Lionel Messi to join Inter Miami after leaving Paris St-Germain
Argentina legend Lionel Messi will join American side Inter Miami after his exit from French champions Paris St-Germain.
Messi, 35, had a more lucrative offer from the Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal while a return to Barcelona became an impossibility because of Financial Fair Play (FFP) limitations.
"I've taken the decision that I am going to Miami," Messi told newspapers Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo.
"[I decided] to leave Europe."
He added: "It's true that I had offers from another European team but I didn't even think about it because, in Europe, my idea was only to go to Barcelona.
"After winning the World Cup and not being able to go to Barca, it's time to go to MLS to live football in a different way and enjoy my day-to-day life more.
"Obviously with the same responsibility and desire to win, and to do things well, but with more calm."
The ex-Barcelona forward was keen on a return to the Catalan club this summer but the FFP limitations that will be in place for next season in La Liga made any ambitious plan to bring him back an impossibility.
The Spanish club was unable to keep Messi in 2021, leading to a tearful news conference as he left the Nou Camp and signed for PSG.
"I was afraid that it would happen again," he said.
"I really wanted, I was very excited to be able to return [to Barcelona], but after having experienced what I experienced and the exit I had, I did not want to be in the same situation again - waiting to see what was going to happen.
"I heard that they had to sell players or lower players' salaries and the truth is that I didn't want to go through that, nor take charge of obtaining something that had to do with all that."
Barcelona later released a statement saying Messi had chosen a Miami move over an offer from the Catalan club.
"President [Joan] Laporta understood and respected Messi's decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years," it added.
The Miami deal includes collaboration with brands like Adidas and Apple.
Messi won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player seven times and is expected to win it later this year after World Cup success.
This is the first time Barcelona icon Messi has played outside Europe.
With a Barcelona return failing to materialize, he had the straight choice between Inter Miami or Al-Hilal.
He was heavily tipped to be favoring a move to Saudi Arabia, where he would have joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the league in a deal that could not be matched financially.
But Messi was ultimately tempted to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami for a variety of reasons including lifestyle, and a deal with big brands that extends beyond football.
He already owns a house in Miami, which he rents out.
Paris St-Germain won Ligue 1 in both his seasons at the club but went out in the Champions League last 16, which means his time in France was not seen as a huge success.
He netted 32 goals in 75 games for the club - and ended this season with 16 goals and 16 assists in Ligue 1.
Messi's two-year contract comes to an end this summer and both parties agreed to go their separate ways, with the forward suspended for two weeks in May for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
His legacy comes from his time at Barcelona and winning the World Cup with Argentina in December.
He left Barca in 2021, after 21 years with the club, because of the club's financial problems.
Messi is Barcelona's record scorer with 672 goals and won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, and seven Spanish Cups.
Messi said he had chatted with close friend Xavi, the Barcelona manager, about returning to the club but "very little, once or twice at most" with president Joan Laporta.
"We were very excited because when something came out we would discuss if he really wanted me to come back, if it was good for the team and for him, and we kept in communication," Messi said.
"We never even got to talk about the contract. A proposal was passed over, but never a formal, written, signed proposal, because there was still nothing and we did not know if it was going to be possible or not.
"There was the intention, but we couldn't advance anything, we didn't even talk about money formally.
"If it had been a matter of money I would have gone to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere."
Source- BBC
Jodie Comer leaves Broadway matinee show over breathing problems due to poor NYC air quality
The matinee show of Broadway's "Prima Facie" was paused briefly on Wednesday afternoon when actress Jodie Comer began experiencing breathing problems due to New York City's poor air quality.
"Today's matinee of 'Prima Facie' was halted approximately 10 minutes into the performance after Jodie Comer had difficulty breathing due to the poor air quality in New York City because of smoke from the Canadian wildfires," the play's reps said in a statement obtained by ABC Audio. "The performance started again from the top with understudy Dani Arlington going on for Ms. Comer in the role of Tessa."
"Prima Facie" is a one-woman play by Suzie Miller. Comer stars in the show as Tessa.
The play has been nominated for four Tony Awards, including best actress.
Wildfires in Canada are currently creating poor air quality conditions in parts of the U.S., and smoke from the fires has engulfed the skies over much of the Northeast, prompting serious air quality alerts in at least 16 states.
In New York City, a dense blanket of smoke swept the area, casting the region in a hazy orange glow on Wednesday. Cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Columbus, Ohio, have also suffered poor air quality due to the fires.
Source- ABC News
Historical Wins at the 56th Annual South Caicos Regatta Festival: Miss Regatta and Miss Teen Regatta
The 56th Annual South Caicos Regatta Festival, held on May 25th and 26th, witnessed extraordinary victories in both the Miss Regatta and Miss Teen Regatta pageants, marking a significant milestone in the festival's history. Miss Amskaj Antoine, sponsored by Ellise KK Ltd., won the first-ever Miss Teen Regatta, while Miss Tinell Garland, sponsored by BOTCI, triumphed in the Miss Regatta competition after not placing in last year's event.
The inclusion of Miss Teen Regatta in the festival this year brought a new wave of excitement and meaning to the event. Traditionally, Thursday night was allocated to the Little Miss Regatta pageant, but the Committee decided to revamp the pageant and introduce Miss Teen Regatta. This change presented a major benefit by providing a platform for young women to express themselves, showcase their talents, and become ambassadors for their community and culture. The Committee recognized the importance of empowering the youth and believed that Miss Teen Regatta would be the ideal opportunity to do so.
Reflecting on her incredible journey, Miss Tinell Garland, who returned after not placing in last year's pageant, expressed, "Re-entering Miss Regatta was nothing short of a great opportunity to display my integrity, drive, and passion for country and culture." Speaking about her aspirations as the newly crowned Miss Regatta, Ms. Garland emphasized her main focus on uniting the South Caicos community and giving back to the island.
In a groundbreaking moment, Miss Amskaj Antoine emerged as the first-ever Miss Teen Regatta. Hailing from South Caicos and a student at Marjorie Basden High School, Ms. Antoine shared her plans for her reign, stating, "During my reign as Miss Teen Regatta, I plan to focus on the youth and elderly people on the island of South Caicos." With her name forever etched in the Regatta history books, she has pledged to undertake the challenging task of bridging the gap between these two groups.
The Committee extends its heartfelt appreciation to all the contestants who participated in the pageants and their respective sponsors; Adriauna Williams (Taste Bud TCI), Madelon Donatien (LLT VIP Services), Faith Bowens (Subtronic Sound Reinforcement), Monica Julien (Basic Essential), Ketchnaydine Thomas (Maxs Beauty), Jennie Louis (Omars Beach Hut), and all other participants for their incredible support.
The Committee would also like to acknowledge the generosity of the companies and individuals who donated to this year's pageant, including Honorable Rachel Taylor, Honorable Arlington Musgrove, Bay Road Development, Deveraux Malcolm, Dameko Dean Group of Companies, Jais, Gold Smith, Kostcho, Classy Fashions, Lovano Forbes, Best Price Supermarket, Anonymous Donor, Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, InterCaribbean, IGA Supermarket, Building Materials, Global Capital, Danny Bouys, Grace Bay Car Rentals, Seven Stars Resort, Flow TCI, Caicos Drip Department, Turks and Caicos Hotel Association, Villa Del Mar, and Ekfraseis by Ariella Missick.
Looking forward, the South Caicos Regatta Festival pageants will continue to grow as the Committee explores further opportunities for the queens to enhance their skills and character development. The Committee is excited to announce that Regatta 57 is tentatively scheduled to take place from May 23rd to 27th, 2024.
One dead, two injured in motor vehicle accident in St Mary
A motor vehicle accident on the Rosend main road in St Mary on Wednesday left one man dead and two others nursing injuries.
Dead is Leroy Jones of an unknown address.
Jones was sitting in his Honda Stepwagon, which was parked along the Rosend main road in a westerly direction when a Honda Civic motor car traveling in the opposite direction collided in the back of the parked vehicle. Jones and his passenger, and the driver of the Honda all suffered injuries.
They were taken to the Annotto Bay Hospital where Jones was pronounced dead and the two others admitted. The Annotto Bay police are investigating. Speeding is believed to have led to the accident.
Source- Jamaica Observer
Two killed, five injured after high school graduation ceremony in Virginia
A student and his stepfather were killed and five others injured in a shooting at a high school graduation ceremony in Virginia.
Police identified a 19-year-old suspect as the gunman and said they believed the attack was "targeted".
The shooting outside the Altria Theater in Richmond sent hundreds of people, many of them wearing graduation gowns, running for safety on Tuesday evening.
"It was obviously chaos," the city's police chief said. "People scattered."
Renzo Smith, 36, was celebrating the graduation of his 18-year-old stepson, Sean D Jackson when the gunman opened fire. Both men were killed.
A nine-year-old girl who is "related to the family" was also hit by a car during the ensuing chaos, police said. She was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The suspect, identified as Omari Pollard, 19, was arraigned in court and faces two counts of second-degree murder, officials said at a news conference on Wednesday. Police believe the shooting was "targeted" and the "result of an ongoing dispute".
Officers did not fire their weapons when apprehending the suspect and several guns were recovered from the scene.
Police said all five victims injured in the attack have recovered and are in "non-life-threatening condition".
"A day that should have been a moment of joy and celebration with friends and family was taken away in seconds and lives changed forever," said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. "Our city, our community, will not be defined by this violence."
The gunman opened fire in Monroe Park, which is directly opposite the theatre, shortly after the ceremony for Huguenot High School had finished at around 17:15 (21:15 GMT).
Families and graduates were leaving the theatre, which is near the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University when at least eight shots rang out.
People ran to escape, some carrying young children and babies, while others sought cover in nearby buildings. Graduates hugged and cried when they were reunited after the attack.
As well as those who were shot, police said another 12 people were injured in the rush or treated for anxiety due to the chaos.
"This should have been a safe space. People should have felt safe at graduation," said interim Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards.
"It's just incredibly tragic that someone decided to bring a gun to this incident and rain terror on our community," he said.
Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools Jason Kamras said the attack occurred on what was "supposed to be a joyous day when our kids walk the stage and get their diploma".
"I don't have any more words on this, I'm tired of seeing people get shot, our kids get shot and I beg the entire community to stop," he said.
Source- BBC
The Environmental Health Department Raises Vector Control Awareness Among Students During Vector Control Awareness Month School Visit
The Environmental Health Department and by extension, the Ministry of Health and Human Services, a leading advocate for Public Health and Vector Control, made a significant impact on students' understanding of vector-borne diseases during recent school visits. As a part of Vector Control Awareness Month, the organization hosted an engaging and educational event at schools throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands between May 22-26, 2023, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of vector control measures.
Vector Control Awareness Month, observed annually during the month of May, serves as an opportunity to educate communities about the risks associated with vector-borne diseases and promote effective prevention strategies. The Environmental Health Departments Vector Control Unit school visits were designed to empower students with knowledge about vectors, the diseases they transmit, and the proactive measures individuals can take to protect themselves and their communities.
During the visits, the Vector Control Unit team of experts engaged with students through interactive presentations, hands-on activities, and informative demonstrations. The event focused on cultivating a deeper understanding of vector biology, the habitats of common vectors, and the diseases they can transmit, such as dengue fever and Zika virus.
By fostering a proactive mindset, the Vector Control Team emphasized the importance of implementing vector control measures, such as removing standing water, using insect repellents, and employing proper waste management techniques. These actions serve as crucial steps in reducing vector populations and minimizing the risk of vector-borne diseases within communities.
"We believe that education is the key to preventing vector-borne diseases," said Zatanya Handfield, Vector Control Coordinator. "Through our school visits, we aimed to empower students with the knowledge and encourage them to become proactive advocates for vector control within their families and communities."
The events at the schools were met with enthusiasm and active participation from both students and faculty members. Students expressed their appreciation for the engaging sessions, which equipped them with valuable information to protect themselves and their loved ones from vector-borne diseases.
The Environmental Health Department and the Ministry of Health and Human Services remain committed to raising vector control awareness beyond Vector Control Awareness Month, by offering resources, educational materials, and community outreach initiatives. We encourage schools, organizations, and individuals to take proactive steps in preventing vector-borne diseases and promoting Public Health.
Miami Heats levels NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets
Bam Adebayo sealed the 111-108 win with a pair of free throws with 48.3 seconds remaining.
The Heat were 15 points down in the first half but outscored their opponents 36-25 in the final period.
Miami hosts game three of the best-of-seven series on Wednesday (Thursday 01:30 BST).
The Heat, who are aiming to become the first eighth-seeded team to win the title, were led by Gabe Vincent (23 points). Adebayo and Jimmy Butler scored 21 apiece in the win.
Nikola Jokic top-scored with 41 points for the Nuggets, but the defeat - their first home loss since 30 March - left coach Michael Malone frustrated.
"Let's talk about effort," said Malone. "I mean, this is the NBA Finals and we're talking about effort. That's a huge concern of mine.
"We had guys out there that were just, whether feeling sorry for themselves for not making shots, or thinking they can just turn it on or off.
"This is not the pre-season. This is not the regular season. This is the NBA Finals. That to me is really, really perplexing, disappointing."
The Heat, who lost the series opener 104-93, started game two strongly and led by 11 with less than five minutes to play in the first quarter but the Nuggets, with their bench players to the fore, battled back to lead 57-51 at the break.
The Heat tied it up at 66-66 midway through the third quarter but was 83-75 down going into the deciding period.
However, the visitors went on a 15-2 scoring run, taking the lead for the first time since the first quarter thanks to a Vincent three-pointer with 10:10 to play, and never trailed again.
"During the fourth quarter, our guys love to compete," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They love to put themselves out there in those moments of truth.
"Fortunately we were able to make a lot of big defensive plays down the stretch, and then we got a lot of contributions, which you're going to need against a team like this."
Source- BBC
'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' swings to massive $120.5 million opening
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” opened in U.S. and Canadian theaters with a massive $120.5 million, more than tripling the debut of 2018 animated original and showing the kind of movie-to-movie box-office growth that would be the envy of even the mightiest of Hollywood franchises.
Sony Pictures' “Across the Spider-Verse,” the multi-verse spinning animated Spider-Man spinoff, sailed way past expectations, according to studio estimates Sunday, riding terrific reviews (95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and strong buzz for the hotly anticipated follow-up to the Oscar-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
In the sometimes formulaic realm of superhero movies, 2018's “Into the Spider-Verse" offered a blast of originality, introducing a teenage web-slinger from Brooklyn, Miles Morales ( Shameik Moore ), a punk-rock Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), and a host of other Spider-People. It launched with $35.4 million on its way to $384.3 million worldwide.
“Across the Spider-Verse," which exponentially expands the film's universe-skipping worlds, cost $100 million, about half the cost of the average live-action comic-book movie. So at even the forecast $80 million that “Spider-Verse” had been expected to open, “Across the Spider-Verse” would have been a hit.
Instead, it has turned out to be a box-office sensation, and the second-largest domestic opening of 2023, trailing only “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” “Across the Spider-Verse,” directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, even topped “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," which debuted with $118 million, for the best opening weekend of the summer so far.
The film, shepherded by writer-producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, is part two in a trilogy that will conclude with a third chapter to be released next year. “Across the Spider-Verse” over-performed abroad, too, with $88.1 million overseas.
After a few family offerings for much of the first half of 2023, theaters are suddenly flush with kid-friendly entertainment. Last week's top film, the Walt Disney Co.'s live-action remake “The Little Mermaid,” slid to second with $40.6 million in its second weekend.
After launching with $95.5 million and $117.5 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend, “The Little Mermaid” dipped 57%, partly due to the formidable competition from “Across the Spider-Verse.”
Having cost a reported $250 million, “The Little Mermaid” was met with mixed reviews but more enthusiasm from audiences, giving it an “A” CinemaScore. But overseas, where previous Disney live-action remakes have thrived, is proving harder territory this time. The film added $42.4 million internationally over the weekend.
Disney also supplied the weekend's top counter-programming option in “The Boogeyman,” a mostly well-received horror adaptation of a Stephen King short story. Director Rob Savage's $35 million film, starring Sophie Thatcher and Chris Messina, had been initially intended to debut on Hulu before the studio pivoted. It opened with $12.3 million in ticket sales.
In limited release, the Sundance breakout film “Past Lives" launched with an impressive $58,067 per-screen average on four screens. Celine Song's directorial debut stars Greta Lee as a woman torn between a childhood friend from Korea (Teo Yoo) and her American husband (John Magaro).
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," $120.5 million.
2. “The Little Mermaid,” $40.6 million.
3. “The Boogeyman,” $12.3 million.
4. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” $10.2 million.
5. “Fast X,” $9.2 million.
6. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” $3.4 million.
7. “About My Father,” $2.1 million.
8. “The Machine,” $1.8 million.
9. “Suga: Agust D Tour Live in Japan,” $1.2 million.
10. “You Hurt My Feelings,” $770,000.
Source- ABC News
GM to invest over $1 billion in Flint plants to boost truck production
General Motors Co (GM.N) said on Monday it plans to invest more than $1 billion to re-tool two manufacturing sites in Flint, Michigan to prepare for a new generation of its internal combustion engine heavy-duty (HD) trucks.
GM has outlined this year a total of $1.7 billion in investments in Flint facilities to support the next generation of its heavy-duty pickups.
GM said it will spend $579 million at its Flint Engine Operations to produce a sixth generation of its small block V-8 combustion engine. Another $103.5 million will be spent upgrading a separate Flint facility that supports truck production.
GM's trucks compete with the recently redesigned Ford Motor Co (F.N) Super Duty and other heavy-duty versions of Stellantis NV's (STLAM.MI) Ram pickup, among the most profitable vehicles sold by the Detroit Three automakers, or any rival.
Last year, GM sold nearly 288,000 trucks with HD pickup sales, which rose 38% from a year earlier.
GM expects to start bargaining with the United Auto Workers union for a new contract with a deadline of Sept. 14 to reach an agreement with its U.S. production workers. Investment to secure jobs is a top union priority.
"When business is booming as it has been for the past decade — due to the hard work of UAW members — the company should continue to invest in its workforce,” Mike Booth, the UAW vice president in charge of the GM department said in a statement regarding the Flint investments.
Just ahead of GM's announcement in Flint, the UAW issued a video in which union President Shawn Fain and the head of the union's GM department slammed the automaker for outsourcing semiconductor production once done at a GM factory in Kokomo, Indiana.
Fain is from Kokomo, and members of his family worked at the GM facility that once employed 15,000 people. The plant now has just 100 workers. In the video, Fain criticizes GM for cutting U.S. semiconductor production in 2017 only to face a shortage over the past two years of semiconductors imported from Asia.
Source- Reuters
Apple expected to launch mixed-reality headset at WWDC
All eyes are on Apple as it is expected to launch a mixed-reality headset at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), in California.
It would be the technology giant's most significant product release since it unveiled the Apple Watch, in 2015.
Boss Tim Cook is expected to use his keynote speech to say this new product is the future.
But its expected price tag of about $3,000 (£2,400) might make that a tough sell for consumers.
While Apple has not yet confirmed its existence, reports suggest the headset will offer both virtual- and augmented-reality experiences.
Images online show the "Reality Pro" looking a bit like wraparound ski goggles.
If the leaks are correct, Apple has made its headset smaller and lighter by removing the internal battery. Users will instead have to carry an external battery that connects to the headset by a cable.
A reveal at WWDC will not mean the headset will be on immediate sale - it will hit the shelves later in the year, reports suggest.
Sol Rogers, from visual-effects film studio Magnopus, told BBC News the industry would not change overnight as a result of WWDC but it would bring "validation and credibility" to the technology as a whole.
And when Apple does "find success", it would "redefine our digital and physical realities and propel us into a future where the extraordinary becomes every day".
The conference, at Apple Park, the company's headquarters, in Cupertino, California, will be streamed live on its website and YouTube channel.
Mr. Cook is also expected to speak about Apple's artificial intelligence (AI) strategy.
Since the rise of OpenAI's ChatGPT, punters are growing more interested in deploying generative AI on their iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs.
Apple has been quieter than Microsoft and Google when it comes to this hotly contested AI arms race.
But recent job adverts for more software engineers suggest it is looking to ramp up its AI expertise.
Apple is also expected to reveal a 15in (38cm) MacBook Air laptop and updates to its iOS, iPadOS, and macOS operating systems.
A report from the Wall Street Journal also detailed how Apple would launch a mental-health journaling iPhone app at WWDC.
Last week:
Meta teased the latest Quest virtual-reality headset, with a much cheaper price of $499 (£402)
Lenovo released its latest ThinkReality VRX headset
Meta has also invested heavily in mixed-reality - but right now the sector is struggling.
The headset market saw a 54% drop in global sales last year, according to the International Data Corporation.
And Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg will probably be hoping Mr. Cook can turn the focus firmly on headsets as the next big thing.
Source- BBC