Fatality inquiry into Alberta boxer’s knockout death recommends better oversight

TORONTO – Bianca Andreescu has withdrawn from Canada’s team in the Billie Jean King Cup finals.

Tennis Canada said in a release that Andreescu, from Mississauga, Ont., is focusing on her health after she battled injuries throughout the season.

She returned from a nine-month absence due to a back injury at this year’s French Open before taking more time off following a first-round exit at the U.S. Open, where she was champion in 2019.

She recently returned to play two events in Japan in October, reaching the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.

Leylah Fernandez (Laval, Que.), Rebecca Marino (Vancouver), Gabriela Dabrowski (Ottawa), and Marina Stakusic (Mississauga) will form the Canadian team at the Billie Jean King Cup finals, which start later this month in Malaga, Spain.

Canada is looking to become the first team since Czechia in 2016 to defend its world title, starting with a quarterfinal clash against the winner of Britain and Germany on November 17.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Suspended South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins has had the charges against her dismissed, according to online judicial records.

Watkins was charged with assault and kidnapping on Aug. 31. She has been suspended from the women’s college basketball team ever since and did not accompany her teammates to the White House in September to be honored by President Biden for their national championship season.

Court records showed Watkins’ charges were dismissed Nov. 1. There was no immediate word on her suspension.

The top-ranked Gamecocks opened the season Monday night with a closer-than-expected 68-62 victory over Michigan in Las Vegas. They get a sterner test next time out when they face No. 9 N.C. State in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday.

Watkins was a big factor in South Carolina’s 38-0 national title season. The 6-foot-3 forward led the Southeastern Conference with 91 blocks. She averaged 9.2 points and was second behind WNBA first-round pick Kamilla Cardoso on the team with 7.4 rebounds a game.

She dunked once in each of her freshman and sophomore seasons, the first two dunks in the South Carolina program.

Watkins is expected to play an even bigger role with the team when she returns to the basketball court.

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RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – Veterans and current full-time members of the Canadian Armed Forces will soon be able to ride GO Transit for free.

Ontario’s minister of children, community and social services made the announcement Tuesday, saying the province is introducing a transit relief program for them that will begin March 1.

Michael Parsa says there are also plans to extend the free fares to UP Express in the future.

Parsa also says the government is increasing the amount that eligible veterans and their family members can receive each year through the Soldiers’ Aid Commission from $2,000 to $3,000.

The money covers costs such as health-related expenses, home repairs and moving costs, as well as personal items such as clothing for those in financial need.

Parsa says veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to make Canada and Ontario what they are today and they deserve the government’s unwavering commitment to their well-being.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.