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The Asia-Pacific Predator League Finals Conclude After Six Days of Intense Battling Across 17 Regions

·         The champions of the four sub-tournament are: TNC Predator from the Philippines, Team Veteran from Myanmar, DWG-KIA from South Korea, and Eagle 365 from Indonesia 

·         Japan will host the APAC Predator League 2022 Grand Finals

Bengaluru, April 14, 2021: Esports players from 17 regions battled intensely over six days to bring the Asia-Pacific Predator League 2020/21 Grand Final to a thrilling conclusion.

The online tournament was covered by several channels, altogether amassing more than 15 million views.

This year, the finals were divided into four sub-tournaments: two for Dota 2 and two for PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS (PUBG). The four winning teams will share a prize pool of USD 240,000 and receive the coveted Predator shields.

Dota 2 Highlights

The Predator League 2020/21 Dota 2 Asia lower bracket final saw Team Veteran, a team representing Myanmar, grind their way past The Council from Bangladesh. They capitalized on connectivity problems of The Council, as their midlaner L3N was disconnected throughout the match. This forced J1N to toggle between two mechanically-centric heroes namely Visage and Chen.

Team Veteran’s victory brought them to the grand final where they fought IMG, a team representing Mongolia. IMG were considered favorites given their undefeated streak and the leadership of Ravdan “Hustla” Narmandakh. However, Team Veteran stood their ground, kicked off by Kalay99’s Pangolier play during game one and a surprise wombo combo in the 29th minute of game three. 

On the other hand, the Predator League 2020/21 Dota 2 APAC lower bracket final saw TNC Predator breeze their way past BOOM Esports from Indonesia. TNC Predator proceeded to the grand finale, facing their fellow representatives Neon Esports, who had pummeled them in a previous matchup. 

In their grudge match, TNC outclassed and outplayed Neon, sweeping them in most teamfights. Marvin “Boomy” Rushton’s shotcalling and drafting prowess decided the series.

PUBG Highlights

As for the PUBG Asia sub-tournament, three representatives from South Korea took center stage, but ultimately it was DWG-KIA who came out on top thanks to their second place finishes in rounds 11 and 12 as well as GPS Ghibli’s downfall. DWG-KIA’s calculated decision to weaken GPS Ghibli by bombarding them after the parachute drop in round 11 and Ghibli’s massive vehicular disaster in round 12 sealed the victory.

Overall, DGW-KIA earned 142 points after 12 rounds in Erangel and Miramar. Their efforts yielded USD 37,500. GPS Ghibli’s performance led to 122 points and a second-place finish, securing USD 15,000. In third place, Danawa E-sports rallied to a chicken dinner victory in round 12, giving them USD 7,500. 

Meanwhile in the PUBG APAC sub-tournament, Eagle 365 from Indonesia steamrolled the scene as they comfortably dominated the top spot with their 125-point tally. Besides the Predator League trophy, they also brought home USD 37,500.

The second and third seed spots were attained by Cerberus and “No.1” of Vietnam, respectively. 

Cerberus capitalized on ArkAngel’s unexpected performance by securing a chicken dinner victory in round 10 and a fourth-place finish in round 12, giving them 104 points. They finished second, bagging USD 15,000.

But the biggest storyline came from “No.1,” who miraculously ascended from the eighth seed to a third-place finish as they garnered a chicken dinner victory in round 11 and a second-place finish in round 12. Their clutch performance produced 97 points, a third-place finish, and USD 7,500. 

Intel MVP

Aside from the group awards, Erin Jasper “Yopaj” Ferrer from Neon Esports and Risky “Chibiritt” Junaidi Putra from Eagle 365 were also declared Intel MVPs (most valuable players) for showcasing prodigious skills.

Following this successful run, it was also announced that Japan will be the host for the APAC Predator League 2022 Grand Finals.

Pramesh Jain

The Puttenahalli police,investigating the sensational double-murder case,on Wednesday opened fire at the 32 year old habitual offender who was on the run after killing a 75 year old Mamatha Basu and her 45 year old Debrath guest at their house before robbing the valuables in JP Nagar on April 7.

The accused has been identified as,Manjunatha alias Ambari from Konanakunte having over nine criminal cases pending against him.

Senior officer told media persons,a sensational double murder case was took place in puttenahalli police station limits on April 7th, Commissioner of police Kamal Pant, DCP South, Harish Pandey with other staff visited the spot.

After Inspecting the spot it was found that there was no forceful entry took place and we had doubt that some known person would have murdered as the assailant even took away the DVR of the CCTV camera which was at the house.

Taking seriously the case two special teams were formed to crack the sensational double murder case one team was busy in collecting evidence at the crime but we dint get any vital clues from the scene of crime as after the Incident many visited the spot and vital clues were destroyed.

Another team was busy in analysing CCTV footage while analysing the CCTV footage his image was captured at a CCTV camera from a neighbouring house which helped the police to identify the accused but Manjunath had escaped.

On Wednesday in the early hours,the Puttenahalli police inspector,Kishore Kumar received a tip off that the murder accused is hiding near Adithya Nagar in JP Nagar.

Acting on the tip off Inspector and his team swung into action and rushed to the spot near a private school in Adithya Nagar in JP Nagar.The police team surrounded the area.

Our constable Sadiq spotted the accused Manjunath and tried to secure him but the accused pulled the drager from his pocket and attacked constable Sadiq to evade arrest.

Inspector Kishore Kumar who was at spot warned Manjunath by opening one round fire in air and asked him to surrender but when he again tried to attack Inspector later in self defense for the protection of his life and his staff Inspector opened another round fire on his leg to neutralize him.

Both the injured were taken to the hospital where they are recovering.

During investigation it was found that the accused was drinking at the bar when he met  Behara.Behara bought a cigarette from a shop outside the bar and tried to pay online but failed.

Manjunath who noticed this paid Rs 12 to Behera and started following,Behara who got suspicion thinking that he would rob his mobile.

However Behara by then reached home and run the bell.Manjunath who was behind Behara  noticed Mamatha opened the door and was wearing lots of gold valuables.

Manjunath decided to kill both and rob the valuables.

After getting to know that Debrath was fully drunk and a elderly woman stays with this he returned back and stole a bike and armed with knife went back to the house at around 12 am and run the bell.

Debrath who was drunk and sleeping in the hall opened the door.Manjunath pushed him forcibly and stabbed him repeatedly before he could react.

He later went straight to the bedroom and slit the throat of Basu while she was sleeping and took away her gold chain pair of bangles,bracelets and rings,four mobile phones,two laptops and CCTV cameras and DVR.

The Puttenahalli Police are awaiting the recovery of Manjunath to question him and to recover the  valuables which he had robbed after killing the duo and further investigation is on.

Finally Bengaluru Police Commissioner,Kamal Pant,has appreciated Addl CP West,Soumendhu Mukherjee,DCP South,Harish Pandey,and his team as,ACP,Subramanyapura Sub-Division, Shivakumar,PIs,as, Kishore Kumar BK, Shivakumar,and staff as,Sadiq and other staff who were part of the cracking sensational double murder case for the exemplary and Excellent piece of investigation the team has been appreciated and a suitable reward will be given to the team he added.

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Wednesday alleged that the Election Commission was “biased” against Mamata Banerjee, after the poll panel recently barred the West Bengal chief minister from campaigning for 24 hours over certain remarks made by her.

The stature of a constitutional body like the Election Commission (EC) should not be demeaned for political benefits, an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said.

Assembly elections are currently underway in West Bengal and the Shiv Sena, which is not contesting the polls, has extended its support to Trinamool Congress head Banerjee.

“The Election Commission is biased against Mamata Banerjee. It is our request to the EC with folded hands that it should not listen to the BJP alone, but to everyone. It should not be biased,” the Marathi daily said.

Everyone has lost the sense of decorum (during campaign) in West Bengal, but Banerjee alone is being punished for it, the editorial claimed.

“The EC has busted the myth of everyone being treated equal before law and it chose the land of West Bengal to do so. It seems to have forgotten that West Bengal is the land of revolutionaries and rebels,” it said.

Mamata Banerjee’s lone battle will be remembered in history, irrespective of the outcome of this election, the editorial said.

The EC seems to be really irked with Banerjee for dubbing the model code of conduct as the “Modi code of conduct”, it said.

But, the ground reality in West Bengal is concerning as the Centre-deployed CRPF jawans opened fire on a mob instead of controlling the violence, the Sena said.

The Centre should take the responsibility for the violence, it said.

“There is no doubt that the reputation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is at stake, but their path to win the state (polls) is against the democracy and freedom of people,” the editorial alleged.

The stature of a constitutional body like the EC should not be demeaned for political benefits, it added.

“Why is the EC not noticing that after Modi’s Bangladesh visit, there has been a rise in violence in West Bengal?” the Marathi publication asked.

“Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the reason behind Modi’s visits to the US and Bangladesh was same political benefit,” it said.

The editorial also backed Banerjee over her strong criticism of the Centre and BJP leaders who have been making controversial statements during campaigning in West Bengal.

A video clip of a BJP leader’s appeal to locals to not be afraid of the (West Bengal) state police has gone viral, it said, adding that what happened in Cooch Behar and Sitalkuchi was not different from the leader’s comments.

What wrong did Mamata do if she strongly criticised it? the Sena asked.

“The EC has lost its stature and it is surrounded by a fog of suspicion over its role,” the editorial claimed.

It is surprising that BJP leaders, who have allegedly said there would be more incidents like Cooch Behar and Sitalkuchi violence, are not charged with violation of the model code of conduct, the Sena said.

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh appeared before the CBI on Wednesday for questioning in connection with the allegations of corruption levelled against him by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh, an official said.

Deshmukh reached the DRDO guest house, where a team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is camping to, in suburban Santacruz around 10 am, he said.

The CBI on Monday issued a notice calling Deshmukh to join the agency’s probe into the allegations levelled against him by Param Bir Singh and suspended police officer Sachin Waze, the official said.

Waze, an assistant police inspector, is under investigation in the case of an explosive-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence in south Mumbai.

The CBI is conducting a preliminary enquiry into the allegations against Deshmukh levelled by Singh after he was removed from the post of Mumbai police commissioner.

The allegations were reportedly corroborated by Waze in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is conducting a probe into the SUV case, officials earlier said.

The Bombay High Court last week directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the allegations levelled by Singh against Deshmukh.

In a letter, Singh had claimed that Deshmukh asked Waze to allegedly extort over Rs 100 crore a month from bars and restaurants in Mumbai.

Deshmukh has denied the allegations.

So far, the CBI has recorded statements of Param Bir Singh, Sachin Waze, Deputy Commissioner of Police Raju Bhujbal, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanjay Patil, advocate Jayshree Patil and hotel owner Mahesh Shetty.

It also questioned Deshmukh’s personal assistant Kundan Shinde and personal secretary Sanjeev Palande on Sunday.

Washington: China-India border tensions “remain high” despite some force pullbacks this year, the US intelligence community has told Congress, asserting that Beijing seeks to use coordinated, whole-of-government tools to demonstrate its growing strength and compel regional neighbours to acquiesce to its preferences, including its claims over disputed territory.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said in its latest annual threat assessment report to the US Congress that Beijing will continue to promote the multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to expand its economic, political and military presence abroad, while trying to reduce waste and exploitative practices, which have led to international criticism.

The BRI is a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping when he came into power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.

“China-India border tensions remain high, despite some force pullbacks this year. China’s occupation since May 2020 of contested border areas is the most serious escalation in decades and led to the first lethal border clash between the two countries since 1975, the report said.

“As of mid-February, after multiple rounds of talks, both sides were pulling back forces and equipment from some sites along the disputed border, it said.

The border standoff between the armies of India and China erupted on May 5 last following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake areas and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February in line with an agreement on disengagement. India has been insisting that a resolution of outstanding issues including in Depsang, Hot Springs and Gogra is essential for overall ties between the two countries.

According to the report, China seeks to use coordinated, whole-of-government tools to demonstrate its growing strength and compel regional neighbours to acquiesce to Beijing’s preferences, including its claims over disputed territory and assertions of sovereignty over Taiwan.

In the South China Sea, Beijing will continue to intimidate rival claimants and will use growing numbers of air, naval, and maritime law enforcement platforms to signal to Southeast Asian countries that China has effective control over contested areas. China is similarly pressuring Japan over contested areas in the East China Sea.

China has been fast expanding military and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific region, triggering concern in various countries of the region and beyond. It is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and East China Sea.

Beijing has built up and militarised many of the islands and reefs it controls in the region. Both areas are stated to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources and are vital to global trade. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the strategically vital area.

Beijing will press Taiwan authorities to move toward unification and will condemn what it views as increased US-Taiwan engagement, the report said.

China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified, even by force.

“We expect that friction will grow as Beijing steps up attempts to portray Taipei as internationally isolated and dependent on the mainland for economic prosperity, and as China continues to increase military activity around the island, it said.

China’s increasing cooperation with Russia on areas of complementary interest includes defence and economic cooperation, it added.

China will try to increase its influence using vaccine diplomacy, giving countries favored access to the COVID-19 vaccines it is developing. It will also promote new international norms for technology and human rights, emphasising state sovereignty and political stability over individual rights, the ODNI said.

China will remain the top threat to US technological competitiveness as the Chinese Communist Party targets key technology sectors and proprietary commercial and military technology from US and allied companies and research institutions associated with defence, energy, finance, and other sectors.

Beijing uses a variety of tools, from public investment to espionage and theft, to advance its technological capabilities, it said.

According to the report, China will continue expanding its global intelligence footprint to better support its growing political, economic, and security interests around the world, increasingly challenging the United States’ alliances and partnerships.

Across East Asia and the western Pacific, which Beijing views as its natural sphere of influence, China is attempting to exploit doubts about the US commitment to the region, undermine Taiwan’s democracy, and extend Beijing’s influence, it said.

Beijing has been intensifying efforts to shape the political environment in the United States to promote its policy preferences, mold public discourse, pressure political figures whom Beijing believes oppose its interests, and muffle criticism of China on such issues as religious freedom and the suppression of democracy in Hong Kong, it said.

Panaji: The Goa Forward Party walked out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Tuesday, citing “anti-Goan policies” of the BJP-led state government.

However, the move of the GFP, which has 3 MLAs in the 40-member Goa House, will not have any impact on the stability of the Pramod Sawant government in the state since the Vijai Sardesai-led party is not a ruling constituent.

The GFP extended support to the NDA in 2017 to facilitate the formation of the then BJP-led state government under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar.

After Parrikar’s death in 2019, the alliance soured when three GFP ministers were dropped from the Pramod Sawant- led government.

The GFP’s state executive committee and political affairs committee met in Panaji on Tuesday.

Later, GFP president Vijai Sardesai, in a formal letter to senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, conveyed the party’s decision to withdraw from the NDA.

“I write to you today formally declaring the Goa Forward Party’s withdrawal from the National Democratic Alliance. There is no doubt that our relationship with the NDA ended in July 2019, with no room for reconsideration,” Sardesai said in the letter.

He claimed that in the last two years, the BJP has repeatedly introduced “anti-Goan policies” in every session of the state Legislative Assembly.

Since July 2019, the BJP’s Goa leadership has turned its back on the people of the state who looked ahead with hope to the prospect of all-round development, the GFP alleged.

Parrikar’s death brought Goa to despair, ushering in a period of rampant corruption and dishonesty, it said.

The GFP has pointed out the state government’s alleged failure in handling various issues, such as three linear projects, the Mahadayi river water dispute, and other matters.

The Sardesai-led party said it is fully committed to consistently and selflessly work to safeguard, protect and preserve Goa’s culture, people and heritage.