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  • Lahore ATC acquits Qureshi in 2 more May 9 cases; convicts Dr Yasmin, Ejaz Chaudhry and others – Pakistan

    Lahore ATC acquits Qureshi in 2 more May 9 cases; convicts Dr Yasmin, Ejaz Chaudhry and others – Pakistan

    An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday acquitted PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two more cases related to the May 9 riots, while sentencing Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mehmoodur Rashid to 10 years in prison.

    On May 9, 2023, PTI supporters, protesting party founder Imran Khan’s arrest, staged violent protests throughout the country, following which thousands were arrested.

    The ATC had reserved its verdict in the two cases on Saturday related to the May 9 riots — the Shadman police station attack and burning of police vehicles near Jinnah House — after completing proceedings at Kot Lakhpat jail. The judge concluded the hearings inside the jail in two sessions during the whole day.

    ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill announced the judgments today and convicted Dr Yasmin, Chaudhry, Cheema and Rashid in both cases.

    PTI leaders Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed were also sentenced to five years in prison in the Shadman case.

    Advocate Rana Mudassar confirmed today’s sentencing to Dawn.com.

    In the Shadman police station case, the court indicted 25 accused out of 41 nominated in the challan and recorded statements of 45 prosecution witnesses. At least 15 accused have been declared proclaimed offenders in this case.

    In the police vehicles torching case, the court indicted 17 accused, declared seven proclaimed offenders and recorded statements of 65 prosecution witnesses.

    Last month, the Lahore ATC had acquitted Qureshi while sentencing Dr Yasmin, Chaudhry, Cheema, Rashid and others to 10 years in prison over a May 9 riots case related to violence on Sherpao Bridge.

    Sarwar Road police had registered a case against PTI leaders and workers on charges of ransacking and burning public property at Sherpao Bridge in the Cantonment area during the violent protests.

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  • Apple’s new Siri may allow users to operate apps just using voice

    Apple’s new Siri may allow users to operate apps just using voice

    Apple in 2024 showed a swanky demo of what it said would be a new, intelligent Siri that would connect with different apps to fetch all kinds of information. But this new Siri has yet to see the light of day, as the company seemingly hasn’t been able to get it ready.

    However, Bloomberg now reports that Apple is testing a version of Siri that will be able to take actions on your behalf across various apps by following voice commands. The company plans to release a new version of App Intents, its framework gives developers the ability to allow users access to parts of their app via different systems, like search and Shortcuts.

    Bloomberg reported that if this new version of Siri and App Intents works well, a user would be able to ask Siri to search for a photo, edit it, and send it to someone; post comments on a social app; or log-in to a service.

    The company is already testing this feature with apps like Uber, AllTrails, Threads, Temu, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp, the report said. The publication previously reported that Apple planned to release an overhauled version of Siri in spring 2026.

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  • Blunt Trauma to the Abdomen Leading to Incarcerated Ventral Hernia: A Case Report

    Blunt Trauma to the Abdomen Leading to Incarcerated Ventral Hernia: A Case Report


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  • No threat to Bahria Town properties, legal rights fully protected: NAB

    No threat to Bahria Town properties, legal rights fully protected: NAB

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    ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP): The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Islamabad has reassured Bahria Town residents and property owners that their legal rights, assets, and investments are fully protected, despite the circulation of misleading and malicious narratives by certain elements.
    In a statement issued Monday, a NAB spokesperson described the rumors as part of a calculated and well-orchestrated conspiracy aimed at intimidating individuals and coercing them into selling their properties at deflated prices under false pretenses.
    NAB regards the concerned residents and property owners as victims of deception and fraud, and has pledged to make every possible effort to safeguard their rights and ensure justice.
    The Bureau emphasized that such tactics are being used to exploit lawful owners and create unwarranted panic.
    NAB clarified that its ongoing actions related to Bahria Town are strictly confined to its owners and their associated properties.
    The Bureau reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing legal proceedings independently and without external influence, until the individuals involved comply with the law and return the misappropriated funds.
    NAB has urged all Bahria Town residents and property owners to ignore any misleading or malicious information and to carry on with their daily lives without concern. The Bureau also encouraged them to promptly report any suspicious activity or attempts at harassment to NAB authorities.

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  • How scientists solved one of the greatest ocean mysteries

    How scientists solved one of the greatest ocean mysteries

    In 2013, a mysterious epidemic swept across the Pacific Coast of North America, rapidly turning billions of sea stars from Mexico to Alaska into goo.

    Its name, sea star wasting disease (SSWD), describes what you might have seen if you wandered the shores of the Pacific Northwest at that time: contorted sea star bodies and fragmented arms littered the sea floor, as the tissues of sea stars melted away within a matter of days.

    In the more than 10 years that have followed, SSWD has been described as the largest epidemic ever recorded in a wild marine species and one of the 10 greatest unsolved ocean mysteries. Attempts to identify the pathogen responsible have turned up more questions than answers, until now.

    We have recently published the findings of our five-year research project into the cause of SSWD.

    Our team included multi-national and multi-disciplinary researchers from academic, government and non-profit institutions, a collaboration that was critical for the success of this work.

    Together, we conducted laboratory experiments and analyzed data from wild outbreaks of SSWD to identify the pathogen responsible: a novel strain of the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida.

    The significance of sea stars

    Aside from the devastating loss of these charismatic rocky-shore inhabitants, the implications of this epidemic reverberate throughout the ecosystems sea stars inhabit.

    More than two dozen species appear to be afflicted by SSWD, which vary in their susceptibility to the disease. Most susceptible is the sunflower sea star, a voracious marine predator and the largest species of sea star. They can grow to the size of a bicycle tire and have as many as 24 arms.

    Almost six billion sunflower sea stars have been lost to SSWD, placing them on the critically endangered species list. With them, the kelp forest ecosystems they help to regulate have disappeared.

    A group of sunflower sea stars with SSWD in Knight Inlet (Hakai Institute)

    Sunflower sea stars keep kelp forests thriving by preying on sea urchins. With the rapid disappearance of these predators, unchecked urchin populations increased rapidly, mowing down kelp forests and replacing these lush, biodiverse ecosystems with urchin barrens.

    The loss of kelp has had knock-on effects for the numerous species that rely on it for food and habitat. Alongside this staggering loss of biodiversity, millions of dollars from fishing and tourism are lost to impacted communities.

    Although harder to quantify, the ecosystem services of kelp forests are also impacted, including water filtration, which improves water quality, sediment stabilization that protects coastlines from erosion and storms, and carbon capture that helps mitigate the effects of climate change.

    Recovery of kelp forests, and the species reliant upon them, requires a deeper understanding of SSWD and the sea stars devastated by it. The first step in our research was to identify the culprit responsible, however, the task proved more difficult than we initially anticipated.

    A pathogen is revealed

    Among the many possible pathogens suspected of causing the SSWD epidemic, it is unsurprising that the culprit turned out to be in the Vibrio species group.

    From multiple diseases in corals to cholera in humans, the abundance of harmful Vibrio species in our oceans is on the rise with climate change as these bacteria favour warmer waters.

    However, narrowing in on the specific culprit was not an easy undertaking. Vibrio pectenicida has some unusual characteristics not observed in other Vibrio species, allowing it to evade detection for more than a decade.

    Sea urchins proliferate in Hakai Pass (Hakai Institute)

    Sea urchins proliferate in Hakai Pass (Hakai Institute)

    This was originally considered a risky and potentially unanswerable question. However, years of laboratory experiments and field sampling recently culminated in successful mortality-inducing experiments using a pure culture isolated by Amy Chan, a research scientist at the University of British Columbia, of the novel Vibrio pectenicida strain.

    Named FHCF-3, it stands apart from previously identified strains (different genetic variants) by less than three per cent of its genome. Such strains have been isolated from diseased scallop larvae in France, crabs in the United Kingdom and, most recently, geoduck larvae from the Pacific Northwest.

    Whether or not these strains can cause SSWD remains to be answered, but the potential implications are clear; with a large host range, broad geographic distribution, and propensity for warm seawater temperatures anticipated with advancing climate change, this pathogen is one to watch.

    No time to waste

    Like removing a blindfold, the identification of the pathogen causing SSWD unveils new opportunities for research and management of the species and ecosystems affected.

    First on the list is developing a diagnostic test that can detect the genetic sequence of the pathogen. This would allow researchers to test sea star or seawater samples for its presence.

    Much like the COVID-19 test eased humanity out of lockdowns, this test will help inform marine management by helping diagnose healthy versus sick sea stars, and identifying locations best suited for reintroduction efforts.

    Another target of future research is to identify resilient sea stars (those that can either prevent infection entirely or fight it off once it takes hold) for conservation breeding.

    Researcher Alyssa Gehman counts and measures sunflower sea stars in the Burke Channel (Hakai Institute)

    Researcher Alyssa Gehman counts and measures sunflower sea stars in the Burke Channel (Hakai Institute)

    Resilient individuals, particularly of highly vulnerable species like sunflower sea stars, will be vital for recovery efforts in a warming ocean where Vibrio pectenicida is already widespread.

    Despite the odds, the identification of the SSWD pathogen provides a new hopeful vision for our oceans and their inhabitants; one where disease-resilient sunflower sea stars once again roam the sea floor among thriving kelp forests replete with vibrant marine life.

    Melanie Prentice is a Research Associate in the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia.

    Alyssa-Lois Gehman is an Adjunct Professor in the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia.

    Drew Harvell is a Professor of Marine Ecology at Cornell University.

    Grace Crandall is a PhD Student in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington.

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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  • ‘The Shining,’ Wes Anderson Costume Designer Milena Canonero: Locarno

    ‘The Shining,’ Wes Anderson Costume Designer Milena Canonero: Locarno

    Milena Canonero, the legendary Italian costume designer known for her collaborations with the likes of Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, Francis Ford Coppola, Warren Beatty and others, made a rare public speaking appearance in Switzerland, in which she provided insight into her career.

    During a talk at the 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival, where she received this year’s Vision Award on Sunday evening, Canonero recalled her first meeting with Anderson at the Chateau Marmont to discuss The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. “He was really friendly and open-minded,” she said, according to a live translation. “Of course, I was familiar with his movies, including the very early ones. So I was very happy to get to know him.”

    Different directors have different focus areas, of course. “Wes is very much involved with the look of his characters,” the costume design legend highlighted. “Objects, decorations, and all these things are very important to him.”

    While Kubrick “doesn’t tell you much” until late in the process, “with Wes, it’s a sort of symbiosis,” Canonero said.

    About The Grand Budapest Hotel, she recalled that, “I didn’t want to design the usual green or brown or black uniforms, even off-white. It was just by chance that I noticed … this amazing purple color.” She added: “When I met Wes at his countryside home in the U.K., I said … look at this, and he jumped on the chair and said ‘This is it’.”

    About the look she developed for Tilda Swinton’s Madame D character, Canonero said: “The film is set in the ‘20s, ‘30s. So I thought about [Gustav] Klimt.”

    About her education, Canonero said: “I never went to any costume design school,” but attended special night classes in the U.K. “I learned everything in the U.K. I owe everything to the U.K.”
    She added: “I never completed my studies in any country of the world, and I keep studying.”

    The costume designer then discussed her long-running creative partnership with Francis Ford Coppola, including on Megalopolis, which he self-funded. The director wanted to “focus on the architect Cesar Catilina [played by Adam Driver] rather than Cicero [Giancarlo Esposito], who represents the establishment,” she said. “Francis made it very clear that they are two opposites.” Given the story’s references to ancient Rome, the costumes she presented to the director included historic references.

    Canonero explained the movie, which has divided opinions, this way: “It is a fable about a great country, like America, that is in the middle of chaos … and that is crashing.”

    Canonero also discussed working with Sofia Coppola on Marie Antoinette, emphasizing that “the evolution of Marie Antoinette was Sofia’s interest.” That, in turn, had an impact on the costume choices. “It’s a completely different 18th century compared to [Kubrick’s] Barry Lyndon’s,” she said. That meant “a lot of creative freedom where you mix up the present and the past with a pop attitude.”

    Canonero also traveled to the Swiss fest to introduce a screening of Megalopolis. 

    She has won four Academy Awards for best costume design, namely for Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon (1975), Hugh Hudson’s Chariots of Fire (1981), Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, and Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, along with three BAFTAs, three Costume Designers Guild Awards, the Golden Bear at the Berlinale, and various other honors.

    “Since making her debut as a costume designer on Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (1971), Milena Canonero has produced some of the most visionary costumes in film history and has shaped our collective imagination through the clothes we see on screen, using colorful fabrics and innovative cuts to draw out the essential natures of some of the most recognizable cinematic creations,” Locarno organizers said when they unveiled her as this year’s honoree.

    “Like a Renaissance artist, she has combined the profound wisdom of craftsmanship with the potential of cinema, thus opening infinite spaces for human imagination and expression,” Locarno’s artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro said at the time. “The work of Milena Canonero, beginning with the costumes she designed for A Clockwork Orange, has forever changed the perception of the expressive possibilities of costume design and even beyond, reshaping our thinking about cinema in general.”

    The Locarno festival runs through Aug. 16.

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  • Low FT3 Levels Predict Risk for Nerve Damage in Diabetes

    Low FT3 Levels Predict Risk for Nerve Damage in Diabetes

    TOPLINE:

    In euthyroid patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), relatively higher free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels within the normal range were linked to a lower risk for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and better nerve function.

    METHODOLOGY:

    • In euthyroid patients with T2D, lower FT3 levels within the normal range can worsen glucose and lipid metabolism and increase the risk for nephropathy and retinopathy, but the association of FT3 levels with peripheral neuropathy remains unclear.
    • Researchers in China examined the relationship between FT3 levels and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in 1422 euthyroid patients with T2D (mean age, 58.04 years; 33.97% women) who underwent electromyography during hospitalization.
    • Participants were considered euthyroid if their thyroid-stimulating hormone level was 0.25-5.5 IU/mL, free thyroxine level was 9.0-25.5 pmol/L, and FT3 level was 2.5-7.0 pmol/L.
    • A diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was made in those who showed neuropathic symptoms (neuropathic pain, paresthesias, numbness, sensory distortion, unsteadiness, or falls) and signs (pain sensation abnormalities, vibration sensation abnormalities, loss of the ankle reflex, touch/pressure sensation abnormalities, or temperature sensation abnormalities) during or after confirmed diabetes diagnosis.
    • Nerve conduction studies of the distal limbs (median, ulnar, common peroneal, sural, and superficial peroneal nerves) were conducted in all participants, and distal motor and sensory nerve latencies, action potential amplitudes, and conduction velocities of motor and sensory nerves were recorded.

    TAKEAWAY:

    • Among all participants with T2D, the 519 who were diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy showed significantly lower serum FT3 levels than those without the condition (P < .001).
    • The risk for diabetic peripheral neuropathy was reduced in participants with FT3 levels between 4.3 and 4.7 pmol/L (odds ratio [OR], 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39-0.81) and 4.7 and 7.0 pmol/L (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.21-0.52) compared with those with FT3 levels between 2.5 and 3.8 pmol/L.
    • Participants with neuropathy had slower, weaker nerve responses and longer latencies than those without, with higher FT3 levels in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy being linked to faster nerve conduction and shorter latencies.
    • A Mendelian randomization analysis using the ThyroidOmics Consortium and the UK Biobank genome-wide association study data also indicated a causal relationship between low FT3 levels and the risk for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (inverse variance weighted β = -0.655; P = .035).

    IN PRACTICE:

    “Within the normal range, a relatively high level of FT3 (> 4.3 pmol/L) was associated with a reduced risk of DPN [diabetic peripheral neuropathy]. Thyroid hormones may be beneficial for patients with DPN if their FT3 levels are near the low end of the normal range,” the authors of the study wrote.

    SOURCE:

    This study was led by Bing’er Xu, Department of Endocrinology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. It was published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

    LIMITATIONS:

    This study was limited by its single-center design and focused on hospitalized patients with T2D in Shanghai. It measured only specific peripheral nerves’ conduction parameters. The Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted only in Europeans, requiring validation in other ethnic populations.

    DISCLOSURES:

    This study received support from the National Science and Technology Major Project, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, and other sources. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.

    This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

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  • SCARLET ROYAL LIMITED WINS BIG AT GLOBAL BRANDS AWARDS 2025

    SCARLET ROYAL LIMITED WINS BIG AT GLOBAL BRANDS AWARDS 2025

    LONDON, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global Brands Magazine proudly names Scarlet Royal the ‘Most Impactful Branding Agency’ for 2025, recognizing their transformative branding solutions. This award celebrates Scarlet Royal’s expertise in creating compelling brand identities that drive recognition, trust, and connection in competitive markets.

    The Global Brand Awards celebrate outstanding achievements across industries worldwide. Scarlet Royal earned this recognition for the innovative approach in crafting memorable experiences, helping businesses stand out.

    Jay Reddy, CEO of Global Brands Magazine, stated, “Scarlet Royal’s ability to deliver innovative and impactful branding solutions sets them apart. Their dedication to excellence makes them a worthy recipient of this prestigious award.”

    Waseem Ibrahim, Chairman of Scarlet Royal, stated, “Strong brands are not shaped in the marketing department alone, they are orchestrated across every corner of the organization.

    At Scarlet Royal, we believe that branding is not a department it is a discipline woven into the culture, operations, and mindset of the entire organization. Every action, interaction, and detail whether internal or external contributes to the cumulative impression a brand leaves behind. It is through this lens that we approach brand building: not as a visual or verbal identity alone, but as a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional experience. From frontline communication to back-end precision, from tone of voice to operational transparency, every touchpoint serves as an opportunity to reinforce trust, elevate perception, and deepen connection. When consistently aligned, these touchpoints create a resonance so strong that the brand becomes not just recognized but felt.”

    ABOUT SCARLET ROYAL

    Scarlet Royal builds brands that move markets before saying a word.

    We create demand through precision. Every decision strategic, visual, verbal, and operational is engineered to build advantage where it matters most: in perception, in influence, and in control. A brand built with Scarlet Royal doesn’t wait to be noticed. It occupies space. It shapes opinion. It drives action.

    Our work begins long before design. We explore the tensions beneath your category, the motivations driving your audience, and the unwritten rules holding your competitors in place. Then, we design a brand that rewrites those rules and positions you as the one who set them.

    Scarlet Royal partners with founders who build for legacy, not convenience. With institutions that understand power isn’t given it’s designed, reinforced, and earned through every brand interaction.

    If you’re building something meant to last, something meant to lead, Scarlet Royal gives your ambition the structure, clarity, and momentum it deserves.

    This is where brands stop reacting and start dictating.

    ABOUT GLOBAL BRANDS MAGAZINE

    Based in the UK, Global Brands Magazine (GBM) is a leading publication delivering insights, news, and opinions on brands shaping their industries. With over 8.4 million annual visitors and 14 million page views, GBM is a premier source of brand-related content. The magazine boasts a strong social media presence, with 35,000+ Facebook followers, 20,000+ Instagram followers, 25,000+ X followers, and 4,000+ LinkedIn followers.

    ABOUT THE GLOBAL BRAND AWARDS

    The Global Brand Awards recognise excellence in brand performance across sectors such as finance, education, hospitality, and technology. Hosted at iconic venues like The Address Downtown, Waldorf Astoria, and Grand Hyatt Dubai, the 2025 ceremony continued this tradition of grandeur at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    For a complete list of winners, visit: https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/brand-awards-winners/.

    To nominate a company or leader for the Global Brand Awards 2025, visit: https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/nomination-form/.

    Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648066/5453516/GBM_Awards_2025_Logo.jpg

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  • Academy Report: Lia Block Secures Victory At Boone Forest

    Academy Report: Lia Block Secures Victory At Boone Forest

    Williams Racing Driver Academy member Lia Block swapped asphalt for gravel last weekend, making a triumphant return to rallying with victory in the L4WD class at the Boone Forest Rally.

    In her first rally outing in a year – and first time driving this car – Lia and co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino mastered the Kentucky stages to take class honours and an impressive P3 overall. The result also maintained the pair’s perfect record together, extending their streak to seven podiums from seven rallies.

    The American teenager, who competes in F1 Academy with ART Grand Prix, is no stranger to rally success. She was crowned O2WD champion in the American Rally Association at just 16, and has multiple rally wins to her name.

    Champagne celebrations for Lia and Rhianon

    “WINNERS!!! What a rally, and what a team,” Lia posted on Instagram. “1st in the L4WD class and even 3rd overall. First time in this car and first rally in a year.

    “So nice to be smelling of champagne right now… it’s been a while. Rhianon and I are now 7 for 7 on podiums for rallies we have done together, could never do it without her.”

    Lia will now return to her F1 Academy duties, switching the gravel roads of Kentucky for the sand dunes of Zandvoort later this month.

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  • Ski Jumping: charges brought against Norwegian officials and athletes

    Ski Jumping: charges brought against Norwegian officials and athletes

    Three Norwegian Ski Jumping officials and two athletes have been charged for violations of the FIS Universal Code of Ethics and the FIS Rules on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions as a result of an investigation conducted by the FIS Independent Ethics and Compliance Office (IECO) that started shortly after allegations of illegal equipment manipulation at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Trondheim 2025.

    The cases of Norway’s team coach Magnus Brevik, assistant coach Thomas Lobben, service staff member Adrian Livelten, as well as of athletes Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang, will now be referred to the FIS Ethics Committee (FEC) for adjudication.

    The decisions

    After the IECO completed its investigation and submitted its report to the FIS Integrity Director, the process for deciding whether to bring charges against various individuals was as follows:

    • The IECO and the FIS Integrity Department agreed to bring charges against Magnus Brevik, Thomas Lobben, and Adrian Livelten for violations both of the FIS Universal Code of Ethics and the FIS Rules on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions. Therefore, in accordance with the FIS IECO Procedural Rules, the matter has been referred directly to the FIS Ethics Committee.

    • In accordance with the FIS IECO Procedural Rules, the decision on whether to bring charges against Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang was taken to the FIS Council, which voted to bring charges against the two athletes for violations both of the FIS Universal Code of Ethics and the FIS Rules on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions. Accordingly, the cases have been referred to the FIS Ethics Committee.

    • The IECO and the FIS Integrity Department agreed not to bring charges against any other athlete or member of the Norwegian National Ski Association or any other party connected to the investigation. In accordance with the FIS IECO Procedural Rules, the decision was submitted to the FIS Council, which confirmed that all matters are closed in respect of all other individuals connected to this investigation. 

    The next steps
    The FIS Ethics Committee will now consider the IECO’s investigation report and decide on whether there have been infringements of the FIS Universal Code of Ethics and/or the FIS Rules on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions.

    A panel of three unconflicted members of the FEC will be appointed by the Chair of the FEC to adjudicate the case. The chairperson of the panel will contact the interested parties to communicate the next procedural steps, which may involve convening a hearing or otherwise coordinating further submissions from concerned parties. 

    After the conclusion of the hearing process, the FEC will announce its decision whether to impose any sanctions on any of the parties no later than 30 days after the hearing process is concluded.

    Other relevant questions and answers

    What sanctions are available to the FEC?
    The sanctioning powers of the FEC include imposition of a period of ineligibility, financial sanctions, or disqualification of results. 

    Any period of ineligibility will start on the date the decision of the FEC is published. The panel may, at its sole discretion, reduce the period of ineligibility based on any period of provisional suspension already served prior to the decision being reached.

    What will be communicated by the FEC after it has reached its conclusion?
    If the conclusion by the FEC is that a violation of the FIS Universal Code of Ethics or the FIS Rules on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions has been committed, the decision will be publicly disclosed in full − after prior notice is given to the interested parties − no later than 20 days after it is issued.

    If a person is exonerated of all charges, then the decision may only be publicly disclosed with the consent of the person who is the subject of the decision. However, the FEC may publicly disclose the fact that the charge has been dismissed.

    What is the appeal process on any potential sanctions?
    An aggrieved party can appeal against any sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. FIS may also appeal against any decision by the FEC not to apply a sanction.

    What exactly did the IECO investigate?

    The terms of reference of the IECO investigation were to examine whether there had been any violations of the FIS Universal Code of Ethics and/or the FIS Rules on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions.  Specifically, the IECO investigation looked at five key issues, i.e. whether:

    1. coaches Magnus Brevig and Thomas Lobben and suit technician acted in violation of the rules in orchestrating the equipment manipulation;

    2. athletes Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang knowingly acted in contravention of relevant FIS rules;

    3. the conspiracy spread further in the team, either to other athletes or other staff members of the Norwegian NSA;

    4. the Norwegian team had engaged in the same or similar equipment violations in the past; and/or

    5. the conspiracy spread to other teams.

    Who gets to see the IECO investigation report?

    The FIS Integrity Director is in possession of the report, which is the result of a thorough investigation process that included 38 key witness interviews and the examination of 88 key exhibits.

    The FIS Council has received a redacted summary of the report and a verbal debrief to help them come to a decision as to whether to bring charges against the individuals considered in the report.

    Recipients of Notices of Charge have also received redacted versions of the report including findings in relation to their respective involvement only. The FEC has been copied as a recipient of these Notices of Charge and therefore of the same redacted versions as the recipients.

    All other parties concerned have been or will be offered a verbal debrief of the report with the IECO and the Lead Investigator.

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