Aung San Suu Kyi faces new corruption cases

June 10, 2021 | 6:37 pm

FILE PHOTO: Myanmar's Minister of Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi speaks during an event at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York — MYANMAR’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi — REUTERS

NEW corruption cases have been opened against Myanmar’s deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other former officials from her government, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said on Thursday.

The cases are the latest of a series brought against elected leader Ms. Suu Kyi, who was overthrown by the army on Feb. 1 in a coup that has plunged the Southeast Asian country into chaos.

The state newspaper quoted the Anti-Corruption Commission as saying the accusations related to the misuse of land for the charitable Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, which she chaired, as well as earlier accusations of accepting money and gold.

It said case files had been opened against Ms. Suu Kyi and several other officials from the capital Naypyidaw at police stations on Wednesday.

“She was found guilty of committing corruption using her rank. So she was charged under Anti-Corruption Law section 55,” the paper said. That law provides for up to 15 years in prison for those found guilty. Reuters was not immediately able to reach Ms. Suu Kyi’s lawyers for comment.

Cases Ms. Suu Kyi already faced ranged from the illegal possession of walkie-talkie radios to breaking the Official Secrets Act. Her supporters say the cases are politically motivated.

The army overthrew Ms. Suu Kyi saying her party had cheated in November elections, an accusation rejected by the previous election commission and international monitors.

Since then, the army has failed to establish control. It faces daily protests, strikes that have paralyzed the economy by opponents of the junta, a rash of assassinations and bomb attacks and a resurgence of conflicts in Myanmar’s borderlands. — Reuters

India records world’s highest daily COVID-19 deaths

June 10, 2021 | 6:37 pm

BENGALURU — India reported on Thursday the highest single-day death toll from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the world, at 6,148, after a big eastern state revised its figures to account for people who succumbed to the disease at home or in private hospitals.

The health department of Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, revised its total COVID-19 related death toll on Wednesday to more than 9,400 from about 5,400.

The United States had recorded 5,444 COVID-19 deaths on Feb. 12.

India’s total COVID-19 case load now stands at 29.2 million after rising by 94,052 in the past 24 hours, while total fatalities are at 359,676, according to data from the health ministry. — Reuters

Synthetic drug trade still growing in Asia

June 10, 2021 | 6:36 pm

BANGKOK — Drug traffickers in East and Southeast Asia found ways to evade COVID-19 curbs to boost trade and diversify production, with Cambodia emerging as a large-scale source for methamphetamine, the United Nations said on Thursday.

The trafficking of methamphetamine or meth, by far the region’s most popular drug, suffered a short-lived disruption during the height of the pandemic but rebounded to a higher level than a year before, the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report.

Authorities in Asia seized a record of almost 170 tons of meth last year, up 19% from 2019, the report said.

“While the pandemic has caused the global economy to slow down, criminal syndicates that dominate the region have quickly adapted and capitalized,” said Jeremy Douglas, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

In an effort to dodge COVID-19 restrictions, crime groups increasingly transported drugs through Laos — a small, developing nation with poor law enforcement — to traditional trafficking hubs in Thailand and Vietnam.

The report noted an emergence of large-scale meth production in Cambodia, although Mr. Douglas said the country’s output was dwarfed by the still-thriving illegal drug production center in Myanmar’s Shan State, part of the Golden Triangle that also includes parts of Thailand and Laos.

“It looks like organized crime are hedging a bit and shifting some production so not everything is as concentrated,” Mr. Douglas told Reuters.

Wholesale prices of meth declined in Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand due to the surge in supply. The UNODC partially attributed the rise in supply to the ease in obtaining precursors to manufacture meth and other drugs. The supply of synthetic drugs such as ecstasy, cannabinoids and ketamine has also expanded across the region, the report said.— Reuters

Azkals seek to strengthen Asian Cup push in match against Guam

June 10, 2021 | 6:26 pm

Azkalsgroup-(2) — THE Philippine Azkals take on Guam in the joint FIFA-AFC qualifiers on Friday looking to strengthen its push for the 2023 Asian Cup. — THE AZKALS/PFF

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE Philippine national men’s football team takes on Guam in the joint International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers on Friday looking to strengthen its push for the 2023 Asian Cup.

Coming off a 0-2 loss to China in their Group A match on June 8 that effectively shut their chances of advancing to the next round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Azkals now focus on moving a step closer to making it to the AFC continental tournament.

Against the Chinese, the Philippines stood toe to toe in the opening half, forcing its opponent to a nil-nil count. It, however, could not sustain it the rest of the way en route to falling in the match held in a “bubble” at the Sharjam Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.

China used a strong push in the first 20 minutes of the second half to create separation from the Philippine team from which the latter could not recover from.

Forward Wu Lei put his team on the board in the 56^th minute off a penalty kick after being brought down by Azkals goalkeeper Bernd Schipmann.

The Chinese team continued to put pressure on the Azkals and was rewarded in the 65^th minute when midfielder Wu Xinghan slipped a shot to the far post for a 2-0 lead.

The Azkals tried to claw their way back after but with little success.

The win saw China (4-1-2, 13 points) remain in contention for the next round of the World Cup as one of the best runners-up in the qualifiers. Syria is still solidly on top of the grouping with 21 points from an unblemished card of 7-0-0.

The loss, meanwhile, left the World Cup push of the third-running Azkals (2-1-3, seven points) practically shut, but they remain in the race for the next round of the Asian Cup qualifying.

“We played well against China, holding them to a goalless draw in the first half and we felt we had a good chance of winning. I’m satisfied with our performance but not the result,” said Azkals coach Scott Cooper.

“But we look to build on it in our remaining games and in moving forward.”

The rest of Group A has Maldives (2-0-4, six points) in fourth place, followed by Guam (0-0-7).

The Azkals-Guam contest is set for 10 p.m. (Manila time) on June 11 and can be seen over One Sports and One Sports+.

NEW OUTFITTER
Meanwhile, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and the Azkals announced their partnership with Spanish sportswear brand Kelme to be the national team’s new outfitter.

In a virtual press conference on Wednesday, the groups formally unveiled their linkup that will run for two years and will see Kelme provide the Azkals with their kits.

The team debuted its new kits in their match against China on Tuesday.

“We welcome the partnership with Kelme which has a long history of making high-quality kits for teams in different parts of the world,” said PFF General Secretary Atty. Ed Gastanes, who also shared that negotiations between them and Kelme started in 2019 during the Southeast Asian Games.

For his part, Mr. Cooper said the partnership is a win-win situation for all the groups.

“For a respected brand like Kelme to come in as a partner speaks volumes of the PFF and the Azkals. I also think it benefits Kelme to support a team like the Azkals which is on the rise,” he said.

As part of the deal, replica kits are to be made available for fans in the near future.

Skateboarder Didal officially qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

June 10, 2021 | 6:26 pm

IT is official. Filipino skateboarder Margielyn Didal is heading to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The development was confirmed by World Skate, the international body governing roller sports, late on Wednesday (Manila time), making the 22-year-old Didal the 10^th Filipino athlete to date to have qualified for the rescheduled Olympics.

Ms. Didal joins pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, rower Cris Nievarez and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa in the Philippine Olympic contingent.

The Cebu native qualified because of her World Skateboarding Rankings in the street event which has her at 17^th place.

Despite being outside of the top 16 which are allotted automatic spots for the Games, the Philippine bet managed to squeeze in since two of the three podium finishers in the recent Skateboarding Worlds in Rome, where three Olympic spots were up for grabs, were already in the top 16.

One spot is also allotted for Olympic host Japan to complete the 20-man Olympic street skateboarding field. Only three athletes per country, however, are allowed.

Ms. Didal’s Olympic qualification was already known immediately after the Rome event last weekend but was made official only this week. She is the lone Filipino skateboarder making the trip to Tokyo.

“Going to Tokyo…” Ms. Didal wrote on Instagram.

Street skateboarding will make its Olympic debut this year, with competition slated to take place from July 25 to 26.

Apart from Ms. Didal, also part of the Olympic street skateboarding field are Pamela Rosa, Rayssa Leal and Leticia Bufoni of Brazil, Aori Nishimura, Momiji Nishiya and Funa Nakayama of Japan, Mariah Duran, Alexis Sablone and Alana Smith of the United States, Roos Zwetsloot, Candy Jacobs and Keet Oldenbeuving of the Netherlands, Hayley Wilson of Australia, Wenhui Zeng of China, Lore Bruggeman of Belgium, Julia Brueckler of Austria, Charlotte Hym of France, Asia Lanzi of Italy, and Boipelo Awuah of Saudi Arabia.

In the Olympics, which takes place from July 23 to Aug. 8, Ms. Didal looks to add on the gold medals she won in the 2018 Asian Games and 2019 Southeast Asian Games. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Clark Airport and NAIA to meet safety protocols for FIBA ‘bubble’

June 10, 2021 | 6:26 pm

OPERATORS of two of the country’s international gateways expressed readiness to comply with safety protocols set by organizers and hosts of next week’s International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark.

Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp., the private operator of Clark International Airport (CIA), and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which manages the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), both assured that they are working closely with relevant agencies to facilitate the arrival of tournament participants beginning June 13.

Some 200 foreign delegates from six countries are to take part in the FIBA “bubble” tournament at Clark City in Angeles, Pampanga.

To ensure that the integrity of the centralized tournament setup is not compromised, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the national government crafted guidelines to be followed.

Both LIPAD and MIAA said they are adhering to the guidelines set and have put up their safety protocols.

In doing so they teamed up with the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, airline companies, and other agencies in preparation for the event.

The third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers takes place from June 16 to 20 and will see two groups (A and B) playing.

It is being organized by the BCDA and its subsidiary CDC, in coordination with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the local governments of Pampanga and Angeles City.

For the tournament, foreign participants are required to take RT-PCR tests 12 days, seven days and two days before departure to the Philippines.

Once they arrive at the airport, they will be transported to Quest Hotel and Conference Center in Mimosa, Clark, where they will be tested again. They will be placed in quarantine the next day. An additional RT-PCR test will be taken four days after their arrival and another one before their departure on June 21 if required by the country of destination.

The games will be played at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center. Movement of players, coaches and staff will be limited to within the airports, hotels and the game venue.

Aside from the foreign teams, included in the Clark event are the Gilas Pilipinas team and FIBA and SBP personnel as well as official partners of FIBA. — MASM

Local sports officials bracing for possible Southeast Asian Games postponement

June 10, 2021 | 6:26 pm

WHILE there is no final decision yet, local sports officials nevertheless are bracing for the possible postponement of the 31^st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this year in Vietnam.

The idea was broached by the host country in an emergency meeting with the different SEA Games Federation members.

Vietnam cited the rising coronavirus cases there as the reason for calling for the postponement of the biennial sporting event slated to take place from Nov. 21 to Dec. 2.

The development, it said, has hampered considerably its ability to prepare for the hosting the best way it can, moving it to consider the deferment of the SEA Games to next year.

The SEA Games is to take place in Hanoi and 11 other locations, which according to reports coming out of Vietnam have been at the center of the fresh outbreak of the virus.

The decision to proceed or postpone is expected to be made next week.

Eight countries, namely, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste, voted against the postponement but admitted the final decision still lies on the Vietnam government.

For Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino, while they understand the predicament Vietnam is in, they hope the Games still pushes through this year.

“The pandemic has raised the alarm [no doubt],” Mr. Tolentino said, “[But] It’s unfair to the athletes who have already sacrificed their time and effort in training for the SEA Games.”

He went on to say that the SEA Games will be used as a springboard as well by the athletes for different international competitions next year, including the Asian Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and Winter Olympics next year, leaving it “very difficult for the SEA Games to be postponed.”

Philippine chief of mission to the SEA Games Ramon Fernandez, for his part, reiterated that whatever decision Vietnam makes should be respected and that in the event of a postponement, the Philippine contingent makes full use of the added time to prepare.

“It’s okay with me and the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) on whatever decision the host makes. If it’s going to be postponed, that will give us a longer time to prepare our athletes,” said Mr. Fernandez, also a commissioner of the PSC.

For the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games, where the Philippines will be the defending overall champion, the POC said it intends to send 626 athletes who will be competing in 39 sports.

A P200-million budget has been allocated for the training and participation of Team Philippines.

Vaccination of national athletes is currently ongoing so as to adhere to the “no vaccine, no participation” policy that will be in effect in the Games.

“Bubble” training for a number of national teams has begun with more squads set to follow suit.

In the event the SEA Games is postponed, it will be the second time in its history, the first in 1963 when political unrest in Cambodia prevented the event from being staged. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Chris Paul, Suns crush Nuggets for 2-0 lead

June 10, 2021 | 6:25 pm

CHRIS Paul recorded 17 points and 15 assists without committing a turnover, helping the Phoenix Suns roar to a 123-98 victory over the visiting Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

Devin Booker scored a team-best 18 points and collected 10 rebounds for the Suns, who have won five consecutive postseason games. Phoenix won the first two games of this series by an average of 21 points.

Denver’s Nikola Jokić, the NBA’s newly selected Most Valuable Player, had 24 points, 13 rebounds and six assists despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter.

Game 3 of the best-of-7 series will be played on Friday night in Denver.

Mikal Bridges scored 16 points and Deandre Ayton added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who shot 47.9 percent from the field and were 18 of 38 (47.4 percent) from 3-point range. Jae Crowder tallied 11 points and reserve Torrey Craig had 10 for Phoenix.

Denver’s Will Barton played for the first time since injuring his right hamstring on April 23, and he scored 10 points in 16 minutes. Michael Porter, Jr., who played despite a back ailment, had just 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting, making just 2 of 9 from 3-point range.

Paul Millsap contributed 11 points for the Nuggets, who made 40 percent of their field-goal attempts, including 14 of 43 (32.6 percent) from behind the arc.

Phoenix led 52-42 at half time and then exploded in the first two minutes of the third quarter.

Crowder buried two 3-pointers and Ayton scored the other four points during a 10-1 burst that boosted the lead to 19. — Reuters

Djokovic gears up for big battle with historic rival Nadal

June 10, 2021 | 6:25 pm

PARIS — Novak Djokovic predicted a “great battle” when he continues tennis’s most prolific rivalry in Friday’s French Open semifinal against claycourt king Rafa Nadal.

The pair have faced off 57 times with Djokovic leading 29-28. But Nadal has been his nemesis at Roland Garros winning seven of their eight clashes there including last year’s final which turned into a demolition job.

Unusually, they are meeting in a semifinal rather than a final, courtesy of Spaniard Nadal having dropped down to world number three and being placed in the same half of the draw as top seed Djokovic.

Should Djokovic manage to get the better of Nadal on Friday he will be favourite to take only his second French Open title having won it in 2016 when Nadal abandoned the tournament because of a wrist injury.

Since then Nadal has been unbeatable, extending his record title haul to a jaw-dropping 13.

“Obviously, it’s a well-anticipated semifinal,” Djokovic, who has 18 Grand Slam titles, two behind the men’s record shared by Nadal and Roger Federer, told reporters after beating heavy-hitting Italian Matteo Berrettini (6-3, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5) in an intense duel on Wednesday.

“It’s not like any other match. Let’s face it, it’s the biggest challenge that you can have playing on clay against Nadal on this court. It doesn’t get bigger than that.

“There’s that extra tension and expectations. The vibes are different walking on the court with him. But that’s why our rivalry has been historic I think for this sport.

“I’m confident. I believe I can win, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. Let’s have a great battle.”

Wednesday’s clash with Berrettini was played in front of a raucous 5,000 crowd, until the 11 p.m. curfew kicked in midway through the fourth set and the fans departed.

Friday’s match will no doubt be played in a similar atmosphere as the two warriors go head to head yet again.

“I thought the atmosphere was Davis Cup like, to be honest,” Djokovic said of the first night-session crowd permitted during the tournament, courtesy of a relaxation of Paris’s previous 9 p.m. COVID-19 curfew.

“It was a lot of fans involved, every single point cheering, screaming. Just electric atmosphere out there.”

Djokovic will be appearing in his 11^th Roland Garros semifinal when he faces Nadal, whose only defeats on the Parisian clay came against Djokovic in 2015 and Robin Soderling in 2009.

Nadal claimed his 105^th match win at the French Open when he beat Diego Schwartzman on Wednesday although he did drop a set for the first time since the 2019 final.

Looking ahead to Djokovic, he said: “It’s always a big challenge. That’s something that is good because we are living the sport for these moments. The negative thing, it’s difficult because you play against one of the best players in history.” — Reuters

Defending champion Świątek crashes out of French Open in quarterfinals

June 10, 2021 | 6:25 pm

PARIS — The curse of French Open defending champions continued as Iga Świątek was knocked out (6-4, 6-4) by Greek Maria Sakkari in the French Open quarterfinals, leaving the women’s draw wide open on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old Pole, who took an off-court medical time out early in the second set, was overwhelmed by Sakkari’s power and pace on court Philippe Chatrier with almost 5,000 spectators now allowed to attend.

World number nine Świątek , bidding to become the first woman to retain her title since Justine Henin in 2007, got off to a confident start but lacked her usual poise against Sakkari, who dictated most of the points and was greatly helped by her opponent’s unforced errors.

Sakkari, the world number 18, will take on Czech Barbora Krejcikova for a place in Saturday’s final.

Although she is the highest-ranked player left in the draw, 25-year-old Sakkari does not believe she is now the favorite for the title.

“The rest of the girls are playing extremely well. I think the draw has changed so much so it doesn’t really matter who was the highest ranked in this tournament,” she said.

“We’re four very good players. I don’t think the ranking matters, to be honest.”

Russian 31^st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (29) faces unseeded Slovenian Tamara Zidansek (23) in the other semifinal.

“I wouldn’t have done it without my team, their support. It’s still a long way to go but we made a huge step today,” Sakkari said on court after her compatriot Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the last four in the men’s draw on Tuesday.

“I just really enjoyed today. Before the start of the match, I spoke to myself and said ‘It’s an important match but just enjoy because this is one of the best stadiums in the world.’”

Świątek benefited from her opponent’s early nerves to go 2-0 up, but she was not exactly settled herself, allowing Sakkari to break back right away.

Świątek then found herself under constant pressure, and Sakkari broke back before stealing her serve again for 5-4 after forcing the Pole to misfire.

The defending champion struggled to cope with Sakkari’s brutal accelerations from the baseline and she showed her frustration on several occasions.

The Greek saved a break point in the 10^th game before sealing the set with a backhand winner to end Świątek ’s 22-set winning streak in Paris.

Świątek took a comfort break but her problems did not go away as she dropped serve in the first game of the second set with another forehand error.

Sakkari followed on serve to lead 2-0 and Świątek called the trainer on court with an apparent leg problem before taking an off-court medical time out.

She returned with a strap on her right thigh and held serve, but Sakkari stayed solid on her own service games.

Serving for the match at 5-4 Sakkari went 40-0 ahead and after Świątek saved two match points, she bowed on the third when her forehand sailed wide. — Reuters

Heat’s Pat Riley fined $25K for comments about LeBron James

June 10, 2021 | 6:25 pm

THE NBA fined Miami Heat president Pat Riley $25,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule with a comment he made about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

The league announced the fine on Wednesday.

Riley’s comment came June 4 when he was asked by a staff member of media personality Dan Le Batard about welcoming Dwyane Wade, now a part-owner of the Utah Jazz, back to the organization at some point. Riley mistakenly thought the question was about James, who spent for seasons with the Heat (2010-14).

“I would leave the key under the doormat if he would call me and let me know that he’s coming,” Riley said of James in remarks recorded to air on a Le Batard streaming show. “I would do that, but I doubt very much that key… That key is rusted now.

“LeBron, look, he’s one of the greatest of all time, and for four years down here, if we want to go back and remember what those four years were like, it was four years in the Finals, four years of excitement, two world championships…. It was the best time for the Heat. So I wish him nothing but the best, and if he ever wanted to come back, I’ll put a new shiny key under the mat.”

Riley then acknowledged his statement probably would draw a fine.

James, now 36, signed a two-year $85.66-million contract extension in December that keeps him in Los Angeles through the 2022-23 season. The Heat won back-to-back NBA championships in 2012 and 2013 with James, a 17-time All-Star and four-time league MVP, on the roster. — Reuters

Jazz C Rudy Gobert top defender for third time

June 10, 2021 | 6:25 pm

FRESH off a key defensive play in a victory to open a Western Conference semifinal series, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday.

Gobert became the fourth player to earn the honor at least three times, joining Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace, who it won four times, and Dwight Howard, who is another three-time winner.

Gobert also won the award during the 2017-18 season and in the 2018-19 campaign. Out of the 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who voted, the 28-year-old Gobert received 84 first-place votes and 464 points.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons was second with 287 points and 15 first-place votes. The Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green, who won the award after the 2016-17 season, was third with 76 points. A first-place vote was worth five points, with three for a second-place vote and one for third.

Gobert averaged 13.5 rebounds per game and led the NBA with 10.1 defensive rebounds per game. He also led the league with 190 blocked shots and was second in blocks per game at 2.7.

With the Jazz clinging to a 112-109 lead in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, Gobert blocked a last-second 3-point attempt by Marcus Morris, Sr. to seal the victory. Voting was based on regular-season performances only.

In a March 14 game against the Warriors, Gobert grabbed 28 rebounds to set a season high, and during a March 22 game against the Chicago Bulls, he blocked nine shots to set a career high in the category.

With Gobert taking up space in the middle of the lane with his size and length, the Jazz were third in the NBA this season in defensive rating at 107.5. and second in opponents’ field-goal percentage at 44.7.

The Jazz were the only team in the NBA’s regular season in the top five in both points scored (116.4) and points allowed (107.7). — Reuters