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Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto has been confirmed as a Sauber driver for the 2025 Formula One season, replacing Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. The 20-year-old Bortoleto, who currently leads the Formula 2 standings, will partner with the experienced Nico Hulkenberg, 37, in the team's lineup.Bortoleto's signing is a significant move for Sauber, which is set to become the Audi entry in 2026. The young Brazilian has impressed in Formula 2, showcasing his talent and potential. He expressed his excitement about joining Sauber, stating, "This is one of the exciting projects in motorsport, if not in all sports. Joining a team that combines the rich motorsport history of Sauber and Audi is a true honor."Meanwhile, Bottas and Zhou will depart Sauber at the end of the season after failing to score any points in the driver's championship this year. Sauber acknowledged their contributions, stating, "We would like to thank both for the contribution they have made to the team in the last three years. They have been the embodiment of professionalism, using their experience and enthusiasm to support our growth."Bottas, a former Williams and Mercedes driver, has hinted at a possible return to Mercedes as a reserve driver next year. Zhou, China's first Formula One driver, is exploring options to remain in the Formula One paddock.Bortoleto's arrival at Sauber marks a new chapter for the team as it prepares for the future with Audi. The young Brazilian's talent and potential make him an exciting prospect, and his partnership with Hulkenberg promises to bring a blend of experience and youthful exuberance to the team.

Republican candidate Donald Trump has claimed victory in the US Presidential race, surpassing the 270-mark to defeat Democratic opponent Kamal Harris. Trump's triumph was met with jubilation at his campaign headquarters in Florida, where he addressed supporters alongside his wife Melania and children.In his victory speech, Trump pledged to "heal" the country and hailed his victory as "a political victory that our country has never seen before." Despite Fox News declaring him the winner, other US networks have yet to make the official call.Trump's victory was aided by the support of several prominent figures, including vice-president candidate JD Vance, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White. White, who was present on stage with Trump, praised the Republican candidate's resilience and determination."This is karma, ladies and gentlemen," White said. "Nobody deserves this more than his family does. This is what happens when the machine comes after you. Couldn't stop him. He keeps going forward. He's the most resilient man I've ever met in my life."Trump also thanked Joe Rogan, the popular podcast host who endorsed him during the campaign. "Last but not least, the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan. And thank you, America. Thank you," White said.Trump's victory marks a significant moment in American politics, as he becomes the first president to win a second term after being impeached. His victory is likely to have a profound impact on the country's political landscape and its relationship with the rest of the world.

Karnataka's hockey team has set its sights on the gold medal at the senior National men's hockey championships. Their impressive performance in the first two matches of the tournament suggests that they are on the right track.In their opening match, Karnataka faced Chandigarh and emerged victorious with a convincing 5-1 scoreline. Mohammed Raheel Mouseen was the star of the show, scoring a brace to lead his team to victory. The other goals came from N.M. Surya, Bharat Mahalingappa Kurtakoti, and Manjeet.In the second match, Tamil Nadu staged a remarkable comeback against Madhya Pradesh. Trailing 0-2, Tamil Nadu fought back to draw 2-2. K. Selvaraj and S. Shanmugavel scored the goals for Tamil Nadu, while Love Kumar Kanojiya and Akshay Dubey found the net for Madhya Pradesh.With one win and a draw each, both Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh have an equal chance of advancing to the knockout stage. They will play their final group matches on Thursday to determine their fate.In other matches, Andhra Pradesh thrashed Andaman & Nicobar 13-0, while Delhi defeated Jammu and Kashmir 6-0. Bengal also registered a comprehensive 10-0 victory over Assam.

Chennai Grand Masters: Arjun Erigaisi to Open Campaign Against Vidit GujarathiWorld No. 4 Indian chess grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi will kick off his Chennai Grand Masters campaign against compatriot Vidit Gujarathi on Tuesday. This marks Erigaisi's first tournament in India since crossing the historic 2800 ELO ranking mark.The eight-player classical event will witness a thrilling opening round, with Aravindh Chithambaram facing Iranian Amin Tabatabaei, Vachier-Lagrave Maxime taking on Maghsoodloo Parham, and American Grandmaster Levon Aronian playing Alexey Sarana.This year's edition introduces a Challengers event featuring female players for the first time. The Challengers participants will compete for a prize pool of Rs 20 lakh, with the winner receiving Rs 6 lakh and a direct berth in the Masters next year.In the Challengers category, Vaishali Rameshbabu will face Mendonca Leon Luke, while Harika Dronavalli will play Pranav V. Raunak Sadhwani will battle Karthikeyan Murali, and Pranesh M will take on Abhimanyu Puranik.The Challengers event provides Indian prodigies with an opportunity to compete at the highest level. Last year's inaugural edition was won by D Gukesh, who is currently preparing for the world championships title match against Ding Liren of China.The Chennai Grand Masters tournament is organized by MGD1 with ChessBase India and sponsored by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. It will be held at the 1,100-seat Anna Centenary Library.

Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra has etched his name in boxing history by capturing the World Boxing Federation's (WBF) super featherweight world title. The 31-year-old pugilist from Haryana defeated Britain's Conor McIntosh in a thrilling 10-round bout held in the Cayman Islands.Jangra, who trains under legendary former Olympic silver medalist Roy Jones Jr., showcased his exceptional skills and stamina throughout the fight. He dominated most rounds, delivering powerful punches from the opening bell. McIntosh, despite his valiant efforts, struggled to keep pace with Jangra's relentless assault."This is one of the biggest victories of my career," Jangra said in a statement. "I am grateful to my sponsors, coaches, and everyone who has supported me on this journey."Jangra's triumph is a testament to his years of hard work and dedication. He made his professional boxing debut in 2021 and has since compiled an impressive record of 11 wins and only one defeat. Seven of his victories have come via knockout.Prior to his professional career, Jangra had a successful amateur career, winning a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He hopes that his WBF title will inspire other Indian boxers to pursue professional careers."I believe this title will pave the way for other boxers in India to consider professional boxing," Jangra said. "Our boxers have immense talent, and with the right support, they can achieve great things."Jangra's victory is a significant milestone for Indian boxing. It demonstrates the growing strength and competitiveness of Indian boxers on the international stage.

India's Olympic aspirations took a significant leap forward as the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formally expressed its intent to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming India into a global sports powerhouse.The IOA's Letter of Intent, submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on October 1, marks a crucial step in India's bid to host the quadrennial extravaganza. The country's interest in hosting the Games was first expressed by PM Modi during his interaction with Paris Olympics athletes on Independence Day 2022.PM Modi emphasized the importance of athlete input in preparing for the 2036 Games, stating, "We want to document this and share it with the government so that we don't miss out on any small details in the preparation for 2036."India's bid received further support from IOC President Thomas Bach, who acknowledged the country's "strong case" for hosting the Games. India is among 10 nations that have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics, including Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Poland, Egypt, and South Korea.The IOC's Future Host Commission will conduct a thorough selection process to determine the host city. The process involves evaluating factors such as infrastructure, transportation, accommodation, and sustainability.Hosting the Olympics would bring numerous benefits to India, including economic growth, social progress, and youth empowerment. It would also provide a platform for Indian athletes to showcase their talent on the world stage.India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics is a testament to the country's growing stature in the global sports arena. With its vast population, rich sporting history, and ambitious plans for infrastructure development, India is well-positioned to deliver a memorable and successful Olympic experience.

Delhi SG Pipers have bolstered their squad for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) season by signing three-time Olympian Jacob 'Jake' Whetton of Australia. The 33-year-old midfielder joins the Pipers as a replacement for Dutchman Jorrit Croon, who has withdrawn due to an ankle injury.Whetton brings a wealth of experience to the Delhi franchise, having played 253 games for the Australian national team, the Kookaburras. He has scored 75 goals for his country and has been instrumental in their success on the international stage.In 2021, Whetton helped Australia win the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He was also part of the team that won the World Cup in 2014 and finished third in 2018. Additionally, he has won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018, and Birmingham 2022.Whetton's impressive resume also includes two Champions Trophy titles (2012 and 2018), a bronze medal in 2014, four Oceania Cup titles, and an FIH Pro League gold in 2019.Delhi SG Pipers head coach Graham Reid expressed his excitement about Whetton's signing, saying, "Jacob's experience and skill set will be invaluable in filling the void left by Jorrit. His ability to control the midfield aligns perfectly with our game strategy."Whetton is familiar with Reid's coaching style, having worked with him in the past. He is expected to bring energy and expertise to the Pipers team.The HIL is making a comeback after a seven-year hiatus and will run from December 28 to February 1. The Pipers will be hoping to make a strong impact in the tournament with the addition of Whetton to their squad.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics has been marred by controversy after a leaked medical report revealed that she is biologically male. The report, obtained by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia, confirms that Khelif has internal testicles, XY chromosomes, and a micropenis, indicating a condition known as 5-alpha reductase insufficiency.Khelif's eligibility for the women's 66kg category was questioned throughout the Olympics, with many accusing her of being a biological man. Despite these concerns, she went on to secure a gold medal, sparking outrage among some athletes and commentators.The leaked medical report has reignited the debate over transgender athletes in sports. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh took to social media to demand that the gold medal be revoked, while US presidential candidate Donald Trump used Khelif's case to criticize the Biden-Harris administration's gender-ad sports policy.In 2023, the International Boxing Association (IBA) banned Khelif from participating in the World Championship Gold Medal fight in New Delhi due to concerns about her eligibility. The controversy has also raised questions about the fairness of allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports, with some arguing that it gives them an unfair advantage.The leaked medical report has further fueled these concerns, as it provides concrete evidence of Khelif's biological sex. The report has also raised questions about the accuracy of the gender verification tests used by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).The IOC has stated that it will investigate the matter and take appropriate action if necessary. However, the controversy is likely to continue, as it highlights the complex and sensitive issue of transgender athletes in sports.

Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in America, has taken a significant leap forward with the launch of Pickleballtv on Google Play and the Apple App Store. This groundbreaking platform offers unparalleled access to the world of pickleball, catering to both seasoned players and newcomers alike.Pickleballtv boasts an impressive library of over 3,000 hours of live matches from prestigious tournaments such as the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP). Subscribers can witness the electrifying performances of top-tier players like Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and Tyson McGuffin in real-time or catch up with full match replays on-demand. With up to six courts streaming live per event, pickleball enthusiasts won't miss a single point.Beyond live coverage, Pickleballtv provides a wealth of instructional content, exclusive lifestyle programming, and in-depth analysis of the latest pickleball news and trends. Whether you're seeking guidance to improve your game or want to delve into the vibrant pickleball culture, Pickleballtv has something for everyone.The platform's key features include:* Live Streaming & Replays: Access over 3,000 hours of live pickleball coverage and watch every match on demand.* Exclusive Content: Get the best instructional videos, celebrity competitions, and lifestyle programming.* Multi-Court Viewing: Watch up to six courts simultaneously, live and on replay.* DVR Features: Pause, rewind, and replay every exciting moment in HD.* Free Channel Access: Stream Pickleballtv FAST channel with free content, including selected matches and original shows.* Subscription Plans: Enjoy full access to Pickleballtv for only $5.99/month or $59.99/year. Plus, start with a 30-day free trial to explore all the premium features.Pickleballtv is available on Pickleballtv.com, iOS and Android mobile and tablet apps, and FAST channels such as Amazon Freevee, FireTV, Plex, Samsung TV+, The Roku Channel, LG, and Local Now. It can also be accessed through Fubo and DIRECTV STREAM.