Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 16

2021

Raúl Castro confirms he is resigning as Cuban Communist Party leader, ending his family’s six decade leadership of Cuba.

2007

“Spider-Man 3” directed by Sam Raimi and starring Toby Maguire and Kristen Dunst premieres at the Tokyo Film Festival.

2004

The super liner Queen Mary 2 embarks on her first Transatlantic crossing.

2003

Washington Wizards’ Michael Jordan plays his final NBA game, in Philadelphia, where he receives a 3 minute standing ovation.

1999

Wayne Gretzky announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL).

1982

Queen Elizabeth proclaims Canada’s new constitution

1980

Arthur Ashe retires from professional tennis.

1968

The Pentagon announced that troops would begin coming home from Vietnam.

1964

The Rolling Stones first album was released in the UK, it went to No.1 two weeks later and stayed on the chart for 40 weeks, with 11 weeks at No.1.

1939

Boston Bruins beat Toronto Maple Leafs 4 games to 1 for Stanley Cup; first NHL playoff expanded to the best-of-seven games format.

1932

Short film “The Music Box” released in the US, starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy (1932 Academy Award Best Live Action Short Film).

1818

The United States Senate ratifies the Rush-Bagot Treaty, establishing the border with Canada.

Categories
Sports (en)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. offers to pay $20M of Antonio Brown’s salary

Floyd Mayweather Jr. believes the firing of Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass catcher Antonio Brown was unjustified. As a result, he is willing to help him find another job.

If an NLF team wants to offer a contract to the controversial but talented catcher, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is offering to pay $20 million of his annual salary.

The boxing legend made the proposal to all NFL teams during his appearance on The Pivot Podcast.

“I think AB is really misunderstood. He just wants to be treated fairly. And this goes out to all the teams that are watching us right now. We’re offering them a deal: If they sign AB and AB goes through the whole season, no problems, then they have to give us $20 million. But if he screws up, then we have to give them $20 million. So if a team wants to match that, let them contact us.”

Antonio Brown himself ended his season last year when he took off his gear in the middle of a game in Tampa Bay, only to have the Bucs fire him for it.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. isone of the sport’s few billionaires and will soon come out of retirement to get back in the ring on May 14 in Dubai.

Categories
Entertainment

NBA : Drake bets on Golden State this time

Toronto Raptors fans may be shocked. Toronto’s most ardent fan, Drake, has put his money on the Golden State Warriors for the 2022 NBA playoffs.

It’s well known that the Toronto rapper likes to bet on sports results. His most recent known bet is the last Super Bowl. He would have pocketed more than $600,000 in one day.

What is also known is that Drake is a die-hard Toronto Raptors fan. He had a front row seat in 2019 when the Queen City team won the NBA’s top honors. His fervent passion for his favorite team had even raised the ire da league that wanted him to calm his ardor.

It seems that the singer believes this time that Golden State is a better bet than Toronto for the end of season series. The rapper put $200,000 on the Warriors to win the Western Conference title for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

If he’s right, Drake could win $1 million, reports trade site B-R Betting.

The Warriors, led by stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green enter the playoffs with high expectations. They are looking for their first title since 2018.

Categories
Entertainment

Harry and Meghan finally visit the Queen

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle finally visited Queen Elizabeth II together for the first time in over two years.

The couple, who now live in the United States, made a stop in England, before continuing the European journey to The Hague in the Netherlands where they are attending the Invictus Games.

Initial reports indicated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not scheduled to meet the sovereign. It seems that the couple changed their minds and visited Elizabeth II a few days before her 96th birthday.

The meeting was held at the residence of the monarch at Windsor Castle. Harry’s father, Prince Charles was also present.

Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie, 2, and Lilibet, 10 months, did not accompany the couple for this trip. So the queen still hasn’t met the couple’s newest child in person.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle then reportedly spent the night at their home in the grounds of Frogmore Cottage at Windsor Castle.

The Sussexes’ unexpected visit comes as Prince Harry is at loggerheads with the British government over his and his family’s safety. The prince claims that he is threatened in England. That’s why his visits are rare.

The last time Prince Harry visited England was last July during a special ceremony in honor of his mother. Meghan Markle, meanwhile, had not visited the country since 2020.

The couple missed the ceremoniescommemorating the first anniversary of thedeath of Prince Philip, last March.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 15

2019

Paris cathedral Notre Dame catches fire, toppling its spire and destroying its roof.

2013

Two bombs explode near the finish line at the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, killing 3 people and injuring 264 others.

2010

Volcanic ash from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland leads to the closure of airspace over most of Europe.

1989

Students in Beijing launched a series of pro democracy protests upon the death of former Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang. The protests led to the Tienanmen Square massacre.

1965

NFL changes penalty flag from white to bright gold.

1952

The first B-52 prototype was tested in the air.

1947

Jackie Robinson becomes 1st African-American to play in US major league baseball (Dodgers).

1912

The British passenger liner RMS Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic at 2:20 a.m., two hours and forty minutes after hitting an iceberg. Only 710 of 2,227 passengers and crew on board survive.

1874

First ‘Impressionist’ exhibition opens in Paris, features Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot.

1865

Abraham Lincoln dies 9 hours after he is shot attending the play “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 15

2019

Paris cathedral Notre Dame catches fire, toppling its spire and destroying its roof.

2013

Two bombs explode near the finish line at the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, killing 3 people and injuring 264 others.

2010

Volcanic ash from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland leads to the closure of airspace over most of Europe.

1989

Students in Beijing launched a series of pro democracy protests upon the death of former Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang. The protests led to the Tienanmen Square massacre.

1977

Montreal Expos play their first baseball game in the Olympic Stadium – the Big O – after moving from Jarry Park.

1965

NFL changes penalty flag from white to bright gold.

1952

The first B-52 prototype was tested in the air.

1947

Jackie Robinson becomes 1st African-American to play in US major league baseball (Dodgers).

1912

The British passenger liner RMS Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic at 2:20 a.m., two hours and forty minutes after hitting an iceberg. Only 710 of 2,227 passengers and crew on board survive.

1874

First ‘Impressionist’ exhibition opens in Paris, features Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot.

1865

Abraham Lincoln dies 9 hours after he is shot attending the play “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington.

Categories
Entertainment

Justin Bieber partners with Vespa

Justin Bieber and Italian scooter manufacturer Vespa are joining forces to launch a model designed by the Canadian singer.

Following the runaway success of Justin Bieber’s Timbiebs for Tim Hortons, the artist is now being tapped by the iconic two-wheeler brand.

The 28-year-old singer ‘s creation rejuvenates the look of traditional scooters with its all-white color scheme and subtle flames on the bottom.

Justin Bieber was pleased with the result.

“Being able to collaborate with a brand I’ve always loved is what the best collaborations are all about.”

The Justin Bieber x Vespa models will be available in classic 50, 125 and 150 cc models. A range of limited edition accessories such as gloves and a white helmet with matching flames will also be offered.

Pre-sale begins April 20 on the Vespa website.

Categories
News

Elon Musk proposes to buy Twitter entirely

A few days after becoming the largest shareholder, Elon Musk is making an offer of 41 billion (US ) in cash to get his hands on the remaining shares of the social network Twitter.

The billionaire has already acquired about 9.2% of Twitter‘s shares ten days ago. Now he decided yesterday (April 13) to go further. He now proposes to buy 100% of the shares at a price of $54.20 per share, which values the company at $43.4 billion.

The world’s richest man, who is reportedly worth $259 billion (U.S.) right now according to Bloomberg’s Real-Time Billionaires Index, said his offer was his “best and final offer,” according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“I invested in Twitter because I believe in its potential as a platform for free speech around the world, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy. However, since I invested, I realize that the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter must be transformed into a private company,” explains the businessman.

Elon Musk owes most of his fortune to his stakes in the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and his aerospace company SpaceX.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 14

2021

Coinbase becomes the first major cryptocurrency company to trade shares on the New York stock exchange.

US President Biden says “It’s time to end America’s longest war” confirming his decision to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan by Sept 11.

2019

83rd US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Tiger Woods wins his 5th Masters title by 1 stroke from Xander Schauffele, Dustin Johnson & Brooks Koepka; Woods’ 15th major and first in 11 years.

2013

Justin Trudeau, son of long-serving Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, is elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

2010

Icelandic Volcano Eyjafjallajökull begins erupting from the top crater in the centre of the glacier

2003

The Human Genome Project is completed with 99% of the human genome sequenced to an accuracy of 99.99%.

2000

Metallica file a lawsuit against P2P sharing phenomenon Napster. This lawsuit eventually leads the movement against file-sharing programs.

1981

America’s first space shuttle, Columbia, returned to Earth after a three-day test flight. The shuttle orbited the Earth 36 times during the mission.

1956

In Chicago, Illinois, videotape is first demonstrated.

1927

The first Volvo car premieres in Gothenburg, Sweden.

1912

The Atlantic passenger liner Titanic, on its maiden voyage hit an iceberg.

1871

Canada sets denominations of currency as dollars, cents, & mills

1865

US President Abraham Lincoln is shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in Washington; he dies a day later.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 14

2021

Coinbase becomes the first major cryptocurrency company to trade shares on the New York stock exchange.

US President Biden says “It’s time to end America’s longest war” confirming his decision to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan by Sept 11.

2019

83rd US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Tiger Woods wins his 5th Masters title by 1 stroke from Xander Schauffele, Dustin Johnson & Brooks Koepka; Woods’ 15th major and first in 11 years.

2013

Justin Trudeau, son of long-serving Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, is elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

2010

Icelandic Volcano Eyjafjallajökull begins erupting from the top crater in the centre of the glacier

2003

The Human Genome Project is completed with 99% of the human genome sequenced to an accuracy of 99.99%.

2000

Metallica file a lawsuit against P2P sharing phenomenon Napster. This lawsuit eventually leads the movement against file-sharing programs.

1981

America’s first space shuttle, Columbia, returned to Earth after a three-day test flight. The shuttle orbited the Earth 36 times during the mission.

1956

In Chicago, Illinois, videotape is first demonstrated.

1944

Hydro-Québec founded by the Quebec Hydro-Electric Commission after the Duplessis government expropriates Montreal Light, Heat and Power Consolidated and its subsidiary, Beauharnois Light, Heat and Power Company; after public criticism of poor service and high rates.

1927

The first Volvo car premieres in Gothenburg, Sweden.

1912

The Atlantic passenger liner Titanic, on its maiden voyage hit an iceberg.

1871

Canada sets denominations of currency as dollars, cents, & mills

1865

US President Abraham Lincoln is shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in Washington; he dies a day later.