MIAMI WINS THE NBA FINALS 2012
The journey has ended and it took place in Miami. Lebron James not only won the bill Russell MVP award but won the NBA finals.
The finals saw the Miami Heat dismissing the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
James scored 26, adding 13 assists and 11 rebounds while Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh poured in 20 and 24, respectively.
OKC's Kevin Durant scored 32 in a losing effort as the Thunder lost their four straight following the Game 1 victory in Oklahoma City.
A difficult night for Russell Westbrook had 19 on 4-of-20 shooting as the Thunder faced numerous errors coupled with turnovers and poor 3-point shooting.
Lebron James reflected on the journey to Miami after the game but in the end he is now a NBA champion.
Manny Pacquiao wins WBO after defeat by Timothy Bradley
Manny Pacquiao has won a WBO review into his split-decision defeat by Timothy Bradley earlier this month.
On the night two judges scored the bout 115-113 in the American's favour, prompting boos around the MGM Grand.
The WBO has now met with five international judges to evaluate a video of the fight and they unanimously scored it in favour of Pacquiao.
The original result still stands as the WBO does not have to power to overturn it, but a rematch could be ordered.
It was a first defeat in seven years for Philippines fighter Pacquiao, who landed 94 more punches than Bradley.
Pacquiao is already guaranteed a rematch because of a clause in his contract.
According to Bob Arum, the promoter for both fighters, 33-year-old Pacquiao has indicated he would prefer the rematch over Bradley forfeiting the WBO welterweight title.
Windies try to keep step with England in final ODI
As West Indies geared up for the final One-Day International of the three-match series today, head coach Ottis Gibson admitted that he was at a loss to explain why his side had not lived up to expectations.
The star-studded Caribbean side entered the three-match series battling to stave off the tag of favourites but have been far from their best in the first two matches, losing both by comprehensive margins.
“At the end of the day we’re playing cricket in England against a very good English side. We keep saying, on paper, we have the makings of a great side with Chris (Gayle) coming back, (along with) Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, with the form those guys had in the IPL,” Gibson told a media conference yesterday.
“But it’s difficult to put into words how things shaped up so far in the series. We’ve shown that we can play, but England have just been that little step ahead of us all the time.”
He continued: “(Ian) Bell is in great form; (Alistair) Cook has made a lot of runs in one-day cricket recently. We got Cook in the first game (cheaply) and we couldn’t get Bell; then we got Bell (in the second game) but couldn’t get Cook so we’ve been just a little bit off the pace.”
Bell scored a dazzling 126 from 117 balls in the first game at the Rose Bowl as the Windies collapsed to a 114-run loss last Saturday and Cook carved out 112 at the Oval on Tuesday to send the tourists tumbling to an eight-wicket defeat.
Despite the return of limited overs stars like Gayle, Pollard and Lendl Simmons, the Windies’ batting has struggled, falling for 172 in the first ODI and managing an inadequate 238 in the second match.
Their bowling has also struggled to contain England, with mystery off-spinner Sunil Narine largely ineffective in the conditions, taking a single wicket from 20 expensive overs.
Gibson said, however, he was not disappointed with the 24-year-old who he said was still finding his way in international cricket.
“I’m not disappointed. A lot was made of him obviously (because of) his exploits in the IPL and even the way he bowled against Australia in the Caribbean on turning pitches,” Gibson explained.
“The pitches haven’t turned here but we’ve tried to manage the amount of expectation that we place on people like him who are now starting out their international careers. So, disappointed? Not really. He’s not taken ‘five-for’ and stuff like that but he’s been ok.
“It’s been the start of his international career, first time bowling in England on pitches that aren’t turning. If you look at it, (Graeme) Swann’s been tidy but hasn’t bowled us out really and if you look at Swann over the whole summer it’s been the same.
“People would say that Swann isn't bowling well but the pitches haven’t been massive turning pitches.”
West Indies will now attempt to avoid a series whitewash and salvage some pride by winning today’s encounter.
All-rounder Andre Russell, who missed Tuesday’s game with a shoulder injury, has recovered and is available for selection, while the Windies were restricted to an indoor training session yesterday after heavy rain ensured that covers remain on the ground throughout the day, with more rain being forecast for today.
SQUADS:
ENGLAND – Alastair Cook (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Stuart Meaker, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, James Tredwell, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.
WEST INDIES – Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice-captain), Tino Best, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.
Ronaldo heads Portugal into last four
Cristiano Ronaldo's powerful header 11 minutes from time sent Portugal into the Euro 2012 semi-finals with a deserved 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic yesterday.
The world's most expensive player hit the woodwork twice on an initially frustrating evening but crowned Portugal's dominant second-half performance with his third goal of the tournament, nodding a right-wing Joao Moutinho cross down and into the net.
It was an impressive display from the Portuguese who were appearing in their fifth European Championship quarter-final in a row and will play Spain or France in the last four.
"It was a fantastic game for Portugal," said man-of-the-match Ronaldo. "In the first 20 minutes we weren't that good but then we improved a lot. We had a lot of opportunities. The Czechs didn't have any - that's a great game. I think the chances (of reaching the final) are 50-50 and we just have to believe in it."
Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek added: "Well we knew this was going to be very difficult. Portugal have a great attack. In the second half, we lost our strength and our energy and one situation was enough to decide (the match)."
The Czechs made a lively start inspired by the clever prompting of Petr Jiracek and Portugal took time to settle.
Their simple game plan was based around getting the ball to captain Ronaldo at every opportunity and he openly vented his frustration when his team mates failed to pick him out.
BRILLIANT TURN
Ronaldo failed to connect properly with an overhead kick to the delight of the Czech fans, smashed a 35-metre free kick well wide and just before halftime struck the post following a brilliant turn and firm shot.
Portugal's Nani and Miguel Veloso were booked as tempers frayed and they suffered another blow when striker Helder Postiga was carried off injured just before halftime and replaced by Hugo Almeida.
Almeida missed a great chance to open the scoring 19 minutes into the second half when he wastefully headed Raul Meireles's perfect cross over the bar.
Another long-range Ronaldo free kick grazed the outside of the post and the Real Madrid forward then lashed a half-volley over the bar.
Portugal were dominating and Nani forced Petr Cech into a sprawling save before Almeida was adjudged offside when he nodded Nani's cross into the net.
The Czechs earned a brief respite following a brilliant surging run down the left by Vaclav Pilar but Portugal hit back when Joao Moutinho's swerving drive was tipped over by Cech and Nani's shot was saved after good work by Meireles.
The match appeared to be drifting towards extra time when Portugal picked another hole on the left side of the Czech defence and Ronaldo stole in to head the ball emphatically down into the ground with the bounce taking it high into the net.
Novak Djokovic ready to retain his title at SW19
World number one Novak Djokovic says he feels in prime condition heading into the defence of his title at Wimbledon starting next week.
In his first match since losing to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final - and his only grass-court warm-up - Djokovic beat Andy Murray 6-4 6-4 at the Boodles exhibition event.
"I'm happy with the way things are going," said the Serbian.
"I'm striking the the ball well, I feel good on grass and I'll be ready."
"I like to focus on every year separately but I'm satisfied with how I'm feeling," he added.
Djokovic took a week off after Roland Garros and began practising on grass last Saturday.
In the rain-interrupted final against Nadal he looked some way short of the form that saw him win each of the previous three Grand Slam titles.
That sequence started with a memorable triumph at the All England Club 12 months ago, and the Serbian insists he still has plenty more to give.
"It's my life, I'm in love with this sport and have dedicated everything to tennis," said Djokovic, 25.
"I won Wimbledon last year and became number one in the world, something I always dreamed of achieving. I can't complain about my results and I've had a fantastic career.
"But I still feel that there are plenty of years to come. I have a lot of motivation left and every day when I wake up I want to improve, get better on the court and win more tournaments."
Djokovic looked in superb form and physical condition against world number four Murray, winning 6-4 6-4 at the Buckinghamshire venue.
"The result here does not really matter too much here," added the five-time major winner. "We came here to have some good match practice before Wimbledon.
"Playing with Andy was great for both of us but for me it was even more important because I didn't play in any tournament in the opening week of the grass-court season.
"It takes a little bit of time to adjust because clay is the slowest surface in tennis, whereas grass is the fastest.
"It's different types of movement, but I have a couple more days to get ready.
"I got a very good match today, I've had a lot of practice since Saturday and I'll try to play as many points as I can in the next couple of days before starting at Wimbledon."
Drake/Chris Brown: Injured Woman Sues Club; Lil Wayne Wants Peace
A woman who says she was trampled during the brawl allegedly sparked by beef between Chris Brown and Drake has filed a lawsuit against the club where it took place, believing it should be held responsible for her injuries.
Vladimira “Ladi” Brace, 22, told DNAinfo.com she was celebrating a “girls night” with friends at the Hudson Square club W.I.P early Thursday when the champagne bottles started to fly. One minute she was looking for a friend, and the next she was being trampled as panicked clubgoers scrambled for the door, she said. “It all happened so fast, I didn’t even know what was going on,” she said.
Brace, the 7th clubgoer to claim they were injured in the melee, said she will sue the celebrity hot spot after suffering a sore back, a badly bruised left hip and a numb toe on her left foot.
“I don’t blame Chris Brown or Drake at all, it just shouldn’t have happened,” she said. “The club should have had better security.”
Brace’s lawyer, Allan F. Friedman, said he has filed suit against the club. “We have a claim against the club for overcrowded conditions, lack of security and failure to follow fire code and liquor laws,” he said.
According to media reports and victims’ lawyers, the mayhem injured four other clubgoers, plus Brown, his bodyguard known as Big Pat and the NBA star Tony Parker.
As previously reported, police closed WIP Saturday for unspecified violations, and manager Jonathan Cantor was arrested Friday for violations related to the fire code and the control of alcoholic beverages. No one else has been arrested in connection to the incident, police said.
Meanwhile, TMZ is reporting that Drake’s Young Money boss Lil Wayne and the rest of the crew want him to end his beef with Chris Brown, because the bad blood is bad for business.
Sources close to Drake tell TMZ that Brown has received several calls from Weezy, Birdman, Mack Maine and more urging the rapper to fix things with Brown, believing the rift will affect business — since Brown appears on several tracks with Young Money members.
TMZ reports: “We’re told Drake doesn’t want to reach out to Breezy until he knows CB doesn’t actually blame him for last week’s melee — despite what Brown’s lawyer has been saying … that Drake was one of the aggressors. We’re told Young Money’s on Drake’s side no matter what — but as one source put it, “Making money matters most.”
Judging from recent photos of Drake, it appears as if he has beefed up his security since the brawl. Photos snapped of the rapper in Boston, and yesterday in Washington D.C. show him flanked by huge security guards.
--TMZ
Activist Fears Syria Will Become ‘New Somalia’
Syrian rights activists say violence across the country Wednesday has killed at least 53 people, after the head of a United Nations monitoring mission says his team is committed to staying in the war-torn country.
Rami Abdelrahman, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told VOA that he fears Syria will become “the new Somalia or the new Afghanistan.”
The Observatory has a network of contacts in Syria including rebels, activists and state security members. Abdelrahman said at least 28 Syrian soldiers, one army defector and 24 civilians and rebels died Wednesday.
He said clashes, shelling and bombings killed Syrians from north of Aleppo, to the southern city of Daraa, to the eastern city of Deir Ezzor and the northwestern province of Latakia. Abdelrahman also reported deaths from attacks in Hama, Idlib and Damascus provinces.
The latest violence comes as the International Committee of the Red Cross said it is preparing to evacuate wounded people and trapped civilians from the city of Homs. The ICRC said Wednesday both sides agreed to its request for a temporary halt in fighting so the ICRC can carry out the evacuations and bring in much-needed medical supplies.
On Tuesday, the head of the U.N. observer mission in Syria said the “suffering of the Syrian people” is getting worse and that questions about canceling the monitoring mission are premature.
“I remain committed with the mission in the positions we are currently in. We're not going anywhere.”
Major General Robert Mood told the U.N. Security Council Tuesday that attackers have targeted his 300-strong unarmed observer team several times in the last few weeks. He says at least nine U.N. vehicles have been damaged.
Mood and U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said the mission in Syria was suspended on Saturday because of escalating violence, but team members did not leave the country. The decision was the clearest sign yet that a peace plan brokered by international envoy Kofi Annan has collapsed.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama said in Los Cabos, Mexico, on Tuesday that Russia and China have “not signed on” to any plan for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's removal from power, but that both countries' leaders recognize the dangers of an all-out civil war.
Mr. Obama said the Syrian leader has lost all legitimacy and that it is impossible to conceive of any solution to the violence that leaves him in power. The U.S. president acknowledged the lack of any breakthrough with the leaders of Russia or China, despite intensive talks.
Moscow and Beijing are long-time allies of Syria and have shielded Mr. Assad from U.N. sanctions sought by Western and Arab powers who oppose his nearly 12-year autocratic rule.
The Security Council agreed to send the observer mission to Syria in April to monitor government and rebel compliance with a U.N.-backed cease-fire agreement, but the truce never took hold. The observers' 90-day mandate expires in mid-July.
NEW ‘BELONGER’ LAW READY FOR COUNCIL AND FORUM
The proposed new laws to enshrine the fair and transparent process for becoming a Turks and Caicos Islander in law were provided to members of the Consultative Forum and Advisory Council yesterday, 19 June 2012.
And the opinions of Belongers themselves have shaped the draft legislation following one of the country’s most comprehensive public consultations.
Led by the Consultative Forum, this saw more than 140 submissions made, including one from ‘The Men of Grand Turk’ featuring 387 signatures, with hundreds of people attending more than a dozen public meetings between November 2011 and February 2012.
Provisions in the draft Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance and Regulations reflect the concerns and feedback provided to the Consultative Forum, were welcomed by the Advisory Council at its last meeting on 31st May and include:
- Belonger status should be limited to those who acquire it by birth, descent, adoption or marriage to a Belonger for at least ten years. There will be no provision for discretionary grant of Belonger status.
- Routes to PRC should be standardised and simplified, with the minimum qualifying period for Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) generally being increased to at least ten years, and with a new requirement that applicants for PRC should have a sound knowledge of the English language and of the Islands
- PRCs should be available to those on unskilled work permits only where they have already held a work permit for at least ten years, when the legislation commences. The majority view in the consultation was that migrant workers filling unskilled jobs should not be able to qualify for PRC in future
Other provisions responding to the messages in the consultation include:
- The introduction of a National Turks and Caicos Islander Status Card which will be sole evidence of Belonger status. These cards will be issued from July following the voter/Belonger registration process currently underway and which concludes on 29 June
- To meet concerns about young people who were born on the Islands and have spent all their lives here, there should be no route to Turks and Caicos Islander status, but provision for British Overseas Territories Citizens, by virtue of a connection with the Islands, to live and work in the Islands
- For investors, no immediate route to PRC, but a new long term investors’ residence permit, up to ten years and renewable, for people who have bought a property, without a mortgage, or have invested in a business, to the value of $500,000 or more in Providenciales, or $250,000 or more in Grand Turk, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos or Salt Cay
- A new criminal offence, of entering into a marriage to of benefit from or avoid the provisions of the Immigration Ordinance, or enable someone else to do so
- Removal of the provision under which Belonger status can be granted to the spouse, where the Belonger dies, on the assumption that the marriage would otherwise have lasted for the required period. But there is a new provision for a PRC to be granted in these tragic circumstances, where the marriage has lasted five years or more
- A new definition of “dependent child”, removing stepchildren from the provisions of the Ordinance except where they are formally adopted
- Provision for revocation of Belonger status, where it was bestowed under existing Section 3(4) of the Immigration Ordinance or its precursors, if the Belonger is not ordinarily resident in the Islands and has been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to a period of imprisonment of 12 months or more
Both the Advisory Council and Consultative Forum are now being given a further opportunity to consider the draft legislation before it is enacted in the next few weeks.
“The Ministry of Border Control and Labour is determined that the new provisions be set out clearly in published rules and guidance for everyone to understand,” said Clara Gardiner, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Border Control and Labour. “This is what the people told the Forum that they wanted during the public consultation.
“All decisions on immigration status in the Turks and Caicos Islands will in future be made fairly, objectively, consistently and with no improper interference.
“The Ministry looks forward to extensive engagement with the community to improve service delivery, and to increase compliance with the law.”
Islandcom 2nd Annual Battle of the Bands Competition this Saturday
The time is nearing and the stage is set. This Saturday is the second annual Islandcom Battle of the Bands, and it is sure to be another crowd pleaser. This year’s event will once again take place at the Turtle Cove Marina in Providenciales. Entry to the event is free. Food will be on sale from various nonprofit organizations and proceeds from drink and t shirt sales will be donated to the Provo Children’s Home and the Turks and Caicos Kidney Foundation.
This year’s event are bigger than last year thanks to cosponsors- The Wine Cellar. The first place band will win $4,000.00 cash and a $150.00 gift certificate from the Wine Cellar . Each band member will also receive a year of Islandcom service, and the premier phone on the market the Samsung Galaxy S. The second place band will win $2,000.00 cash and a $100.00 gift certificate from the Wine Cellar. Each band member will also receive 6 months of free Islandcom service and cellphones as well. New this year the 3rd place winner will receive $1,000.00 and a $50.00 gift certificate from the Wine Cellar.
Bands set to compete in this year’s event are set and ready to rock the stage. This year’s band
Lee Forbes & the Force
Lee Forbes and the Force is a lively four piece band originating in Provo in the late 1990s. Though their roots were in Gospel, as the years went by they found their real footing in jazz, reggae, R&B, and soca. The band is led by Lee Forbes on vocals and drums. The Force consists of Brian Swann on the keyboard, Wing Dean on the guitar and Tony Rigby on the bass. They have recordings which can be heard playing at bars and restaurants throughout the Turks and Caicos. They have been playing all through the islands for the past ten years with regular appearances at favourite local hangouts such as Ports of Call, Danny Buoy’s and Horse Eyed Jack’s. They have also played in the U.S. at the EA Jazz Festival three years running. Lee Forbes and the Force are also regular features for weddings at Beaches and the Palms, as well as private parties.
V6
Like the engine these dudes are burning up the stage. V6, a rake n scrape band, were formed in early 2011. It consists of Dalton Daniel- Singer, Edric Smith- Lead Guitar, Zeus Butterfield- Rip Saw, Sunny Missick- Goatskin Drums, Conch Boy Jennings- on Bongos, and Rico Smith- Bass Guitar. Like many bands they got their start from under a tree. Hanging out one day eating fish, Rip Saw player, Zeus, decided to grab a few instruments. The men begin playing a few songs under the tree and liked what they heard. Thus a star group was made. Their first big break came during the 2011 Conch Festival where they were the feature band of the day. They thrilled the crowd with their down home style performance and raw musical talent. Since then they have played at many events and locations around Grand Turk. You will surely enjoy this talented group at the Battle of the Bands competition.
Roots
When you want to hear good music you have to go to your roots. The Roots band is filled with talented musicians straight from the Nation’s capital. The band consists of Tony Lightbourne on drums, Dennis Penn on lead guitar, Garrett Durham on keyboard, Carly Coalbrooke on bass guitar, and singers Kenrick Gardiner and Hammer. Each member has experience singing with other groups from the TCI and the Bahamas. The band formed one day at a gathering in Backsalina. Sitting around under the tree the men decided to pick up their instruments and sing a few songs together. They sounded so good they decided to form a band. Their style of music spans from genres such as Soca to R&B. You can now find them in select locations in Grand Turk such as Club LaBreeza, and Taste of the Islands. This group of 6 handsome and distinguish gentlemen are all single and want the ladies to know will surely knock your socks off at the Islandcom Battle of the Bands event!!
Justified
Justified is a two man band with mellow grooves. Group members Justice Howell and Shaldin Delancey, both are musicians from other bands. Justice is a member of former band JustSpliff, while drummer Shaldin Delancey hails from Q Band Links. Justice learned to play the guitar while living abroad, cultivating his own style of play. He has also penned songs of his own which you may hear at the Islandcom Battle of the Bands. Raised in North Caicos Shaldin Delancey has been singing and playing the drums since the age of 10. Shaldin, also known as Dice, joined Justice in 2010 in the group JustSpliff. In 2012 the two moved on to form their own group, Justified. The duo can be found on Thursday nights at Somewhere Bar and Grill.
Q-Band Links
Q-Band Lynx is a diverse six man band hailing from Kew in North Caicos. This common birthplace led to the group’s name Q Band Links. Their style of music is rake n’ scrape, soca, with a twist of R&B. The band consist of keyboardist Demitri Lightbourne and Jonathan Parker, lead singer Shaldin Delancy, Vernardo Delancy on bass guitar, lead guitarist Randy Missick, and Brucelee Pratt on drums. This band appeared in last years Battle of the Bands and rocked the ground with favorite soca and rake and scrape songs. Since then they have gained much more notoriety; playing at numerous events and party locations. You can find them on a regular basis at Mini Golf in the Provo area. Their goal as Q-Band Lynx is to provide music for people of all ages and to get the crowd up on their feet and moving.
Bethany Baptist wins!!!
While the Championship Game was rained out on Monday evening, fans turned out in green and other colours for the 2012 Church Softball competition.
The Coed Slow Pitch Softball Championship between Bethany baptist Church and Jericho Baptist Church ended with the 2012 Champions Bethany defeating Jericho 19- 8.
Bethany blew the game open in the fourth Inning with 10 points, and on to capture the championship.
The game was aired on RTC by the Sports Watch team and analyst Jermaine Fulford. Join sports watch later for an overview of the games.
Godfrey Been of the Softball association was pleased with the results and commended all churches that took part in the league. He also said for all to celebrate in the true spirit of sports the general public is invited for a fun day on the down town ball park this coming saturday 23/6/12 starting at 11am