VOUX MAG

The two remaining lawsuits againstCleveland BrownsquarterbackDeshaun Watsonhave been dismissed by the women who filed them just weeks before they werescheduled to go to trial in February and March.

Both were among 27 lawsuits filed against Watson since March 2021, all by women who accused him of sexual misconduct. Of the 27 cases, 24 ended with confidential settlements and one was withdrawn shortly after being field in 2021. The last remaining two were dismissed with prejudice in Houston Friday Jan. 6, indicating they also were settled with confidential terms.

Plaintiffs attorney Tony Buzbee represented 26 of the 27 women, including one of the final remaining plaintiffs, Lauren Baxley, who previously declined to settle after filing suit in March 2021. She was one of the first women tocome forward publiclyand accuse Watson of misconduct during a massage session.

"Case is settled," Buzbee said Monday. "That's all I can say about it. That's the last case so that ends my involvement with Deshaun Watson litigation."

Watson denied wrongdoing and said some of the encounters with these women were consensual. But the NFL investigated and eventuallysuspended him for 11 games in 2022.

The Baxley case was set for trial in Houston on March 30. The other remaining case was set for trial Feb. 18 and involved the only plaintiff who wasn't represented by Buzbee. That woman's attorney didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

That plaintiff had accused Watson of forcing her into oral sex during a massage session at theHoustonian Hotelin December 2020. Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, called her lawsuit a"sham" after it was filed in October 2022. He didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

All cases generally allegedmisconduct during massage sessionsin 2020 and early 2021, when Watson played for the Houston Texans. That team alsoreached confidential settlements with 30 womenwho made claims related to Watson's behavior and accused the team of enabling his behavior and failing to prevent it. In March 2022, the Texans traded him to the Browns, who gave him a five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed.

But because of the suspension and injuries, Watson only has played in 19 games for the Browns since then. Last season, Watson, 30, didn't play at all after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer@Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Final two Deshaun Watson lawsuits dismissed by women who filed them

Tennis superstar Serena Williams could be on her way back to the court after being listed by theInternational Tennis Integrity Agencyas eligible to return on Feb. 22.

This comes nearly six months after Williams registered with the sports drug testing organization and, as of Monday, has been listed on the ITIA's website reinstatement page. While there is no official plan in place for Williams' return, thisprocess has opened a pathway for a return if she so chooses.

When news broke last year that Williams had signed up to re-enter the ITIA drug testing pool, she responded to fans via social media. "Omg yall I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy."

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Williams is one of the most decorated competitors in the sports history but has not competed since the 2022 U.S. Open. She stepped away from the sport in 2022 to focus on family and other business ventures outside of her tennis career. At the time, Williams did not want to use the word "retiring," but chose to say she was evolving away from tennis.

Pro athletes who return to testing under ITIA supervision must provide information on their whereabouts, times when they can give samples and their location when not at official events. Athletes who retire while on the list and choose to come back later must be available for six months of testing before they can be allowed to officially return to competition.

Among Williams' treasure chest's worth of accolades are 73 career titles (23 Grand Slams), four Olympic gold medals and a career singles record of 858-156.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama circuit judge on Monday denied Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako's motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the 7-foot center's collegiate eligibility and his season with the Crimson Tide.

County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet cited that Bediako "failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to the injunctive relief that he seeks," according tocourt documents.

Bediako was playing under a temporary restraining order that allowed the former NBA G League player to join Alabama in the middle of the season despite questions regarding his collegiate eligibility.

NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a statement that he was glad the court "upheld the rules of our members."

"Common sense won a round today," Baker said. "The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students. College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away to go pro and now want to hit the 'undo' button at the expense of a teenager's dream. While we're glad the court upheld the rules our members actually want, one win doesn't fix the national mess of state laws. It's time for Congress to stop watching from the sidelines and help us provide some actual stability."

Alabama said it was disappointed in the ruling and called for consistency from NCAA decision-makers.

"We are disappointed in today's court ruling, denying the injunction for Charles Bediako," the school said in a statement. "While we understand the concern around competitive and developmental implications of former professional athletes participating in college, it is important to acknowledge reality. The NCAA has granted eligibility to over 100 current men's basketball players with prior professional experience in the G League or overseas. Granting eligibility to some former professionals, and not to others, is what creates the havoc we are currently in and why consistency from decision-makers is so desperately needed."

The 23-year-old Bediako was averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in five games Alabama went 3-2 in those games.

Attorneys for both sides — Bediako and the NCAA — argued their cases Friday. Bediako sued college basketball's sanctioning body in an effort to regain eligibility despite leaving Alabama for the NBA draft in 2023, signing a two-way NBA contract and playing the last three seasons in the developmental G League.

Bediako spent two seasons (2021-23) at Alabama, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, and helped the Crimson Tide make the NCAA Tournament twice. He wasn't selected in the 2023 draft, but he played for the Motor City Cruise in the NBA's G League as recently as mid-January.

His lawyers argued that Bediako remains within his five-year college eligibility window. The NCAA denied Alabama's initial petition, and NCAA President Charlie Baker and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey have made it clear they are opposed to Bediako's reinstatement.

Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said Friday that, regardless of the outcome of the case, Bediako will be allowed to remain on scholarship and work toward a college degree.

Alabama (16-7, 6-4 Southeastern Conference), which faces Mississippi on Tuesday, did not immediately comment on the court decision.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphereandhere(AP News mobile app). AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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NEED TO KNOW

• Ross "The Boss" Friedman has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

• The founding member of rock band The Dictators and heavy metal band Manowar was diagnosed with the nervous system disease after several months of various symptoms

• "It's difficult to know what lies ahead, and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong," he said in a statement

Ross "The Boss" Friedman has been diagnosed withamyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS).

The founding member of the rock band The Dictators and heavy metal band Manowar, 72, was diagnosed with the nervous system disease after several months of various symptoms.

"It's difficult to know what lies ahead, and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong," Friedman said in a statement.

Lorne Thomson/Redferns

"I'm absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all," he continued.

Friedman, before his official diagnosis, experienced weakness in his hands and legs.

A press release stated that the rocker had a series of "very minor strokes" that were thought to be the cause of his symptoms. However, dietary changes, exercises and physical therapy "did nothing to slow the progression or increase his strength."

ALS affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according toMayo Clinic. The disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, causes loss of muscle control.

There is no cure for ALS and it is ultimately fatal.

Lorne Thomson/Redferns

Friedman co-founded the hard rock band The Dictators in 1973 with his friends Andy Shernoff and Scott Kempner. Years later, in 1980, he started the heavy metal band Manowar with bassist Joey DeMaio.

The New York City native has also played in the bands Shakin' Street, Death Dealer, The Spinatras and The Brain Surgeons.

He formed Ross The Boss Band in 2009, and was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2017.

Friedman has contributed to several albums, includingThe Dictators Go Girl Crazy,Manifest DestinyandBattle Hymns. Ross the Boss Band released theirLegacy of Blood, Fire & Steelcompilation album in 2023, followed by their single "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" in 2025.

According to Friedman'swebsite, he has a son who was born in 1991.

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In a 2022 interview withGuitar World, the rocker reflected on his musical inspiration, saying "Oh, I loved the Monkees."

"As a kid, seeing them on TV was really exciting. They had amazing songs. I could really relate to Last Train to Clarksville. What a solo! Of course, I didn't know it was studio musicians on those first records, and it didn't matter. The playing was incredible," he shared.

Read the original article onPeople

THE RUNDOWN

• BTS will be releasing new music in March 2026.

• Members Jin, Jimin, V, Jungkook, RM, Suga, and J-Hope have focused on solo projects and completing their mandatory military service for the last three years.

• In November 2025, Jimin revealed the group had just finished recording their new album.

Now that BTS's members Jin, Jimin, V, Jungkook, RM, Suga, and J-Hope have allcompletedtheir mandatory South Korean military service, the boys are back together—and preparing for their musical comeback as a group.

The K-pop band has beenon hiatussince 2022, with members focusing on solo projects when not in service. They reunited as a group in June andbegan recording their upcoming albumweeks after. They recently finished it, Jimin revealed on Nov. 1, 2025, and it's coming in March 2026.

Here's everything we know so far about their new music.

When is BTS's album coming out?

During a November 1 livestream on social media, Jimin announced that their upcoming album is complete and will likely be released in spring 2026. "Guys, we just finished recording," he said, perComplex. "It can come out next spring. Seeing you today, I really feel like promoting our music."

On Jan. 1, 2026, BTS's entertainment company, BigHit, revealedthe exact dateof their comeback: "March 20th comeback confirmed," they wrote in Korean.

[기사]#방탄소년단, 3월 20일 컴백 확정https://t.co/hnSw4o4RVp

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC)January 1, 2026

Have other members said anything about the upcoming album?

In an April 2025interviewwith Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1, J-Hope spoke about how their solo endeavors will affect the group's next project. "I think that over time, we each refined our unique identities as each of us work on their own music, come out with their solo projects and do their own thing," he said. "The funny thing for me is when our identities, which have taken shape in various ways, come together as BTS. I'm curious to see how it'll look like…. I think it's going to be a massive energy."

In a November 2025Weversepost, RM shared another update about the album. "Above all, the music is really good," he said, per the English translation. "Everyone is working hard, so please look forward to it."

Will BTS be going on tour?

It sure seems like it. According toRolling Stone, the seven members confirmed in July 2025 that they're going to tour. "We're also planning a world tour alongside the new album," they said in a statement. "We'll be visiting fans all around the world, so we hope you're as excited as we are."

What is the title of BTS's new album?

On January 16, BTS revealed the title of their upcoming album:ARIRANG. The announcement came via an official press release and followed weeks ofteaserstied to the project.

"'Arirang'is a traditional Korean folk song renowned both in Korea and around the world," the statement reads. "Transcending time and generations, the song has long been associated with emotions of connection, distance, and reunion."

What have collaborators said about BTS's upcoming album?

In early February 2026, Diplo spoke publicly about working on BTS's upcoming album,ARIRANG, while attending a Fanatics Super Bowl party. He teased exciting things ahead, tellingTMZ, "I just feel so lucky because I've been working for three decades and to link up with a group like that, and have them trust me and do some awesome music…honestly, it's gonna shock the world."

He described the project as "the craziest album ever" later, saying, "For sure, it's gonna be the biggest thing I've ever done."

Diplo also shared insight into BTS's recording process. "They're so hands-on," he said. "They're so creative. I can't believe it." He singled out Jungkook in particular, noting, "Jung Kook—no autotune. Perfect voice."

This story will be updated.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Two months after winning Dancing with the Stars season 34, Robert Irwin has revealed if he's interested in more reality TV gigs

• The Australian wildlife conservationist, 22, specifically weighed in on rumors that he might be the next eligible man to lead The Bachelor

• Irwin admitted that his life is "a lot more boring than you might think" amid the speculation

Robert Irwinis not shutting down speculation about a potential return to reality TV.

TheDancing with the Starsseason 34 winner, 22, was asked about rumors that he could potentially lead a future season ofThe Bachelor... and he didn't say no.

In terms of the possibility of any kind of return to reality TV, Irwin toldEntertainment Tonight, "Never say never, I'm in this realm right now where I'm like, never say never."

As for his thoughts onThe Bachelorin particular, he teased, "You know what? Watch this space. Who knows."

"It's a strange world," Irwin said. "Anything could happen."

Cindy Ord/Getty

He did admit that it's been shocking to see the speculation about him ever since he won over America's hearts onDancing with the Stars. "I feel like some of the rumors flying around duringDancing with the Stars— like, Robert's gonna be the next Bachelor — I'm like, oh my goodness. I'm a zookeeper."

"I'm an animal conservationist. That's my thing. My world is very different from most of the things that are reported on about me," he said.

In his mind, he said his life is "a lot more boring than you might think," and when it comes to romance in particular, "I'm pretty vanilla," he said.

Irwin's comments about his dating life came after fans speculated that he might be romantically involved withXochitl Gomez, who joined him and his partnerWitney Carsonfor theDWTS20th birthday celebration episode in November.

Gomez, 19, was also in attendance at the finale, and was seenholding a big bouquet of flowers as she greeted Irwinoutside his trailer inphotos shared by TMZ.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The actress, whowon season 32ofDWTS, was asked about her relationship status by pros Jan Ravnik and Brandon Armstrong on the show'sTikTok livestream, though, andconfirmed that she was single.

Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty

Irwin has been candid about his desire to find a life partner, as he told PEOPLE that he sees his parents' relationship as the "perfect" example. "I look at my mom, I look at my dad, and I'm like, that's it. That's who I want to be," Robert said of his parents,Terri Irwinand the lateSteve Irwin, whodied in 2006.

He has a similar admiration for his sisterBindi's marriage toChandler Powell.

"My mom and dad met when she was this American tourist coming over to Australia, and that's also how my sister met her husband," Robert said. "I've been saying, when is that going to happen for me?! I'm still waiting for it. That American tourist is not quite lined up."

Read the original article onPeople

Lawyers for the Venezuelan men who were sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador last year argued in court Monday that due process for their clients would mean giving them the immediate right to return to the U.S. for a court hearing, or have remote hearings about their cases.

The men, who were detained by federal immigration authorities, were held for four months in the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, aSalvadoran megaprisonknown for its harsh conditions. They were sent back to Venezuela in July as part of a prisoner swap between the two nations, andhave said they suffered physical and psychological abuse while imprisoned in CECOT.

In December, a federal judge ruled the Trump administration should not have sent the 137 Venezuelan men to CECOT after invoking the Alien Enemies Act, finding that the men were denied due process.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the federal government to either facilitate the return of the men to the United States or otherwise follow due process and provide them with hearings. The men are now living in Venezuela or in nearby countries.

Lee Gelernt, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union who is representing the plaintiffs in this case, argued Monday that his clients who have made it out of Venezuela and to a third country should have the immediate right to either return to the U.S. for a hearing, have a remote hearing, or at the very least be able to file habeas claims on paper.

For those still in Venezuela, a paper filing is probably the best place to start given the turmoil in the South American country, the lawyer said.

Boasberg asked Department of Justice attorney Tiberius Davis why the 137 men shouldn't be treated the same asKilmar Abrego Garciaand returned to the U.S., especially because the Supreme Court previously ordered Abrego returned to the same condition he was in before he was mistakenly deported.

"Obviously, if the court ordered that, we could do that," Davis said. He said trying to coordinate remote hearings, for legal, jurisdictional, and practical reasons, would be the "worst" option.

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Davis said the Trump administration would prefer if any of the 137 individuals arrived at a U.S. port of entry or had boarding letters, saying "that is the least problematic" pathway here.

Gelernt and Davis both agreed that these individuals, if they were to present themselves at a port of entry, would not be allowed into the U.S. freely. They would be taken into U.S. custody and their individual immigration proceedings would continue from there, Davis said.

Boasberg said he would rule on how the government is to proceed within the next week or so.

The men were sent to CECOT in March after Trumpinvoked the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law,declaring the Venezuelan gangTren de Aragua an invading force.Their removal to El Salvador cameeven as Boasberg, in a ruling at the time,blocked the deportations and ordered any flights carrying migrants subject to the presidential invocation to return to the United States.

Trump said heinvoked the Alien Enemies Actto target members of the gang, which the administration deems a foreign terrorist organization and accuses of engaging in "mass illegal migration to the United States to further its objectives of harming United States citizens." By invoking the law, Trump was able to swiftly detain and remove immigrants he claimed were members of the gang at the time.

The men who spoke to NBC News,as well as the families of former detainees and their attorneys,strongly denied any ties to gangs and said they were unfairly targeted because oftattoos that may be popular in Venezuela and are unrelated to Tren de Aragua.

A New York Times investigation, which relied on interviews with prosecutors and law enforcement officials as well as court documents and media reports in multiple countries, found that most of the men sent to CECOT did not have criminal records in the United States or in the region. It found at least 32 of the more than 200 men sent to CECOT, including the 137 under the Alien Enemies Act, faced serious criminal accusations or convictions in the United States or abroad. Very few of them appeared to have any documented evidence connecting them to Tren de Aragua.

Three of the Venezuelan men told NBC Newsafter their release from CECOT and return to Venezuela that they experienced physical and psychological torture, including one man's allegation that he was sexually assaulted at the prison.