Manny Pacquiao blames shoulder injury for loss to Floyd Mayweather
Manny Pacquiao blamed a shoulder injury for his defeat by Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, claiming it stopped him from using his right hand.
American Mayweather, 38, outclassed his Philippine rival at the MGM Grand and was awarded a wide unanimous decision.
Pacquiao, 36, said he thought he did enough to win the fight, despite most observers agreeing with the verdict.
"Three weeks before the fight I got a tear in my right shoulder," he said. "It got better but it wasn't 100%."
Mayweather started the brighter of the two and rocked Pacquiao with a number of right hand counter punches in the early exchanges.
The Filipino came back at the American in the fourth round, stunning Mayweather with a left hand and again in the sixth round but was never able to back it up and Mayweather ran out a comfortable winner on the judges scorecards.
Pacquiao said he wanted to have an injection in the shoulder before the fight but the Nevada Athletic Commission refused.
Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, claimed he informed the Commission of the injury five days ago and defended the decision not to cancel the fight, the most lucrative in boxing history.
"Athletes always fight hurt and we felt the work that was done on the shoulder during training would enable him to use his right hand," said Arum.
Commission chairman Francisco Aguilar said he first knew about the injury two hours before the fight, when Pacquiao's camp requested a doctor sit in his corner, a request that was denied.
Mayweather, meanwhile, said he was carrying injuries to both arms and hands.
"If he had come out victorious, I would have shown respect and said he was the better man," he said, after adding Pacquiao's WBO welterweight belt to the WBC and WBA titles he already owned.
Mayweather, a five-weight world champion, also criticised those who doubted him, telling them he had made them "eat their words".
"For years everyone said that I was scared and that I'd lose," said Mayweather, who is undefeated in 48 professional fights stretching back 19 years.
"I made the non-believers into believers. I was the better man, the smarter fighter - more calculated, more patient. He was applying pressure but not landing many punches and I was just keeping my jab in his face."
Mayweather, who said he was presented with a cheque for $100m (£66m) in his dressing room after the fight, also revealed he planned to relinquish his titles and that his final bout in September would be a non-championship fight.
As well as the welterweight belts, Mayweather is also the WBC light-middleweight champion.
Asked if his last fight might be against Britain's Amir Khan, Mayweather replied: "I'm not thinking about that. All I want to do right now is go home and rest."
Mayweather's father and trainer, Floyd Sr, criticised those who booed him before and after the fight.
"My son should be treated better," said Mayweather Sr. "I'm not saying it bothers him but if I was in his shoes, it would bother me.
"He's paying the price for being honest and for being too good. When these guys are throwing punches and he's making them miss, people call that boring.
"They don't know boxing, that's the problem."
Source-BBC
US Stuns Jamaica In the 4x100 meters in Jamaica
Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m relay team followed another team to the line for the first time at a major international championships since the 2008 Olympic Games as a blistering second leg by Justin Gatlin led the USA to victory at the IAAF World Relays in The Bahamas last night.
It wasn’t a pleasant return to the archipelago for Bolt who was in 2002, christened ‘Lightning Bolt’ by the Bahamians. Not even the world’s fastest man could find the spark needed to come back after getting the baton almost 10 metres behind Ryan Bailey, who crashed the tape in 37.38 seconds with the Jamaicans taking the silver in 37.68. Japan were third in 38.20.
The Jamaicans will set their sights firmly on closing out today’s final day in style with the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay teams, the men’s 4x200m and women’s 4x100m all gunning for medals.
The women’s 4x800m relay team will also be looking for a positive outing, with an improvement on last year’s fifth place finish, which brought with it a national record, 8:17.22 the target.
The women’s 4x200m team of Samantha Henry-Robinson, Veronica Campbell- Brown, Shericka Williams and Sherone Simpson weren’t exactly smooth with the exchanges, and though they crossed the line third, the silver was their’s in a time of 1:31.73 after a Bahamas disqualification. The USA also failed to finish after Jenebah Tarmoh ran into Allyson Felix as Nigeria, 1:30.52, took top honours with Germany promoted to the bronze in 1:33.61.
In the men’s 4x400m heats, Javon Francis on the anchor leg, again showed his amazing ability, with his unofficial 44.01 seconds split dragging the Jamaicans, who posted 3:02.98, from sixth place to second and an automatic qualifying spot, as they finished second to the United States, who clocked 3:02.81.
Botswana were third in 3:03.08 but Francis, though happy with the team’s progress, will be hoping to get the stick closer to the front in today’s final, which will bring the curtain down on the event at 10:01p.m. (9:01pm Jamaica time).
“It would be nice to get the baton closer but we got the job done, we are in the final,” Francis told the Sunday Gleaner. “I just focus on running my best and helping my team to qualify.”
“Hopefully we will go out there and make it on the podium tomorrow (today). I will be telling my teammates to stay focused because we have a big day. I just want to get it (baton) close to the leader.”
Schoolboy Nathon Allen, who ran a solid third leg, brining the Jamaicans back in the race, after receiving the baton in last place, was ecstatic following what was his first appearance at major senior international meet.
“I was a bit nervous at first but I managed to gather myself as the race went on. I saw them in front but I just told myself ‘run!’ Bert Cameron (team coach) told me earlier ‘ Do your part and even more.’
Jamaica’s women are also through to the final of the mile relay, as the team of Christine Day, 800m specialist Natoya Goule, Anastasia Le-Roy and Stephenie-Ann McPherson were dominant in their heat, winning in 3:26.41 ahead of Great Britain, 3:28.51 and Brazil, 3:29.38.
Diamond race winner Novlene Williams-Mills will come in for Goule in the medal round, but McPherson was pleased with the team’s performance, while Le-Roy expressed ambitions of pulling of a win over the Americans, who won their heat in a world leading 3:24.05.
“We were always confident of making the final, now we are looking forward to that and we are hoping to go out there and give it our best,” McPherson said adding that their recent win over the Americans at the Penn Relays has boosted their confidence going into today’s showdown.
The women’s 4x400m will face the starter at 9:45 p.m. (8:45pm)
Royal daughter enters the world
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have introduced their daughter to the world, as they left hospital to take her home to Kensington Palace.
The princess, whose name has yet to be announced, slept in her mother's arms during her first public appearance outside St Mary's Hospital, in London.
The princess - who is fourth in line to the throne - was delivered at 08:34 BST on Saturday after a short labour.
The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth of the 8lbs 3oz (3.7kg) baby.
The couple emerged from the hospital to crowds of well-wishers and the world's media. They stood on the steps briefly before heading back into the hospital to put the princess in a car seat. Prince William then drove them to Kensington Palace.
They did not speak to the media.
The duchess had been in hospital for just over 12 hours before leaving.
The baby was born less than three hours after the couple arrived at the Lindo Wing, at St Mary's Hospital.
Source-BBC
Airport Customs holding up aid in Nepal
The United Nations has urged Nepal to relax customs controls which it says are holding up deliveries of aid to survivors of last week's earthquake.
UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said Nepal had a duty to provide faster customs clearance for relief supplies.
Many people are yet to receive the aid, which is piling up at Kathmandu airport following, a week after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
At least 6,840 have died. Authorities have ruled out finding more survivors.
On Saturday Baroness Amos said she had reminded Prime Minister Sushil Koirala that Nepal had signed an agreement with the UN in 2007 for simpler and faster customs clearance for relief aid in a disaster.
"He has undertaken to ensure that happens, so I hope that from now we will see an improvement in those administrative issues," she told AFP news agency.
The UN representative in the country, Jamie McGoldrick, said the Nepalese government "should not be using peacetime customs methodology".
Nepal lifted import taxes on tarpaulins and tents on Friday but home ministry spokesman Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said all goods arriving from abroad had to be inspected.
"This is something we need to do," he said.
Rameshwor Dangal, of Nepal's National Disaster Management Division, said many people were waiting to receive emergency supplies or be airlifted to safety.
More than 14,021 people were injured in the quake which struck near Kathmandu.
Landslides and poor weather have hampered efforts to deliver aid to isolated districts, and there are only about 20 helicopters available for the rescue and relief operations.
Nepal has criticised both the speed of foreign aid deliveries the type of products countries are sending.
Finance
Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said: "We have received things like tuna fish and mayonnaise. What good are those things for us? We need grains, salt and sugar."
Krishna Devi Sreshta is carefully picking her way through the rubble of what was her home. It's one of about 25 houses in Sankhu, just an hour's drive from Kathmandu, that was completely destroyed by the earthquake.
She's here to see if she can salvage anything. "We were in the field when the earthquake hit," she says. "That's why we were saved."
Not everyone was so lucky. About 50 members of this community died. She points to the clothes that she's wearing. "This is what I was wearing last Saturday. It's all I have left."
The fate of thousands of people in remote areas remains unknown.
The death toll could go up, as search and rescue efforts continuing in several hill districts including Dhading, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchok, the government has said.
Source-BBC
Barbra Streisand's Dog Attacks Flight Attendant
Barbra Streisand's cute dog Samantha went wild during a plane trip from New York to Washington D.C earlier this week. The 12-year-old Coton de Tulear bit a female flight attendant of the singer-songwriter's private jet.
Based on Barbra's representative's story, the attendant approached the dog after noticing its presence. She reportedly wanted to pet the dog without offering it her hand first. The gesture was said to be the common strategy used when ones wanted to get acquainted with unfamiliar animals. Samantha bit the woman as the dog felt threatened and considered the woman a stranger.
"This never happened before. The dog has never had this kind of behavior," the rep explained. "The flight attendant started petting the dog, and when it's a stranger, you put the hand out. And the dog nipped at her, and it would be inaccurate to make it more than it is. Barbara felt terrible."
The attack left the victim with an open wound that required some stitches. Immediately after learning of the incident, Barbra apologized to the victim. It was also said that the 73-year-old singer felt so terrified and embarrassed. "This never happened before and Barbra apologized profusely to the flight attendant," the rep added.
Barbra said in a statement back in 2013 that the dog meant a lot to her. She even treated the dog like her own daughter, something that she always longed for. "She's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen," Barbra said of the dog. "She's like the daughter I never had ... She always comes with us. I would never leave her."
Source-AceShowbiz
From Finland, the 1,341-horsepower electric supercar
Finland is famous for its reindeer and global leadership in education, and at least one of those seems to be paying off in the automotive realm.
At April’s 2015 Top Marques auto show in Monaco, Finnish company Toroidion unveiled the 1MW Concept, a completely Finland-designed-and-built supercar. The moniker references the car’s 1 megawatt of output, the metric equivalent of 1,341 horsepower, which makes the Toroidion the first electric car to break a barrier that only a handful of gasoline-powered cars have surpassed. In an electric car this is more a matter of basic math than super tuning carburetors; each wheel has its own motor, with two 200-watt motors in the front and two 300-watt in the back. Given that electric motors produce 100% of their torque at zero rpm, we’d expect the Toroidion to be fast — perhaps ludicrously so — off of the line.
The eye-catching concept model is bulbously sleek and self-consciously light — behind the butterfly doors with handles of 3D-printed latticework, the interior is stylishly sparse — and the whole enterprise is light on details. That’s okay for Top Marques, where the goal is to find buyers willing to FINANCE the build of their own supercar, but auto enthusiasts of the shallow-pocketed kind are anxious for more details.
What we do know is that the design is courtesy of Passi Pennanen, an automotive stylist who has worked for Jaguar and Honda, and run an eponymous design studio since 2004. We also know that the 1MW is built on a new powertrain model, one that is designed to be scalable for different applications, implying both racing and street versions to come. Tantalisingly, the website notes that “The high-capacity battery of the Toroidion powertrain is as easily replaced in the pit-lane as it is in the home garage,” making us wonder what hot-swappable wonder Pennanen has imagined.
The name, “toroid ion” should give us some kind of hint, some idea of how a molecularly charged donut might make for a lighter high-performance battery or more efficient electric motor. But, alas, we didn’t go to school in Finland.
The 2015 Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure Programme has been launched
The Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure Programme has been launched, one that would see young entrepreneurs contribute to the development of the tourism product here in the TCI through a series of summer camps, organized by the Hospitality Adventure Committee, with support from the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association – TCHTA and the Chamber of Commerce.
At the launching of the pogramme on Wednesday 29th April, Executive Officer of the TCHTA, Ms. Stacey Cox, noted various aspects of the summer camps, including some new additions.
Intro:- “The programme has….{mp3}Stacey_Cox_new_additions{/mp3}
Outro:- ….experience next year.” 0:37
John Lawson from Caribbean Crusin’ in Provo, shared more on the Captain Water Camp experience.
Intro:- “The Captain Water….{mp3}John_Lawson_water_camp_experience{/mp3}
Outro:- ….become captains themselves.” 0:39
Through these summer camps, youth from throughout the islands have been able to secure various job placements within the workforce here in the TCI. One of the programmes that has gotten quite a bit of feedback, is the Lit’l Chefs and the Junior Lit’l Chef programmes for 15-17 year olds and 12-14 year olds respectively.
Cristian Rebolledo spoke about the importance of the Lit’l Chefs programme, which could see youngsters taking their skills to the international arena.
Intro:- “Everything is coming….{mp3}Christian_Rebolledo_little_chefs{/mp3}
Outro:- ….very good results.” 0:45
The Blue Haven Resort is a major part of the event. Ingo Reckhorn is the representative for sales and marketing at the Blue Haven Resort and Beach House and the Alexandra Resort and is very excited to be a part of such an important initiative for a number of reasons.
Intro:- “It’s such an….{mp3}Ingo_Reckhorn_important_initiative{/mp3}
Outro:- ….part of that.” 0:56
Very important for the Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure Planning Committee, is the raising of funds for these summer camps and Mr. Reckhorn shared some of the main fund raising activities.
Intro:- “We’re starting the….{mp3}Ingo_Reckhorn_fund_raising_activities{/mp3}
Outro:- ….if they’re sold out.” 1:27
Ingo Reckhorn, is the representative for sales and marketing at the Blue Haven Resort, speaking at Wednesday’s press conference to launch the Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure summer camps.
This further reaffirms their mandate and commitment to the youth to provide programs and activities that lead to holistic development and empowerment of youths towards their full self- actualization and continuous participation in national development of the tourism product.
With support from the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association and the Providenciales Chamber of Commerce they will be hosting five summer camps:
July 18th – 25th Lit’l Chefs Camp 15yrs – 17yrs - This 8 day residential camp is a great way to expose your child to new foods, new recipes and new cooking techniques.
July 6th – 10th Junior Lit’l Chef Camp 12yrs – 14yrs - Culinary Day Camp is the opportunity for younger minds to come have fun with food, eat healthy and expand you culinary palate.
July 13th – 17th Spa Camp 15yrs – 18yrs - This day camp will introduce you to the world of Spa and give you an insider look at the best spas on island.
July 27st – 31th Junior Mechanics Camp 15yrs – 19yrs - A introduction to the exciting world of auto-mechanics with theory and hands on experience in the workforce.
July 6th - 10th Captain Water Camp Experience 15yrs - 19yrs - You will receive a "Nautical Passport," your guide to tracking your educational progress to becoming a Captain. Exposure to the Water Sport Industry.
The Turks & Caicos Hospitality Adventure Committee is seeking your support in this venture through a sponsorship of at least one local student to attend this training initiative as there are a number of students who are interested but cannot afford it.
We will ensure that all marketing of this of this program will feature your kind support. Thank you for your interest in and contribution to youth development in the islands.
Please let them know if you would like to contribute toward sending a youth to attend one of these camps. I have attached a sponsorship letter for your review and the poster and registration which outlines the costs of each camp.
Their Taste of Tapas fundraising evening will be hosted on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Fire & Ice. $50.00 per tickets included complementary drink and tapas.
Please visit our website for further information and register form at www.tcihospitalittyadventure.com or call 649-941-5787.
Ben E King: R&B legend dies at 76
R&B and soul singer Ben E King, best known for the classic song Stand By Me, has died at the age of 76.
King started his career in the late 1950s with The Drifters, singing on hits including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me.
After going solo, he hit the US top five with Stand By Me in 1961.
It returned to the charts in the 1980s, including a three-week spell at number one in the UK, following its use in the film of the same name and a TV advert.
The song has charted nine times on the US Billboard 100 over the years - King's version twice and seven times with covers by artists like John Lennon and Spyder Turner.
It was also sampled for Sean Kingston's 2007 number one single Beautiful Girls.
In 1999, the BMI announced that the song, written by King with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, was the fourth most-played track of the 20th Century on US radio and TV.
Earlier this year, the US Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry, declaring that "it was King's incandescent vocal that made it a classic".
King's other hits included Spanish Harlem, Amor, Don't Play That Song (You Lied) and Supernatural Thing - Part I.
The singer died on Thursday, his publicist Phil Brown told BBC News.
Fellow musician Gary US Bonds wrote on Facebook that King was "one of the sweetest, gentlest and gifted souls that I have had the privilege of knowing and calling my friend for more than 50 years".
He wrote: "I can tell you that Ben E will be missed more than words can say. Our sincere condolences go out to Betty and the entire family.
"Thank you Ben E for your friendship and the wonderful legacy you leave behind."
Born Benjamin Earl Nelson, he initially joined a doo-wop group called The Five Crowns, who became The Drifters after that group's manager fired the band's previous members.
He co-wrote and sang on the band's single There Goes My Baby, which reached number two in the US in 1959.
But the group members were paid just $100 per week by their manager and, after a request for a pay rise was turned down, the singer decided to go it alone. In the process, he adopted the surname King.
His first solo hit, in 1961, was Spanish Harlem, which was followed by Stand By Me.
Stand By Me, Spanish Harlem and There Goes My Baby were all named in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and were all given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
Source-BBC
Vaccination Week in the Americas 2015
The Primary Health Care Department, Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services joins the region in celebrating Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) 2015.
VWA began on May 30th, 2003 as an initiative taken by regional health authorities and heads of government to embark on an effort dedicating one week annually to heighten the focus on vaccination of vulnerable populations. The activities conducted during this week aids in strengthening a country’s national immunization programme. Vaccination week not only provide vulnerable groups with the opportunity to be vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs), but it also provides the opportunity to educate the public on the importance of vaccines.
Since its inception in 2003, more than 519 million persons regionally have been vaccinated. The Turks and Caicos Islands has been a part of this initiative since its inception in 2003 thus contributing to this figure. The theme for this year’s VWA is “Boost your power! Get vaccinated!” The theme focuses on the ability of the vaccine to boost the power of the immune system, offer protection against more than 20 different VPDs.
Vaccination week is being celebrated April 25th to May 2nd 2015. The TCI is focusing this year on all children age 6 months to 6 years. The department will be conducting a number of activities through-out the week in various communities across the TCI:
April 24th ………….. Vaccination activities in North Caicos
April 27th ………….. Health Matters Talk Show (pre-recorded) “The importance of vaccination”
Home visits in the Kew Town community (Provo)
April 28th ………….. Vaccination activities, Ona Glinton Primary (Grand Turk)
Home visits in the Five Cays community (Provo)
April 29th ………..... Home visits in the Bight community
Vaccination activities in E. L. Simons Primary (Grand Turk)
May 1st …………… Vaccination activities in the Blue Hills community
May 4th …….............. Vaccination activities in Calvary Christian School and home visits (South Caicos)
Do your part in keeping the TCI VPD free by boosting our power and getting vaccinated!
WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY & HEALTH OF WORKERS WEEK
During the week of April 26th to May 2nd, the Department of Employment Services within the Ministry of Border Control will join the rest of the world in observing World Day for Safety and Health at work and “Workers’ Day” May 1st, 2015 under the theme “BUILDING A CULTURE OF PREVENTION ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH.”
A national occupational safety and Health culture is one which the right to safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels, where governments, employers and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities and duties, and where the highest priority is accorded to the principal of prevention.
In highlighting the importance of building and maintaining a culture of prevention on occupational safety and health (OSH), Minster of Border Control and Employment Hon. Ricardo Donhue Gardiner, noted “The commitment of employers, employees and interest groups alike must make use of all available means to increase general awareness, knowledge of hazard and risks, and understanding of their prevention and control. In this regard, stakeholder participation is essential to fostering lasting improvements in safety and health at work. Enabling the exchange of experience and good practice on OSH contributes to this purpose.
“Decent Work must be Safe Work. This is why, the ILO and its constituents must be leaders in promoting safety and health at work, consolidating what has been achieved, as well as sharing the principles of good practice on OSH in all sectors and workplaces. Together we must create the partnerships that are needed to bring about the changes we seek in building a culture of prevention on OSH.”
Commissioner of Labour, Michelle Fulford Gardiner stated: “This year we have scheduled a week of activities to commemorate this significant occasion in the world of work. We encourage each and every one of you to join in with us in this celebration. We all have our part to play in making a difference.”
The Commissioner further stated, “If the Turks & Caicos Islands intends to be at centre stage with the rest of the world, then, due care should be taken towards maintaining a healthy and sustainable workforce.”