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Miami Herald
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis reflects on first summer league experience: ‘I learned a lot'
Summer league was quite the experience for Miami Heat rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis. There was some good and there was some bad. Most importantly, there was plenty to learn from. 'I'm happy to have this experience,' Jakucionis said at the end of his first summer league after being taken by the Heat with the 20th pick in the first round of last month's draft. 'I think we learned a lot as a team. Also for me individually, I think I learned a lot and just gaining experience every time is good. So I'm just trying to take it all in from coaches, from players who have been here. I'm just trying to listen and trying to take as much information as I can.' The 19-year-old Jakucionis struggled at times, like when he totaled just 12 points on 1-of-15 from the field, 0-of-11 shooting from three-point range and 10-of-12 shooting from the foul line in his first three summer league games at the California Classic. Jakucionis also flashed the intriguing upside that led some to project him to be a lottery pick in the draft before he fell to the Heat at No. 20, recording an efficient 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 shooting on threes, four rebounds, four assists and two steals in the Heat's first game of Las Vegas Summer League. In the end, Jakucionis averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.7 turnovers per game while shooting 14 of 44 (31.8%) from the field and 6 of 28 (21.4%) from three-point range in six appearances during his uneven but important summer league showing. He only missed two of the Heat's eight summer league games this year, including being held out of Friday's 93-92 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Las Vegas to wrap up summer league with a 4-4 overall record — 2-1 at the California Classic and 2-3 at Las Vegas Summer League. 'The organization had seen what they needed to see from Kas, and he played his amount of games,' Heat assistant coach and summer league head coach Eric Glass said of the organization's decision to sit Jakucionis for Friday's summer league finale. 'And we're trying to get some other guys in there. 'But I think the biggest takeaway from Kas is we got to learn him, he got to learn us. We got some stuff on tape. And now we have seven, eight weeks to get him better, to get him ready for the start of the season and to improve his skills. And that was good. It's important to have that learning process and help him understanding as a 19-year-old what it's going to be like to play professional basketball against grown men in the NBA. And he's ready for that challenge and we're excited.' Jakucionis didn't shoot the ball well during summer summer league and he totaled 15 assists to 22 turnovers during his six summer league appearances. But he was able to make an impact in other ways by drawing enough fouls to go 23 of 25 at the free-throw line and also impressing with his hustle and defense during summer league. 'That was a good teaching point for him and we were all encouraged by the mental makeup he had,' Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said while appearing on an ESPN broadcast of a Heat summer league game in Las Vegas 'Look, it was uneven offensively — there's no doubt about it. He had a lot of turnovers, some mistakes. All the intangibles — the defense, the hustle plays, the passing, all of that he was able to do while having some uneven offensive play. 'Sometimes that can take a spirit or confidence away from a player, but he found a way to impact the game, impact winning. That's what our scouts really liked about him as a young player. They watched him a whole lot more than we did at Illinois.' But turnovers and three-point shooting were two issues Jakucionis also dealt with during his lone college season. While still impressing as a freshman at Illinois with his passing and playmaking ability, he averaged 3.7 turnovers per game for an exceptionally high turnover rate of 25.4% and shot just 31.8% on 5.2 three-point attempts per game last season. Struggling with those same areas in summer league will serve as another teaching point at this early stage of Jakucionis' development. 'Basketball is not all about shots,' Jakucionis said of his approach. 'One day it can fall in and the other day it won't fall in, but you still have to stick with the process and do everything you can on the floor and just give 100 percent.' Next up for Jakucionis is some time spent in his home country of Lithuania after a whirlwind of a few months that included the end of his one college season, the NBA Draft Combine, pre-draft workouts, the NBA Draft and summer league. He'll return to Miami in early August to begin preparing for his first NBA training camp and season. 'Every experience helps you,' Jakucionis said at the end of his first summer league. 'As much experience as you have, the more comfortable you feel moving forward. I'm just so happy to have this opportunity.'
The Print
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Solan court allows woman's plea challenging closure report in gang rape case against Haryana BJP chief
On 1 April this year, judge Malhotra admitted the revision petition and sought case records from the Kasauli court. Sessions judge Arvind Malhotra directed the Kasauli court to record the woman's statement and objections by 30 July, and decide whether to uphold the police closure report or reopen the case. Gurugram: The Solan district and sessions court in Himachal Pradesh has allowed a revision petition of a Delhi-based woman seeking to reopen a gang rape case filed by her against Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli and Haryanvi singer Rocky Mittal, alias Jai Bhagwan. The judge heard arguments from both sides 5 July and announced its order in open court Tuesday, allowing the woman's plea and ruling the complainant must appear before the Kasauli court to record her statement and submit objections by 30 July. The Kasauli court will then decide whether to proceed with the case or uphold the closure report. The case has drawn significant attention due to Badoli's position as Haryana BJP president. He was appointed to the post in July 2024, ahead of the assembly elections, relieving Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini of the dual charge. Badoli is hopeful of getting a full term in the office. ThePrint tried to reach Badoli through texts and calls Tuesday, but his number was found switched-off. This report will be updated if and when a response is received. He had earlier dismissed the woman's allegations as 'baseless' and politically motivated. The BJP Tuesday shared his pictures with party leaders including state general secretary (organisation) Phanindranath Sharma and Haryana Minister Rajesh Nagar from the Amarnath cave. On Monday, the BJP shared a press note with his pictures with other BJP leaders aboard a flight to Srinagar. Mittal told ThePrint Tuesday that his lawyers have explained to him that the Solan court's order was between the police and the woman and that it does not affect him. Also Read: Solan court admits appeal against closure report in gang rape case against singer, Haryana BJP chief 'Gangraped while visiting as tourist' The case originates from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the woman 13 December last year at the Kasauli police station in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh under Sections 376D (gang rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The allegations, which became known to public 14 January, claim that the incident occurred 3 July 2023 at the Himachal Tourism Corporation's Ros Common Hotel in Kasauli. The complainant, a Delhi resident, alleged she was visiting Kasauli as a tourist with her friend and employer Amit Bindal when she met Badoli and Mittal. According to her complaint, the accused coerced her into consuming alcohol, gangraped her in the presence of her friend, and recorded compromising photos and videos. She further claimed the duo threatened to kill her if she reported the incident and later attempted to implicate her in a false case in Panchkula to silence her. The Kasauli police investigated the case for over two months but found no corroborating evidence. According to the Kasauli police, the complainant refused a medical examination and the 17-month delay in filing the FIR hindered the collection of critical evidence such as CCTV footage, alcohol glasses or bedsheets. Consequently, on 4 February this year, the police filed a closure report, which the Kasauli judicial magistrate's court accepted on 12 March after the complainant failed to appear despite summonses issued to two addresses. Complicating the matter, Rocky Mittal filed an extortion case against the woman 6 February 2025 at Panchkula's Sector 5 police station. The FIR, lodged under Sections 308(2) (extortion), 308(5) (extortion by fear of death or grievous hurt), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), also named Amit Bindal, another woman, and an unidentified person. Mittal alleged the complainant demanded Rs 50 lakh and political favours to settle false the rape case. He cited WhatsApp calls 21 and 22 January this year, and earlier threats between 1 and 18 September 1 last year. He claimed the rape allegations were part of a 'honey-trap' plan using audio and visual evidence. He accused the complainant of using AI-generated videos to blackmail him and Badoli. The woman, who was granted anticipatory bail 12 March by a Panchkula court, alleged the extortion case was filed to pressure her into withdrawing the rape case. She claimed the fear of arrest prevented her from attending the Kasauli court hearings 6 and 12 March this year. The complainant, represented by her advocate Rajeev Negi, challenged the Kasauli court's order on the police closure report in the Solan sessions court by way of a revision petition. Her advocate argued the extortion case was a retaliatory move by the accused to discredit her. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Haryana BJP chief, singer Rocky Mittal booked in Kasauli for gang-rape, criminal intimidation
Glasgow Times
28-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Driver killed road worker dad at Dumbarton crash scene
Mr Farr ended up trapped under the 46-year-old joiner's car. The 59-year-old dad-of-two sadly never survived. Mr Farr's four workmates from the road maintenance firm were also badly hurt. First offender Kas yesterday appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow. He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by careless driving. READ MORE: Cash machine near Glasgow robbed in early morning heist as thieves steal money Kas, of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, had his bail continued, and he is due to be sentenced next month. The tragic incident occurred on May 9, 2022. Earlier that day, a Mercedes driver had lost control of his car at the same roundabout and hit a light column, which fell on impact. Prosecutor Erin Campbell told the court: "It is this earlier collision which lead to Neil Farr and his colleagues attending on behalf of Amey. 'The purpose was to make safe the falling light.' Mr Farr and his colleague, Andrew Taylor, arrived first. Colleagues Paul Jordan, Keith McFadzean and Jamie Hernon then turned up. Kas meantime had been travelling from Glasgow with his partner on way to check out a joinery job. One motorist was aware of Kas going past him on the A82. READ MORE: Fans spot Lewis Capaldi's special Celtic nod during Glastonbury comeback gig Miss Campbell then explained: 'He negotiated the roundabout too fast for the weather conditions. 'As he exited, he accelerated and lost control of the vehicle, which began to wobble. 'Kas could not regain control - this resulted in the car sliding, mounting the grass verge at speed and colliding with Mr Farr and his colleagues, who were standing close to one another working on the light column.' Some of the men were flung onto other parts of the verge. Mr Farr was trapped under the BMW. Passers-by – including a nurse – stopped to help before mercy crews arrived. Mr Farr went into cardiac arrest and was described as being in a 'critical condition'. He was freed from beneath the car, but passed away due to head and chest injuries. The much-loved dad is survived by his partner of more than 20 years and his two sons. Miss Campbell also detailed how the other men were affected by the incident. Mr Jordan was unable to walk for up to five months following surgery on leg fractures. Mr Hernon was off work for 10 weeks and Mr McFadzean seven recovering from their injuries. Mr Taylor suffered muscle and ligament damage. READ MORE: 9 high rise demolitions that reshaped Glasgow's skyline as Caledonia Road next The advocate depute added all had been left with 'significant psychological distress' from what happened. Crash investigators meantime found the tread of a tyre on Kas's car was below the legal limit and could have contributed to the collision. Allan MacLeod, defending, said Kas was 'extremely sorry' and that he had also tried 'as best he could' that night to help the men he had hit. Lord Armstrong adjourned for reports until August 5 in Edinburgh. The judge told Kas: 'You now stand convicted of this grave charge in what is a tragic case.'
Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
India's diplomatic ambitions tested as Trump pushes for deal on Kashmir
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Air Marshal AK Bharti, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Vice Admiral AN Pramod and Major General SS Sharda attend a press briefing at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, India, May 11, 2025. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh People attend the cremation of IAF (Indian Air Force) soldier Surendra Kumar who died during an attack on Udhampur, on the day of his funeral in Mahradasi village, Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, India, May 11, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis An Indian security personnel stands guard on a street, following clashes between India and Pakistan, in Srinagar, Kashmir May 9, 2025. REUTERS/Sharafat Ali NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD - India and Pakistan have stepped back from the brink of all-out war, with a nudge from the U.S., but New Delhi's aspirations as a global diplomatic power now face a key test after President Donald Trump offered to mediate on the dispute over Kashmir, analysts said. India's rapid rise as the world's fifth-largest economy has boosted its confidence and clout on the world stage, where it has played an important role in addressing regional crises such as Sri Lanka's economic collapse and the Myanmar earthquake. But the conflict with Pakistan over Kashmir, which flared up in recent days with exchanges of missiles drones and air strikes that killed at least 66 people, touches a sensitive nerve in Indian politics. How India threads the diplomatic needle - courting favour with Trump over issues like trade while asserting its own interests in the Kashmir conflict - will depend in large part on domestic politics and could determine the future prospects for conflict in Kashmir. "India ... is likely not keen on the broader talks (that the ceasefire) calls for. Upholding it will pose challenges," said Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst based in Washington. In a sign of just how fragile the truce remains, the two governments accused each other of serious violations late on Saturday. The ceasefire, Kugelman noted, was "cobbled together hastily" when tensions were at their peak. Trump said on Sunday that, following the ceasefire, "I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great nations". Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his part, has not commented publicly on the conflict since it began. India considers Kashmir an integral part of its territory and not open for negotiation, least of all through a third-party mediator. India and Pakistan both rule the scenic Himalayan region in part, claim it in full, and have fought two wars and numerous other conflicts over what India says is a Pakistan-backed insurgency there. Pakistan denies it backs insurgency. "By agreeing to abort under U.S. persuasion ... just three days of military operations, India is drawing international attention to the Kashmir dispute, not to Pakistan's cross-border terrorism that triggered the crisis," said Brahma Chellaney, an Indian defence analyst. For decades after the two countries separated in 1947, the West largely saw India and Pakistan through the same lens as the neighbours fought regularly over Kashmir. That changed in recent years, partly thanks to India's economic rise while Pakistan languished with an economy less than one-10th India's size. But Trump's proposal to work towards a solution to the Kashmir problem, along with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's declaration that India and Pakistan would start talks on their broader issues at a neutral site, has irked many Indians. Pakistan has repeatedly thanked Trump for his offer on Kashmir, while India has not acknowledged any role played by a third party in the ceasefire, saying it was agreed by the two sides themselves. Analysts and Indian opposition parties are already questioning whether New Delhi met its strategic objectives by launching missiles into Pakistan on Wednesday last week, which it said were in retaliation for an attack last month on tourists in Kashmir that killed 26 men. It blamed the attack on Pakistan - a charge that Islamabad denied. By launching missiles deep into Pakistan, Modi showed a much higher appetite for risk than his predecessors. But the sudden ceasefire exposed him to rare criticism at home. Swapan Dasgupta, a former lawmaker from Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, said the ceasefire had not gone down well in India partly because "Trump suddenly appeared out of nowhere and pronounced his verdict". The main opposition Congress party got in on the act, demanding an explanation from the government on the "ceasefire announcements made from Washington, D.C." "Have we opened the doors to third-party mediation?" asked Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh. And while the fighting has stopped, there remain a number of flashpoints in the relationship that will test India's resolve and may tempt it to adopt a hard-line stance. The top issue for Pakistan, diplomats and government officials there said, would be the Indus Waters Treaty, which India suspended last month but which is a vital source of water for many of Pakistan's farms and hydropower plants. "Pakistan would not have agreed (to a ceasefire) without U.S. guarantees of a broader dialogue," said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, a former foreign minister and currently chairman of the People's Party of Pakistan, which supports the government. Moeed Yusuf, former Pakistan National Security Advisor, said a broad agreement would be needed to break the cycle of brinksmanship over Kashmir. "Because the underlying issues remain, and every six months, one year, two years, three years, something like this happens and then you are back at the brink of war in a nuclear environment," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vaccine Drive and Laboratory Place: SNP council's ‘ridiculous' names for housing estate
An SNP-led council has come under fire for a 'ridiculous' decision to name roads on a new housing estate Vaccine Drive and Laboratory Place. Streets in Ashlar Village in Ruchill, Glasgow, have also been named Radiography Road and Virology Grove. Bellway, the housebuilder constructing the estate, said it was not involved in naming the roads and pointed the finger at Glasgow city council. A spokesman told The Telegraph the streets were named in tribute to Ruchill Hospital, one of the earliest purpose-built infectious disease hospitals in Scotland The hospital opened in 1900 and treated patients with infectious diseases such as scarlet fever, tuberculosis and smallpox. It closed in 1998 and was sold a year later, but lay unused for more than two decades before work began on low-density housing. Ann McGinley, the chairman of Ruchill community council, said she was unimpressed by the medical-based street names, adding: 'Some of them are absolutely ridiculous, I think it's stupid. 'I don't know where the idea came from. Everyone in Ruchill knows the site used to be a hospital.' On social media, one local wrote: 'Ruchill Hospital was an infectious diseases hospital back in the day so be thankful there isn't a Dysentery Drive or Tuberculosis Lane. 'I'm all for acknowledging the history of a site. But they could have been a bit more creative with the names.' Another joked: 'There are many benefits to living on Vaccine Drive. Not least jab-seekers allowance.' Kas, a local business owner, said: 'I think it's quite quirky, it's good they have now utilised that site.' Ashlar Village features apartments with one or two bedrooms, alongside three and four-bedroom houses. According to the website, prices for most properties have yet to be confirmed but a two-bedroom apartment starts at £182,995. A spokesman for Bellway said: 'We are looking forward to delivering 403 new homes within our Ashlar Village development, which will provide a range of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes. 'The development is on the site of the former Ruchill Hospital, which was derelict for many years, and is providing much needed homes and regeneration for the area. 'The street names were set by Glasgow city council to reflect the history of the site, and Bellway was not involved in the naming of the roads.' A spokesman for the council said a convention in place since the late 1980s is used in the street naming process in Glasgow, where street names are proposed based on the history of the site in question. 'We issue the proposed street names to all local elected members and any active community councils and give them a 28-day objection period,' the spokesman said. 'After a series of discussions on an initial list of proposed names, and In keeping with the street naming convention – whereby street names are given using the history of the site in question – the local elected members felt that these names fitted given the hospital was famous for its remarkable work with infectious diseases, and these names were approved.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
