Is this comms????

'The Enigma': Sothebys To Auction Off Massive 555.55-Carat Black Diamond From Space

Sotheby's Dubai has unveiled a 555.55-carat black diamond that's believed to have come from outer space.

Dubbed "The Enigma," the rare jem was shown to journalists during a Monday press conference ahead of its anticipated sale by the auction house in February.

According to NPR, Sothebys expects the diamond to fetch at least 5 million British pounds (US$6.8 million), and may accept cryptocurrency as a method of payment.

Sophie Stevens, a jewelry specialist at Sotheby's Dubai, told The Associated Press that the number five bears an importance significance to the diamond, which has 55 facets as well. -NPR

"The shape of the diamond is based on the Middle-Eastern palm symbol of the Khamsa, which stands for strength and it stands for protection," said Stevens. Khamsa means 'five' in Arabic.

"So there's a nice theme of the number five running throughout the diamond," she added.

From space?

Black diamonds - known as a 'carbonados' are extremely rare, and are only found in Brazil and Central Africa. They are believed to have come from space after scientists analyzed their carbon isotopes and high hydrogen content.

According to Stevens, "With the carbonado diamonds, we believe that they were formed through extraterrestrial origins, with meteorites colliding with the Earth and either forming chemical vapor disposition or indeed coming from the meteorites themselves."

https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/enigma-sothebys-auction-massive-55555-carat-black-diamond-space

Google Australia claims it is doing all it can to stop Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party from spreading misinformation on its platforms, despite accepting more than $100,000 dollars for political ads that it ultimately removed for breaching its advertising policies.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/google-doing-everything-in-its-power-to-stop-united-australia-party-spreading-misinformation-20220120-p59pqh.html

NCAA adopts new policy for transgender athletes

INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has adopted a sport-by-sport approach for transgender athletes, bringing the organization in line with the U.S. and International Olympic Committees.

Under the new guidelines, approved by the NCAA Board of Governors on Wednesday, transgender participation for each sport will be determined by the policy for the sport’s national governing body, subject to review and recommendation by an NCAA committee to the Board of Governors.

When there is no national governing body, that sport’s international federation policy would be in place. If there is no international federation policy, previously established IOC policy criteria would take over.

“Approximately 80 percent of U.S. Olympians are either current or former college athletes,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a release. “This policy alignment provides consistency and further strengthens the relationship between college sports and the U.S. Olympics.”

The NCAA policy is effective immediately, beginning with the 2022 winter championships.

NCAA rules on transgender athletes returned to the forefront when Penn swimmer Lia Thomas started smashing records this year. She was on the men’s team her first three years, but she is competing for the women this season after transitioning.

The Board of Governors is suggesting NCAA divisions allow for additional eligibility if a transgender student-athlete loses eligibility based on the policy change. That flexibility is provided they meet the NCAA’s new guidelines.

“We are steadfast in our support of transgender student-athletes and the fostering of fairness across college sports,” Georgetown President John DeGioia said in a release. “It is important that NCAA member schools, conferences and college athletes compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment and can move forward with a clear understanding of the new policy.”

https://nypost.com/2022/01/19/ncaas-new-transgender-athlete-policy-to-be-sport-by-sport/