LeBron's Lakers finale veers off script

LOS ANGELES – As movie pitches go, LeBron James' move to the Los Angeles Lakers had all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster.

An ageing NBA superstar joins a storied-but-struggling franchise and leads a dramatic revival which transforms the team into title contenders.

But five months after James began training with the Lakers, the perfectly scripted finale has been stuck in what entertainment industry executives call "development hell".


After a promising start to their new era, the Lakers have tailed off dramatically since an injured James limped out of a Christmas Day upset of the mighty Golden State Warriors.

At that point, the Lakers were still firmly in the Western Conference playoff hunt with a respectable 20-14 record.

Since then, however, the Lakers have won nine games and lost 17, a slump which has seen them fall out of the playoff rankings into 11th spot in the West, three places adrift of the eighth postseason slot.

Much of that slide can be attributed to James' prolonged absence due to a groin injury, with the 34-year-old missing all of January before returning for a 123-120 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on February 1.

However, the Lakers have continued to struggle even with James back in the line-up.

A chastening sequence of results has included the heaviest defeat of James' career, a 136-94 pounding by the Indiana Pacers, as well as losses to lower-ranked opponents who have little to play for.

The most recent of those came on Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies, who are one place off the bottom of the West with a 24-38 record.

James later appeared to question his team-mates' focus after Monday's 110-105 reverse in Memphis, suggesting that any player unable to cope with the pressure of chasing a playoff berth should find another club.

Locker room turmoil?
"At this point if you are still allowing distractions to affect how the way you play, then this is the wrong franchise to be a part of and you should just come and be like, 'Listen, I don't think this is for me'," James told reporters.

Those kinds of comments are unlikely to endear him to a locker room which has reportedly been in turmoil since the team's pursuit of New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis ended in failure in early February.

The Lakers were reported to have offered several prominent members of their roster in exchange for Davis, including Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

James meanwhile had earlier spoken favorably of a possible link-up with Davis, saying playing alongside the Pelicans ace would be "amazing".

The perception that the Lakers' pursuit of Davis was going ahead with James' blessing was pounced upon by rival fans.

Ingram was subjected to taunts of "LeBron's gonna trade you" during the loss to Indiana on February 5.

One unnamed NBA executive believes James bears some of the responsibility for the Lakers' problems by making no secret of his admiration for Davis.

"He killed the Lakers' chemistry," the executive told Bleacher Report. "He shouldn't have been so public about it."

Other pundits, however, believe the Lakers' problems are linked directly to James' fitness and his lengthy injury layoff.

"The biggest problem with the Los Angeles Lakers is LeBron James," Stephen A. Smith told ESPN's First Take show.

"Age, attrition or injury. Something is not right. He doesn't look like himself."

James meanwhile has always cautioned that rebuilding the Lakers would be a long-term project, stating in September that he anticipated "bumps and bruises" as the team attempted to rebuild after missing the playoffs for five straight seasons prior to his arrival.

But James must now conjure something remarkable over the final weeks of the regular season if he is to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time in his career since 2005.

The Lakers face a brutal run-in which includes games against Boston, Denver, Toronto and Milwaukee.

A daunting final six-game stretch sees them play New Orleans, Golden State, Oklahoma City, the Clippers, Utah and Portland.

source: philstar.com

LIST: Oscars 2019 winners in main categories

HOLLYWOOD — Here are the winners in key categories at the 91st Academy Awards, which were handed out on Sunday in Hollywood.

"Green Book" took home the best picture Oscar, while Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma" won for best director, best foreign film and best cinematography.




Top acting honors were shared among four different films.


Best picture: "Green Book"

Best director: Alfonso Cuaron, "Roma"


Best actor: Rami Malek, "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Best actress: Olivia Colman, "The Favourite"

Best supporting actor: Mahershala Ali, "Green Book"

Best supporting actress: Regina King, "If Beale Street Could Talk"

Best foreign language film: "Roma" (Mexico)

Best cinematography: Alfonso Cuaron, "Roma"

Best animated feature: "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse"

Best documentary feature: "Free Solo"

Best original screenplay: "Green Book" - Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie and Peter Farrelly

Best adapted screenplay: "BlacKkKlansman" - Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott

Best original score: "Black Panther" - Ludwig Goransson

Best original song: "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born," Lady Gaga

source: philstar.com

Oscar nominations: all the fun facts

HOLLYWOOD, United States — Hollywood insiders and movie fans are eagerly waiting to hear the names of the Oscar winners on Sunday night.

But the statistical quirks that Tinseltown's biggest night of the year throws up can be as intriguing as tracking which movies get the most golden statuettes.

Here are some fun facts and figures about this year's list of nominees, and a bit of Oscars trivia:


Cuaron reigns supreme 

Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma," a black-and-white cinematic ode to his childhood in 1970s Mexico City -- and the mother and nanny who raised him -- earned a whopping 10 nominations to lead the contenders.

But the Mexican filmmaker himself scored an impressive feat -- four of those nominations are his personally: for best picture as a producer, best director, best original screenplay and best cinematography.

He joins illustrious company with his achievement: Warren Beatty did the same, scoring four nominations in four different categories -- twice -- for "Heaven Can Wait" and "Reds."

Joel and Ethan Coen did it for "No Country for Old Men."

Blockbusters galore 

For many moviegoers, the Oscars have become somewhat elitist, often rewarding art-house fare that not many have seen. But those fans cannot complain this year.

Marvel superhero blockbuster "Black Panther" -- the highest-grossing film of 2018 in North America at more than $700 million -- scored seven nominations including one for best picture, becoming the first movie based on a comic book to earn the honor.

Other mainstream box office hits nominated for best picture include musical romance drama "A Star Is Born" ($210 million in North America) and "Bohemian Rhapsody" ($213 million).

Heavy prize 

The Oscar statuette is solid bronze and plated in 24-karat gold. It stands 13.5 inches (34 centimeters) tall and weighs 8.5 pounds (3.8 kilograms).

It takes three months for Polich Tallix Fine Art Foundry in New York to manufacture a batch of 50 statuettes. More than 3,140 statuettes have been handed out since 1929.

The trophy represents a knight holding a crusader's sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes that refer to the five original branches of the Academy -- actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers.

Acting royalty

Meryl Streep holds the record for the most nominations in the acting categories, with 21. She and Jack Nicholson -- the most nominated male actor with 12 nominations -- each have two statuettes for lead acting and one for supporting roles.

The movie industry figure with the most Oscars is Walt Disney, who won 22, plus four honorary statuettes.

Katharine Hepburn won the most Oscars for a performer, with four. Daniel Day-Lewis is the only person to have three best actor Oscars.

Snubs and surprises 

Industry watchers were shocked that Bradley Cooper was snubbed in the best director category for "A Star Is Born" -- but earned three nominations for best actor, best adapted screenplay and best picture (as a producer).

They were thrilled to see Spike Lee earn his first directing nomination for "BlacKkKlansman" and first for best picture. The US filmmaker earned a lifetime achievement award at the 2016 Oscars.

But many expected "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" -- a critically acclaimed documentary about US children's show host Mister Rogers -- to make the cut. It did not.

A happy surprise was a best actress nomination for breakout "Roma" star Yalitza Aparicio in her debut performance.

source: philstar.com

Venezuela aid standoff hardens between Guaido, Maduro

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido forged ahead Wednesday with plans to bring US medical and food aid into the country in defiance of the military-backed government, raising fears of possible weekend confrontations.

In the latest maneuver of his standoff with socialist President Nicolas Maduro, self-declared interim leader Guaido rallied bus drivers who he said will head to the borders to collect aid for Venezuelans suffering shortages.

Guaido repeated his vow that the supplies would enter "one way or another" -- even as Maduro stepped up efforts to block aid he claims is a pretext for a US invasion.


"Even though they point guns at us -- and all of us have received threats, rubber bullets and even live ones -- we are not afraid," Guaido said, standing on the back of a truck in a throng of supporters.

"We will stay out in the street with our chests bared, demanding freedom for all of Venezuela."

Shipments of food and medicine for the crisis-stricken population have become a key focus of the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido, the 35-year-old leader of the Venezuelan legislature backed as acting president by more than 50 countries.

Guaido considers Maduro illegitimate over his reelection last May in polls boycotted by the opposition after several of their leaders were prevented from standing -- either jailed, barred or in exile.

He wants to oust Maduro, set up a transitional government and hold new elections.

"This could be very soon, between six and nine months, once Maduro's current usurpation ends," Guaido told Mexican television station Televisa.

A million volunteers

Guaido, who says 300,000 people could die without an influx of aid, says he aims to rally a million volunteers to start bringing it in by Saturday.

Addressing supporters he listed the planned transit points of entry at the Brazilian and Colombian borders, the island of Curacao and the seaports of Puerto Cabello and La Guaira.

However the pro-Maduro military has already blocked the Tienditas bridge across the Colombian border, and Vice President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed the government was shutting down air and sea links between Curacao and Venezuela.

The military said in a decree that it was banning vessels from sailing out of Venezuela's ports until Sunday to avoid actions by "criminal" groups.

Amnesty International's Americas director Erika Guevara urged authorities to "not only recognize this serious crisis... but also to guarantee access" for those bringing in aid.

Underlining the swell of international support for Guaido, British entrepreneur Richard Branson plans to hold a pro-aid concert just inside Colombia on Friday, while Maduro's government stages a rival concert on its side of the border, around 1,000 feet (300 meters) away.

US officials say the aid will reach thousands of Venezuelans and last for a few weeks. Further details of how the opposition aims to distribute it were scarce.

Private bus driver Jose Figueroa, 60, said he planned to leave Caracas in the coming days in a convoy of some 30 vehicles.

Foreign 'aggression'

"The government is leading us to war. It will be very difficult. The situation is extremely tense," he said, as drivers parked their buses and pick-up trucks at a rally in central Caracas.

"But a bullet will kill you more quickly than hunger."

Wednesday's rally gathered just a couple of dozen buses and pick-up trucks in Guaido's support.

The pro-opposition drivers had planned to hold their rally at a major crossroads further west but found the avenue blocked by a far bigger demonstration.

Hundreds of state bus drivers rallied in the red shirts of the pro-government "Chavismo" movement, in a gathering convened by the authorities.

They yelled their loyalty to Maduro -- himself a former bus driver -- and the memory of his predecessor, the father of Venezuela's socialist "revolution," Hugo Chavez.

State-employed bus driver Julio Arocha, 53, admitted he was "negatively affected" by the crisis, "economically, psychologically", but was getting by thanks to state food handouts.

Catalyst for change

Like Maduro, Arocha blamed the crisis on foreign "aggression."

"The aggression is intensifying. The word 'humanitarian' is a euphemism," he said.

Despite sitting on the world's biggest oil reserves, Venezuela is gripped by an economic and humanitarian crisis, with acute shortages of food and medicine.

"Even if the February 23 deadline does not serve as a catalyst (for regime change), Maduro will likely pay a cost either way," wrote Eurasia Group analyst Risa Grais-Targow in a note this week.

"Barring the entrance of food and medicine into the country will prompt additional international condemnation and isolation, while it will also probably fuel opposition protests and deepen popular demand for change."

source: philstar.com

Video recaps of all NBA games coming to Facebook Watch

MANILA, Philippines – The NBA, with one of the world's largest Facebook communities, will make video recaps of every league game available on Facebook Watch, according to NBA Digital.

The league, which resumes regular-season play Thursday (Friday) following a break for Sunday's NBA All-Star Game, has 400 million followers across all league, team and player Facebook accounts.

In addition to NBA video recaps, Facebook Watch will feature game recaps for all Women's NBA, developmental G League and NBA 2K League contests, including the NBA Summer League plus pre-season and playoff matchups.


The NBA also will host a weekly Watch Party on Facebook, allowing fans worldwide to watch and interact with game recaps and videos in real-time.

WNBA, G League and NBA 2K League Watch Parties will be held monthly.


"We are excited to provide our millions of followers on Facebook with recaps to every game," said Sam Farber, NBA Vice President, Digital Media.

"Basketball fans around the world can interact in real-time and share in their passion for the game."

The online community debate around NBA contests is an offering that excites Devi Mahadevia, Facebook North America Sports Programming Lead.

"The NBA boasts one of the most vibrant sports communities on our platform," Mahadevia said. "By delivering these game recaps and hosting a weekly Watch Party, the league will be able to engage with fans around the world in new and exciting ways."

source: philstar.com

Joe Harris outguns Steph Curry to bag NBA 3-point shootout crown

MANILA, Philippines – Brooklyn's Joe Harris had himself a splash party in the 2019 NBA All-Star 3-point shootout, edging Golden State star Steph Curry to come away with the title.

Harris had a perfect money ball rack in both the first and championship rounds. The Brooklyn Nets guard set the bar high to start the competition, coming in first and scoring a whopping 25 points.

Fellow 3-point shootout newbie Buddy Hield passed Harris in the first round, scoring 26 points of his own. But it was the older Curry who led the way going into the championship round with 27 points from deep.

Come championship round, Harris was still on fire and hit another perfect money ball rack to improve on his first round score. He led the pack with 26. Hield scored 19 while Steph Curry almost forced a tie-break with 24 points.

Curry made his first nine attempts in the championship round.

source: philstar.com

Kneeling protester Kaepernick agree to confidential NFL settlement

NEW YORK. United States – Colin Kaepernick, whose kneeling protests sparking a firestorm of controversy, has reached a settlement with the NFL over his collusion grievance against the league, his attorneys' said Friday (Saturday Manila Time).

But a confidentiality clause will keep details of the arrangement private, the deal being made ahead of a planned final arbitration hearing on the grievance that was to be heard later this month.

Kaepernick and former San Francisco 49ers teammate Eric Reid both filed a lawsuit against the NFL saying owners and officials colluded to keep them off NFL rosters for their decision to make a kneeling protest during the US anthem.


Reid signed a one-year deal as an injury replacement last season with the Carolina Panthers and on Thursday inked a new three-year contract with the same club but Kaepernick has been unemployed since opting out of his contract in March 2017, missing two full NFL campaigns.

Kaepernick, a 31-year-old signal caller who guided the 49ers to the 2013 Super Bowl, had said he was only interested in a settlement if it meant a solid financial deal was reached.


But it could also mean that Kaepernick, who has signed a deal with Nike in the wake of being ignored by the NFL for two seasons, might yet return to the league.

NFL officials denied collusion claims by Kaepernick and Reid despite comments from US President Donald Trump that urged owners to fire any "son of a bitch" who kneeled during the anthem after many NFL players followed Kaepernick's lead in 2017.

Kaepernick and Reid said they were protesting racial inequality and social injustice. Trump claimed their actions were in insult to the flag, the nation and the military.

In an statement released on the Twitter account of attorney Mark Geragos, the law firm dealing with Kaepernick's legal action against the NFL, said the two sides have come to terms without indicating what those terms were.

"For the past several months, counsel for Mr. Kaepernick and Mr. Reid have engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL," the Geragos and Geragos statement said.

"As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances. The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party."

NFLPA backs settlement

The NFL Players Association supported the decision by Kaepernick and Reid despite not knowing exact details of the settlement.

"Today, we were informed by the NFL of the settlement of the Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid collusion cases. We are not privy to the details of the settlement, but support the decision by the players and their counsel," the NFLPA said.

"We continuously supported Colin and Eric from the start of their protests, participated with their lawyers throughout their legal proceedings and were prepared to participate in the upcoming trial in pursuit of both truth and justice for what we believe the NFL and its clubs did to them.

"We are glad that Eric has earned a job and a new contract, and we continue to hope that Colin gets his opportunity as well."

source: philstar.com

76ers' Embiid fined for attack on referees

NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association slapped Joel Embiid with a $25,000 fine on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) after the Philadelphia 76er player openly criticized the referees following a loss to the Boston Celtics.

Embiid was wrapping up a post-game news conference with reporters after a 112-109 defeat on Tuesday night when he leaned into the microphone, yelled a profanity and said the referees "suck."

The league responded by fining Embiid for "public criticism of the officiating which included use of inappropriate language".


Embiid's outburst was apparently the result of not getting a foul call in his favor in the final minute of the Celtics' game.

He finished the game with 23 points and 14 rebounds after shooting just nine-of-22 from the field.

Embiid's discipline is just the latest in a series of recent fines for criticism of NBA referees.

Detroit's Blake Griffin and Cleveland's JR Smith were both fined $15,000 each last month for "verbal abuse of officials" while Rudy Gobert of Utah was fined $15,000 in December for criticizing the referees.

source: philstar.com

Thunder roll over Blazers

OKLAHOMA CITY – Paul George had a 47-point triple-double, and Russell Westbrook set an NBA record for consecutive triple-doubles as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-111 on Monday night.

George’s 3-pointer with 3:52 to play came on the 10th assist by Westbrook, who clinched his 10th consecutive triple-double. Westbrook finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Wilt Chamberlain had nine consecutive triple-doubles in 1968.

George, who contributed 12 rebounds and 10 assists, has scored 92 points over the last two games.


The win was the fourth consecutive and 11th in 12 games for the Thunder.

Hampered by a strained left shoulder, James Harden nearly had his streak of consecutive 30-point games end before coming alive down the stretch as host Houston defeated Dallas 120-104.


Harden finished with a game-high 31 points on 9-for-23 shooting that went  with eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals.

The Rockets relied on a collective effort to build a lead against Dallas, with four others scoring in double figures, including guard Gerald Green, who poured in 19 points in 22 minutes off the bench. Luka Doncic posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to pace the Mavericks.

In Cleveland, New York saw its late comeback bid fall short at Cleveland and took its 17th straight defeat – the longest single-season losing streak in franchise history.     

Other results: Detroit 121, Washington 112; Indiana 99, Charlotte 90; Toronto 127, Brooklyn 125; Milwaukee 112, Chicago 99, Minnesota 130, LA Clippers 120; Denver 103, Miami 87.

source: philstar.com

Thai princess disqualified from list of candidates for PM

BANGKOK, Thailand — Thai Princess Ubolratana was on Monday formally disqualified for running for prime minister, ending her brief and ill-fated political union with a party allied to the powerful Shinawatra clan, just days after a stern royal command rebuking her candidacy was issued by her brother, the king.

Uncertainty and conjecture have coursed through Thailand since Friday when the Thai Raksa Chart party made the explosive announcement of Princess Ubolratana, King Maha Vajiralongkorn's elder sister, as their candidate for premier after the March 24 election.

Her tilt appeared to some to be a masterstroke of back-room dealings by Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire self-exiled ex-premier, just weeks before the poll.


But just hours later it fell apart.

A royal command from the king put a pin in her unprecedented political aspirations, insisting the monarchy was above politics and describing his sister's candidacy as "highly inappropriate."

Thailand's incredibly wealthy and powerful monarchy is revered by Thais and protected by a draconian lese majeste law. The king's word is seen as final.

On Monday the Election Commission formally scratched her candidacy.

"The EC today has announced the name of candidates excluding Princess Ubolratana proposed by the Thai Raksa Chart party," it said in a statement, explaining "all royal family members are above politics." 

Despite its brevity, the princess's foray into politics has electrified the political landscape of the country, as speculation over who wins and loses from her tilt ricochets across the kingdom.

Coups and plots 

Chatter of an impending coup against the ruling junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha and a major change in army top brass has billowed out, with the hashtag #coup trending in the top 10 on Thai Twitter.

On Monday junta chief Prayut on Monday was forced to dismiss rumours of an impending coup as "fake news."

"Rumors...? We're investigating. Fake news," he told reporters at Government House.

The gruff former general, masterminded a putsch against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, in 2014.

Meanwhile, a chastened Thai Raksa Chart, a key pillar in Thaksin's election strategy, agreed to comply with the royal command.

It may face censure by election authorities that could ultimately see it dissolved, although it was not clear if any ban could be in place before the election takes place.

Thailand's generals have a penchant for coups, backroom plotting and factional struggles.

They have grabbed power 12 times since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, including against existing juntas seen to have over-stepped their mark.

Prayut has agreed to stand for premier after the election and is aided by an army-scripted constitution.

But critics say he has personalised power and outstayed his welcome with a public wearied by his finger-jabbing style.

The king appointed a new army chief, Apirat Kongsompong, last year from a rival faction of the army to Prayut and his junta allies.

Recent days have seeded unease, with the first election in eight years now seemingly dependent on behind-the-scenes power plays by the elite.

Meanwhile, the fate of Thai Raksa Chart hangs in the balance.

The party, a second to the Thaksin political powerhouse Pheu Thai, was expected to help the Shinawatra machine secure a majority in the 350-seat lower house.

But it is under intense pressure following its bid to bring in the princess.

"I think the party leader and board should take a responsibility by resigning," said Srisuwan Janya of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, a royalist activist group, who submitted a petition to election authorities Monday calling for the party's censure.

source: philstar.com

List: Winners in key categories at the 2019 Grammy Awards

Los Angeles, United States— Here is a list of winners in the major categories for the Grammy Awards, which were handed out on Sunday in Los Angeles:

* Country star Kacey Musgraves won the top prize of the night, Album of the Year, for her "Golden Hour."

* Album of the Year: Kacey Musgraves, "Golden Hour"


* Record of the Year (best overall song performance): Childish Gambino, "This Is America"

* Song of the Year (recognizing songwriting): Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) and Ludwig Goransson, "This Is America"

* Best new Artist: Dua Lipa

* Best Music Video: Childish Gambino, "This Is America"

* Best Rap Album: Cardi B, "Invasion Of Privacy"

* Best Rock Album: Greta Van Fleet, "From the Fires"

* Best Pop Vocal Album: Ariana Grande, "Sweetener"

* Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, "Shallow"

* Best Urban Contemporary Album: The Carters, "Everything Is Love"

* Best R&B Album: H.E.R., "H.E.R."

* Best Alternative Music Album: Beck, "Colors"

* Best World Music Album: Soweto Gospel Choir, "Freedom"

source: philstar.com

Music's top stars set for Grammys gala

LOS ANGELES, United States — The music world will hit the red carpet on Sunday for the Grammys, with a wider selection of nominees -- led by hip-hop royalty and a bevy of talented women -- up for the top prizes.

The televised bash in Los Angeles, which kicks off at 5:00 pm (0100 GMT Monday) at the Staples Center, is not without controversy, as the Recording Academy grapples with how to embrace diversity in its ranks.

For the second consecutive year, black hip-hop artists are leading the pack -- but observers are still wondering if nominations success can translate into wins.


Rapper Kendrick Lamar -- who won a Pulitzer Prize for his album "DAMN." but has yet to snare a Grammy for Album of the Year -- earned eight nods while Canadian rapper Drake snagged seven.

Women artists scored nominations in all of the top categories, after being largely muted a year ago: rapper Cardi B, pop diva Lady Gaga, pop futurist Janelle Monae and folk rocker Brandi Carlile are among the frontrunners.

In the Best New Artist category, six of the eight nominees are women.

Grande backs out  

But controversy was threatening the gala before it even began, with a number of superstars declining to take part in the show's glitzy concert portion.

Untouchable pop star Ariana Grande -- who dropped her highly anticipated album "Thank U, Next" just before the Grammys -- slammed producer Ken Ehrlich over her decision not to perform, suggested he was "lying" about her readiness.

Drake, Lamar and Childish Gambino -- the rap alter-ego of actor Donald Glover -- have also all turned down performance offers, and it was not clear if they would even attend.

This year, Academy voters did pass on nominating perennial favorites like Taylor Swift for the top three prizes of Album, Record and Song of the Year, relegating pop stars who reigned in years prior to lesser categories.

Praise for women 'overdue' 

Women are also hoping to get their due after the head of the Recording Academy -- which includes more than 13,000 music professionals -- told them last year to "step up" if they wanted to do better on Grammys night.

The brazen comment drew outrage and prompted the executive, Neil Portnow, to say he would resign when his contract expires this summer.

This year, five of the eight Album of the Year nominations went to female artists: Cardi B, Carlile, Monae, R&B prodigy H.E.R. and country star Kacey Musgraves.

Lady Gaga scooped up five nominations including for both Record and Song of the Year for her heart-pounding hit "Shallow," which she performed in the film "A Star Is Born" with co-star Bradley Cooper.

Songstress Alicia Keys is set to host Sunday's ceremony -- the first woman to do so in 14 years.

She vowed this year's performances would be the "sickest" yet and feature of-the-moment stars like Lady Gaga and Cardi B as well as icons like country legend Dolly Parton and disco icon Diana Ross, who will take the stage for a Motown tribute.

A performance honoring the legacy of the late "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin is also expected.

Keys told CBS news this year's greater representation from women was "far overdue."

She hailed the importance "particularly for women to have our seat at the table, to represent the fact that we are so here and so incredible and we are the creators of our music."

"There's a great respect that is deserved to women and you will see that live embodied on Sunday."

source: philstar.com

Raptors, Bucks, 76ers boost stock in East; Davis still in wait list

MANILA, Philippines — Toronto, Milwaukee and Philadelphia made their moves. Anthony Davis will have to wait until the summer for his.

The New Orleans Pelicans held onto Davis but dealt Nikola Mirotic to the Bucks, one of the Eastern Conference contenders who fortified their teams Thursday before the NBA trade deadline.

The Raptors are getting former All-Star center Marc Gasol from Memphis. The 76ers, a day after acquiring forward Tobias Harris from the Clippers, sent Markelle Fultz to Orlando and will hope Jonathan Simmons can provide some production where the former No. 1 pick couldn’t.


“Those teams were already really good. And the assumption would only be that they’d only benefit from those moves,” Boston coach Brad Stevens said. “It will be quite a challenge. As we knew it would be.”

A busy swap season that included Dallas’ acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis from New York ended without a move for Davis, the player who dominated the discussion in recent weeks. The Pelicans didn’t find a deal for Davis, who had requested a trade and informed the team he wouldn’t sign a contract extension this summer.

But the Lakers couldn’t put together a strong enough package to the Pelicans’ liking for the All-Star forward, who will go back into the trade market after the season ends. There will be other marquee names available then with a free agent class that could be highlighted by players such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard.

Boston didn’t jump into the trading deadline fray but may try to get involved in the summer.

For now, the Celtics appear to feel they have enough to win the East.

The other conference contenders looked for upgrades – and went out and got some that likely will fit well.       

source: philstar.com

Liam Neeson says he is 'not racist' after hunting random black men to attack

WASHINGTON, United States — Hollywood star Liam Neeson insisted Tuesday he was "not racist" after confessing that he had once set out to attack random black men after a friend of his told him she had been raped.

"I'm not a racist," Neeson said on ABC news, although he admitted he had felt a "primal urge to lash out" some 40 years ago after hearing from his close friend that she had been raped by a black man.

"I went out deliberately into black areas in the city, looking to be set upon," the 66-year-old star of "Schindler's List" said, recalling that he went out several times carrying a cosh and hoping a black person would pick a fight.


"I'm ashamed to say that and I did it for maybe a week, hoping some black bastard would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could ... kill him,” he told the British newspaper The Independent earlier this week.

"It was horrible, horrible when I think back, that I did that. And I've never admitted that," he said.

In the end, no violence occurred and Neeson added, "It shocked me and it hurt me ... I did seek help, I went to a priest."

Neeson made the remarks while promoting his new thriller "Cold Pursuit," about a father seeking revenge after his son is murdered.

While the star of "Taken" -- a hit film about a former CIA agent trying to track down his kidnapped daughter -- insisted he was not racist, he said his reaction underscored the need for a broader debate on race in society.

"If she had said an Irish or a Scot or a Brit or a Lithuanian I would -- I know I would -- have had the same effect. I was trying to show honor, to stand up for my dear friend in this terribly medieval fashion," the Northern Irish actor said.

His remarks triggered widespread condemnation. Charles Blow, an African-American columnist for the New York Times, asked on Twitter: "Could Will Smith confess to stalking the streets of Los Angeles for a whole week searching for random white men to kill and get a pass? Exactly."

source: philstar.com

Trump calls for end to 'revenge' politics at State of Union

WASHINGTON, United States — US President Donald Trump appealed to Congress Tuesday to unite at a moment of deep partisan division as he made the case for a new era of compromise on immigration and security in his State of the Union address.

"We can make our communities safer, our families stronger, our culture richer, our faith deeper, and our middle class bigger and more prosperous than ever before," Trump said. 

"But we must reject the politics of revenge, resistance, and retribution -- and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise, and the common good. Together, we can break decades of political stalemate."


It was the president's first speech in the House since the Democrats took the lower chamber back in a landslide last year -- leaving Congress split with Trump's Republicans still in control of the Senate.

He was cheered repeatedly by his side during the speech, which lasted around 85 minutes, but was met with stony silence from the Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as he turned to the thorny subject of immigration.

Vowing to get his disputed border wall built despite opposition by Democratic lawmakers, he urged Congress to "work together" and forge a deal to improve border security.

"In the past, most of the people in this room voted for a wall -- but the proper wall never got built. I'll get it built," he said, referring to lawmakers from both political parties who he repeatedly stresses voted for physical barriers in previous years.

Trump's speech came ahead of a February 15 deadline for Congress to agree on funding for building a border wall which the president made a key pledge in his election campaign.

Democrats, who control the lower house, have repeatedly rejected Trump's funding demands, saying that he has made the wall project a political crusade to demonize immigrants and to satisfy his base.

Trump previously tried to pressure Congress into backing his idea by refusing to sign off on budgets for swathes of the federal government, leading to a five-week shutdown of some 800,000 government jobs.

"Simply put, walls work and walls save lives. So let's work together, compromise, and reach a deal that will truly make America safe," Trump added.

Trump's second State of the Union address came with the Democrats vowing to use their new control over House committees to launch multiple investigations into everything from his charity foundation and tax returns to possible collusion with Russian meddling in the 2016 election. 

"An economic miracle is taking place in the United States, and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics, or ridiculous partisan investigations," Trump said.

source: philstar.com

Cuban says Mavs want Porzingis, Doncic for long haul

LOS ANGELES – Kristaps Porzingis won't join new Dallas teammate Luka Doncic on court this season, but once he does Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wants to keep the duo together for the long haul.

"Our goal is to keep these two together for the next 20 years," Cuban said Monday (Tuesday Manila time) as the NBA club held a press conference to introduce new acquisitions Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr. Courtney Lee and Trey Burke.

Latvian big man Porzingis, the number four pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, hasn't played since undergoing surgery to repair a torn left knee ligament last February.

He was traded from the New York Knicks last week in a blockbuster multi-player deal, but the Mavericks were quick to say that they don't expect him to resume competition this season.

Cuban said the Mavericks will evaluate Porzingis and develop a timetable for his return.

"I've been patient this whole time and I'm going to keep staying patient," Porzingis said. "We're going to make the right decisions."

While Porzingis can become a restricted free agent at the end of this season, Cuban envisions Porzingis staying in Dallas and forming a dynamic duo with rookie sensation Doncic, the third overall selection in last June's draft who is averaging 20.7 points per game along with 7.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists.

Porzingis, 23, said he had a "great relationship" with the 19-year-old Slovenian, having played against him in Europe.

"I remember he was a few years younger than me. We just know each other from playing against each other for a long time," Porzingis said. "Now that I have the opportunity to play with him I'm really excited about it."

source: philstar.com

Brady wins sixth Super Bowl as Patriots outmuscle Rams

ATLANTA – Tom Brady wrote his name into the record books here Sunday (Monday Manila time), winning the Super Bowl for a sixth time as the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in the lowest scoring NFL championship game in history.

Brady, 41, became the first player ever to win six Super Bowls, 17 years after leading the Patriots to his first title way back in 2002.

The total of 16 points scored in the game was the lowest ever in Super Bowl, surpassing Miami's 14-7 win over Washington in 1973.


Patriots icon Brady — already widely regarded as the greatest quarterback the National Football League has ever seen — provided the decisive moment to break open the game midway through the fourth quarter at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

With the score finely balanced at 3-3, Brady picked out tight end Rob Gronkowski for a 29-yard completion that left the Patriots just two yards from the line.

It was the first time in the game that either side had advanced to 1st and goal in a defense-dominated game that failed to live up to its billing.

The Patriots were in no mood to waste the hard-fought opportunity, and rookie running back Sony Michel crashed over for what turned out to be the crucial score.

The Rams looked to have finally found some fluency as they chased a touchdown to level, but quarterback Jared Goff was picked off by corner Stephon Gilmore to leave the Patriots in sight of victory.

The Patriots marched up field on the subsequent possession and Stephen Gostkowski's second field goal with 1min 16sec remaining made it a two-score game.

The Patriots' triumph saw them join the Pittsburgh Steelers with six Super Bowl titles, the most by any franchise.

Patriots receiver Julian Edelman was named Super Bowl MVP for a series of crucial receptions that kept the Patriots on the front foot at critical moments.

Missed chances

The Rams meanwhile were left reflecting on what might have been, with receiver Brandin Cooks twice having what looked like certain touchdowns denied by last-ditch defensive plays from New England in the second half.

It was a bitter end to the season for Rams coach Sean McVay, who at 33 would have been the youngest winner of the Super Bowl.

Instead McVay was outfoxed by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, whose defensive gameplan choked the life out of the Rams, the second most potent offense in the NFL this season who had averaged more than 30 points a game.

Belichick, 66, becomes the oldest head coach to win the Super Bowl.

An attritional first half had seen defense dominate, with the Rams — the second most potent offense in the league this season — restricted to a meagre 57 yards.

The Patriots, meanwhile, looked the more composed with their run game making good yardage early on.

Although Brady suffered the indignity of throwing an interception with his first pass attempt, when cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman batted a pass intended for Chris Hogan into the arms of Cory Littleton, the Rams were unable to escape the Patriots defense.

Gostkowski missed an early field goal attempt from 46 yards but the Patriots finally got on the board early in the second quarter through the veteran kicker's 42-yard effort.

The Rams meanwhile mysteriously left star running back Todd Gurley on the sidelines for long periods, with doubts swirling about his fitness.

There was little improvement in the opening exchanges of the second half. Goff almost gave up a pick with his first attempt, but Dont'a Hightower was unable to haul the ball in.

Gurley raised Rams hopes with a 16-yard run but the drive fizzled once more.

Two more stalled possessions followed, and the Rams owed a massive debt to Johnny Hekker when he conjured a 65-yard kick, the longest punt in Super Bowl history, from behind his own line to get Los Angeles out of jail.

With the Patriots forced to punt once more, the Rams then finally managed to string a drive together.

Cooks was denied a certain touchdown after hauling in the ball in the end zone only for Jason McCourty to bat the ball out of his control.

Goff suffered a sack on third down to leave Greg Zuerlein with a 53-yard effort but the Rams kicker stroked it over to level at 3-3 with just over two minutes remaining in the third.

But that was as good as it got for the Rams, who also saw Cooks denied a game-tying touchdown after he fumbled near the end zone.

source: philstar.com

Market may trade sideways this week

MANILA, Philippines — The stock market this week may be characterised by follow through buying on Chinese New Year ahead of the release of the January inflation numbers, according to First Metro Investment Corp. vice president Cristina Ulang.

Ulang said investors would closely monitor the corporate earnings report, noting that outperformance versus estimates would hold the key to sustained foreign buying.

Christopher Mangun, head of Eagle Equities, said that there may be lower trading volumes this week.


“This week is the first trading week of February and with only four days of trading we are going to see lower trading volumes as the holiday is in the middle of week and investors may take a break from trading and take the week off,” he said

Thus, he said the market may continue to trade sideways between 8,000 and 8,200.

“The index may end the week lower, but the key is for it to stay above the 8,000 level. If we continue to see heavy foreign inflows, then the market may sustain its current momentum. Local investors have started taking some risk off the table and currently foreign money is supporting the market. With earnings reports set to start coming in this week on top of better inflation numbers for January, we may see the market factor this is and maintain its current trajectory,” he said.

Last week, the market was pulled up by rosy western equities markets which rose after dovish comments from the US Fed.

The main index ended the week 90.96 points higher or 1.13 percent to close at 8,144.16.

In the first three days of trading, there was a pullback, even touching the 7,900 support level.

However, in the last two trading days there was already  a complete reversal, eventually breaking above 8,100 in the afternoon trading session on Friday, Mangun said.

Foreign money flooded the market with net foreign buying at P5.74 billion.

In all, the PSEi ends the month of January 7.3 percent higher which is the market’s best performance since March 2016.

source: philstar.com

Once red-hot smartphone market sees cooler trend

SAN FRANCISCO, United States — The smartphone market is down but not out, with high prices and other factors combining to chill what had previously been a red-hot sector.

Fresh surveys show global sales had their worst contraction ever in 2018, and the outlook for 2019 isn't much better.

Still, analysts don't see the sun setting any time soon on the smartphone era, seen as a must-have device for many people around the world.

"They don't have a viable replacement yet," independent Silicon Valley analyst Rob Enderle said of the smartphone.

"There is always the possibility to go to wearables or head-mounted displays, but none of those have emerged as a real threat."

Worldwide handset volumes declined 4.1 percent in 2018 to a total of 1.4 billion units shipped for the full year, according to research firm IDC, which sees a potential for further declines this year

Another market tracker, Gartner, said its research suggested some stabilization in the smartphone market at the end of last year, said analyst Werner Goertz.

"Mobile phones are here to stay," Goertz said, while suggesting that consumers may be waiting for some devices with new features.

"Foldable phones would represent a really nice disruptive feature," he said.

Analysts pointed out that other tech products such as personal computers have seen similar ebbs and flows.

"Markets will always have slow moments when companies have to spend more on marketing money to get people to go out and buy stuff," Enderle said.

He added that some consumers are holding off on replacing their devices amid price hikes for premium devices like Apple's iPhone.

Food or phone? 

During a recent earnings call, Apple chief executive Tim Cook agreed that people were holding onto their iPhones longer.

Cook contended that another reason for slower iPhone sales was that telecom carriers were cutting subsidies of handsets tied to service contracts, meaning customers were faced with paying full price of $1,000 or more for high-end models.

"People don't want to spend another thousand bucks to replace something that isn't broken," analyst Enderle maintained.

"In emerging markets you can't get people to pay a quarter of their monthly income for a phone; they are not giving up food for texting."

In an unusual move, Apple lowered prices in some emerging markets to offset the effects of a strong US dollar on local pocketbooks.

Cook said that in January, in some locations and for some products, Apple "absorbed part of the foreign currency move" to "get close or perhaps right on" prices in those respective markets a year ago.

"So yes, I do think that price is a factor," Cook said.

Market mess 

Nonetheless, the latest data suggests the days of red-hot smartphone growth are over and that sluggish growth or contraction is likely in many saturated markets.

Apple recently reported a rare drop in revenue in the fourth quarter South Korea's Samsung, the largest smartphone maker, reported a slump in fourth-quarter net profits, blaming a drop in demand for its key products.

"Globally the smartphone market is a mess right now," said IDC analyst Ryan Reith.

"Outside of a handful of high-growth markets like India, Indonesia, (South) Korea and Vietnam, we did not see a lot of positive activity in 2018."

Reith noted that along with consumers waiting longer to replace their phones and frustration around the high cost of premium devices, there was political and economic uncertainty.

The Chinese market, which accounts for roughly 30 percent of smartphone sales, was especially hard hit with a 10 percent drop, according to IDC's survey.

However, Chinese smartphone makers such as Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi defied the trend and ended the year with gains, according to Counterpoint Research.

This year, smartphone makers will likely entice customers to upgrade devices with innovations such as superfast 5G network connectivity and foldable screens , according to Counterpoint associate director Tarun Pathak.

Leading smartphone maker Samsung is expected to show off a smartphone with a foldable screen at an event here in February.

source: philstar.com

Ten days of turmoil in Venezuela

Here is a recap of developments.

- Call to revolt -

On January 21 a small group of soldiers takes control of a command post north of Caracas, releasing a video rejecting Maduro's regime and calling on people to take to the streets.

The rebellion is put down quickly and 27 soldiers are arrested, but there are demonstrations of support in Caracas.


Hours later the Supreme Court declares that the decisions of opposition-controlled National Assembly are invalid. The assembly had days earlier promised an amnesty to soldiers who abandoned Maduro.

- US backs opposition -


On January 22 US Vice President Mike Pence brands Maduro "a dictator with no legitimate claim to power" and tells the opposition, "We are with you."

Washington and other countries have dismissed as fraudulent the May 2018 election that gave Maduro a second term.

Maduro accuses Washington of ordering a coup.

- Self-proclaimed 'acting president' -

On January 23 tens of thousands of people protest in Caracas and other cities in rival demonstrations for and against Maduro. Clashes erupt.

In front of cheering supporters, National Assembly head Juan Guaido proclaims himself "acting president", pledging a transitional government and free elections.

US President Donald Trump immediately recognizes Guaido, followed by Brazil, Canada and Colombia, among around a dozen other countries.

However China, Cuba, Mexico, Russia and Turkey voice support for Maduro, who breaks off diplomatic ties with Washington.

On January 24 Venezuela's powerful military high command throws its weight behind Maduro.

- European ultimatum -

On January 26 several European powers say they will recognize Guaido as president unless Maduro calls elections within eight days. Caracas rejects the ultimatum.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urges all nations to end financial dealings with Maduro.

Venezuela's military attache to Washington, Army Colonel Jose Luis Silva, breaks ranks with Maduro, becoming the first major military officer to publicly switch support.

On January 27 Maduro calls on soldiers to show "union, discipline and cohesion".

Copies of amnesty measures drawn up by the Guaido-led assembly are circulated to members of the military, some of whom publicly burn the document.

- Guaido barred from leaving -

On January 28 the United States imposes sanctions on Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, preventing it from trading with US firms and freezing its assets abroad.

On January 29 Washington says it has handed control of Venezuela's bank accounts in the United States to Guaido.

In Caracas, the supreme court bars Guaido from leaving Venezuela and freezes his accounts.

The opposition-controlled legislature names "diplomatic representatives" to a dozen countries that have recognized Guaido as interim president.

The UN says protests in the week after the soldiers' brief uprising had left more than 40 people dead and record numbers arrested.

- Opposition marches -

On January 30 Maduro says he would support early parliamentary elections but not presidential ones.

Thousands of opposition protesters, led by Guaido, call on the military to abandon Maduro and allow humanitarian aid into the country.

"The fight for freedom has begun!" Trump tweets.

Maduro again calls on the armed forces for unity.

- European Parliament backs Guaido -

On January 31 the European Parliament urges the EU to recognize Guaido, ahead of his presentation of an economic and social rescue plan for the battered country.

France and Spain demand the release of five foreign journalists detained in Venezuela as part of a crackdown on international media.

source: philstar.com