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Donald Trump’s views concerning the involvement of transgender athletes in organised sport – specifically, the participation by trans-male athletes in women’s sport – are nothing if not simplistic and clear. “Men” must be kept out of women’s sport. Full stop, new paragraph. According to the incoming US president, the “problem” of transgender athlete participation in women’s sport is easy to solve. The fundamental flaw in Trump’s invective is that policy born as a by-product of fear and loathing is invariably bad policy. Trump draws no distinction between transgender athletes competing in the Olympics and transgender athletes competing in a game of under-10s pee-wee football. However, the imperatives that are relevant to protecting the integrity of Olympic competition aren’t determining factors when it comes to participation sport. The rules governing transgender participation in Saturday morning sport have no correlation to how, for example, US Swimming should handle transgender women swimming against cisgender women in national championships. The next Olympic Games will be staged in Los Angeles in 2028 during the final year of Trump’s presidency. Just as America’s culture wars could implode a whole nation before the opening ceremony, the Olympic movement itself may be in for a reckoning before the end of the next Games cycle. Credit: Simon Letch Designing, implementing and enforcing transgender policy in sport at any level, from the grassroots to Olympic competition, isn’t about fear and isn’t about division for the sake of dividing. Instead, it’s the complicated process of balancing the interests of transgender athletes with all other competitors and the paramount importance of the core integrity of sport. This is all relevant not only because Trump will be back in the White House but also because by this time next year the International Olympic Committee will be under new leadership (an election for the IOC’s presidency will take place in less than four months’ time). Of the seven nominated candidates to replace the outgoing Thomas Bach, the candidate of greatest prominence, or at least the loudest public advocate for change within the Olympic Movement, is Sebastian Coe, twice an Olympic champion and current president of World Athletics. As with Trump, Coe presents as an agent for change . He is opposed to transgender participation in Olympic competition on the grounds that if you don’t protect the female category of competition in Olympic-level sport, then female sport itself will be lost. When you think about it, that position is not remotely similar to Trump’s. Not at all. As Lord Coe correctly identifies, it’s a core failing of the IOC that it has not enacted any detailed or overarching guidance to world sport and the myriad international federations that sit within its structures as to how Olympic sports should set transgender policy. It is the IOC’s policy failures that permitted the boxing competition in Paris 2024 to become so mired in conjecture due to the participation of Algeria’s Imane Khelif, when the IOC (and not World Boxing) ran that competition. Likewise, the IOC’s transgender policy is weak. In late 2021, the IOC published its Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations. Unfortunately, however, that framework comprised six pages of high-level statements of principle without much in the way of adequate detail. International federations were left to set their own policies, as required. In one section of its framework, the IOC states its position that athletes should be allowed passage to compete in the available category that aligns with their self-determined gender identity. In the next section, the IOC forces responsibility onto the international federations to ensure no athletes are afforded disproportionate and unfair competitive advantages if permitted to compete in a gender category not aligned with their biological gender. Imane Khelif celebrates her gold medal with her team and fans in Paris. Credit: Eddie Jim All of which is as clear as mud. For political reasons or otherwise by reason of weakness, the IOC under its current leadership plainly doesn’t want the responsibility of setting transgender policy across all sports. Yet to pass that complex responsibility onto the international federations is inconsistent with the IOC’s functions. Lord Coe is irrefutably correct that in terms of Olympic competition and international-standard elite sport the sanctity of the integrity of sport itself must be protected and preserved, no matter the cost. Otherwise, elite sport may as well not exist in the first place. He’s also correct that the IOC must set clear and unequivocal policy to protect the integrity of female sport and female athletic competition. It is extremely difficult to design policy to integrate transgender athlete participation in elite sport, especially when the integrity of competition is already under constant attack. If gender is kaleidoscopic, sport is black and white. Besides horse racing, some forms of motorsport and mixed doubles tennis, men and women typically don’t compete against each other. If gender is kaleidoscopic, sport is black and white. It’s in Olympic and international-level athletic competition where records are set and legacies forged. The playing field must not only be balanced, it must be known to be balanced. Rules must demand that a competing transgender athlete derives no unfair and disproportionate competitive advantage by competing in their chosen gender, if that’s different to their biological gender. The IOC’s absolute imperative must be that transgender athletes be prohibited from competing in Olympic competition if to allow those athletes to compete would mean they enjoyed any material competitive advantage. Whatever leadership position the IOC must take to set such rules within that philosophy, it must do so. Some international federations have braved the frontier, given the IOC’s contrasting tepidness. World Aquatics was the first international federation to set policy to stipulate that a female transgender athlete is ineligible for international competitions in the female category, unless either they never experienced male puberty or where they had their male puberty pharmacologically surpassed before their 12th birthday and before any physical signs of male puberty were physically detectable. Straightforward? Yes. Harsh? Yes. Necessary? Also yes. Those rules are simple, not open to interpretation or manipulation, and lacking subjectiveness. No element of the application of the rules requires measurement, or monitoring. In contrast, the IOC’s rules are all over the shop. Some researchers who know way more than me will tell you that the medical and scientific evidence isn’t absolute in demonstrating that transgender athletes – and male-to-female athletes in particular – benefit by everlasting physical and physiological advantages over their cisgender fellow competitors. Perhaps that’s the correct analysis that will prevail three decades on. But that alone can’t be a reason for the IOC and governing bodies to sit on their hands in the meantime. To do that would be to fail the current generation of Olympians, and the next. Sebastian Coe at least stands for something. Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter .Ex-Rangers enforcer shows zero remorse in comments about his suspension after brutal headshotMIAMI (AP) — in the final two games of Miami's ongoing road trip while recovering from illness, the team said Friday. That means Butler will not play Saturday at Atlanta or Sunday at Houston. The earliest he could play again is Wednesday at home against New Orleans. Butler hasn't played since the first quarter of Miami's Dec. 20 game against Oklahoma City, when he twisted an ankle, left the game and then was ruled out because of illness. Miami has played three games since without Butler, two because of the illness and then Thursday's win in Orlando with him back in Miami conditioning for a return. He is not with the team on the road trip. The Heat said Thursday that they are not going to trade Butler, that announcement coming after ESPN, citing sources, said the six-time All-Star would prefer to be moved before the trade deadline on Feb. 6. Butler has not publicly expressed any desire to be traded. He is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season. AP NBA:LeBlanc and Joly offer little details about visit with Trump's team in Florida
WEBCO INDUSTRIES, INC. REPORTS FISCAL 2025 FIRST QUARTER RESULTSYou have a parade of options to watch “America’s New Year Celebration” which of course is the 136th Rose Parade and 111th Rose Bowl game. The parade kicks off at 8 a.m. PST Wednesday, Jan. 1, and will be broadcast on ABC, NBC, KTLA Channel 5, Hallmark Channel, RFD-TV and Univision. You can stream the parade on Fubo, PTT Studio, Pluto TV, DirectTV, Hulu+, Live TV, Peacock, Sling TV and YouTube TV. Following the Rose Parade, the 111th Rose Bowl game between the Oregon Ducks and either Ohio State or Tennessee will start at 1 p.m. PST, only on ESPN. Rose Parade 2025: Your guide to every float, band and equestrian unit, in order The Rose Parade airs in many countries worldwide, showing live in Armenia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Armed Forces Network. Other broadcasts air in more than 170 other countries. According to the Tournament of Roses, which produces the duo of New Year events, more than 45 million viewers catch the spectacle on TV nationally while a live audience of more than 700,000 line the 5.5-mile route along Colorado Boulevard in person. If you have a hankering for a deeper dive, the Tournament of Roses YouTube channel includes videos on the history of the parade, highlights from this year’s events, replays of livestreams and more.
USC QB Miller Moss enters transfer portal after losing starting job to Jayden Maiava
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson's massive contract to create salary-cap space and give them future flexibility, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on Friday. Watson has been limited to just 19 games in three seasons because of an NFL suspension and injuries with the Browns, who signed him to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2022. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.
Mila Kunis praises her husband Ashton Kutcher for her identity; here's what she saidFears grow over invasion of 'unusually brainy' dog-sized lizards 'that eat everything in sight' By JAMES CIRRONE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 16:15, 14 December 2024 | Updated: 16:18, 14 December 2024 e-mail View comments The invasion of a lizard species that is the size of a dog has sparked concern as it wreaks havoc on ecosystems across the South. Central to experts' fears is the fact the roughly five-foot-long Argentine black and white tegu eats 'truly anything,' University of Florida wildlife professor Frank Mazzotti told The Palm Beach Post . They devour quail, chicken, turtle and even alligator eggs as well as turkeys, gopher tortoises and ground-nesting birds. They also feast on gopher fruit, vegetables, plants and pet food. This insatiable appetite poses a threat to native wildlife, and now the beast has spread to more states, including Florida, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and even Maryland. 'Because they can live in many more places and eat everything, there is not going to be a whole lot to stop them,' Mazzotti warned. It is not known precisely how many of these highly intelligent creatures are currently in the United States, but there have been nearly 10,000 sightings since 2002, according to a database created by the University of Georgia's Center of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. The vast majority of reports were in Florida, specifically in the Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area, which is south of Miami. There was one sighting in Maryland and five in Texas . The Argentine black and white tegu lizard can reach up to five feet long, have a varied diet and can exist in a wide variety of environments Pictured: The Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area, where tegu lizards are thriving While the Southern Glades Wildlife park seems to be their primary hangout, they have also been spotted in Miami itself and even the upscale city of West Palm Beach, where one resident found the lizard in a parking lot. And as Mazzotti and others have pointed out, tegus can thrive in a variety of different environments, which makes controlling their numbers nearly impossible. In 2019, Bryan Falk, who was the supervisory invasive species biologist at Everglades National Park at that time, called them ' do-everything lizards .' 'They are happy in many different environments, whether that is a natural or disturbed habitat. We once had a report of a tegu living in a dryer vent in someone’s house in Homestead,' said Falk, who is now a program analyst for the National Invasive Species Council, an agency contained within the US Department of Interior. Another reason why tegus have been able to move so far north is because they can sustain their body temperature during different seasons. This discovery was made by group of Brazilian and Canadian biologists at São Paulo State University in 2016, and scientists have since deemed the tegu the only warm-blooded lizard on earth. All other reptiles are strictly cold-blooded, meaning they can neither generate body heat nor sustain their metabolism without being in a warm environment. That's why when temperatures drop, alligators and snakes will either migrate to warmer places or hibernate to conserve energy. Your browser does not support iframes. A 115.2-pound female Burmese python is seen devouring a 77-pound white-tailed deer somewhere in Everglades National Park Contractors with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show off a Burmese python caught Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in the Everglades Tegus don't have this same limitation, demonstrated by the fact that they can raise their body temperature up to 10 degrees Celsius above the ambient temperature during their mating season in the spring. The extreme threat to local wildlife posed by tegus comes at a time when Burmese pythons are also steamrolling Florida . Like tegus, Burmese pythons are an invasive species. Pythons, though, are on average 16 feet long and can devour foxes, bobcats, raccoons and other animals. A recent study by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida discovered that pythons can also whole deer and certain alligators. Both pythons and tegus are believed to have made landfall in the US through the exotic pet trade, with pythons being exported in the early 1980s. Tegus only started seriously proliferating in the wild about 15 years ago, so experts believe their introduction came later. Some measures have been taken by state authorities to limit the tegu populations, including banning residents from keeping them as pets. Florida and South Carolina outlawed the reptiles a pets in the spring of 2021, while Georgia banned any tegus not registered with the Department of Natural Resources before December 4, 2023. Those wetlands are just south of the Miami metro area (pictured) The creatures have also been sighted in the upscale city of West Palm Beach (pictured) Scientists can now track the movements of tegus and other animals through their environmental DNA deposits in water or soil samples This discovery will allow wildlife officials to better control the populations of invasive species like tegus and Burmese pythons All three states have grandfather clauses for current owners, and based on tegus' approximately 20-year life span, they're likely to be around in captivity for some time. But when it comes to controlling tegus who have either escaped captivity or were born in the wild, scientists now believe they have discovered a much more reliable way to track them. And it has to do with DNA. Environmental DNA (eDNA), which is constantly shed by all living organisms, can now be more precisely detected than ever before. New technology, known as a tetraplex digital PCR assay, was developed by researchers with the University of Florida, and it can successfully detect the eDNA of four different species in a single water or soil sample. University of Florida invasion ecology specialist Melissa Miller, the lead author of the study , told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that her team was able to see Burmese python DNA in a soil sample two weeks after the snake was removed from an outdoor enclosure. This breakthrough was developed in the hope that if the tech was successful, it could be used to effectively track all of the more the 500 non-native species in Florida, including tegus. Miller said eDNA tests will offer wildlife officials who engage in removal efforts of invasive species a cost-effective way to ensure that they are indeed gone, instead of having to periodically check large swathes of land for physical sightings. Share or comment on this article: Fears grow over invasion of 'unusually brainy' dog-sized lizards 'that eat everything in sight' e-mail Add commentTHIS year, three overarching themes dominated the digital landscape: the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, the evolution of e-commerce as a cornerstone of global trade, and the integration of sustainability into digital business practices. These developments reshaped industries and redefined how businesses, governments and individuals interact with technology. Artificial intelligence took a quantum leap forward this year, with its influence extending into nearly every sector. From personalized marketing to advanced decision-making, AI cemented its role as an indispensable tool for innovation. Businesses across industries leveraged AI-driven marketing solutions to create hyper-targeted campaigns that resonated with individual consumer needs. Register to read this story and more for free . 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This year’s Alamo Bowl pits a couple of Big 12 teams against each other as BYU and Colorado prepare for the Dec. 28 battle in San Antonio. Both teams were 7-2 in conference and made it to the top of the standings this season but were both on the outside looking in on the Big 12 title game due to tie-breakers. Arizona State eventually beat Iowa State in the final. Fans looking to watch this college football game on ABC can do so for free on fuboTV , which offers a free trial ( and $30 off your first month ) or on DirecTV Stream , which also offers a free trial. SlingTV has promotional offers available , as well. Who : Colorado Buffaloes vs. BYU Cougars When : 7:30 PM ET, December 28, 2024 Where : Alamodome, San Antonio Stream : fuboTV (free trial + $30 off your first month) ; or Sling ; or DirecTV Stream Betting: Check out our MA sports betting guide , where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts. More College Football RELATED CONTENT: Newly minted Heisman winner Travis Hunter and Colorado return to practice, prepare for Alamo Bowl By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The fishing trips have been put on hold and the award-show excursions wrapped up. Now, it’s time for newly minted Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and the Colorado Buffaloes to get back to the business of a bowl game. These postseason appearances don’t come around all that often in Boulder. Not yet, anyway. “This has been the plan,” said coach Deion Sanders, whose 20th-ranked Buffaloes (9-3) returned to practice this week to get ready to face fellow Big 12 member and No. 17 BYU (10-2) in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28. “But we’re not satisfied, and we’re not done. We’re still on our way.” Sanders has taken the Buffaloes from a four-win team his first season at Colorado to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. Granted, it’s not the College Football Playoff — a late-season stumble at Kansas cost the Buffaloes — but still a big step. This marks only the program’s third bowl appearance over the last 17 seasons (all to the Alamo). The Buffaloes were so amped up at practice Tuesday that a scuffle broke out. “I don’t recommend that,” Sanders said. “But I was proud of that.” Make no mistake: Sanders expects nothing but high-quality play out of two-way standout Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Those two are projected to be high picks in the upcoming NFL draft and don’t want any sort of letdown. None of them do. “It’s not just a bowl game where we’re going to go be merry and have a Merry Christmas and exchange gifts and do all of that,” Deion Sanders explained. “No, we want to go there and play Buff football. “You think Travis wants to go out there and get locked down with the Heisman in the house? You think Shedeur wants to go out there and play that hot garbage when he’s one of the premier guys and probably, arguably the first pick of the whole draft? ... We’ve got guys who want to end on a great note.” It’s been a whirlwind since Colorado wrapped up the regular season with a 52-0 win over Oklahoma State on Nov. 29. Deion Sanders found time to squeeze in some fishing back in Texas. For Hunter, it’s been a parade of honors, including the Heisman and The Associated Press player of the year. Shedeur Sanders also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for a season in which he broke the school’s all-time single-season passing mark. “Travis, with ‘Coach Prime’ and Shedeur, those are the three most influential people that have helped reestablish winning back here in Colorado,” Colorado offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. Next in line Wanted: A potential QB in the transfer portal with a season of eligibility left to take over for Shedeur Sanders next season. Be forewarned — the keys to the offense very well could be handed over to Julian “JuJu” Lewis, the five-star high school recruit from Georgia who’s expected to join the Buffaloes this spring. “He’s got a bright future,” Shurmur said. “We’ll see how quickly that happens.” Deion Sanders spoke highly of Lewis on Tuesday and sees resemblances to his QB son. “I saw a lot of similarities in the way Julian’s life has been structured speaking to his father a multitude of times,” Sanders said. “Understanding how he came up, what he wants out of life, what he wants out of the game, and from the game, and what he gives to the game. The similarities are unbelievable.” Congratulations, Jackson State Sanders applauded his former team, Jackson State, for beating South Carolina State 28-7 last Saturday in the Celebration Bowl. Sanders went 27-6 at Jackson State (0-2 in the Celebration Bowl). “That’s awesome. I love them. I appreciate them,” Sanders said. “They’ve taken it to yet another level — and that was the plan all along.” Reeled back in Deion Sanders was caught off guard when linebacker Jeremiah Brown hit the transfer portal. He figured Brown, who followed Sanders from Jackson State, would at least talk to him before the decision. “He called me about everything else,” Sanders said. “He calls me every time he catches a decent-sized fish.” It was all sorted out once they met. Brown’s now staying — and even walked out with one of Sanders' fishing rods. “It was laying around the office so I really didn’t give it to him. He picked it up and walked out with it,” Sanders explained. “I’m so proud that he’s back, because I love him. He’s like a son to me. I’m glad we got that straight.” ___ What is DirecTV Stream? DirecTV Stream is an internet TV service that offers your favorite entertainment, news and sports channels, as well as local TV stations and regional sports networks . DirecTV Stream can be purchased for $79.98/month for your first two months when you sign up for the ENTERTAINMENT package and add DIRECTV Sports Pack. What is FuboTV ? FuboTV is a streaming service that has made a significant mark in the live sports market in the United States. It offers a range of pricing plans: The basic plan, the “Pro” package, provides an assortment of channels, including sports, news, and entertainment options like Showtime for $79.99 per month. What is SlingTV? Here’s what you can watch on Sling TV, with plans starting at $40 : Baseball (MLB), Basketball (NBA, NCAAB), Combat Sports (Boxing, UFC, MMA), Football (NCAAF, NFL), Golf, Hockey, Motorsports, Olympics, Soccer, Tennis and Wrestling. The Associated Press contributed to this articleIn a significant milestone, the population of the Indian community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reached approximately four million. This demographic boost is essential for the UAE’s economic development and is in line with the vision of the country according to the consul-general of India to Dubai and the Northern Emirates Satish Kumar Sivan. Speaking at a conference organized by the Indian Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s Dubai Chapter, Sivan said that the Indian expatriates had an important mission to turn the emirate into an international financial centre. He added that the Indian expatriates’ impact is represented across fields of construction, retail, health care and financial domain making them crucial for the UAE economy. “Beyond professional contributions, the Indian community serves as a cultural bridge between our two countries, which already enjoy a historical bond. The contribution of the community which grew from 2.2 million in 2012 to 3.9 million last year has been a key factor in the rapid strengthening of close strategic partnerships between India and the UAE, especially over the past decade”, Sivan said as reported by Khaleej Times. The bilateral relationship between India and UAE has also strengthened the Indian population in the Emirates including the introduction of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the county and local currency trade mechanisms The Indian community occupies the larger percentage with about 37.96 per cent of the total expatriate population in the UAE. Pakistan is the second largest expatriate population in UAE constituting approximately 26,310, which contributes 8.61 per cent. This demographic factor has been facilitated by the continued flow of Indian professionals in search of employment opportunities within the region. According to the latest figures, more than 130000 Indians have migrated to the UAE in a year, proving that the UAE is a top choice for Indians while they are moving abroad.
Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”OTTAWA — Two senior members of the federal cabinet were in Florida Friday pushing Canada's new $1.3 billion border plan with members of Donald Trump's transition team, a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself appeared to finally push back at the president-elect over his social media posts about turning Canada into the 51st state. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affair Minister Melanie Joly shared few details of their meetings in Palm Beach, simply saying in a statement the U.S. officials they met with took notes and agreed to relay messages to Trump. "Minister LeBlanc and Minister Joly had a positive, productive meeting at Mar-a-Lago with Howard Lutnick and Doug Burgum, as a followup to the dinner between the prime minister and President Trump last month," wrote Jean-Sébastien Comeau, a spokesman for LeBlanc. Lutnick is Trump's nominee for commerce secretary, and Burgum is the former governor of North Dakota and current nominee for secretary of the interior. When announcing Lutnick as his commerce pick Trump said the chief executive of the financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald would be in charge of the Trump "tariff and trade agenda." "Both Ministers outlined the measures in Canada’s Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives." He added the ministers agreed to continue the discussions in the coming weeks. Joly is also expected to meet in Florida with senator Lindsay Graham Friday evening. This trip comes less than four weeks before Trump is sworn in again as president. He has threatened to impose a new 25 per cent import tariff on Canada and Mexico the same day over concerns about a trade imbalance, as well as illegal drugs and migration issues at the borders. The broad strokes of Canada's new border plan were made public Dec. 17, including a new aerial intelligence task force to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the border, and improved efforts using technology and canine teams to seek out drugs in shipments leaving Canada. Comeau said earlier Friday morning the ministers would also emphasize the negative impacts of Trump's threatened tariffs on both Canada and the U.S. Comeau said the ministers were to build on the discussions that took place last month when Trudeau and LeBlanc met Trump at Mar-a-Lago just days after Trump first made his tariff threat. It was at that dinner on Nov. 29 when Trump first raised the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state, a comment LeBlanc has repeatedly since insisted was just a joke. But Trump has continued the quip repeatedly in various social media posts, including in his Christmas Day message when he said Canadians would pay lower taxes and have better military protection if they became Americans. He has taken to calling Trudeau "governor" instead of prime minister. It isn't clear if LeBlanc raised the issue with Trump's team in Palm Beach Friday. Trudeau had not directly responded to any of the jabs, but on Thursday posted a link to a six-minute long video on YouTube from 2010 in which American journalist Tom Brokaw "explains Canada to Americans." "Some information about Canada for Americans" was all he wrote in the post. The video, which originally aired during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, explains similarities between the two countries, including their founding based on immigration, their trading relationship and the actions of the Canadian Army in World War 2 and other modern conflicts. "In the long history of sovereign neighbours there has never been a relationship as close, productive and peaceful as the U.S. and Canada," Brokaw says in the video. Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who is at the centre of some of Trudeau's recent domestic political troubles, also called out Trump's antics on X Thursday, calling it "casual disrespect" and "carrying the 'joke' too far." "Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership," said Carney, who Trudeau was courting to join his cabinet before Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister last week. Freeland's sudden departure, three days after Trudeau informed her he would be firing her as finance minister in favour of Carney, left Trudeau's leadership even more bruised than it already was. Despite the expectation Carney would assume the role, he did not and has not made any statements about it. LeBlanc was sworn in as finance minister instead the same day Freeland quit. More than two dozen Liberal MPs have publicly called on Trudeau to resign as leader, and Trudeau is said to be taking the holidays to think about his next steps. He is currently vacationing in British Columbia. He did not make a public statement about the meeting as of publication. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Ayikoi Otoo, has expressed dissatisfaction with the legal strategy employed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in a recent Supreme Court case. His remarks follow the court’s ruling on December 27, which invalidated the re-collation of votes in four crucial constituencies: Tema Central, Ablekuma North, Techiman South, and Okaikwei Central. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile , Otoo criticized the NPP’s legal team for excluding parliamentary candidates from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from their application for a mandamus order. The ruling in question dealt with the NPP’s request for the re-collation of votes, which the court ultimately rejected. Otoo questioned the logic behind the decision to not include NDC candidates as interested parties in the case. “I have a problem with the NPP lawyers who went to court because we all know there are interested parties in this matter,” Otoo said, his frustration evident. “Usually, when you have a case like this, you must include the interested parties. So, clearly, why do you leave them out?” His comments highlight a critical procedural oversight, as the inclusion of the NDC candidates, who stood to be directly affected by the case, might have strengthened the NPP’s position. Otoo’s concerns suggest that this omission could have been a significant factor in the court’s decision to reject the NPP’s request. In legal cases involving electoral disputes, it is customary to involve all parties who may be impacted by the court’s ruling. By not including the NDC candidates, the NPP’s legal team may have undermined their case by not fully addressing the broader political context. This oversight, according to Otoo, raises questions about the NPP’s legal strategy and its preparedness to engage with all stakeholders involved in the dispute. The Supreme Court’s decision, which effectively put an end to the re-collation of votes, has added a new layer of complexity to Ghana’s ongoing electoral challenges. While the NPP has expressed disappointment, the ruling serves as a reminder of the critical importance of due process and legal strategy in electoral matters.》View SMM Nickel Quotes, Data, and Market Analysis This week, the prices of ternary materials, pure cobalt, and iron-lithium black mass remained stable, with most enterprises maintaining low operational flow rates. 【Guangzhou Cascade Utilization Project Launched】The Guangzhou 10,000 mt battery recycling and cascade utilization project has been launched. This project includes areas for charging and discharging, battery pack disassembly lines, module disassembly lines, PACK assembly lines, battery cell testing and sorting areas, battery cell aging test areas, finished product aging test areas, battery pack warehouses, waste battery cell warehouses for cascade utilization, cascade utilization finished product warehouses, and office areas. 【30,000 mt Lithium Battery Scrap Recycling Project Launched in Zhengzhou】Henan Ruibosi Technology Co., Ltd. was established on October 24, 2023, with its registered location in Station Street Town, Yulian Industrial Park No. 3, Gongyi City, Zhengzhou, Henan Province. Its business scope includes general projects such as R&D of emerging energy technologies, R&D of resource recycling technologies, technical consulting for resource recycling services, energy-saving management services, recycling of renewable resources (excluding productive waste metals), and sales of renewable resources. 【Hunan 20,000 mt Lithium Battery Recycling Project Launched】Recently, the Loudi Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment officially released the environmental impact assessment approval announcement for the "Phase II Scrap Motor Vehicle (including New Energy Vehicles) Recycling and Disassembly Project of the Sentai Renewable Resources Circular Economy Industrial Park in Loudi City," marking the project’s entry into the substantive construction phase. Upon completion and operation, the project is expected to recycle and disassemble up to 10,000 scrap vehicles annually, with an annual processing capacity of 20,000 mt for major automotive components and power batteries. This is anticipated to significantly enhance the recycling and processing capacity for scrap motor vehicles in the Loudi region, achieving efficient resource reuse. 【Guizhou 150,000 mt Iron Phosphate Production Line Project Launched】To meet market demand, Guizhou Yuneng New Energy Battery Materials Co., Ltd. plans to invest 260 million yuan to build a 150,000 mt/year iron phosphate production line project within its existing plant in Shuanglong Industrial Park, Niuchang Town, Fuquan City, Qiannan Prefecture, Guizhou Province. 》View SMM Nickel Product Spot Quotes 》Subscribe to View SMM Metal Spot Historical Price Trends 【For more content, subscribe to SMM Nickel Research Group products, including the "China Nickel-Chrome-Stainless Steel Industry Chain Regular Report" and the "China Nickel-Chrome-Stainless Steel Industry Chain High-End Report," to access the latest data analysis and market insights on nickel ore, NPI (China + Indonesia), refined nickel, nickel sulphate, chrome ore, ferrochrome, and stainless steel (China + Indonesia). 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