Read confident broken thumb will stand the rigours of Lions
Read broke his right thumb almost two months ago in South Africa and underwent surgery. He has not played since but the number eight believes his inactivity will not be a factor in Auckland.”I’m feeling spot on…since we got into camp last week I have been pretty good. I haven’t been worried about the thumb.”RNZI reports Read also dismissed fears concerning his match fitness, with the 31-year-old having taken part in non-contact training since he suffered the injury.”The body is in good knick,” Read added.”The emotions and adrenaline will kick in tomorrow and I’m really pumped for the test match, so I won’t be too worried about myself.”Read will lead the side in his 98th test match and despite winning two World Cups with the All Blacks, the Canterbury Crusader said the scarcity of Lions tours added an element of the unknown to the opening test.”It will be hard to prepare exactly for what it will be like because it is a different beast to a World Cup final and other big games I’ve played,” he said.”The whole history of the Lions isn’t lost on us, we love the opportunity. I just have to prepare as best I can and adapt and adjust to whatever gets thrown our way.”
RJR Sports Foundation National Sportsman of the Year nominee Usain Bolt made history again in 2016 with a dominating sprint double at the Olympic Games. The 30 year-old Trelawny native parlayed times of 9.81 seconds and 19.78 seconds into gold medal performances in the 100 and 200 metres respectively. As ever, those times were his fastest in an undefeated season. It was not, however, all smooth sailing for the 6 foot 5 superstar. He eschewed his usual Gibson-McCook Relay cameo appearance in February and stepped on track for the first time in the season at the Cayman Invitational in May. He won the 100 metre there in 10.05 seconds, and went on to run 9.98 seconds in chilly Ostrava. Then, at the inaugural Racers Grand Prix early in June, he conjured up a magical run. After an early stumble, he steadied himself, smoothly accelerated past a world class field before easing off and dropping his arm as he crossed the finish line. The time of 9.88 seconds was astounding given all that had happened in the course of those 100 metres. Then came trouble. He strained a hamstring at the National Senior Championships, skipped the 100 metre final, and sprinted by air straight for treatment. Thankfully, when he reappeared on track in London, he ran comfortably to a winning time of 19.89 seconds over 200 metres. “Especially at the start of last year I noticed that injuries take a little bit more time to get back to where you want to be,” Bolt said at the time. “My coach always tells me that the older you get it’s going to get harder,” he recalled. “You have to push yourself.” Maurice Wilson, head coach of Jamaica’s Olympic track and field team, has high praise for Bolt and his coach of more than a decade, Glen Mills who continues to work around injuries and Bolt’s busy off track schedule. “His coach understands how to get him to perform.” He elaborated. “For this athlete to know that maybe he is unable to put in that work from October to thinking about January February; in terms of base work and sometimes he has to use his courage to get him ready for major championships, to step out with that sort of confidence.” Bolt exuded his usual confidence in Rio and reached a major milestone in the 100 metres final. The win, over American Justin Gatlin, was his third in a row and ended a tie he shared with 1984 and 1988 champion Carl Lewis, the only other man to win Olympic gold in this event twice. His Rio winner ran his total of times under 10 seconds for the 100 metres to 49. Only Jamaican speed machine Asafa Powell and Maurice Greene have battered the old barrier more. With the task of retaining the 100 metres title done, Bolt smiled his way to a semi-final win in the 200 metres clocked at 19.78 seconds. Few noticed that it was his fastest semi-final time ever but a rain splashed track held him back and allowed him merely to match that time in the final. Bolt was already the only man in Olympic history to win the 200 metres more than once, with his wins in 2008 and 2012. This third triumph makes it even harder for anyone else to catch up. Only Bolt himself, fellow winners Michael Johnson and Joe DeLoach, along with silver medal winners Yohan Blake and Frank Fredericks have ever run faster than 19.78 seconds in the Olympics. Wilson watched with interest. “I don’t want to compare him with Jordan, because they are totally different,” he began. As he mentally accounted for Bolt’s 13 individual World Championships and Olympic gold medals, Wilson declared, “We have never seen any athlete who would have been able to get himself ready for the big moments like Usain Bolt.” The Olympic head coach feels that Bolt’s oncoming retirement will leave a void. “When this man decides to leave the sport, because, in my opinion, we have failed to understand what he has done, the vacuum is going to be so great that it’s going to take a lot time for us to digest it.” Wilson isn’t the only one with that view. 2010 Commonwealth 200 champion Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands feels the same. Speaking in Jamaica in June, she said, “He’s one of a kind.” “I don’t think there’ll be another Usain Bolt for some time to come so we should enjoy it now,” she advised. In the meantime, Usain Bolt has composed another season filled with unique achievements. Short and sweet, it has earned him another chance to be named National Sportsman of the Year. The RJR Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards will take place this Friday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.
High Court Judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds, ruled that the appointment of Zanna Frank as the Deputy Deeds Registrar is lawful and constitutional – a ruling which flies in the face of the Attorney General Basil Williams who prevented her from performing her duties.Justice Reynolds handed down his decision in the legal challenge which was filedDeputy Deeds Registrar Zanna Frankby Frank against the Attorney General and the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority.He ordered that the Deeds and Commercial Authority permit Frank to discharge the functions of her office and to pay her all the salaries which were unlawfully withheld.Frank, an Attorney-at-Law, was appointed early last year as Deputy Registrar byAttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williamsthe Judicial Service Commission (JSC), exercising powers conferred upon it via Article 119 of the Constitution.But this appointment did not sit well with the Attorney General, who claimed that Frank did not meet the criteria for the position and was being used as a pawn.Williams appointed someone else as acting Deputy Registrar.Williams indicated that “For the JSC’s appointment, they require three years’ experience in your private practice as a lawyer, or in any one of the registries. Ms Frank has none. She’s not a lawyer of three years, she is not even a lawyer of two years, but what I’m saying is that I’m sorry for her because she’s being used as a pawn.”According to reports, when the Registrar of Deeds proceeded on annual leave at the end of July, the Attorney General appointed someone else to act as Registrar.Allegations are that the Registry employees were instructed that this person must perform the functions of the Registrar of Deeds in her absence and not the appointee of the JSC.Reports were also that Frank was eventually prevented from preforming the functions of her office and her salary was withheld.At wits end, Frank moved to the High Court to seek justice.
Nicki Haugan completed the family sweep of the top three positions as she finished her race in 26:00. George Gamble took fourth spot with his time of 27:39, while Pat Ferris was fifth, registering a time of 31:18.Davide Loro finished in sixth place. He was followed by Adam Currie for seventh, and Jolea Bilodeau took eighth place.Tonight, riders will take part in a Baldonnel time trial at 7 p.m., that’s followed by the Terry Stone Memorial time trial in Hudson’s Hope, Sunday morning at 10 a.m.- Advertisement –
The family of a Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) painter did not get to start the New Year as they quite expected.They were rather thrown into a state of grief after learning that 59-year-old Donald Mootoo met his gruesome demise in a motorcycle accident on the Montrose Public Road, ECD.Donald Mootoo with his wife, Sumintra Shadeo, in happier timesPolice reports have revealed that about 01:50h on January 1, 2020, motorcycle CH 7540 driven by Mootoo was proceeding along the roadway when he reportedly lost control and crashed into the median.As a result of the impact, his body was flung into a lamp pole in the centre of the road and sustained severe injuries, including severed lower limbs.He was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.When this publication visited the home of the deceased on Thursday, his wife, 63-year-old Sumintra Shadeo, who barely managed to speak, recounted that on December 31, 2019, Mootoo left their Lot 13 Bissoon Street, South Better Hope, ECD residence shortly after dropping her home from the market.Wife of the dead man, Sumintra Shadeo, speaking to this publicationShe recalled that he visited a friend to do some painting and was returning home at the time of his demise.“He carry me to the market and he bring me home back. When he bring me home back he said he going by a friend to collect something…so he go and help them to paint and he was coming home when he get the accident and I didn’t know nothing,” she said.The grieving woman, between tears, shared that family members later accompanied her to the GPHC mortuary to identify the body of her dead husband. He was described as a good person who lived happily with his family. (Leah Hernandez)
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has told talkSPORT Fraser Forster is “pound-for-pound the best goalkeeper in the country” and should oust Joe Hart as England’s No.1.The ex-Parkhead star, who is set to start against Scotland in Tuesday night’s Home Nations friendly, has thrived in his debut Premier League season.The 26-year-old arrived from the Bhoys last summer for a reported £10million and has conceded just five goals in the opening 11 games of the campaign.Hart has held court as the Three Lions’ first-choice stopper for the past number of years, but did come under fire for a drop in form last term, with the Man City man spending an extended spell on the bench.And, while Hart’s ability for England has rarely been questioned since making his competitive debut in 2012, Sutton believes the Saints star deserves to be selected ahead of him.Asked if he believes Hart is the undisputed number one for England, Sutton told Drivetime: “No, I don’t at all.“Fraser Forster was unlucky not to play at the World Cup.“I think the fact he played he played at Celtic last season went against him, but he’s down at Southampton now and he’s showing what a good keeper he is“He may not be Edwin van der Sar with the ball at his feet, but he’s solid, reliable, has a big presence in the box and deserves his chance for England.“I think at the moment, pound-for-pound, he is the best goalkeeper in the country.”
James Morrison hit a beauty 1 A stunning strike from James Morrison makes it 2-0 to @WBAFCofficial. #WeAreIn http://t.co/RPRopShyhU— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 14, 2015He may share a name with a famous musician, but James Morrison certainly ensured West Brom were on song with this beautiful effort during the Baggies’ FA Cup clash with West Ham.The FA Cup Fifth Round clash between West Brom v West Ham is LIVE on talkSPORT. Click here to stream.
160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREStriving toward a more perfect me: Doug McIntyre The covert tests were conducted at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at 19 airports in March, May and June of this year. TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe said the exercise tested only one of the agency’s 19 layers of security and therefore doesn’t mean the overall system is unsafe. WASHINGTON – Government investigators smuggled liquid explosives and detonators past airport security, exposing a dangerous hole in the nation’s ability to keep these forbidden items off airplanes, according to a report made public Wednesday. The investigators learned about the components to make an improvised explosive device and an improvised incendiary device on the Internet and purchased the parts at local stores, said the report by the Government Accountability Office. Investigators were able to purchase the components for the two devices for less than $150, and they studied the published guidelines for screening to determine how to conceal the prohibited items as they went through checkpoint security. At the end of the testing, investigators concluded that terrorists could use publicly available information and a few cheaply available supplies to damage an airplane and threaten passenger safety. 
He’s back Luc Robitaille, who was benched for three games last month by Murray because of his perceived substandard play, is enjoying a resurgence. Robitaille has played at least 16 minutes in each of the last three games. He scored two goals and has had a handful of other quality scoring chances. “He’s on the puck more,” Murray said. “He’s quicker, he’s on the puck, and there’s more battle in his game. The first thing Luc will tell you is, `Well, the coach is using me more,’ and the first thing the coach will tell you is that the reason I’m using him more is that he’s doing those things. The player always says, `Play me more, and I’ll play better,’ and the coach always says, `Play better, and I’ll play you more.”’ Robitaille, who is one goal from tying Marcel Dionne’s franchise record of 550, has said he simply needed time to play his way into shape after missing nine games with a broken bone in his leg. “I don’t know what the reason is,” Murray said. “Put it this way. I stand behind my reason to take him out, and I think there’s reason to play him more now. That’s always how we’ve operated. You earn your ice time, and Luc has earned his ice time.” KINGS at MIGHTY DUCKS Time: 7:30 p.m., the Pond.TV/Radio: FSN2; KSPN/710-AM, XPRS/1090-AM. Matchup: This is the first of four meetings between these teams this month, split evenly between the Pond and Staples Center. The Kings’ 4-3 shootout victory over the Ducks on Dec. 16 ended a 10-game stretch in which the Kings had a 3-7 record and propelled them on an 11-game stretch in which they went 9-1-1. Ducks forward Teemu Selanne has three goals and six assists in his last seven games. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MORECoach Doc Rivers a “fan” from way back of Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson “From the perspective of setting a date (for his return), it’s hard now,” Belanger said, “but if it keeps progressing the way it is now, I’d probably say after the road trip. “Every day is better. It’s been a progression.” Injury report Pavol Demitra (leg bruise) will miss a second consecutive game tonight. There is little change in the status of the Kings’ other nine players, although coach Andy Murray indicated that both Jeff Cowan (groin) and George Parros (ankle) were possibilities to play tonight. Murray said the Kings have had trouble determining when and how Demitra got hurt, because they can’t find any obvious incident on the game tape. X-rays revealed only a bruise. EL SEGUNDO — Pavol Demitra has scored the big goals, Mathieu Garon has made the big saves and Mattias Norstrom has patrolled the blue line with tremendous success, but if a vote was to be taken to determine the Kings’ first-half MVP, Eric Belanger would get significant support. Belanger, who has long been one of the Kings’ best defensive forwards, has developed an offensive flair this season, which is why Belanger and the Kings are being cautious about his groin injury. 
Tonight’s game against the Mighty Ducks will mark the fifth consecutive game Belanger has missed with the second-degree strain. The Kings hoped Belanger might return for a two-game trip to Boston and Buffalo late this week, but that now seems unlikely. Belanger skated Sunday morning for the first time and said he felt good. 
Donegal County Childcare Committee (DCCC) are encouraging parents to check out their entitlements for childcare supports at a new website www.affordablechildcare.ie. From September 2017, parents of 70,000 children all over Ireland will qualify for enhanced childcare supports.The government launched a new information campaign to inform parents of what supports they could receive and this includes a dedicated website (www.affordablechildcare.ie). According to Dr. Katherine Zappone, Minister of Children and Youth Affairs, “This information campaign has been created to help families access new and more affordable childcare packages”. Available childcare supports have been boosted significantly by €19m in additional investment bringing the total annual investment in childcare to €466.5 million. These childcare supports include:A new non-means tested universal subsidy of up to €80 per month for all children aged between six months and three years in full-time registered childcare. Increases of up to 50% in targeted childcare subsidies for children up to age 15. These subsidies, which will subsidise the cost of full-time registered childcare for families by up to €145 per week, will be provided through existing schemes, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Schemes. Minister Zappone states “I am confident that these enhanced childcare supports will have a meaningful impact for recipient families, particularly for those on very low incomes. I am also aware that delivering these enhanced childcare supports is only possible because of the commitment and co-operation of more than 4,000 childcare providers throughout the country”. These are some of the first steps that have been put in place to make childcare more affordable for families all over Ireland. The Minister acknowledges that “changing the most expensive childcare system in the world into the best” was never going to be an easy task that would happen in one budget. Rather, it is a work in progress which will need further investment.If YOU have any queries on your entitlements, contact DCCC at 91-23442 or email info@donegalchildcare.comVisit: www.donegalchildcare.com Donegal Parents: Are you eligible for Additional Childcare Supports? was last modified: June 19th, 2017 by Rachel McLaughlinShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:childcarechildrenDCCCDonegal County Childcare CommitteePARENTS