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Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) is cutting 300 jobs in April after the COVID-19 pandemic crippled the air travel sector and forced some of its airline clients into bankruptcy. LTP is a venture between Germany’s Lufthansa Technik and aviation services firm MacroAsia Corp., controlled by billionaire and Philippine Airlines (PAL) owner Lucio Tan. A leading company in the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul sector, LTP’s client list includes PAL and some of the world’s largest airlines. In a letter to employees dated Feb. 11, LTP president and CEO Elmar Lutter said the decision came “after careful study and consideration of the business situation as a result of the pandemic and its effects on the aviation industry.” “As a maintenance, repair, and overhaul provider for aircraft, the significant fleet reductions announced by various (customer) airlines with some already in bankruptcy proceedings have a direct negative effect on LTP’s business,” Lutter said. He explained ... » Learn More about Lufthansa Technik Philippines, maintenance provider to the world’s airlines, cuts workforce by 20% in April

Queen Elizabeth arrives for the funeral of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle on Saturday. (Pool Photo via Reuters) WINDSOR, England: Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday led Britain in one minute’s silence in memory of her late husband, Prince Philip, as she bade him a final farewell at a funeral restricted by coronavirus rules but reflecting his long life of military and public service. The 94-year-old monarch, dressed in mourning black and a black face mask, sat inside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, as the coffin bearing the Duke of Edinburgh arrived on a bespoke Land Rover that he had designed himself. A military gun was fired to signal the start of the solemn tribute, which was observed in shops, railway stations and at sporting events across the country. The ceremony with just 30 mourners took place entirely behind the castle’s stately walls, with the public urged to stay away because of the pandemic. But small crowds still gathered in Windsor town centre, and on the ... » Learn More about Britain bids Prince Philip farewell

PETALING JAYA: Tread with great caution. That is the advice of chef de mission Datuk Lee Chong Wei as athletes from various sports enter the 100-day countdown for the Tokyo Olympic Games, scheduled from July 23-Aug 8. “Stay away from injury... that’s the worst thing that can happen to you as we get closer to the Games, ” said the three-time Olympic Games silver medallist. The former world No.1 shuttler’s concern is understandable as he was injured less than 100 days before the 2012 Olympic Games in London and it made life difficult for him. “I will not forget the challenges that I faced even days before the Olympics started... the injury took away my joy and made everything one notch harder, ” he said. Chong Wei had injured his ankle just four minutes into his match against Peter-Gade Christensen in the first singles match of the Group C tie between Denmark and Malaysia during the Thomas Cup Finals in Wuhan, China, in May 2012. Grimacing in pain, he was wheeled out and ... » Learn More about Chef de mission Chong Wei keeps athletes on guard with sound advice

PETALING JAYA: Independent mixed pairs Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing have received a timely boost ahead of the final stretch of the Olympics qualifiers, starting next month. Both pairs can heave a huge sigh of relief after securing a one-year sponsorship deal with sporting equipment manufacturer Victor last week. The major deal could not have come at a better time as Soon Huat-Shevon and Kian Meng-Pei Jing are still scrambling for funds to keep their Tokyo Olympics bids afloat after they were surprisingly axed from the national team two months ago. The quartet can now look forward to salvaging their slim qualifying hopes in remaining three events – Indian Open (May 11-16), Malaysian Open (May 25-30) and Singapore Open (June 1-6). Soon Huat-Shevon and Kian Meng-Pei Jing are ranked 11th and 13th respectively in the Road to Tokyo standings behind Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (seventh). A country can have two pairs if both of them are ranked in the ... » Learn More about Indie pairs sign major deal ahead of Tokyo qualifiers

PETALING JAYA: Watch out, Lee Zii Jia. The All-England champion better get ready for a backlash from a wounded world No. 1 Kento Momota after the Japanese told his fans to expect him to come back stronger in the next tournament. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Momota is set to play in the Indian Open from May 11-16 where he would surely seek to avenge his defeat to Zii Jia in the quarter-finals of the All-England last month –- should they cross paths again. Zii Jia won 21-16,21-19 to finally mark his maiden victory over Momota in seven meetings, dashing the latter’s hopes of a triumphant return to the international stage after a 14-month hiatus. Japan head coach Park Joo-bong once revealed that Momota hates losing twice to the same opponent, and it has been proven true if history is anything to go by. In 2019, Momota managed to exact revenge on four out of the six opponents whom he had a rematch with later on. The four players were Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, ... » Learn More about One loss is enough

PETALING JAYA: It’s all systems go for the Indian Open badminton championships from May 11-16 despite the Covid-19 crisis. However, world No. 13 Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong are still undecided whether to make their way to New Delhi to salvage their fast-fading Tokyo Olympics bid. V Shem said the anticipation of the long travel has made them reconsider their option although they had submitted their entry for the tournament. “We’re still contemplating whether to play in India or not, ” said V Shem. “It will be a bit of a hassle to get there as we could not find any direct flight. “During this pandemic, it’s not so ideal to transit between flights as we’ll get exposed to some risks at the airport. “I will discuss with my partner and see what’s the best decision.” As it stands, V Shem-Wee Kiong, the Rio Olympics silver medallists, still have a mathematical chance of overtaking compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the Race to Tokyo rankings. V Shem-Wee Kiong are currently ... » Learn More about To be or not to be in India – Goh and Tan ponder

PETALING JAYA: In order to be the best, one must learn from the best. And that’s exactly what Lee Zii Jia did as the world No. 8 revealed how he has modelled his game after Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, and ended up beating his idol to the All-England crown last month. Zii Jia said the reason why he looked up to Axelsen was because they shared a similar physical attribute, which is their height, and learned a thing or two from the 2017 world champion on how to maximise it to his advantage. Standing at 1.86m, Zii Jia is among one of the three tallest top 10 men’s singles shuttlers alongside Axelsen (1.94m) and reigning Olympic Games gold medallist Chen Long of China (1.87m). Zii Jia also acknowledged that Axelsen boasts more than just powerful attacking game as he is agile and fast as well for a tall player. “My idol is Viktor. I have watched his gameplay many times and I love the way he plays, ” Zii Jia told the Olympic Channel. “He’s a very tough opponent, of course, and he’s ... » Learn More about Zii Jia models himself after Axelsen for breakthrough win

Neymar's current contract expires in 2022 but PSG are hoping he will agree to extend his stay in the French capital. PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain were revelling in the joy of knocking holders Bayern Munich out of the Champions League in midweek when Neymar offered more cause for celebration. In an interview with Brazilian broadcaster TNT Sports following PSG's away-goals victory in the quarter-finals, Neymar dropped a clear hint that he would be staying at PSG beyond the end of his current contract. "For me there is no debate, it is obvious that I feel very comfortable here and at home at Paris Saint-Germain. I feel happier than I did before," the world's most expensive player said. His current contract, signed following his arrival from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($264m) in 2017, runs out at the end of next season, at the same time as Kylian Mbappe's deal. It has been reported in France since the Bayern game that PSG are hoping to be able to announce Neymar's new deal ... » Learn More about PSG wait for ‘happier’ Neymar to sign contract extension

Journalist Surasak Marktavee, left, and former Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang pose during a match at Anfield. As the Premier League enters the home stretch of the season, runaway leaders Manchester City look set to win the title. City, who have played 32 matches, are on 74 points, 11 ahead of second-placed Manchester United (63) who have a game in hand. United are likely to finish second with a seven-point advantage over third-ranked Leicester City. However, the race for the other two top-four spots for Champions League berths remain close. Leicester (56) and West Ham (55) currently hold the positions, followed by Chelsea (54), Liverpool (52) and Tottenham (49). "Man City will surely win the title," Surasak Marktavee, the London-based chief correspondent for Siam Sport daily, said in a telephone interview. "Man U will finish second but the race for the other two places is still very close." Leicester suffered a blow last week when they lost 3-2 at West Ham. ... » Learn More about Don’t write off Reds, says guru

England forward Harry Kane suffered a worrying ankle injury ahead of next week's League Cup final after scoring twice in Tottenham Hotspur's 2-2 draw away to Everton in the Premier League on Friday. Gylfi Sigurdsson also grabbed two goals for Everton in a result that did little for either side's European hopes. Kane, expected to lead England's attack in this year's coronavirus delayed European Championships, went off in stoppage time towards the end of the match after rolling his ankle when challenged in the box at an Everton corner. "It is too early to say something," Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports when asked afterwards about Kane's injury. "For him to leave the pitch with a few minutes to go is obviously because he felt something. "Let me be optimistic and believe that he has time to recover. Let's see. "It's obvious he's a very important player for us. I cannot say much or speculate." Kane's 20th league goal of the season put Spurs ahead in the 27th ... » Learn More about Ankle injury clouds Kane double as Spurs draw with Everton