Cricket World Cup: Bangladesh rally to shock England
Bangladesh weathered an alarming collapse to pull off a shock win in the World Cup, and inflict a second dispiriting defeat on England.
England looked on course to defend a modest 225 in Chittagong when they took five wickets for 14 runs in 10 overs.
But a heroic ninth-wicket stand between Shafiul Islam and Mahmudullah turned the tables on Andrew Strauss's men.
The pair put on 58 from 56 balls for a remarkable two-wicket win that was sealed with six deliveries remaining.
The result not only keeps Bangladesh alive in the tournament, but it ensures England will in all probability have to beat West Indies in spin-friendly Chennai next Thursday to progress into the quarter-finals. It is even possible that they could win that match and still go out if a series of results go against them.
For that game, England will surely play more than the one spinner they did in this match against Bangladesh. If so, James Tredwell could make his World Cup debut under huge pressure.
Bangladesh, their startling batting collapse notwithstanding, were good value for a victory that helps to ease their memories of being bowled out for only 58 by West Indies in their previous match in Mirpur.
The job for England's bowlers was made tougher by the dew which descended as soon as the floodlights came on at the start of the Bangladesh chase.
The first ball was replaced before the mandatory 34-over change and only when England were on to their third ball had they discovered a way to keep it dry enough to establish some control.
However one constant disappointment was James Anderson, whose nine wicketless overs cost 54 runs and he was the worst culprit as collectively England conceded a shocking 23 runs in wides.
At one point Graeme Swann, the only spinner selected by England, visibly lost his cool, pleading for some assistance from Darryl Harper when appeals and various pleas for replacement balls were rejected.
Unlike in their defeat by Ireland, England did not lose the match because one player on the opposition took a difficult chase by the scruff of the neck.
This time - save for the period in which they were rattling their way through the Bangladesh middle and lower order - they looked an unfocused rabble for the majority of the match.
Things started badly with the bat after they had been inserted by the Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan.
Matt Prior's already chequered one-day international career hit a new low when, having been called on to open the batting, he was stumped in bizarre and avoidable circumstances by Mushfiqur Rahim.
As Prior absent-mindedly dragged his foot out of his crease, the Bangladesh wicketkeeper gleefully whipped off the bails, only for Prior to leave his crease once again - whereupon Rahim removed the stump and held a ball to it to make absolutely certain.
Prior's repeated failures make the selectors' removal of Steve Davies from the side after only one match of the series in Australia look ever more curious.
Strauss joined Prior back in the pavilion when cutting the off-spinner Naeem Islam to slip, and Ian Bell showed his shortcomings in such conditions on slow, low wickets. Having been rendered virtually runless, he tamely chipped a catch to midwicket.
With England a depressing 53-3 in the 17th over, it was left to Eoin Morgan (63 from 72 balls) to make his team competitive.
Morgan had barely had time to acclimatise to conditions, having been flown in from London to replace the injured Kevin Pietersen.
But he had enjoyed himself in the 2010 series in Bangladesh, hitting a century in Mirpur, and again showed himself adept at getting to the pitch against the spinners and hitting drives into space for the boundaries, which were badly needed.
With Jonathan Trott, who scored four more runs than his partner but faced an extra 27 balls, dinking the ball about for singles and adding the occasional reverse-sweep, the two batsmen took England to the 39th over without further loss.
Crucially for Bangladesh, however, when they did strike again it was Morgan who was dismissed, thanks to a wonderful effort from Kayes, who charged in from deep square-leg and dived forward to claim the catch.
That left Trott and Ravi Bopara to negotiate the five-over batting powerplay, and by the end of it both had departed to poorly executed attacking shots and England had only added 33 runs.
Swann supplied two desperately needed boundaries, but England reached only a bare minimum score when Paul Collingwood, recalled to the side but batting way down at eight, and Anderson ran some quick ones and twos in the final couple of overs.
Tamim Iqbal began the Bangladesh chase well with a controlled, though positive, 38 from 26 balls.
England's bowlers briefly found their range after Iqbal had been bowled by Bresnan, with two more wickets falling cheaply. However an 82-run stand from 104 balls between Kayes and Shakib put Bangladesh in an excellent position.
Then Kayes was needlessly run out as he was beaten by a fine throw from Ajmal Shahzad and Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan was bowled as a bottom-edge off an attempted sweep against Swann crashed into his stumps.
Shahzad, by some distance England's most impressive bowler, moved two balls nicely off the seam to dismiss Mushfiqur and Naeem as England moved in for the kill.
Some Bangladesh fans, so buoyant for much of the contest, were already heading for the exits when Swann then supplied the eighth wicket as Abdur Razzak swung across the line and was caught by a diving Tim Bresnan at long-on.
But out of nowhere, Mahmudullah and Shafiul Islam took 16 runs from Swann's final over, and the ninth-wicket pair coolly took the requirement down to 33 from the last five overs.
Anderson had been the weak link throughout and he was unable to control his inswinger, presenting the batsmen with three more wides, one costing an extra four runs as it eluded Prior's gloves en route to the boundary.
Shafiul, the number 10, skewed a boundary off Bresnan from a thick outside edge in the next over and then drove the wilting Anderson past mid-off for four more.
The winning runs came when Mahmudullah hit Bresnan through the covers and the home fans celebrated wildly. While England are no longer in complete control of their own destiny, the co-hosts know that wins against Netherlands and South Africa in their final group matches will seal a last-eight berth.
Ne-Yo Regrets Giving ‘Irreplaceable’ to Beyonce
In an interview with London radio station Choice FM, Ne-Yo said he now regrets giving Beyonce “Irreplaceable” to record, although does concede he may not have been able to do the track justice.
The singer/songwriter wrote the female empowerment song – about a woman who kicks her cheating boyfriend to the left – but handed it to Beyonce for her 2006 album “B’Day.”
“I honestly wrote that song for myself,” he told the station. “But that song actually taught me a very interesting lesson – men and women don’t actually think that much differently on the grand scheme of things.
“However, a man singing it comes across a little bit misogynistic, a little bit mean.”
While he regrets giving Beyonce his song, Ne-Yo recently revealed he is keen to work with her husband Jay-Z again to make a “classic” track. The two collaborated twice before – on Ne Yo’s “Call Me Crazy” and Jay’s “Minority Report.”
“Jay featured on a track of mine on my second album, and I featured on one of his on his ‘Kingdom Come’ album but we haven’t done anything since then,” he said. “Jay is a good friend, he’s a good person. Though we’ve worked together I think there’s potential for a classic record there and we haven’t really realized that potential yet.”
All-Star Bob Marley Tribute Planned in London
A tribute to legendary reggae artist Bob Marley by a host of global artists will take place at this year’s One Love Peace Festival, to be held at London’s Wembley Arena on July 31.
Ky-Mani Marley – the son of the legendary reggae artist – will be joined by the likes of Busta Rhymes, Shaggy and Sean Paul to mark 30 years since the anniversary of the singer’s untimely death in 1981 at the age of just 36.
“I feel blessed to be part of The One Love Peace Festival,” says Ky-Mani. “It is with great pride that I will pay homage to my father, Bob Marley, with some of his best-loved songs. The festival’s message of peace is a noble cause that I hold very dear to my heart and one that my father would have applauded.
“It is in giving truthfully of oneself, selflessly to benefit others that the soul finds satisfaction and great delight. London I’m coming to give you all that I’ve got with my music…past to present…it is my Destiny.
“The festival will be unforgettable to all of us who are present… Mystical proportions. 30 years after my father’s passing and his legacy still lives on. One Love.”
Meanwhile, Busta Rhymes admitted he is “dying” to return to the UK to perform for the first time in three years.
“I can’t wait to get back to the UK! It’s been three years since I last performed here so I’m dying to tear the roof off Wembley Arena at The One Love Peace Festival with some old school joints and brand new bangers,” he said. “When I’m done, you’re gonna remember it for a long time to come. Get ready because it’s about to go down!”
Tsunami hits Japan after massive quake
The most powerful earthquake to hit Japan since records began has hit the country's north-east and triggered a devastating tsunami.
Japanese TV showed cars, ships and buildings swept away by a vast wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude quake.
A state of emergency has been declared at a nuclear power plant but officials said there were no radiation leaks.
At least 60 people have been killed by the quake, which struck about 400km (250 miles) north-east of Tokyo.
The death toll is expected to rise significantly.
Some reports quote Japanese police as saying 200 to 300 bodies have been found in the port city of Sendai.
The tremor, measured at 8.9 by the US Geological Survey, hit at 1446 local time (0546 GMT) at a depth of about 24km.
A tsunami warning was extended across the Pacific to North and South America.
The Red Cross in Geneva warned that the tsunami waves could be higher than some Pacific islands, Reuters news agency said.
Coastal areas in the Philippines, and other parts of the Pacific were evacuated ahead of the tsunami's expected arrival.
The first waves, currently under a metre high, have started reaching Hawaii.
New Zealand downgraded its alert to a marine threat, meaning strong and unusual currents were expected.
'Train missing'
Strong waves hit Japan's Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, officials said, damaging dozens of coastal communities.
Kyodo news agency said a 10-metre wave (33ft) struck Sendai, which is in Miyagi.
Japan's NHK television showed a massive surge of debris-filled water sweeping away buildings, cars and ships and reaching far inland.
Motorists could be seen trying to speed away from the wall of water.
A passenger train with an unknown number of people aboard was missing in one coastal area, police told Kyodo.
And a ship carrying 100 people was swept away, Japanese media reported, quoting police in Miyagi. It is not clear what happened to the vessel.
Farmland around Sendai was submerged and the waves pushed cars across the runway of the city's airport. Fires broke out in the city's centre.
A state of emergency was declared at the Fukushima power plant after the cooling system failed in one of its reactors when it shut down automatically because of the earthquake.
The local government urged 2,000 nearby residents to evacuate the area as a precaution. Prime Minister Naoto Kan said no radiation leaks at that power plant or any of the other reactors in the quake-hit zone had been detected.
The UN's nuclear agency said four nuclear power plants had shut down safely.
In Iwate prefecture, also near the epicentre, an official said it was difficult to gauge the extent of the destruction.
"Roads were badly damaged and cut off as the tsunami washed away debris, cars and many other things," said Hiroshi Sato, a disaster management official in Iwate.
The earthquake also triggered a massive blaze at an oil refinery in Ichihara city in Chiba prefecture near Tokyo, engulfing storage tanks.
There were reports of about 20 people injured in Tokyo after the roof of a hall collapsed on to a graduation ceremony.
Residents and workers in Tokyo rushed out of apartment buildings and office blocks and gathered in parks and open spaces as aftershocks continued to hit.
Many people in Tokyo said they had never felt such a powerful earthquake.
In central Tokyo, Jeffrey Balanag said he was stuck in his office in the Shiodome Sumitomo building because the elevators had stopped working.
"We're almost seasick from the constant rolling of the building," he told the BBC.
Bullet train services to northern Japan were halted and rapid transit in Tokyo was suspended, stranding many workers in the city centre.
About four million homes in and around Tokyo suffered power outages.
In a televised address, Mr Kan extended his sympathy to the victims of the disaster and said an emergency response headquarters had been set up.
Turks and Caicos Islanders United for Justice and Equality
RTC news has received the following statements from TCIUJE that reads:
We have reviewed Gordon Wetherells statement of yesterday denouncing our protest as a band of approximately 30 protesters.
The Turks and Caicos Islands public would be aware and could attest to the fact that literally hundreds of people came out yesterday which was day 1 of our efforts, and the fact that more than 30 persons kept vigil and demonstrated throughout the night, making this the first time in history a 24 hour demonstration has been held in these Islands, is testament to the resolve of the majority of our people, and a show of their lack of support for and confidence in, this illegitimate British imposed and British propped up regime.
Our group, Turks and Caicos Islanders United for Justice and Equality, have just one simple demand and that is that the British Government set a date for elections, and returns our country to democracy, pure and simple. Simply put, we are saying that we want what you have in Britain - democracy, not dictatorship.
The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands generally, are appalled that Britain, the so called and self proclaimed mother of democracy, would deny the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands the right to elect their own leaders in a free and democratic process, while the same British Government continue to spill British blood fighting for the institution of democracy in the far flung corners of the earth, in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. We are appalled that they would demand democracy in Egypt and the rest of the Middle East and in Libya, while at the same time they prop up a one man dictatorship in these Turks and Caicos Islands.
The mothers of the Turks and Caicos Islands are sickened by the brutality meted out to demonstrators last night. For the first time in the history of these Islands, the Police in riot gear stormed the streets, beating and macing protestors. Up to that point, our protest had been peaceful, and nonviolent, and despite the brutality and heavy handedness displayed by the Police, we intend to keep our protests peaceful and non violent. Gordon Wetherill's Police were the ones who started the violence, one officer was even seen in a self gratifying manner, stumping and kicking one of the men arrested about his head and body, and Wetherell's Police Force had to even be blocked by protestors and dissuaded from running over a local Church Pastor, whom they had hit with their police car.
We say that these are the tactics of a true dictator and we are appalled that Britain would take the hypocritical stance of undertaking and applauding this kind of action here in Turks and Caicos Islands while condemning these same actions in Egypt, Libya and in other places.
Wetherell and his regime should rest assured that we have the full support and consent of the overwhelming majority of the people of the Turks and Caicos Island in all of our efforts and we would reiterate our goal which is their goal and which is simple, that there be a return to democracy in the Turks and Caicos Islands and that a date be set for free and fair elections in these Turks and Caicos Islands now.
RTC News is tracking this story and will have more as this develops.
The Ministry of Health to increase surveillance and screening for tuberculosis
The Ministry of Health today announced that it has plans to increase surveillance and screening for tuberculosis in the broader Turks and Caicos (TCI) Community, including among vulnerable groups and institutions. Over the years, there have been reported cases of tuberculosis in the TCI. The majority of these cases had occurred during an outbreak in 1998, when 27 new cases had been recorded. In subsequent years, new reported cases were less than five per year. However, between 2010 and the present, nine new cases, including some imported cases, have been reported.
Even though tuberculosis is found throughout the world, in developed and developing countries, including some of our neighbours, this current situation is of growing concern to the TCI Ministry of Health. As part of the routine public health response and follow-up to tuberculosis, the Ministry has already embarked upon a preventive screening exercise in order to protect the health and wellbeing of the people and visitors to the TCI.
Investigations into the nine current cases are, however, continuing, and the Ministry of Health is assuring the public that there is no cause for panic or undue worry.
The Ministry of Health has begun to strengthen the implementation of existing tuberculosis prevention and control measures. The National Communicable Disease Surveillance Committee continues to monitor and evaluate the situation. Additional measures will be put in place, as necessary, to address this important public health problem.
To this end, the Ministry of Health is also seeking the assistance of the Pan American Health Organization to implement a comprehensive tuberculosis awareness, prevention, and control campaign in the TCI. This campaign will focus on public education and screening for tuberculosis in the wider TCI community, especially in vulnerable communities/groups. The observance of World Tuberculosis Day on 24 March 2011 will provide a timely opportunity to highlight and respond to the issue of tuberculosis in our community.
The tuberculosis bacteria (germs) are released into the air when a person with active tuberculosis disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these germs and become infected. The public is advised to incorporate the following universal precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory infections like tuberculosis:
. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it;
. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub;
. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as germs spread this way; and
. If you have a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer seek immediate medical attention.
The Ministry of Health wishes to assure the public that all measures are being taken to protect the health and well being of the people of the TCI. Additional information, including bulletins and public service announcements about tuberculosis will be made available in the near future. In the meantime, persons with questions and concerns may contact their local primary care clinic or health care provider.
Police in Provo adopts zero tolerance to unlawful behavior during demonstration
On Tuesday 8th March 2011 Turks & Caicos Islands Police Officers in Providenciales invoked a very measured response to what was an anticipated and guaranteed peaceful demonstration by members of the public on Airport Road Providenciales.
However the demonstration took an unexpected stand where vehicles were used to block the free flow of traffic along the said road. As a result of that action TCI Police incorporated alternative measures to ensure timely and safe passage of persons utilizing the Providenciales International Airport.
A statement from Press Liason officer Calvin Chase said TCI Police will not tolerate any acts of unlawful behavior moving forward and there will be a zero tolerance to such activity. Those responsible for any unlawful acts can expect to be dealt with accordingly.
Revived Prison Farm to Enhance Rehabilitation
Prison authorities are giving inmates new options for rehabilitation and skills training with the revival and expansion of the prison farm on Grand Turk.
The project involves the planting of food crops for which the lands have already been cleared, ploughed and planted; rearing of chickens, goats and pigs; and classroom training in animal husbandry and horticulture. Additional benefits of the project will be education to the community of what can be grown on Grand Turk.
Ms. Barbara Higgs, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Safety, said the Ministry is delighted to be supporting this initiative. Reintroducing this farm is offering rehabilitative and job training skills to inmates whilst further exemplifying the principles of food security such as inmates feeding themselves.
Inmates growing food for themselves nourishes responsibility and rehabilitation, and they receive skills that are appropriate to the environment they will be returning to. Prisoners can start to produce wholesome food, earn their keep, learn skills and improve work habits - all of which help them to stay out of prison in the future - an initiative worth supporting."
The Prison has received support from the Ministry of Finance and from OTIS construction which provided machinery to help clear the lands.
Salt Cay Breakwater
The Ministry of Housing, Works and Utilities and the Department of Engineering and Maintenance Services, (EMS) announces the completion of Salt Cay Breakwater.
It is believed, that this is the first major refurbishment of Salt Cay Breakwater since being built around 1790 by the Royal Navy, to salvage HMS Endimion. The Breakwater was built to modern standards than previously, and now uses technically higher performance materials, such as high strength reinforced concrete to bond the new dock to the seabed.
The level of the top of the Breakwater has also been raised and it is expected that boats will be able to anchor safely in heavier seas than previously. The Breakwater should have been completed before the Christmas holidays; however, due to an unusual number of northwesterly storms the project was delayed.
Also, while in Salt Cay, the team from EMS took the opportunity to upgrade a number of main roads and the Salt Cay Airport, where the airstrip apron were repaired, thus providing the residents there with smoother roads and sufficient landing and parking space for aircrafts, simultaneously. A considerable portion of the costs for the road improvement works and in particularly materials was sponsored by Salt Cay residents and friends, the reminder from EMS maintenance budget.
Acting Permanent Secretary of Housing, Works and Utilities, Mr. Desmond Wilson noted that, Despite the current economic conditions within the Turks and Caicos Islands, the team from EMS was able to complete three projects in Salt Cay and as such, would like to thank the Ministry of Finance and Department of Economic and Planning for the financial assistance received, North Caicos Contracting for the revised works to the Breakwater, Sturrups Contracting for the upgrades to the roads, airstrip and apron, Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority and of course, to our hard working team within EMS, for a job well done.
Special thanks to the community of Salt Cay, for their patience and understanding over the years and for partnering with this Ministry and EMS, to bring this project to fruition.
Libya no-fly zone a UN decision, says Hillary Clinton
Any decision to impose a no-fly zone over Libya should be made by the UN and not by Washington, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.
Mrs Clinton said it was important such a move came from the Libyan people, rather than being a US-led effort.
Calls for military intervention are growing as pro-Gaddafi forces bombard areas held by Libyan rebels.
Meanwhile, Col Gaddafi has made a defiant speech on Libyan TV, labelling rebels and opposition leaders traitors.
Addressing a room full of cheering supporters he again claimed that the rebels had been brainwashed by al-Qaeda.
The rebel forces are fighting to end Col Gaddafi's 41 years in power, and more than 1,000 people are believed to have died. Some 200,000 others have been displaced by the fighting.
Mrs Clinton reiterated her government's call for Col Gaddafi to step down peacefully, but warned that the crisis in Libya could be protracted.
"I think it's very important that this not be a US-led effort, because this comes from the people of Libya themselves," Mrs Clinton told Sky News.
"We are going to support the efforts that are being made, because we think that the people of Libya themselves have to be supported, and we know how difficult this struggle is."
US President Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister David Cameron discussed a possible no-fly zone on Tuesday, but both countries maintain that any intervention must have wide international support.
A White House statement said the two leaders discussed a "full spectrum of possible responses" in their telephone call.
It is believed other options include more surveillance, humanitarian help and the enforcement of an arms embargo on Libya.
Mr Cameron told the BBC: "We have got to prepare for what we might have to do if he (Gaddafi) goes on brutalising his own people."
The UK and France are working on a UN Security Council resolution for a no-fly zone, however Russia has already stated its opposition to military intervention.
Nato defence ministers will discuss options for Libya on Thursday and Friday.
In Washington, President Obama has faced criticism that he is being too cautious over the turmoil in Libya.
Republican Senator John McCain said: "Every day and every hour that goes by, innocent Libyans are being attacked and massacred from the air."
Calls for a no-fly zone have also come from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, which represents Muslim countries, and Gulf Arab states.
In Tripoli on Tuesday night, Col Gaddafi arrived at a hotel surrounded by tight security and held exclusive interviews with Turkish and French television stations.
He then left without addressing other journalists, some of whom had been waiting several hours to hear him.
On Tuesday, forces loyal to Col Gaddafi bombarded the rebel-held western town of Zawiya all day, shelling its suburbs with tank and artillery fire and trying to seize control of the town's main square.