COVID-19, it's no different: safe and effective vaccines will help us turn the tide of this pandemic, but only if we can reach those most vulnerable, no matter where they live or who they are. And we will still need to maintain the proven public health measures of testing, contact tracing, quarantine, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and masks until the pandemic recedes.”
Source-CMC
Diana Ross says she has new music on the way: "I just completed singing 14 new songs"
Just a couple weeks after the sad news that her former Supremes band mate Mary Wilson had suddenly passed away, Diana Ross has revealed that she's recently recorded more than a dozen new songs.
The Motown legend posted a message on her social media sites today that reads, "Life is about change, and this time has, in many ways, been a gift of Reflection and Gratefulness. My Love and Gratitude has never been stronger. It seems it will be another year before I am able to tour again. I will always continue singing. Songs of Love and Appreciation…I just completed singing 14 new songs. 'Thank you' for your Love and Friendship. Coming soon."
Earlier in the week, Diana posted another note explaining that she missed performing so much, and that she was "recording new music and songs in my home studio."
Ross' last studio album to date, I Love You, was released in 2006, although a series of hit dance remixes of her classic songs have been issued in recent years.
Source-ABC
Tina Turner opens up about the ups and downs of her career in new documentary trailer
A new trailer for HBO's Tina Turner documentary, Tina, has just been released detailing the ups and downs of the legendary singer.
According to a press release, Tina takes an "intimate look at the life and career of musical icon Tina Turner, charting her improbable rise to early fame, her personal and professional struggles throughout her life and her even more improbable resurgence as a global phenomenon in the 1980s."
The trailer features footage from Turner's memorable performances, including "Proud Mary," personal stories about her childhood and her mother, as well as clips of her ex-husband, Ike Turner, with whom she shared a tumultuous marriage for 16 years.
"I'm a girl from a cotton field that pulled myself above the destruction and the mistakes," says Turner in the trailer.
Tina will also offer archival footage and new interviews with the 81-year-old. For her musical contributions, Turner was recently announced alongside Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, and Mary J. Blige, as one of 16 superstar acts in the running for induction into the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Tina was previously inducted in 1991 as half of Ike and Tina Turner, but this is her first time as a solo artist.
Tina debuts Saturday, March 27 at 8 p.m. EST on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
Tiger Woods hurt in rollover car crash in California, in serious condition: Officials
Golfing great Tiger Woods was injured in a rollover car crash in Southern California Tuesday morning, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said.
In a statement to Golf Digest, Tiger’s agent Mark Steinberg said the legend, "suffered multiple leg injuries" in a "single car accident." Steinberg added, "He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support."
The crash took place at about 7:12 a.m. on the border of Rolling Hills estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, the sheriff's office said.
Woods, the driver and only occupant, was extricated through a windshield and taken to a hospital for his injuries, the sheriff's office said.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said he was transported in serious condition.
The PGA Tour said in a statement, "We are awaiting further information when he comes out of surgery. On behalf of the PGA Tour and our players, Tiger is in our prayers and will have our full support as he recovers."
Former NBA champ Dwyane Wade posted photos to Instagram Tuesday of him on a golf course with Woods on Monday.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Source-ABC
DOJ announces arrest of 'El Chapo's' wife on international drug trafficking charges
The wife of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman was arrested Monday in Virginia at Dulles International Airport on international drug trafficking charges, with prosecutors accusing her of participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana for import into the U.S.
Emma Coronel Aisupuro is also accused of conspiring with others to assist El Chapo in his July 2015 escape from Altiplano prison and prosecutors said she also planned with others to arrange another prison escape for the drug kingpin before his extradition to the U.S. in January of 2017.
She will make her initial appearance Tuesday virtually in D.C. District Court. Aisupuro, 31, is a dual U.S.-Mexican citizen, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico.
Guzman Loera was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in New York in 2019 for his role as a leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.
In addition to the life term, the judge ordered a $12.6 billion forfeiture, which prosecutors said was a conservative estimate of the proceeds of El Chapo’s drug trafficking.
The government presented evidence that Guzman ordered the murder of or, in some instances, personally tortured and murdered 26 individuals and groups of individuals. His army of assassins carried out violence on his orders, prosecutors said.
The story is developing.
Source-ABC
Shortage of computer chips causes problems for auto industry
A shortage of computer chips is causing problems for the auto industry.
General Motors has warned that it is likely to lose around $2 billion this year as a result. Ford had to slow down the F-150 production for a week. The shortage is now spreading across to other industries.
For the auto industry the problem is a supply and demand issue created by manufacturing. Because of the issue many automakers are having to slow or stop production to put the chips in vehicles.
GM had to shut down its Fairfax, Kansas plant that builds the Cadillac XT4 and the Chevy Malibu. It also closed the Cami assembly plant in Canada where they build the Chevy Equinox. The San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico was also closed.
n Windsor, Ontario, Stellantis closed its minivan plant where it makes the Pacifica. Toyota had to close a plant in Arlington, Texas where they build the Tundra. It’s also closing the Tennessee and Missouri plants where they make Tundra parts.
Guidehouse Insights Auto Analyst Sam Abuelsamid said after automakers cancelled a lot of orders during the early days of the COVID pandemic, the chip makers moved to make more chips as schools needed more computers for in-home learning.
“A manufacturer may have the option of maybe not just building certain trim levels that have certain options. Or, if it’s something like a powertrain where every vehicles got it 100 percent of your vehicles have that powertrain chip, then you’re basically stuck,’ he said.
Source-Click on Detroit
WhatsApp to switch off messages for all who reject new terms
WhatsApp users who do not accept its updated terms and conditions by the 15 May deadline will be unable to receive or send messages until they do so.
Their account will be listed as "inactive". And inactive accounts can be deleted after 120 days.
Calls and notifications will still function for "a short while" but, TechCrunch reported, probably only a "few weeks".
WhatsApp announced the update in January.
There was a backlash among many users who thought it meant the company was planning to change the amount of data it shared with its parent company, Facebook.
It later clarified this was not the case - the update is actually aimed at enabling payments to be made to businesses.
WhatsApp already shares some information with Facebook, such as the user's IP address (a sequence of numbers attached to every device which connects to the internet, it can also be used to pin down its location) and purchases made via the platform.
But this is not the case in Europe and the UK, where different privacy laws exist.
Following the initial announcement, platforms such as Telegram and Signal saw a huge surge in demand as WhatsApp users sought alternative encrypted-messaging services.
WhatsApp delayed the initial rollout and has now changed the way it is notifying users of the changes.
Source-BBC Tech
Jay-Z sells 50% stake in Ace of Spades to luxury giant LVMH
If Jay-Z ever had a reason to pop some bubbly, the time is now because he announced that he's selling half of of his champagne brand Armand de Brignac, better known as Ace of Spades, to luxury conglomerate LVMH.
The announcement came Monday morning from the rapper himself. In a tweet, the brand shared, "Shawn JAY-Z Carter is pleased to announce a partnership with Moët Hennessy as they acquire a 50% stake in Armand de Brignac."
While there was no mention of how much that 50 percent stake costs, Page Six notes that Jay previously hinted at the brand's value on a 2018 Meek Mill record.
"I’m 50 percent of D’Ussé and it’s debt-free, 100 percent of Ace of Spades, worth half a B,'" he rapped on the track.
The outlet adds that sources speculate the value has only grown since then.
Source-ABC
Sri Lanka names 20-member squad for West Indies tour
Sri Lanka Monday named a 20-member squad for six limited over matches against the West Indies delayed by COVID-19 infections.
The cricket board said fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, 24, who tested positive on Monday was being replaced by 33-year-old Suranga Lakmal for the three one-day internationals and the three T20 matches.
The Twenty20s will be played on March 3, 5 and 7 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua while the ODIs will be at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium on March 10, 12 and 14.
Sri Lanka Cricket did not immediately name a squad for the two Tests also be at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium with the first game starting on March 21 and the second on March 29.
The tournament was delayed after coach Mickey Arthur and opening Test batsman Lahiru Thirimanne contracted coronavirus earlier this month. Both have since recovered and have joined the tour to the West Indies.
One man not going to the Caribbean, however, is former Test player Chaminda Vaas who quit as fast bowling coach on Monday within days of his appointment.
Vaas, who only replaced Australian David Saker on Friday, resigned over a pay dispute.
Source-AFP