FinMin to Clear Norms For New Bank Licences Next Week
Related Items
Global Luxury Retailers Mull India Plan
Related Items
Foreign Digital Companies with India Presence May Have to Pay Tax
Digital companies that have a huge base of users and business in India may have to pay taxes in the country despite having their infrastructure located overseas, according to a new proposal in the Finance Bill. This means that large digital players like Google, Netflix, Facebook and popular mobile application services could be taxed by the Indian government, The Hindu reported.“It is further proposed to provide that the transactions or activities shall constitute significant economic presence in India, whether or not the non-resident has a residence or place of business in India or renders services in India,” the Finance Bill said. The amendment could come into effect from Apr. 1, 2019.The proposed rule will affect companies that sell goods or services in the country digitally, but do not have a physical entity in India. “There many instances of developers of applications, which are downloaded by Indians, residing abroad. They will now be liable to pay tax in India if they are deemed to have significant economic presence,” Shashishekhar Chaugule, partner at Walker Chandiok & Co LLP, was quoted as saying in the report.“While the new explanation could generate more tax litigation, it is in line with the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) treaty, which targets companies that exploit gaps in tax rules of different countries to shift profits to low- or no-tax locations,” the publication quoted Riaz Thigna, Director at Grant Thornton, as saying.India did not have a mode of taxing these global giants until now and 6 per cent Equalization Levy, introduced in union budget 2016-17, was imposed only for online advertisement.“Some of the challenges are questions such as what will determine India income, just because a company has users in here doesn’t mean it is necessarily making any revenue or profits from India,” the Economic Times quoted an official from a technology company as saying.The new amendment will allow the government to tax transactions that are related to goods, services or property offered by a non-resident in India using digital means. It also includes downloading data or software in the country, carrying out business activities as well as engaging with users in India using digital channels. Related ItemsEconomyTaxation
Indian Business Tycoon’s Australia Dream in Trouble
Indian business tycoon Gautam Adani has been accused of siphoning off Rs 15 billion of money borrowed from banks into overseas tax havens. An investigation carried by the Guardian Australia throws light on how the Adani Group ‘channeled the Indian taxpayers’ money to a company owned by a Mauritius-based trust.’ While the Guardian’s investigation has been widely reported in India, environmental activists in Australia are likely to intensify their protests against Adani’s $16.5-billion coal mine project in Australia.The Accusations Referring to a copy of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, DRI’s investigation report of 2014, the Guardian reported that the Adani Group ‘inflated invoices for an electricity project to move out money to offshore bank accounts.’ The investigation does not hint upon the involvement of the banks in the alleged transactions.Denying the allegations, Adani group said that it is co-operating with the investigation agencies. “It may be noted that Mr Vinod Adani who is the elder brother of Mr Gautam Adani has been a non-resident Indian for about 30 years and has his own established business interests outside India. Adani Group is aware of the investigations being conducted by the DRI, and has fully cooperated, and shall continue to cooperate with the investigating agencies,” the Group said in a statement to the publication.The group is seeking funds not just to build the mines but also a railway line to transport coal from the site to a port.Photo Credit: Bigstock Trouble in Australia The global mining giant is seeking public funds in Australia to develop one of the world’s largest coal mines in Queensland, an area surrounded by wetlands and coral reefs. However, the proposed project has been a source of intense controversy in Australia over the years. The mining project that faced huge resistance from environmental activists and inhabitants of the place is seen as a ‘threat’ to Australia’s national treasure. The environment groups argue that the mine will contribute to global warming and damage the Great Barrier Reef.In April this year, the state government in Queensland gave the Adani group the final approval to go ahead with the mine. The ‘water licence’ gave it access to 9.5 billion litres of groundwater, reported Australian news portal news.com. In August this year, media reports indicated that the group hired a funding adviser in Australia to secure money for the coal mines.But Adani’s bid to seek a federal loan of A$900 million from Australia’s Northern Territory Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) program may land in soup after the current revelations. The group is seeking funds not just to build the mines but also a railway line to transport coal from the site to a port.The Australian DreamA recent report by Environmental Justice Australia highlighted a long list of allegations of environmental damage caused by Adani Enterprises and its subsidiaries around the world. The report also details the evidence in support of allegations of illegal business dealings by the Adani group, reported Guardian. The government support for the mining project, however, has continued. Alleviating ‘energy poverty’ and job creation have been the supporting arguments behind the Australian green signal to the Adani group.What remains to be seen though is whether the high-level investigations in India can derail Adani’s Australian dream forever. Related ItemsAdani groupAustralia mining projectAustralia’s Northern Territory Infrastructure FacilityCoral reef damageDirectorate of Revenue Intelligenceglobal warmingIndian business tycoon Gautam AdaniLittle Indiaoverseas account fraudsQueensland mining issue
CBI files charge sheet against absconding self-styled ‘godman’ for rape of minor
Police oversight needed at private hostels: HC Summons to no availThe last known location of the 77-year-old accused was in Nepal. “An Interpol Blue Notice was issued against him on March 26 last year. The agency also issued notices asking him to appear before the probe team. However, he did not turn up,” a CBI official had earlier said.In January 2018, following a Delhi HC directive, the CBI had taken over three FIRs registered by the Delhi Police involving Dixit and his Rohini ashram, Adhyatmik Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya.The CBI probe in another case of allegedly obstructing the work of an HC-appointed panel at the ashram was earlier completed and chargesheet filed against 59 women inmates.Also Read The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against self-proclaimed god-man Virender Dev Dixit for the alleged rape of a minor girl at his ashrams in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in 1999. The agency had earlier declared a reward of ₹5 lakh for information leading to his arrest.In the charge sheet, the CBI has alleged that Dixit, who headed Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya (renamed Adhyatmik Vidyalaya), raped the girl repeatedly in May-June 1999 at his ashrams. He had threatened the girl to “cause injury to her reputation” and also issued “life threats” to her family.Also Read
Rohini ashram pulled up for not allowing parents to meet daughters
Rain adds to misery of Odisha’s cyclone-hit
With pre-monsoon showers lashing the coastal districts of Odisha, thousands of families, who lost their houses in cyclone Fani, are in deep distress.Although the Odisha government has started releasing housing building assistance to the affected families, repair of houses is unlikely to be completed before monsoon in many parts of the Puri district, which was the worst affected in the cyclone that hit the State on May 3.As per the damage assessment and enumeration conducted by the Puri district administration, houses and huts of as many as 2,87,762 families were damaged in the cyclone. “While 9,059 pucca and kutcha houses have been fully damaged, 1,04,715 houses have suffered severe damage. Similarly, 1,13,221 pucca houses and 49,529 kutcha houses have been partially damaged,” the assessment report says.The State government, as per the norms of the State Disaster Response Fund and the National Disaster Response Fund, announced ₹95,100 for a person whose house (pucca or kutcha) has been fully or severely damaged. Similarly, ₹5,200 is to be paid for partial damage of pucca house, ₹3,200 for partial damage of kutcha house and ₹4,100 for damage to hut.First instalment givenThe first instalment of the house building assistance has already been disbursed. The State government had released ₹197.59 crore to the Puri district administration on June 10. Subsequently, ₹10.21 crore was released. “Prior to the disbursement of house building assistance, we had asked suppliers of roofing sheets to make the material available at the panchayat level so that people don’t face difficulties in getting them,” said Puri District Collector Balwant Singh.According to villagers, the magnitude of the damage is such that roofing material alone would not suffice. “We are facing difficulties in mobilising building materials, masons, carpenters and labourers,” said Sudarshn Behera of Bhagabatipur under Nimapara block of Puri district. Farmers were facing a twin challenge – protecting their family members and household articles from rain and taking up farming in the rainy season, Mr. Behera said.The Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre says monsoon is likely to hit Odisha within a week. But, widespread pre-monsoon rains have been recorded in almost all coastal districts, including Puri.
Project announced ahead of 2017 by-election yet to take off in Odisha
Two years after Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced one of the most ambitious irrigation projects in the State, the government has not made any expenditure for its execution.Just before the Bijepur by-election in 2017, the government had announced the State’s first underground irrigation project — Gangadhar Meher Lift Canal System.In response to an RTI query, the government said that the tendering process for the project is yet to be completed.“The administrative sanction for the project, which entails an investment of ₹1,340.55 crore, has been approved by the government. In 2018-19 and 2019-20 budget provision of ₹200 crore and ₹100 crore has been made,” the government said.As per the plan, water will be drawn from Hirakud Dam through Bargarh Main Canal. Over 70 villages to benefitThe water will travel 17.64 km through the pipeline up to Barihapali Secondary Reservoir. From Barihapali reservoir, the water will be delivered to farmers in the designed ayacut area, including 74 villages in Bijepur block. There will be a mix of underground gravity and pressure pipe distribution network with outlets every 4.5 hectare patch of land.It is estimated that an area of about 25,600 hectares would be irrigated in the three blocks. Though the project was to be implemented over five years, no expenditure has been made. “The announcement was meant to deceive voters ahead of the Bijepur polls in 2017 when the BJD and the BJP were locked in a bitter contest. Had the government been serious about the project, it would have been fast-tracked,” alleged Pradip Pradhan, RTI activist.
Malacañang hails Filipino SEA Games medalists
Philippines’ Gilas Cadets in the Southeast Asian Games. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZMalacañang lauded on Sunday the Filipino athletes who have brought honor to the country in the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) which is ongoing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.“Congratulations to all the Filipino athletes who won and brought honor to the country in yesterday’s events in the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.ADVERTISEMENT View comments SEA Games in Calabarzon safe, secure – Solcom chief Sports venues to be ready in time for SEA Games PLAY LIST 00:59Sports venues to be ready in time for SEA Games03:07PH billiards team upbeat about gold medal chances in SEA Games01:27Filipino athletes get grand send-off ahead of SEA Games00:50Trending Articles01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games05:25PH boxing team determined to deliver gold medals for PH03:04Filipino athletes share their expectations for 2019 SEA Games00:45Onyok Velasco see bright future for PH boxing in Olympics02:25PH women’s volleyball team motivated to deliver in front of hometown crowd LIST: Class, gov’t work suspensions during 30th SEA Games UPLB exempted from SEA Games class suspension Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Read Next SEA Games: PH’s Alisson Perticheto tops ice skating short program LOOK: Venues for 2019 SEA Games
McGregor must get rough and creative to upset Mayweather The multi-sport event will run until August 30. CBB LATEST STORIES Catriona Gray spends Thanksgiving by preparing meals for people with illnesses “The whole country cheered when Team Pilipinas Gilas Men’s Basketball Team unleashed their top form and once again asserted our basketball supremacy in Southeast Asia by clinching the gold last night,” he added.Abella said Kiyomi Watanabe and the Philippine taekwondo poomsae team composed of Rodolfo Reyes, Jr., Dustin Jacob Mella and Raphael Mella also got gold in the 63kg division in women’s judo and taekwondo male poomsae, respectively.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutAs of August 26, 11:00 p.m., the Philippines had 18 gold, 25 silver and 47 bronze medals, the spokesman added.“Mga kababayan, patuloy po natin ibigay ang ating suporta sa mga manlalarong Pinoy. Puso para sa bayan!” said Abella. WATCH: Streetboys show off slick dance moves in Vhong Navarro’s wedding Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ
‘Very happy’ Nadal survives Beijing scare
Meralco zaps lackluster Star, nears PBA semis sweep The Halep meeting will be a replay of the first-round match between the pair at the US Open in August, when Sharapova made an impressive return to Grand Slam competition before exiting in the fourth round.Sharapova boasts a 7-0 record against Halep, who made it into the next round after Magdalena Rybarikova retired ill in the second set.Karolina Pliskova, the fourth seed from the Czech Republic, booked her spot in round three with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Andrea Petkovic of Germany. Read Next Nonong Araneta re-elected as PFF president But Nadal, 31, with the Beijing crowd backing him on the outdoor hard court, held his nerve when twice staring defeat in the face and fought back to win the tie break 8-6.The pair headed into a final-set shootout and again Pouille refused to buckle, Nadal getting the critical break of serve in the 11th game before serving for the set and match 7-5.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutNadal, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, tumbled and lost a shoe at one point, and said afterwards he was fortunate to be in the second round.“He played well, I think, very aggressive. He’s serving well,” said Nadal, who lost to Pouille the last time they met, at last year’s US Open. “For me it was a little bit difficult at the beginning, then I started to play better.“But still, I didn’t have the control of the match for almost all the time. “I am very, very happy to be through.”Nadal narrowly avoided the fate of fellow Spaniard and top-ranked Garbine Muguruza, who exited in the first round on Monday when she retired from her match with a virus.Also into the second round in the men’s draw are Nick Kyrgios, Juan Martin del Potro, the American John Isner and third seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.ADVERTISEMENT Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games LATEST STORIES MOST READ
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after scoring a point against Lucas Pouille of France during men’s singles match in the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)World number one Rafael Nadal saved two match points to avoid a shock defeat in the first round of the China Open, seeing off Lucas Pouille in three sets on Tuesday.The Frenchman broke Nadal on the way to taking the first set 6-4, and the world number 23 came within a whisker of sealing an upset when the second set went to a tie break.ADVERTISEMENT BSP sees higher prices in November, but expects stronger peso, low rice costs to put up fight Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH Frontrow holds fun run to raise funds for young cancer patients LOOK: Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte unwind in Amanpulo for 3rd anniversary Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City – Sharapova primed for Halep –Maria Sharapova said her third-round clash with world number two Simona Halep on Wednesday would help her gauge progress since returning from a 15-month doping ban.The Russian former number one, on the comeback trail since April following the ban for taking the banned substance meldonium, had to dig deep as she defeated compatriot Ekaterina Makarova in three sets.Sharapova, a lowly 104 in the world and on a wildcard at the China Open, has yet to win a tournament since returning to tennis.The five-time Grand Slam champion said she had endured “a few ups and downs” in seeing off Makarova 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.But the 30-year-old is relishing her showdown with the Romanian Halep: “We know each other’s games very well, that’s no secret. “They’ve always been very challenging, tough, competitive, emotional.”Sharapova, a crowd favourite in Beijing, added: “But I love the challenge of playing against someone that’s number two in the world. “She’s a great player, she’s had a great year. “Any time you’re able to face an opponent that’s done something right and well, it’s great to see where you are and where your level is.” Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC View comments
WATCH: Get to know San Beda’s Robert Bolick in 7 questions
As expected, San Beda is having another hell of a run this NCAA Season 93, and it’s no surprise to see Robert Bolick in the middle of it.Hardworking on both ends of the floor, Bolick has established himself as one of the top amateur players in the country.ADVERTISEMENT BSP sees higher prices in November, but expects stronger peso, low rice costs to put up fight However, there’s always the other side of the coin, and little is known of Bolick off the court.Ever wondered what his pre-game music is like? Or where his dream vacation is?FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutFind out more about Bolick in this fun edition of INQUIRER 7. LOOK: Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte unwind in Amanpulo for 3rd anniversary Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City Read Next Filipino athletes get grand send-off ahead of SEA Games PLAY LIST 01:27Filipino athletes get grand send-off ahead of SEA Games00:50Trending Articles01:18Inquirer Varsity Seven: San Beda’s Robert Bolick01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games LATEST STORIES Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City MOST READ Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH WATCH: Get to know UE’s Paul Varilla in 7 questions RELATED VIDEOSWATCH: Get to know UST’s Dimdim Pacres in 7 questionsWATCH: Get to know Cherry Rondina in 7 questions WATCH: Get to know Ateneo’s Maddie Madayag in 7 questionsWATCH: Get to know Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena in 7 questionsADVERTISEMENT Frontrow holds fun run to raise funds for young cancer patients Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. JRU edges San Sebastian, secures playoff for Final Four Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC View comments Nonong Araneta re-elected as PFF president
Russian gold medalist disqualified for Sochi Olympics doping
FILE- In this Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 file photo, Russia’s gold medal winner Alexander Legkov gestures to the crowd during the flower ceremony of the men’s 50K cross-country race at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. The International Olympic Committee said Wednesday, Nov. 1st, 2017, cross-country skier Alexander Legkov has been disqualified from all his events at Sochi. Legkov won an individual gold medal and relay silver. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)GENEVA — In a landmark verdict that indicates Russia conspired to run a doping program at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, a cross-country skier who won a gold medal was disqualified by the IOC on Wednesday.All results for Alexander Legkov in Sochi were wiped from the record and he was banned for life from attending another Olympics.ADVERTISEMENT Read Next Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH However, McLaren’s investigation said the Russian doping program was enabled by the country’s government, anti-doping agency and testing labs, plus sports governing bodies.The second cross-country skier who was disqualified and banned, Evgeniy Belov, did not win a medal.Lawyers for the two skiers disputed the IOC panel’s ruling while accepting a doping program was in place.“So there is neither Prof. McLaren’s assertion nor proof that individual athletes have really participated in the system that has undoubtedly existed,” German law firm Wieschemann said in a statement.Russia’s sports minister during the Sochi Olympics, Vitaly Mutko, told the Russian state news agency Tass that the IOC ruling “inspires great alarm and bewilderment.”“The correct and just decision is to file an appeal with CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport),” said Mutko, who is now a Deputy Prime Minister and heads the organizing committee for soccer’s 2018 World Cup.The two skiers’ cases are the first from Sochi to be judged by the IOC panel created to verify McLaren’s work. The Canadian law professor had himself been appointed by WADA to examine claims by Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of Russia’s WADA-authorized drug-testing laboratories.Rodchenkov, who is now in a witness protection program in the United States, said he switched tainted urine samples for clean ones at the Sochi lab with help from what he believed was the Russian security service.The verdicts announced Wednesday were the first from six cross-country skiers scheduled to have hearings at IOC headquarters this week. They include Maxim Vylegzhanin, who won one of his three silver medals in the Russian sweep of the 50-kilometer event.“Additional decisions from these first hearings will be communicated in the coming days,” the IOC said.Other cases involving Russian athletes in different Winter Olympic sports have also been handed over to the IOC panel, chaired by Swiss lawyer Denis Oswald.“The Oswald Commission has announced that all hearings for active athletes who could qualify for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 will be completed by the end of November,” the IOC said. Stronger peso trims PH debt value to P7.9 trillion MOST READ A second Russian cross-country skier was also disqualified and banned by the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday, while cases implicating 26 more Russian athletes in a Sochi doping conspiracy arepending.With calls to ban Russia’s team from next year’s Pyeongchang Olympics likely to increase, the IOC’sexecutive board will meet next month to discuss the matter.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutThe IOC disciplinary panel did not have a positive doping test from Legkov but used evidence of cover-ups and tampering of sample bottles that was first gathered last year by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren.“The IOC showed its determination to protect clean athletes from the very beginning of the case,” said the Olympic body, whose board meets Dec. 5-7 in Lausanne, Switzerland. View comments CPP denies ‘Ka Diego’ arrest caused ‘mass panic’ among S. Tagalog NPA Spurs bring back Tony Parker after rehab stint in G-League LATEST STORIES
QC cops nab robbery gang leader, cohort Japan ex-PM Nakasone who boosted ties with US dies at 101 The 34-year-old Legkov also has two medals from the world championships — a silver and a bronze in relay races — plus nine individual victories on the World Cup circuit. He now faces a ban by the International Ski Federation.Skiing’s governing body said its doping panel will wait until the IOC gives all six verdicts, which it expected next week. FIS set a target of Nov. 24 — when the cross-country World Cup season starts — to make progress.Legkov also threatened to file a libel lawsuit against Rodchenkov, the former lab director who is the key witness to the Sochi conspiracy claims.At his news conference last year, Legkov spoke alongside then-Deputy Sports Minister Yuri Nagornykh, who stepped down after he was accused by McLaren of helping to cover up doping.The Russian government says it has never supported drug use by athletes.Russia now risks losing its place atop the Sochi medal tables, with second-place Norway set to be upgraded for medals in each of the men’s cross-country ski events affected by doping. Norwegians Petter Northug and Martin Johnsrud Sundby could each be awarded two medals. The IOC panel did not give details of the evidence Wednesday. McLaren has said that glass sample bottles were scratched when broken into, and in some cases clean urine used to cover up doping was tampered with, revealing unnatural levels of salt and even DNA from the wrong gender.Legkov’s gold medal was a marquee Russian success at the Sochi Olympics, which was a national priority for President Vladimir Putin and cost $51 billion to prepare for and host.The cross-country skier won gold in the individual 50-kilometer freestyle race in a Russian podium sweep on the last day of competition. The Russian trio received their medals in the main Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony. Legkov had earlier taken silver in the 4×10-kilometer relay.Legkov said last year he had never failed a doping test, claiming he was tested so often that he couldn’t have doped without being caught.“You’d have to be a complete kamikaze to do that in Russia if you’re an athlete representing our nation,” Legkov said then.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf PLAY LIST 01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games
Gilas holds closed-door practice anew
John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding CPP denies ‘Ka Diego’ arrest caused ‘mass panic’ among S. Tagalog NPA Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games Hawks end 8-game skid, beat struggling Cavaliers Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH LATEST STORIES Japan ex-PM Nakasone who boosted ties with US dies at 101 Read Next QC cops nab robbery gang leader, cohort Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC View comments Stronger peso trims PH debt value to P7.9 trillion Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa For the third straight session, Gilas Pilipinas held closed door practices on Monday morning at Meralco Gym.Twelve of the 15 players initially named by coach Chot Reyes attended the session as the Philippine national team started the twice-a-day practices.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ Present for the day are June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva, and Gabe Norwood, returnees Raymond Almazan, Allein Maliksi, Kevin Alas, and Troy Rosario, cadets Roger Pogoy, Mac Belo, and Carl Bryan Cruz, and rookie Kiefer Ravena.Japeth Aguilar was absent for the session following a dental procedure, Matthew Wright is attending Phoenix’s first practice under coach Louie Alas, while Jio Jalalon is still nursing an LCL injury.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutGilas Pilipinas returned to the court after taking a day off on Sunday.The national team is preparing for the 2019 Fiba World Cup qualifiers slated later this month. Naturalized player Andray Blatche is scheduled to join the squad on Nov. 13.
Blackwater owner hoping for the best amid lockout fears
The impasse between the PBA Board of Governors remain, but Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy observed that cooler heads have prevailed since the two sides’ war of words two weeks ago.Sy is also expecting the search for the next PBA commissioner to commence soon.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ With the fire between the Board of Governors still yet to be doused, expressed worries about a possibility of a lockout in the PBA’s 43rd season.Sy shared that the possibility of the seven teams excusing themselves from playing was initially discussed when the status of Narvasa’s commissionership first came up.“When they were fighting for the commissioner, we said that if they force it, the seven teams might not play, so there’s gonna be a lockout because the five other teams cannot play on their own,” he said.But he is hopeful that the whatever issue affecting the league would be resolved in time for the opening of the 43rd season.“Let’s hope for the best. Let’s just hope that there won’t be any lockout. We don’t want to see something like the NBA lockout a few years ago and there’s no tournament. We need to give fans assurance that by December 17, the PBA should be on the roll already,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT Stronger peso trims PH debt value to P7.9 trillion Japan ex-PM Nakasone who boosted ties with US dies at 101 QC cops nab robbery gang leader, cohort Read Next “Now, it’s no longer that heated in the board room. The five teams are more or less agreeing to have a search committee on the new commissioner,” he said.“I heard there are plans to have a search committee to see who are available candidates and I heard the Board might be working on it. Maybe by next week, there should be a good news that will come up.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutBut the annual planning held in Los Angeles, where it was expected that the issue regarding Chito Narvasa’s fate as commissioner would be resolved, was for naught with four governors–including chairman Ramoncito Fernandez of NLEX—absent from the trip.Blackwater is with the seven-team bloc, together with NLEX, TNT, Meralco, Alaska, Rain or Shine, and Phoenix calling for the head of commissioner Chito Narvasa, while the five others — San Miguel, Ginebra, Star, GlobalPort, and Kia, have all backed the beleaguered league executive. Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss00:50Trending Articles01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games
Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC LATEST STORIES Young England stifle Neymar’s Brazil Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding CPP denies ‘Ka Diego’ arrest caused ‘mass panic’ among S. Tagalog NPA View comments
FIFA bans 3 soccer officials for life for taking bribes
LATEST STORIES Though the life bans were announced during the trial in Brooklyn of three other FIFA-connected officials from South America, the ethics panel investigations were separate and did not use new evidence being aired daily in court.FIFA said its ethics judges imposed “appropriate fines in relation to the amounts of the bribes that they have admitted having taken.”Esquivel was fined 1 million Swiss francs ($1 million), Lai was fined 870,000 Swiss francs ($870,000), and Rocha was fined 500,000 Swiss francs ($500,000). It is unclear if FIFA can enforce fines on people who have left the sport.Lai, who is an American citizen, previously agreed to pay “more than $1.1 million in forfeiture and penalties,” the U.S. Department of Justice said in April.In court, Lai pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy charges related to taking about $1 million in bribes, including at least $850,000 from Kuwaiti officials.ADVERTISEMENT Durant unfazed by Thunder return Esquivel agreed to forfeit $16 million a year ago when he pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. His offenses were linked to the awarding of contracts for media and marketing rights to South American soccer competitions.However, Esquivel’s name was cited Monday in Brooklyn during testimony in the ongoing trial of former soccer executives from Brazil, Paraguay and Peru, who deny corruption charges.One witness who formerly worked for a marketing agency in Argentina said he kept a ledger of payments to officials, including a $750,000 payment to Esquivel for “Q2022.”Prosecutors did not specify if the payment was linked to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.FIFA has repeatedly declined to comment on allegations and evidence detailed in the current federal court case.Rocha was a FIFA staffer working for its development department when he was arrested in 2015. He agreed to forfeit nearly $300,000 after admitting to racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges last December.All three banned officials are awaiting sentencing in Brooklyn. QC cops nab robbery gang leader, cohort Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Kris Aquino ‘pretty chill about becoming irrelevant’ CPP denies ‘Ka Diego’ arrest caused ‘mass panic’ among S. Tagalog NPA View comments Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Read Next Japan ex-PM Nakasone who boosted ties with US dies at 101 Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Manila police chief: Cops tolerating illegal street vendors to get ax PLAY LIST 01:22Manila police chief: Cops tolerating illegal street vendors to get ax00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games “His guilty plea related, amongst others, to schemes in which he received bribes in exchange for his support in relation to the FIFA presidential elections and to gain control and influence within the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and FIFA,” the soccer body said of Lai in a statement.Sheikh Ahmad referred his own case to the ethics committees of FIFA and the International Olympic Committee in April after Lai’s guilty plea was revealed. The Kuwaiti royal also withdrew from an election to retain his seat representing Asia on the FIFA Council.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutThe sheikh has denied wrongdoing and continues to work on Olympic duty, including chairing an IOC panel with a $500 million budget to distribute grants, and leading the global group of national Olympic committees known as ANOC.Two more former soccer federation presidents, Rafael Esquivel of Venezuela and Julio Rocha of Nicaragua, were also banned for life Tuesday. They were arrested in Zurich in May 2015 in early morning raids on luxury hotels and later extradited to the United States. Stronger peso trims PH debt value to P7.9 trillion MOST READ FILE – In this Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 file photo, Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) speaks at the European Olympic Committees General Assembly in Minsk, Belarus. Three soccer officials who pleaded guilty in American courts to accepting bribes were banned for life by the FIFA ethics committee on Tuesday Nov. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File)GENEVA — Three soccer officials who pleaded guilty in American courts to accepting bribes were banned for life by the FIFA ethics committee on Tuesday.They include former FIFA audit committee member Richard Lai of Guam, who testified in federal court that the source of his bribe money was Olympic powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah of Kuwait.ADVERTISEMENT
Woods brings back big crowds, big cheers with a 72
Tiger Woods reacts after just missing a birdie putt on the sixth hole hole of the South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)SAN DIEGO — Tiger Woods has been away from the PGA Tour too long to know for certain when a shot is as good as it looks.This was a 6-iron on the par-3 16th hole on the South Course at Torrey Pines, from 188 yards to a slightly elevated green with a pin tucked behind a deep bunker. The sun was setting behind the Pacific late Thursday afternoon, and the glare made it tough to follow the flight of the ball.ADVERTISEMENT “We can’t see anything land from back there, so we’re just listening for some noise,” Woods said. “And people started cheering.”The ball rolled to the hole and broke a few inches in front of the cup for a tap-in birdie .FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSLillard, Anthony lead Blazers over ThunderSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutWoods brought big crowds back to golf in his latest return to the PGA Tour, and he even produced a few big roars.There just weren’t enough cheers for his liking. Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH MOST READ His three birdie putts were from a combined 30 inches. The longest of his birdie putt was from just inside 2 feet on No. 10 that got him back to even par for the round. He was one rotation away from making a long eagle putt on the par-5 sixth.He was never under par the entire round, and his near ace on the 16th brought him back to even par.But he needed those three birdies to offset his mistakes, and the sobering part of his return is that Woods didn’t make a putt longer than 4 feet. That was on the second hole, when his approach from the bunker landed 6 feet behind the hole and went over the back into light rough.He also gave away a shot on the par-5 13th, when he laid up from the rough and hit a wedge that drifted right and went into the bunker. He blasted that out to 3 feet, which was the hard part. And then he missed the short par putt .Woods made his other two bogeys from greenside bunkers, both times missing 12-foot putts.He played the par 5s in even par, and didn’t give himself any other birdie chances inside 15 feet.“It’s hard to make a lot of birdies when you’re not giving yourself any looks, and I didn’t do that today,” Woods said. “Tomorrow, hopefully, I’ll drive a little better, get my irons obviously a lot closer and we get the better of the two greens tomorrow. So we’ll see what happens.”But there was no mistaking his presence.Fans lined both sides of the opening fairway in anticipation of seeing Woods, who was playing the PGA Tour for only the second time since August 2015. That was right before he had a second and third surgery on his back, which kept him away for some 15 months. He returned at Torrey Pines last year and opened with a 76 on his way to missing the cut. A week later, he withdrew after a 77 in Dubai with back spasms and was gone again.Regardless of the score, Woods looked as though he’s back for the long haul. The fusion surgery eliminated the pain. And while he wasn’t sharp, Woods hit the ball plenty far and saw at least a little bit of golf that made him such a dominant figure. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments The South Course, which hosted the 2008 U.S. Open that Woods won, typically is far stronger than the North at Torrey Pines. That’s no longer the case with the North getting a makeover two years ago, with bent greens that are firm this week and narrower fairways.The average score on the South was 71.62, compared with 71.31 on the North. Forty-one of the 73 players who broke par were on the South.Finau birdied his opening two holes to set the tone for his round, and he wound up with nine birdies, the last one from 35 feet to take the lead.“It played a lot tougher than it did in the past,” Finau said. “I think it’s just a credit to my start. From there I was just able to let the golf course come to me. The par 5s are very reachable for me hitting some irons in there. Again, I think it was just my start. I got off to a good start and was able to ride that momentum all the way through the round.”He had a one-shot lead over Ryan Palmer and Ted Potter Jr., who each had a 66 on the South.Defending champion Jon Rahm, who can reach No. 1 in the world by winning, opened with a 68 on the South. He hit into the water with his second shot on the par-5 18th, but he saved par with a 15-foot putt.“Just unfortunate it happened, but I made a good putt, had a couple really good putts down the stretch and had a good finish,” Rahm said. “Good momentum going to tomorrow.” Playing for the first time since recovering from a fourth back surgery that cost him another year on the PGA Tour, Woods was mostly steady, sometimes spectacular and ended his day with an even-par 72 that left him seven shots behind Tony Finau.“It was fun to compete again,” Woods said. “It was fun to be out there.”The next trick is to stay at Torrey Pines beyond Friday. With virtually no wind making this a day for reasonable scoring, Woods was tied for 84th and will start the second round on the North Course just outside the cut line.Finau birdied his opening two holes on the North and finished with a 35-foot birdie putt for a 65.Woods had a few big moments that looked familiar to fans who stood as many as four-deep around the greens.ADVERTISEMENT Slow and steady hope for near-extinct Bangladesh tortoises
Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Globe Business launches leading cloud-enabled and hardware-agnostic conferencing platform in PH LATEST STORIES 2 ‘newbie’ drug pushers fall in Lucena sting Read Next Babos-Mladenovic combine to win Australian women’s doubles John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding PH billiards team upbeat about gold medal chances in SEA Games PLAY LIST 03:07PH billiards team upbeat about gold medal chances in SEA Games03:46Lacson: PH lost about P161.5B tax revenue from big trading partners in 201700:59Sports venues to be ready in time for SEA Games01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City NEXT BLOCK ASIA 2.0 introduces GURUS AWARDS to recognize and reward industry influencers
Obiena bags pole vault bronze
Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Obiena settled for the silver medal in the 2015 Singapore SEAG behind Thailand’s Porranot Purahong, who set a new record of 5.30m at that time.For the past five months, Obiena has been training at the IAAF Pole Vault Training Center in Fornia, Italy under legendary Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov with Olympic gold medalist Thiago Braz as training partner.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next LATEST STORIES Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games Nikki Valdez rushes self to ER due to respiratory tract infection Ernest John Obiena broke into the continental elite circle of men’s pole vault after claiming the bronze medal in the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, India.Obiena cleared 5.50 meters late Thursday night to join gold medalist Ding Bangchao of China and silver performer Masaki Ejima of Japan on the winner’s podium. Both Ding and Ejima hurdled the bar at 5.65 meters.ADVERTISEMENT View comments Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ Pagasa: Kammuri now a typhoon, may enter PAR by weekend Another vape smoker nabbed in Lucena MOST READ A second-generation pole vaulter, the 6-foot-2 Obiena attempted to push his luck at 5.65m but his lower torso grazed the bar on the third and final try.Just the same, the 21-year-old son of Filipino pole vault great Emerson Obiena managed to squeeze into the Asian royalty of the event usually dominated by China, Japan and South Korea.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSWin or don’t eat: the Philippines’ poverty-driven, world-beating pool starsHe recently earned a silver medal with his 5.50m performance in the recent International Athletic Meeting in Velenje, Slovenia.“EJ has been making progress,’’ said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico. Pagasa: Kammuri now a typhoon, may enter PAR by weekend Batangas stint chance to play, improve for Forrester Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ China furious as Trump signs bills in support of Hong Kong LOOK: Jane De Leon meets fellow ‘Darna’ Marian Rivera
WBO review rules Horn beat Pacquiao
Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Another vape smoker nabbed in Lucena Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ El Nido residents told to vacate beach homes Horn stunned the Filipino legend — who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions — with his ultra-aggressiveness to earn a unanimous 12-round decision.The WBO — which does not have the power to reverse a decision unless fraud or law violations are proven — set up a panel of independent judges who were asked to watch the bout without sound and determine who won each round.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSWin or don’t eat: the Philippines’ poverty-driven, world-beating pool starsThe results were tabulated to show clearly the rounds each fighter won using an average scale based on 60, 80 and 100 percent, with three of the five officials needing to be in agreement.A similar method has been used to review WBO title fights before. Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games “Upon the analysis, the findings stated that Pacquiao won the 3rd, the 8th and 9th by 100 percent; the 5th round was won by 80 percent; and the 11th round by 60 percent,” the WBO said in a statement.“Horn won the 1st, 6th and 12th rounds by 100 percent; rounds 2, 4, and 7 by 80 percent; and then, the 10th round by 60 percent.“From the results, it can be established that Pacquiao won five rounds while Horn won seven rounds. Based on this analysis, Jeff Horn was the winner of the bout.”Horn welcomed the review when it was announced, and said he was ready for a rematch, an option specified in the Brisbane fight contract.“Let them review it,” the 29-year-old told Queensland’s Courier Mail newspaper.ADVERTISEMENT “They will see it on a TV screen and probably see the same thing everyone else saw — me winning the fight.”Both the Philippine board and Pacquiao had criticised American referee Mark Nelson for supposedly allowing the underdog Australian to get away with illegal tactics without giving him warnings or point deductions.The loss sparked calls in the Philippines for the 38-year-old Pacquiao, a national icon after rising from poverty, to retire and concentrate on politics.Pacquiao briefly retired from boxing last year to pursue his long-held political ambitions and was elected senator. But he quickly made a successful comeback against Jessie Vargas in November, saying he still felt like a youngster. CBB/rgaSports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next MOST READ LOOK: Jane De Leon meets fellow ‘Darna’ Marian Rivera
China furious as Trump signs bills in support of Hong Kong Pagasa: Storm intensifies as it nears PAR Mayweather seeks round extension vs taxman Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ Bloodied till the end. Manny Pacquiao (left) clinches with Jeff Horn of Australia during their WBO welterweight title fight in Brisbane, Australia,July 2, 2017. Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight world title to Jeff Horn in a stunning, unanimous points decision that the Filipino legend protested. On Tuesday, July 11, 2017, the WBO said Horn clearly won the match after it reviewed the fight. APSYDNEY, Australia — Australian Jeff Horn’s shock welterweight title victory over Manny Pacquiao was confirmed Tuesday after a scoring review by the World Boxing Organization declared him the clear winner.The WBO took a close look at the fight after Pacquiao, backed by the Philippine government’s sports regulatory body, criticized the referee and the judges and demanded a review after losing in Brisbane on July 2.ADVERTISEMENT LATEST STORIES Pagasa: Kammuri now a typhoon, may enter PAR by weekend View comments
PH absorbs first loss in men’s water polo
View comments MOST READ Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ Photo from Kuala Lumpur SEA Games Website.After a blazing start in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games, the Philippines yielded to host Malaysia 7-8, in day 2 of the men’s water polo Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur.The Filipinos turned a 1-4 deficit into a tied game at 7 in the fourth period on goal by skipper Roy Canete Jr., but the Malaysians got the last laugh as Tan Xi Yun scored the go-ahead with a little under two minutes left.ADVERTISEMENT NATO’s aging eye in the sky to get a last overhaul Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Trump signs bills in support of Hong Kong protesters Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes dies at 59 with wife by his side Pagasa: Storm intensifies as it nears PAR Alamara Mumar tried to knot the score anew for the Philippines, but his goal wasn’t counted.The Filipinos defeated Thailand, 9-7, last Tuesday to get the ball rolling for the PH delegation.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSBoxers Pacquiao, Petecio torchbearers for SEA Games openingThey need to beat Singapore on Thursday at 11 a.m. to keep their gold medal hopes alive. Celest Flores-Colina Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games03:07PH billiards team upbeat about gold medal chances in SEA Games05:25PH boxing team determined to deliver gold medals for PH03:04Filipino athletes share their expectations for 2019 SEA Games00:45Onyok Velasco see bright future for PH boxing in Olympics02:25PH women’s volleyball team motivated to deliver in front of hometown crowd01:27Filipino athletes get grand send-off ahead of SEA Games00:36Manny Pacquiao part of 2019 SEA Games opening ceremony Molina hopes for positive end to PH’s AVC stint ahead of SEA Games Robredo should’ve resigned as drug czar after lack of trust issue – Panelo LATEST STORIES Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next
Karnataka drama: Disqualified MLAs approach courts while Cong-JDS cong demand President’s rule
File photo of Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa.The nataka [drama] in Karnataka where state chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa won a trust vote today morning thanks to the Speaker disqualifying 16 BJP and Independent MLAs took a new turn with the latter knocking at the high court’s doors here which has posted the hearing to 3pm today.Rebel legislators barged their way into the assembly hall despite Bangalore police commissioner Shankar Bidari himself manning the assembly doors along with the marshals. Former sports minister Goolihatti Shekhar, an Independent MLA whose ouster from the Cabinet last month was one of the triggers for the ongoing internal rebellion, displayed his torn shirt in the assembly claiming that he was assaulted by the securitymen as he and his legislator colleagues elbowed their way in. Karnataka speaker KG Bopaiah had requested “civil police assistance to control the situation”.Congress and JDS leaders gave a memorandum to Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj, who had earlier written to the speaker to maintain status quo on House strength. The governor had also sent observers to the assembly and even as the drama continues outside the century old colonial edifice, the Raj Bhavan, former chief minister and JDS leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, who scripted much of the ongoing drama, is hoping the Governor will recommend a central rule.Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader Siddaramaiah claimed he was manhandled by the police as he fought his way into the assembly and added that the police chief Bidari there “was guarding the place with a weapon”; Siddaramaiah also claimed the speaker had flouted all rules. But the speaker said that he as acted as per the rules of the tenth schedule of the Constitution.advertisementKarnataka state BJP unit chief K.S. Eshwarappa, who presented Yeddyurappa with sweets after the voice vote win, has demanded the recall of the Governor accusing the 73-year-old former law minister of acting like a Congress agent…