In conclusion, the decision to sack the manager for abusing the Liverpool referee sends a powerful message that disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated in the Premier League. It is a step towards creating a culture of respect, fair play, and sportsmanship in football, and it sets a precedent for how such incidents should be handled in the future. Let this be a lesson to all who participate in the beautiful game – uphold the values of respect and integrity, both on and off the pitch.Bypassing scrutiny or getting things done? The secret change to government spending decisionsDavid N'Guessan scores 17 to help Kansas State beat George Washington 83-71 in the Paradise Jam
The upcoming retrial on December 19th is expected to once again draw significant public and media interest, as both Yu Hua and Yang Niuhua prepare to present their respective arguments and evidence in court. For Yang Niuhua, this will be the sixth time she directly faces Yu Hua in a legal setting, underscoring her unwavering determination to seek justice and hold the renowned writer accountable for his actions.The young goalkeeper's performance against Manchester City drew praise from fans and pundits alike, with many highlighting his maturity and composure under pressure. Henderson's ability to command his penalty area, make crucial saves, and communicate effectively with his defenders was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet against a potent attacking side.
Within hours of the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City earlier this week, the surveillance video that captured the brazen crime made the rounds across social media. Across X, Reddit and Facebook, the short video was likely analyzed as closely as the footage of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy just over 61 years ago. And like that infamous shooting, the one in Midtown Manhattan has led to no shortage of conspiracy theories that are now making the rounds on the social platforms. Online sleuths offered their unsolicited opinions, while countless "experts" provided unique insight—with some suggesting the murder was carried out by a professional hit man, who not only used a suppressor but likely subsonic ammunition, which necessitated the need to manually operate the handgun's slide. Some even identified the firearm as a Welrod , a British bolt-action, magazine-fed, suppressed pistol devised during the Second World War, while others said it was likely a B&T VP9. Neither is likely the case. Moreover, the professional killer theories were in stark contrast to the New York Police Department's claim that the suspect's firearm had jammed, and he left several clues that could help the investigation. "Experts" Are Quick To Weigh In Armchair generals and Monday morning quarterbacks are all too common in our modern era—they're the individuals who quickly offer opinions after the fact, and typically with the benefit of hindsight. Social media is filled with these so-called experts, many who have built massive followings. As fresh details surrounding Thompson's murder were released, it only served to fuel the online speculation. The case already has the potential to be like a true crime podcast that unfolds in real-time. Yet, it also is clear that there is likely far more misinformation spreading than actual facts. "The amount of information that is out is inconsistent and much of it is inaccurate," said Dr. Dan Ariely, professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University. "This does a very large disservice to society." Ariely warned that in situations like this still ongoing investigation, it has the potential to erode trust in the mainstream media, which often waits for confirmation. Social media by contrast is quick to post, even if the information is wrong. Beyond the fact that an individual was killed on the streets of America's largest city, this casual posting online often lacks perspective, and fact-checking and is too quick to rely on guesswork—and without much of the evidence that the NYPD has access to. "All this speculation is problematic because it sets expectations that may not be met," explained technology industry analyst Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group. "We are making conclusions before we have all the facts and 'Confirmation Bias' tells us that is a bad thing because people will then only recognize facts or theories that are consistent with the position they have already taken," Enderle added. "It is shoot, ready, aim, instead of what should be ready, aim, shoot." Vetting Sources Closer inspection of the video, as well as the shell casings and unspent round that was recovered; it has been determined that the firearm almost certainly used by the assailant wasn't the aforementioned Welrod or B&T VP9. Nor was the ammunition subsonic. Likewise, given that the shooter's movements have been traced—including to a Starbucks, where he bought a bottle of water and energy bars—it would seem that he wasn't likely a professional assassin. Few hit men would likely stop to pick up breakfast and be caught on camera. Still, it is all too easy to forgive those who are quick to post such misinformation, because of a desire to want to know the facts as quickly as they unfold. Newsrooms seek not to be first, but to get it right—whereas on social media there is a race to share that expert insight as quickly as possible. "We have all become expert crime solvers on social media, especially when there is a compelling and surprising crime such as the shooting death of this health insurance executive," said Susan Campbell, distinguished lecturer in the Department of Communication, Film, and Media Studies at the University of New Haven. "There will always be a lag time between new developments and publication of those developments in traditional media because traditional media worth its salt will still take time to vet the facts," Campbell added. "If people want to hear guesses quickly, social media is their platform. If they want to know facts, that takes a little more time." How Conspiracies Are Born The final concern is that the posts on social media will only serve to give rise to unfounded conspiracy theories that are impossible to debunk. Even after more than two decades, some still question the events of 9/11, and after six decades, the assassination of JFK continues to be debated. This is largely harmless, at least until it isn't. "There will also be efforts after facts are collected to ignore those that counter already taken positions," said Enderle. "In effect, this speculation corrupts the process and makes it less likely we'll ever see the truth. So, in general, social speculation doesn't help the process, it corrupts it." While it could impact the ability to bring an individual to justice, it also serves as another divide in our already deeply divided nation. "Sadly, everything is becoming political," said Ariely. "Right now, people aren't coming from the facts, but rather from a specific point of view. We need to figure out how to look at facts rather than identity."South Korean Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrant for Former Defense Minister
In terms of sector performance, technology stocks led the gains in the morning session, driven by the news of new product launches and technology innovations from major companies. Healthcare and consumer goods sectors also showed strength, while financial and real estate stocks experienced mixed performances.This case highlights the need for individuals to be informed and cautious when it comes to nail care and treatments. Taking shortcuts or neglecting proper nail hygiene can have serious consequences, as evidenced by the woman's unfortunate experience. It serves as a stark reminder that beauty comes at a cost, and that cost should never be one's health and well-being.
Dawn Staley gave five-word message to South Carolina star that inspired breakout gameLin Shidong, a veteran sniper in the national archery team, recently sat down for an exclusive interview to shed light on his experience during the intense Hawkeye Challenge. The Hawkeye Challenge is a prestigious competition known for its challenging target distances and unpredictable weather conditions, pushing archers to their limits. Lin shared valuable insights on how he tackled the challenge and the importance of trusting his eyes while highlighting the crucial role of teamwork in overcoming obstacles.
However, the crackdown has also triggered discussions on the limits of censorship and the freedom of creative expression. Some argue that art and humor should not be restricted by rigid guidelines and regulations, as they are essential forms of self-expression and social critique. The "甄嬛举枪" phenomenon, while seemingly frivolous, reflects a larger cultural trend of remixing and reinterpreting existing media to create new meanings and contexts. By imposing restrictions on such creative practices, the SARFT risks stifling innovation and diversity in the cultural landscape.STOCKHOLM, Dec 3 — Sales by major arms makers were boosted last year by wars in Ukraine and Gaza and tensions in Asia, with marked increases for manufacturers based in Russia and the Middle East, a report said Monday. Sales of arms and military services by the world’s 100 largest arms companies totalled US$632 billion R(2.8 trillion) in 2023, up 4.2 per cent, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Revenues had dipped in 2022 as global weapons makers struggled to meet the increase in demand, but many of them managed to increase production last year, the authors of the report noted. In a sign of this surge in demand, all 100 companies tracked achieved sales in excess of US$1 billion last year for the first time. “There was a marked rise in arms revenues in 2023, and this is likely to continue in 2024,” Lorenzo Scarazzato, a researcher with the SIPRI Military Expenditure and Arms Production, said in a statement. Sales from the world’s top 100 arms companies “still did not fully reflect the scale of demand, and many companies have launched recruitment drives, suggesting they are optimistic about future sales,” Scarazzato added. Smaller producers have been more effective in meeting the demand linked to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, growing tensions in East Asia and rearmament programmes in other regions, the institute said. “A lot of them specialise in either a component of something or build systems that require one set of supply chains,” allowing them to react more quickly, Nan Tian, Director of SIPRI’s Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, told AFP. Among the leading producers, US companies recorded a 2.5 per cent increase in their sales last year and still account for half the world’s arms revenues, with 41 US weapons producers in the world’s top 100. Lockheed Martin and RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), the world’s two largest arms makers, on the other hand, reported a fall in revenue of 1.6 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively. Such behemoths “often depend on complex, multi-tiered supply chains, which made them vulnerable to lingering supply chain challenges in 2023,” Tian said. Russia’s Rostec surges In Europe, home to 27 of the top 100, arms makers on average saw an increase of just 0.2 per cent. But European groups manufacturing complex weapons systems were still in the process of honouring old contracts last year, so the revenues do not reflect the influx of orders since then. “At the same time, a number of other European producers saw their arms revenues grow substantially, driven by demand linked to the war in Ukraine, particularly for ammunition, artillery and air defence and land systems,” SIPRI noted. The figures for Russia, though incomplete, give a clear signal of an economy increasingly geared toward war. Sales by the two Russian groups in the ranking rose by 40 per cent, mainly thanks to a 49 per cent increase in sales for state-owned conglomerate Rostec, according to the report. Manufacturers in the Middle East were buoyed by the war in Ukraine and by the first months of the Israeli offensive in Gaza after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack — and saw on average an 18 per cent lift in sales. The three Israeli manufacturers in the ranking posted record sales of US$13.6 billion, up 15 per cent from the year before, while the three groups based in Turkey, such as drone producer Baykar, saw their sales jump by 24 per cent — boosted by Ukraine and Turkey’s investments in its defence. In Asia, the trend toward rearmament was particularly evident in the growth in sales by the four South Korean manufacturers, with revenues rising 39 per cent on average, and five Japanese firms that saw an average increase of 35 per cent. The nine Chinese producers meanwhile saw revenue increase by only 0.7 per cent “amid a slowing economy,” but their sales still totalled US$103 billion. — AFP
Winnipeg police say 72 more cops needed to keep up with escalating demand