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On September 14th, US media reported on the 13th that FBI Director Kash Patel was questioned for mistakenly announcing a "suspect in custody" in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a political ally of US President Trump. Following the shooting on the 10th, local police in Utah quickly arrested one person, and Patel announced the arrest on social media. However, it was later confirmed that police had arrested the wrong person, with the shooter still at large. Patel will face questioning from lawmakers about this case and broader issues at a congressional hearing next week.On September 14th, five US F-35 fighter jets were spotted landing in Puerto Rico on Saturday, just as Trump ordered an additional 10 stealth fighter jets to the Caribbean last week to combat drug cartels and address tensions with Venezuela. Photos show the aircraft landing at the former Roosevelt Roads military base in Ceiva, Puerto Rico. US helicopters, Osprey transport aircraft, other transport planes, and US military personnel have also been spotted at the base in recent days. When asked about the situation, a Pentagon duty press officer stated, "We do not have any force deployment changes to announce at this time." Sources reported last week that the Trump administration had ordered the deployment of 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico to carry out operations against drug cartels.A fire has broken out at an oil refinery in Russias Bashkortostan and firefighting is underway, with the production site suffering minor damage, the regional governor said.British retailer Sainsburys confirmed it is in discussions to sell its Argos subsidiary to JD.com (JD.O).The Cyberspace Administration of China is soliciting public opinions on the "Regulations on Promoting and Standardizing the Application of Electronic Documents (Draft for Comments)".

Nasdaq-listed 26 Capital Will Seek A $2.5 Billion SPAC Transaction With A Casino in Manila

Haiden Holmes

Jun 16, 2022 10:50

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Wednesday, the CEO of 26 Capital Acquisition Corp said that the company remained dedicated to its $2.5 billion acquisition of the Philippines' largest integrated casino-resort, despite a control dispute involving the present owners.


Okada Manila, a 44-hectare (108-acre) property owned by companies of Japan's Universal Entertainment Corp, decided in October to combine with 26 Capital and go public in the United States.


However, the transaction has been involved in a protracted battle between Universal and its former chairman and founder, Kazuo Okada.


This conflict took a dramatic turn on May 31, when Okada's Filipino partners, aided by private security guards and local police, gained physical possession of the $3.3 billion casino in the Philippine capital.


"I anticipate Universal will regain control of Okada Manila in the near future," Jason Ader, chairman and chief executive officer of Nasdaq-listed 26 Capital, told Reuters. Both sides want to finalize the deal.


After the Philippine Supreme Court declared in April that Okada should be reinstalled as chairman of the casino's owner and operator, the casino was seized.


Tiger Resorts, the domestic subsidiary of Universal, has challenged the verdict and what it called a "illegal and brutal" acquisition.


A U.S. listing would provide Okada Manila with access to a variety of finances, clients, and lenders, according to Ader, who added that investors believe the Philippines has the potential to become one of the world's top gaming markets.


In a statement, Vincent Lim, a spokesman for Okada Manila's current administration, denied any violent takeover and said that since Okada's return, hotel occupancy rates and casino gaming activity had increased. "His reappearance has restored and revitalized consumer and shareholder trust."


The Philippines' casino industry has begun to recover from the epidemic, with total gaming revenues increasing 14 percent to 113 billion pesos ($2.12 billion) in 2021, albeit still below the record-breaking 256 billion pesos in 2019.


In contrast, Macau, the largest gambling hotspot in the world, continues to suffer under Beijing's "zero-COVID" policy.


Okada was removed from the boards of Universal and its Philippine subsidiary in 2017 on suspicion of misappropriating corporate cash, which he denies.