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Latin America and the Caribbean Region COVID-19 Situation Report No. 2 – Argentina – ReliefWeb

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to expand in Latin America, following patterns seen in other parts of the world.

Brazil, the largest and most populous country in the region, reports the highest number of confirmed cases and fatalities, followed by Peru, Chile and Ecuador.

Most countries in the region have weak and fragmented health systems, which do not guarantee the universal access needed to address the COVID-19 health crisis.

Generally, health systems are organized through public-sector services for people with low income, social security services for formal workers and private-sector services for those who can afford them. Health systems remain segregated and unequal, resulting in different services of varying quality to different population groups.

Although reform is underway to reduce fragmentation and expand access, health systems are still inadequate.

Over the last several weeks, an increased impact on the health of personnel on the frontlines has been noted, due to their heightened level of exposure and lack of adequate personal protection equipment (PPE).

Additionally, over the last several weeks, governments in the region have taken measures to scale up the capacities of their health systems to respond to COVID-19.

As the epidemic continues to grow and is expected to reach its peak in May and June 2020, preventive social isolation measures and nation-wide lockdowns continue in the vast majority of countries, exacerbating existing inequalities and affecting the most vulnerable population groups. Refugees and migrants from Venezuela in host and transit countries are especially affected.

Latin America and the Caribbean Region COVID-19 Situation Report No. 2 - Argentina - ReliefWeb

Pirates Of The Caribbean 6: Release Date, Plot, And Get All The Latest Updates We Have So Far – World Top Trend

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

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Pirates are going to be back together with their fun-packed experiences. The first film was released in 2003, which received many fans and responses. It was one of those films which received the highest turnover globally.

The final fifth picture was released in 2017, which was the last time. It had a caption that Dead Men Tell No Tales. Everyone is currently waiting for the voyage of experiences to release. Disney scheduled the movie release for 2021.

Its prepared to start from the Year 2021. According to sources that a new writer Terry Rossio and Jeff Nathans is producing the narrative and it will launch in the cinemas in the middle of 2021.

Jack Sparrows role will be performed by Johnny Depp, whos the heart and soul of the film. Orlando Bloom will look like William Turner. Keira Knightly is going to be presented as Elizabeth Swam. Brenton Thwaites will replay the son of Elizabeth Turner and the married couple William Turner. Kevin McNally is going to be viewed as Joshanee Gibbs. It is rumored that a new cast will play a significant part.

The movie was likely to be released in 2020 but has been delayed. Its also expected that Johnny Depp and with his famous character Jack Sparrow due to the allegations with his ex-wife Amber Heard would not be playing. Among the fan, concepts are that a female lead pirate might replace Jack Sparrow. Because there is absolutely no formal structure to the movie, the options are endless and seem concerning what 2020 entails about this film.

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Pirates Of The Caribbean 6: Release Date, Plot, And Get All The Latest Updates We Have So Far - World Top Trend

Hold on Tight: Researchers Say Caribbean Lizards Grow Bigger Toes to Survive Hurricanes – The Weather Channel

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Lizards in the Caribbean have evolved to hold on for dear life with their toes in order to survive hurricanes, according to new research.

A study from Washington University in St. Louis published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science showed that lizard groups on Caribbean islands that experience more frequent hurricanes develop larger toepads than lizards that experience fewer tropical cyclones.

That trait is a survival mechanism that helps lizards grip vegetation during high winds, and thus avoid being blown away and killed, the researchers said.

"Correcting for things like differences in body size, we found that island populations that had been hit by hurricanes more [frequently] had larger toepads," Colin Donihue, a postdoctoral fellow in biology at Washington University and lead author of the study, said in a news release.

"Hurricanes seem to be having some sort of additive effect on the evolution of these lizards that the more hurricanes you have, the larger toepads you have, on average."

(MORE: May Weather: What to Watch Out For and Look Forward To)

Anolis lizards have specialized toepads that enable them to cling to smooth surfaces. Researchers found that the toepads of surviving lizards after hurricanes are significantly larger than others.

Donihue and his colleagues looked at populations of Anolis sagrei lizards on 12 islands, as well as 188 Anolis species with ranges from Florida to Brazil. They culled through 70 years of NOAA hurricane data as well as hundreds of measurements of lizard toepads.

The idea that lizards might be growing larger toepads first came to Donihue in 2017, when he finished a previous survey of Anolis lizards in Turks & Caicos just before hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the islands two weeks apart. Donihue did a comparison immediately after the storms that showed the lizards who survived had different physical traits than the general lizard population before the hurricanes.

Donihue and his fellow researchers returned to Turks & Caicos a year later to take new measurements for the most recent study. They discovered that a new generation of lizards had also adapted the larger toepads.

The scientists say similar evolutionary responses are likely happening in other animals.

"My best guess is that this isnt just a lizard thing," Donihue said. "For any other species affected by hurricanes where survival is non-random, you would predict this same kind of pattern occurring."

(MORE: 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Expected to Be More Active Than Usual)

Such adaptations could help species defend themselves against climate change.

"Our best idea right now is that tropical cyclones will become less frequent globally. However, a higher percentage of them will become intense hurricanes," said Alex Kowaleski, a study co-author who specializes in meteorology and atmospheric science at Penn State University. "Increases in sea-surface temperatures will cause a higher percentage of tropical cyclones that do form to become Category 4 or 5 hurricanes."

Donihue added that there are likely other evolutionary factors at play in lizard survival besides big, strong toes.

"Most of the selective pressure is to just be good at being a lizard: to go catch food, find a mate and avoid predators," Donihue said. "These hurricane events are very infrequent and unpredictable, so we expect that there are other selective pressures that are acting on toepads. In other words, over time, these toepads are not going to turn into big snowshoes, or something like that. Theres a balance."

The Weather Companys primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

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Hold on Tight: Researchers Say Caribbean Lizards Grow Bigger Toes to Survive Hurricanes - The Weather Channel

Puerto Rico earthquake: 5.5 magnitude quake rocks Caribbean – is there a tsunami warning? – Express.co.uk

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

The 5.5 magnitude is one of several tremors which rocked Puerto Rico today, the most recent of which came in at 4.5.

Tsunami.gov, the American Tsunami monitoring body, said there is currently no tsunami warning for Puerto Rico, according to data from the latest tremors.

They have advised people may have experienced "shaking".

READ MORE:NASA reveals Puerto Rico earthquake damage in satellite images

Puerto Rico isn't the only country to feel the sting of an earthquake today, as Greece was also hit by a significant tremor.

The USGS reported a 6.6 magnitude earthquake near Ierapetra at 12.51pm, which rumbled in the sea to the south of the Cretan town.

Currently, the earthquake monitors suggest people on the island will not feel its effects, and there is a low chance of death or significant economic damage.

The USGS released a green pager warning for both estimates, with a maximum 65 percent chance one person would die, and damages could stray into the $1 million (750,000) band.

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Puerto Rico earthquake: 5.5 magnitude quake rocks Caribbean - is there a tsunami warning? - Express.co.uk

Escape To The Caribbean With These Soulful Recipes – Essence

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Right now, many of us are wishing that we could be on an island somewhere, with a fruity drink in our hands and our toes dipped in the sand. Unfortunately however, the reality is that were living amidst a global pandemic and leisure travel will not be on the horizon for quite some time.

The good news: you can escape to the Caribbean through your own kitchen! Here are a few recipes to bring the fare of your favorite tropical hotspot right into your home.

Lionfish Ceviche with Mango and Lime - St. Lucia

Ingredients: 1 pound lionfish (can be substituted for any fresh, mild, white fish); 1 tbsp kosher salt; 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice; 1 cup white vinegar; 2 medium jalapenos (minced); 1 large sweet red pepper (julienned); 1 large firm mango (finely julienned); 1 medium red onion (shaved); 1 tsp minced garlic; tbsp freshly ground black pepper; tsp crushed red chili flakes; cup extra virgin olive oil; cup freshly picked cilantro leaves. Instructions: Cut lionfish into short, thin, julienned pieces. Place in a stainless steel bowl and season with 2 teaspoons of salt. Pour lemon and lime juice over fish, cover, and refrigerate for half an hour. Drain citrus juices using a colander. Pour the vinegar over the fish while tossing lightly. Using a large bowl, add jalapenos, peppers, mango, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Toss lightly and cover with olive oil. Cover and refrigerate to let set for at least half hour. Add cilantro and mix well before serving. (Recipe courtesy of Jade Mountain)

Guava and Cream Cheese Rolls - Cayman Islands

Ingredients: 3 eggs, room temperature; cup (6 oz) buttermilk, room temperature; cup sugar; 2 teaspoon dry yeast; 4 cup (21 oz); All purpose flour; 6 tablespoons butter, melted & cool; 1/3 cup soft butter; 1 cup brown sugar; 8 ounces cream cheese, frozen and cut into cubes; 8 ounces guava paste, cubed; 8 ounces guava shells, chopped, no syrup; 8 tablespoons butter, room temperature; 1 cups powdered sugar; 8 ounces cream cheese; 8 ounces Guava paste cubed; tsp vanilla extract; 1/8 teaspoon salt.Instructions: In a mixer, whisk eggs and buttermilk to mix. Add the sugar, salt and yeast, allow yeast to activate for about 15 minutes. Add 2 cups of flour and the butter, stir with a spatula. Add the other 2 cups of flour and knead with the dough hook on low speed for 5 minutes. The dough should come clean from the sides, add more flour if necessary. Knead for 5 more minutes, then knead by hand for 1 minute. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover for 2 hours to allow for proofing. Roll the dough to 21x16 and thickness. Spread the butter on the dough leaving border free of the butter. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly. Distribute the cream cheese cubes, guava paste and chopped guava over the dough. Roll the dough, and pinch at the seams then cut into 1 thick. Place in a buttered pan, cover and allow to proof for 45 minutes. Bake at 400 degree for 20-25 minutes. For the icing, beat all the ingredients except for the guava paste until fluffy. Scrap down the bowl and add the guava paste and beat until incorporated into smaller pieces. (Recipe courtesy of Chef Thomas Tennant of Tomfoodery Kitchen)

Jerk Beef Tenderloin - Jamaica

Ingredients: 6 oz. beef medallions; 2 tbsp Jerk Seasoning; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 small onion, finely diced; 2 tbsp scallion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 sprig fresh thyme; 1 tbsp butter; 1 cup beef stock; 1/2 cup dry red wine; 1 tsp cornstarch. Instructions: Place beef into a Ziplock bag with jerk seasoning. Coat beef in seasoning and place in the fridge to marinate overnight or for at least 4 hours. After marinating, warm olive oil in a large skillet on high heat. Once the oil is hot, sear beef on each side for 1 minute or until brown and remove from heat. In a separate pot, add onion, scallion, garlic and thyme and butter and saute for 2 minutes. Add beef stock and and red wine and bring to a boil, add cornstarch to thicken as desired. Pour sauce over beef and enjoy while hot. (Recipe courtesy of Chef Stefan Spath at Couples Resorts in Jamaica)

Pineapple Coconut Chia Pudding - Jamaica

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups (360ml) of coconut milk; 6 tablespoon chia seeds; 2 tablespoon honey; 2 cups (480ml) diced fresh pineapple; 1 cup (240ml) fresh pineapple juice; 2 teaspoon brown sugar; Juice from 1 lime; Fresh pineapple, mint and coconut flakes for decoration.Instructions: In a bowl, mix coconut milk with honey until honey is completely dissolved. Add chia seed and stir for about two minutes, you can also refrigerate this overnight. Add sugar in a medium sauce pot, or saut pan, over medium heat and dissolve until caramelized. Add diced pineapple, pineapple juice and lime juice. Cook until juice is reduced and set aside to chill. Prepare serving cups by putting a layer of pineapple marmalade on the bottom, then a layer of chia pudding on top. Garnish with fresh pineapple and coconut flakes. (Recipe courtesy of Florian Durre at Palace Resorts)

Coconut Curry Fish on Plantain Wheel - British Virgin Islands

Ingredients: 1 Snapper or fillet of your choice;1 Plantain sliced; 4 ounces Cream cheese; 2 tbsp Curry season to taste; Roasted Red pepper; 8ozs Coconut milk; 1 sprig of Thyme.Instructions: Peel and slice plantain 1/2 inch round diameter and boil for about 5 to 7 mins. Drain and set aside. Rub red bell pepper with a touch of olive oil and on a grill pan Roast half the pepper. Peel the skin of the pepper. Season fish with salt and pepper to taste. Then sear each side for 3-4 mins until cooked or golden brown. Blend roasted pepper, fish, cream cheese, coconut milk and thyme in a food processor. Season with the curry. Add more curry, salt and pepper to your taste. Use a piping bag to decorate the plantain with the fish mix and garnish the top with microgreens. (Recipe courtesy of Chef Brent Lettsome from the British Virgin Islands)

Caribbean Reef Chicken - Dominica

Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs; 1/2 tsp salt;1/4 tsp pepper; 1.7 oz dark brown sugar; 4 tbsp dark rum - divided; 1 tbsp lime juice; 2 tbsp lemon pepper; 1 tbsp ginger;1 tbsp cloves - ground; 1/4 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; 4 tbs mango chutney; Parsley - to serve. Instructions: Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken. Cover and set aside. In a small bowl, mix together sugar, 2 tablespoons of rum, lime juice, lemon pepper, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, garlic powder into a paste. Cover and set aside. Place the chicken skin side up in a shallow baking pan. Run Caribbean paste evenly over the chicken. Bake in a 200C oven for 45 minutes. Combine the mango chutney with 2 tablespoons of rum. Drizzle the chutney and rum mixture over the chicken and bake about three minutes more or until chutney is warm. Serve the chicken with a sprig of parsley. (Recipe courtesy of Discover Dominica)

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Escape To The Caribbean With These Soulful Recipes - Essence

Heres Everything You Know So Far About Pirates Of Caribbean 6 – World Top Trend

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

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The Pirates of the Caribbean is a film set that consolidates five psychological experiences right up til the current moment.

The series is created through the craftsman Jerry Bruckheimer. The five continuing series has earned more noteworthy compared to 4. five billion. The Pirates of the Caribbean 6 series would be extraordinary for everyone.

Caption Jack Sparrow, who is played by way of Will Turner and Johnny Depp, plays Orlando Bloom is the characters Within the film, and Elizabeth Swann grasps Keira Knightleys conduct. The most effective possible quantity of funding for the franchise movie industry was $4.524 billion in recent decades.

The movie will be released from today. As the resources discovered, Disney is expressed to be toward the start of the 6th season of this Caribbean privateers. The movie series is your screenplay by method for Terry Rossio and founders Jeff Nathanson. The date of appearance will be approximately 2021.

It is assumed that in the moving toward film Johnny Depp, which performed the most leader inside the film, Jack Sparrow, wouldnt play with its individual as he mentioned 90 million bucks of his part, which Disney got not prepared to play with.

Another caution of the manufacturers decided to alter the position turned into his wrongdoing.

Fans and fans are also anxious to capture the 6th movie megastar cast. Regardless, Depp can not be seen inside the film as set up by way of its late-settled on journalists of the series.

There have been bits that were snitch, together with Johnny Depp, which demanded a payout and attained the split. It is realized that the plot spins around Wills terrible vision of exploring the nearness of Davy Jones.

This innovative and enlightening works as Davy Jones is and in no manner, form or shape improvements on, building a vengeance attack. Similarly, the gamers inward pieces are going to be within the game. A lady hooligan is reliable to win Johnny Depp in our temperament.

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One Photographer Documents the Lives of Schoolchildren in the Caribbean – AnOther Magazine

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

April 29, 2020

At the end of 2018, model-turned-photographer Kacey Jeffers returned to his home on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean, after his visa expired. Frustrated by the New York grind, hedecided to take some time to recalibrateand recharge his creative energyby immersing himself in a new project: a series of portraits of schoolchildren,brought togetherin hisnew book, Uniform.

My camera was my tool to build something, Jeffers says. Portraiture is my foundation as a photographer, and I wanted to photograph local kids at school in their uniform so I could merge elements of fashion, portraiture and reportage. Clothes are never the first thing I look at; Im more interested in the person but I wanted to show how what that person is wearing shapes their character. For me, fashion has a purpose.

On Nevis which is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, fourth President of America who has recently been resurrected in the Broadway musical, Hamilton education and the promise it brings is highly esteemed. When I started to think about the project, I had to think about what it meant to me and look at my memories, Jeffers says.

Every Sunday, from preschool until fourth grade, Jeffers mother would steam, iron, and starch his uniform three yellow cotton shirts and two khaki pants to perfection. Each morning, she would caution, Go to school and learn, and bring this uniform back home just how you left with it. Jeffers did just that, recognising thatlearning to respect himself in this way was an integral part of his education.

When it came to the time for him to make these portraits, Jeffers sought out students who might not have the same advantages as those at the top of the class or those regarded as traditionally beautiful. Instead, he wanted to photograph the shy and the rambunctious alike, the students who might otherwise slip through the cracks and present them as individuals worthy ofrespect and regard in their own right.

Growing up in Nevis, which onlygained its independence from the UK in 1983, among a population of 12,000 citizens predominantly of African descent, Jeffers had not thought about being seen as other until he moved to New York. With the understanding of what W.E.B. DuBois deemed double consciousness, Jeffers approaches his work from the understanding that race is just one part of the story being told.

When I photograph black people, it has to come from something deep and authentic, he says. I am looking within for intimacy, presence, and a connection to something other than the physical to capture the essence of that person.

As a self-taught photographer, Jeffers works from instinct, knowing exactly the mood for the work then collaborating with his subjects to allow it to unfold naturally. While he made photographs in the islands 14 schools, he wanted to make sure the locations did not overwhelm the shot with narrative information that would frame his subjects as mere children. Jeffers understood, like race, they were more than just their age the whole being greater than the sum its parts.

This is how I want to shoot fashion, Jeffers says. Something merges my culture with the world, where it has a purpose and represents something to people in my community. I see fashion everywhere.

Uniformby Kacey Jeffers is out now.

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One Photographer Documents the Lives of Schoolchildren in the Caribbean - AnOther Magazine

Port of New Orleans gains new Evergreen service offering connections to the Caribbean – Container Management

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

The Evergreen Arkadia called at Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal

Evergreen Shipping has launched a new weekly container service to and from the Caribbean and the Port of New Orleans (NOLA), growing export business for commodities such as resin, poultry, forestry and agricultural products.

The addition of the CAJ service adds to the Taiwanese lines current offerings in and out of New Orleans on the Ocean Alliances Asia and North Europe services.

The new service will be handled by terminal operator Ports America at the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal. The direct ports of call will be Manzanillo, Colon, Kingston and Port Au Prince with connections to/from Asia, West Coast South America and the Caribbean.

Port NOLA president and CEO Brandy D. Christian said: We are thrilled to welcome Evergreens new service to the Port and for the opportunity to provide our shippers with increased global connectivity through Evergreens extensive network of services in Panama.

The service may also help the port, which saw 13% loaded import container volume growth last year, generate further import growth from overseas markets. It now has a total of 13 direct weekly container services.

Christian added: The addition of the Evergreen service at this time underscores confidence in Port NOLAs and our terminal operators ability to move cargo throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic challenges, keeping the health and safety of our frontline employees top of mind.

Port of New Orleans gains new Evergreen service offering connections to the Caribbean - Container Management

A Rockefeller Resort in the Caribbean Is Restored to Its Rustic Glory – Yahoo Lifestyle

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Photo credit: KEN HAYDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

From Town & Country

I traveled to Rosewood Little Dix Bay in mid February, soon after its renovation. On March 24, it temporarily suspended operations because of the coronavirus pandemic. The resort team is closely monitoring the situation, in coordination with the government of the British Virgin Islands, and will announce reopening plans when the time is right.

There have never been many hotels in the world that you could say were decades ahead of their time; cutting-edginess is not an imperative in the hospitality business. But as the catamaran that picked me up from Tortola, where commercial flights to the British Virgin Islands land, approached Virgin Gordas Little Dix Bay and its eponymous resort (its quite the mood setter: a half-mile crescent of palm-fringed white sand), I thought of its founder, Laurance Rockefeller.

Keep the environment as undamaged as possible, he directed architect Walther Prokosch after buying up 500 acres of Virgin Gordas coast and hills in 1959. Keep things simple and informal Utilize natural resources andbenefit the local economy.

It wasnt just high-minded principles that moved Rockefeller, it was also his belief that untrammeled nature was the ultimate luxury for harried humans. (He wouldnt even allow the lawns to be fine-mowed.) His well-heeled guests, he felt, would find true repose and rejuvenation not at a conventional resort but in something extraordinary, which he imagined as a sophisticated fishing village with a central, welcoming long house.

And so they dideven Queen Elizabeth, who visited in 1966, two years after Little Dix opened.

Its renovation, which was just completed by its current owners, Rosewood Hotels, after a four-year closure during which the place was nearly wiped out by Hurricane Irma, pays homage to and reinvigorates Rockefellers ideas.

The central open-sided dining pavilionfour soaring conical roofs designed, in Prokoschs words, to evoke something storm-tossed, irregular, tropical[with] the look of tamed wildnesssurvived the decades but for a few roof tiles, which have been replaced.

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Everyone still congregates there among the Midcentury Moderntinged rustic furnishings, and the new rum bar is excellent, as are the three restaurants, which serve largely farm-to-table food from an abundant kitchen garden (tours welcome).

The guest quarters, built of wood and the original local stone, occupy the same footprints as before and are still irregularly shaped and sited, as if they sprang up organicallyrectangular and hexagonal, tucked into vegetation or on stilts to better capture the sea views.

They come with large private terraces and patios (you can practically live outside, and there is 24/7 room service); each has its own footpath to the never-crowded beach, its own thatch-roofed palapa and chaise longues on the sand, and most have outdoor showers, some big enough to throw a party in, as one guest remarked.

The resort now has six tennis courts, a large fitness center, and a vertiginously situated spa. (Rockefeller might not have approved: He had a horror of all organized resort facilities, even croquet lawns.) But the hot outing remains the classic beach drop: by boat, with a picnic, to one of the nearby deserted strands of sand.

As for air conditioning, Rockefeller hated it. (So do I.) The rooms now have it, but this is the first resort where I have come back from dinner after turndown to find the AC off and the terrace doors open to the trade windsexactly as I left them.

This story appears in the May 2020 issue of Town & Country. Subscribe now

European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean: joining efforts against the coronavirus – OnCubaNews

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

A few years ago, the European Union placed the concept of resilience at the center of its Global and Security Strategy. In a more complex, contested and interconnected world, the assumption made was that security and well-being were going to face new geopolitical challenges as well as transnational risks derived from globalization. This required strengthening the capacity of each country to adjust and overcome external shocks. This is an objective of our international cooperation, but it also challenges an EU that knows that it is vulnerable to these risks.

Today, the COVID-19 is a critical test of resilience for societies, economies, and governance around the world. In the face of a global pandemic, there is no room for exclusively national responses or an interested use of cooperation or economic power for geopolitical purposes. To be sure, there are different capacities and responsibilities to start with, but without mutual support or joint global actions, the impact of the disease can be even more devastating for everyone.

The European Union and its citizens are going through very hard times. But we are aware that to overcome the pandemic we must cooperate with all our partners, working side by side. And we know this because we have been doing it for decades throughout the world, facing other shared challenges, and in particular in Latin America and the Caribbean. And that is why, despite our own difficulties, the European Union has decided to immediately reorient the technical and financial cooperation programs with Latin America and the Caribbean to respond to this pandemic, with a total of 918 million Euros, as part of the global response in support of the efforts of partner countries to tackle COVID-19. Thus, 9 million Euros will be allocated to finance the work of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the International Federation of the Red Cross in Venezuela and neighboring countries.

In the Caribbean, the EU is funding the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) with 8 million Euros, and in concrete in Jamaica, the EU has financed 29 respirators for intensive care units.

In Cuba, the EU is strategically adapting to the new context the cooperation projects being implemented in the country, especially those related to food security, in dialogue with the government and relevant institutions. Likewise, urgent needs are being identified in the health services and other social services to direct possible additional funds, particularly those that may result from the donors conference on May 4, an initiative organized by the European Commission with the purpose of raising funds on a global scale to contribute to the fight against the pandemic.

Beyond these resources, where our strategic partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean can be most effective in promoting together a robust coordinated and multilateral response. Our regions have known how to respond to the health crisis, applying drastic but necessary measures such as social distancing or confinement. But the health crisis knows no borders, regions or countries. And this is why we thank Cuba for responding immediately to the request for doctors and nurses made by Italy and other countries worldwide, in a clear demonstration of solidarity between our people.

The challenge has only just begun. The coronavirus is causing a global economic crisis, which will increase inequalities and more severely affect the most vulnerable. Europe and Latin America can do much more if we act together, advancing a multilateral agenda in the G20, the UN and the multilateral financial institutions so that there is more fiscal space to avoid health collapse, economic collapse and a serious social crisis.

The coronavirus is an unprecedented challenge to the global economy. An effective response will need to mobilize international collective action. The EU and Latin America and the Caribbeanan association of 60 countriesmust join forces again. It is in times of acute crisis when the ties between friendly countries are tested. And this crisis has once again reminded us that our resilience also depends on international cooperation. We will only come out of this crisis together.

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European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean: joining efforts against the coronavirus - OnCubaNews

Pirates of the Caribbean: Every Main Character, Ranked by Sword-Fighting Skills – Screen Rant

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Full of adventure, danger, and romance, thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise has something for everyone. Over five swashbuckling films, fans have followed Captain Jack Sparrow and his companions on quests for mythical artifacts, into battle on the High Seas, and against adversariesas varied as the Royal Navy and the Kraken.

RELATED:Pirates Of The Caribbean: The 10 Greatest Sword Fights

Every member of the colorful cast has tested their mettle by crossing blades with buccaneers, soldiers, and cursed killers. The films boast some of the most elaborate duels ever to appear in cinema, including one of the longest and most elaborate between Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and James Norrington inPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.Here's every main character ranked by their sword-fighting skills.

The son of Elizabeth and William Turner, Henry Turner had both his parents' good looks and their rebellious spirit. Resentful at his father for being cursed to command theFlying Dutchman,when he was of age he set off to free him by finding the Trident of Poseidon inPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

An officer in the Royal Navy, Turner learned his way around firearms and sabers in an effort to track down his parents' old compatriot, Captain Jack Sparrow. Like his father, Henry is a skilled swordsman, if a little wet behind the ears.

Though she appeared as a damsel in distress inPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,byPirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndElizabeth Swann had been around pirates long enough to pick up their handiwork with a blade, which she put to great use in the battle between the Pirate Brethren, Davy Jones, and the Royal Navy.

In an unlikely turn of events, Elizabeth Swann was made Pirate King of the Brethren Court in the franchise's third film, and she fought valiantly beside her pirate companions when Davy Jones and the Royal Navy attempted to destroy them.

A pick-pocket and master thief, Angelica was introduced inPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tidesas both the ex-lover of Captain Jack Sparrow and the daughterof the infamous pirate Blackbeard.

RELATED: Keira Knightley's 10 Best Movies, According to IMDb

Having spent time in some of the most salacious ports in the Caribbean and on the decks of some of the most dreaded pirate vessels on the High Seas, Angelica was the match of any male scalawag she encountered, especially during her fight with Barbossa and the Royal Navy over the Fountain of Youth.

Decorated by the Spanish Royal Navy for his pursuit of pirates across the Spanish Main, Armando Salazar was on the verge of capturing the elusive Captain Jack Sparrow when he ran afoul of the Devil's Triangle and it cursed him and his crew.

A formidable opponent in battle, Salazar was able to destroy any ship that found itself in the Triangle, and even in his cursed state he proved capable of taking on the likes of Hector Barbossa and Captain Jack Sparrow until Barbossa mortally wounded him.

Introduced in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger TidesEdward Teach, or Blackbeard as he was known on the High Seas, was a real pirate that plundered the Caribbean. He was known for placing lit matches in his beard during boarding parties and wearing bracers across his chest with six pistols.

Blackbeard came by his reputation through psychological intimidation, savvy battle tactics, and never letting himself be manipulated (including at his own daughter's hand). Unfortunately, he was no match for Captain Jack Sparrow's blade.

Thought to be the stuff of old legend, Davy Jones was a fearsome pirate who captained theFlying Dutchman,charged with ferrying souls to the netherworld by the woman he loved, the sea goddess Calypso. Her betrayal led him to abandon his duties, and kill innocent sailors out of anger and grief.

RELATED: Pirates of the Caribbean: 5 Best Villains (& The 5 Worst)

Davy Jones couldn't be killed except by being stabbed through the heart, which was not on his person but extracted and kept hidden away in a chest. He was invincible in combat until his heart was located and used against him by Lord Cutler Beckett and the East India Trading Company.

Once first mate under Captain Jack Sparrow, Hector Barbossa mutinied against him and stole theBlack Pearlfor himself,winding up cursed for his trouble by a chest of Aztec gold. Barbossa wasn't bested in combat by Sparrow until the curse was lifted and he could bemortally wounded.

He was resurrected by the sea goddess Calypso in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and became Sparrow's begrudging ally in the fight against the East India Trading Company and Davy Jones. He survived through all five films in the franchise, until he finally sacrificed himself to save his daughter.

Once a Commodore in the Royal Navy, James Norrington found himself without a ship and a commission after failing to capture Captain Jack Sparrow inPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.He became a begrudging member of Sparrow's crew after that, biding his time until he could double cross him and retain his rank.

RELATED: Pirates of the Caribbean: Every Main Character, Ranked By Intelligence

After an intense duel between Sparrow, Will Turner, and himself at the end of the film, he obtained the heart of Davy Jones, which he exchanged for a Letter of Marque signed by Lord Cutler Beckett and an Admiral's rank. Disciplined and skilled with a blade, his only weakness was Elizabeth Swann.

Though introduced as a humble blacksmith inPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,Will Turner's inconspicuous trade belied his exceptional skill as a swordsman. He practiced three hours a day with the blades that he made, so that when he encountered a pirate like Captain Jack Sparrow, he could kill it.

Turner would go from being Sparrow's friend to being his adversary, dueling the pirate over the heart of Davy Jones to lift the curse on his father. By the third film however, they wouldtake a stand against Davy Jones and the East India Trading Company, Turner once again putting his exceptional fighting skills to good use.

Captain Jack Sparrow may appear perpetually drunk and overly confident, but he has good reason for both; it causes everyone to underestimate his prowess with a blade. As he demonstrated to Will Turner during their first encounter, he was nigh unbeatable in a duel.

Over the five films in the franchise, Jack Sparrow crossed swords with Will Turner, Hector Barbossa, James Norrington, Blackbeard, Armando Salazar, and many others, always emerging to fight another day.

NEXT: Star Wars: 10 Best Lightsaber Duels, Ranked

NextWhich Brooklyn Nine-Nine Character Are You Based On Your Zodiac Sign?

Kayleena has been raised on Star Wars and Indiana Jones from the crib. A film buff, she has a Western collection of 250+ titles and counting that she's particularly proud of. When she isn't writing for ScreenRant, CBR, or The Gamer, she's working on her fiction novel, lifting weights, going to synthwave concerts, or cosplaying. With degrees in anthropology and archaeology, she plans to continue pretending to be Lara Croft as long as she can.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Every Main Character, Ranked by Sword-Fighting Skills - Screen Rant

Royal Caribbean: Best of a Challenged Bunch, but Thats not Saying Much – Yahoo Finance

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) and its cruise operator peers are among the case studies in business model vulnerability to pandemics, a trait making the 57% one-month gain for RCL stock appear misleading.

RCL Stock: Best of a Challenged Bunch, but That's not Saying Much

Source: Laszlo Halasi / Shutterstock.com

Thats a big rally in a short time frame for a stock thats been bludgeoned by the novel coronavirus outbreak. Not only does it lead to some debate regarding whether or not the easy money has already been made here, but it elicits concern about exactly whats backstopping this rally. That foundation revolves around expectations that pre-coronavirus life will rapidly reemerge as the pandemic fades.

Those expectations are being fueled by chatter from some companies that the present will be the worst for the U.S. economy and things will start to perk up in the back half of 2020. As it pertains to Royal Caribbean and any other cruise line for that matter, those arent the companies expecting big rebounds in the second half.

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In fact, it could be the fourth quarter before ships set sail again, meaning Royal Carribeans and its water-borne ilk including Carnival(NYSE:CCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE:NCLH) could go roughly half of this year operating in a near-zero revenue environment.

For those looking to be bullish on a cruise name or those daring enough to wait out the industrys trials and tribulations, Royal Caribbean is the name to do it with, though that doesnt mean it should be atop investors buy lists. That said, it has strong brand equity and that could be meaningful on the industrys path to redemption.

Not only do we believe RCL is the best positioned from a liquidity standpoint, but we also believe as cruising starts to resume, its brand quality and unique itinerary structures (CocoCay, China, etc.) could benefit the company more than its peers, said Stifel analyst Steven Wieczynski in a recent client note.

Speaking of liquidity, Royal Carribean has some seven months worth to be precise, assuming cash burn of $441 million per month and a zero-revenue climate persist. The need to conserve cash, prevalent across the industry, brings up another point: the sustainability of Royal Caribbeans dividend.

Currently yielding 6.49%, the stock is undeniably tempting on that basis, but the payout is also undeniably vulnerable to a cut or suspension. Based on its 192.84 million shares outstanding and annual payout of $3.12 a share, Royal Caribbean would save nearly $602 million if it went a year without paying the dividend. Looked at another way, by scrapping the payout today, the company buys itself roughly another 45 days of life in a no-revenue setting.

Cutting or eliminating a dividend is a tough call for any executive team to make, but if its a matter of extending solvency, its an easy decision and in the case of Royal Caribbean, investors should treat the payout as anything but dependable.

Much of the case for RCL stock revolves around investors personalities. What I mean is if an investor is considering this name for a quick 10%-15% on the back of reopening economies leading to a second-half rebound, then half it. Thats an attainable goal.

However, for those thinking Royal Caribbean can get back to its prior high of $135, there are myriad challenges to that idea, not the least of which is the time it takes for the cruise industry to return to 2019 capacity levels.

As Stifels Wieczynski noted, Royal Caribbean could operate at 75% of 2019s capacity levels in 2021 and 2022 and it could be 2024 before the cruise industry looks like its 2019 self again. Thats a long time to wait, particularly if the company says good-bye to its dividend.

Todd Shriber has been an InvestorPlace contributor since 2014.As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

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SpaceX to Bring Crew to Short-Staffed Space Station for Longer Stay – The New York Times

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

What was intended as a two-week test flight of SpaceXs new astronaut-carrying capsule will now be a mission planned to last more than a month to help a short-handed crew aboard the International Space Station.

The launch of SpaceXs Crew Dragon capsule, carrying two NASA astronauts, Douglas G. Hurley and Robert L. Behnken, is scheduled for May 27 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It would arrive at the space station the following day.

This is a high priority mission for the United States of America, Jim Bridenstine, the NASA administrator, said during a news conference on Friday.

That will end a drought of nearly nine years since the last time people headed to orbit from American soil. On July 8, 2011, the space shuttle Atlantis lifted off from Launchpad 39A; it returned to Earth 11 days later. Since then, NASA has relied on Russia and its Soyuz rockets for transportation to and from the space station.

Mr. Bridenstine noted that this would be only the fifth time NASA astronauts have flown on a new spacecraft for the first time. The previous ones were Mercury, Gemini and Apollo during the 1960s and the space shuttle in 1981.

We should not lose sight of the fact that this is a test flight, Mr. Bridenstine said. Were doing this to learn things. And its also true were taking it very, very seriously from a safety perspective.

Like the last shuttle mission, the launch will occur at 39A, but almost everything else will be different. Instead of designing and operating its own spaceship as it did for the space shuttles and earlier programs like the Apollo moon landings, NASA has turned to two private companies, SpaceX and Boeing.

For SpaceX, the May flight is the last step to certify that its spacecraft meets NASAs needs and requirements. As the Crew Dragon approaches the space station, for example, the astronauts will test flying the spacecraft by manual control before letting its automated system perform the docking.

The two astronauts will also get to use the bathroom facility in the capsule during the 19 hours from launch to docking at the space station. The toilet? Mr. Hurley said. Well let you know how it works out. They have one. Well try it out, and well let you know when we get back.

Currently there are only three astronauts aboard the International Space Station two Russians, Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner, and one NASA astronaut, Christopher J. Cassidy. The smaller station crew is preoccupied with maintenance tasks, and that limits the amount of scientific research that can be performed.

NASA officials decided to extend the stay of Mr. Hurley and Mr. Behnken at the space station so that they can help Mr. Cassidy. The SpaceX capsule is currently certified to remain 119 days in orbit. Over time, oxygen atoms in the upper atmosphere react with materials on the capsules solar arrays, reducing the amount of power they generate.

The length of the stay also depends on the status of the next Crew Dragon, the first operational mission which is designated Crew-1, which is to take four astronauts to the space station later this year. SpaceX and NASA need the demonstration Crew Dragon to return to Earth to certify that the spacecraft meets NASAs safety requirements and that it is ready to start routine missions.

It is a trade off, said Kirk A. Shireman, the program manager for the space station for NASA. What we would like to do, from a space perspective, is keep them on orbit as long as we can until that Crew-1 vehicle is just about ready to go.

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SpaceX to Bring Crew to Short-Staffed Space Station for Longer Stay - The New York Times

Compulsive gambling – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Overview

Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life. Gambling means that you're willing to risk something you value in the hope of getting something of even greater value.

Gambling can stimulate the brain's reward system much like drugs or alcohol can, leading to addiction. If you have a problem with compulsive gambling, you may continually chase bets that lead to losses, hide your behavior, deplete savings, accumulate debt, or even resort to theft or fraud to support your addiction.

Compulsive gambling is a serious condition that can destroy lives. Although treating compulsive gambling can be challenging, many people who struggle with compulsive gambling have found help through professional treatment.

Signs and symptoms of compulsive gambling (gambling disorder) include:

Unlike most casual gamblers who stop when losing or set a loss limit, people with a compulsive gambling problem are compelled to keep playing to recover their money a pattern that becomes increasingly destructive over time.

Some people with a compulsive gambling problem may have remission where they gamble less or not at all for a period of time. However, without treatment, the remission usually isn't permanent.

Have family members, friends or co-workers expressed concern about your gambling? If so, listen to their worries. Because denial is almost always a feature of compulsive or addictive behavior, it may be difficult for you to realize that you have a problem.

If you recognize your own behavior from the list of signs and symptoms for compulsive gambling, seek professional help.

Exactly what causes someone to gamble compulsively isn't well-understood. Like many problems, compulsive gambling may result from a combination of biological, genetic and environmental factors.

Although most people who play cards or wager never develop a gambling problem, certain factors are more often associated with compulsive gambling:

Compulsive gambling can have profound and long-lasting consequences for your life, such as:

Although there's no proven way to prevent a gambling problem, educational programs that target individuals and groups at increased risk may be helpful.

If you have risk factors for compulsive gambling, consider avoiding gambling in any form, people who gamble and places where gambling occurs. Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent gambling from becoming worse.

Oct. 22, 2016

Gambling industry battling against the odds during Covid-19 lockdown – Verdict

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Online gambling has increased during the Covid-19 lockdowns, but this has raised ethical questions regarding addiction.

The effect of Covid-19 on the industry has thus far been catastrophic and will continue to be for the short-medium term. In North America, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding Las Vegas. Its mayor has volunteered the city as a control group for social distancing measures in order to quicken the process of reopening the city. Casinos are the cornerstone of the citys economy and is entirely reliant upon the success of the sector.

Online casinos in states in the US where online gambling is legal have seen soaring levels of custom. New Jerseys Department of Gaming Enforcement reports online Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) up 64.4%.

However, increases to the online sector wont make up for the losses in brick-and-mortar stores, with losses of overall GGR dropping by 54.74%. Similarly, in Pennsylvania GGR from February to March dropped from $304m to $153m, a fall of 49.67%.

Online betting company 888 Holdings saw its shares increase by almost 32%. This after it announced its Casino and Poker games had increased as a result of more customers heading online amid the pandemic.

However, sports betting made up 16% of the companys revenue in 2019. This will be impacted massively through 2020. Even with increases to its online games, revenues for 888 and bookmakers across the industry will struggle to recoup the missed profits from 2020s major sporting events.

MPs are concerned people will flock to online gambling ahead of the closures to betting shops in the UK. With the cancellation of major sporting events not just in the UK, but around the world, regular gamblers who would usually spend hundreds on gambling each month have moved to betting on virtual sports, or online casinos and games.

This could spark worrying times ahead for the industry as policymakers in government look to set restrictions. These could be not just for the short term, but with effects that could linger long after the pandemic.

It is clear that the lines will be blurred during this pandemic as to what is and isnt ethical in the casino and gaming industry.

UK Labour MP Carolyn Harris has said that companies pointing customers towards computer-generated events, or obscure sporting events, in which the gamblers have no knowledge of the sport, point to the fact that the person in question has a gambling problem.

A survey carried out by Clean Up Gambling Campaign found that 39% of regular gamblers had gambled more than they did before the Covid-19 outbreak. Some 25% said their levels were the same, with 34% saying they had gambled less.

Significantly, 40% of these also believe the government should do more to make it difficult to gamble online. Around 34% of respondents also believed they were spending too much money on gambling or were developing an addiction.

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Gambling industry battling against the odds during Covid-19 lockdown - Verdict

Disruption Could Be the Best Way to Adopt Crypto in Gambling – GamblingNews.com

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Rebecca Liggero, Ayre Medias lead journalist, interviewed several gambling experts who shared their opinions on how the industry can adopt crypto payments as a viable mainstream method.

Several gambling and sports betting professionals spoke at the SBC Summit to Ayre Media head editor Rebecca Liggero, discussing new opportunities for cryptocurrencies to go mainstream in the industry.

Liggero reached out to several established professionals in the field, asking them how cryptocurrencies could be maximized to the point that consumers adopt them more readily.

The ensuing discussions touched on the onboarding process as well as the correct approach, whether through an organic growth or more aggressive marketing that allows an established company to push for a wider adoption.

Discussing the Blockchain Payments as a Driver in Crisis, Funfair Technologies COO Lloyd Purser emphasized on education. Apart from continually improving a product and adding new features, Purser said that consumers should be aware of those benefits in the first place.

There is no magic silver bullet, he said. Funfair Technologies focuses on both improving the existing product as well as facilitate the onboarding journey. One of the essentials in converting users, Purser said, was to let them have access to simple and intuitive technologies. He cited Funfairs own crypto wallets as a key part of the process.

Next spoke CryptoProcessing.com CEO Max Krupyshev. According to Krupyshev, disruption was the way to go. Instead of trying to coddle consumers into trying a new cryptocurrency payment method, brands with proven track record should be pushing harder for consumers to adopt alternative payment methods, he said.

He acknowledged, though, that educating consumers still played an important role. Krupyshev also touched on the exchange rate and explained that while the potential to turn a profit is there, consumers should be offered a fair rate of exchange so they have an incentive to try a dedicated gaming token or cryptocurrency.

Even to date, bitcoin remains the preferred gaming token, with $FUN bravely making forays into a segment that is very competitive. Unlike other tokens, though, $FUN does have credibility.

Cryptopays Tom Bloor chimed in and broached another aspect of helping more consumers make the journey from FIAT to cryptocurrencies. He explained that it all came down to having familiarity with your customers and what they need and expect.

If you know what your customer behavior is and you know if they prefer convenience or transparency this should inform how you plug in and accept how you are going to work with cryptocurrency, Bloor said cited by CasinoBeats.

Pinnacles Isabelle Delisle touched on public perception and awareness. She suggested that until cryptocurrency payments are mainstream, people will most likely look at them as dodgy. Delisle specifically drew attention to established financial institution and the lack of trust that came from them.

She was convinced that companies in the space should draw attention to the fact that cryptocurrencies can be a legitimate payment method.

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Disruption Could Be the Best Way to Adopt Crypto in Gambling - GamblingNews.com

Gambling for a good cause CryptoSlots donates all proceeds from new slot to the fight against coronavirus – Toshi Times

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

CryptoSlots released their newest slot, Micro Monsters, a game filled with bonus extras to beat the reels viral critters. The biggest bonus, though, is that every bet made on the slot will be donated by the crypto casino to Direct Relief, a charity supporting health workers and patients during this pandemic.

Direct Relief focuses on providing personal protective equipment to those most at risk around the world. In the U.S., they are coordinating with health organizations and businesses to deliver essential medical items and critical care medications. Follow CryptoSlots onFacebook to track the amount raised by players.

Micro Monsters is one of the Mega Matrix slots, a group of games made notable by being wackier and more unusual than conventional slots games. Wins can start anywhere on a payline in this circular game. There is also an expanded Double Wild on the middle reel and Mystery Multipliers. Bet from $0.60 $4.80 to spin and your bets (minus wins) will be donated to charity.

Hopefully this contribution will make a difference to those on the front line, said casino manager Michael Hilary, as well as providing entertainment to those doing their part by staying at home.

Launched in 2018, CryptoSlots quickly found success as a prime destination for online crypto players. Slots make up the majority of the games at thisbitcoin casino, along with video poker and keno. All games are provably fair and mobile friendly. Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash & Monero are all accepted payment methods.

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Published May 3, 2020May 3, 2020

Agent: Michael Jordan once turned down $100 million, says gambling will be The Last Dance topic – AL.com

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

Michael Jordan is worth more than $2 billion, so the following statement may not shock you.

The former Chicago Bulls star turned down a $100 million offer for a two-hour appearance, according to his long-time agent David Falk.

The agent appeared on WFANs Boomer and Gio to share Jordan stories as the nation is consumed by The Last Dance, the 10-part documentary on the championship run of the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls.

The documentary will air on ESPN, while ESPN2 will broadcast a censored version. The documentary can be live streamed on Hulu + Live and Sling.

I brought him a deal three years ago for $100 million, Falk said Wednesday morning. All he had to do was, other than giving his name and likeness, make one two-hour appearance to announce the deal and he turned it down.

Falk said Jordans been so successful, he can "do whatever the hell he wants or not to do."

Jordan also once turned down $7 million to play in a one-day golf tournament in Asia, he said.

The agent, on the other hand, did confirm the documentary, which debuts episodes 5 and 6 on Sunday, will discuss Jordan and his gambling habits. There has been a conspiracy theory for years that Jordans 18-month retirement from basketball in 1993 was actually a suspension for gambling.

(Former NBA commissioner David) Stern comes on and basically says its complete hogwash that he suspended Michael for 18 months when he retired, Falk said. At the end of the day, Michael was almost Teflon. Theres very few things people criticized him for. The gambling thing was it. He loves to gamble. Hes an extremely competitive guy. If he loses $150,000 playing golf, big freaking deal. If I told him tomorrow, Hey, Ive got an appearance for you for five minutes for $150,000, hed laugh at me. If it was $1,500,000, he wouldnt do it.

So yes, he lost money in gambling and it sort of had a little bit of a black eye for five minutes. He apologized and the thing went away. But any of these Oliver Stone conspiracy theories that somehow it pushed him out of basketball were ridiculous.

You can use the channel finder on your providers website to locate it: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, Dish.

If you missed an episode of The Last Dance documentary, you can do so on Hulu or Sling.

Michael Jordan merchandise is still in demand, even after all these years. You can own a Michael Jordan jersey. Fanatics is offering free shipping on Jordans jerseys, which come in red, white, and, yes, black, for $299.99

Fanatics also has Dennis Rodmans No. 91 jersey, which qualifies for free shipping, listed for $129.99. Scottie Pippens jersey is selling for $129.99 as well.

Sunday, April 19

Sunday, April 26

Sunday, May 3

Sunday, May 10

Sunday, May 17

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.

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Agent: Michael Jordan once turned down $100 million, says gambling will be The Last Dance topic - AL.com

During the coronavirus crisis, BGC is working hard to make gambling safer – PoliticsHome.com

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

BGC members are also introducing a number of new measures to restrict advertising online, writes Michael Dugher, CEO | PA Images

Prohibitionists may be using Covid-19 to kick the gambling industry, but thanks to the action weve taken, fears are unfounded and standards are on the up.

From the very start of the current lockdown, I knew that understandably there would be genuine concerns that isolation, boredom and financial anxiety might lead to an increase in gambling. Last weeks announcement from the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) that we were introducing a voluntary ban on advertising gaming products on TV and radio was just the latest in a series of measures taken to reassure the public and further improve safer gambling at this time.

As DCMS Minister Nigel Huddleston put it well a few days ago: We must work together to protect the most vulnerable from gambling harm. I appreciate the moves by the gambling sector to recognise the heightened risks of problem gambling during the coronavirus lockdown.

From day one, members of the BGC substantially increased safer gambling messages across all our platforms and introduced a 10-pledge action plan back in March. This sets out a series of measures such as heightened monitoring of accounts, identifying changes to patterns of play and spend, as well as increasing interventions to restrict or block accounts where the customer might be at risk.

Last week the Government asked for safer gambling messages to be given more prominence in all adverts. I was pleased to announce that BGC members would go further and remove gaming product advertising on TV and radio and replace it with safer gambling messaging, donate adverts to charity or totally remove them where contracts permit. The BGCs regulated members may only account for 50 per cent of all gambling advertising on TV and radio - we dont represent other big gambling operators like the National Lottery and some other online bingo - but this voluntary change will apply 24 hours per day, seven days per week and our members are working to implement these changes as quickly as possible and to keep them in force until 5th June at a minimum.

At the same time, BGC members are also introducing a number of new measures to restrict advertising online. Following work with the Regulator, the Gambling Commission, our members will adopt a 25+ age filter for all advertising, trial de-targeting technology and create an industry-wide list for suppressing advertising around certain subjects. And BGC members have also stepped up safer gambling messages to customers via social media and with direct communications only where the customer has already given permission to contact them via text and email.

This month also saw the implementation of a ban on the use of credit cards with our members, which I strongly welcomed as a further safeguard to protect vulnerable customers. And I am pleased that the safer gambling charity GambleAware reported a record 10.05 million in funding from UK gambling operators and our members are committing a further 3.8 million for the BetRegret awareness campaign.

So what is the actual evidence in terms of the impact of covid-19 on gambling? The fact is overall gambling has fallen with betting shops, casinos and bingo halls all being closed. Online gambling revenue has also dropped by 30 per cent and total gambling revenue has dropped by some 60 per cent, based on recent trading announcements from major operators. To put this all into context, this is the equivalent to a drop in gambling by UK adults of 100 million per week.

Advertising spending by our members is also down and the volume of TV sport and casino advertisements had already dropped by up to 10 per cent.

I appreciate that working from home is driving us all a little stir crazy at the moment, but one prominent anti-gambling MP recently even said it was right to ban all advertising of gambling because you wouldnt advertise heroin on TV. Im all for engaging with the industrys critics, but in all seriousness comparing things like the National Lottery or online bingo, that still advertise on the telly, with heroin is just plain daft.

The BGC and its members take their responsibilities seriously. Millions of people like the occasional flutter - 46 per cent of the adult population place a bet or gamble each month. The overwhelming majority enjoy a bet safely. Together our members directly employ over 70,000 people throughout the whole of the UK and contribute over 3 billon in tax each year.

Of course, I recognise that not all gambling operators are the same. It is why the BGC have called for a crackdown on the offshore black-market illegal gambling operators. Over 1.4bn is staked each year on the unregulated black market where there are no age and ID verification measures as in the regulated industry or any of the high safer gambling measures such as monitoring play and intervening with those at risk.

TheBGC want all customers to enjoy our products safely and responsibly, with help available for those who need it, when they need it. The work we are doing to help the tiny minority of gamblers who, as with alcohol or many other things, get into trouble is being improved all the time.

At the start of the covid-19 crisis, anti-gambling hardliners warned that there would be a huge increase in gambling, that operators would cash in on covid and that marketing and advertising would be stepped up to groom new customers to online betting. None of this is true. Of course I expect prohibitionists to keep shifting the goalposts and to keep using covid as their opportunity to kick the industry. But thanks to the action we have taken, standards are actually on the up and fears have proven unfounded.

Michael Dugher is the Chief Executive of the BGC and a former MP and Shadow Secretary of State for DCMS

Inside the SI Investigation that Exposed Pete Rose’s Gambling – Sports Illustrated

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Danzig

On August 24th, 1989, Major League Baseball banned Pete Rose after an investigation concluded the former Cincinnati Reds manager bet on baseball.Sports Illustrated is opening up the SI Vault and examining its most consequential work about moments like this one that defined the most legendary athletes in sports through its new podcast, The Record.

In the third episode, Priya Desai talks to former SI senior writer Craig Neff, who was part of a team of reporters that uncovered one of the biggest scandals in the history of sports. It all began in the spring of 1984, with a call to the tip line of Sports Illustrated. Jon Wertheim discusses Roses career and the time he spent the day with a young reporter named Al Michaels.

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The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Priya Desai:Do you remember who the first big break was as far as your main sources?

Craig Neff: Thevery first piece that we wrote, a guy named Alan Statmanwho was the lawyer for Ron Peters who ran a cafe and was supposedly Pete's main bookiehis lawyer wanted to sell us his account of what happened, and we don't pay for journalism. That's not what we do. So we turned him down, but he had said to us that he had spoken to Major League Baseball and made them aware that he had information about Pete betting on baseball. And so that gave us the entree to approach baseball about what it knew and what it was doing, and we were simultaneously investigating every aspect of who Ron Peters was and other associates of Pete's. So what ended up happening is that we were supposed to do our very first piece in mid march of 1989 and at this point, there was nothing in the public about Pete Rose and gambling.

This was totally out of the the blue. Of course, had to talk to Major League Baseball about it, to get a response, as to what it was doing on having supposedly received this information. We closed the magazine on Sunday and Monday in those days, and by my recollection on Monday, Major League Baseball suddenly announced that it was investigating Pete Rose for baseball. They knew that we were doing a story. Then they scooped our story by announcing it publicly. So we had to kind of retool quickly.

PD:How many moving parts were there? Can you talk about how you went from the initial tip, to the investigation and then trying to figure out how quickly you can go into print.

CN:Initially we didn't know how many arms would be reaching into this, but before long, we realized that besides Pete Rose's confidant, his sort of inner circle of friends and associates, there were federal investigations involving either him or those associates, and it had the IRS, it had the customs department. It had federal drug authorities. There's also a baseball investigation that started fairly early on with John Dowd. So there was a parallel track that baseball was now investigating it. We had the locations, a Gold's gym that was near Cincinnati, a restaurant that was North of Cincinnati, that was called Jonathan's cafe, and then there were the circle of people. So there was Pete, and then people very close to him who had indicated they might have some involvement in or knowledge of his gambling. Then there were people close to those people. Because we had to, it's not only a matter of finding the sources in this kind of story, you have to find out that the sources are credible, and so you have to double check stories and you have to find other people who might have witnessed something.

We always tried to get multiple confirmations on everything because that's sound journalistic practice. So, throughout it, I talk about the complexity of the story. There were a number of people on our team. There were a lot of people we had to find and talk to and to piece all of their accounts together.

PD:So its all hands on deck at this point?

CN:Yes. It was a very much a team effort throughout and, a lot of reporters were involved at different points, but the two most significant ones, one was Jill Lieber, who was a staff writer at the time, and she was a tremendous reporter and in-person interviewer, able to draw information out of people as well as being super smart and actually, I mean a pioneer of sorts in women's journalism, in sports. I will say the other was Marty Dardis, who was almost 70 at the time, was not a journalist per se. He was an investigator and he was legendary really. He had made his name in Florida when he had connected the Watergate break in to president Nixon's reelection committee because he had taken the time to trace serial numbers on hundred dollar bills that were in the Watergate burglars possession. He was a former cop and a real, you know, hard-nose investigator who would help us on projects. He wasn't a staff writer or anything. So those two spearheaded our field reporting on the case. And there were some others who worked on little parts of it cause there were so many parts and pieces to this story.

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