Arizona Sheriff Ruled to Unfairly Target Latinos
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that an Arizona sheriff known for his tough policies has been singling out Latinos in immigration patrols and traffic stops.
U.S. District Judge Murray Snow ruled Friday in Phoenix that Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio and his officers unfairly targeted Latino drivers when pulling people over for traffic stops and identity checks.
A controversial Arizona law allows law enforcement officers to randomly stop people and check their immigration status.
Snow said Arpaio was using racial profiling to make law enforcement decisions. He said the evidence demonstrates that the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office specifically equated being a Hispanic or Mexican day laborer, as opposed to a Caucasian or African American, with being an unauthorized alien.
The ruling was the result of a lawsuit brought last year by a group of Latino drivers who accused Arpaio's officers of using race to decide which motorists to stop. The lawsuit sought no damages, just corrective action.
The American Civil Liberties Union has praised the ruling. Latino civil rights organizations also praised the ruling and said they looked forward to seeing reforms implemented in the sheriff's office. Arpaio, who won re-election in November, has not commented but is expected to appeal.
Arizona lies on the U.S. border with Mexico and is often at the center of discussions on immigration policy.
May 27, TCI Celebrates National Heroes Day 2013
National Heroes Day will be celebrated throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands on Monday, May 27, 2013.
The Department of Culture, in collaboration with the Honors and Awards Committee, will mark the day with a Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of the Late, Hon. J.A.G.S. McCartney, the first Chief Minister and National Hero of these islands.
The ceremony will take place at the J.A.G.S. McCartney Memorial Site in Grand Turk beginning at 8:30am.
His Excellency Governor Ric Todd, Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing and Leader of the Opposition Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, are among those expected to attend and bring greetings.
The Culture Department has issued an invitation to all members of the community to attend the ceremony. All guests are to be seated by 9:00am.
Turks & Caicos Reservations partners with Prime Sports Medicine to Develop Medical Tourism
Turks and Caicos Reservations – a locally based vacation booking service, focused exclusively on the Turks & Caicos Islands, today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Prime Sports Medicine (PSM) to bring more patients seeking overseas surgery to the Turks and Caicos. The partnership will make travel planning to the destination a simple and informative process, opening the door to the high quality, affordable treatments and procedures available from PSM, which are often priced at less than a third of the same procedures in the US.
Here’s Damen Bovie with more on this medical partnership.
Damen Bovie: Having booked thousands of vacations to the destination over the past four years, locally-based Turks and Caicos Reservations is now helping the world-renowned sun, sand and sea destination expand into this new market segment, which the World Travel and Tourism Council estimates has grown to be a $6 trillion business annually.
"We’re thrilled to leverage our years of experience booking vacations to the Turks and Caicos Islands for patients looking for high-quality treatments in a tropical paradise. Whether travelers are looking for a small inn, full-service beachfront resort, or luxury villa experience for their pre- or post-surgical care, we'll have them covered, and can offer appropriately-based rejuvenation package options as well," said Val Kallie-cha-ran, founder of Turks & Caicos Reservations.
The island-based partnership makes planning and having an overseas surgery in Turks and Caicos a very attractive and accessible alternative, particularly to Canadians who sometimes face long wait times for their surgery, as well as patients in the US where procedures can be very expensive.
Dr. Joe LeMoine of Prime Sports Medicine remarked “we’re pleased to be able to offer patients wanting to come to Turks and Caicos for major and minor ar-thro-scopicsurgery of the knee and shoulder, to have the ability to engage with local health travel specialists that can give them first-hand information and book accommodations for themselves and their support group, as well as soft - activities they can enjoy while on the island.
The Turks and Caicos Reservations team offers a first class service, the agents are extremely professional and are 100% dedicated to customer service -- all the qualities we pride ourselves on; so it was without hesitation that we wanted to work with their team," he said.
This is Damen Bovie for RTC News.
OPPOSITION OBJECTS TO GRANT OF BEACH ACCESS TO PRIVATE ENTITY
The leader of the opposition, Hon Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, has responded to a response to a question tabled by the Opposition at a recent House of Assembly Meeting, where the Premier informed the people of these Islands that an application had in fact been received for the grant of another beach access on the Grace Bay strip.
Hon Robinson in a press release to RTC News today, said a visit to the area was made by herself and Hons. Goldray Ewing and Delroy Williams in an attempt to better understand the matter at hand with regards to access to the beach on that Strip. She said they were also able to visit a paved area which they were informed was improved, allegedly without Planning’s Permission and which may be offered as an alternative access to the beach. They however noted with concern that the area dwindled into a foot path.
Mrs. Robinson said last week, the Official Opposition, wrote to the relevant TCIG authorities, including the Department of Planning, the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs and the Office of the Premier, to state their objection to the grant of the Beach Access located between the Verandah and Beaches to a private entity.
“The Opposition believes that no beaches are private, but also that it is not in the best interest of our people to grant another beach access to another private entity. We have recommended in the same correspondence that titles to beach accesses should be vested in the National Trust for the enjoyment of and also the protection of these areas for current and future generations,” Hon Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said.
She said the opportunity was also used to interact with and hear some of the concerns of the straw vendors in the area and that the opposition will be making representations on their behalf.
Jaguars Over powered Jam-Turk in game 4 of the Provo Cricket Association match
The JAGUARS recorded a second win as they easily beat Jam-Turk as the HAB Group-sponsored T20 competition continued on Sunday 19th May at the Down Town Ball Park in Providenciales.
Batting first after winning the toss Jam-Turk reached 112 runs for 8 wickets from 17.5 overs. The principal contributors were Delano Hall with an unbeaten 32 runs which included 4x4’s and Douglas Brown with 22 runs, also inclusive of 4x4’s.
Bowling for Jaguars, Shemroy Vigilance claimed 3 wickets for 13 runs from 3.5 overs and Hayden Spring took 2 wickets for 18 runs from 3 overs.
In reply, the Jaguars reached their target, losing 1 wicket in the process from 10.2 overs. The top scorers were Ji-tender Gang-lani with 42 not out, which was decorated with 8x4’s and Christopher McFarlane with 34 runs not out, which was punctuated with 5x4’s and 1x6 and Nuwan Bodhinayake added 29 runs, including 4x4’s.
Bowling for Jam-Turk, David Riley took 1 wicket for 19 runs from 2 overs
The Man of the Match went to Ji-tender Gang-lani.
Protocol office to be established within TCIG
One of the main issues discussed when His Excellency Governor Ric Todd hosted Wednesday’s meeting of TCI’s Cabinet, was the need to have a National Protocol Policy.
It noted that most governments have in place formal policies and procedures which prescribe the various protocols to be used at official events and when hosting foreign dignitaries, as well as the proper use of the national flag and coat of arms by both government and the private sector.
In order to avoid the risk of inconsistency, Cabinet agreed that a comprehensive Protocol Policy and Implementation Handbook should be developed, along with official guidance on the appropriate use of the TCI flag and coat of arms.
The Premier of the TCI, Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing spoke more about this eventuality during a post cabinet press briefing, held at the Tourist Board’s Conference Room in Providenciales yesterday.
A-Snap: Local Art & Craft for Sustainable livelihood Retail Attraction Opens in Grand Turk
The ever dynamic, tourism industry of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is about to be enhanced even more, as the A-Snap cultural and arts retail store supported by the Ariza Group of Companies (AGC), seeks to increase authenticity to the tourism product; and undoubtedly, create unique experiences and products on the island.
The cultural and arts retail store will have its grand opening Friday, May 24th 2013 at 4:30 PM at the Pond Breeze Plaza, Good Street in Grand Turk.
A-Snap is the brainchild of Mr. Pedro Ariza of Grand Turk. Mr. Ariza, who views this initiative as creating and packaging authentic tourism products that visitors and locals would cherish.
The focus of A-Snap he said is to embrace the culture of the TCI, with emphasis on supporting and generating employment for the local community.
Doors opened on Friday May 24th after the ‘traditional ‘ribbon cutting’ for A-Snap, the general public supported the opening which included a brief history by Mr. Ariza's father. Deputy Governor, Hon. Anya Williams attended the opening ceremony in the Grand Turk among other dignitaries. A-Snap seeks to bring more community involvement in this and its other endeavors.
Sergio Garcia apologises for Tiger Woods 'fried chicken' joke
Sergio Garcia has apologised for making what could be seen as a racist remark about world number one Tiger Woods.
Garcia, 33, was asked if he would have Woods round for dinner to settle their recent argument and joked that he would serve fried chicken.
Fried chicken is stereotypically associated with black people in American deep south.
Garcia said: "I apologise for any offence. In no way was the comment meant in a racist manner."
Woods and Garcia have been involved in a public spat since The Players Championship earlier this month, when Garcia accused Woods of gamesmanship.
Woods angered Garcia during the third round of the tournament at Sawgrass by preparing for his own shot as the Spaniard was about to play an approach shot.
Garcia was then asked at the European Tour's annual awards ceremony on Tuesday night if he would have the world number one around for dinner during the upcoming US Open.
"We will have him round every night," Garcia said. "We will serve fried chicken."
Garcia's remark was similar to one made by Fuzzy Zoeller to Woods in 1997.
After Woods won the Masters which entitled him to choose the champions' dinner menu for the following year, Zoeller said: "You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year.
"Got it? Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve."
Zoeller later apologised and said he had been misconstrued.
Garcia issued a statement through the European Tour, saying: "I apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my comment on stage during The European Tour Players' Awards dinner.
"I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner."
Earlier on Tuesday, Garcia rejected the opportunity to end his dispute with Woods ahead of the BMW PGA Championship, which starts at Wentworth on Thursday.
He said: "I don't have Tiger's number and he wouldn't pick up the phone anyway. But that's okay, I don't need him as a friend.
"He doesn't need me in his life, I don't need him in mine so let's move on and keep on doing what we're doing. There's never been a true connection like I would have with Luke [Donald] or Lee [Westwood], Adam Scott or some of the other guys I get along with well.
"It doesn't mean I cannot play with him, it's just another player. It's just when I'm playing with someone I enjoy there's a bit more talking during the round. When you play with someone you don't fancy as much it's a little bit quieter."
Tim Clark considers legal action
South African Tim Clark says he is among "a fair number" of players taking legal advice over plans to ban the anchoring of putters.
Governing bodies the R&A and the US Golf Association (USGA) said they would impose the rule from 1st January, 2016.
The ban will apply to any club rested against a part of the body, such as the broom-handle or the belly putter.
Clark said: "We do have legal counsel. We'll explore options. We're not going to just roll over and accept this."
The PGA Tour has also said it is considering its options on the matter.
The Tour opposed the ban when it was first proposed last year and, following its confirmation on Tuesday, a statement said: "We will now begin our process to ascertain whether the various provisions of Rule 14-1b will be implemented in our competitions and, if so, examine the process for implementation.
"In this regard, over the next month we will engage in discussions with our Player Advisory Council and Policy Board members.
"We will announce our position regarding the application of Rule 14-1b to our competitions upon conclusion of our process."
A 90-day consultation process was allocated for comments and suggestions when the proposals were first unveiled in November last year.
The USGA dealt with about 2,200 individual responses, while the R&A received 450 replies from 17 countries.
Clark, 37, who earned a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour after winning the Players' Championship in 2010, dismissed the consultation period as "all smoke and mirrors".
At Tuesday's announcement of the ban, R&A chief executive Peter Dawson admitted to being concerned that players could file lawsuits.
"I very much hope not," he said. "I don't think lawsuits will be on particularly strong ground.
"We are not so sure of ourselves that you can always be sure you're going to be right, but we have certainly done our homework on this one, far more than anything else in my time at the R&A."
Sreesanth denies IPL spot-fixing claims
Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth, arrested last week over allegations of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League, has insisted he is innocent.
"I've never indulged in any spot-fixing and have always played cricket in the spirit of the game," he said in a statement released through his lawyer.
It is his first statement since the allegations surfaced.
Sreesanth was arrested last week with Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, fellow bowlers from the Rajasthan Royals team.
On Tuesday, a court extended their custody for five more days.
Spot-fixing involves illegally rigging parts of a match, for example by timing the delivery of a deliberate wide or no-ball, to benefit bookmakers or those betting on matches.
The families of the three cricketers say they are innocent. Last week Sreesanth's lawyer said the allegations were baseless. The players have been suspended by India's cricket board and the Rajasthan Royals.
The Rajasthan Royals team are owned by Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra. They are captained by legendary Indian batsman Rahul Dravid.
"I am innocent and have done no wrong," Sreesanth, the most high-profile among the arrested men, said in his statement on Tuesday night.
The cricketer has represented India in 27 Tests and 53 one-day internationals.
"As a cricketer, I have learnt to take knocks along with accolades, in my stride. I recognise that I am going through a tough period in my life," the statement read.
The cricketer said he had "utmost faith in our judicial process and I am confident that with time I will be proved innocent, and my honour and dignity will be vindicated and restored".
Police say the players used codes like "rotating their watches, putting towels in their pants, taking out locket from shirt, taking out shirt and vest that you're wearing, make signs with jersey" to communicate with the bookmakers.
More than a dozen bookmakers have also been arrested in connection with the spot-fixing inquiry.
On Tuesday, Mumbai police arrested actor Vindoo Randhawa, the first Bollywood personality to be arrested in connection with the scandal. Mr Randhawa, who won series three of Bigg Boss - India's version of the television show Big Brother - has made no public comment yet.
The sixth season of the IPL, which is considered to be the world's showcase for Twenty20 cricket, is currently under way in India.
Top Indian and international players are taking part, contributing to what is the world's richest cricket tournament.
Source:-BBC