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Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Melbourne cafe supremo Rashid Alshakshir is, in many ways, the epitome of a small business success story. The one-time aspiring journalist and student filmmaker pivoted several years ago into marketing and hospitality and is now the co-owner of the newly opened, trendy Tickled Pink cafe in Canngu, in Bali, building upon the brand’s outlets in Thornbury, Elwood and Richmond. More recently, Alshakshir has been involved in a far more lucrative business, earning $35 million in 18 months providing investment “leads” to property developer and fund manager Paul Chiodo. Rashid Alshakshir (left) and Paul Chiodo and the branding for the Tickled Pink cafes. Credit: Monique Westerman Until June, Chiodo had overseen the massive $480 million Shield Master Fund managed investment scheme and the Keystone Asset Management investment house, as well as a development pipeline of exclusive, five-star resorts worth $1 billion in places such as Port Douglas, Fiji and Venice. Alshakshir’s side hustle with Chiodo appears to have been stymied by an investigation by the corporate watchdog into the affairs of Chiodo and the investments of the Shield Master Fund, which is now frozen, trapping the life savings of 6000 Australians. Part of the regulator’s probe includes reviewing the relationship between Chiodo and the cafe owner and the other 16 or so lead generators who were paid $65 million in total – or 13 per cent of the money raised from investors – for marketing services. An investigation by this masthead in early August revealed concerns at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) that a large proportion of the Shield Master Fund’s money had been improperly directed to another fund that then solely provided loans and mortgages to Chiodo’s property development business. ASIC alleges these investments may have been out of step with the fund’s stated investment intentions given it appears investors had believed they were investing in shares in listed companies and in a diversified portfolio of property developments and secured loans. This masthead also uncovered that several of the Chiodo developments invested in by the fund were for ambitious five-star hotel projects that had no planning approval and faced lengthy delays compared to the completion times touted in promotional material. This included $140 million of investor money being advanced to a property development in Port Douglas, which had no planning approval. It has since emerged that the fund, via its Quantum PE sub-fund, had invested in the Tickled Pink cafe business – which is owned by the man who was generating leads for new investors into the Chiodo investment empire. Chiodo has long described ASIC’s probe as unfair and “precipitous”, noting it had a disastrous impact on investors in the fund despite his efforts to work constructively with ASIC and receivers to his business. ASIC has made no formal charges against Chiodo and there is a chance the corporate watchdog’s investigation may result with no action being taken against the once highly flying property developer and fund manager who tried in vain to rescue the Shield Master Fund from entering administration before liquidators were appointed. There is also no suggestion that Alshakshir, who runs Bespoke Marketing, the business headquartered in Sydney Road, Coburg, as well as the cafes, has any involvement in the Shield Master Fund or Chiodo’s development business. The payments to Alshakshir’s business are, however, of interest to ASIC and to liquidators from Deloitte, Jason Tracy and Luci Palaghia, who are reviewing whether they can claw back the payments for the investors in the fund. The interior of the Tickled Pink cafe in Elwood before its closure in November. Credit: Instagram ASIC highlighted the relationship between one of Chiodo’s entities and Alshakshir’s business NOHAP in court documents filed by the regulator when obtaining freezing orders over Chiodo’s assets this year. “ASIC suspects that Keystone has been paying commissions to lead generators engaged to assist Keystone in promoting investments in the SMF [Shield Master Fund]. ASIC is particularly concerned with certain payments made to NOHAP,” the regulator said in the documents. Commission payments to financial advisers for product recommendations are banned in Australia under laws put in place to stamp out conflicted remuneration. However, payments for marketing services are permitted. There is also no suggestion that Keystone paid any commissions to financial advisers. ASIC acknowledged in its court documents that Keystone and related group CF Capital maintained a policy that explicitly stated that neither ever paid commissions for financial advice in explaining the relationship between Alshakshir and Chiodo. “The agreement [between NOHAP and Chiodo Corporation Operations] variously provided that NOHAP would provide Chiodo Operations with services variously involving the identification and encouragement of ‘potential clients’ (expressly not involving the provision of advice),” ASIC said in its court filing. “NOHAP was to be paid significant fees and commissions as to any resulting person who invested in any financial product promoted, offered or managed by Chiodo Operations or a related entity of Chiodo Operations (including any fund).” An artist’s impression of the Fiji resort being planned by Chiodo Corporation. Credit: Instagram Chiodo, when approached by this masthead for comment, said the payments were entirely above board and common in the industry. “Every fund undertakes marketing including the industry super funds via media, sporting sponsorships, radio and social media. There is nothing unusual about funds paying for marketing to gain more investors. The benefits to members are obvious as validated by large funds also using these forms of marketing strategies,” he said. Chiodo said that successful marketing resulted in leads for the business, and called it “marketing 101”. “The leads came from marketing consultants, which was approved expenditure by Keystone. Chiodo Corporation acted on instructions by Keystone to enter into contracts and to make marketing payments under the direction of Keystone,” he said. “Keystone engaged specialised marketing consultants under a fee-for-service arrangement that exists in this marketplace [which] provides these services a wide range of fund managers including the large industry funds.” Chiodo added that Alshakshir’s business was used by other leading fund managers for marketing to generate leads on prospective clients, and that doing so was common in the industry. Keystone’s other marketing activities also included paying $700,000 in corporate event appearance fees to big-name NBA players Allen Iverson and Josh Giddey, and boxers Tyson Fury and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Rashid Alshakshir’s Bespoke Marketing business in Sydney Road, Coburg. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui It’s not clear if Alshakshir was involved in those corporate events. But he does have a strong marketing background and an interest in marketing for financial services, which appears to have blossomed in the past two years. This includes three websites focused on helping Australians better plan for their retirement, according to company documents and searches of website ownership databases. Two of the websites – Superfinder.au an Australianlostsuper.com.au – help Australians find and consolidate their lost superannuation. Another, mysmsfaustralia.com.au, educates people about the benefits of self-managed superannuation. The websites, which listed a business email address associated with Alshakshir, were all closed on December 18, following an inquiry from this masthead to Alshakshir to that email address the previous day. Alshakshir did not respond to the inquiry. There is no suggestion the sites were tied to Chiodo’s business or were conducting any work that was not in line with the law, just that they show Alshakshir’s burgeoning interest in marketing services that help Australians save for their retirement. Before being shuttered, all the sites made it clear there is no provision of financial advice, which requires a licence. Instead, the two lost super sites offered a call line and the self-managed superannuation business said it was only “Connecting you with licensed financial planners and advisers for super and other personal investment advice”. The Australian Lost Super website before it was closed following an inquiry from his masthead on December 17. The website closure isn’t the only part of Alshakshir’s business that is in wind-down mode. In November, he and his business partners hung up closed signs at the Tickled Pink cafe outlets in Thornbury, Elwood and Richmond. The cafe in Canngu is also in hiatus, according to a post on its Instagram page which reads: “We are temporarily closed. And working on something exciting. Stay tuned.” Asked about the Tickled Pink business, including the closure of the Melbourne venues, Chiodo said: “Tickled Pink had three thriving businesses in Melbourne and their international strategy in Bali made for it to be a good investment. Tickled Pink upon completing the Bali restaurant fitout delivered a $15 million valuation. “I understand that that Bali business is still thriving, and they are about to complete the fitout of their second restaurant in Bali, which will only improve the valuation.” Hopefully for investors, that valuation uplift proves true. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .Global Times: Chinese-built hydropower station lights up homes of remote Lao village, dreams of prosperity 12-24-2024 09:12 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: SHENZHEN HMEDIUM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD In today's world, green has become the defining color of the New Era in China, with green development emerging as a significant feature of Chinese modernization. Green development, which seeks to promote harmony between humanity and nature while maximizing economic and social benefits with minimal resource consumption, has now become a global consensus. China is actively implementing the concept of sustainable development and is playing a key role in driving the global transition toward a low-carbon future. Against this backdrop, the yearender 2024 series that casts a global gaze on the transformative power of China's green energy initiatives was launched, illuminating how they empower individuals around the world to realize their dreams and foster hope and development. In this inaugural piece, turn attention to the remarkable impact of China's clean hydropower on the marginalized and underdeveloped villages of Laos. This is a testament to the profound change that green energy can bring, lighting the path toward a brighter future for all. In the heart of Laos, nestled among the rugged mountains, lies a village that once seemed to exist in a time capsule, thus far untouched by the modern world. 28-year-old To Vongphachan, a resident living in the newly established resettlement village near the Nam Phay hydropower plant in Laos, recalls the stark realities of his former life with vivid clarity. "Before the dam was built, our village was hidden deep in the mountains. People had no electricity and no mobile signal. Lives revolved around farming and foraging for wild vegetables. If people needed salt or oil, they had to walk miles to the nearest village. Before high school, they couldn't even imagine what lay beyond those mountains." Vongphachan's dreams of a better life were ignited during his high school years. "I promised myself that I would leave the mountains, find work, and ensure my children wouldn't have to walk such long distances for an education," he shared with the Global Times, with a sense of accomplishment radiating from his eyes. Today, that dream has become a reality, thanks to the transformative power of the Nam Phay hydropower plant, a project funded and built through Chinese investment. The Nam Phay hydropower plant, located in Xaysomboun, home to the highest mountain in Laos, represents a significant shift for a region that has long been characterized for its isolation and underdevelopment. Before the establishment of the province in late 2013, Xaysomboun was a typical mountainous area, home to various ethnic minorities who lived in relative obscurity. The local economy was stagnant, with many residents relying on subsistence farming and traditional hunting methods, and their homes were often little more than makeshift structures woven from vines. The hydropower project, initiated almost simultaneously with the province's establishment, has brought about developments. "For many in our community, the idea of modern infrastructure was a distant dream," Vongphachan told the Global Times. "But now, we see the changes unfolding before our eyes." The dam, which began operations in May 2017, has not only provided a reliable source of electricity - accounting for about 10 percent of the region's total power consumption - but has also opened doors to economic opportunities previously thought unattainable. As the sun rises over the mountains, casting a golden hue on the landscape, the once-silent village is now alive with the hum of activity. Children, no longer burdened by the long trek to school, can be seen playing in the streets, with laughter echoing through the air, Vongphachan described the daily scenes in the village to the Global Times. Families are beginning to invest in small businesses, and the local market is bustling with vendors selling fresh produce and goods, a stark contrast to the days when the villagers had to rely solely on their own harvests. The dam has not only illuminated homes but has also sparked a sense of hope among the villagers. "We are no longer just surviving; we are thriving," Vongphachan noted. "This project has changed our lives in ways we never thought possible." As Laos continues to harness its abundant water resources, the vision of becoming Southeast Asia's "battery" is slowly materializing. The Nam Phay hydropower plant stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and investment in infrastructure, bridging the gap between the past and a brighter future. Liberation from labor: Green energy symbolizes hope The newly established village, born from the necessity of relocation due to the reservoir constructed by the Nam Phay Power Company - a joint venture co-founded by China's Norinco International and its Lao partner, has built a modern settlement complete with water, electricity, and roads for three affected villages. Schools, administrative offices, and cultural spaces have been thoughtfully integrated, creating a vibrant hub for the displaced. For 21-year-old Vangkeobouddavong, the changes have been nothing short of miraculous. "The roads are open now, allowing our children to venture beyond the mountains, and bringing in new faces and opportunities." She reflects on her past, recalling the days when her family relied on candles and oil lamps for light. "When I was in high school, we had to walk 40 kilometers to school, returning home only every three months. Now, we have high schools in our village, and the quality of education has improved significantly. I can go home every day." The transformation extends beyond education. "We now have hospitals in the village, allowing us to receive timely medical care instead of traveling long distances to find a doctor," she added. The arrival of electricity has ushered in a new era of convenience. "We can now use household appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, making life much easier. We watch the news, enjoy TV shows, and stay connected to the world," she told the Global Times. The impact of stable electricity on agricultural practices has been profound. "We can now use rice milling machines and water pumps, which has drastically reduced the time and effort required for farming. It's no longer just manual labor; we have electric tools that make our work faster and less exhausting," she said. For Vangkeobouddavong, the dam represents more than just infrastructure; it embodies a green dream. "This is part of China's global initiative to promote clean energy, helping countries move away from traditional coal power. For us, green energy symbolizes hope," she said when sharing some of the concepts learned from TV programs. "Now, we can sell the rice we grow and the livestock we raise. Many villagers have found work nearby, and our community is noticeably more prosperous. Most families own appliances, and many have motorcycles or even tractors," she noted. "This not only makes travel easier but also boosts the sale of our agricultural products, increasing our income," she explained. From dam to dollar: Hydropower plant fuels economic growth The Nam Phay hydropower plant not only heralds a new era for local residents but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth, empowering businesses to convert natural resource advantages into tangible economic benefits. Ma Yulong, the general manager of Nam Phay Power Company in Laos, told the Global Times that the dam has significantly boosted employment opportunities and improved income levels for the community. Historically, this region has been rich in mineral resources including copper, gold, and iron, but it has suffered from inadequate and unreliable electricity supply. During the dry season, power outages and voltage fluctuations were commonplace, hampering productivity and stifling growth. The electricity was sourced from distant power stations, leading to substantial energy losses during transmission, which in turn inflated operational costs for local mining enterprises. The Nam Phay hydropower plant, with its impressive annual regulation capacity, has changed the game. It provides a steady and reliable energy supply, attracting foreign investment and facilitating the exploration and development of Laos' mineral wealth. This transformation is not just about energy; it is about harnessing resources to drive economic development and create jobs, thereby lifting local residents out of poverty. Moreover, the construction and operation of the hydropower station have spurred the growth of related industries, including construction, transportation, and maintenance services. These sectors have diversified the local economy and created job opportunities for residents. The ripple effects of the station's energy supply extend beyond Laos, fostering regional economic integration and laying a solid foundation for sustainable development, according to Ma. After helping them move to the new home, the company has taken significant steps to help villagers restore their livelihoods. Initiatives include providing food during the transition period, offering living subsidies, and hiring experts to train locals in essential skills. The company has actively encouraged villagers to engage in livelihood reconstruction, assisting each household in cultivating 0.6 hectares of rice paddies and establishing demonstration gardens for sustainable farming practices. Regular releases of fish fry into local reservoirs have also provided villagers with additional income through fishing, the manager said. The ethos of green and sustainable development has taken root in the hearts of the villagers, blossoming like a seed planted in fertile soil. This vision of a greener future has permeated the community, enriching not just the land but the lives of countless families. According to statistics provided by Ma, the average annual income of local households has surged from $1,029 in 2014 to $4,907 in 2018, a testament to the transformative power of the hydropower project. The bridge built by this green dream embodies principles of equality, respect, and dialogue. Since the project's inception, the Nam Phay Power Company in Laos has employed staff fluent in local languages and familiar with the culture to gather community feedback, ensuring open lines of communication. Regular visits to nearby villages foster engagement, allowing residents to voice their concerns and participate in discussions about the dam's operations. In this vibrant community by the Nam Phay dam, the echoes of the past are fading, replaced by the sounds of laughter, learning, and a shared vision for a prosperous tomorrow. For the local villagers, the arrival of clean energy has brought them closer to their dreams, illuminating a path toward a brighter, more sustainable future. View original content: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1325272.shtml Media Contact Company Name: Global Times Contact Person: Xie Wenting Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=global-times-chinesebuilt-hydropower-station-lights-up-homes-of-remote-lao-village-dreams-of-prosperity ] Phone: 18605648116 City: Beijing Country: China Website: https://www.globaltimes.cn/ This release was published on openPR.Initial reaction from U’s boss after tepid defeat at QPR
Have you heard the one about the Colorado School of Mines mechanical engineer who’s going to play football at mighty Alabama? Standby. It’s a good one. “I mean, it didn’t feel real at first,” Blake Doud is telling me of his commitment to play for the Crimson Tide. “It kind of still doesn’t feel real.” Oh, it’s real alright. Really wild. Really cool. See, Doud last week became the first Mines player to enter the NCAA transfer portal in the portal era — and the first Oredigger to make the leap to a Power 4 program. Even that part is wild; it was Mines coaches, specifically punting guru Scott Groner, who encouraged him to go. “Blake would be the first to admit he didn’t want to leave Mines,” Groner tells me. It’s true. He didn’t. Mines football players don’t leave Mines football. They love Mines football. “Coming to school here was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Doud says. But that’s the thing about Mines. You opt into long study hours and brutal exam weeks to jump start your life — whether that’s building rockets or bridges as an engineer... or chasing an NFL dream with your lead foot. “At the end of the day it’s our duty to send these guys off and better their lives,” Groner says. “If he can play in front of those SEC crowds and get three meals a day and work with an SEC strength program, I truly felt that could be the edge that would allow him an NFL opportunity.” Friggin’ Alabama was never a thought in Doud’s mind. Shoot, punting wasn’t much of one, either. Mines was the only program to recruit Doud as a punter instead of a wide receiver, where he excelled at Legend High in Parker. So he chose Mines to punt balls and “hopefully build some stuff, because I’ve always liked building stuff,” he says. “It’s not easy here (at Mines),” says Doud, who will dual-enroll at Mines and Alabama next semester to complete his engineering degree. “But this place has truly shaped who I am.” Doud redshirted his first year at the Division II powerhouse. He didn’t appear in a single game in his second season. He exploded in 2023 and 2024, winning RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year and first-team All-American honors. He led Division II last season at 46.1 yards per punt. “I saw it straight away,” says Groner, a former All-American punter, who spent eight years working with the Kansas City Chiefs and now works part-time with the Broncos equipment team. “I saw his 6-foot-5 frame. Being 6-foot-5 as a punter is kind of a cheat code — long levers, powering through the football, good hang time. Then his coach-ability took over.” It’s rare a single punt turns heads in college ball. But in Week 1 this season Doud launched an 80-yard boomer that went viral with over 2 million views on social media. A couple Power 4 assistants even asked me if he would consider transferring to play Division I ball for a year. Doubt it, I said. Mines football players don’t leave Mines. They love Mines. “Blake kind of came out of nowhere a little bit. He was this scrawny 6-foot-5 kid,” Groner says. “But he’s extremely coachable, which most Mines kids are. Everything I’d say, he would’t question it. He’d try it, then come back at me if something didn’t feel right. Those are the best kinds of kids to work with. And I can tell he’s really invested and driven and wants to be great. That makes it fun as a coach.” Then came the transfer portal. “I know the portal is frowned upon in college football,” Groner says. “But this is different. This is potentially life-changing.” Groner’s first call went to Dustin Colquitt, a close friend from their time with the Chiefs, who works with specialists at the University of Tennessee. The Vols didn’t need a punter. The University of Texas-El Paso was Doud’s first scholarship offer in the portal. Then the University of Missouri. Once Missouri offered, Alabama special teams analyst Jay Nunez called Doud with a scholarship offer. Roll Tide. He’s moving to Tuscaloosa in early January. “Alabama, they were always No. 1 when I was growing up,” he says. “Always in big games.” “Building stuff” is still on the table. But career plans have changed. Doud studies Los Angeles Rams punter Ethan Evans, who played at Wingate University, another Division II program. A man named Lloyd Madden was the last Mines player to play in a regular-season NFL game, the school said. That was in the 1940s. I asked Groner, who knows NFL punters: Is Blake one? “He is,” Groner says. “He has the body and he’s only getting stronger. If he doesn’t have the NFL leg now, he will. The hard work is there. The desire is there. And he’s a gamer. He is.” Before he left the Mines campus, the Orediggers had one request for their All-American punter. “When you’re playing on Monday Night Football,” Groner says, “you have to say, ‘Blake Doud, Colorado School of Mines.’” Roll Mines.Police crackdown on terror symbols as violence rises
Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved NEW YORK (AP) — Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday. That's after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans. The International Chess Federation president said in a statement Sunday that he’d let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, as well as other "minor deviations” from the dress code. Carlsen quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday. He said Sunday he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Charles Shyer, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Baby Boom’ filmmaker, dies at 83 An Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker known for classic comedies like “Private Benjamin,” “Baby Boom” and “Father of the Bride," Charles Shyer has died. He was 83. On Sunday his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer told The Associated Press that he died Friday in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. Born in Los Angeles in 1941 to a filmmaker father, Shyer's big breakthrough came with co-writing “Private Benjamin” for which he and Nancy Meyers received an Oscar nomination. He and Nancy Meyers were frequent collaborators through their nearly 20-year marriage, including on the remake of “The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.