The nation remembers J. A. G. S. McCartney
The nation remembers J. A. G. S. McCartney The nation today remembers its first Chief Minister and national hero James Alexander George Smith McCartney, also known as J. A. G. S.
McCartney or "Jags" McCartney. It’s no small wonder that Jags branched out into politics, having been named after a prominent Jamaican barrister and distinguished legislator,
James Alexander George Smith.
J.A.G.S. founded the People's Democratic Movement (PDM), considered a grassroots organization, established to address the many social and
economic ills that had been pervasive throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. A central goal of his was the attainment of self-determination
for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He had particularly sought to mobilize the youth in the political process.
JAGS was regarded as a charismatic, dynamic and visionary figure, who was determined to usher in a new Constitution that would foster and safeguard
the rights of all Turks and Caicos Islanders, create new opportunities for citizens and advance the Country. Assuming office at age 31, McCartney was
regarded as one of the world's youngest democratically elected leaders in history.
McCartney was the island’s first Chief Minister and held that position from August 1976 until 9 May 1980, when he died in a plane crash over New
Jersey while on official business for the country.
Today, RTC’s Expression’s dedicated a portion of its programme to the memory of the country’s only national hero. Though plagued with heart problem from a child, many recalled McCartney in
his vision for the Turks and Caicos Islands, championing equal rights and justice for his people, as a man with a big heart; a humble person – a
people’s person.
Former Chief Minister of the TCI, Mr. Norman Saunders, who was a classmate of the late JAGS McCartney, as well as a cricket enthusiast (like JAGS),
said they fought on many political issues, but it was friendly, political rivalry.
A caller into Expressions recalled few of the issues that Mr. McCartney lobbied for on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands just a few months
before his death.
Questions abound though as to how much the TCI has progressed since Mr. McCartney’s death and what we as a people are doing to keep the dream of
the country’s first Chief Minister alive.
Another caller on the programme looked up to Mr. McCartney from a little boy and has hung onto the dreams of his idol.
His sentiments were shared by yet another listener who has no doubt that
we are where we are today for lack of visionaries like the late McCartney.
Listeners voicing their concerns during a segment of today’s radio programme Expressions, which was dedicated to the country’s first Chief Minister and only national hero, the Honorable James Alexander George
Smith McCartney.
National Heroes Day, which commemorates the life of McCartney, is designated a holiday throughout the TCI, on the last Monday in May and
will be celebrated on May 30th. A number of activities have been planned in observance of this day, including a wreath laying ceremony at which
Expressions host Robert Hall, will be the guest speaker.
RTC News will have details of other activities in a subsequent newscast.
Annual Turks and Caicos Tourism Conference to be held this week
The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board will this week hosts its Annual Turks and Caicos Conference (TACC). This year our international and national
industry partners have all signed up to engage in what is expected to be a full schedule of events and updates on the current state of the industry.
An opening night cocktail party and reception will take place at the Mango Reef, Alexandria Resort on Tuesday, May 10th from 7 – 8 p.m.
During the opening reception, the media will get an opportunity to conduct one-on-one interviews with Mrs. Pamela Ewing, the Regional Marketing
Manager for Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, who is responsible for organizing the event, Mrs. Rosemary Wilson, Tourist Board Representative
in Canada as well as the Acting Director of Tourism Mr. Ralph Higgs.
Meanwhile, the TACC Tradeshow is scheduled to be held at the Regent Palms Hotel on Wednesday May 11th at 2pm-4pm. The tradeshow will provide an
opportunity for industry partners to meet up with representatives of the respective hotels in Turks and Caicos and some of their top wholesalers
and travel agents from the United States and Canada.
At the Tradeshow, the press has also been invited to speak with Hoteliers and wholesalers on their products and services.
Panthers Track Club shined at Silver Lighting Invitational Track Meet in the Bahamas
TCI participated in the Bahamas over weekend that saw the panthers club walking away victorious after the meets.
Sports Watch host Donavan fulford told RTC Sports that 'this was a very successful track meet for the Panthers track Club.'
The Panthers competed in 26 events which ranged from under 13 boys and girls to 30 + Masters Class. The Panthers Tack ended the meet with 14 medals in total (3 goals, 7 silvers and 4 bronze) and New Junior record for the 400m (under 17 boys).
Here is a break down of our acheivements :
3 Goals
Devante Gardiner under 13 boys long jump - 1st with a jump of 4.51m
Roshawn Been Shot put Open – 1st with a throw of 10.68m
Judy Delancy Long Jump Open 1st
7 Silvers
Judith Robinson shot put open 2nd with a throw of 9.21m
Eddison Johnson High jump open 2nd with a jump of 1.70m
Roshano Cox Long jump open 2nd with a jump of 6.30m
Devante Gardiner Under 13 Boys 100m 2nd 13.20sec
Merlin Stewie Bowe Under 17 boys 1500m 2nd 5;03.05sec
Melvin Elsie Under 17 boys 400m. 2nd with 50.04 (Unofficial new Junior Record) the previous record was held by Junior Feli-Aimes 50.43sec which was set this year at Carifta in Jamaica
Female relay Open 2nd with a time of 54.19sec (Onilia Richards, Janeria Johnson, Kali Thompson and Judy Delancy )
4 Bronze
Devante Gardiner Under 13 boys 200m 3rd 27.56sec
Kali Thompson Under 17 Girls long jump 3rd with 3.87m
Kali Thompson under 17 girls High jump 3rd with 1.37m
4*1 men relay open 3rd with 45.11sec (Anthony pratt, Shyon Parker, Tanikko Clarke, and Roshano Cox)
The panthers Track club comprise of 23 athletes 18 male and 5 female, by far this is the largest number of athletes that has ever left to represent the Turks & Caicos Islands at a track meet and also the largest number of medals recorded for the Islands.
Cyclist Wouter Weylandt dies after Giro d'Italia crash
Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt has died after crashing during Monday's third stage of the Giro d'Italia.
The Leopard-Trek rider fell at high speed during a descent about 20km (12.4 miles) from the finish of the stage from Reggio Emilia to Rapallo.
The 26-year-old lay motionless and bloodied as paramedics tried to revive him using CPR and cardiac massage.
"Despite immediate treatment there was nothing we could do," doctor Giovanni Tredici told Italian television.
"He died from a fracture to the front of his skull. We arrived at the scene 30 seconds after the crash. We tried for 40 minutes to resuscitate him."
Leopard Trek spokesman Tim Vanderjeugd said: "I can confirm the death of Wouter Weylandt.
"He was taken to hospital but had already died at the scene."
An autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death.
Isle of Man cyclist Mark Cavendish said on Twitter: "Things like this shouldn't happen. Absolutely sick to the stomach. My thoughts are with his family. RIP Wouter Weylandt."
Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong said on Twitter: "I'm shocked and saddened. May he rest in peace."
Reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador said: "It's a terrible story and a dark day for the cycling family.
"I want to give all my condolences to the family of Wouter and all his friends and send a message of encouragement and support to the Leopard team and the whole cycling family."
Race director Angelo Zomegnan said he had taken every possible security measure prior to the tragedy but that they would now be beefed up.
"Since the crash, we've gone to great lengths to ensure the security measures already in place are being checked and reinforced by specialist teams," said Zomegnan.
"No race in the world invests so heavily in ensuring we can come to the rescue of crash victims."
Weylandt, whose girlfriend is pregnant, moved to the Leopard-Trek team at the start of the season after turning professional with Quick Step in 2005.
Leopard-Trek general manager Brian Nygaard said: "Today, our team-mate and friend Wouter Weylandt passed away after a crash on the third stage of the Giro d'Italia.
"The team is left in a state of shock and sadness and we send all our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Wouter.
"This is a difficult day for cycling and for our team, and we should all seek support and strength in the people close to us."
The Quick Step team said their "hearts go out to Wouter's family, friends and the colleagues of Team Leopard, in this sad, sad time".
"For all of us, Wouter was a friend before he was a colleague. We remember him as an honest man, always available with a smile on his face and forever generous towards the next guy," read a Quick Step statement.
"Wouter leaves us with a terrible sense of loss and unbearable grief. We want to remember him with arms held high, crazy with joy after a victory, like the one at Middelburg last year.
"This is the image of him that all of us will carry in our hearts forever."
The International Cycling Union added in a statement: "The UCI has heard of Wouter Weylandt's death with great sadness and president Pat McQuaid's thoughts and prayers go to the rider's family and friends, but also to the riders, who will overcame the shock to start to race again tomorrow."
Australian Stuart O'Grady and the Schleck brothers, Andy and Frank, were among his team-mates at Leopard-Trek.
The podium celebration at the end of Monday's stage was cancelled by organisers.
Weylandt was the first rider killed in a crash in one of cycling's three main tours since Italian rider Fabio Casartelli in the 1995 Tour de France.
He is the fourth cyclist to die during the Giro and the first in 25 years. Orfeo Ponsin died in 1952, Juan Manuel Santisteban in 1976 and Emilio Ravasio in 1986.
Schwarzenegger, Shriver announce separation
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife of 25 years, Maria Shriver, announced Monday that they are separating.
The statement, issued by a spokesman for Schwarzenegger, said the two were working on the future of their relationship while living apart and would continue to parent their four children together.
"This has been a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us," the two said in a prepared statement. "After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion, and prayer, we came to this decision together."
It was not clear from the statement if either remained at their estate in Brentwood, or who the children were with. Schwarzenegger's spokesman, Daniel Ketchell, said he wouldn't answer questions beyond what was said in Monday's statement.
Schwarzenegger, a Republican, finished his seven-year run as governor in January and has been traveling to deliver speeches and pursuing entertainment projects. He tweeted frequently during his travels to such faraway places as Brazil, Nigeria and France.
Shriver was not mentioned in his Twitter updates from the road.
Shriver, also active on social networks, posted three updates on her Twitter page on the day of their 25th wedding anniversary on April 26, but did not mention the milestone.
About a month before the wedding anniversary, Shriver wrote on her Facebook page that she was going through a transition in her life.
"As you know, transitions are not easy. I'd love to get your advice on how you've handled transitions in your own life," she wrote.
During Schwarzenegger's time as governor, Shriver and the couple's children never moved to Sacramento, preferring their secluded canyon estate a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. Schwarzenegger never settled in Sacramento, choosing instead to commute by private jet between his home and the state capitol.
Shriver, a member of the Kennedy political dynasty and the daughter of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, left her job as an NBC News correspondent after Schwarzenegger took office.
As the state's first lady, she ran an annual women's conference that attracted a long list of business, political and entertainment luminaries, along with an audience of thousands. She also was credited with overhauling the California Museum in downtown Sacramento and, with Schwarzenegger, starting the California Hall of Fame.
The separation announcement comes months after the death of Shriver's father, Peace Corps founder and former vice presidential candidate Sargent Shriver, in January.
James, Wade lead Heat past Celtics 98-90 in OT
Miami's Big Three was assembled for just this purpose: To dominate the bullies from Boston who knocked them from the playoffs so many times before.
LeBron James scored 35 points, Dwyane Wade had 28 and Chris Bosh had 20 on Monday night to give the Heat a 98-90 overtime victory over the Celtics and move Miami within one game of the Eastern Conference finals. The Heat lead the best-of-seven East semifinals 3-1, with a chance to close out the series in Miami on Wednesday.
"Wednesday night will be our greatest challenge that we've had with this group so far," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We'll get their best games on Wednesday. And we have to be better. If we're real about what we want to do, we have to beat the Boston Celtics at their best."
One game after their worst performance as a threesome, James, Wade and Bosh had 83 of Miami's 98 points and 35 of its 45 rebounds. They scored all 12 of Miami's points in overtime; Bosh and Wade had five apiece after James' fallaway jumper on the Heat's first possession of the extra period gave them the lead for good.
"We're the guys. We're the ones who get all the attention. We're the ones that get all the praise," Wade said. "This team is going to go as far as us three takes it."
Paul Pierce scored 27, Ray Allen had 17 and Kevin Garnett had seven points and 10 rebounds for Boston. Rajon Rondo, who dislocated his left elbow Saturday night in Game 3, played 39 minutes with a padded sleeve covering what appeared to be a brace on his left arm, scoring 10 with five assists.
The Celtics would need to win the next three games - two in Miami - to have a chance to defend their Eastern Conference championship.
"These are those moments. I look forward to it," Allen said. "Everybody on this team, we know what to do. We can't talk about it; we just have to put our best foot forward. It's not easy. It just makes it that much more special if we're able to do it."
Boston has reached the NBA finals in two of the last three seasons, both times knocking James and the Cavaliers out along the way. The Celtics eliminated the Heat last year one round after knocking Cleveland out and sending James on the journey that landed him in Miami.
In all, Wade had lost 11 straight regular-season and playoff games in Boston. James had lost 13 of 15, including the one that ended his Cleveland career.
"I haven't had much success in this building," James said. "We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to just come out and do whatever it took."
Boston took an 84-81 lead with 2:28 left after back-to-back 3-pointers by Delonte West and Allen, but James hit a 3 to tie it and then made a left-handed lay-in with 48 seconds to play to give Miami an 86-84 lead. Pierce drove to the basket to tie it, but James lost control of the ball while he was dribbling down the clock.
Allen went for it and was bumped by James Jones, giving Boston the ball out of bounds with 19.5 seconds left and the game tied at 86. Pierce got the ball, waited out the clock and then took a high-arcing fallaway jumper in the final seconds that bounced off the rim as time expired.
The Celtics scored just four points in overtime, shooting 1 for 6 and making four of their 18 turnovers. Garnett started things off by throwing the ball away, and then James made a fallaway jumper as the shot clock expired to give Miami an 88-86 lead.
Allen missed, Bosh dunked at the other end, West missed a 3-pointer and then James drew a charging foul on Pierce. After another Boston turnover, Wade made a 2-pointer with his foot on the 3-point arc to give Miami a 92-86 lead with 2 minutes left in overtime.
"We just had poor execution down the stretch," Pierce said. "It just carried into overtime, it seemed like. We feel like tonight we beat ourselves."
One game after the Heat's Big Three combined for just 44 points - their lowest total since they assembled their superteam in Miami - they provided almost all the offense. No one else had more than four points, and the Heat's bench totaled just seven, but they won in Boston to earn the chance to finish it in five.
"Our goal was to come out and compete for two games and hopefully get one. And we accomplished that goal," Bosh said. "We're one more win away from our short-term goal, and we just have to keep playing together and keep the defensive frame of mind that we did for the last three quarters."
The 83 total points is tied for ninth-most by the Big Three, and their 84.7 percent of total team points is the second-highest percentage of the season, according to STATS LLC.
Miami won the first two games at home, but the Celtics responded when the series returned to Boston and clamped down on the Heat's Big Three to win Game 3 97-81. Garnett had his best game of the series, scoring 28 with 18 rebounds, but the star for Boston was Rondo.
The Celtics point guard returned from a dislocated left elbow and provided his team with the spark it had been missing.
There was some doubt about whether he would be ready for Game 4 - but not in Rondo's mind.
An MRI and CT scan on the day off were both negative, and Rondo was back in the lineup.
Instead, it was Spoelstra shuffling his lineup, activating Udonis Haslem for the first time since November foot surgery and rewarding Joel Anthony for his play in the early games with his first start of the playoffs.
Haslem made just one appearance in the first three quarters, playing 3 minutes and picking up an offensive foul, a loose-ball foul and a technical foul.
But the Big Three was back.
The Heat went on a 10-2 run in the third quarter to take a 63-59 lead. It was a three-point game when Allen hit a 3-pointer and Boston scored 11 straight points to take a 73-65 lead before Miami scored the last two baskets - on layups by Anthony and James - to end the third quarter trailing by four.
Kobe, Garnett make all-defensive team for record-tying ninth time
Celtics forward Kevin Garnett and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant have been selected to the NBA all-defensive first team for a record-tying ninth time.
Garnett and Bryant were joined by Magic center Dwight Howard, who has won the past three Defensive Player of the Year awards and received the most points Monday.
Also selected for the first team were Heat forward LeBron James and Celtics guard Rajon Rondo.
Garnett and Bryant tied Michael Jordan and Gary Payton for the most selections in NBA history.
The league's coaches vote on the team.
The second team has Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, Hornets guard Chris Paul, Mavericks center Tyson Chandler, 76ers forward Andre Iguodala and Bulls forward-center Joakim Noah.
Jerome Taylor blasts WICB too
Yet another senior West Indian cricketer has lashed out at regional cricket board and its selectors.
Following criticism by Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jamaican fast bowler Jerome Taylor has complained that he only opted to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) because of uncertainty surrounding his future.
Like Gayle, who is representing Royal Challengers Bangalore, Taylor signed up with an IPL team – Pune Warriors – after he was not selected for the just ended One-Day Digicel home series against Pakistan, which the visitors won 3-2.
The 26-year-old Taylor, batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan and wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin were surprisingly not offered central retainer contracts with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) last year.
“I asked the WICB for an NOC (no-objection certificate) since I wasn’t a contracted player with the WICB,” the pacer told the ESPNCricinfo website.
He was also excluded from the preliminary squad for the recent World Cup in the sub-continent but represented Jamaica in the early rounds of this year’s regional first-class championship before being sidelined with a minor injury.
“I didn’t get selected in the 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup, which none of the selectors said anything to me about, even though I was fit enough to be preparing for the domestic first-class competition.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to be selected so I had to keep my options open. It was a case where I didn’t want to be at home, waiting to be selected, not get picked and let this opportunity pass me for a third year in a row.”
Taylor said he injured his back playing for Jamaica a few weeks ago but claimed the WICB never contacted him about the status of the injury until he was already in India last month.
“I had a chat with [selector] Robert Haynes during the four-day competition and an exchange of emails with the WICB CEO, Dr Ernest Hilaire, about the NOC, but no one contacted me about my injury before I came here [to India],” Taylor explained.
“The Jamaica Cricket Association sent me to see Dr Akshai Mansingh, who is on the WICB medical panel . . . he told me the injury was nothing to keep me out of playing for too long. That’s why I opted to come here.
“On April 7, 2011, after I had arrived in India, I received an email from Dr Hilaire – and the Pune Warriors management and medical staff also let me know – that he needed a report on my medical status for his purposes of informing the IPL (about my fitness).”
In explaining why Taylor was not offered a central contract last August, the WICB said they were disappointed by his “lack of commitment to his own rehabilitation”.
Taylor, who has taken 82 wickets in 29 tests and another 98 in 66 ODIs, also reiterated he was “still aspiring to lead the West Indies attack” and that the IPL was a platform to “give a good account of myself”.
“I’m not sure what they (selectors) are thinking right now but what can I do more than go out there and perform? That’s my focus right now. I have to make sure I’m performing and I’m fit, and the rest is left in their hands.
“At this moment my body is feeling good and I’m up for it and I have to make sure that I put the best of Jerome Taylor out on the park.”
FIFA Presidential candidate outlines vision today
Fifa Presidential candidate Mohammed Bin Hammam arrived here just after 10 am yesterday for a meeting with the members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). Bin Hammam, President of the Asian Football Confederation arrived on a private jet with a delegation of seven persons which includes three other members of the Fifa Executive Committee. Concacaf President Jack Warner agreed to allow the meeting after the AFC President was unable to attend Concacaf’s Congress in Miami,USA last week.
Warner has stated that Concacaf will make a decision as to who it supports when all the members next meet in Zurich on May 30. “No one in Concacaf has expressed displeasure over Mr Blatter’s tenure, but in the interest of fair play and democracy, I cannot deny my membership the opportunity to hear all sides of this campaign. An election is not a popularity contest—as the world still grapples with shifting economic realities we must ensure that our sport is position to withstand any uncertainty. Concacaf members will listen to all that is said and a decision will be made when we next meet.”
Bin Hammam will outline his plans and vision as it relates to the future of Fifa during a two-hour presentation today. During his time at the helm of the AFC, Bin Hammam has overseen the creation of the AFC Champions League and the acceptance of Australia into the confederation. More importantly, the 62-year-old was instrumental in bringing the 2022 Fifa World Cup to his native Qatar. In addition to being a Fifa executive member since 1996, Bin Hammam is also the chairman of the Fifa Goal Bureau.
Whitney Houston in rehab for drugs, alcohol
Whitney Houston is back in rehab.
A representative for the superstar singer confirmed today that Houston is undergoing treatment.
Kristen Foster says Houston is in an outpatient programme for drug and alcohol treatment. She says it is a voluntary measure and part of Houston's "long-standing" recovery process.
The 47-year-old, one of the most successful singers in pop music history, has battled problems with drug addiction for years. But in 2009, as she released a comeback album, she declared herself healthy and clean.
However, her 2010 tour overseas was troubled. Houston cancelled some dates due to illness and received negative reviews from fans who were disappointed in the quality of her voice and performance. Earlier this year, she gave an uneven performance in tribute to cousin Dionne Warwick at music mogul Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy gala.
It's unclear how long Houston will be in rehab or where she's being treated; Foster had no further comment. However, Houston has been visible recently. Last week, she sang on stage with Chaka Khan during Prince's concert in Los Angeles.