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Historic move: Figure Skating minimum age raised to 17
In a historic move, figure ice skating has raised the minimum age to 17 for senior competitions
The International Skating Union has raised the minimum age from 15 to 17 for senior ice skating competitions, coming into effect for the 2024-2025 season.
In total, 100 countries backed the move, and just 16 opposed it. Rounds of applause filled the room as the decision was announced.
The ISU says the decision has been on the table for years but concerns over adolescent athletes’ well-being have cemented it into action.
“This is very important decision, I would say a very historic decision.”
ISU President Jan Dijkema
The medical advice given to the sporting body said that raising the age limit would ‘benefit the athletes both mentally and physically.’
“I feel as administrators of the sport of skating it is your moral obligation and duty to provide these young skaters with the opportunity and time to develop the skills they require in order to be successful at the senior level,”
Dr. Jane Moran from the body’s medical commission
It follows a drug scandal at the Beijing Winter Olympics drugs involving 15-year-old Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva.
Valieva failed a pre-Games drugs test, with the global spotlight on the adolescent and the lengths she was willing to go to.
Before the vote, the ISU director-general Fredi Schmid encouraged countries to enforce the change saying “the moment of truth is obviously today because the credibility of the ISU will also be scrutinised”.
“The life of an athlete is short and intense, their experience in this short phase sets the platform for the rest of their lives — physically, spiritually emotionally,” said the Canadian, who won a pairs gold at the 2018 Olympics.
“While I hear the concerns of certain nations about the immediate difficulty that they might face with this proposal being passed … is a medal really worth the life of a young athlete?”
ERIC RADFORD, ISU ATHLETES COMMISSION MEMBER
The countries that opposed the move argue that raising the age will negatively impact athletes’ ability to reach elite levels.
But countries including Ireland counter these arguments saying “they are children first and athletes second,”
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SpaceX IPO could make Elon Musk’s Mars dream a trillion-dollar reality
SpaceX’s upcoming IPO could raise $25 billion and value the company over $1 trillion, igniting investor excitement for Mars missions.
SpaceX’s upcoming IPO could raise $25 billion and value the company over $1 trillion, igniting investor excitement for Mars missions.
Investors are buzzing as SpaceX gears up for a potential IPO, aiming to raise more than $25 billion, possibly as soon as June. The offering could value the company at over $1 trillion, fueling Musk’s ambitious plans for Mars and beyond.
Despite the high-risk nature of space ventures, demand from retail investors is expected to be strong. Experts predict this IPO could become historic, with the company’s market value potentially soaring past $2 trillion once it launches.
Musk’s unconventional management style hasn’t slowed investor enthusiasm, even amidst regulatory hurdles. The funds raised could also support groundbreaking innovations, including energy-efficient space data centers.
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#SpaceX #ElonMusk #IPO #MarsMission #Investing #StockMarket #TrillionDollar #SpaceTech
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Russia shoots down 280+ Ukrainian drones as Zelenskyy pushes new peace plan
Russia claims 280 Ukrainian drones shot down; Zelenskyy finalizes a new peace proposal amid rising tensions and military clashes.
Russia claims 280 Ukrainian drones shot down; Zelenskyy finalizes a new peace proposal amid rising tensions and military clashes.
Russia’s Defence Ministry claims it has shot down over 280 Ukrainian drones, with 40 intercepted near Moscow, some targeting the city directly. Emergency services responded to debris, and temporary flight restrictions were enforced at Moscow’s airports amid the attacks.
Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy revealed his team is finalizing a revised 20-point peace proposal, introducing new ideas on territorial control. Ukrainian and American officials are set to consult online, focusing on security guarantees rather than the detailed points of the plan.
As tensions rise, both military clashes and diplomatic efforts continue to shape the future of the conflict. Keep up with the latest updates and expert analysis on these unfolding events.
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Disney invests $1B in OpenAI to generate Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar videos
Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI for AI-generated videos featuring iconic characters, enhancing fan interactions and launching in 2026.
Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI for AI-generated videos featuring iconic characters, enhancing fan interactions and launching in 2026.
Disney is taking AI to the next level, investing $1 billion in OpenAI to create a licensing deal that allows users to generate videos featuring more than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. This partnership could redefine how fans interact with their favorite characters.
The deal will let users stream short AI-generated videos directly on Disney+, and ChatGPT will also produce images of Disney’s licensed characters. However, the agreement excludes talent likenesses or voices, keeping human performances separate.
Set to launch in 2026, the collaboration also gives Disney warrants to purchase additional OpenAI equity and use AI tools for product development, opening doors to new creative opportunities.
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