Andy Murray loses to Novak Djokovic in Australian Open final
World number one Novak Djokovic won his fourth Australian Open title as Andy Murray's hopes of a second major win ended in pain.
The Serb, 25, was the stronger man over three hours and 40 minutes, winning 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-2, as Murray struggled to cope with blistered feet and an increasingly rampant opponent."I played a good second set," said Murray. "I created quite a few chances, but didn't quite get them. That was the difference."
And despite admitting that the blister "hurt when I ran", he insisted: "It had no bearing at all on the result."
Djokovic secured his sixth Grand Slam title and became the first man in 46 years to win for three years running in Melbourne.
"It's an incredible feeling winning this trophy again," said the champion. "It's definitely my favourite Grand Slam, my most successful Grand Slam. I love this court."
After losing an opening set he probably should have won, with five break points to none for Murray, the top seed turned the tables in the second by grabbing the tie-break.The Scot had been in charge but was disrupted when serving at 2-2, a feather floating down onto the court following a missed first serve, and after removing it he promptly double-faulted and smacked a forehand wide.
He won just one more point in the tie-break as Djokovic took control to level after two hours and 13 minutes of action.
The physicality of the contest appeared to be taking its toll when Murray then required treatment for blisters at the changeover.
He failed to capitalise on 0-40 at the start of the third and that proved to be the decisive moment as he began to grimace between points, clearly struggling to move freely.
It took two hours and 52 minutes of absorbing but rarely thrilling tennis for the first break of serve to arrive, and it went to Djokovic.
A thumping forehand into the corner set him on the way at 4-3, and despite saving two break points from 0-40, Murray could not resist any longer and netted a forehand.Djokovic went on a run of eight out of nine games as he moved two sets to one up and the Briton's serve unravelled, the double-fault count rising to five after just two in his other six matches in Melbourne.
Unhappy with the umpire for not clamping down on shouts from the crowd, and with his movement hindered, Murray cut a dispirited figure as Djokovic powered towards another major win.
In marked contrast to his opponent, the Serb was relishing the closing stages and romped home towards match point, one delicious drop shot verging on the cruel.
Djokovic wrapped it up on serve when Murray netted a backhand and did a jig of delight on court before heading over to celebrate with his support team.
With six Grand Slam victories, he matches the likes of Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Don Budge and Jack Crawford in the all-time list - and there could be plenty more to come.
--BBC
India v England: Ian Bell hundred seals closing win
Ian Bell struck an unbeaten 113 as England sealed a seven-wicket victory in the final one-day international, India winning the series 3-2.
In the first international played at Dharamsala, Tim Bresnan (4-45) twice struck in successive balls as India were 226 all out having been put in.
Suresh Raina (83), dropped on five and 61, made his fourth consecutive fifty.
But Bell shared in three 50 stands and hit his first overseas ODI hundred as England won with 16 balls remaining.
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium, India's 43rd one-day international venue, provided a stunning spectacle, nestling in the snow capped foothills of the western Himalayas.Cold early morning conditions proved more to England's liking when Alastair Cook won the toss for the first time since the opening match, which the tourists won by nine runs.
The entire playing area was covered in snow less than three weeks ago and despite the continuing early chill in the air Bresnan found some noticeable away swing which produced two slip catches as the Indian batsmen were exposed by the moving ball, as if at Trent Bridge in May.
Rohit Sharma was sharply taken to his right by James Tredwell and after a near replica edge next up, Virat Kohli was pouched at the fourth attempt by the spinner, with Cook poised underneath, like a midwife at a birthing pool, for any spillage.
Steven Finn maintained the pressure by squaring up the dangerous Yuvraj Singh, the leading edge drifting in the high altitude to backward point to dismiss the left-hander for a duck.
Tredwell was in the action again in the 10th over when he clutched Raina's edge off Chris Woakes in his left hand as he dived full length at second slip but the ball escaped from his grasp.
Woakes, brought in for the errant Jade Dernbach, was soon hit for three fours in an over by the pugnacious Raina but a quirk in the laws led to England's next successThe umpires deemed that Bresnan had been off the field too long to be able to bowl immediately so Cook turned to Tredwell, who struck with his second ball as Gautam Gambhir (24) cut lazily and Bell held a smart low catch to his left to bring India skipper Mahendra Dhoni to the crease in the 13th over.
Finn was brought back in a bid to make a breakthrough and he did so in the second over of his new spell when Dhoni was trapped on the crease lbw for 15.
India needed a partnership and it was provided by Raina and Ravi Jadeja, who recorded the fifty stand from 76 balls by dispatching Joe Root down the ground and into the upper tier.
Raina was reprieved again when Cook fumbled at backward square-leg off Tredwell, but in his next over the redoubtable Kent spinner collected his 11th wicket of the series when Jadeja's agricultural swipe at a turning ball looped gently to backward point.
England claimed the important wicket of Raina in the 42nd over when the left-hander was deceived by a slower ball from Woakes to give Bell his third catch of the innings, though Samit Patel conceded 12 and 15 in separate overs as 49 were mustered from the final eight.
Bresnan, left out of the tour to New Zealand to rest an elbow problem, ended proceedings and left India some distance short of what was considered a par total.
Cook and Bell were determined not to suffer the same fate as the Indian top order and overcame some fortuitous early edges with calm assurance as the 50 arrived in the 11th over.
When Ishant Sharma nipped one to breach Cook's defences, England seemed content to keep wickets in hand, although Kevin Pietersen could not resist a short ball and Jadeja took an excellent running catch on the boundary.
Jadeja, India's leading wicket-taker in the series, was not introduced until the 27th over, at which point England looked in command.
But the purposeful Root, yet to make fewer than 30 in his short ODI career, had an uncharacteristic rush of blood with 84 still needed when he made no contact with a pull shot at a turning delivery from Jadeja and was bowled.
However, Morgan, who had made only 13 in his previous three innings, launched Ashwin down the ground for six to record the fifty stand in his 40 from as many balls, leaving the adroit Bell, the only centurion in the series, to hit the winning run.
England next travel to New Zealand, where they play three Twenty20 internationals, three one-day internationals and three Tests beginning early next month.
--BBC
Brentford & Chelsea draws 2-2
Fernando Torres struck a late equaliser to spare Chelsea the embarrassment of being knocked out of the FA Cup by League One Brentford at Griffin Park.
The £50m Spain striker equalised seven minutes from time as Brentford threatened to heap even more misery on Chelsea and interim manager Rafael Benitez after their midweek Capital One Cup semi-final elimination against Swansea City.
Brentford, third in the third tier of English football, were the better side for long spells in this fourth round tie and twice held the lead through Marcello Trotta's first-half goal and Harry Forrester's penalty 17 minutes from time.
With Chelsea on the brink of an ignominious exit and Benitez facing increasing hostility from the travelling supporters packed at one end of Griffin Park, Torres curled in a superb finish to give the Premier League side the relief of a replay.
Brentford's fans gave their side a standing ovation after an outstanding effort that earns them a lucrative replay at Stamford Bridge - but for a few moments they were dreaming of an even bigger reward.
For Chelsea, the draw was gratefully accepted and they deserve some credit for digging out the result after struggling for so long.Griffin Park was liberally laced with everything that makes the FA Cup special - complete with the sort of heavily sanded-surface that can close gaps between teams.
And Chelsea's unease was evident in an early breakdown in communication between captain John Terry - starting his first game under Benitez after injury - and Ross Turnbull which resulted in the 'keeper picking up his backpass in the area. It presented Brentford with a clear opportunity but Forrester, faced with a 10-man Chelsea wall, shot over.
Brentford's brisk tempo unsettled Chelsea, who were not helped by their own lame response to the determination of the Bees to deny them time and space and drive forward at every opportunity.
As Brentford's confidence increased and with it their domination, Adam Forshaw was only inches away from giving them the lead from 20 yards.
The goal they deserved came three minutes before the interval when Turnbull - a desperately uncertain figure throughout - could only push out Forrester's shot after Frank Lampard conceded possession. Trotta took time to steady himself before sending a powerful finish past the stranded keeper.
It resulted in Benitez receiving a furious response from Chelsea's supporters as he made his way off in front of them at half-time - treatment that was repeated when he emerged for the second half.
Benitez made an inevitable change at the restart, sending on Juan Mata for the anonymous Marko Marin, but it was Oscar who provided the moment of inspiration to draw Chelsea level.
He showed quick feet and great imagination inside the area before sending a right-foot strike high past Brentford keeper Simon Moore.
Moore, who had been untroubled until Oscar's goal, was then in action again to save from Mata as Chelsea sensed they were finally exerting some control on proceedings.
Brentford, however, showed real character to rebuild momentum and edge their way back into the game, a strength rewarded as they regained the lead with 17 minutes left.
Clayton Donaldson played in Tom Adeyemi, on for goalscorer Trotta, and he was dragged down by Turnbull as he raced from goal. The keeper was shown the yellow card and Forrester kept his composure to beat Turnbull powerfully to his right from the spot.
Benitez introduced Demba Ba to try to spare Chelsea's humiliation but it was the much-criticised Torres who did the job for his manager with an instinctive curled finish beyond the reach of Moore.
Brentford held on but survived one huge stoppage time scare when Harlee Dean handled Mata's chip into the area but referee Jon Moss ignored Chelsea's frantic appeals.
--BBC
E.J. Manuel leads South to Senior Bowl victory
Florida State's E.J. Manuel passed for a touchdown and rushed for another on the South's first two drives in a 21-16 victory over the North in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.
Manuel and running backs Stepfan Taylor and Mike James combined to put the game for senior NFL prospects away on the South's final drive. Stanford's Taylor carried five times for 32 yards and caught a 6-yard pass from Manuel.
Manuel converted a fourth-and-1 play on a sneak to set up a 5-yard touchdown run for Miami's James with 2:41 left.
Manuel was named the game's Most Outstanding Player. Brigham Young defensive end Ezekiel Ansah received the honors for the South team while Purdue defensive lineman Kawann Short was the North's top player.
Manuel completed 7-of-10 passes for 76 yards with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Alabama tight end Michael Williams. He also scored on a 2-yard run.
He finished his Florida State career with his best season despite his mother Jackie's battle with breast cancer. He said she will undergo surgery on Feb. 1.
Miami, Ohio quarterback Zac Dysert answered with a scoring drive that ended with his 3-yard touchdown pass to Oregon running back Kenjon Barner with 23 seconds left. The two-point conversion and onside kick both failed.
Ansah is a native of Ghana who initially was on the track team and now is a potential first-round pick. He had seven tackles, 3½ behind the line, 1½ sacks and a forced fumble.
Short had three tackles, one for a loss.
Taylor finished with nine carries for 53 yards for the South.
Barner led all receivers with seven catches for 59 yards and gained 13 yards on three carries.
It was an up and down day for most of the quarterbacks.
Arkansas' Tyler Wilson completed 8-of-11 passes for 40 yards for the South. Landry Jones, a four-year starter for Oklahoma, was 3-of-9 passing for 16 yards and was sacked twice.
For the North, Dysert was 10 of 16 for 93 yards and was intercepted once and sacked twice. North Carolina State's Mike Glennon completed half his 16 attempts for 82 yards, and Syracuse's Ryan Nassib was 4 of 10 for 44 yards and threw an interception.
Southeastern Louisiana defensive back Robert Alford set up Manuel's 2-yard run with an 88-yard return of the opening kick. Then Manuel lofted an over-the-shoulder pass to Williams in the end zone.
Williams converted another third-down play with a 19-yard catch on the drive.
Glennon and the North offense finally got things going to open the second half.
He completed all three of his pass attempts for 34 yards and then UCLA's Johnathan Franklin, a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, closed the drive with a 12-yard run and a 20-yard touchdown on consecutive plays.
Manuel didn't play again until the third quarter when he led the South across midfield. His fourth-down pass was deflected into the arms of Utah State defensive back Will Davis for an interception.
Davis returned it 25 yards and Glennon led the North deep enough to set up a 42-yard field goal by Oklahoma State's Quinn Sharp to make it 14-10 with 3:28 left in the third quarter.
Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson continued his conversion to receiver. He lost 3 yards on a reverse but turned a screen pass from Nassib into a 14-yard gain late in the third quarter and added a 7-yard catch in the fourth.
North ...... 0 0 10 6-16
South ........ 14 0 0 7-21
First Quarter
• Sou-Manuel 2 run (Hopkins kick), 13:11
• Sou-Williams 20 pass from Manuel (Hopkins kick), 4:31.
Third Quarter
• Nor-Franklin 20 run (Sharp kick), 10:44
• Nor-FG Sharp 42, 3:28.
Fourth Quarter
• Sou-James 5 run (Hopkins kick), 2:41
• Nor-Barner 3 pass from Dysert (pass failed), :23
• A-38,636.
North South
First downs 20 14
Rushes-yards 24-45 33-105
Passing 219 132
Comp-Att-Int 22-42-2 18-30-1
Return Yards 112 182
Punts-Avg. 7-45.4 5-52.4
Fumbles-Lost 2-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 5-50 2-26
Time of Possession 29:12 30:48
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
• RUSHING -- North, Franklin 5-41, Rouse 6-15, Barner 3-13, Juszczyk 4-9, TM 1-1, Glennon 1-1, Robinson 1-(minus-3), Dysert 2-(minus-11), Nassib 1-(minus-21). South, Taylor 9-53, Gillislee 10-46, James 6-10, Manuel 4-10, T. Williams 2-8, Jones 2-(minus-22).
• PASSING -- North, Dysert 10-16-1 93, Glennon 8-16-0 82, Nassib 4-10-1 44. South, Wilson 8-11-0 40, Manuel 7-10-1 76, Jones 3-9-0 16.
• RECEIVING -- North, Barner 7-59, Goodwin 5-44, Wheaton 4-47, Robinson 2-21, Doyle 1-22, Harper 1-12, Kasa 1-8, Rouse 1-6. South, Vernon 4-36, James 3-11, M. Williams 2-39, King 2-19, Taylor 2-8, Bohanon 2-6, T. Williams 1-9, Hamilton 1-3, Rivera 1-1.
Source: sportsillustrated
Brazil night club fire kills 245 in Santa Maria
At least 245 people have died in a fire that swept through a nightclub in a university city in southern Brazil, police and officials say.
Local media say the fire began when a band let off fireworks at the Kiss club in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul.
Reports say panic spread as people tried to get out. Many victims reportedly died from inhaling toxic fumes or from being crushed.
The fire is now out and bodies are being removed from the scene.
President Dilma Rousseff, who cut short a visit to Chile and was returning to Brazil, said everything possible would be done to help the injured and the families of the victims.
"I would also like to say to the Brazilian people and to the people of Santa Maria that we stand together at this time, and that even though there's a lot of sadness, we will pull through," she said, speaking from Chile.
In a tweet, the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Tarso Genro, said it was a "sad Sunday" and that all possible action was being taken in response to the fire. He would be in the city later on Sunday, he added.
A firefighter told BBC News he had never seen such a tragedy in his life, with the victims "so young".
The priority for the authorities is now to identify the dead with many distressed relatives arriving at the scene, but in the hours ahead the focus will turn to the cause of this accident and safety procedures at the club, the BBC's Gary Duffy reports from Sao Paulo.
'Ceiling on fire'
The fire broke out some time after 02:00 (04:00 GMT) when between 300 and 500 people are believed to have been in the club, where a band was playing.
Thick smoke engulfed the venue after acoustic insulation caught fire, officials say.
"We looked up at the ceiling in front of the stage and it was catching fire," eyewitness Luana Santos Silva, 23, told Brazil's Globo TV.
"My sister grabbed me and dragged me out on the ground."The exit, she said, was a "small door for lots of people to come out by".
The young woman's sister, Aline Santos Silva, 29, added: "We managed to see it in time and to get out quickly, before the smoke began to spread.
"The smoke spread really quickly, it didn't give enough time for people to get out. I think people started to feel unwell, and then they began to come out covered in black smoke stains."
The witness commended the emergency services: "Help arrived really quickly, ambulances, police."
Fire crews tried knocking through an exterior wall to help those trapped inside to escape.
Some 15 bodies were found in the club's toilets where people had apparently sought refuge, local reports said.
Speaking to BBC Brasil, Sergeant Arthur Rigue, from the local fire department, said: "I never witnessed a tragedy like this in my whole career.
"These people are so young… There were many bodies piled up in various parts of the place. Some were in the toilet. They died of asphyxiation."Fire chief Guido de Melo told local media. "People started panicking and ended up treading on each other."
Hundreds of people have been taken to hospital.
A temporary morgue has been set up in a local gym as the city's main morgue is unable to cope.
President Rousseff said the air force had made "resources" available at an air base near Santa Maria to help.
Santa Maria, which has a population of about 250,000 people, is home to a federal university (UFSM) with 27,000 students.
--BBC
TCI Cabinet Meeting overview
Moves are being made by the Premier the Honorable Dr Rufus Ewing to bring TCI inward investment under the direct control of elected government following concern expressed earlier this month that this was not happening. At yesterday’s cabinet meeting, chaired by His Excellency Governor Ric Todd in the House of Assembly, the members discussed a paper by the Minister of Finance to re-establish TCInvest as an autonomous body under the supervision of the Premier. The refocused body will put its priorities on developing investment policies, promoting investment, evaluating and facilitating project proposals, monitoring project implementation and administering concessionary legislation. A working group will be set up to draft the legislation. The budget for the new body will be set in the allocation round for the 2013/14 budget. Here’s ---- with a report on what else happened in yesterday’s cabinet.
The Cabinet agreed to continue with a full financial audit by accountancy firm KPMG, working with Inter-Health Canada Ltd. The Healthcare Group manages the Public Private Investment Partnership under the Integrated Health System. There will be a full clinical audit, led by the Ministry of Health, closely scrutinizing the performance of ICL under the healthcare contract. The Cabinet also discussed papers from the Minister of Finance about the Financial Strategy and Policy Statement and alternatives to VAT. The Premier will write to the UK Foreign Office Minister, Mark Simmonds, about these issues. This will be his response to the Minister's letter to him of 14th January - in which Mr Simmonds made it clear VAT would be introduced on April 1st. The cabinet also considered a paper from the Premier about appointments by Ministers to replace members of Statutory Bodies whose terms are expiring - or to fill vacancies on these bodies. The Boards include the NHIB, the Tourist Board, the Immigration Board, the Planning Board and the Education, Community College and Scholarship Advisory Boards. Announcements about the nominations will be made by the responsible Ministers in due course.
The Premier’s proposal was approved for the appointment of a National Honors and Awards Committee to examine the options for - and make recommendations on - a National Awards Program. The composition of the Committee and its terms of reference will be announced by the Premier's office.
The cabinet considered and approved a draft National Youth Policy for TCI presented by the Deputy Premier the Honorable Akiera Misick. She was instructed to prepare proposals with a budget for the Policy. This will come up for approval in the 2013/14 budget allocation process. Cabinet underlined that this was a strategic multi-year policy, aiming at delivering challenging and important objectives. Members also discussed overcrowding at the Clement Howell High School and invited the Minister for Education to present to Cabinet costed proposals for short, medium and long term options to address the situation.
These options will include the construction of a new High School; splitting the High School and acquiring by lease new or alternative premises; extending the HS; and a shift system at CHHS. Cabinet noted that there were complex issues involved. This is Chris Jarrett for RTC News.
AG on Michael Misick being high flight risk
Attorney General Huw Shepheard told the public today that former premier Michael Misick was regarded by the Brazilian Government as a high flight risk. He was responding to an open letter written by the former premier from his Brazilian prison cell - pleading for the extradition proceedings against him to be dropped. He wants to return immediately to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr Misick says he has repeatedly stated his willingness to return. He has dismissed suggestions that, if freed from extradition proceedings, he might abscond. He says he has given his word of honor to the people of the TCI that he can be trusted to return. Here’s ------ with more on this story.
REPORTER: Attorney General Huw Shepheard points out that Mr Misick is the subject of an extradition request made in accordance with the relevant Treaty in place between the UK and Brazil. He was held in accordance with the terms of this Treaty, under a provisional arrest warrant. Supporting documentation would be provided by the TCI authorities within the required 60 days from arrest. Then the Brazilian Courts and authorities would make their decision.
This legal process in Brazil must now be followed. That Mr Misick is being held in prison until the process is completed is a matter for the Brazilian authorities. Mr Misick will also have the opportunity to influence the time the process takes, by deciding whether to contest the extradition and/or deciding whether to pursue his political asylum appeal, or not. Previous to his arrest in Brazil, Mr Misick had a over a year long window of opportunity to return to the Turks and Caicos to face questions. Unfortunately, despite assurances that he would return to TCI, he clearly never arrived. His continued non-appearance and reluctance to come willingly is why an Interpol Red Notice was finally sought and granted.
Mr Shepheard added that when Mr Misick visited the TCI, usually by private plane, after his resignation as Premier he was free to do so. It appeared he only stopped coming when he knew his arrest was actively sought. The fact that the Brazilian authorities had retained Mr Misick in custody reflected the view that Mr Misick was a high flight risk. The British Consulate-General in Rio De Janeiro was providing consular assistance to Mr Misick which included visits to check on his welfare. He had a prisoner support pack which provided useful advice on rights, expectations, and who to turn to for support. The Attorney-General said Mr Misick was receiving the same level of consular support available to all British citizens detained in a Brazilian prison. Consular officers had also explained to close family members how to apply for a prison visit pass from the Brazilian authorities in order to visit Mr Misick. He ended by saying that the former premier’s current situation was clearly complex and there were many decisions yet to be made by him and the Brazilian authorities that would affect how long it took to conclude. It was, said the Attorney General, in everyone interests that the legal processes were properly followed at all times.
This is Damon Bovie & Chris Jarrett reporting for RTC News.
Hon. Akierra Missick host Parent Teacher Association meeting in Provo
The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture the Honorable Akierra Missick hosted a Parent Teacher Association meeting for all public schools on Providenciales to address concerns relating to the safety of students. The meeting was held at the Gustavus Lightbourne Complex on January 11th.
Minister Missick addressed concerns arising out of the recent incident at Clement Howell High School as well as some of the measures that will be put in place to tackle school safety issues. She said there was now a ‘zero tolerance policy’ in place. The school was an environment of learning, rules and regulations. The life of the many would not be threatened by a few. She referred to section 34 of the Education Ordinance which provided for the “disciplining of students who continually break the rules”.
Minister Missick noted that among government’s priority was the establishment of a new educational facility that will address the needs of pupils who could no longer be accommodated in the school system due to gross misconduct. The Minister noted that government was fully aware of its responsibility to ensure that access to learning continued for all school aged children - but that this could be in various types of institutions.
The message was reinforced by the police who were close partners with the school. They will post a community liaison officer at the school for the rest of the school term, while other measures are put in place. The police called upon parents and the community to report any behavior that would seem potentially dangerous. Several other measures were announced as department officials informed parents that the schools will be adhering to a strict time for clearing the school compound on afternoons, to avoid loitering and parents will be called upon to play a more active part at school in ensuring that their children are picked up on time.
Minister Missick also reiterated the TCIG’s commitment to making the school environment a safe and healthy one for children and called on members of the schools’ communities to do their part in making it a reality.
Holocaust survivor visits TCI
An opportunity to hear a first-hand account of what it was like to be a Jewish slave in Hitler’s evil Nazi Third Reich from a Holocaust survivor will be presented to the public in Providenciales on Thursday evening February 7th. Rena Finder, a Jewish Holocaust survivor, will share memories of her time in Oskar Schindler's factory, one of the most compelling times in history. It will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Brayton Hall. The evening is free and open to the public with a screening of the award-winning filmSchindler’s List from 2pm till 5:15pm followed by Finder’s moving talk. Seating begins at 6 p.m.
The program is a project of the Provo Jewish Community and its sponsors including: Fortis TCI, Beaches, Amanyara, Butterfield Gold, Grace Bay Car Rental, Gansevoort and Parrot Cay. The Provo Jewish Community is partnering with the Ministry of Education to ensure high school students would not only be a part of this important moment, but to also become better acquainted with one of the more tragic stories in history said Rabbi Sholom Bluming. Mrs. Finder will talk separately for the High Schools on Wednesday the 6th of February. Rena Finder was 10 years old when she and her family were captured by Nazis.
As one of the remaining survivors of the Holocaust, she will share what it felt like as she watched her family torn apart by hate and ignorance. What it was like to lose her father, to be tortured – along with her mother - for nearly a year and then to be rescued by a German industrialist named Oskar Schindler whose bravery inspired the 7-time Academy Award-winning Steven Spielberg film Schindler's List. In a recent interview, Rena Finder had this to say:
We as a people have not learned. The biggest crime is not so much hate but indifference. Every single one of us has the power to participate, the power to help another person, the power to intervene when we see an injustice done.
This is the first time Rena Finder will tell her inspiring story of survival in The Turks and Caicos Islands.
Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands conference hold referendum on gambling
The 201st Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands conference of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas is intending to hold a referendum expressing its strong opposition to all forms of gambling on January 28th. The Conference Organizers say gambling is a subject of tremendous concern to all citizens of the Bahamas. In a statement today the Ministerial and Lay Delegates at the annual session reiterate their strong and uncompromising opposition to gambling in all its forms.
The Ministerial and Lay Delegates give the reasons for taking their principled stand against gambling. Firstly they point out that many religious leaders see gambling as the concept of gaining something by means of luck or chance at the expense of others. That makes it incompatible with the teaching of Scripture, which calls upon Christians to use their God-given abilities and talents to work for or earn the same: by the sweat of thy brow thou shalt eat bread – Genesis 3:19. They also point to Proverbs, Matthew, and Thessalonians for further clarification. Gambling, they say, encourages laziness, avarice and greed – fostering dependence upon chance rather Divine Providence and dedication to duty as taught in the Bible. They say further that gambling can greatly disrupt or even destroy home and family life. The most powerful argument against gambling from a moral perspective, however, was the “law of love” as expounded by Jesus in “The Sermon On The Mount in discussions with His religious contemporaries Matthew, Mark, and John. They say this is all in keeping with the teaching of John Wesley in his famous sermon on the use of money. Whatever may be the outcome of the Referendum, the Methodist Church will continue to hold tenaciously to its position that gambling is morally wrong.