Ex-NFL player Aaron Hernandez guilty of murder
Former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez has been found guilty of the first-degree murder of his friend, another American footballer.
Relatives of the victim wept in the Massachusetts courthouse as the verdict was announced on live television.
Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
He was arrested in 2013 and charged with killing Odin Lloyd, a semi-pro player who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee.
Lloyd's body was found with six bullet wounds less than a mile from Hernandez's home.
At the time, Hernandez had a contract worth $40m (£27m).
But within hours of his arrest, the Patriots sacked Hernandez, considered one of the top tight ends playing the game.
Source-BBC
PDM OUTRAGED AT GOVERNMENT’S CONTINOUS ATTEMPTS TO BY PASS TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDERS
In another release to RTC, the PDM says they are outraged with Government to side step the people of the TCI.
"The PDM has been reliably informed that the Rufus Ewing led PNP Administration is once again by passing its people and is blatantly committing some of the said same acts that we frown upon in the Private Sector.
This latest assault on its people, more directly under the Hon Washington Misick, will see a senior contract officer in one of the Statutory Bodies under Misick’s portfolio who has been met with personal challenges under that contract, favored and positioned to head up the new Statutory Body recently supported by the PDM - the new Invest TC which is also under Misick’s portfolio. We understand that the contract officer has tendered his resignation a few months ahead of the end of his current contract and may still enjoy full gratuity privileges while moving to this new post.
Persons we have spoken to have not seen nor did we see the position advertised. This says to us that there were no real attempts to make this a bonafide Turks and Caicos empowering experience. It is certainly not cliché to say that there are qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders who are more than qualified to hold this position and who have experience in the area. We maintain that there are Turks and Caicos Islanders who could certainly lead in positioning Turks and Caicos Islands for growth which it did experience under a Turks and Caicos Islands CEO before.
This Government, also by this move, is saying to our young Turks and Caicos Islanders that they are prepared to remain stuck in an era that is long past and not to allow new and innovative ideas heralded by younger persons to see the light of day.
Only a few months ago, as a Question in Parliament, the Party’s Leader Hon Sharlene Robinson raised these type practices of having guest workers move from contract to contract without leaving this country and with inflated qualifications in job advertisements to suit the persons intended to be employed. Again, we see a worse experience where there may not have been an advertisement and if so, a not well circulated one.
We are calling out the Government and charging them with one of the most offensive act against its people. When the Government of this country makes this statement, it loses the moral authority to champion these issues for its people in the public and private sector. This Government does not practice what it preaches. This Government continues to demonstrate its lack of care for the abuses our people suffer and with this move, only adds insult to injury.
We are calling on the Government to explain this move to the people of this country. We need to understand the procedure followed in this matter – its advertising and recruitment process. The Government needs to tell its people why it feels that it should bypass qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders who have experience and who can be empowered so as to make the return of Invest TC a true bonafide Turks and Caicos experience.
The PDM has been fighting these types of injustices and will continue to represent our people on these issues."
That was the full text from the PDM.
PABA Playoffs is in full swing
The mighty Stallions galloped over the Hustlerz 77-58 to take a 1 nil lead in game 1 of the PABA playoffs.
Capt Kirk Adams fought valiantly to try and save his Huslterz but to no avail. He finished the game with 22 pts, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Devanio Quant added 15 pts, 6 rebounds and 3. steals. Linda Cox was able to collect 13 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal while Enrico Smith scored 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists 3 steals. Smith's dunk over the opponents was a photo finish and is still being talked about.
Tamaurrii Lightbourne scored 9 pts, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 critical steals. Kino Williams added 13 points,1 rebound, 4 assists and a 1 steal for the Stallions.
In game 2 the youth and athleticism of the Knights proved too much for the Coca Cola Classics as they were beaten 75-54. Alvin Parker grabbed 15 rebounds and contributed 4 points, 4 assists and had 2 steals. Derek Hanna scored 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and Ezra Taylor had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Andujar Gardiner scored a season high 38 points which included the electrifying seven 3 pointers, 5 Rebounds, 8 steals while Mark Handfield supported him with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals.
On Saturday night the police suffered a big loss to the Steelers 78-75 to go down 0-1 in the best of 3 series.
Melvin Elsie scored 26 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals, he was supported by Saundro Germain with 13 points and 7 rebounds.
Tavern Missick scored the winning point with o.4 seconds left in the game. He finished with 30 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists. Wesley Cherry supported him with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist.
Also, the Flyers defeated the Predators 59-57 in game 2 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Anthony cash scored 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists along with Troy Forbes added 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists for the Flyers.
Cameron Henry scored 12 points while Troy Saunders added 11 points, 3 rebounds for the Predators.
Games will continue this weekend in Provo. Will there be a sweep for some teams or will there be a game 3? Who will go fishing? Join the PABA for another action packed exciting weekend.
St Lucia imposes ban on poultry products from United States
St Lucia has placed a ban on poultry products from the United States after the country confirmed the Avian flu in eight states.
"The Avian flu is designated as either Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) based on the characteristics of the virus and the ability of the virus to cause disease and mortality in chickens," said Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Auria King-Cenac.
"HPAI causes high mortality in birds. Both strains are highly contagious and extremely detrimental to the poultry industry."
Canada reported the detection of HPAI among commercial flocks in British Colombia in December 2014, while the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has detected the HPAI H5 virus in wild birds, as well as in a few backyard and commercial poultry flocks in the US states of Arkansas, California, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon and Washington State.
"Based on St Lucia’s import requirements, all poultry and poultry products raised, processed, or stored in the mentioned states are not eligible for export to St. Lucia and the importation of poultry from these areas is not permitted,” King-Cenac said.
“Travelers are asked to note that effective immediately all personal (casual) imports of all fresh, frozen or cooked poultry and poultry products from the US are restricted until further notice.”
The Veterinary and Livestock Services Division assures the public that “there is no immediate food safety risk and the consumption of properly cooked poultry meat and poultry products remains safe.
The Division said it would continue to monitor the disease situation in North America and by extension the region, to determine whether any further steps are necessary to safeguard the island’s poultry sector as well as human health.
Souce-CMC
Gay replaces Gatlin for the Jamaica Invitational
American sprinter Tyson Gay has been added to the line-up of the Jamaica International Invitational, replacing compatriot Justin Gatlin, who was forced to withdraw due to other commitments.
Gatlin was earlier announced to compete in the 100m at the May 9 meet set for the National Stadium.
However, the organisers of the event were informed that the 9.77 seconds man will no longer be available, since he will be focusing on the April 23-25 Penn Relays and the May 2-3 IAAF World Relays in The Bahamas instead.
Gay's last appearance at the Jamaica International Invitational was in 2013 when he won the 100m in 9.86 seconds.
He is expected to face the likes of Americans Ryan Bailey and Walter Dix, with Jamaicans Nesta Carter and Nickel Ashmeade also confirmed for the meet.
Source-CMC
Mayweather & Pacquiao will be penultimate fight
Floyd Mayweather says he will fight just once more after next month's clash with Manny Pacquiao because he no longer enjoys the sport.
The unbeaten American's 2 May fight with Pacquiao is the fifth of a six-fight contract with broadcaster Showtime.
And Mayweather, 38, says the "fun" has gone out of boxing, which he now regards as "a job".
He added: "I don't enjoy it like I once did. My last fight is in September."
Mayweather took part in an open training session before telling reporters the Pacquiao bout at the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas would see two fighters "meeting at the pinnacle of our careers".
The fight is expected to be the richest in boxing history.
He added: "He's a future hall-of-famer. I am a future hall-of-famer."
WBA and WBC champion Mayweather is unbeaten in 47 professional fights, while his 36-year-old opponent has lost five and drawn two of his 57 fights.
After his defeat of Oscar De La Hoya in May 2007, Mayweather relinquished his WBC light-middleweight title, only to come out of his brief retirement in July to announce his fight with Britain's Ricky Hatton.
Mayweather also retired in 2008 but returned 21 months later in May 2009 to fight Juan Manuel Marquez.
The welterweight fight with Pacquiao has been the subject of on-off negotiations for six years and pundits say it will define who was the greatest fighter of the era.
Britain's Amir Khan has said he hopes to fight Mayweather - although he has also pledged to meet compatriot and IBF champion Kell Brook in the next 12 months and faces former light-welterweight world champion Chris Algieri on 30 May.
Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton - beaten by both Mayweather and Pacquiao in his career - says Khan's style would trouble Mayweather, if the Bolton boxer did become the American's final fight.
He said: "Amir is boxing with a lot more discipline lately, he's in and out and he's not getting involved. I think that type of style will cause Floyd massive problems.
"But, when you're the best, pound-for-pound, like Floyd Mayweather - and Amir's as big a name as is out there, he's beaten pretty much everyone - he might be forced to fight Amir Khan."
Source-BBC Sports
Iran’s Leader Dismisses US Congressional Role in Nuclear Deal
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Iran is in talks to reach a final nuclear agreement with six world powers, not with U.S. lawmakers.
Rouhani's remarks on Wednesday were an apparent reaction to developments Tuesday in Washington, where President Barack Obama pledged to sign a bill that would subject the agreement to U.S. congressional review.
In a speech to thousands of Iranians in the northern city of Rasht, Rouhani described tensions between the White House and U.S. Congress as an "internal issue."
"Our partner is not the U.S. Congress or the Senate, our partner is a group called ‘5+1,’" Rouhani said, according to the Associated Press. The group includes the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia plus Germany.
Rouhani also reiterated his stance that Tehran will not sign a final nuclear deal unless all sanctions are simultaneously lifted.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a measure Tuesday after a bipartisan compromise that calls for a 30-day review period and for the president to certify every 90 days that Iran is living up to the deal curbing its nuclear activity. Sanctions levied by Congress immediately would be reimposed in case of a violation.
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he is confident about reaching a final agreement with Iran, after Obama agreed to sign the congressional measure.
Kerry spoke before a meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers in Germany that was expected to include discussion on the negotiations, which yielded a framework nuclear deal earlier this month.
"We are confident about our ability for the president to negotiate an agreement, and to do so with the ability to make the world safer," Kerry said.
On Tuesday, Obama said he would sign a bill now in the U.S. Congress that would subject any final nuclear deal to congressional review with a possible vote to approve or reject the agreement.
The bill now goes before the full House and Senate for approval.
Source-VOA
Cuba Welcomes Removal From US Terrorism Sponsor List
Cuba is praising President Barack Obama's decision to remove the Caribbean island nation from Washington's list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Josefina Vidal, Havana's chief diplomat for U.S. affairs, issued a statement Tuesday welcoming Obama's "fair decision to take Cuba off a list that it never should have been included on."
Obama informed Congress of his decision earlier in the day, after a State Department review concluded that Cuba "has not provided any support for international terrorism" in the last six months and given the U.S. assurances that it does not intend to in the future.
Congress has 45 days to overrule the president's decision through a joint resolution, but lawmakers cannot stop it unless both chambers approve a joint resolution, a move that is highly unlikely.
Many of Obama's fellow Democrats hailed his decision and some experts said it was long overdue.
The fugitives include Joanne Chesimard, wanted in the slaying of a New Jersey state trooper in the early 1970s.
Republican U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, another Cuban-American lawmaker from Florida, accused Obama of "capitulating to dictators.''
The United States first placed Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism in 1982, due to communist island's support for leftist separatist groups such as FARC in Colombia and the Basque armed group ETA in Spain. But Havana is now sponsoring peace talks between FARC and the Columbian government, and has distanced itself from ETA.
Obama's action came just days after he met with Cuban President Raul Castro at the Summit of the Americas in Panama, the first face-to-face meeting of leaders of the two countries in more than 50 years.
Washington and Havana have held several rounds of talks since the two leaders announced last December that they planned to resume normal diplomatic relations, bringing an end to hostilities stemming from the Cold War.
Iran, Sudan and Syria remain on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Source-VOA
EU Accuses Google of Abusing Its Internet Search Dominance
The European Union is accusing Google of abusing its dominant position in Internet searches, alleging the American technology giant is violating the 28-nation bloc's antitrust laws.
EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Wednesday Google, which controls 90 percent of Internet searches in Europe, has systematically favored its own comparison-shopping product in its general search results pages, stifling competition. Vestager said such practices harm consumers by offering them fewer choices.
In a statement, the company said while Google is the most dominant search engine, Internet users have numerous ways to search for information and that "allegations of harm, for consumers and competitors, have proved to be wide of the mark."
Vestager said "if the investigation confirmed our concerns, Google would have to face the legal consequences and change the way it does business in Europe."
"Our investigation so far has shown that when a consumer enters a shopping-related query in Google's search engine, Google's comparison shopping product is systematically displayed prominent at the top of the search results," Vestager said. "This display is irrespective of whether it is the most relevant response to the query.''
Google has 10 weeks to officially respond to the allegations.
Source-VOA
China Economic Growth Hits 6-Year Low
China's economy grew at its slowest pace in six years last quarter, according to data released Wednesday, raising fresh concerns over the condition of the world's second largest economy.
Growth declined to 7 percent in the first quarter of 2015, down from 7.3 percent in the previous quarter. That is the slowest quarterly growth rate since early 2009 during the aftermath of the global financial crisis.
China's ruling Communist Party has set a modest target of 7 percent growth for 2015. While that rate of expansion would be among the fastest of any major economy, it would be China's slowest pace in a quarter of a century.
Reacting to the figures, a spokesman for China's National Bureau of Statistics said Wednesday that Beijing expected the slowdown. He said the government attributes this to "sluggish global economic recovery" and "ongoing structural reforms," according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
"The new impetus is showing momentum, but in general it is still small in size although it grows fast," said NBS spokesperson Sheng Laiyun. "We still are relying on a traditional growth engine, and that is declining and has huge impact on our economy in the short term. We are in transition between the old and new growth models and we face the pressure of an economic downturn."
Chinese leaders have tolerated moderately slower growth, as they guide the country away from a trade- and investment-driven economy toward a more sustainable model based on domestic consumption.
If the economy slows too quickly, this could lead to a loss of jobs, which could create social and political instability in the nation of 1.35 billion people.
Responding to the slowdown, Chinese leaders have cut interest rates twice in recent months. It is not clear whether they will pursue more aggressive measures to further stimulate the economy.
Source-VOA