Virginia Supreme Court will hear redistricting challenge



Virginia Supreme Court will hear redistricting challenge

Virginia’s state Supreme Court will decide whether state Democrats’ gerrymander push can proceed after an appeals court on Wednesday pushed the case to the high court.

The state Circuit Court of Appeals, in a motion, stated that the case is of “such imperative public importance as to justify the deviation from normal appellate practice and to require prompt decision in the Supreme Court.”

The move comes after a court in Tazewell County last week blocked Virginia Democrats from going forward with gerrymandering, ruling that the Democrat-led Legislature had wrongly approved a constitutional amendment that would allow for mid-decade redrawing of congressional districts ahead of the midterms this fall.

The move is a potential bright spot for Democrats, who had been stymied by the lower court ruling blocking the party’s attempt to gain upwards of four seats in the midterms through redistricting. Currently, Democrats hold six seats in the state while Republicans control five.

The Republican-backed group Virginians for Fair Maps, one of the main organizations against redistricting in the state, declined to comment.

Virginians for Fair Elections, the Democrat-affiliated group launched last month to urge voters to approve the measure, declined to comment on the record.

Last October, Democratic lawmakers began the process of redrawing maps in the state, an effort that only gained traction after voters elected Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger in the November election and the GOP lost 13 seats in the House of Delegates.

Virginia Democrats had been so confident prior to the Tazewell County court ruling that party leaders vowed to unveil new maps it wanted Virginia voters to approve by the end of last month, with promises of unveiling a map that goes as far as 10-1 in favor of their party.

Virginia is seen as the top prize in Democrats’ redistricting push, especially if Republican-led Florida redraws its maps under Gov. Ron DeSantis. More GOP-led states could also move to draw more red-leaning states if the Supreme Court rules to strike down portions of the Voting Rights Act.


Email appears to confirm photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Virginia Giuffre is real


An email believed to have been sent by Ghislaine Maxwell appears to confirm a photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around Virginia Giuffre’s waist is real.

The message, released as part of the latest tranche of the Epstein files, was headed “draft statement” and sent by “G Maxwell” to Jeffrey Epstein in 2015.

She wrote: “In 2001 I was in London when [redacted] met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family.”

Giuffre, who took her own life in April 2025, alleged Mountbatten-Windsor had sex with her three times when she was a teenager.

The former prince has always denied any wrongdoing. He paid millions to Giuffre, a woman he has claimed never to have met, to settle a civil sexual assault claim on no admission of liability in 2022. He has previously questioned whether the picture had been doctored.

The email, released by the US Department of Justice, adds that “G Maxwell” was not aware of “anything improper” taking place at her home.

The name of the person discussed in the email had been redacted from the published version of the statement but the details suggest it was Giuffre.

The family of Giuffre told the BBC’s Newsnight the email showed she had been “vindicated”.

Her brother, Sky Roberts, said: “It truly does vindicate Virginia … she was not lying this entire time.” He added: “It’s a moment where we’re really proud of our sister.”

In a 2019 interview with Newsnight, Mountbatten-Windsor denied meeting Giuffre and suggested the photograph may have been faked. He said at the time: “Nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has been doctored but I don’t recollect that photograph ever being taken.”

In the interview he also claimed he was at a Pizza Express in Woking, Surrey, the night it is claimed he was photographed with Giuffre.

In December, the Metropolitan police decided after a review not to launch a full criminal investigation into allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor had sex with Giuffre in London in 2001, and that Andrew put pressure on his police protection officer to find any damaging information on her.

Buckingham Palace was contacted for comment.


“It would be entertaining” – Rambolek braces for inevitable showdown with bantamweight Muay Thai king Nabil Anane


Thai knockout artist Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon made it clear at ONE Fight Night 39 that he’s next in line to challenge ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nabil Anane.

The 22-year-old star delivered with a statement-making knockout over Abdulla Dayakaev, his third straight finish in five consecutive victories.

After collecting a $50,000 performance for his latest highlight-reel victory, Rambolek also cemented his status as the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s No.1 contender.

In his ONE Fight Night 39 post-fight interviews, Rambolek said he will be honored to share the ring with Anane, a champion he holds deep admiration for.

Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more

“I am ready if the opportunity presents itself. I think it’s time. I ran into him already today, and I already said hi to him. I told him I wanted to fight him, and yeah, I think it would be entertaining if I got to fight him.”

Rambolek expects an all-action war against Anane, who’s on an eight-fight winning streak. The Superbon Training Camp athlete admits he’ll be in for the fight of his life against the towering Algerian-Thai star.

He added:

“I have to go back and study him, and of course, I have to go back and ask my team what they think.”


Rambolek proud to end Abdulla Dayakaev’s reign of terror

Abdulla Dayakaev entered this bout riding the momentum of four straight violent finishes. Moreover, ‘Smash Boy’ spewed some unpleasantries at Rambolek in the lead-up to their fight.

Needless to say, that animosity made this victory much sweeter for the Thai striker.

Rambolek refused to be intimidated by the Russian’s high-octane style and beat him at his own game.

The Superbon Training Camp affiliate told Nick Atkin of The Bangkok Post after the event:

“I’m very happy and also very relieved that I scored a knockout against someone who’s done big KOs before,” he said.

Stream the ONE Fight Night 39 replay on demand via Prime Video for North American subscribers.