| Salmond snared in donor row
ALEX SALMOND was last night fending off political attacks over his personal intervention to help a party donor win planning approval for an £80 million development in Aviemore. The first minister called his most senior planning official last month at a time when the development, backed by a hotelier who gave the SNP £30,000, looked at risk of collapsing because of a delay in the planning process. His environment minister, Michael Russell, then contacted the chief executive of the green quango responsible for the delay to question the public body's stance. The project was approved days later after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) withdrew its concerns about the scheme. .
Realtors, Giants step into finals
Purefoods Tender Juicy and Sta. Lucia Realty, stalled in their bids Friday, won't be totally denied, both coming out composed in a do-or-die game Sunday night to arrange a best-ever title confrontation. The Giants and the Realtors knocked out the Red Bulls and the Alaska Aces, respectively, to advance to the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finale. Before a roaring crowd of over 17,000 at the Araneta Coliseum, the Giants drubbed the Bulls, 83-71, while the Realtors clobbered the Aces, 92-84, living up to their top seeding after topping the double-round eliminations. James Yap erupted for 28 points while Marc Pingris came through with a double-double game with 18 points and 14 rebounds, leading Purefoods to its 12th All-Filipino finals.
Today's markets
Indexes in Toronto and New York recovered from losses in the hundreds of points on reports that New York state insurance regulators were meeting with U.S. banks on Wednesday. "There is this discussion that perhaps somewhere along the way they're going to provide some help and try to relieve the pressure on these bond insurers which would improve the outlook for the whole situation," said Fred Ketchen, manager of equity trading at Scotia Capital. Markets had been deeply in the red for most of the session as doubt grew that the surprise three-quarter-point cut in interest rates announced by the U.S. Federal Reserve Tuesday would be enough to stave off a recession in the U.S. But Toronto's S&P/TSX composite index came back from a slide of over 400 points to close 16.5 points higher to 12,657.38, after losing more than 400 points around midday on disappointing earnings reports from the tech sector and another dive in energy stocks also .
February 2007 Archives
The actor said the physical demands of the 10-week competition are just too much for him. "When I initially committed to joining Dancing with the Stars, I didn't realize just how physically demanding it would be for me. Unable to put forth my best effort, I felt it appropriate to step aside and give someone else the opportunity." No word on who his replacement will be. Old Vinny only got through one week of rehearsals. The joke here is so obvious, and I'm much too much of a lady to make it. Wink, wink. .
Here’s where sporty youngsters have a ball
The sports culture in the Capital is growing ever so rapidly. One can see young children playing gully cricket or engrossed in a game of badminton in their colonies; practicing karate kicks in the district parks or tackling the ball wearing fake Ronaldinho jerseys.
There are many platforms for a beginner to learn and hone his talent in the city. From endless cricket academies to a dingy dimly-lit boxing hall, there is no dearth of facilities to practice any sport. With more and more DDA Sports Complexes coming up in the city, sports infrastructure in the city simply has multiplied over the years.
Cricket
Delhi has a number of cricket academies. It is no surprise that more and more inter-school tournaments are being organised to encourage children and make them realise their potential.
|
