IOC Moves Toward Ban on Transgender Women in Female Olympic Events.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is considering a unified policy that may prohibit transgender women from competing in female categories across all Olympic sports.

Until now, individual sports federations have set their own rules. However, IOC President Kirsty Coventry says a single global framework is needed to protect fairness in women’s sports.

Coventry, who took office in June, said the IOC would draw on existing research and regulations rather than start from scratch. “The priority must be the protection of female competition,” she said, noting that some sports, like equestrian events, already allow mixed-gender competition without issue.

Dr. Jane Thornton, IOC director of health and science, recently briefed members on research showing that individuals who undergo male puberty maintain physical advantages that hormone therapy cannot fully eliminate.

Reports suggest the IOC could announce the new policy during its 145th session in Milan, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Senior officials say momentum is building for the decision.

The debate intensified after the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting won gold despite previously facing scrutiny over gender eligibility. Both athletes identify as women and are not transgender, but the controversy renewed calls for clearer rules.

Many international sports bodies — including World Athletics and World Aquatics — already bar transgender women from competing in female events.

In the U.S., former President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this year banning transgender participation in female sports at school and grassroots levels, and suggested similar restrictions for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

So far, only one openly transgender woman, New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, has competed at the Olympics, taking part in Tokyo 2020.

The IOC has not yet made a final decision, but insiders say a shift is imminent.

Anambra governorship election: “You’ll suffer” — AAC’s Ifemeludike alleges in new video as she warns Anambra residents against re-electing Governor Soludo.

African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate, Chioma Ifemeludike, has cautioned Anambra residents and alleged that they will “suffer” if they reelect Governor Chukwuma Soludo instead of voting for her in the November 8 election.

The Nollywood actress and producer criticized Soludo over the poor condition of roads in Awka, particularly Uche Ekwunife Crescent, which she described as “totally dilapidated.” She accused the governor of neglecting basic infrastructure while constructing a new Government House with “wide, paved roads for himself and his generations.”

Ifemeludike said Soludo’s administration has failed to deliver good governance or quality social amenities, claiming he is only interested in showmanship. “If you miss out, you will suffer for it because Soludo is not ready to provide real leadership,” she said.

In a Facebook post directed at the governor, she asked, “@ccsoludo, why are you afraid to repair the capital city’s bad roads? Awka shouldn’t look so rural and undeveloped. With FAAC, local allocations, and IGR, we should have Dubai/Taiwan-style infrastructure.”

She urged voters not to be deceived but to come out en masse to make a better choice on election day. “On November 8, you have a choice — and that choice is Chioma for governor 2025,” she declared.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that 16 political parties will participate in the Anambra governorship election.

The San Francisco Giants have actually revealed essentially the rest of Bob Melvin's training personnel for 2024, and it's one more set of familiar names. Garvin Alston, that is not a Bay Area indigenous, replaces Craig Albernaz as the new bullpen trainer. Susan Slusser posted that information last evening. He 'd been the River Pet cats pitching trainer the past two seasons. He was the 10th round choice of the development Colorado Rockies' inaugural draft. He 'd make it to the majors in 1996 and pitched 6 innings. He had arm surgical procedure and was never the very same after, jumping around the minors and in Taiwan. He became the pitching trainer for the A's Class-A Kane County Cougars in 2005 and would certainly then stick in the organization for the following years, his final 6 periods as a minors rehab organizer and afterwards a minor league pitching planner. He was the bullpen train for Arizona in 2016, which suggests he overlapped with Matt Williams' 1 year stop after he was discharged by the Nationals. After that Alston ended up being the A's bullpen trainer for 2017. In 2018, he was the Twins' throwing train. Meanwhile, Bryan Cost is a Bay Area indigenous. This is the leading credential whenever he's mentioned https://www.coloradoapparelstore.com/Greg_Jones_Jersey.

Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister.

Japan made history on Tuesday as Sanae Takaichi became its first female prime minister after striking a last-minute coalition deal. 

The 64-year-old conservative politician and former heavy metal drummer was elected by parliament and will formally assume office after meeting the emperor.

Takaichi, known for her admiration of Margaret Thatcher and her tough stance on China, takes office as Japan’s fifth leader in five years. She faces major challenges, including a struggling economy, population decline, and an upcoming visit by U.S. President Donald Trump.

After the Komeito party quit the ruling coalition over ethics concerns, Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) formed an alliance with the reformist Japan Innovation Party (JIP). The JIP seeks to cut corporate donations, lower taxes on food, and reduce the number of lawmakers.

Promising to “make Japan’s economy stronger,” Takaichi also vowed to form a cabinet with “Nordic” levels of female representation — a significant shift in a country ranked 118th in global gender equality. Reports suggest right-wing lawmaker Satsuki Katayama and half-American Kimi Onoda may take key cabinet roles.

Despite her rise being hailed as a milestone for women, Takaichi’s conservative views — including opposition to separate surnames for married couples and female succession in the imperial family — have stirred debate.

Locals in her hometown of Nara expressed mixed reactions. Some praised her toughness and integrity, while others hoped she would push for more childcare and workplace support for women.

Takaichi inherits a minority government that will need cross-party backing to pass legislation. She supports bold economic measures and stronger ties with Taiwan, while advocating caution toward China and Russia.

As she steps into office, many hope her leadership will redefine Japan’s political and social landscape — and prove that a woman can command one of the world’s most powerful nations.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said he would also advise Trump to "pay particular attention" to the military exercises conducted by China in the Taiwan Strait.
#news #China #Taiwan

Taiwan has congratulated Nigeria on what it described as a “landmark achievement” in international diplomacy following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit to Saint Lucia.

China Warns U.S. Not to ‘Play with Fire’ Over Taiwan After Pentagon Chief’s Remarks

China has issued a stern warning to the United States, urging it not to “play with fire” over Taiwan, following remarks by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at a security summit in Singapore.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Hegseth accused China of actively preparing for a military takeover of Taiwan. He said Beijing was “credibly preparing” for an invasion and had been “rehearsing for the real deal” as part of broader efforts to shift the balance of power in Asia.

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement just after midnight on Sunday, saying it had made “solemn representations” to Washington over what it called “inflammatory remarks.”

“The U.S. should not try to use the Taiwan issue as a bargaining chip to contain China and should not play with fire,” the ministry warned.

According to AFP, China — which did not send its Defense Minister Dong Jun to the summit — reaffirmed its position that Taiwan is a domestic matter and foreign countries have no right to interfere.

Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over the self-governed island.

During his address, Hegseth also accused China of “illegally seizing and militarising lands” in the contested South China Sea. Although a 2016 international tribunal ruled that China’s sweeping claims in the region have no legal basis, Beijing maintains control over key areas and continues its military buildup.

China’s Foreign Ministry responded by denying any obstruction to freedom of navigation, insisting that “there has never been any issue” in the region. A spokesperson stated that China is committed to defending its “territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in accordance with the law.”

The ministry also criticized U.S. military activity in the region, accusing Washington of turning the Indo-Pacific into a “powder keg” by deploying advanced weapons systems to the South China Sea.