Australia crush Windies by nine wickets in first Test
Australia completed a comprehensive nine-wicket victory just before stumps on the third day of the first Test against the West Indies at the Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica on t e weekend after the home side's second innings resistance crumbled.
A 144-run fourth-wicket partnership between Shane Dowrich and Marlon Samuels frustrated the visitors, who led after the first innings by 170 runs. However, Dowrich's dismissal for a well-played 70 ten minutes before the tea interval triggered the collapse which saw the last seven wickets tumbling for 35 runs and the West Indies sliding from 181 for three to 216 all out.
Mitchell Starc led the rout with four wickets, the last two off successive deliveries with the second new ball.
Needing just 47 runs for victory, Australia wasted no time in knocking off the runs in gathering gloom in just five overs for the loss of the rampant David Warner, who plastered 28 off 20 deliveries before falling to Jerome Taylor.
In his first Test match, Dowrich's defiant knock in over four hours at the crease was an admirable effort given the state of the match, the condition of a wearing pitch and the perseverance of the Australians in seeking to turn the screws on a West Indies side that looked completely deflated at the end of the second day when Adam Voges' debut unbeaten hundred swung the match completely around.
Samuels, the most experienced West Indian player following the omission of Shivnarine Chanderpaul ahead of this two-match series, punctuated long periods of defiance with fluent stroke-play, occasionally taking on the challenge presented by front-line spinner Nathan Lyon to reach the top-score of 74.
But he was among the clatter of wickets following the debutante's demise, top-edging an attempted hook off Mitchell Johnson to be caught at fine leg in a manner that was a carbon copy of his first innings dismissal.
Their partnership had stretched the limit of Australia's bowling resources, Michael Clarke trying his hand for a couple of overs along with Voges as the visiting captain searched for options to break the stubborn stand.
Yet once the opening came via Shane Watson's low catch at short mid-on off Josh Hazlewood to get rid of Dowrich, the floodgates opened.
Jermaine Blackwood charged down the pitch to be stumped off Lyon, and after Samuels's familiar demise, captain Denesh Ramdin played on to give the consistent off-spinner his 141st Test wicket, drawing him level with 19th century player Hugh Trumble as the most successful off-spinners for Australia in Test cricket.
Asafa wins in France
Former World Record holder Asafa Powell continued his preparation for the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Trials after he ran 10.05 seconds into a strong head wind of negative 2.4 metres per second to win the 100m at a regional meet in Marseille (MAR-SAY), France Saturday.
The time broke the six-year-old record of 10.17 seconds set by Dwaine Chambers of Great Britain in 2009.
Wil-fried Koffi of Ivory Coast was second in 10.29 seconds and Lethoso’s Me-sito Le-hata was third in 10.30 seconds just ahead of France’s Christophe Lemaitre 10.31 seconds. Winston Barnes was seventh in 10.48 seconds.
Meanwhile, Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson were second and third respectively in the women’s 100m behind Ivory Coast’s Marie Jose Ta Lou who ran 11.32 seconds.
Stewart ran 11.34 seconds and Simpson had a season’s best 11.42 seconds.
The 2015 Fast Pitch Softball League has begun
The fast pitch softball league has begun!!! Both male and female.
On Saturday MEOCO Angels of the men's league started off the season with a win against the Soakers. Also on Saturday afternoon, the Catz of the female league took home a big win against Rulay, 21-7.
On Sunday afternoon, the Silver deep Sharks of the male league won an intense game against the Islandcom Braves, 6-5. Following that game, Rulay came back with a win against the Flyers of the female league, with a score of 11-10.
President Godfrey Been is inviting lovers of sports & softball in particular, to come out and support. He added that games will be played on Saturdays & Sundays at 3 pm and again at 5 pm.
GOVERNOR’S CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT HELD ON GRAND TURK
Sixteen Turks and Caicos Islanders, residents and visitors took part in the Governor’s Cup golf competition at Waterloo Golf Club, Grand Turk today, Saturday, 6 June 2015.
In an ironic twist, Governor Peter Beckingham, a keen golfer, whose office supported the event, won the men’s competition. Sharon Simons won the women’s event and one of the closest to the hole competitions, with Simon Baker winning the other.
“We had a terrific day’s competition. Today’s competition raised around $160, which will help the club towards its ultimate aim of restoring the course and clubhouse to its former glory,” said Club Treasurer Estelle Watts.
Unfortunately, the clubhouse and course were badly damaged by hurricane Ike and a fire several years ago, and while the club has continued, its small size and limited resources has made refurbishment a slow process.
In a further move to try and bring forward the necessary improvements, the Club is planning to try and market the course to the thousands of visiting cruise ship passengers and tourists.
The club has also opened a temporary reception at the security kiosk at the Governor’s official residence which sits on the course. Anyone wishing to play can approach the guard and borrow a bag and clubs for a minimum donation of $10 a round. All monies raised will go towards the maintenance and refurbishment of the course.
The small nine-hole golf course was designed and built by former Governor, John Kelly, and Waterloo Golf Club was formed in 1997.
Full results:
Men
1. Governor Peter Beckingham
2. Larry Coalbrooke
3. Tom Saunders
Closest to the hole – Simon Baker
Women
1. Sharon Simons (won closest to the hole also)
2. Florence Bennett
3. Danzella Jennings
Makeshift memorial for woman shot, run over
Balloons, flowers, candles and a message spray-painted on the road make up a growing memorial for a South Florida mother of two who was shot and run over, Saturday.
It happened early Saturday morning, in the area of Northeast 149th Street and Sixth Avenue in Northeast Miami-Dade. According to Miami-Dade Police, shots were fired Saturday just after 2 a.m. They later identified the victim as 31-year-old Lou-ku-cha Joseph.
Witnesses said, a silver four-door car was seen speeding out of a nearby gas station. Witnesses also reported to police that Joseph was struck by that vehicle, and then the driver sped away.
One good Samaritan, who attempted to render aid, said it is too sad that so many innocent people are dying for nothing.
Police later found the silver car, which has now been impounded. They have detained one person for questioning but no arrests have been made.
Joseph, who also went by the name Keisha, leaves behind two children.
Police are trying to determine whether Joseph was the subjects' target or was simply caught in the middle of a chaotic scene that broke out.
Source-WSVN
Ex-SC officer indicted for murder in shooting of black man
A grand jury today affirmed the state of South Carolina's murder charge against a white former North Charleston police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man trying to run from a traffic stop.
The shooting on April 4 was captured on video by a bystander, showing officer Michael Slager firing eight times as 50-year-old Walter Scott ran away, enflaming a national debate about how black people are treated by white police officers.
Slager was charged with murder by state law enforcement agents and fired from the police force immediately after the video surfaced.
7 News 10 reported Prosecutor Scarlett Wilson announcing the indictment, which represents at least the fourth time in less than six months that a sitting grand jury in South Carolina has agreed that white officers should stand trial in the shootings of black men.
"The jury will make up its own mind after it sees the video and hears the other testimony," Wilson said. No trial date has been set.
Walter Scott's brother Rodney Scott said the family is "very happy and pleased" with the indictment of Slager.
In South Carolina, the investigating agency typically presents the case to a grand jury, not the prosecutor. Wilson said the investigating officers had the video when they went before the grand jury but couldn't say for certain if they saw it.
The 33-year-old Slager, who has been jailed since his arrest, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted. Wilson said the death penalty does not seem to apply because there were no aggravating circumstances such as robbery or kidnapping as required under state law.
Slager's lawyer didn't want to comment on the indictment.
Source-AP
Video shows black Muslim shot by Boston police, FBI
US authorities today released video of a black Muslim man shot dead by police and the FBI in Boston, and accused of planning to behead police officers.
The grainy video was filmed by a surveillance camera fixed to a Burger King about 50 yards from the confrontation with Usaa-mah Rahim, a 26-year-old security guard, in a parking lot.
Police say Rahim was killed after he refused multiple demands to drop a military-style knife. Those demands are not audible, nor is the weapon clearly visible on the video.
The footage shows Rahim walking towards a bus stop, officers approaching him, then retreating and then Rahim falling to the ground.
District Attorney Daniel Conley said he was releasing the video to clamp down on "rumors and bad information" as he investigates whether Rahim's killing was lawful. It was just one piece of evidence among many, he said.
Rahim's family, who initially claimed he was shot in the back at a bus stop, was shown the footage last week before his funeral.
"This unraveled very quickly. I think they made the right call," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans told reporters Monday.
Court papers filed last week accused Rahim of buying three military-style knives from Amazon and deciding to "go after" the "boys in blue" because they were "the easiest target."
An alleged associate, David Wright, 25, has been charged with conspiring to obstruct a federal investigation.
Court papers said Rahim had been "planning to engage in a violent attack in the United States" since May 26 -- a little over a week before his death.
On June 2, he allegedly telephoned Wright at 5:00 am to indicate that he planned to attack police officers. He was shot dead two hours later.
Source-AFP
Five charged following million dollar drug bust in Dominica
Magistrate Bernard Pac-quette today Monday slapped EC$50,000 fine each on two men who pleaded guilty to a charge of supply of cocaine after police seized 66,000 grams of the illegal drug with a street value of EC$1.7 million last week.
Les-tron Henderson, 22, and Tevin Mark, 20, of Grand Bay, south of Roseau, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply the cocaine, but three others - Micah Leslie Williams, Marley Albert, and Sherwin Brown – pleaded not guilty and will re-appear in court on September 3.
The court was told that 59 sealed packages of the drug were found in a vehicle after the police questioned the occupants on June 3.
“That’s a very serious offense and to push that amount of cocaine in our society is serious,” Magistrate Pacquette stated.
“These are young people trying to hurt other young people. You have to know, when you are engaged in such activities you have to put your catch money aside for when the police catches you. That is serious and I have to send a message,” he added.
He told the two accused that they had to pay EC$10,000 immediately or serve six months in jail.
In addition, the remainder of the fine must be paid in EC$10,000 increments every six months and in default of any payment the men will serve six months in jail.
Transitional processing of TCI Passport applications
The Passport Office in the Ministry Border Control and Employment, has today given official notice that effective Tuesday 9th June, 2015 there will be a temporary suspension in the receipt of applications for the issuance of a new Turks and Caicos Islands passport.
Persons who need to travel urgently, and whose passports are near expiration, that is still valid for up to five months, will be required to apply for an extension to their existing passports in the normal way. Expired passports will not be extended.
The Passport Office notes that individuals whose applications are currently being processed and who were contacted to submit additional supporting documents in order to complete their passport application, are required to deliver the documents to the One Stop Shop/Customer Service Unit in Grand Turk and Providenciales by Friday, 12th June, 2015.
Failure to meet this deadline will require re-submission of the application using the new form under the new process that is to commence shortly.
Persons, who are holders of a passport that will remain valid for 9 months, or more, are required to submit an application for renewal using the new application form when the new process begins.
The Passport Office will no longer be accepting fees for expediting applications.
Receipt of new passport applications, using the new forms will commence on Monday, June 29, 2015. Forms will be available at the One Stop Shop at all locations, online at www.gov.tc as well as at the Immigration Department on the islands of North, Middle and South Caicos and the District Commissioner’s Office in Salt Cay.
Independent investigators to investigate fatal shooting – Granny Hill
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is seeking the help of outside sources to assist in their latest attempted robbery investigation that resulted in one of the would be robbers, shot and killed.
That young man has now been identified as Jeff Walkin.
Following the death of Mr. Jeff Walkin, Commissioner of Police Mr. James Smith of the RTCIPF has called the Commissioner of Police of the Royal Cayman Police Service to conduct an independent investigation. The independent investigators are expected to arrive in Provo this week.
“It is in the interests of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and everyone involved in an incident where firearms have been discharged by police officers, that subsequent procedures should be open, transparent and the integrity of all actions is maintained,” said a press statement this afternoon from Public Relations Officer, Audley Astwood.
“The manner in which the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police responds to such incidents, and the professional standards applied, are of great interest to the Public, providing further reason to investigate such matters thoroughly and sensitively,” Astwood added.
It was about 12:58AM on Saturday 6th June that police were called to Granny Hill, following reports of two males being armed with firearms who tried to rob a male.
Police officers on patrol nearby responded and were confronted by two masked males who pointed firearms at the officers. As a result of that confrontation, one of the masked males, who has now been identified as Jeff Walkin, sustained a gunshot injury.
Astwood said emergency services were contacted and efforts were made by Medics to administer medical treatment while being transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, however Jeff Walkin was pronounced dead some time later at Cheshire Medical Centre.
RTC News understands Walkin was a 19 year old of Haitian/TI parentage.
The other masked male escaped on foot.
Police are appealing for the public’s assistance into this incident and are urging anyone who has any information that could assist them in their investigation, to please come forward.
Astwood says reporting suspicious activities might help the Police identify a suspect or a crime trend.
For activities in progress, he suggests you call 911. Otherwise, call the Police at 941-3327 or use the untraceable, anonymous Crime Stoppers Miami number at 1-800-(TIPS) or 1-800-8477. No names or numbers are requested and only the information provided is passed on to the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force.