Ex-NBA star Stoudemire won’t play for Jerusalem next season
Former NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire speaks to a journalist during a basketball training session with his new club Hapoel Jerusalem in Jerusalem on October 7, 2016.Stoudemire, who followed a winding path from poverty to professional basketball fame in the United States, has embarked on a new journey. After an NBA career that began with great promise before being cut short by injuries, Stoudemire has decided to make Jerusalem his home, becoming the most famous name to ever join the Israeli league./ AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEXFormer NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire, who became the most famous name to join Israel’s basketball league when he signed with Hapoel Jerusalem last year, will not play for the team next season, the team said Sunday.The 34-year-old will return to his status as a minority owner of the team, Jerusalem spokesman David Bassan told AFP. He had sold his stake ahead of last season to be eligible to play.ADVERTISEMENT Pacquiao wants Horn rematch in the Philippines “I feel it is my time now to return to the shareholder’s position and help make this team even better.”Stoudemire came to Jerusalem after an NBA career that began with great promise was cut short by injuries, particularly to his knees.He described his decision as a spiritual quest, with the former New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns star identifying as a Hebrew Israelite, African-Americans who believe they descended from the ancient tribes of Israel.Stoudemire repeatedly expressed his excitement at being in Jerusalem, though he faced criticism earlier this year and apologised following a backlash over his comments he would avoid a gay teammate.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to give up royal titles Bishop Baylon encourages faithful in Albay to help Taal evacuees LATEST STORIES National Historical team rescues Amorsolos, artifacts from Taal Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks PLAY LIST 01:40Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks01:32Taal Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Search on for 5 Indonesians snatched anew in Lahad Datu Jerusalem won Israel’s premier league last season, with Stoudemire averaging 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Stoudemire addressed his decision in an Instagram post.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’“It has been a great ride for myself and my family. We enjoyed the city, its people, the holy places and of course Hapoel fans,” he said.“Although I would have liked to return for another season, the team, coach and I could not find a role that I felt would allow me to meaningfully contribute in the way I have always been accustomed to play.” Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ Police seize P68-M worth of ‘shabu’ in Pasay Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to give up royal titles Hotdog’s Dennis Garcia dies Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next View comments
Judy Ann’s 1st project for 2020 is giving her a ‘stomachache’ June 1991: The Koreas send a unified team to the FIFA World Youth Championship in Portugal. The team reaches the quarterfinals.___2000: Athletes from the two Koreas march together under a “unification flag” depicting their peninsula during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics. It’s the Koreas’ first such parade since their 1945 division.___FILE – In this Aug 7, 2016, file photo, South Korean gymnast Lee Eun-ju, right, and her North Korean counterpart Hong Un Jong shake hands and smile together for photographers during the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The photo captured global headlines, and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach describes it as a “great gesture.” (Kim Do-hoon/Yonhap via AP, File)2002: North Korea attends the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. The countries’ athletes conduct a joint march during the opening and closing ceremonies. North Korea sends a cheering group of young women. Dubbed the “squad of beauties” in South Korean media, they often draw more attention than the North’s athletes.___2003: North Korea participates in the University Games in Daegu, South Korea, and its athletes walk with their South Korean counterparts during the opening and closing ceremonies.___2004: Athletes from the two Koreas march jointly at the Athens Olympics.___ ___1988: Seoul hosts the Summer Olympics, and North Korea again boycotts.___April 1991: The Koreas send their first-ever unified male and female teams to the world table tennis championships in Chiba, Japan. The women’s team wins the championship by defeating the powerful Chinese.___ADVERTISEMENT 2005: North Korea attends the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships in Incheon, South Korea. Included in the North’s cheering squad is Ri Sol Ju, who is now the wife of Kim Jong Un.___2006: The two Koreas march together at the Turin Winter Olympics.___2007: Athletes from the two Koreas march together at the Asian Winter Games in Changchun, China, but have not done so since.___2014: North Korea attends the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. At the close of the event, three top North Korean officials make a surprise visit and hold the highest-level face-to-face talks with South Korea in five years.___2016: At the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, a 17-year-old South Korean gymnast takes a selfie with a North Korean gymnast while training for competition. The photo captures global headlines, and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach describes it as a “great gesture.”___ View comments 2017: North Korea’s taekwondo demonstration team visits South Korea for its first performance in the rival country in 10 years.___Jan. 1, 2018: North Korea’s Kim says in his New Year’s address that he is willing to send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Olympics.___Jan. 5, 2018: South Korea says North Korea has agreed to hold talks on how to cooperate for the Pyeongchang Games.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Redemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie Thompson Brian Heruela arrival bolsters Phoenix backcourt, defense Steve Kerr calls LaVar Ball ‘the Kardashian of the NBA’ Meralco ‘never the same’ after Almazan injury in PBA Finals There could be similar drama at next month’s Winter Olympics in the South Korean ski resort town of Pyeongchang, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un saying he’s willing to send a delegation to the games. The two Koreas will meet at their tense border on Tuesday to discuss how to cooperate on the Olympics.Some key moments in Korean sports ties:FEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folk___1986: Seoul, the South Korean capital, hosts the Asian Games. North Korea boycotts. Scottie Thompson also worthy of Finals MVP, thinks Cone SEOUL, South Korea — Despite the frosty political ties between their home countries, athletes from North and South Korea have sometimes produced emotional scenes of reconciliation at international sports events.They tearfully hugged after winning a world table tennis championship, drew a standing ovation while parading together at the opening of the Olympics and took a selfie with each other that captured international headlines.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina LATEST STORIES Top Pentagon general: US maintains ‘high levels of readiness’ regarding N. Korea PLAY LIST 01:11Top Pentagon general: US maintains ‘high levels of readiness’ regarding N. Korea00:50Trending Articles02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours
Nonito Donaire vs Naoya Inoue is BWAA 2019 Fight of the Year Even with the pullout of Meralco Manila and Ilocos United last month, PFL officials expressed confidence of a better season, following a compressed and extended 2017 competition.“We’re taking into account lessons from the first season to improve this year’s competitions,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, who sits in the league’s board. “We’re confident that even with six clubs, we will see much improved competition from the teams.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkA total of 75 matches will be staged this year with the champions of the League eligible to compete in the AFC Champions League next year. The champion of the PFL Cup, on the other hand, will gain outright entry to the AFC Cup. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Newsome sets focus on helping Bolts open new PBA season on right track The 2018 Philippines Football League season kicks off March 3 with six clubs disputing two trophies and the chance to represent the country in continental competitions next year.Reigning champion Ceres-Negros, fresh off a historic run in the AFC Champions League qualifying round, headlines the six-team field that includes Davao Aguilas, Kaya Makati, JPV Marikina, Stallion Laguna and Global Cebu.ADVERTISEMENT OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Nueva Ecija warehouse making fake cigarettes raided, 29 Chinese workers nabbed MOST READ Michael Porter Jr. stays patient as playing time increases Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew
Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next View comments Jerwin Ancajas: Relaxed and ready LATEST STORIES Almazan vows to comeback stronger after finals heartbreak
Michael Christian Martinez of the Philippines reacts as his score is posted following his performance in the men’s short program figure skating in the Gangneung Ice Arena at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)Though he failed to improve his standing in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Michael Christian Martinez is proud with his showing in the men’s figure skating given the circumstances he had to deal with.“With three weeks to prepare for PyeongChang and to be able to perform what I just did, that was just unbelievable,” he told INQUIRER.net in an online interview.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ LATEST STORIES Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Joint Koreas hockey team ends historic Olympic run Sea turtle trapped in net freed in Legazpi City Phivolcs records 2 ‘discrete weak ash explosions’ at Taal Volcano UK plans Brexit celebrations but warns businesses may suffer It may not have been enough to advance to the free skate round, where Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu claimed the gold medal, but Martinez was satisfied with what he was able to showcase.“A lot of people knew about it and very surprised that the fact I am back on doing my triple jumps again and be able to skate a clean program is truly something else,” he shared. “Usually it takes two to three months to get the jumps the way it was before, and need at least another two months of training to be able to prepare for a competition, but I only did it in three weeks.”With another Olympic experience under his belt, Martinez hopes that his showing would serve as an inspiration for the young figure skaters as he seeks to continue hoisting the Philippine flag in the Winter Games.“I really worked so hard for me to be able to do what I needed to do out there. I really am proud that I get to represent our country at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. To be part of this Olympic Journey is truly amazing,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Nueva Ecija warehouse making fake cigarettes raided, 29 Chinese workers nabbed Martinez, 21, wasn’t even supposed to make it to the Games after finishing eighth in the 2017 CS Nebelhorn Trophy, which served as an Olympic qualification last September.READ: Martinez finishes 28th, fails to advance to Olympics free stake roundFEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkBut after the pullout of Swedish figure skater Alexander Majorov, he was given the last quota spot and earned his ticket to PyeongChang.Despite the short notice, Martinez still pulled off a clean performance, scoring 55.56 in his short program performance, which was only good for 28th place among 30 competitors. GALLERY: Barangay Ginebra back as PBA Governors’ Cup kings Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Phivolcs records 2 ‘discrete weak ash explosions’ at Taal Volcano Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments
LATEST STORIES Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Jo Koy draws ire for cutting through Cebu City traffic with ‘wang-wang’ Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ Alab Pilipinas. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netAn epic championship series gets an explosive ending on Wednesday night as San Miguel Alab Pilipinas and Thailand’s Mono Vampire go at it one last time for the Asean Basketball League crown at Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Laguna.Game time is at 8 p.m.ADVERTISEMENT P16.5-M worth of aid provided for Taal Volcano eruption victims — NDRRMC ‘Stop romanticizing Pinoy resilience’ Green group flags ‘overkill’ use of plastic banderitas in Manila Sto. Niño feast The Filipino club got the split that it set out for in Bangkok, but coach Jimmy Alapag’s charges might rue the missed opportunity to close out the series Monday night when Alab committed a season-high 26 turnovers in an 88-83 defeat that forced the rubber match of this best-of-five series.“It’s just (now about) coming home and getting the championship at home,” two-time league MVP Ray Parks told Filipino scribes Monday night.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown
Thrilla in Malaysia fast shaping up MOST READ Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew View comments Scientists seek rare species survivors amid Australia flames Truck driver killed in Davao del Sur road accident Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding
Japeth Aguilar embraces role, gets rewarded with Finals MVP plum MOST READ Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Brandon Vera makes his return vs Italian challenger in ONE Manila card Palawan State University will have Zarah Javarez and April Sayang.The men’s division will include former UAAP champions KR Guzman and Ian Yee, Air Force’s Philip Nunez and Mike Abria, Army’s Joshua Barrica and Randy Flores, Manula Unicorns’ Neil Flores and Justin Santos, Wildcard’s Mikhail Shavrak and James Buytrago, and PSU’s Janry Corpuz and Allan Aborot.The winners in both divisions will receive P50,000.ADVERTISEMENT Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next LATEST STORIES View comments Eight women’s and eight men’s teams, including teams from Lio El Nido and Palawan State University, will compete over the weekend. BVR founder Charo Soriano will also return to action.“I’m back in the game and this will be the first time playing beach volleyball again and it feels so good,” said Soriano, who last played in the Santa Open, as she spent much of her time behind the scenes as an organizer.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissSoriano will reunite with teammate Bea Tan to form Perlas-1 for the sixth time this year and try to replicate their success in January when they won the Puerto Galera leg.Dzi Gervacio and Roma Doromal will form Perlas-2, Mariel Legaspi and Mae Crisostomo will play under the banner of Air Force 1 while Coyah Abanto and Jen Acain will be Air Force 2. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Beach Volleyball Republic On Tour is heading into one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines for its eighth leg this year on Saturday at Lio Beach in El Nido, Palawan.ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Gov’t to employ 6,000 displaced by Taal Allen Durham still determined to help Meralco win 1st PBA title Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Tim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown
MOST READ View comments Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Dallas Mavericks center DeAndre Jordan, right, celebrates with forward Harrison Barnes after scoring a basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, in Chicago. The Mavericks won 103-98. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — The Dallas Mavericks didn’t need a big contribution from Luka Doncic to beat the Chicago Bulls. Harrison Barnes and J.J. Barea took care of that.Barnes scored a season-high 23 points and the Mavericks overcame a sluggish performance by their prized rookie to beat the Bulls 103-98 Monday night.ADVERTISEMENT Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award UST star CJ Cansino takes ACL injury in stride: ‘God said rest a bit first’ LATEST STORIES Dallas’ bench outscored Chicago’s subs 44-26. “Our bench has been playing great for us all season,” Barnes said. “So it has been great to see them keep us in games, get us in games, finish games.”3-POINT WOESThe Bulls, who came into the game shooting 36.9 percent on 3-pointers, were 8 of 33. LaVine missed all six.TIP-INSMavericks: Mavericks G Wesley Matthews missed Monday’s game because of a strained left hamstring. Matthews did not travel to Chicago. He played 31 minutes in a win over Oklahoma City on Saturday. Coach Rick Carlisle says the Mavericks hope he can play Wednesday, when the Mavericks host Utah. … Jalen Brunson, who’s from suburban Lincolnshire, scored two points in his first NBA game in Chicago. … Carlisle said the Mavericks would have drafted Wendell Carter Jr. with the fifth overall pick this year had they not traded up to get Doncic at No. 3. Carter went to the Bulls at No. 7. “I see him as another coming of an Al Horford-type player,” Carlisle said.Bulls: The Bulls expect F Lauri Markkanen to miss more time than they initially anticipated because of a left elbow injury he suffered in the preseason. Coach Fred Hoiberg said Markkanen will likely wind up missing nine to 11 weeks. The Bulls initially thought he would be out six to eight weeks after he was hurt in practice in late September. Hoiberg said Markkanen still is experiencing some pain and is not shooting from long range. … Hoiberg said G Kris Dunn (sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee) has not started running on the court. He was hurt at Dallas on Oct. 22.UP NEXTMavericks: Host Utah on Wednesday.Bulls: Visit Boston on Wednesday. Barea added 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, and the Mavericks won for the third time in four games after losing six in a row, even though Doncic struggled. The leading scorer among NBA rookies, Doncic finished with 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting.“Sometimes, (Doncic)’s gonna have bad games,” Barea said. “He’s still young, and he can’t be great every game. So we’ve got to help him out.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissThe Mavericks led by as many as 14 points and never trailed after the first quarter. But they struggled to put this one away, with Chicago pulling within a point four times in the second half.Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 26 points. Jabari Parker scored all but two of his 16 points in the second half. Allen Durham still determined to help Meralco win 1st PBA title
Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? LaVine’s breakaway windmill dunk cut Dallas’ lead to 58-57, but Dennis Smith Jr. responded with a 3-pointer.“We came out too lackadaisical,” LaVine said. “We’ve got to come out and play better. We’ve got to have more energy.”It was 87-84 midway through the fourth when Smith hit a jumper and Barnes made two free throws to stretch the lead to seven points. Doncic hit a 3 with just over three minutes left to make it 96-88. After the Bulls got within four, Barnes made two free throws with 10.5 seconds left and the Mavericks hung on.“We’ve had a lot of tough losses this year, times where we were close and just couldn’t get over the hump, couldn’t make the right play,” Barnes said. “Things are finally starting to come together.”BENCH BOSSESADVERTISEMENT Tim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown Gov’t to employ 6,000 displaced by Taal Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Japeth Aguilar embraces role, gets rewarded with Finals MVP plum Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew
Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Rafale Nadal during the 2019 Australian Open. (AP Foto/Aaron Favila)MELBOURNE, Australia — Rafael Nadal has missed a lot of tennis since last September. He hasn’t missed a beat.The No. 2-seeded Nadal had a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 win over Australian wild-card entry James Duckworth on Monday in the first round of the Australian Open, his first match back on Rod Laver Arena since he had to retire in his quarterfinal match last year.ADVERTISEMENT High five Philippine Army to acquire MANPADS, self-propelled howitzers Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college LATEST STORIES View comments The 17-time major winner hasn’t played since retiring from his semifinal at the U.S. Open because of a knee injury, and then had surgery on his right ankle in November. He withdrew from a warm-up tournament in Brisbane in the first week of the season because of a muscle strain in his thigh.“Not easy to come back after a lot of months of competition, especially against a player playing super aggressive every shot,” Nadal said. “It’s very difficult to start after an injury — I know it very well. It’s very special to be back.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissWearing a sleeveless top, he showed no signs of any issues against Duckworth. His only hiccup came when he served for the match in the ninth game of the third set and was broken at love. He returned the favor very quickly, though, to seal his spot in the second round.Nadal has only lost twice in the first round at Grand Slams — to Steve Darcis at 2013 Wimbledon, and to Fernando Verdasco here in 2016 — and is aiming to be the first man in the Open era two win all four majors at least twice. Maria Sharapova has the second-best record among active women’s players in first-round matches at the majors, and she gave an illustration of why that’s the case with a ruthless 6-0, 6-0 win over Harriet Dart.The 2008 Australian Open champion got play started on Rod Laver Arena and needed only 63 minutes to advance.In her 15th trip to Melbourne Park and her 55th Grand Slam tournament, she’s acutely aware of the toll that the sun and long early matches can have on a player’s title ambitions, so she gets straight to business.The 22-year-old Dart, playing in the main draw of a major for only the second time after getting a wildcard to play last year at Wimbledon, only got a look at one break point in the match — when Sharapova served a double-fault in the second set. She got seven of her 29 points from Sharapova’s double-faults.Sharapova said she was still feeling pain in her right shoulder despite sitting out the end of last season after the U.S. Open.ADVERTISEMENT Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title
Tom Brady most dominant player in AFC championship history Japeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for Ginebra MOST READ In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ Boeing pitch to PH military: Get Apache, stop being ‘pushed around’ in WPS PLAY LIST 02:48Boeing pitch to PH military: Get Apache, stop being ‘pushed around’ in WPS00:50Trending Articles03:22SEA Games 2019: Charly Suarez stops Burmese foe, advances to boxing semi02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Stung by a first-round loss at Wimbledon last year, Sharapova said she couldn’t afford to feel any empathy for Dart.“I mean, there is no time for that, I’m sorry to say … when you’re playing the first round of a Grand Slam,” she said. “I think I was just focused on not having a letdown.“I think it’s very easy to be in a position where things are flowing, you know, you’re doing all the right things, she’s making a few errors, you’re comfortable, easy to get complacent, and, you know, complacency is not great. I was glad that I did the right things from the beginning till the end.”Up next for Sharapova is Rebecca Peterson, who beat Sorana Cirstea, 6-4, 6-1.Also advancing were 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, No. 11 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 19 Caroline Garcia, No. 29 Donna Vekic and No. 31 Petra Martic.Danielle Collins advanced to the second round of a major for the first time following a 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win over No. 14-seeded Julia Goerges, who won the title in Auckland to start the season.Katie Boulter earned the distinction of winning the first 10-point tiebreaker under the Australian Open’s new system for deciding sets.Boulter beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (6), including 10-6 in the tiebreaker. The new rule was introduced to ensure matches don’t get too lengthy — previously the third set in women’s matches and the fifth set in men’s matches at the Australian Open had to be decided by a two-game advantage.Fifth-seeded Kevin Anderson won his first match at Melbourne Park since 2015 when he beat Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. Also advancing on the men’s side were No. 19 Nikoloz Basilashvili and No. 26 Fernando Verdasco.Defending champions Caroline Wozniacki and Roger Federer were scheduled to play night matches later Monday. Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines?
Japeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for Ginebra “I’m just one guy who has a voice and trying to use his platform in a good way,” said Ross during the Players’ Orientation Friday at Meralco Theater. “Hopefully, I could reach one person that’s going through something.”“All it takes is one person to reach, hopefully I could reach one and they could reach another person and we just keep going on from there.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissSPORTSCoronation night?SPORTSThirdy Ravena gets offers from Asia, Australian ball clubsRoss joined retired Alaska captain Tony dela Cruz in tackling mental health not only within the league but also outside of it.The two athletes said anyone could suffer from it and one step in helping those in need is to talk openly about the topic. Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next View comments Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? Ross said he had a close friend who took his own life because of his issues regarding his mental health, a predicament that could’ve been avoided if someone just listened.“Once that happened to my friends in the States and to my friends out here, I felt like I could use that platform [being a PBA All-Star] to talk about it,” said Ross. “You never know who’s watching, you never know who’s listening.”“Hopefully, they could use those words and won’t be scared to reach out to someone and try to get up.”ADVERTISEMENT Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Tom Brady most dominant player in AFC championship history Philippine Army to acquire MANPADS, self-propelled howitzers Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ MOST READ Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award San Miguel Beer guard Chris Ross. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netMANILA, Philippines—With the PBA opening its doors to its players to talk about mental health, San Miguel star guard Chris Ross said it’s the start of an advocacy that would eventually reach more people in the coming future.Ross, who’s openly discussed mental health before, said he’s fortunate to have a platform in the PBA to elaborate an issue often shunned away due to a stigma that surrounds people who suffer from mental health issues.ADVERTISEMENT PBA is here to help its players on and off court, says Willie Marcial Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title LATEST STORIES Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. 
Jefferson Dahn, who is accused of stabbing to death Antoinette Nettie Peters, took the witness stand, on Thursday June 5, alleging that the victim was murdered by her boyfriend, Bonfrer Adidee, a Ugandan UNMIL civilian staff.Dahn, a private security guard employed by Adidee, was indicted for allegedly murdering Nettie in early January 2013.Testifying in the murder case at Criminal Court ‘A’ at the Temple of Justice, defendant Dahn explained that while he was performing his normal duty, his bossman, Adidee, approached him and said he wanted him, Dahn, to do something for him.He alleged that Adidee did not tell him what he Adidee wanted him (Dahn) to do during the discussion.Instead, he asked him to open the compound gate, got into his vehicle and left that morning for work at the UNMIL head office.Following his departure, Dahn further alleged that the victim, Nettie asked him to buy her a Comium scratch card, which, according to him, he did, but was gone for several hours.He claimed that before leaving the compound, he left the gate key with the victim.He also explained to the court that after he returned with the scratch card, he met the compound locked and he decided to knock on the gate.Surprisingly, he claimed, his boss Adidee, who had left for work, opened the gate and asked him to enter the compound.When he entered, Dahn alleged Adidee asked him where he was coming from.“And I answered him that Nettie sent me to buy her scratch card,” Dahn explained to the Court.“He instructed me to follow him into his living room, and I did,” Dahn further narrated.When both of them entered the living room, Dahn alleged that Adidee asked him to go in his bed room and bring Nettie outside.“I refused to obey his order and asked him since I started work with him, he had never asked us to do such a thing. Why it is that he wants me to do that,” the defendant further alleged.Dahn claimed that after he refused to bring Nettie outside of Adidee’s bedroom, his bossman offered a dell laptop, two phones and a bag containing US$600, but he again refused the offer.He further claimed that the UNMIL staff also left his bundle of key with him, but could not say what he wanted him to do with the keys.While he and Adidee were in the living room, Dahn alleged that his UNMIL bossman said to him, “Dahn go bring two glasses, which I did.”The Defendant in his testimony alleged that when brought the two glasses to Adidee, he (Adidee) asked him to open his freezer (ice box) and bring to him a bottle of juice, which he did.“Adidee took the bottle of juice and put it into the two glasses and asked both of us to drink.”After drinking the juice, Dahn alleged “I fell asleep in his living room, and upon waking up I could not see anyone, neither hear a voice.”He added, “While sitting in the living room, it was when I saw blood spreading from Adidee’s room into the living room.”“I then took the bundle of key and opened the door, and it was when I saw Nettie lying on the floor dead,” defendant Dahn explained to the court.“I hurriedly came outside and called one of my friends, Nickerson Tomah, and I explained everything that had happened in the compound to him.”Closing arguments are to follow on a date yet to be announced by the Court, after which the jury will render its verdict.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Whoever thought Ghanaian Fetish Priest Kwaku Bonsam was a mad man when he credited a Ronaldo injury to the powers of his Ghanaian god must be amuzed with the latest news coming out of Brazil.Just after Priest Bonsam took credit for Ronaldo’s injury, the Portuguese recovered enough to even score his country’s second goal in their 2-1 victory against the Black Stars.But then it is interesting that wherever Africans are resided, whether in the jungles of South America or the Amazon of Brazil, the distance hardly matters. In African communities, many of the diseases that Western medicine has cured are still attributed to witchcraft on the part of relatives.The latest information from Brazil is that as Germany prepares to take on host, Brazil in their semi-final match in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a local voodoo priest, Helio Sillman, has announced he has been working to curse the Germans so that his country, Brazil can xxzxzqwin the encounter today in Belo Horizonte.Sillman, according to a report by the AFP is against one of the leading scorers on the German team. AFP also reported that Sillman has performed his ritual before every game that Brazil has played so far.”I’ll take their top player and bind his legs so he can’t run on the pitch,” said Sillman, referring to the voodoo doll of an undisclosed German player that will be cursed in a ceremony before the game.In his shop ‘World of Orixas’ in the northern neighborhood of Madureira, Sillman carries out a ritual before each Selecao game.Using a small football pitch-shaped box as his alter, he puts inside lit candles in the colors of the opposing team and the voodoo doll of their most important player.Interestingly, it is worth noting that Sillman’s work didn’t protect Neymar from suffering a back injury against Colombia.Additionally, Sillman’s target in the Colombia game, James Rodriguez, scored a goal and was one of the game’s key players in the World Cup quarter-final, even if Brazil managed to pull off the victory.The other semi-final match is tomorrow between Netherlands and Argentina in Sao Paolo at Arena de Sao Paolo. The two losers will clash on July 12 in Brasília at the Estado Nacional before the winners will clash on July 13 in Brasilia at the Maracana Stadium.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has ordered an inquiry into an allegation that Robert Sirleaf voted in the November 4, 2014, mid-term senatorial election in the United States of America, which if true might disqualify him from contesting the December 16, special senatorial election here in Liberia.Mr. Robert Sirleaf is a senatorial candidate for Montserrado County and a son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He recently filed a lawsuit against his mother’s executive order #65, which is yet to be decided upon by the Supreme Court of Liberia.NEC had received the complaint from lawyers representing two political parties, Movement for Progress Change (MPC) and the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Counselors Laveli Supuwood and Lofer Kaneah, respectively, that they have documentary evidence that Robert voted in the democratic primary in North Caroline on May, 4 2014, in the USA.They also allege that Mr. Sirleaf never applied in America for the revocation of his U.S. citizenship.The parties were among several individuals and civil society groups that resisted NEC and the government’s handling of the December 16 special senatorial election, on which the Supreme Court’s Justice in Chambers has placed a stay order.In response to Robert’s citizenship issue, NEC Chairman Jerome G. Korkoya, has written to one of the Counselors, Kaneah, stating that “in keeping with the practice of the Commission and due to the seriousness of the matter raised in your letter under reply, I have referred your complaint to the Independent Hearing Officer, Attorney Muana Ville for investigation.“Attorney Ville will cite the parties for a hearing as soon as he returns from his tour of the Southeast where he is conducting training for hearing officers in the special senatorial election,” the NEC response read.In conclusion, the communication said, “I want to thank you for brining the matter to the attention of the Commission and to encourage you not to relent in alerting the Commission on any violation of the laws governing the electoral process.”Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Ebola Survivor, Robert Kpoto (looking up)D’Geedawoi Johnson stopped just long enough to look back and share a smile with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers waiting beside the Ebola survivor board for the release of the next patient. Johnson, 46, a father of 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, and wife Sadatu, 32, was grateful for the treatment at the Monrovia Medical Unit (MMU), but was anxious to get home. He was full of energy and ready to return to his work as a Drug Dispenser and Contact Tracer. He said, “Ever since I experienced the illness of Ebola all I could think about was death.” He added that after being infected and then getting the news that he was negative, he felt encouraged to tell others about MMU. “I would be happy if I can be of any kind of assistance to you all. I want to get out in the field and get the message out there because I have been saved,” Johnson said. He became infected while providing care to Ebola victims, a US Embassy release said.With a bag over his shoulder and a smile, he promised to send a message to others. “Whenever you feel any sign or symptoms of the disease, don’t waste time; get to the center because that will help you more.”The curtain peeled back and another survivor, Robert Kpoto, appeared through the MMU’s Ebola survivor discharge exit. After receiving a gift from his co-worker, Jacob, and working with MSF for approximately 5 years as a Physician Assistant, Robert looked towards heaven and thanked God, ready to return home to wife, Famata, and their two children, daughter, 11, and son, 7. He also thanked the U.S. Public Health Service Corps. A medical provider for 15 years, he understands the importance of saying thanks to those providing care to others. When LTJG D’Addeo approached Robert to introduce herself for the first time without wearing Personal Protective Equipment, he said, “I am truly blessed that you came over here to assist and helped save my life,” said the US Embassy release. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Dear Editor,Since Tuesday was Diwali and a national holiday, there was no statutory meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). I have made two calls to the Chairman; one Monday and another earlier Tuesday, to impress upon him the need for a meeting of the full Commission in view of the fact that D-day is just concluded, and the main elections are to take place next Monday, November 12, 2018.On Monday, the Chairman agreed to address his mind to the issue and Tuesday he also agreed to ‘see what the others think’ about my suggestion that Thursday at 13:00h (1 pm) would be a good time for the meeting. I am still waiting for any notice of any meeting.But folks, perhaps you are now wondering why I am writing this even though there was no meeting. Well, I have seen and read a very interesting letter published in a section of the media on Tuesday November 6, 2018, written by my fellow GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander.This follows one written on a much earlier date by Commissioner Desmond Trotman, whose letter I decided to ignore because it was so racially charged and sychophantic of the Chairman. I thought that Trotman’s whole letter should be instructive to the Ethnic Relations Commission in their investigation of the hiring practices at GECOM, so I prefer not to challenge Trotman’s assertions about which manager at GECOM is Indian and which is not.Now, here is Vincent Alexander, who seems to be accusing me of my most noteworthy ‘omission of the most important issue that was interrogated/discussed at the meeting’ in my last letter and then asserting that I omitted to mention the matter because ‘suffice it to say that the officer responsible for that matter is kith and kin to her and has been openly favoured by her in past events’!!!Vincent Alexander’s letter accuses me of being unethical and suggests that my weekly reports on the GECOM statutory meetings ‘may well put Commissioners and staff in harm’s way of overzealous political activists’!! What absolute nonsense. Now he is feeling threatened by my factual reporting of the GECOM meetings? Come on Vincent, don’t you think your comment is a wee bit farfetched? And then you suggest that ‘given the nature of GECOM’s undertakings’ my reports ‘may discredit and undermine the work of the organisation’? Really?For too long Commissioner Alexander, throughout your 11 years at GECOM and perhaps even before then, to the regular citizen of Guyana, GECOM seemed to have been run like a secret society and from your comments you seem to want it to go on being some sort of Lodge, but it is my view that since the work of GECOM affects the life and well-being of every single citizen, then people have a need to know. When I was appointed Commissioner of GECOM in September 2015, I took an oath to “execute the functions of that office without fear or favour, affection or ill will’ and I have faithfully kept that oath.One of the first observations I made was that GECOM is the most distrusted organisation in Guyana and since then I have come to realise that the people had good reason for that distrust. I have made a conscious effort to try to gain the trust of the electorate of Guyana. I have tried speaking openly at meetings asking for information to be shared with stakeholders. I have tried to speaking at press briefings and press conferences, addressing issues which needed to be exposed, but there are persons like Vincent Alexander and Desmond Trotman among others who think that GECOM’s work is somehow secret and must be kept from the public at all costs. I beg to differ. GECOM’s decisions and activities affect all Guyanese and there can be no secrets.I reserve the right to account to the people of Guyana, whom I serve at all times, and no one, not Vincent Alexander, not Desmond Trotman, no one, will guilt trip me, coerce me, or otherwise stop me from telling the people of Guyana what they need to know. I write as I see things and others can write too if they have the capacity or wish to do so. I have never been anything but ethical. I do not misreport.I write on issues which I think should be reported and if I omit to report on any matter which was discussed, it is because I think it is of no moment Commissioner Alexander, and I assure you Sir, that my ‘kith and kin’ are those related to me by blood and close ties, and none of them is employed at GECOM. I challenge anyone to identify my lineage, much less try to accuse me of shielding officers of GECOM who are my ‘kith and kin’, a term of art in the Guyanese context, which has always been used to identify those who belong to the same racial group.Until after the next statutory meeting folks. And yes, I do intend to continue reporting to the people of Guyana to whom I have a fiduciary duty.Sincerely,Bibi Safora ShadickCommissioner – GECOM
Dear Editor,The Leader of the Opposition Dr Bharat Jagdeo has once again displayed his trademark quality of astuteness and high class political maturity as he made a bold move to avoid not only a constitutional crisis but an economic one in the making as well. As he outlined in his press conference, it is the duty of both the Government and the Opposition to inspire confidence in society in the face of the mounting uncertainties being faced following the passing of the no-confidence motion against the coalition Government. He indicated that strong and mature actions by both parties are essential to remove such insecurities. The populace wants speedy justice!However, it is quite disappointing to the point of utter disgust that the State-owned newspaper continues to twist the outcome of the no-confidence motion and now the meeting between Jagdeo and Granger to highlight in its front pages that the “Government rejects Jagdeo’s request to withdraw legal challenge to no-confidence vote”. What should be highlighted is the fact that Dr Jagdeo stated that once the Government intends to pursue the course of legal action then both parties must a joint statement requesting the Court to deal with the matter expeditiously since there is a constitutional timeframe given which is 90 days. There is a famous legal maxim which says that “justice delayed is justice denied” and this is exactly what the Leader of the Opposition was referring to. We have seen this being echoed by Guyanese diplomat and academic Sir Ronald Sanders who said that the Courts must act expeditiously since it is a matter of grave national importance and should not take more than a week. He concluded that the political anxiety and tension is not a good thing and the supreme law should not be vilified. The State-media is financed by taxpayers’ dollars and must be in the forefront to ease this type of tension, not to ignite and fuel it. Even in its dying throes this Government is squandering our monies!Moreover, it would seem that the State resources are now being used against Guyanese who want to preserve the sovereignty of our Constitution. Those resources should be directed towards a speedy resolution of the constitutional questions before the court. The selfish attempts by some members of the coalition Government to brainwash Guyanese and hold them at ransom will only push them further down the precipice of ignominy to the point of no return. In addition, the AFC duo, Nagamootoo and Ramjattan are now expressing hues and cries far above the normal decibel in a final effort to gain some recognition from the PNC. They failed at the recently concluded LGE!GECOM had signaled just after the passing of the no-confidence motion that they are prepared for an early election within the constitutional time frame. This was according to Public Relations Officer of GECOM, Yolanda Ward who was adamant that, “it is our Constitutional mandate to conduct the General and Regional Elections and the Local Government Elections whenever they are constitutionally due; so whether it is in 90 days then it is GECOM’s responsibility to conduct elections”. This was published in the Guyana Chronicle on December 27, 2018. I wish our ‘fit and proper’, GECOM Chairman a speedy recovery to facilitate the electoral process in 90 days!Yours sincerely,Haseef YusufRDC CouncillorRegion 6
Two days after Tactical Services Unit (TSU) rank Akeem Hyles went missing in the Potaro River, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) after the boat he was travelling in capsized, his body is yet to be recovered.Dead: Special Constable Akeem HylesSpecial Constable 14536 Hyles, 22, of New Amsterdam, Berbice, was in a boat with several other persons when the vessel capsized sometime around noon on Friday at Amatuk Falls area. His body was not recovered.When contacted on Saturday, Commander of F Division (Interior locations), Rabindranauth Budhram related that the search was still on to locate the missing rank. He noted that a team of officers travelled to the area on Saturday morning and are expected to camp out there until the body surfaces.“Some civilians and Police Officers are there camping out in the area where the accident occured… they have to wait until the body float up so they can retrieved it, so that’s what’s happening now,” he stated.However, Commander Budhram noted that there is a possibility that the current of the water might have moved the body from the area. “We are not certain whether the body will remain there, sometimes with the current of the water, it might move and gone somewhere else so they have to traverse the river and see,” he noted.Hyles was in the boat with other Police ranks, members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and representatives of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on Friday heading to conduct raids on illegal mining camps in the area, when the boat came into contact with rough terrain and subsequently capsized.According to the Police, Hyles had departed the Ogle International Airport on Friday morning along with the other members of the Joint Services, who were dispatched to assist the GGMC officials in dealing with illegal mining that was being carried out in the Kaieteur National Park area.The Guyana Police Force extended sincere condolences to the parents, relatives and friends of Special Constable Akeem Hyles.Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman in a subsequent statement expressed his condolences to the Force and the family of Hyles. Trotman said he is saddened by this unfortunate incident and his prayers are with the relatives of the missing rank.