NEWSMAKERS OF THE WEEK

PAUL MANAFORT STANDS ACCUSED OF HIDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HE EARNED FROM POLITICAL CONSULTING IN UKRAINE FROM 2008 TO 2014. HE IS SAID TO HAVE LAUNDERED MORE THAN $ 30 MILLION TO BUY PROPERTIES. PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HIM LIFT THE CURTAIN ON THE MURKY WORLD OF POLITICAL FIXING AND HIDDEN MONEY.

PAUL MANAFORT

President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort agreed on Friday to cooperate in the special counsel investigation of possible campaign collusion with Russia. In a plea deal to avert a second trial on money laundering and illegal lobbying charges, he agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy against the US and another count of obstruction of justice. He could eventually be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

MANOHAR PARRIKAR

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences ( AIIMS) on Saturday. Parrikar, who has been undergoing treatment for pancreatic ailment, is being examined by a team of doctors and will undergo a few tests, a source at AIIMS said. Parrikar, 62, was flown to Delhi owing to his declining health. He had returned from the US in the first week of September, days later he was admitted to a hospital at Candolim in north Goa.

NIKKI HALEY

The US State Department spent about $ 52,701 last year on customised and mechanised curtains for the official residence of US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley at a time when the department was undergoing deep budget cuts and had frozen hiring, according to a media report. Haley, 46, is the highest ranking Indian- American in the Donald Trump administration.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Novak Djokovic, clinched his third US Open title on Sunday with a 6- 3, 7- 6 ( 7/ 4), 6- 3 triumph over Juan Martin del Potro, taking him to a level with Sampras’ mark of 14 Grand Slams. He is now just three Slams behind Nadal and six back from the record 20 held by Federer. It was the third time Djokovic— who missed last year’s tournament — completed the Wimbledon- US Open double. It was his 15th win over Potro and fifth in five at the Slams. 50 of the last 55 majors have been won by the ‘ Big Four’ of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray.

JACK MA

Alibaba co- founder and chairman Jack Ma stepped down from the Chinese e- commerce giant to devote his time to philanthropy. Ma referred to his departure as “the beginning of an era” rather than an end. He said, “There’s a lot of things I can learn from Bill Gates. I can never be as rich, but one thing I can do better is to retire earlier”. Ma is part of a generation of billionaire entrepreneurs who made their fortunes as China embraced the digital age.