West Indies Win Over South Africa

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Sun. August 25, 2024: Led by superb bowling performances from Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph, the West Indies pulled off a stunning 30-run victory against South Africa, securing the three-match T20 series with a game to spare.

Romario Shepherd (L) of West Indies celebrates the dismissal of Reeza Hendricks of South Africa during the 2nd T20i match between West Indies and South Africa at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

After being sent in to bat, West Indies posted a competitive total of 179 for six in their 20 overs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Sunday.

Ottniel Baartman (L) of South Africa congratulates Matthew Forde (R) of West Indies for winning the 2nd T20i match between West Indies and South Africa at Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium in Tarouba, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Man-of-the-Match Shepherd and Joseph then spearheaded a middle-order collapse, taking six wickets between them, as South Africa was bowled out for 149 with just two balls remaining in the match.

This win gave the home side an unassailable 2-0 series lead, following their seven-wicket victory in the opening T20 on Friday.

Despite the eventual outcome, South Africa seemed poised to level the series after a strong start to their run chase. Openers Ryan Rickelton (20) and Reeza Hendricks, who top-scored with 44 off just 18 balls, powered South Africa to 63 in under five overs. Hendricks was especially dominant, hammering off-spinner Roston Chase for two sixes and two fours in an over that yielded 23 runs.

However, Joseph made the breakthrough by having Rickelton caught at deep backward square by Matthew Forde, attempting a pull shot. Shepherd then claimed the crucial wicket of Hendricks, who had struck six fours and two sixes, as the batter dragged a wide ball onto his stumps, leaving South Africa at 71-2 in the sixth over.

Even after Shepherd trapped South African captain Aiden Markram lbw for 19, the visitors appeared in control with Tristan Stubbs and Rassie van der Dussen adding 43 runs, taking their total to 129-3 after 14 overs.

But in a dramatic collapse, South Africa lost their final seven wickets for just 20 runs. Stubbs was caught at long-off by substitute fielder Fabian Allen for 28 off spinner Akeal Hosein, and five runs later, Donovan Ferreira was stumped off the bowling of Gudakesh Motie, reducing South Africa to 134 for five.

Hosein also took the wicket of van der Dussen (17), and when Bjorn Fortuin was bowled by Joseph, the visitors had tumbled to 144 for seven in the 17th over. Shepherd returned to claim his third wicket, with Patrick Kruger caught on the cover boundary by Shai Hope, and Joseph and Forde finished off the tail to seal the win.

Shepherd ended with outstanding figures of 3-15 from his four overs, while Joseph achieved his best-ever T20 figures of 3-31 from his four overs. Hosein contributed with 2-25.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being asked to bat on a flat, dry pitch, the West Indies got off to a steady start with openers Alick Athanaze and Hope putting on 41 runs together. Athanaze became the first of three wickets for South African bowler Lizaad Williams when he was caught at midwicket for 28, attempting a pull shot.

Caribbean Roots Chef Among The Dead On Sunk Sicily Yacht

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. August 26, 2024: The body of Caribbean roots chef Ricardo Thomas is among those recovered after the sinking of the £30 million superyacht Bayesian, owned by British billionaire Mike Lynch.

Caribbean roots Chef Ricardo Thomas has died on the Bayesian superyacht. (facebook image)

Chef Ricardo Thomas, born in Canada to Antiguan parents, had been living in Antigua for the past 20 years at his family’s home in Clare Hall. He is being fondly remembered by loved ones following the tragic accident that claimed his life near the coast of Sicily on August 19th.

Caribbean roots Chef Ricardo Thomas was born in Antigua to Antiguan parents.

The Bayesian was struck by a powerful storm on Monday, August 19th, causing it to sink around 5 a.m. local time near Porticello, Italy, according to a statement from the Italian coast guard. At the time of the incident, 22 people were aboard the yacht, including 12 passengers and 10 crew members. While 15 people were rescued, Thomas was among those who perished.

Thomas was celebrated by friends as a beloved figure in his community and a cherished friend. “He was a one-of-a-kind, special human being,” a close friend shared with The Independent, noting that they spoke to him “nearly every day.” Another longtime friend, Eli Fuller, emphasized how important Thomas was as a role model for young Antiguans. “He was sought after in his line of work, and for kids in Antigua to see one of their own traveling the world on yachts was inspiring.”

Gareth Williams, who had known Thomas for 30 years, revealed that the chef had been working to help his family. “He told me just the other day that he needed to work two more seasons to fix up his late parents’ house. He loved yachting, but he was tired.”

The search for missing bodies continues, with those recovered so far including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, along with Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy, and New York lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda.

Investigations are now focused on how the Bayesian, considered “unsinkable” by its manufacturer, the Italian Sea Group, could have gone down so quickly. CEO Giovanni Costantino has pointed to potential crew errors as the cause of the tragedy, stating in an interview with the Financial Times that the yacht sank in 16 minutes, a timeframe that should have allowed for a safe evacuation.

The ill-fated voyage was reportedly hosted by Lynch to celebrate his recent acquittal on fraud charges in the U.S.

Caribbean Roots Actress Stars In Zoe Kravitz’ Blink Twice

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. August, 26, 2024: Caribbean roots star Naomi Sarah Ackie lit up the screen this weekend as ‘Blink Twice,’ the movie from Zoë Kravitz, opened in fourth place with $7.3 million.

Caribbean roots actress Naomi Ackie attending the European premiere of “Blink Twice” at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on August 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/FilmMagic)

Ackie, 32, the daughter of second-generation immigrants from Grenada, stars opposite Kravitz’ real life fiancee, Channing Tatum, who plays tech billionaire Slater King. He invites Ackie, who plays cocktail waitress and aspiring nail artist Frida, to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. Wild nights blend into sun-soaked days, and everyone’s having a great time. plays cocktail waitress and aspiring nail artist Frida, who ventures to the island alongside friend Jess (Alia Shawkat) and strangers Sarah (Adria Arjona), Camilla (Liz Caribel), and Heather (Trew Mullen). Their host, Slater, is a fresh off of an apology tour from some kind of undisclosed misconduct and claims he’s a changed man.

When the guests arrive, their phones are collected, they’re given matching linen dresses and swimsuits, and then the booze, drugs, and gourmet delights come out. What could go wrong? As it turns out, plenty. Jess goes missing, the maid (María Elena Olivares) keeps repeating cryptic phrases (“red rabbit”?). Manipulations and abuse rise to the surface. Soon Frida, like Daniel Kaluuya’s Chris in Get Out, goes from cheery to petrified – and joins forces with the other women to plot bloody revenge.

Blink Twice reportedly cost a modest $20 million to produce before marketing and received a B- CinemaScore from audiences. The film is from MGM and Amazon, with Warner Bros. handling overseas.

Ackie, born in London, is known for her television roles as Bonnie in The End of the F***ing World (2019) and Master of None (2021) and for her role as Jannah in the film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). In 2022, she portrayed American singer Whitney Houston in the biopic ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody.’

Her father was a Transport for London employee and her mother worked for the National Health Service. She is one of three children and has an older brother and sister. She went to Walthamstow School for Girls.

Her first role was at the age of 11, playing the angel Gabriel in a school nativity play. She studied at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and graduated in 2012.’

Blink Twice was shot in Yucatán, Mexico. plays cocktail waitress and aspiring nail artist Frida, who ventures to the island alongside friend Jess (Alia Shawkat) and strangers Sarah (Adria Arjona), Camilla (Liz Caribel), and Heather (Trew Mullen). Their host, Slater, is a fresh off of an apology tour from some kind of undisclosed misconduct and claims he’s a changed man. When the guests arrive, their phones are collected, they’re given matching linen dresses and swimsuits, and then the booze, drugs, and gourmet delights come out. What could go wrong?
As it turns out, plenty. Jess goes missing, the maid (María Elena Olivares) keeps repeating cryptic phrases (“red rabbit”?). Manipulations and abuse rise to the surface. Soon Frida, like Daniel Kaluuya’s Chris in Get Out, goes from cheery to petrified — and joins forces with the other women to plot bloody revenge.

Ackie recently shared a funny story in a candid interview with PEOPLE about her experience with rock musician Lenny Kravitz, the father of Zoe Kravitz, whose mother also has roots in the Caribbean. Ackie shared that during the making of Blink Twice, while she was going through her filming activities, she went out from her bedroom and found herself face to face with Lenny Kravitz right outside.

Since they had never met before, Lenny Kravitz, known for his hit songs like “Are You Gonna Go My Way?”, introduced himself in a friendly manner. However, so overwhelmed by how famous he was that she automatically shut the door.

“I’d never met him before. I opened my bedroom door, and Lenny was just there. He was like, ‘Hi, you must be Naomi. I’m Lenny.’ I was like — I shut the door.” After getting herself together for a second, however, Ackie reopened the door to greet Kravitz properly. I took a moment to calm down and then said, ‘Okay, now I’m ready,’” she recalled.

For a glimpse of Ackie in Blink Twice, check out the clip here: Watch Now.