Michael Jordan and Front Row’s Bob Jenkins standing firm in their fight against NASCAR
Michael Jordan and Front Row’s Bob Jenkins standing firm in their fight against NASCAR/node/2574353/sport
Michael Jordan and Front Row’s Bob Jenkins standing firm in their fight against NASCAR
Bob Jenkins, owner of Front Row Motorsports and co-owner Michael Jordan, of 23XI Racing, pose before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday in Talladega, Ala. (AP)
Michael Jordan and Front Row’s Bob Jenkins standing firm in their fight against NASCAR
Jordan said before the race the lawsuit is on behalf of all Cup Series teams; 13 organizations signed the charter agreement, with 23XI and Front Row the only holdouts
NASCAR’s court response could come as early as this week ahead of Sunday’s playoff elimination race at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Updated 08 October 2024
AP
TALLADEGA, Alabama: Michael Jordan arrived at Talladega Superspeedway about 30 minutes before the start of the playoff race and made his way directly to Bubba Wallace’s pit stand for a quick visit with his guys.
The NBA great eventually made his way down pit road to Tyler Reddick’s stand, where he sat on the wall and waited for Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. Both NASCAR team owners have refused to sign NASCAR’s charter agreement and last week filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series.
The brief exchange Sunday was planned as a show of solidarity by the only two teams that chose not to accept NASCAR’s terms for its new revenue-sharing model. 23XI Racing and Front Row want a jury to decide if NASCAR is, indeed, “monopolistic bullies” as the suit alleges.
Jordan said before the race the lawsuit is on behalf of all Cup Series teams; 13 organizations signed the charter agreement, with 23XI and Front Row the only holdouts. Many team owners have said they signed on deadline and under threat of having the entire charter system revoked.
“I think everybody should have an opportunity to be successful in any business and my voice is saying it hasn’t been happening,” Jordan told Fox Sports.
He said he had no intention of speaking with NASCAR chairman Jim France, who is named in the suit, while in Talladega over the weekend.
The legal battle has become the biggest talking point in NASCAR in the middle of its playoffs as the entire industry waits to see what happens next. NASCAR has declined to comment and France declined to discuss it at Talladega. NASCAR’s court response could come as early as this week ahead of Sunday’s playoff elimination race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Michael McDowell, who won the pole for Sunday’s race for Front Row, defended Jenkins’ decision to battle NASCAR. McDowell decided months ago he was leaving the team he’s driven for since 2018 at the end of the season, but is supportive of what Jenkins and 23XI are trying to accomplish.
“Bob Jenkins is so dedicated to this sport,” McDowell said. “He has spent millions and millions and millions and millions and millions of his own dollars to be in this sport and to be competitive. Nobody does that unless they’re insane or super passionate.
“He’s passionate about our race team and being competitive. It’s been a steady progression and I feel like we’re at a point now where we’re a contender,” McDowell continued. “There is nobody spending what we spend and performing how we perform. Nobody. And if he has to spend his own money, there is a problem.”
Denny Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing with Jordan and Curtis Polk, also defended taking the fight to court.
“It’s been stated in statements by Michael Jordan that he loves NASCAR,” Hamlin said. “We’ve obviously invested heavily in NASCAR and reinvested what I got out of this sport as a driver back into it as an owner. Certainly, we love the sport, just would love to see change as well.”
Asked if he thinks NASCAR has any appreciation for what Hamlin — who as a Charlotte Hornets season ticket-holder developed a relationship with Jordan and then persuaded Jordan to start a NASCAR team with him — and 23XI have done for the sport, Hamlin took a long pause.
“Probably not,” he finally answered.
Jordan is the highest-profile team owner in NASCAR, and one of only two who are Black. 23XI also has one of the most diverse teams in the garage, from driver Wallace to crew members and non-competition employees.
The lawsuit has raised another concern around the garage: Team owner Richard Childress said he was not sure if the agreement he signed is the same terms that, say, Hendrick Motorsports received — and if 23XI and Front Row eventually reach an agreement with NASCAR will organizations that have already signed be guaranteed the same terms?
“I don’t know what’s going to happen because it’s just so unprecedented in our sport,” Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks said. “There’s no historical precedent. I think in other cases like this, in other sports, you have collective bargaining unions. So it’s just a very, very different setting. I think we have a blank slate and we can land anywhere. I think whatever comes out of this, I have to believe that it should affect everybody the same.”
COP16: Saudi Arabia vows to intensify action to tackle drought, land degradation
Updated 1 min 57 sec ago
MIGUEL HADCHITY
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s incoming COP16 president vowed to work with the international community to tackle drought and desertification on the first day of a UN conference in Riyadh.
Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, the Kingdom’s minister of environment, used his speech at the event – being held from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme “Our Land. Our Future” – to reflect on the challenges facing the global community.
Outgoing COP15 president, Côte d'Ivoire’s Alain-Richard Donwahi, handed over leadership of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification with a call for continued urgency, while Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the UNCCD, warned that close to 40 percent of the planet’s surface is affected by land degradation.
Al-Fadli said he was “honoured” to have been elected president, adding: “We look forward to intensifying action under this convention to face the challenges and promote integration between various international environment organizations.”
Reflecting on the challenges ahead, he emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to combating desertification, adding: “The Middle East is one of the regions most impacted by land degradation, drought, and desertification. We seek to address environmental challenges in partnership with the international community.”
The environment minister highlighted Vision 2030 as a cornerstone for the Kingdom’s green agenda, saying: “Protecting the environment and natural resources is essential for achieving sustainable development and quality of life.”
Saudi Arabia’s environmental commitment
Al-Fadli detailed the Kingdom’s objectives, including the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to restore 40 million hectares of degraded land and increase national reserves by 30 percent by 2030.
He added: “We have established initiatives and programs to limit pollution, develop vegetation cover, and improve waste management and meteorological services.”
Addressing broader approaches, Al-Fadli highlighted that Saudi Arabia has adopted the National Environment Strategy and established a fund for environmental causes, as well as five specialized centers.
He underlined efforts in renewable energy: “We aim to ensure more than 50 percent of our energy mix comes from renewable sources by 2030, reducing carbon emissions significantly.”
Global and local perspectives
Mayor of Riyadh Faisal bin Abdul Aziz bin Ayyaf highlighted the interconnected nature of environmental challenges, saying: “No country or city can address these challenges alone. Through international cooperation and collective work, we can find innovative solutions to restore our land and develop our cities.”
He added: “We coordinate initiatives to ensure Riyadh can be a model for the world.”
Amina Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the UN, called for urgent global action, particularly around strengthening international cooperation on land degradation, ramping up restoration work, and mobilizing finance at scale.
“Land sustains us, and we are destroying it. Action cannot wait,” she said.
Amina Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the UN. Screenshot
Outgoing president’s reflections
COP15 president Donwahi praised Saudi Arabia’s capability to continue the battle against land degradation, saying there is no doubt in the Kingdom’s ability to “elevate our shared legacy even further” as it stands at the forefront of challenges such as sandstorms and drought.
Stressing the ongoing nature of the mission, he said: “We have remained optimistic. However, the situation remains urgent. We must go further and faster.”
Donwahi acknowledged the progress made by previous COPs, particularly the inclusion of youth, saying: “For the first time, we have appointed a special youth envoy, a strong symbolic gesture that demonstrates our commitment to young people.”
International collaboration
Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the UNCCD, used his speech to warn that close to 40 percent of the planet’s surface is affected by land degradation.
“This disease is progressing at a terrifying pace,” he added.
Thiaw expressed his “deepest gratitude” to Saudi Arabia for its “vision in elevating the global land restoration and drought resilience agenda.”
The conference also looked ahead to COP17 in Mongolia, with Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene expressing his country’s readiness.
Pakistan November consumer inflation slows to 4.9% year on year
The finance ministry projected inflation would slow to 5.8%-6.8% in November and ease to 5.6%-6.5% in December
The South Asian country last month slashed interest rates by 250 basis points to help revive a sluggish economy
Updated 22 min 27 sec ago
Reuters
KARACHI: Pakistan’s annual consumer inflation slowed to 4.9% in November largely due to a high base a year earlier, the statistics bureau said on Monday, lower than the government’s forecast.
The finance ministry had projected inflation would slow to 5.8%-6.8% in November and ease to 5.6%-6.5% in December, it said in its monthly economic report published last week.
The South Asian country slashed interest rates by 250 basis points earlier in November to help revive a sluggish economy amid a big drop in the rate of inflation.
Consumer inflation cooled from 7.2% in October, a sharp drop from a multi-decade high of nearly 40% in May 2023.
Consumer prices in November rose +0.5% from October, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Syrian and Russian air forces strike Aleppo’s eastern countryside, government says
Updated 24 min 50 sec ago
Reuters
CAIRO: Syrian and Russian air forces were striking militant-held positions in Aleppo’s eastern countryside, killing and wounding dozens of insurgents, according to a statement from the Syrian Prime Minister’s office on Monday.
Shared vision meets ambition as French President Macron begins Saudi Arabia state visit
Visit to advance common goal of enhancing cooperation across various sectors in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030
Schedule includes high-level meetings, a visit to Riyadh Metro, Saudi-French Economic Forum and cultural stops in Diriyah and AlUla
Updated 19 min 24 sec ago
Zeina Zbibo
RIYADH: French President Emmanuel Macron’s arrival in Riyadh for a three-day state visit is a testament to the deepening ties between France and Saudi Arabia. His visit, which follows an invitation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reflects the shared ambition to enhance cooperation across various sectors and to align with Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030.
The state visit underscores a partnership rooted in mutual respect and long-term collaboration. It is the latest of several high-profile exchanges, including Macron’s Gulf tour in December 2021, which concluded in Jeddah, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Paris in June 2023, accompanied by a ministerial delegation. These meetings set the stage for France’s endorsement of Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host Expo 2030, marking a milestone in bilateral relations.
Macron’s schedule includes high-level meetings, a visit to Riyadh Metro, the Saudi-French Economic Forum and cultural stops in Diriyah and AlUla. Elysee Palace views Saudi Arabia’s ongoing modernization and reforms as vital to the strengthening of the Kingdom’s position as a central player in a more interconnected Middle East. Accordingly, it supports Saudi bids for major global events, such as hosting Expo 2030, 2034 football World Cup and Winter Olympics, considering them as opportunities for deeper cooperation.
Two statues from the fifth to first century BC are displayed during the exhibition “AlUla: Wonder of Arabia” at the l’Institut du monde arabe in Paris on Oct. 7, 2019. (AFP)
The historical relationship between the two nations predates the Kingdom’s establishment. France opened its first consulate in 1830 in Jeddah in a part of the Arabian Peninsula that would later emerge as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was also one of the first countries to recognize Saudi Arabia as a sovereign state in 1926. Nearly a century later, the two countries share common values in international relations, including sovereignty, non-interference and respect for international law.
This partnership has evolved to address contemporary challenges. At the Summit for a New Global Financial Compact in June 2023, Saudi Arabia and France emphasized the need for an inclusive financial system to combat inequality, fund green transitions and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Their shared vision highlights the alignment of priorities between the two leaders, united in their commitment to development and innovation.
Through the centuries, France has positioned itself as a global power in defense, energy, engineering, diplomacy, art and culture. But modern France is also undergoing a transformation aimed at adapting its economy to new emerging industries, collectively termed the Fourth Industrial Revolution, empowering its youth, and addressing climate-related challenges.
This transformation into a greener, more technology-driven economy aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambitions under Vision 2030. Both countries have prioritized clean energy, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a significant player in renewable energy. Its investments in solar, wind, and hydro projects are matched by its leadership in the circular carbon economy, all key pillars of its Saudi Green and Middle East Green Initiatives. These initiatives resonate with France’s own climate goals, fostering a natural synergy between the two nations.
FASTFACTS
• The number of French companies operating in Saudi Arabia has increased by more than 43% since 2020.
• French investors in KSA: Air Liquide, Airbus, Alstom, Crédit Agricole, L’Oréal, Sanofi Aventis, Thales, Total and Veolia.
Economic collaboration continues to flourish. French companies are integral to the Kingdom’s economic diversification efforts, spanning sectors such as energy, healthcare, retail and tourism. Organizations like Business France and the Saudi-French Business Council play pivotal roles in facilitating trade and investment. Initiatives like Vision Golfe, an annual gathering of French and Gulf Cooperation Council ministers, entrepreneurs and executives, further cement this partnership through dialogue and innovation by offering a platform to promote business cooperation in markets with high growth potential.
Security and stability remain central to this relationship, particularly in addressing global challenges such as the Ukraine conflict. France has sought Saudi support in navigating the war’s human and economic repercussions and its impact on global supply chains. Energy security has also emerged as a focal point, with Saudi Arabia supplying hydrocarbons to Europe while advancing its role as a clean energy provider and one of the world’s biggest investors in renewables like solar, wind and hydro.
Saudi Arabia’s investments in renewable energy resources are part of a broader environmental strategy, being implemented as part of Vision 2030, Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative, as well as the Kingdom’s adoption of the circular carbon economy
French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, center, visits the construction site of a section of the Riyadh Metro under the contract of French company ALSTOM in Riyadh on Jan. 24, 2017. (AFP)
Regional developments will also likely figure prominently in the discussions during Macron’s visit, particularly regarding Lebanon, which remains without a president after more than two years of political paralysis.
Saudi Arabia and France have both played roles in seeking solutions to Lebanon’s crises, so any initiatives taken by them in the wake of the devastating monthslong conflict between Israel and the military wing of Hezbollah will be eagerly awaited. Partnership and consultation with Saudi Arabia are viewed by France as crucial to restoring order to the chaos in Lebanon.
With regard to the Israel-Palestine conflict, Elysee Palace is pushing for a ceasefire, release of hostages and humanitarian protections in Gaza. To this end, it has emphasized the importance of Saudi contributions through the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to advance a two-state solution for Palestine.
In addition to these pressing issues, Macron’s visit coincides with Saudi Arabia hosting COP16, a global platform addressing desertification under the theme “Our Land. Our Future.” Alongside this, he will attend the One Water Summit, co-chaired by France and Kazakhstan, which aims to address water resource management challenges in the face of climate change. These events underscore the commitment of both nations to environmental sustainability, a cornerstone of their partnership.
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and France is of course not limited to defense, business and energy transition. Cultural collaboration also forms a significant part of the Franco-Saudi relationship. Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, from AlUla to Diriyah and the Sarawat Mountains, offers a canvas for joint initiatives. At the heart of this is Villa Hegra, a cultural institution in AlUla, the ancient Saudi city, established through an intergovernmental agreement in 2021.
Villa Hegra was officially established following an intergovernmental agreement signed on Dec. 4, 2021, by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud and Jean-Yves Le Drian, the then French minister of foreign affairs and current president of Afalula, the French agency for the development of AlAula. Villa Hegra serves as an incubator for artists and creators, fostering dialogue and collaboration while exploring the socio-economic impact of cultural projects on local communities.
France’s Fabien Doubey and Paul Ourselin of TotalEnergies team ride during the first stage of the AlUla Tour cycling race in Al-Ula on Jan. 30, 2024. (AFP)
The duality of Villa Hegra, blending Saudi and French influences, mirrors the broader partnership between the two nations. Macron’s anticipated visit to AlUla will underscore the significance of these cultural ties and highlight Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a regional hub for art and heritage. This emphasis on culture complements the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy, attract global talent and position itself as a tourism and investment destination.
Amid these developments, the relationship between France and Saudi Arabia remains firmly anchored in mutual respect and shared goals. Macron’s visit offers an opportunity to build on a foundation that spans nearly two centuries, reinforcing partnerships in defense, energy, culture and economic development. The discussions in Riyadh will likely set the tone for future collaborations, as both nations continue to navigate a rapidly changing global landscape.
After Macron concludes his stay, the focus will shift to the outcomes of this visit, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, fintech and cybersecurity. France’s upcoming AI Action Summit in February 2025 presents another opportunity to align technological ambitions, ensuring that the partnership remains dynamic and forward-looking. Whether in addressing global challenges or celebrating shared heritage, the relationship between France and Saudi Arabia stands as a testament to the enduring power of collaboration.
Lebanon army says Israeli drone hits post in east, wounding soldier
Updated 36 min 41 sec ago
AFP
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s army said an Israeli drone strike wounded one of its soldiers in the eastern region of Hermel on Monday, the latest such raid since an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire last week.
“An enemy drone struck an army bulldozer at a position, injuring one soldier,” the army said, five days after a ceasefire ended more than a year of war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah armed group.
