Peter Anholt tried to keep things light as he emerged from one of the elevators at Canada’s hotel. The temperature had been turned way up on the veteran hockey executive and the country’s under-20 program after a stunning upset some 12 hours earlier. “You only want to talk to me when things are bad, eh?” Anholt joked to reporters Saturday morning. “Is that how this works?” That is indeed what happens when a powerhouse with a record 20 gold medals expected to roll over an opponent suffers one of its worst all-time defeats at the tournament. Canada was embarrassed on home soil 3-2 by Latvia — a country it had thumped by a combined 41-4 score across four previous meetings — in a shocking shootout Friday. Coming off a disastrous fifth-place finish last year in Sweden and having talked a lot about upping their compete level and preparation, the Canadians looked disjointed for long stretches against the plucky, hard-working Latvians. The power play finally clicked late in the third period, but stands at 1-for-7 through two games, while the top line of Easton Cowan, Calum Ritchie and Bradly Nadeau has yet to translate its pre-tournament chemistry into success in the spotlight. “We’re certainly trying to problem solve, but not throw the baby out with the bath water,” said Anholt, who heads the world junior setup. “We’ve got to be really careful.” Canada, which picked up a solid 4-0 victory over Finland to open its tournament Thursday, had plenty of offensive zone time and directed 57 shots at Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs. Included in that total, however, were far too many one-and-done efforts from the perimeter with little traffic in front. There were, of course, desperate spurts — especially late in regulation and in 3-on-3 overtime — but not nearly enough for a roster peppered with first-round NHL draft picks and top prospects. “We played really, really hard,” Anholt said in defending his players. “We controlled the puck lots. We created some chances. Their goalie was really good and they defended really good ... 99 times out of 100 we win that game.” Hoping for a big response Sunday against Germany before meeting the United States on New Year’s Eve to tie a bow on round-robin action in Group A, Canada will have to push ahead minus one of its best players. Star defenceman Matthew Schaefer was injured Friday and is done for the tournament after he slammed into Latvia’s net and skated off favouring his left shoulder area. “Tough blow for the kid,” Anholt said. “The way he plays the game, he plays it at such a high speed.” Cowan, a Toronto Maple Leafs first-round selection, said Canada remains confident despite Friday’s ugly result in the nation’s capital. “We’re good,” said the 19-year-old from Mount Brydges, Ont. “Everyone’s lost a hockey game before.” But not like that — or to that opponent on that stage. “Bit of a (crappy) feeling,” said Nadeau, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect from St-Francois-de-Madawaska, N.B. “We all know what this group is capable of. Losing that game is not our standard. “We’ll bounce back.” Some corners of social media exploded following the Latvian debacle, with heavy criticism directed at head coach Dave Cameron and the team’s overall roster construction. “We’re not really worried about it,” defenceman and Ottawa native Oliver Book, who like Cowan is back from last year’s team, said of the outside noise. “We know we didn’t play well.” Canada appears poised to mix things up against the Germans. Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio of Kamloops, B.C., is set draw in for Schaefer, while Anholt indicated there’s a good chance forward Carson Rehkopf will get his first crack at the 2025 tournament as a returnee. The 19-year-old Seattle Kraken second-round pick from Vaughan, Ont., has scored a combined 78 goals over his last 97 regular-season and playoff games in the Ontario Hockey League. “Great player,” Cowan said. “He finds ways.” Anholt said taking a big-picture approach is key in challenging moments. “Let’s not panic,” he said. “The world hasn’t fallen in. It’s hard, but we’ll learn from it.” It’s something Canada will have to do under intense scrutiny. “People are gonna love you and people are gonna hate you,” said Cowan, who has a goal an assist through two games. “Gotta keep doing you.” Anholt, who was also at the helm 12 months ago when Canada never got in gear, isn’t getting 2024 vibes from this year’s group. “Not even in any way, shape or form,” he said. “We’ve just got to take care of business.” They get a first shot at redemption Sunday.Family members, friends and peers are uttering words of praise for the Sault’s Ray Stortini. A retired Ontario Superior Court Justice with a long history of community involvement, Stortini died on Sunday, Dec. 1. He was 95. “As a lawyer in his courtroom you always felt comfortable. He made everybody feel comfortable," veteran Sault lawyer Don Orazietti told SooToday . "He heard both sides of the case. He wasn’t there to intimidate or challenge anybody. You always felt that in his court you always received a fair hearing whether you won or not. And that is important.” As a lawyer in Sault Ste. Marie before becoming a judge, Stortini established a pro bono legal aid committee with other local lawyers in the 1960s. When the legal aid plan was introduced in Ontario, Stortini was the first legal aid area director. “He was fearless. He had a great moral compass. After the Mike Harris government came along in 1995, the Attorney General Charles Harnick cut off all legal aid certificates," Orazietti said. "The Attorney General’s office said legal aid lawyers might not get paid. Judge Stortini looked at the Crown Attorney and said ‘are you getting paid?’ He went around the courtroom and asked everybody if they were getting paid. "He said ‘I’m getting paid and the lawyers have to get paid.’ He stayed the case and that started an avalanche of cases being stayed. Within two days the Attorney General threw in the towel and said he would negotiate with the Law Society for legal aid lawyers to be paid,” Orazietti said. Stortini was also a pioneer of the community service program that required non-violent offenders to work for charitable institutions through community service hours as an alternative to jail. “As a judge he was a very compassionate man and always looking to do something beneficial, encouraging and positive for an individual. He was always a complete gentleman,” Orazietti said. Stortini grew up on Rome Street where the James Street Mall is located now. He was generous, honourable and selfless. "He took pride in doing the best that he could," said his son, Mike Stortini, in a phone interview on Tuesday. "When he committed to a cause, he would spearhead a cause. His motto was ‘leave the wood pile higher than when you found it’ and that’s very true of him. He was very well respected and he’s going to be missed,” Stortini wrote three books, the first two being memoirs of growing up in the Sault’s ‘Little Italy’ in the west end of the city, the third a collection of poems. “As a judge he would sentence non-violent criminals to do community service work so that they would give back to the community instead of rotting in jail,” Mike said. The judge who sentenced Keith Richards to perform fundraiser concerts with the Rolling Stones as a result of the rock star’s drug offences in Toronto in the 1970s sought out Stortini’s advice before handing down that sentence, Mike said. After graduating from high school, Stortini worked at Algoma Steel, on a Great Lakes freighter and in the insurance industry before pursuing a post-secondary education. He enrolled in University of Western Ontario’s physical education teacher program then switched to studying law. He earned a BA from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Laws degree from York University in 1960. After running a general law practice in the Sault, Stortini was appointed a judge of York County (Toronto) in 1971, to the Algoma District Court in 1976 and then appointed as a justice of the Superior Court of Justice in 1990. He held that post until he retired in 2004. Politically, he was elected to city council for two terms - from 1964 to 1968 - but lost a bid to become the Liberal Party’s candidate for the Sault Ste. Marie riding in the 1968 federal election. His long list of community involvement includes work with Algoma Public Health, Children's Aid Society, the Soup Kitchen Community Centre, Sault YMCA, Ken Brown Alcohol Recovery Home, Algoma University Board of Governors, and the St. Joseph Island Lions Club. He continued to volunteer at the Soup Kitchen in his senior years. He won the Judge I. A. Vannini Award in 2007 for his cultural contributions and the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration granted him the Order of Ontario in 2012. Stortini was awarded the Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit in 2021. Moving to St. Joseph Island once he retired, Stortini enjoyed many hobbies including sailing, gardening, running in marathons and playing pickleball. He remained involved in pickleball until recently. “We saw him at the St. Joseph Island pickleball courts quite a bit," said pickleball player and friend Mike Prpich. "He was a very fun person with a great personality. "Ray played right up until this year. He loved the camaraderie and meeting people. That was his personality. He was a gentle giant." Stortini played an important role in growing the sport of pickleball on St. Joseph Island. “He was playing right up to September of this year," said fellow pickleballer Terry Archambeault, adding that Stortini was a sweetheart who was always the last one off the court. "We’re all going to miss him.” Predeceased by his wife Mary-Kay, Stortini was a father of four sons, a grandfather and great-grandfather. Stortini’s obituary, visitation and funeral arrangements can be read here .
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NoneUFC president Dana White, a longtime vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, said recently he most likely won’t get involved in politics again. In an interview with the New Yorker after UFC 309 on Saturday in New York , White told the outlet he’s “done with politics.” In addition to receiving support from White throughout the run-up to this year’s election, Trump, often seen sitting ringside for UFC events, had the UFC frontman introduce him on the final night of the Republican National Convention in July . “He’s fighting for the future of this country, and he’s concerned about interrupting my family trip,” White said at the convention. “That’s the President Trump that I know, a man that truly cares about people.” However, that might have been the final time White, a friend of Trump for more than 25 years, helps with presidential campaigns.
Under Voltage Protection: A Modern Solution for Electrical SafetyThe dismissal pitch came after Judge Juan Merchan’s decision on November 22nd to indefinitely postpone the US president-elect’s sentencing so lawyers on both sides can argue over its future, given Trump’s victory in the recent presidential election . While Mr Trump’s lawyers have repeatedly pushed for dismissal to no avail, his impending return to the presidency has presented an opportunity for them to make their case once again. Mr Trump was convicted of 34 felony charges of falsifying business records involving hush money paid to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in May. He was the first US president, sitting or former, in history to be found guilty in a criminal case. Mr Merchan said in his postponement decision that Trump’s lawyers had a December 2nd deadline to file their argument for dismissal. Prosecutors had a week to submit their response. [ Timeline: Trump’s $130,000 hush money payment to and the path to the guilty verdict Opens in new window ] Mr Trump’s lawyers have been calling on Mr Merchan to toss the case outright after he defeated Kamala Harris on November 5th. In previous papers seeking permission to file a formal dismissal request, Mr Trump’s attorneys said that dismissal was required “in order to facilitate the orderly transition of executive power”. Todd Blanche, Trump’s main attorney and selection for deputy US attorney general, as well as Emil Bove, his choice for principal associate deputy attorney general, said that Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg’s office “appears to not yet be ready to dismiss this politically motivated and fatally flawed case, which is what is mandated by the law and will happen as justice takes its course”. They had noted that the US justice department was poised to abandon Trump’s federal cases and referred to a departmental memo that bars prosecution of sitting presidents. “As in those cases, dismissal is necessary here,” their filing argued. “Just as a sitting president is completely immune from any criminal process, so too is president Trump as president-elect.” Special counsel prosecutors who were pursuing the federal cases against Mr Trump indeed filed paperwork on November 25th asking for their dismissal – citing justice department policy that his team has repeatedly invoked. “It has long been the position of the department of justice that the United States constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting president,” wrote Molly Gaston, the top deputy for special counsel Jack Smith. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the government stands fully behind.” Manhattan prosecutors have argued against dismissal in prior court papers and have suggested a solution that would obviate any concerns about interrupting his presidency – including “deferral of all remaining criminal proceedings until after the end of defendant’s upcoming presidential term”. – Guardian
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican lower house lawmakers on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a proposal to alter the constitution to include a ban on e-cigarettes and vaping devices as well as a crackdown on synthetic drugs such as fentanyl. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who sent the proposal to Congress before leaving office this year, had argued that smoking devices were damaging public health, with children particularly susceptible to getting hooked. ADDITIONAL CONTEXT Lopez Obrador had already banned such devices through a presidential decree, though they remain widely available for purchase. Millions of Mexicans, meanwhile, smoke traditional cigarettes, which remain legal. The reform passed by the legislature on Tuesday also sanctions "production, distribution and sale of toxic substances, chemical precursors, the illicit use of fentanyl and other non-authorized synthetic drugs." Fentanyl, while approved for some use medically, is also by and large banned in Mexico. BY THE NUMBERS The measure passed, in general terms, with 410 votes in favor and 24 against. Less than 1 million people from ages 12 to 65 reported regularly using a vape in 2022, according to federal data cited by lawmakers. Meanwhile, around 500,000 teens and 300,000 adults used e-cigarettes. KEY QUOTES "We value girls', boys', and young people's right to good health above economic and political interests," said Workers' Party lawmaker Mary Carmen Bernal, who belongs to the ruling bloc. Opposition legislator Ector Jaime Ramirez, meanwhile, said banning fentanyl and vaping in the same reform was excessive and "trivializing to the effort being made to combat the most addictive and dangerous drugs." WHAT'S NEXT The reform is now set to head to the senate, where the ruling Morena party and its allies hold a strong majority. (Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by David Gregorio) Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .
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The dismissal pitch came after Judge Juan Merchan’s decision on November 22nd to indefinitely postpone the US president-elect’s sentencing so lawyers on both sides can argue over its future, given Trump’s victory in the recent presidential election . While Mr Trump’s lawyers have repeatedly pushed for dismissal to no avail, his impending return to the presidency has presented an opportunity for them to make their case once again. Mr Trump was convicted of 34 felony charges of falsifying business records involving hush money paid to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in May. He was the first US president, sitting or former, in history to be found guilty in a criminal case. Mr Merchan said in his postponement decision that Trump’s lawyers had a December 2nd deadline to file their argument for dismissal. Prosecutors had a week to submit their response. [ Timeline: Trump’s $130,000 hush money payment to and the path to the guilty verdict Opens in new window ] Mr Trump’s lawyers have been calling on Mr Merchan to toss the case outright after he defeated Kamala Harris on November 5th. In previous papers seeking permission to file a formal dismissal request, Mr Trump’s attorneys said that dismissal was required “in order to facilitate the orderly transition of executive power”. Todd Blanche, Trump’s main attorney and selection for deputy US attorney general, as well as Emil Bove, his choice for principal associate deputy attorney general, said that Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg’s office “appears to not yet be ready to dismiss this politically motivated and fatally flawed case, which is what is mandated by the law and will happen as justice takes its course”. They had noted that the US justice department was poised to abandon Trump’s federal cases and referred to a departmental memo that bars prosecution of sitting presidents. “As in those cases, dismissal is necessary here,” their filing argued. “Just as a sitting president is completely immune from any criminal process, so too is president Trump as president-elect.” Special counsel prosecutors who were pursuing the federal cases against Mr Trump indeed filed paperwork on November 25th asking for their dismissal – citing justice department policy that his team has repeatedly invoked. “It has long been the position of the department of justice that the United States constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting president,” wrote Molly Gaston, the top deputy for special counsel Jack Smith. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the government stands fully behind.” Manhattan prosecutors have argued against dismissal in prior court papers and have suggested a solution that would obviate any concerns about interrupting his presidency – including “deferral of all remaining criminal proceedings until after the end of defendant’s upcoming presidential term”. – Guardian
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Super Micro Computer: That Was A Game ChangerHow to Break Up BetterEven as a storm brought freezing temperatures and a foot of snow to Santa Fe on Nov. 7, Margaret Acton knew she couldn't wait a single day more. After six long years, her mother was moving back into the family home. “She left to go to church and she never came back until last week," Acton said in a November interview. It was 87-year-old Eloisa Bustos' dying wish to be able to move out of an assisted living facility and back into her home. She is now in hospice care. "We’re just going to be happy every day and share the love" for as much time as she has left, Acton said. Bustos, diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, could still rattle off the full address of her home on Don Cubero Avenue when she walked up the ramp to the front door Nov. 7, supported by her son-in-law Doug Acton and a walker. She was able to return after renovations that came with high costs and some bureaucratic headaches. "I'm so happy to be here," Bustos said in a video Acton took to document the occasion. "You don't know how happy I am. Thanks be to God." For a long time, "happy" is a word the family didn't hear from Bustos very often. The devout Catholic went to Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi one day six years ago and had a medical emergency, tearing her aorta and collapsing in a pew. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital where she underwent intensive surgery, Acton said, and the family was told she had only three years to live. Bustos beat that prediction but cycled through several senior living facilities because she had become too frail to live in her historic home unaided. Bustos spent two years at Brookdale Senior Living, which cost the family $5,500 a month. They transferred her to Pacifica Senior Living, which at $4,500 was one of the most affordable facilities in the city — but, the family discovered, also was beset with problems. The troubled facility announced in the spring it was transitioning to a 55-plus independent living community — now called Sierra Blanca Apartments — giving most of its residents just a short time to find other housing arrangements. Bustos' family moved her to MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Santa Fe. Acton spoke highly of the center but said it was a steep jump in cost: "We went from paying $4,500 a month for a suite at Pacifica to $6,700 for a room." In the meantime, work was underway to make the home Bustos and her late husband had purchased in the early 1970s livable for her again, which took a tremendous amount of work. “I could have bought everyone in my family a brand-new car” for what it cost to remodel the house, Acton said, estimating the total at more than $300,000. She credited Doug Acton's work as a paramedic in the film industry for keeping the family afloat financially. "If it wasn't for him, none of this would be possible," she said. Work included fixing the basement after the radiator broke, causing flooding; installing a new HVAC system; converting the shower into a bathtub; installing a ramp; and redoing the stucco, which had begun to crack so much a gap in the front room was almost large enough to see through. Along with the cost, Acton said the family ran into problems with the city of Santa Fe's Historic Preservation Division, which she said initially refused to give the family permission to install a ramp because it would alter the facade of the historic home. Built in the 1950s, the home is designated as a "contributing" property under city ordinances regulating buildings in historic districts. "I was like, 'Can I charge admittance?' ” Acton recalled thinking at the time. The ombudsman for the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Service Department wouldn't allow Bustos to leave MorningStar unless a ramp was installed outside her home. Department spokesperson Joey Long said the ombudsman's office, previously housed in the Care Transitions Program, is now managed by Adult Protective Services. The program helps residents living in long-term care facilities safely transition back into community settings, Long said, or into another residential facility. Ombudsmen serve as "dedicated advocates for residents’ rights, ensuring that residents’ voices are heard and their needs are met," Long wrote in an email. Acton said the state ombudsman also wouldn't release Bustos from MorningStar unless the family could show they had around-the clock medical care, which would have cost more than keeping her at the center. However, because Doug Acton, a retired Santa Fe Fire Department deputy fire chief, is a licensed paramedic and the Actons are now living in the home with Bustos, the state agreed to release her after the ramp was finally installed. Acton said she was frustrated by the holdup the city created in moving Bustos back into her own home, which forced the family to spend thousands of dollars at MorningStar for each additional month of delay. "That isn't a call the city of Santa Fe should make," she said. The family eventually got permission to install the ramp, but Acton said the experience has soured her on the city's oversight of historic buildings. "Don't make it so hard that when you're elderly, that you can't get back home," she said. "Because that just defeats the purpose of working so hard to own your home.” A city official asked if the family planned to remove the ramp after Bustos died, she added, a question she found insensitive. Santa Fe Planning and Land Use Director Heather Lamboy said the request to install Bustos' ramp went through an administrative approval process in October. Staff determined the family did not need a construction permit to install it, but did require a safety inspection, which has yet to be scheduled. "We told them to go ahead and install it and schedule an inspection so we know everything is safe," she said. Enforcing historic regulations with consideration for accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act is a balancing act, Lamboy said, and city staff work to find solutions that meet everyone's needs. "With historic buildings, the intent is not to change what we call primary facades or the facades that have been designated by the [Historic Districts Review] Board as having the most historic interest," she said. The youngest of eight, Bustos worked for the National Park Service for 30 years and then worked 17 years as an office manager at the cathedral, retiring at 79. When this year’s Fiesta Court visited MorningStar in September, Acton said they immediately flocked to Bustos. "They all wanted a blessing; they all wanted hugs," Acton said. "All the people [at MorningStar] were like, 'Who's your mom?' And I said, 'She's someone special.' ” Despite all the challenges of moving her mother back home, Acton said she wouldn't trade it. One day in April, when Bustos was still living in a suite at the former Pacifica Senior Living, she had sat quietly, not appearing to have much awareness of her surroundings, while others spoke about their frustrations with the troubled facility. It was a far cry from her affect on a day in mid-November as she visited with family in her own home, occasionally interjecting into the conversation and smiling as Acton's dogs Mister and Shug scampered around the room. Once a week, a nurse and a social worker from the hospice care agency Compassus come by to check on Bustos, and another woman comes to shower her twice a week. A spiritual adviser also comes by every week, who prays with her and gives her Communion. The experience has brought a tremendous amount of peace to the family, Acton said. "It should be like that for every elder, if you ask me," she said. "They earned it." Now that her mother has entered hospice care, Acton senses she doesn't have much more time, something she said she's trying to prepare herself for emotionally. "I've been a little nervous because I know it's coming, and I know it's coming soon," Acton said, starting to tear up. "But at least I got her home, and that's what matters. I got my mom home."
It looked like a recipe for disaster. So, when his country's swimmers were being accused of doping earlier this year, one Chinese official cooked up something fast. He blamed it on contaminated noodles. In fact, he argued, it could have been a culinary conspiracy concocted by criminals, whose actions led to the cooking wine used to prepare the noodles being laced with a banned heart drug that found its way into an athlete's system. This theory was spelled out to international anti-doping officials during a meeting and, after weeks of wrangling, finally made it into the thousands of pages of data handed over to the lawyer who investigated the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for that same drug. The attorney, appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, refused to consider that scenario as he sifted through the evidence. In spelling out his reasoning, lawyer Eric Cottier paid heed to the half-baked nature of the theory. "The Investigator considers this scenario, which he has described in the conditional tense, to be possible, no less, no more," Cottier wrote. Even without the contaminated-noodles theory, Cottier found problems with the way WADA and the Chinese handled the case but ultimately determined WADA had acted reasonably in not appealing China's conclusion that its athletes had been inadvertently contaminated. Critics of the way the China case was handled can't help but wonder if a wider exploration of the noodle theory, details of which were discovered by The Associated Press via notes and emails from after the meeting where it was delivered, might have lent a different flavor to Cottier's conclusions. "There are more story twists to the ways the Chinese explain the TMZ case than a James Bond movie," said Rob Koehler, the director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. "And all of it is complete fiction." In April, reporting from the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD revealed that the 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine, also known as TMZ. China's anti-doping agency determined the athletes had been contaminated, and so, did not sanction them. WADA accepted that explanation, did not press the case further, and China was never made to deliver a public notice about the "no-fault findings," as is often seen in similar cases. The stock explanation for the contamination was that traces of TMZ were found in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers were staying. In his 58-page report, Cottier relayed some suspicions about the feasibility of that chain of events — noting that WADA's chief scientist "saw no other solution than to accept it, even if he continued to have doubts about the reality of contamination as described by the Chinese authorities." But without evidence to support pursuing the case, and with the chance of winning an appeal at almost nil, Cottier determined WADA's "decision not to appeal appears indisputably reasonable." A mystery remained: How did those traces of TMZ get into the kitchen? Shortly after the doping positives were revealed, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations held a meeting on April 30 where it heard from the leader of China's agency, Li Zhiquan. Li's presentation was mostly filled with the same talking points that have been delivered throughout the saga — that the positive tests resulted from contamination from the kitchen. But he expanded on one way the kitchen might have become contaminated, harkening to another case in China involving a low-level TMZ positive. A pharmaceutical factory, he explained, had used industrial alcohol in the distillation process for producing TMZ. The industrial alcohol laced with the drug "then entered the market through illegal channels," he said. The alcohol "was re-used by the perpetrators to process and produce cooking wine, which is an important seasoning used locally to make beef noodles," Li said. "The contaminated beef noodles were consumed by that athlete, resulting in an extremely low concentration of TMZ in the positive sample. "The wrongdoers involved have been brought to justice." This new information raised eyebrows among the anti-doping leaders listening to Li's report. So much so that over the next month, several emails ensued to make sure the details about the noodles and wine made their way to WADA lawyers, who could then pass it onto Cottier. Eventually, Li did pass on the information to WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel and, just to be sure, one of the anti-doping leaders forwarded it, as well, according to the emails seen by the AP. All this came with Li's request that the noodles story be kept confidential. Turns out, it made it into Cottier's report, though he took the information with a grain of salt. "Indeed, giving it more attention would have required it to be documented, then scientifically verified and validated," he wrote. Neither Wenzel nor officials at the Chinese anti-doping agency returned messages from AP asking about the noodles conspiracy and the other athlete who Li suggested had been contaminated by them. Meanwhile, 11 of the swimmers who originally tested positive competed at the Paris Games earlier this year in a meet held under the cloud of the Chinese doping case. Though WADA considers the case closed, Koehler and others point to situations like this as one of many reasons that an investigation by someone other than Cottier, who was hired by WADA, is still needed. "It gives the appearance that people are just making things up as they go along on this, and hoping the story just goes away," Koehler said. "Which clearly it has not." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
The end appears to be near for The Weeknd , according to nationwide billboards. The pop star has been promoting his upcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow , which includes a motion picture starring Jenna Ortega. The album arrives in January, but the latest campaign has possibly advertised the end of the singer's iconic persona. Billboards across the county read: "The E nd is near." The Weeknd has hinted at a change in his music for years. In a 2023 interview with W Magazine , Abel discussed a change, saying, "I'm going through a cathartic path right now. It's getting to a place and a time where I'm getting ready to close the Weeknd chapter. I'll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weeknd. But I still want to kill The Weeknd. And I will. Eventually. I'm definitely trying to shed that skin and be reborn." The billboards have sparked mixed reactions from fans across social media. An X user commented, "Good thing he writing his own ending instead of making us OVO goons do it for him!" Another user questioned the validity of the plan. They tweeted: "Good marketing, but what artist gonna fill the gap when he’s officially done?" "He mentioned retiring the name 'The Weeknd' few years ago but it also could mean The end of the trilogy," tweeted a user about the singer. Read more: Music The Weeknd's Music-Based Film With Jenna Ortega & Barry Keoghan Gets Release Date Lionsgate has set May 16, 2025, as the North American release date for Hurry Up Tomorrow , the highly anticipated feature film debut of pop icon The Weeknd. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, the film is described as a "musically driven psychological thriller" and serves as a creative extension of The Weeknd’s latest artistic endeavors. The film studio is betting on The Weeknd’s massive global fan base to fuel box office success. The film promises fans an immersive experience that connects his cinematic vision with the music and themes of his album. With seven Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits to his name, including chart-toppers like “Blinding Lights” and “Starboy,” The Weeknd is one of the most-streamed artists in history. He recently became the first artist to achieve 24 songs with over one billion streams each on Spotify, further solidifying his cultural impact. Read more: Playboi Carti's "I AM MUSIC" Gets Promising Pre-Order UpdateLAST minute Christmas shoppers have flocked to Wilko's after the chain retailer slashed the price of Christmas trees. With three weeks to go until Christmas , Wilko is here to make the festive season sparkle. The chain retailer has slashed the price of Christmas trees by up to 48 per cent. There are plenty of different trees on sale too, with a selection of artificial trees, as well as pre-lit trees. Shoppers can choose from a huge array of different trees, ranging from traditional green, to different colours, to a range of different heights - including a tabletop Christmas tree, perfect for small spaces. Prices start from just £11 for a small table-top tree, to £240 for a more opulent 7ft pre lit tree. Read more money news One tree on offer is the Shatchi Fibre Optic Multicolour LED Pre Lit Artifical tree which stands at 3ft tall. The pre-lit tree was selling for £48, and is now down to £40. Christmas lovers opting for a more traditional look can pick up a 6ft artificial Shatchi Bushy Green LED Pre-Lit Kentucky Artificial Christmas Tree for £151 - down from £181, saving customers £30. Wilko also currently has 25 per cent off Christmas decorations - making it a one stop festive shop. Most read in Money The deals won't last forever, and shoppers could miss out on their favourite Christmas product, so it's advised to call ahead or check online first. You can find your nearest Wilko store by checking the store locator on the website, or alternatively, you can make your purchase online. SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain... Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item. Meanwhile, a viral pop up Christmas tree has shoppers in a tizzy. The Range appears to have found a time-saving solution by creating a ‘pop up’ Christmas tree which looks “lavish” in seconds. The retailer uploaded a video of the easy installation, showing how it folds flat and then you unfurl it in seconds from the top to the bottom. In less than a minute, the tree looks ‘perfect’ with even branches and is ready for the Christmas period. They wrote: “The tree without THE FUSS. Our 6ft Deluxe pre-lit Pop up tree is LESS THAN £100.” The flocked tree even comes already decorated, so you don’t have to spend hours each year making it look festive. The description reads: “For those who want their lavish Christmas decor without all the fuss of setting up, the 6ft Deluxe Pre-Lit Pop Up Tree is the perfect choice for your centrepiece. “As a pop-up tree, it's super easy to simply fold out, and it even comes with fairy lights already all over it, so you don't even need to bother with LED strings. READ MORE SUN STORIES “For extra festive cheer, this tree features a snowy flocked finish as well as silver baubles.” Currently the tree costs £99.99, but it hasn’t been a big hit so far with shoppers, despite it being a quick solution. HERE'S what you need to know if you're buying a real Christmas tree: First thing's first: buy a pot (if it doesn't come in one already). You'll need to treat your tree just like a houseplant and give it water and attention. Make sure the container has good drainage - and it's a good idea to put something underneath to catch the excess water. Check the soil everyday to make sure it's not drying out. If it feels dry, give it some water. If it still feels moist, leave it alone as too much water can also kill a tree. Also check the LED bulbs on your tree lights aren't too hot as they could burn it, and keep your tree away from radiators. When Christmas is over, try planting it in the garden so you can dig it up and use it again next year. It's a good idea to take it out of its pot when you do re-plant it though, as large trees don't survive well in pots as their roots need space to grow.
The New Jersey Devils hope the momentum they built leading up to the NHL's holiday break will carry over after the three days off, as the Metropolitan Division leaders start a two-day, home-and-home series with the third-place Carolina Hurricanes on Friday in Newark, N.J. Coach Sheldon Keefe's team has won five of its last six games, including the previous two by shutouts. Jacob Markstrom stopped a dozen shots in the Devils' 5-0 win over the visiting New York Rangers on Monday. That came just two days after he made 12 saves in a 3-0 home victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. According to the league's record book, the Devils have posted three straight shutouts once, April 1-6, 1997. Jack Hughes scored two goals and added an assist in Monday's win. Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer each notched a goal and an assist, and Jesper Bratt and Luke Hughes both recorded a pair of assists. The Devils' offense has been on display during the last six games, with the team scoring 19 times in the five wins. However, the team's defense has been playing equally as strong. New Jersey has not allowed an opponent to put more than 20 shots on goal in seven games. That's the longest such streak since the NHL started tracking the stat beginning in the 1955-56 season. It's a streak Keefe didn't even know the league tracked when he talked to reporters after the win over the Rangers, but he said it is the result of a team showing the willingness to defend the middle of the rink and keeping the opposition from getting multiple attempts on scoring chances. "Whether it's having the puck well and managing it well or closing space when we don't have it, it's just a really tremendous buy-in and commitment from our guys," Keefe said. "Couldn't ask for more in that regard." That shot-on-goal streak may be in jeopardy Friday as the Devils face a Hurricanes team that averages 31.6 shots per game. Carolina wraps up a four-game road trip Friday. On Monday, it lost for the second time in three contests, falling 5-2 against the Nashville Predators. The Hurricanes trailed 4-0 less than three minutes into the third period before Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho scored 40 seconds apart, but that was as close as the team would get. Coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters afterward the Hurricanes' struggles of late are not due to a lack of effort. "We got to keep working it, trying to find the right combinations to spice things," he said. "We know a couple things that we know work, and then it's just finding the rest. But (Monday), we just as a group weren't hard enough to play against for the majority of the game, and we got what we deserved." The holiday break may have come at an opportune time for Martin Necas. The center continues to lead Carolina in scoring, with 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists) in 34 games. However, the 25-year-old Czech is mired in a season-long eight-game goal drought. He's gone the last four games without an assist, which is another season-long streak, and has posted only one in his last six. --Field Level Media
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