Latest news with #Caribbeans
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Nicholas Pooran's international retirement at 29, a wake-up call that must not be ignored
The cricket world has been rocked in the last five weeks by a string of high-profile retirements, by superstars of different vintages from different formats of the game. It started with Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, pulling the plug on his Test career on May 7, five days before his predecessor, the talismanic Virat Kohli, followed suit. Their decisions weren't completely unexpected though when they were formalised, there was a touch of the sudden, leaving a huge gap in Indian cricket. These were followed by Glenn Maxwell bidding adieu to One-Day International cricket so that he could channel his energies towards the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year, and South African stumper Heinrich Klaasen walking away from white-ball formats internationally – he had already retired from Tests – within a few hours of each other. Rohit is 38, Kohli will turn 37 in November; both had long runs in Test cricket. Kohli earned his Test cap in June 2011 while Rohit's maiden appearance came in November 2013. The 36-year-old Maxwell played 149 ODIs and Klaasen, 33, represented South Africa 122 times in all three formats combined. Especially in the case of Rohit, Kohli and the injury-ravaged Maxwell, you could see where they were coming from. Klaasen was more of a surprise, though he explained his stance a couple of days back when he said, 'I felt for a long time that I didn't really care about any of my performances and whether the team won or not. That's the wrong place to be. I wasn't enjoying it that much.' Joining Klaasen now in the list of former internationals – Rohit and Kohli are still available for ODIs, Maxwell for T20Is – is Nicholas Pooran, the extraordinarily gifted left-hander from Trinidad who set the first half of IPL 2025 alight with his sensational ball-striking for Lucknow Super Giants. What makes Pooran's call staggering is that he is only 29; since first playing for West Indies in September 2016, he has earned 61 ODI caps and played in 106 T20Is. He is the highest scorer for the Caribbeans in T20Is, with 2,275 runs at a strike-rate of 136.39, has captained the team previously and was expected to be one of its bulwarks going forward at least in that format – he hasn't played an ODI since July 2023, when West Indies were dumped out of the ODI World Cup qualification tournament and missed the tournament for the first time since its inception in 1975. Pooran's unexpected move has sent shock waves through the cricket world, reinforcing the hold of the various 20-over franchise-based leagues mushrooming around the globe and weaning away wonderful talent from the country vs country landscape. The vice-like grip of these leagues isn't a figment of anyone's imagination or a monster perceived. It's neither the fault of the tournaments, provided they are stringently vetted and monitored, nor of the players whose shelf-life is limited and for whom cricket is a means of livelihood. If an individual chooses to prioritise playing leagues as opposed to representing their country for various reasons, that choice must be respected because the easiest thing is to sit on the outside, without being involved directly and without being aware of the ground realities, and pass moral judgements that often involve the words 'greedy' and 'mercenary'. Especially when it comes to the West Indies, the chequered recent history between the officialdom and players can't be overlooked. There was a period when the administration was so disassociated from the players that several established and promising personnel walked away without a second glance, disillusioned that they didn't find the support commensurate to the effort they put in to elevate the stocks of a proud cricketing entity that has now fallen on hard times. South Africa have grappled with issues of their own, especially when it comes to the composition of their squads and their commitment to righting the wrongs of the past. The exodus of South Africans to England and other parts of the world to chase their cricketing aspirations is well documented, though to ascribe these same triggers to Klaasen's decision will be a little far-fetched. While the easier option is to point the finger of blame at the players and their 'greed,' the bigger question that needs to be asked is whether cricket boards are doing enough to keep the players' fervour to play for their country burning bright. It's all fine to invoke pride and patriotism, but without sounding disrespectful, that alone doesn't put food on the table. Pooran's exit isn't the end of the story; it could just be the tip of the iceberg and, therefore, should be viewed with the gravity that every wake-up demands.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Caribbean-Americans share culture with Springfield community during heritage month
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – It's National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, and the community is sharing their culture with the city of Springfield. When it comes to Caribbean culture, celebration looks a lot like a carnival. With vibrant colors and music, it's the way they choose to express themselves. 'And that's what makes us really unique, the blended culture that we inherited,' said Andrew Sharpe, Chairman of the Authentic Caribbean Foundation. 'Both from Africa and Europe, and we created our own.' Rep. Ramos proposes bill for red light cameras in Mass. Springfield came together to celebrate National Caribbean Heritage Month, with local leaders showing their support at the steps of City Hall. A flag-raising was held to honor the Caribbean community across the region. Music and dancing is a big part of Caribbean culture, and they plan to bring that to Springfield in the coming weeks. This includes the Moko Jumbie, also known as a traditional dancer on stilts. 'In terms of representing Moko Jumbie, which is one aspect of our folklore culture,' Sharpe said. Across the Caribbean from east to west, the Moko Jumbie is celebrated. Groups like the Authentic Caribbean Foundation want this tradition to reach western Massachusetts. 'That spirit of fun and enjoyment is some of the things we bring to this nation as well,' said Curt Marcellin, Committee Chair for Caribbean Heritage Month. Outside of Boston, Springfield and Holyoke are home to a growing population of Caribbeans. The celebration will continue through August, when the African Community Festival will take place on August 8 in Springfield. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
England vs West Indies LIVE Score Streaming, Toss updates 2nd ODI: When, where to watch ENG vs WI match today?
England vs West Indies 2nd ODI Live Streaming Info, Toss update: After handing West Indies a proper 238-run thrashing in the first ODI, the Harry Brook-led England will look to seal the three-match one-day series when they take on the Shai Hope side in the second ODI at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Sunday. Earlier on Thursday, the 'Three Lions' put a big total of 400 on the board after batting first. Opener Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell and Brook struck fine and aggressive fifties, taking England to a total that turned out to be way out of reach for West Indies. FOLLOW: ENGLAND VS WEST INDIES 2nd ODI LIVE SCORE UPDATES In what was a proper one-sided contest, Jaydon Seales emerged as a silver lining for the Caribbeans. The right-arm pacer picked four wickets before scoring 29 off 14 with the bat in a losing cause. ENG vs WI, 2nd ODI – Toss update: The toss for the second ODI has been scheduled at 3:00 PM IST. ENG vs WI 2nd ODI – live streaming details: When will the second ODI between England and West Indies take place? The second ODI between England and West Indies will be held on Sunday, June 1. Where will the second ODI between England and West Indies be held? The second ODI between England and West Indies will take place at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. What time will the second ODI between England and West Indies start? The second ODI between England and West Indies will begin at 3:30 PM IST. What time will the toss for the second ODI between England and West Indies take place? The toss for the second ODI between England and West Indies will be held at 3 PM IST. Where to watch the live telecast of the second ODI between England and West Indies in India? The second ODI between England and West Indies will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network in India. Where to watch the live stream of the second ODI between England and West Indies in India? The second ODI between England and West Indies will be streamed live on the Sony LIV and FanCode apps and websites. England squad: Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Luke Wood, Tom Banton, Matthew Potts, Tom Hartley. West Indies squad: Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (wk (c), Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Jediah Blades, Jewel Andrew, Jayden Seales, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘Bullying only leads to self-isolation': Xi Jinping after US-China sign trade deal
In his first public remarks since the US and China agreed to a temporary truce over tariffs, President Xi Jinping hit out at 'bullying' and 'hegemonism' stating that there are no winners in trade wars while addressing a gathering in Beijing for a summit on Tuesday. Addressing a gathering of Latin American and Caribbean officials in Beijing, Jinping said that great changes unseen in a century are accelerating, which have 'made unity and cooperation among nations indispensable,' CNN reported. Reiterating a warning he has issued since the trade war antics began with US President Donald Trump, Xinping said 'There are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars. Bullying or hegemonism only leads to self-isolation.' After successful negotiations over the weekend in Geneva, @POTUS reached an agreement with China to retain U.S. reciprocal tariffs on China, reduce Chinese retaliation and eliminate harmful countermeasures, and establish a path for future discussions regarding opportunities for… — United States Trade Representative (@USTradeRep) May 12, 2025 The speech by President Xi Jinping comes a day after US and China announced that they would strategically rollback drastic tariff measures against each other's goods for an initial 90-day period, a breakthrough which has led to de-escalation of a trade war between the world's two largest economies and bringing cheers in the global share market. Trump had imposed a punishing 145% tariff on Chinese goods, and in a retaliatory measure, Beijing introduced a 125% tariff onUS products, leading the global financial markets into a trade war and stoking fears of a global recession. Xi Jinping, while extending support to Latin Americans and Caribbeans said 'In the face of seething undercurrents of geopolitical and bloc confrontation, and the surging tide of unilateralism and protectionism, China stands ready to join hands with our Latin American and Caribbean partners,' CNN quoted. Trump had introduced reciprocal tariffs on all its global trading partners in April, imposing levies of 10% to 50% on almost all goods exported to the US, only to suspend the measure for a 90 day moratorium after the global economy went into crisis over uncertainty and instability in the demand and supply chain.
Irish Times
22-04-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Londoners and tourists mourn Pope Francis as the Catholic church enjoys new lease of life
They filled the pews of Westminster Cathedral and thronged its side chapels. They stood at the back and in the aisles. Some even knelt on the marble floors. The requiem mass for Pope Francis on Monday evening drew an enormous crowd of locals and tourists alike – the grieving, the pious and the simply curious – to the central London home of the Catholic church in England and Wales. Although it sometimes runs counter to many visitors' expectations, metropolitan London is by far the most religious city in Britain due to its status as a magnet for immigrants from the developing world, where religion is stronger than in the West. Among the English Catholics praying at the cathedral on Monday evening I heard the accents of many Hispanics, Caribbeans, Africans, Southeast Asians whom I took to be Filipinos, Europeans including Italians and French, and even a few from Ireland. READ MORE The grand, red-bricked cathedral sits in the heart of London's West End, close to busy Victoria Station. The area was relatively quiet as the mass began at 5.30pm on Easter Monday. Most parking spaces in surrounding streets were taken up by broadcasting vans with satellite dishes. The broad plaza at the front of the cathedral was stalked in advance of the service by the television reporters who were eager to capture scenes of the grief of Catholics following the death earlier that day of Francis. Yet, in truth, the atmosphere at Westminster Cathedral was stoic and restrained. This was a mass for an 88-year-old man who had seemed to be near death for months. There was no sense of shock, no ostentatious displays of emotion. Very few appeared tearful. In recent months, the area around Westminster Cathedral had begun to attract many homeless asylum seekers, most of them younger men who had camped around the plaza and up the side of the cathedral building. They were moved on by local authorities over the Easter period as the church became busy with services. Now, as people came to mourn a pope who had preached compassion towards immigrants, a few of the asylum seekers appeared to have returned on Monday evening to sit on the steps outside the cathedral. However, they hadn't re-erected any of their tents by the time I left. Just inside the door to the cathedral was a memorial shrine to Francis, a large picture of him waving which was surrounded by candles and a splash of yellow and white Easter flowers. Beneath the picture were hundreds of memorial cards for churchgoers with prayers for the pope in death. These included Psalm 120 – the song of the ascents – as well as the evening prayer of the Canticle of Simeon and a bespoke 'Prayer for Francis'. The cards were professionally printed on high quality material – produced in haste, perhaps, by the Liturgy Office of the Catholic Bishops Conference on Monday afternoon. Or maybe they prepared them in advance in the expectation of what was soon to come. Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols delivers his homily at Westminster Cathedral on Monday. Photograph: PA The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, presided over the mass, which lasted for 90 minutes. Afterwards, tourists and locals queued to sign the four books of condolences for Francis that had been opened down the back of the cathedral. After the bishops left the scene, many other visitors also queued with little reverence to take selfies at the steps to the altar. London tourism trundles on as always. The Catholic church, meanwhile, has in recent years experienced something of an unexpected renaissance in Britain, fuelled by increasing mass attendance by Generation Z . A recent YouGov survey for the Bible Society found that British Catholic churchgoers now outnumber Anglicans two-to-one in the 18-34 year age group. Six years ago, there were 1.5 times more Anglicans than Catholics in this age bracket. While the number of people in Britain who identify as Christian overall is falling – it dropped below half to 46 per cent of the population at the 2021 census, as the number of non-religious grew – the Catholic church still claims 6.2 million members, even if less than a fifth are regular massgoers. The church says mass attendances have risen steadily in recent years, although these are still behind pre-pandemic levels. If the trends identified in the YouGov research persist, Catholics across all age groups will soon outnumber Anglican Protestants for the first time in 500 years since the Reformation started by Henry VIII. The monarchy in recent years appointed the UK's first Catholic prime minister – Boris Johnson married Carrie Symonds in Westminster Cathedral . High-profile Catholics such as Jacob Rees-Mogg are also prominent on the airwaves. Now an upsurge of youth has injected enthusiasm into the church. The pope may have died, but the Catholic church in Britain, it seems, remains still very much alive.
