Latest news with #181
New Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: HK actor Jacky Heung settles RM757k debt with Macau casino
HONG KONG: Actor Jacky Heung was recently sued by Macau casino operator MGM China over an outstanding gambling debt of HK$1.4 million (approximately RM757,181), according to a court document filed earlier this month. However, the casino giant has since confirmed that the debt has been fully settled and all legal proceedings terminated, as reported by the South China Morning Post. According to court document, Heung borrowed HK$2mil from MGM Grand Paradise, a subsidiary of MGM China, on Dec 1, 2024, which was then converted into betting chips. It also said that the 40-year-old, who is the son of Hong Kong actor Charles Heung, had only repaid some of the money and owed the casino HK$1.4mil. "The matter involving Mr Jacky Heung Cho arose from a credit guarantee he provided for a third party. Due to overdue payments not being made, MGM China subsequently initiated standard legal procedures to address the related matters," MGM China said in a statement on Wednesday. "Recently, all payments have been fully settled, and the corresponding legal procedures have been terminated. "But in view of the inconvenience and distress this incident has caused Mr Jacky Heung Cho, our company sincerely requests that all inaccurate or speculative reporting be curbed," the statement added. Jacky Heung, acting as a credit guarantor, was not mentioned in the court document.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Jacky Heung sued over RM757K gambling debt, case now settled says Macau casino
Photo: Jacky Heung/Instagram Hong Kong actor Jacky Heung (pic) was sued by Macau casino operator MGM China for an outstanding gambling debt of HK$1.4mil (RM757,181), according to a court document filed earlier this month. The casino giant has since confirmed the debt has been fully settled and all legal proceedings have been terminated, reported South China Morning Post. According to court document, Heung borrowed HK$2mil from MGM Grand Paradise, a subsidiary of MGM China, on Dec 1, 2024, which was then converted into betting chips. It also stated that the 40-year-old, who is the son of Hong Kong actor Charles Heung, had only repaid some of the money and owed the casino HK$1.4mil. 'The matter involving Mr. Jacky Heung Cho arose from a credit guarantee he provided for a third party. Due to overdue payments not being made, MGM China subsequently initiated standard legal procedures to address the related matters,' MGM China said in a statement on Wednesday. 'Recently, all payments have been fully settled and the corresponding legal procedures have been terminated. But in view of the inconvenience and distress this incident has caused Mr Jacky Heung Cho, our company sincerely requests that all inaccurate or speculative reporting be curbed," the statement added. Jacky Heung acting as a credit guarantor was not mentioned in the court document, according to SCMP.
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
21% hike in defence budget
In response to mounting security threats and recent military escalation with India, the federal government on Tuesday proposed a substantial 21 per cent increase in the defence budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 – a move that garnered cross-party support. The proposed allocation of Rs2,550 billion marks a sharp rise from the outgoing fiscal year's original defence budget of Rs2,128 billion. The revised figure for the current year stands at Rs2,181 billion, reflecting the financial strain of last month's four-day military standoff with India, during which both countries exchanged missiles and drones for the first time since becoming nuclear powers. The increase in Pakistan's defence spending this year outpaces the average annual rise of 1015 per cent seen in recent years, driven largely by what officials term a "radically altered regional security environment". India's 2025-26 defence budget has been set at $78.7 billion — a 9.5 per cent increase — with $21 billion earmarked for the procurement of new military equipment. According to the budget documents, Pakistan's defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP will rise to 1.97 per cent, up from last year's 1.71 per cent. The figures exclude Rs742 billion allocated for pensions of retired military personnel and Rs300 billion for the Armed Forces Development Programme. A breakdown of the proposed Rs2,550 billion allocation shows: Rs846 billion set aside for salaries and employee-related expenses; Rs704 billion for operating expenses; Rs663 billion for procurement of arms, ammunition and related equipment — both domestic and imported — and Rs336 billion for civil works and infrastructure development. While all three services — the army, navy, and air force — will receive budgetary increases, the Pakistan Army continues to command the largest share due to its size and operational responsibilities. The budget hike comes in the wake of unprecedented hostilities last month, triggered by India's allegations that Pakistan was behind the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan categorically denied any involvement. The two countries exchanged drones and missiles before agreeing to a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10, which held despite India later rejecting Washington's mediation and insisting its military campaign — dubbed "Operation Sindoor" — was merely paused. During the conflict, Pakistan downed six Indian fighter jets and one UAV. Islamabad has since warned that any future violation of its sovereignty would be met with a swift and forceful response. India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has adopted a more aggressive posture, declaring that any future attack could be treated as an act of war. Defence analysts argue that the strategic landscape has changed. With India effectively lowering the threshold for conflict, Pakistan's defence planners are increasingly focused on acquiring next-generation technologies, including fifth-generation fighter jets from China, advanced drones and cyber warfare capabilities. In past years, debates over balancing defence spending with development priorities were common. However, in the current context of heightened military alert and geopolitical uncertainty, the latest budget has drawn little public criticism. Experts warn that absent a credible peace process and sustained diplomatic engagement, the region risks being caught in a costly and dangerous arms race.
Pink Villa
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Wind Breaker Chapter 181: Sakura's Doubts Revealed—Recap, Release Date, Where To Read And More
The last Wind Breaker chapter, titled 'Yugo Wanijima,' begins with Wanijima addressing Sakura. He mentions how often Togame talks about him, and encourages Sakura to remain close to Togame. Sakura, confused, asks who Wanijima is. Before he can get an answer, Choji Tomiyama, Umemiya, and others arrive. Tomiyama introduces Wanijima as a dependable friend and confirms his return to Shishitoren. The group reveals Wanijima ranks third strongest among them. After moving to The Cage, Togame praises Sakura's potential, but Sakura appears visibly unsettled by the remark about him becoming Furin's top. Expected plot in Wind Breaker Chapter 181 Wind Breaker Chapter 181 is likely to begin with Togame asking about Sakura's sudden discomfort. Sakura will likely clarify the situation as he confronts his current feelings about the idea of becoming Furin's strongest. He may mention a shift in his priorities or a growing uncertainty. Suo, Nirei, and Umemiya may then join them, leading to a larger discussion at The Cage. This gathering could trigger the start of Sakura's backstory, or at minimum, hint at unresolved issues tied to his past and his motivations for joining Furin. Wind Breaker Chapter 181: Release date and where to read Wind Breaker Chapter 181 is set to be released on June 4, 2024, at 12 am JST. Fans can access the new chapter on Kodansha's K Manga website, which is the official platform for reading the series in English. Currently, the manga service is only available in select countries such as the US, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, India, and Brazil. Wind Breaker Chapter 181 can be enjoyed through both the mobile app and website. Fans have the option of accessing free chapters on the platform, though these lag behind the latest releases. Weekly updates for the free chapters are available every Wednesday. For more updates from the Wind Breaker manga, stay tuned to Pinkvilla.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
AP: Jagan accuses CM Naidu of financial mismanagement, targets 'yellow media' for bias
Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], May 22 (ANI): Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the current TDP-led government in the State, accusing Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of failing to deliver on pre-election promises and engaging in financial mismanagement. The former chief minister also took aim at what he called the 'yellow media' for biased reporting in favour of the ruling party. 'I am not only fighting against Chandrababu Naidu but also against the 'yellow media',' Reddy said in a press conference. 'Before the elections, Naidu promised development, welfare, and income generation. He even claimed that Andhra Pradesh was turned into Sri Lanka during my regime. But now, let us examine what he has actually done in the last 11 months. He did not implement welfare schemes to the beneficiaries,' he added. He claimed that his government successfully managed the state even during the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic. 'Despite the crisis, both investments and GDP increased during that time and throughout our (YSRCP) tenure,' the YSRCP chief said. He said that in just 11 months, the state's revenue saw a growth rate of 3.08%. This is an important figure the public should be aware of, he said. 'The gross tax and non-tax revenues of the central government in FY 2024-25 (up to February 2025) amounted to Rs36,97,545 crore. In FY 2023-24 (up to February 2024), it was Rs32,50,181 crore. This reflects a total growth rate of 13.76% at the central level,' he said. Reddy said that under the coalition government led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, additional borrowings of Rs30,100 crore were made. 'Capital expenditure declined by 17.80%, and most of the budgetary expenditure is being funnelled into the pockets of CM Chandrababu Naidu's associates,' he said. 'During the YSRCP government, even when accounting for all forms of liabilities, the total increase amounted to Rs3,32,671 crore over five years. In comparison, the liabilities in just the first year of the TDP government have risen by Rs1,37,546 crore, which is 41% of the total borrowings made during the entire five-year YSRCP term,' he added. He said that borrowings secured specifically for Amaravati amount to Rs3,10,000 crore. 'Chandrababu Naidu has been involved in a financial deal amounting to Rs11,000 crore with Access Energy India Pvt. Ltd. This agreement is for 400 megawatts of power at an annual cost of Rs210 crore, with a tariff of Rs4.60 per kWh,' he alleged. The YSRCP chief said that on 31st July 2024, SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India) invited tenders for the procurement of power with an assured four-hour daily supply during peak hours. The tariff discovered and the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) executed were at Rs3.53 per kWh. 'During our (YSRCP) regime, the Andhra Pradesh Government executed a Power Supply Agreement (PSA) with SECI for power supply at Rs2.49 per kWh, with a complete ISTS (Inter-State Transmission System) waiver,' he said. (ANI)
