Film practitioner and scholar, Oreofe Williams, has been appointed a consultant to the National Universities Commission (NUC), where he will contribute to the review and development of curricula for Theatre Arts, Film and Media Studies in Nigerian universities.
Williams announced the appointment while reaffirming his commitment to advancing film development and improving the quality of media education in Nigeria.
He attributed his selection to his contributions to the country’s film industry through film production, the establishment of film villages and talent development, as well as to his academic background, which includes a PhD in Film Studies.
According to Williams, the appointment offers an opportunity to bridge the gap between academic training and the practical demands of the creative industry. He said the initiative would help ensure that graduates acquire the skills required by employers.
Williams disclosed that the first seminar under the initiative was held last Thursday. During the session, he contributed ideas aimed at improving existing curricula and preparing students for professional opportunities in theatre, film and media.
Looking to extend on their sensational purple patch, Barcelona will travel to Andalusia on Saturday evening when they meet Real Betis.
With a stacked weekend schedule from across the continent, there are plenty of attractive betting promotions available.
Verdict: Lamine Yamal over 0.5 assists
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: BetUS
Real Betis
Starting with the hosts, mounting another dramatic Champions League comeback on Wednesday night as they eventually dragged themselves to a 3-2 victory against Portuguese giants Porto, Real Betis are enjoying a remarkable run. With the mood around Andalusia at a red-hot high, Manuel Pellegrini’s men will be relishing another blockbuster showdown this weekend. Marking their return from September’s extended international break with a dominant 5-2 win against Osasuna, the one-time Manchester City boss finds his high-flying squad sat in bronze medal position among Spain’s elite. Opening their famous Champions League adventure with another action-packed 3-2 victory away at French outfit Lille last month, Real Betis have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their first 10 appearances across all competitions. Breaking plenty of records since opening up the 2026/27 campaign, Pellegrini’s men are more than capable of causing some serious headaches here.
Real Betis Team News
Suffering a groin injury while away with the Dominican Republic during September’s extended international break, former Leeds defender Junior Firpo remains on the sidelines. Likewise, Spanish striker Vitor Ruibal is still recovering from a long-term knee issue.
Bagging a maiden Champions League strike on Wednesday night and now registering three goals in his back-to-back appearances over the past week, former Real Madrid superstar Isco could play a leading role in the final third. Handed a full rest in midweek, one-time Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin should be handed a full recall.
Barcelona
As for the visitors, once again defending their La Liga crown last season, Barcelona have only further cemented their spot as Spain’s ultimate poster boys. Embarking on another sensational start to proceedings, Hansi Flick’s superstar squad have rightfully received a fearsome reputation from across the continent. Flying out of the traps since opening up the 2026/27 campaign, the former Bayern Munich boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Last seen earlier in the week laying down another Champions League marker as they cruised their way to a 4-1 romp away at Turkish giants Galatasaray, the reigning Spanish champions are riding a serious wave of momentum. Marking their return from September’s extended international break with a thumping 3-0 win against Getafe, Barcelona have won all of their first 10 appearances across all competitions. In fact, continuing to shine in the final third, Flick’s side have already notched a staggering 34 goals in their opening eight La Liga showdowns.
Barcelona Team News
Picking up a thigh issue while away with Brazil during September’s international break, Barcelona are once again expected to be without former Leeds talisman Raphinha here. Likewise, yet to make a maiden appearance this season, Dutch international Frenkie de Jong remains on the sidelines.
Enjoying a remarkable start to proceedings and already registering 22 direct goal contributions for club and country so far this season, Ballon d’Or contender Lamine Yamal will play a leading role in the final third. Completing a shock permeant switch to Catalonia this summer, former Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could be handed a full recall.
Real Betis vs Barcelona Key Factors to Consider
When Real Betis and Barcelona last met for a La Liga showdown back on May 17th, the reigning Spanish champions claimed a 3-1 victory in Catalonia.
Barcelona have won all of their opening 10 straight appearances across all competitions so far this season.
Gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances, Barca have notched a staggering 34 goals in their first eight La Liga showdowns.
Spanish superstar Lamine Yamal has registered 22 direct goal contributions for club and country so far this year.
Including their stunning Champions League comeback in midweek, Real Betis have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their first 10 appearances across all competitions so far this year.
Conclusion
Two camps who find the mood in their respective camps at a red-hot high, neutrals could be treated to a real thriller from Andalusia this weekend. With both Real Betis and Barcelona producing their own action-packed Champions League performances earlier in the week, chances could come thick and fast on Saturday evening. With the two Spanish high-flyers gaining a reputation for their free-scoring affairs, we are expecting a frantic La Liga battle here.
BRUSSELS — The European Union is working on multiple fronts to limit the number of Russian citizens that can enter the bloc, including the nuclear option of a total ban on all non-essential travel into the club’s Schengen zone.
This comes as Brussels and several EU member states have flagged that individuals using either Russian diplomatic cover or traveling on tourism visas have played key roles in various types of hybrid attacks in the bloc.
Most recently, German authorities revealed that the main suspect of the drone attack on Leipzig airport in August, which caused major traffic disruptions, was a Belarusian-Russian citizen who entered the EU using an Italian-issued Schengen tourist visa.
In a leaked EU presidency policy paper on various Russian visa options, seen by RFE/RL, it is noted that the “only long-term and effective solution would appear to be the possibility to adopt visa restrictive measures, which would ban non-essential travel for one nationality of applicants.”
The document notes that changes to the EU visa code would be necessary for such a move and that “these visa measures would be applied in a uniform way as EU law”. A change to the visa code would be made via qualified majority, constituting 55 percent of all member states, representing 65 percent of the total EU population.
A bigger overhaul of the EU visa code could come later in the year but several EU member states, notably in southern Europe, are still reluctant to completely shut down various avenues of people-to-people contact with Russian citizens.
Shortly after the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU fully suspended the EU-Russia visa facilitation agreement that allowed for cheaper visas, multiple-entry visas and simpler procedures to obtain them.
Brussels also issued guidelines to EU member states on how to deal with Russian visa applications, prioritizing so-called “essential travel” requests such as applicants going for humanitarian reasons, including civil society representatives, political dissidents and independent journalists or family reunification.
Patchwork Approach
These guidelines are nonbinding, giving each EU member state wide discretion on how they would treat Russian visa applications. And the result has created a European patchwork of approaches to Russian visa requests.
While many countries on the EU’s eastern flank, bordering Russia, imposed very strict rules by hardly allowing any Russian nationals to enter, southern member states, keen on summer visitors, were more generous in issuing Schengen tourist visas for Russian citizens.
In 2025, a record since the full-scale invasion was reached, with 477,878 visas being issued to Russian nationals for tourism purposes. The vast majority of those were authorized by Greece, Italy, France, and Spain.
Until a potential decision on a full entry ban could be taken, the EU is working in parallel on three separate tracks on how to reduce the number of Russian visitors — banning ex-combatants in Ukraine, reducing Russian diplomatic movement and so-called “limited territorial validity (LTV)” visas, which only allows you to stay in the country that issued the visa while prohibiting the holder from travelling to other Schengen zone countries.
The presidency paper notes that “LTV visas are presented as an interim measure, pending the future implementation of a full ban on travel for non-essential purposes.” Germany has argued for this approach and the paper notes that the rationale behind the push is to let the countries that still issue non-essential visas to Russian to “assume full responsibility for doing so, in a context where other Member States adopt a much stricter approach.”
But the paper also points out the limits with this move, noting that “this runs against one of the basic principles on which the Schengen area is based, i.e. mutual trust. It amounts to a re-nationalization of short-stay visa policy”.
Limited Effect
The very fact that there hardly are any internal EU border controls also make an LTV visa have limited effect with the document stating that “an LTV visa issued to a Russian national with malevolent intent does not seem to offer sufficient security guarantees against further movements inside the Schengen Area.”
Regarding ex-combatants travelling on tourist visas, movement is expected soon.
Various European consulates in Russia will most likely be required to check military service documents as part of the visa issuance routine. There are still some issues, however, such as the fact that many of the consulate staff are Russian citizens and that Moscow, according to European diplomats familiar with the matter, has threatened them with legal action if they ask about such documentation.
In a separate diplomatic note, seen by RFE/RL, the case for restricting the movement of Russian diplomats and consular staff within the EU is also being explored.
The common practice right now stipulates that Russian diplomatic personnel in the EU are only required to notify authorities when traveling to another member state, but there is now a push to introduce a requirement to obtain prior authorization from the country they intend to visit.
Another idea gaining traction in Brussels is to limit how long Russian diplomats and officials can remain in their host countries as European counterintelligence services are keen to curb long-established spy networks, in which diplomats stationed in one place for extended periods often play a key role.
Matt specialises in football analysis, transfer insight and original feature writing across the Premier League, EFL and Scottish football.
A sports writer for 15 years, Matt graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in 2018 and has developed particular expertise in Arsenal and the wider Premier League while also reporting on clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, Celtic, Rangers and teams across the EFL. He joined Football FanCast as part of its writing team in 2019 before progressing to Assistant Editor and then becoming a Senior Editor in 2021.
His work combines authoritative reporting with data-led analysis, tactical insight and informed transfer assessment. Matt regularly examines how players fit into different systems, what their underlying numbers reveal about their performances and whether transfer targets represent realistic solutions for clubs. His analysis aims to go beyond the headline, explaining not just what has happened but what it means for a team, manager or player.
Matt’s journalism has also appeared through the Press Association, with his work featured by Sky Sports and the Daily Mail. He previously served as Arsenal and Premier League Editor at VAVEL and gained first-hand club-media experience with Chesterfield FC. Over his career, he has interviewed figures including Arsène Wenger, Ray Parlour, Alan Smith, Lucy Bronze and Steph Houghton. Matt’s voice has been heard across Arsenal Fan TV and Love Sport Radio.
Through his reporting, analysis and features, Matt brings readers credible football insight grounded in research, statistics, tactical understanding and years of experience covering the professional game.
Today, Matt leads Football FanCast’s features team as Senior Editor, overseeing the publication’s opinion coverage while helping shape its overall editorial standards and content strategy.
Olivier Giroud returned to the Emirates Stadium this week as Lille played Arsenal in the Champions League.
The Frenchman, who won two FA Cups with the Gunners, is remembered fondly in these parts and is certainly well-liked by Mikel Arteta.
REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
The striker and the manager were once teammates and while they were adversaries for a night in north London on Tuesday, it was Arteta who had the last laugh as they shared a warm embrace on the pitch at full-time.
Giroud only appeared as a late substitute and received warm applause from the home fans.
However, did he deserve that sort of reception? Giroud’s career at Arsenal was certainly a rollercoaster.
What is Giroud’s legacy at Arsenal?
Giroud’s footballing story is something from a picture book. Plucked from obscurity in France by Arsenal, the Frenchman joined from Montpellier in 2012 to the tune of just £12m.
Was this the player Arsène Wenger needed to end the club’s trophy drought? Well, on first glance, no.
Giroud endured a rough ride at the start of his adventure in London. It took the tall centre-forward seven league games to finally score his first goal for the club and he ultimately ended his debut campaign with just 11 strikes to his name in the Premier League.
But, Giroud had his moments. Eventually, he did play a key role in ending that long, old trophy drought for Arsenal. He didn’t score in the 2014 FA Cup final, but he was the man to assist Aaron Ramsey’s winner in extra time.
The French superstar certainly had his moments. That scorpion kick goal, which to this day he still intends he meant, is one of the finest strikes of the Emirates era.
Once all was said and done, he departed having scored 105 goals. Only 15 players in the club’s history have scored more goals. In that regard, he should be counted as a cult hero.
To some he is, but his legacy was tainted when he joined Chelsea. He was pivotal as the Blues defeated Unai Emery’s side in Baku to win the Europa League and then on the team bus after the game he said “thank you Arsenal” as he lifted the trophy.
As a result, some were hardly pleased to see him back in N5 on Tuesday night. Some fans were hardly pleased to see some of their own starting XI either.
Why it’s time for Giroud 2.0 to leave Arsenal
Say what you like about Giroud but he would be the perfect striker in the modern-era for this Arteta team.
Take Kai Havertz, for instance. He’s rather like Giroud in his stature and his ability to hold the ball up. His positioning, movement and tactical awareness is first class, much like the Frenchman in his prime.
REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Yet, it is not Havertz who most resembles Giroud right now; it is Viktor Gyokeres.
Signed from Sporting CP for £63m in the summer of 2025, much was expected from the big Swede. This was the elite centre-forward Arsenal had been craving to take them to the next level. So they thought, anyway.
Sadly, in a similar way to Giroud, he has become a marmite figure. Gyokeres was the club’s leading goalscorer last term with 21 in all competitions.
His efforts should be remembered fondly, particularly as the Gunners ended a two-decade wait to finally win the Premier League.
Yet, Gyokeres’ performances have been called into question. He had his critics in 2025/26 but they are back with a vengeance in 2026/27. He really does feel like the modern-day Giroud.
In the Wenger era, the Swede’s pace, power and finishing ability are exactly what Arsenal could have done with. They played a lovely brand of football that was free-flowing and full of life.
Mikel Arteta’s side does play some eye-catching football but it doesn’t come with enormous regularity. It’s more structured, it’s more organised and it can be mind-numbingly patient. For Gyokeres, that is no good. He feeds on chaos; he feeds on balls in behind.
So, like Giroud, it would appear he is playing the wrong era. Very few can question the 28-year-old’s goalscoring ability but he simply doesn’t suit the way Arsenal play in the present day.
That much was summed up against Lille on Tuesday night. The striker had just 12 touches of the ball and was starved of any sort of chance creation.
Gyokeres vs Lille
Minutes played
65
Touches
12
Accurate passes
6/8 (75%)
Shots
Offsides
1
Key passes
Dribbles
Duels won
1/5
Carries
3
Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino created three key passes between them. Madueke, in particular, was distinctly poor. He attempted 15 crosses but only one of them found a teammate.
Is it any surprise Gyokeres left the field just after the hour mark having failed to have a shot?
Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
As frustrating as that is for the player, it is becoming a common occurrence now. When the Sweden international received a rare start against Napoli during the opening week of the Champions League, he did not have a shot in that tie either.
So, with Arsenal clearly on the lookout for a better striker – they wanted Julian Alvarez in the summer – Gyokeres should be banging down the door and asking to leave in January. Despite a Premier League trophy and a Champions League final, this has not been a happy marriage.
It was widely expected that Jacob Murphy would leave Newcastle United in the summer 2026 transfer window.
Everton were reported to be interested in signing the 31-year-old.
Then later Nottingham Forest trying to sign Jacob Murphy before the window closed, it was widely reported that they made at least two offers and their last attempt was to offer £15m.
With so much experience already lost from the squad in the transfer window, Matthias Jaissle said to have made clear that he preferred it if Jacob Murphy was to stay, the same with Joe Willock who Besiktas were trying to sign.
Signed in 2017 by Rafa Benitez, Jacob Murphy set to complete ten years at St James’ Park in summer 2027 when his current deal runs out.
However, Wednesday has seen details of a new contract made public.
Craig Hope at The Mail reports that his information is that Jacob Murphy is very close to agreeing a new contract, a deal that would take him up to 30 June 2028, an added 12 months.
The man from The Mail stating that ‘…talks have accelerated and the winger is ready to sign improved terms.’
This media exclusive going on to say that whilst Jacob Murphy is set to extend his Newcastle United contract to the end of June 2028, that doesn’t mean he will stay on Tyneside that long. With a key factor in agreeing the new deal from the club side of things, is that with an extended contract it will mean they can bank a transfer fee if Murphy leaves next summer.
Speech by SITI at Future Technology · Future Scenarios · Future Talent – Youth Scientists and Industry Application Scenario Matching Forum (English only) (with photo)
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Future Technology · Future Scenarios · Future Talent – Youth Scientists and Industry Application Scenario Matching Forum today (October 15):
Sophia (Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Sophia Chong), Paul (Chairman of the Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association, Mr Paul So), Clara (Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, Ms Clara Chan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to join you today at the Young Scientists and Industry Application Scenario Matching Forum.
Scientific breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, life and health technology, advanced manufacturing and new materials are opening up new possibilities for economic and social development. Yet, technological advancement alone does not guarantee successful commercialisation. Promising research must be tested, validated and refined to meet actual market needs before it can develop into commercially viable products, services and industries.
This is where a scenario-driven approach becomes particularly important. Hong Kong itself offers a rich test bed through its advanced public services, infrastructure and international connectivity. Combined with the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area)’s extensive manufacturing capabilities and supply chains, we offer enterprises unmatched opportunities for pilot testing and market entry. Furthermore, the Government is supporting the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks in exploring the establishment of the Innovation and Technology Application Scenario Promotion Centre, with a view to matching the practical needs of public and private sectors with innovative technological solutions provided by local I&T (innovation and technology) enterprises. This resonates with the “30 × 30” matching initiative of today’s event that aims at connecting technologies with actual industrial demands.
We are also accelerating the development of Hong Kong’s new industrialisation system. The New Industrialisation Funding Scheme has already funded nearly 150 smart production lines so far. Through the HK$10 billion New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme, we are also supporting enterprises in establishing advanced manufacturing facilities in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the Microelectronics Research and Development Institute (MRDI) is taking lead in establishing Hong Kong’s first national manufacturing innovation centre. The two pilot lines of the MRDI will start operation this year and focus on the R&D (research and development) and trial production of third‑generation semiconductors.
Innovation transfer is a people-driven process. This requires not only scientific expertise, but also an understanding of the industry needs, intellectual property management and business development. To this end, our InnoHK research clusters have brought together some 3 000 researchers from institutions that are among the global top echelon to collaborate with local institutions to set up research centres or laboratories in Hong Kong.
To provide the fertile soil for local talents to grow, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks has expanded its Talent Foundry programme to provide training for local university students, researchers, career newcomers and professionals, focusing on AI+ and emerging technologies. We will also introduce a young researcher category under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme, strengthening support for young scientists to explore and pursue a career in new I&T disciplines.
Ladies and gentlemen, turning scientific discoveries into future industries calls for real application scenarios and capable talents. I trust that today’s exchanges will yield tangible collaborations, helping more breakthrough technologies march successfully towards commercialisation and offering broader social impact.
I wish today’s forum every success, and all of you a rewarding exchange. Thank you.
Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.
Small businesses have more technology available to them than ever before. Digital payments, AI, and automation can make some jobs easier, but they also come with new costs and risks.
A customer taps a phone at the register instead of reaching for a card. An employee uses software to make next week’s schedule or check inventory. Someone else turns to AI for help answering a customer question. For many small businesses, technology isn’t something coming in the future. It’s already mixed into the work they do every day.
That convenience comes with more to keep track of. There are software bills and payment disputes, along with questions about customer information and security. Even signing up for a new service can mean agreeing to terms that affect the business later. When questions about those obligations turn into a dispute, a business owner may come across the attorneys at Shulman & Hill while researching what to do next.
Digital payments have changed how customers pay
Paying at the register doesn’t always involve cash or even pulling a card out of a wallet anymore. One customer may tap a contactless card or phone, while another places an order and pays through the business’s website without ever walking through the door.
National payment numbers show how common card payments have become. According to the Federal Reserve, cards accounted for more than three-quarters of the number of noncash payments in its latest triennial payments study.
Giving customers more ways to pay can make a purchase easier, but accepting those payments isn’t necessarily free or effortless for the business. There may be transaction fees, monthly subscriptions, or equipment to buy and eventually replace. Disputes add another task. If a customer challenges a payment, the business may have to go back through receipts, order information, and other records to respond.
Small businesses are finding uses for AI and automation
Using AI at work doesn’t necessarily mean handing an entire job over to a machine. The uses can be much smaller. It might help with the first draft of a routine email, sort through information, suggest marketing copy, or answer a common customer question. Automation can take care of repetitive jobs too, including appointment reminders and parts of bookkeeping or inventory management.
More small businesses are experimenting with AI, although most still aren’t using it. Research from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy found that AI use among small businesses with fewer than 250 employees increased from 6.3% to 8.8% during a six-month period in 2025.
Then there’s the less exciting part of adding new software. It has to work with what the business already has, and it has to be worth the cost. Employees may need training. Information may have to be moved from an older system. Subscription costs can add up, and somebody has to deal with the glitches that tend to come with changing the way work gets done.
Getting an answer quickly isn’t much help if the answer is wrong. AI can produce incorrect information that sounds convincing, which becomes a bigger concern when that information is copied directly into an email, advertisement, report, or something else a customer will see.
What goes into the system matters too. Employees may have access to customer information, financial details, internal documents, or other material that isn’t meant to be shared freely. Before putting any of it into an AI tool, the business needs to understand how the service stores and uses that information.
AI-generated text and images can raise intellectual property questions as well. Whatever the use, there should still be a person on the other end checking the finished work before it is published or sent to a customer.
risks can follow small-business technology
Every new online account or connected device gives a business one more thing to protect. Passwords can be stolen. A phishing email can look enough like a message from a real vendor or coworker to fool someone who is busy. If an employee account is compromised, the person behind the attack may be able to reach business or customer information too.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends several basic security practices for small businesses. They include keeping software updated, backing up important information, using multi-factor authentication, training employees, and limiting access to sensitive information. The FTC also recommends paying attention to the security practices of vendors that can access company or customer data.
And sometimes the weak point isn’t the software. It’s an ordinary mistake. An employee clicks a convincing link or sends information to someone who appears to be a vendor but isn’t. Training won’t eliminate every mistake, but it can help employees recognize when an email, request, or login page doesn’t seem right.
can bring contract and data questions
There’s usually an agreement hiding behind that new piece of software. Payment processors, cloud services, software companies, and other vendors have their own terms covering things such as fees, cancellations, data access, disputes, and what happens when the service doesn’t work as expected.
Customer data deserves the same attention. Where is it stored? Who inside the business can see it? Does an outside company have access? Those answers can change as soon as the business switches payment systems or adds another software platform.
Technology coverage in Digital Journal has also examined the growing role of AI in small-business operations as customers get used to faster service and more convenient processes. That can put pressure on owners to keep up. Still, adding a tool quickly and figuring out how it fits the business are two different things.
Small businesses can put some safeguards in place
The monthly price advertised for a service doesn’t always tell the whole story. Before signing up, it makes sense to look at the other expenses that may come with it. Hardware, extra users, training, and transaction charges can all change the actual cost.
Not every employee needs access to everything either. Access can be limited based on what someone needs to do their job, while important files can be backed up and staff can be trained to spot phishing attempts. Automated work should still be checked before customers see it. For AI in particular, businesses can also decide ahead of time what employees can and can’t put into those systems.
Problems are easier to handle when nobody has to invent the response in the middle of one. Employees should know what to do if an account is compromised, a customer disputes a payment, or information goes to the wrong person. Technology can take work off someone’s plate, but it doesn’t remove the need for people to pay attention to what it is doing.
Frequently asked questions
How can small businesses use AI?
There isn’t one standard use for AI in a small business. It may help with customer service, marketing, scheduling, bookkeeping, inventory, or other routine work. What makes sense depends on the business and the tasks employees are trying to manage.
Are digital payments free for businesses to accept?
Not always. Depending on the service, a business may pay transaction fees, subscription charges, hardware costs, or other expenses to accept digital payments.
What are some cybersecurity risks for small businesses?
Phishing, stolen passwords, unauthorized account access, ransomware, and compromised customer information are among the risks small businesses can face as more work moves online.
Should employees check work created by AI?
Yes. AI can produce information that is inaccurate or that simply doesn’t fit what the business needs. Having someone review the work before it reaches a customer or becomes part of business materials can catch those problems.
What should a business check before choosing new technology?
Price matters, but it isn’t the only consideration. Security, data handling, contract terms, employee access, training, and compatibility with existing systems can all affect whether a new tool is a good fit.
Light can carry considerably more information than simply its brightness, colour and direction. Scientists can engineer beams into intricate spatial forms, giving light additional properties that offer increasingly interesting possibilities for transmitting and processing information. The difficulty comes when researchers need to change the wavelength of this specially structured light. The process can disrupt the very spatial properties that made the beam valuable in the first place.
An emerging photonics concept could offer an answer. A review in the IEEE Photonics Journal explores topology imprinting, an approach in which the spatial topology of an optical field at one frequency is transferred into radiation generated at another frequency. According to the IEEE Photonics Society, experimental work with nonlinear metasurfaces has demonstrated the ability to reproduce and manipulate structured optical fields while retaining their topological characteristics across frequencies. The review, Photonics Breakthroughs 2025: Topology-Imprinting Nonlinear Metasurfaces, was made available online on 18 May 2026 and was scheduled for publication in Volume 18, Issue 4 of the journal on 1 August 2026.
The principle rests on the expanding field of structured light. Beyond the conventional description of light as an electromagnetic wave, optical fields can be engineered to possess distinctive spatial and topological characteristics. This has created opportunities in areas including imaging, communications and information processing. Among the examples considered in the IEEE review are optical vortex beams, which carry orbital angular momentum. Such beams possess a structured wavefront rather than behaving like a conventional simple beam.
Producing complicated optical fields at different wavelengths remains challenging, however. The IEEE Photonics Society notes that traditional approaches employ linear optical elements based on interference and superposition, while nonlinear metasurfaces have more recently emerged as a platform for producing structured light through nonlinear light-matter interactions. Metasurfaces are especially interesting because they provide a route for controlling light using engineered structures at a very small scale. In topology imprinting, nonlinear optical processes perform another important job: generating light at a new frequency while retaining the topology encoded in the original field.
As Dr Natalia M. Litchinitser explains in the IEEE account of the research, the spatial topology at the original, or fundamental, frequency can be transferred directly to the harmonic radiation. She says this provides a new approach to generating structured light while easing some material and nanofabrication constraints.
Changing the colour, keeping the pattern
This is an important distinction. Frequency conversion itself is well established in nonlinear optics. The attraction of topology imprinting is the prospect of changing frequency while conserving important structural information carried by the optical field. Experimental demonstrations reviewed by the researchers use all-dielectric metasurfaces and include the generation and preservation of optical vortex beams. The IEEE Photonics Society says these experiments show that complex optical fields can be replicated and manipulated across frequencies while maintaining their topological characteristics.
Results highlighted in the press material also include the reproduction of vortex beams at their third harmonic, with the original spatial structure preserved, as well as experimental generation involving optical Hopf links. Put simply, rather than constructing a complex new beam from scratch after moving to a different frequency, topology imprinting offers a pathway for carrying the important spatial characteristics of the original light into the newly generated radiation. That could make nonlinear metasurfaces useful as compact devices that combine wavelength conversion with sophisticated control of an optical wavefront.
The breadth of potential uses helps explain the interest in the development. The review identifies possible applications in optical communications, holography, quantum photonics and advanced imaging. These are fields in which precise control of light is particularly valuable.
For communications, structured optical fields offer additional ways of representing and manipulating information. A compact technology capable of preserving those structures while translating light between frequencies could consequently become useful in future photonic information systems. Holography presents another possibility because of the importance of wavefront control. Advanced imaging systems could similarly benefit if sophisticated optical fields can be created and frequency-converted within increasingly compact devices.
Quantum photonics represents a further, longer-term opportunity identified by the researchers. Here, the attraction lies in developing more capable platforms for manipulating optical fields while reducing the physical footprint of the necessary components. These applications remain prospects rather than demonstrated commercial products, however. The review itself identifies significant obstacles that need to be overcome.
Efficiency remains a challenge
One of the most important limitations is conversion efficiency. Nonlinear optical interactions can be weak, creating difficulties when trying to turn an input field efficiently into the required harmonic output. The IEEE Photonics Society also highlights material absorption as an existing problem for nonlinear metasurfaces.
Material choice therefore matters. A material must possess suitable nonlinear optical properties while minimising losses and remaining compatible with the structures required for practical photonic devices. Scaling the underlying concepts towards integrated, on-chip platforms presents another engineering challenge.
The research consequently points towards several routes for further development. These include advanced nonlinear materials, tunable metasurfaces and machine-learning-assisted device design, all of which are identified by the IEEE review as future research directions. Better materials could reduce optical losses or improve nonlinear responses. Tunability, meanwhile, could make devices less static, expanding the range of optical structures or operating conditions that one component could support. Machine-learning-assisted design offers another research direction for tackling the demanding optimisation involved in sophisticated metasurface architectures.
The significance of topology imprinting therefore lies less in a finished technological product than in the new design possibilities it suggests. If researchers can improve efficiency, materials and integration, devices could potentially manipulate wavelength and complex spatial information together rather than treating these as separate optical functions. The result could be a new generation of compact photonic components capable of preserving the intricate topology of light even as its frequency changes, bringing some particularly complex forms of optical engineering closer to integrated photonic platforms.
A new version of The Blaydon Races has been unveiled by Newcastle United.
The club bringing fans the news on Wednesday afternoon.
The official club statement starting: ‘Newcastle United has officially released a new recording of The Blaydon Races, bringing together supporters, local musicians and regional music experts to ensure the iconic anthem continues to unite future generations of fans. A cornerstone of the matchday experience at St. James’ Park for decades, The Blaydon Races is a symbol of North East identity and a song cherished by fans around the world.’
The Blaydon Races is of course something that is synonymous with our football club.
Newcastle United going on to explain: ‘To preserve the song’s legacy while strengthening its impact inside the stadium, the club has worked closely with supporters to produce a refreshed version that stays true to its heritage. Developed in partnership with the North’s leading music development organisation, Generator, and Interval Records, the new recording features vocals from North Shields band Hector Gannet. The track has been produced and engineered by Alex Blamire, featuring the organ of St. Nicholas Cathedral and Northumbrian piper Chris Ormston – returning the song to its folk roots.’
The club stating: ‘Supporters played a central role in guiding the project. Representatives from the Fan Advisory Board, Newcastle United Supporters Trust, United With Pride, Newcastle United Supporters Club, Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association and Wor Flags took part in workshops and listening sessions. Feedback consistently highlighted the anthem’s importance, not only as a matchday tradition but as a symbol of North East culture. Supporter insights also influenced elements of the recording such as tempo, singalong feel and overall sound within St. James’ Park – while carefully preserving its heritage which has been passed through generations for over 160 years.’
Fans of other clubs have attempted to hijack The Blaydon Races and change the words including Manchester United (‘To see Matt Busby’s aces…’ indeed) and Sunderland supporters (‘Roker aces…).
Newcastle United going on to say: ‘Reflecting its significance both inside the stadium and across the wider region, the club has released three new versions of the anthem: a Stadium Track, Radio Edit, and an Extended Version featuring all original verses to retain the song’s authentic spirit. An accompanying music video celebrates both the song and the region. It captures everyday life in the North East; highs and lows, people and places, and a sense of belonging inspired by the anthem. The new track will make its matchday debut at St. James’ Park ahead of the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on Saturday 17 October, accompanied by a pre-match performance from Hector Gannet.’
So what do you think of this?
Director of Growth Marketing at Newcastle United, Natalie Raine: “The Blaydon Races is far more than a song; it is part of the fabric of Newcastle and a shared ritual passed between generations of supporters. From the outset, this has been about protecting that tradition while creating a recording worthy of its place at the club. Supporters have helped shape the process, and we wanted the new version to stay true to the song’s roots, strengthen the matchday experience and give fans something they can continue to make their own for generations to come.”
Newcastle United adding: ‘The project forms part of the club’s wider commitment to celebrating the traditions, symbols and stories that define Newcastle United. Following the recent launch of the evolved club crest, a new recording of The Blaydon Races represents another collaborative initiative focused on honouring the club’s heritage while ensuring it remains relevant for future generations.’
Chief Marketing Officer at Newcastle United Steven Taylor: “The crest and The Blaydon Races are two of the most powerful expressions of what Newcastle United means to our fans. They carry our history, our culture and the emotions that connect generations of supporters to this club and this city. Following this month’s crest launch, this is another opportunity to celebrate the heritage and traditions that make Newcastle United unique. Our ambition is to bring these stories to life in ways that feel authentic, deepen the connection with those who have supported the club for generations, and introduce the spirit and culture of Newcastle United to new audiences at home and around the world.”
This is The Blaydon Races.
Today we are proud to officially release a new recording of our city’s iconic anthem – bringing together supporters, local musicians and regional music experts to ensure the cherished song continues to unite future generations of fans.
Watch the full music video on our YouTube channel now, and listen to the track on all major music streaming platforms.
Aaron Duff, frontman of Hector Gannet frontman: “Blaydon Races belongs to the region, to every person that has sung it with passion and love for their home, their team, their family. It’s part of our identity; our past, present and future. We have a duty to celebrate our heritage, to preserve it, to pay it forward and ensure that those words are sung with pride for generations to come. It’s a song that we all have a connection to, it takes us to a time and a place, unique to our own lives. During recording I put everything into it, I was thinking about my son, my Mam and Dad and all the family and friends at home, and all those we’ve lost along the way too, I can almost hear their voices, like they’re with us when we sing this.”
Josh Daniel, Chief Commercial Officer at Generator and Head of Label at Interval Records, added: “Music has the power to hold memories, identity and a sense of place, and few songs mean as much to this region as The Blaydon Races. This was never about reinventing it, it was about creating something that could feel powerful in St. James’ Park today, and for years to come, while staying true to the song supporters have loved for generations. The recording feels brand new but so familiar, which is exactly what we hoped to achieve. It’s even more special to have created the record with an artist, producer and musicians from Newcastle, alongside the fans whose input was invaluable in shaping it throughout. Its DNA is this region, from end to end, and it’s been a genuine privilege for us to play a part in something that means so much to so many.”
A brand-new variation of The Blaydon Races has actually been revealed by Newcastle United.
The club bringing fans the news on Wednesday afternoon.
The authorities club declaration beginning: ‘Newcastle United has actually formally launched a brand-new recording of The Blaydon Races, uniting fans, regional artists and local music professionals to guarantee the renowned anthem continues to unify future generations of fans. A foundation of the matchday experience at St. James’ Park for years, The Blaydon Races is a sign of North East identity and a tune valued by fans all over the world.’
The Blaydon Races is obviously something that is associated with our football club.
Newcastle United going on to discuss: ‘To protect the tune’s tradition while reinforcing its effect inside the arena, the club has actually worked carefully with fans to produce a revitalized variation that remains real to its heritage. Established in collaboration with the North’s leading music advancement organisation, Generator, and Interval Records, the brand-new recording functions vocals from North Shields band Hector Gannet. The track has actually been produced and crafted by Alex Blamire, including the organ of St. Nicholas Cathedral and Northumbrian piper Chris Ormston– returning the tune to its folk roots.’
The club specifying: ‘Supporters played a main function in directing the task. Agents from the Fan Advisory Board, Newcastle United Supporters Trust, United With Pride, Newcastle United Supporters Club, Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association and Wor Flags participated in workshops and listening sessions. Feedback regularly highlighted the anthem’s significance, not just as a matchday custom however as a sign of North East culture. Fan insights likewise affected components of the taping such as pace, singalong feel and general noise within St. James’ Park– while thoroughly maintaining its heritage which has actually been travelled through generations for over 160 years.’
Fans of other clubs have actually tried to pirate The Blaydon Races and alter the words consisting of Manchester United (‘To see Matt Busby’s aces …’ certainly) and Sunderland advocates (‘Roker aces …).
Newcastle United going on to state: ‘Reflecting its significance both inside the arena and throughout the larger area, the club has actually launched 3 brand-new variations of the anthem: a Stadium Track, Radio Edit, and an Extended Version including all initial verses to keep the tune’s genuine spirit. An accompanying video commemorates both the tune and the area. It records daily life in the North East; low and high, individuals and locations, and a sense of belonging influenced by the anthem. The brand-new track will make its matchday launching at St. James’ Park ahead of the Premier League component versus Aston Villa on Saturday 17 October, accompanied by a pre-match efficiency from Hector Gannet.’
What do you believe of this?
Director of Growth Marketing at Newcastle United, Natalie Raine: “The Blaydon Races is even more than a tune; it belongs to the material of Newcastle and a shared routine passed in between generations of fans. From the beginning, this has actually had to do with securing that custom while developing a recording deserving of its location at the club. Fans have actually assisted form the procedure, and we desired the brand-new variation to remain real to the tune’s roots, enhance the matchday experience and offer fans something they can continue to make their own for generations to come.”
Newcastle United including: ‘The task forms part of the club’s larger dedication to commemorating the customs, signs and stories that specify Newcastle United. Following the current launch of the progressed club crest, a brand-new recording of The Blaydon Races represents another collective effort concentrated on honouring the club’s heritage while guaranteeing it stays pertinent for future generations.’
Chief Marketing Officer at Newcastle United Steven Taylor: “The crest and The Blaydon Races are 2 of the most effective expressions of what Newcastle United indicates to our fans. They bring our history, our culture and the feelings that link generations of advocates to this club and this city. Following this month’s crest launch, this is another chance to commemorate the heritage and customs that make Newcastle United special. Our aspiration is to bring these stories to life in manner ins which feel genuine, deepen the connection with those who have actually supported the club for generations, and present the spirit and culture of Newcastle United to brand-new audiences in the house and all over the world.”
This is The Blaydon Races.
Today we are happy to formally launch a brand-new recording of our city’s renowned anthem– uniting advocates, regional artists and local music professionals to make sure the treasured tune continues to join future generations of fans.
Enjoy the complete video on our YouTube channel now, and listen to the track on all significant music streaming platforms.
Aaron Duff, frontman of Hector Gannet frontman: “Blaydon Races comes from the area, to everyone that has actually sung it with enthusiasm and love for their home, their group, their household. It’s part of our identity; our past, present and future. We have a responsibility to commemorate our heritage, to maintain it, to pay it forward and make sure that those words are sung with pride for generations to come. It’s a tune that all of us have a connection to, it takes us to a time and a location, distinct to our own lives. Throughout taping I put whatever into it, I was thinking of my boy, my Mam and Dad and all the friends and family in the house, and all those we’ve lost along the method too, I can nearly hear their voices, like they’re with us when we sing this.”
Josh Daniel, Chief Commercial Officer at Generator and Head of Label at Interval Records, included: “Music has the power to hold memories, identity and a local color, and couple of tunes imply as much to this area as The Blaydon Races. This was never ever about transforming it, it had to do with producing something that might feel effective in St. James’ Park today, and for several years to come, while remaining real to the tune fans have actually liked for generations. The recording feels brand name brand-new however so familiar, which is precisely what we intended to attain. It’s much more unique to have actually produced the record with an artist, manufacturer and artists from Newcastle, along with the fans whose input was vital in forming it throughout. Its DNA is this area, from end to end, and it’s been a real opportunity for us to play a part in something that indicates a lot to numerous.”
Hong Kong, Oct 15, 2026 – (ACN Newswire) – As the “Double Eleven” shopping celebration methods, the e-commerce group of Jiangsu Athleta Sports Co., Ltd. is stepping up preparations for the launch of brand-new seasonal clothing items and marketing projects. In the past, developing item primary images needed close coordination amongst graphic designers, designs, and image studios. Today, with the assistance of “Dabi AI” from Boundary Consulting, a subsidiary of Huitongda Network, virtual design try-on results can be produced with one click, increasing the effectiveness of brand-new item launches by 5 to 10 times with sales in its e-commerce service increasing by more than 50%.
Beginning with empowering lower-tier retail, Huitongda has actually combined its core structure of town mom-and-pop shops while extending its thorough “AI + Retail” abilities into online e-commerce situations. With the constant penetration of e-commerce merchants into Huitongda’s client community, brand-new development chances driven by the application of AI applications are slowly emerging.
Incorporating Capabilities: Synergies Between Member Stores and E-commerce Resources
The brand-new accomplishment of Huitongda’s “AI + Retail” dual-drive depend on an effective ability grafting. Last November, Huitongda finished the acquisition of a 57% stake in Boundary Consulting, a leading e-commerce AI business. With 15 years of experience in the e-commerce sector, Boundary Consulting has actually established the “Dabi AI” platform for e-commerce merchants. The platform incorporates item analysis, rival research study, visual material generation, property management and automated jobs, assisting e-commerce groups perform organization analysis, material production and job execution within a merged platform.
This combination likewise develops synergies in both instructions. Having deeply cultivated the lower-tier market for over a years and serving more than 250,000 town member shops, Huitongda Network has actually collected genuine deal information, short-chain supply chains, and retail situation experience. What Boundary Consulting contributes, on the other hand, includes e-commerce-side AI application services, consumer resources, and functional competence.
By linking the 2 companies, the retail abilities established through serving member shops broaden the development capacity of the e-commerce company, while the algorithms and content production abilities established on the e-commerce side, in turn, boost offline shop operations. The very same AI abilities can be used throughout various client groups and retail circumstances, minimizing limited expenses while building up more scenario-specific information and developing a compounding impact. This is what basically identifies Huitongda’s dual-engine “AI + Retail” method from standalone AI items.
Constructing a Competitive Moat Through End-to-End Integration
From the viewpoint of its item matrix, Huitongda’s AI matrix is no longer a collection of separated tools, however an integrated network linking online and offline channels in addition to the end-to-end supply chain. On the e-commerce side, “Dabi AI” serves e-commerce merchants; on the offline shop side, “Qiancheng Cloud AI” and the Qiancheng AI Super Store Manager, the latter incorporating more than 24 scenario-based smart representatives, continue to offer technological abilities to physical retailers; on the business service side, “LeapoAI” incorporates over 100 specialised functions to serve brand name owners and factories.
Underpinning these 3 company sections is Huitongda’s smart supply chain system, supported by years of experience in supplying incorporated functional services to retail consumers. This system links upstream supply chain partners and brand name makers with downstream retailers, FMCG retail chains and e-commerce merchants, producing a closed-loop circulation of business activities, information and AI abilities throughout the worth chain. In the very first half of 2026, Huitongda’s AI-related income surpassed RMB 78.91 million, representing a year-on-year boost of 32.3% and accounting for more than 70% of its full-year AI-related profits in 2025. These outcomes show consumer determination to pay and advance in the business adoption of AI applications.
For Huitongda, the worth of this network extends far beyond tool-level income. Situation density, depth of information, and satisfaction abilities equally strengthen one another– the denser the circumstances, the more genuine the information, the quicker the design version, and the lower the system consumer acquisition and service expenses. This barrier, built on genuine deals and offline satisfaction, represents a core property that basic big designs can barely obtain and is hard to reproduce in the short-term. Taking a look at the retail sector in the AI age, what the market really does not have is not basic designs, however expert enablers efficient in embedding AI abilities into genuine company circumstances and continually producing scale advantages. Driven by the “AI + Retail” technique, Huitongda is linking offline member shops and online e-commerce merchants, leading the retail market towards a thorough AI-driven upgrade.
Football t-shirt numbers may appear like a basic method to determine gamers, however they have actually ended up being a vital part of the video game’s history, culture and identity. From the goalkeeper using number 1 to the famous playmakers connected with number 10, particular numbers bring a significance that goes far beyond the name printed above them.
Today, fans purchase t-shirts bearing their preferred gamer’s number, young footballers pick numbers influenced by their heroes, and clubs often retire t-shirts to honour renowned figures. Football did not constantly work this method.
In the early years of organised football, gamers normally required to the pitch without long-term t-shirt numbers. Advocates needed to determine footballers through their look, playing position and understanding of the group.
Numbered t-shirts started appearing in English football in the 1920s. Among the best-known early examples was available in 1928, when Arsenal and Chelsea used numbered t-shirts in league matches. Numbers at first assisted viewers determine gamers and were carefully connected to their positions.
The standard system ranged from 1 to 11, with each number connected with a specific function on the pitch. As developments and methods progressed, nevertheless, the relationship in between numbers and positions ended up being less stiff.
Number 1: The Goalkeeper
Number 1 is the timeless goalkeeper’s t-shirt. It ended up being associated with the last line of defence, used by gamers accountable for stopping opposition attacks and arranging their protectors.
Terrific goalkeepers have actually assisted provide the number its renowned status, consisting of Peter Schmeichel, Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer. Goalkeepers can use other numbers, number 1 stays the most recognisable option for the position.
Numbers 2 and 3: The Full-Backs
Generally, number 2 was connected with the right-back and number 3 with the left-back. These gamers were anticipated to resist opposition wingers and safeguard the sides of the defence.
Modern full-backs have much higher assaulting obligations. Gamers such as Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ashley Cole showed how full-backs might end up being crucial assaulting impacts while maintaining their protective responsibilities.
Numbers 4, 5 and 6: The Defensive Foundation
Numbers 4, 5 and 6 have actually typically been connected with main protectors and midfielders, although the precise projects differ in between nations, developments and footballing ages.
Centre-backs safeguard the objective, win aerial battles and arrange the protective line. Protective midfielders run additional forward, separating opposition attacks and assisting their groups maintain ownership. Modern football has actually blurred these differences, with protectors significantly anticipated to develop attacks from the back.
Number 7: The Entertainer
Number 7 has actually turned into one of football’s most recognisable t-shirt numbers. Generally related to a winger or assaulting gamer, it has actually been used by a few of the video game’s most well-known stars.
Cristiano Ronaldo made the number main to his identity at Manchester United, while David Beckham and George Best likewise assisted develop its famous track record. Number 7 is now highly connected with style, imagination and match-winning efficiencies, although there is no guideline needing its user to use the wing.
Number 9: The Goalscorer
Number 9 typically comes from the centre-forward, the gamer anticipated to lead the attack and rating objectives. Alan Shearer, Ronaldo Nazário, Gabriel Batistuta and Robert Lewandowski are amongst the well-known strikers related to the function.
The contemporary number 9 can be a physical target male, a mobile penalty-box striker or a forward who connects have fun with colleagues. Whatever the tactical analysis, the number stays carefully connected with goalscoring.
Number 10: The Creative Genius
Couple of t-shirt numbers bring the exact same cultural significance as number 10. Historically connected with an assaulting midfielder or innovative forward, the number ended up being associated with gamers who might open defences through vision, method and creativity.
Pelé, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi have actually all assisted make number 10 famous. The function has actually altered as groups have actually embraced various developments and pushing systems, however advocates still associate the number with footballing intelligence and specific sparkle.
The conventional system started to alter as clubs moved towards irreversible team numbering. Instead of using a number figured out by their beginning position, gamers might progressively keep the very same number throughout a season.
Long-term team numbers ended up being developed in the English Premier League throughout the 1990s. This made it simpler for advocates to acknowledge private footballers and enabled gamers to develop a distinct identity around a specific number.
Numbers outside the conventional beginning eleven ended up being a lot more noticeable. Alternatives and other team members might keep their numbers no matter whether they began a match.
For gamers, selecting a number ended up being an individual choice. Some chosen numbers connected to youth heroes, while others chose a number with individual significance. T-shirt numbers likewise ended up being a fundamental part of football product, permitting advocates to relate to their preferred gamers.
Modern football has actually moved well beyond the conventional 1– 11 numbering system. Gamers now use numbers such as 14, 21, 23, 66 and 99, depending upon club policies and competitors policies.
There is no universal tactical significance behind every contemporary t-shirt number. Some options show a gamer’s favored number, while others are affected by accessibility, individual history or a desire to stand apart.
Liverpool protector Trent Alexander-Arnold ended up being connected with number 66, showing how a number outside the standard system can end up being quickly recognisable. Number 14 obtained its own footballing heritage through gamers consisting of Thierry Henry.
The crucial difference is that contemporary t-shirt numbers frequently represent specific identity instead of a set position.
Some clubs retire a t-shirt number in honour of a gamer who made an amazing contribution to their history. This practice is more typical in specific sports than in conventional European football, where team numbers are usually recycled.
One significant example is Manchester City, which retired number 23 in honour of Marc-Vivien Foé following his death in 2003. Such gestures can change a t-shirt number from common team devices into an enduring sign of remembrance.
Football t-shirt numbers have actually established from a useful recognition system into a vital part of the sport’s culture. Conventional numbers still assist advocates comprehend familiar positions, while contemporary team numbers permit gamers to develop unique identities.
A number can represent a famous profession, an unforgettable objective, a club’s history or a connection in between generations of advocates. As strategies continue to develop, the significance of specific positions might alter, however the psychological significance of t-shirt numbers stays extremely strong.
For numerous advocates, a number will constantly bring one specific footballer to mind. That is what makes football t-shirt numbers more than basic identifiers: they become part of the stories that make the video game remarkable.
Why does the goalkeeper normally use number 1?
Number 1 ended up being connected with the goalkeeper through the conventional numbering system, in which gamers used numbers corresponding broadly to their positions.
Why is number 10 so essential in football?
Number 10 is generally connected with innovative assaulting gamers. Legends such as Pelé, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi assisted develop its credibility as one of football’s most distinguished numbers.
When did irreversible team numbers end up being typical in English football?
Irreversible team numbering ended up being developed in the English Premier League throughout the 1990s, changing the expectation that beginning gamers would use numbers 1– 11.
Can footballers use any t-shirt number?
Not always. The numbers offered depend upon competitors policies, club policies and team registration requirements. There is no single universal guideline that uses identically to every competitors.
Why do some footballers use uncommon t-shirt numbers?
Modern gamers frequently choose numbers for individual factors, consisting of youth heroes, birthdays, previous t-shirts or merely due to the fact that their favored number is not available.
Check out more football records, data and historic realities in the MyFootballFacts Football Stats area.
A farmer harvests corns in a field in Xiayi County of Shangqiu City, main China’s Henan Province, Oct. 8, 2026. Fall crops, the pillar of China’s yearly grain production, are now being collected. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China is on track for a bumper grain harvest in 2026, thanks to constant development in farming and rural modernization.( Photo by Wang Gaochao/Xinhua)
A farmer drives a harvester to gather paddy rice at a farming commercial park in Wuyi County of Jinhua City, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Oct. 8, 2026. Fall crops, the pillar of China’s yearly grain production, are now being collected. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China is on track for a bumper grain harvest in 2026, thanks to constant development in farming and rural modernization. (Photo by Zhang Jiancheng/Xinhua)
An aerial drone picture handled Oct. 8, 2026 reveals a villager airing fall grain in his yard in Xianfeng County of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, main China’s Hubei Province. Fall crops, the essential of China’s yearly grain production, are now being collected. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China is on track for a bumper grain harvest in 2026, thanks to constant development in farming and rural modernization. (Photo by Li Weijun/Xinhua)
A farming equipment operator loads gathered soybeans into a transportation car at Baimasi Town of Luoyang City, main China’s Henan Province, Oct. 8, 2026. Fall crops, the pillar of China’s yearly grain production, are now being collected. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China is on track for a bumper grain harvest in 2026, thanks to consistent development in farming and rural modernization. (Photo by Li Weichao/Xinhua)
Employees drive harvesters to collect soybeans in Xiwan Town of Qinyang City, main China’s Henan Province, Oct. 8, 2026. Fall crops, the essential of China’s yearly grain production, are now being gathered. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China is on track for a bumper grain harvest in 2026, thanks to constant development in farming and rural modernization. (Photo by Zhang Xinyu/Xinhua)
An aerial drone picture handled Oct. 8, 2026 reveals a farming device gathering corns in Pingyi County of Linyi City, east China’s Shandong Province. Fall crops, the essential of China’s yearly grain production, are now being collected. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China is on track for a bumper grain harvest in 2026, thanks to consistent development in farming and rural modernization. (Photo by Wu Jiquan/Xinhua)
An aerial drone picture handled Oct. 8, 2026 programs team member airing corns at a production location of a farm in Haizhou District of Lianyungang City, east China’s Jiangsu Province. Fall crops, the pillar of China’s yearly grain production, are now being gathered. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China is on track for a bumper grain harvest in 2026, thanks to stable development in farming and rural modernization. (Photo by Geng Yuhe/Xinhua)
Farmers harvest paddy rice in a field in Luliang County of Qujing City, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Oct. 8, 2026. Fall crops, the pillar of China’s yearly grain production, are now being gathered. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China is on track for a bumper grain harvest in 2026, thanks to consistent development in farming and rural modernization. (Photo by Wang Yong/Xinhua)
Harvesters collect sorghum at a farmland presentation location in Xiping County of Zhumadian City, main China’s Henan Province, Oct. 8, 2026. Fall crops, the pillar of China’s yearly grain production, are now being gathered. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China is on track for a bumper grain harvest in 2026, thanks to stable development in farming and rural modernization. (Photo by Zhao Yongtao/Xinhua)
In the story of South African hip-hop, couple of lyricists bring the weight, grace, and peaceful proficiency of Kid X. From dropping culture-shifting verses throughout the golden age of Cash Time Life and assisting craft ageless anthems like Caracarato browsing elaborate label politics, market fights, and a transformative five-year hiatus, his journey is a masterclass in creative strength. Now completely independent, equipped with brand-new technical abilities, and grounded by the obligations of parenthood, the rap veteran takes a seat with The Cool for an unvarnished, deeply reflective discussion. In this comprehensive interview, Kid X opens about his relationship with late giants Riky Rick and AKA, the real story behind his renowned totally free mixtape, entering his identity as “X,” and his go back to the leading edge of the video game with his newest single, iRoof
The Cool: Yo, girls and gentlemen, today we’ve got a truly lovely one. We’ve got among my preferred rap artists from my generation– a genuine lyricist who comprehends the video game. We’ve got Kid X in your home. How you doing, bro?
Kid X: I’m well, sibling. Feeling very, male. I’m honoured to be here
The Cool: Nice to have you. It’s been 5 years because your last task, Dad of ZenHow are you feeling? What have you depended on, apart from being Zen’s dad?
Kid X: That has actually used up the bulk of what I’ve been doing. Beyond that, living life, looking after the household, upskilling myself, and a great deal of maturing.
The Cool: I ran into the Amantombazane remix previously today. That’s an unique record. For a great deal of individuals it’s one of the most talked-about hip-hop tunes. I’ve constantly argued that Kid X’s verse is the dopest on that record. How did you get on Amantombazane?
Kid X: This was 13 years earlier, so the memory may be a bit questionable. Rest in peace to Riky Rick– he was the owner of the tune. I simply keep in mind getting a call from Riky. He discussed the principle. The initial record was currently out and making sounds. He wished to enhance it by putting a lot of rap artists on there, rapping back to back. He discussed a couple of names he was taking a look at. Off that alone I understood I needed to bring my A-game since of who else may be on it. We entered into the studio one day and I knocked out my verse.
The Cool: Riky states on the remix, “Ngabiz’ X to reveal him there’s no beef.” Were you guys beefing at the time?
Kid X: Around that time I was carefully connected to AKA’s Skimming Lames (2012 ), where I included with Zingah over the Rick Ross “Stay Schemin'” beat. Kiernan (AKA) had friction with L’Tido at the time and stated a couple of things on that record. By virtue of me and Zingah being on it, it appeared like we belonged to that camp. L’Tido put out a tune with Riky doing ad-libs at the end talking his shit. Based off that exchange there was something in the air. From my side there was never ever anything beef-worthy. When Riky called, the energy was great. I was fairly brand-new and wished to move from a genuine, tidy location without taking part in things that didn’t have genuine structure.
The Cool: When you landed at Cash Time you were practically in the AKA camp by optics. Did the AKA– Cassper beef impact your musical relocations?
Kid X: It most likely did by extension. Remaining in the camp paints you with the exact same brush. There might have been chances that never ever came due to the fact that you were under that umbrella. I do not indicate it in a regretful method. Things played out the method they required to. Early on there was still some relationship with Cassper– I’m in the Gusheshe video cameoing. As time went on the relationship altered.
The Cool: When you reconcile your journey as Kid X, are you at a location of convenience with how your life has played out?
Kid X: Yeah. It’s been an unstable journey, however I’ve discovered understanding in why it needed to play out that method. There were a great deal of lessons I required to find out and a great deal of growing that required to take place. When you set your sights on an objective, the experiences you go through are sculpting and forming you for that objective. Frequently we get dissuaded by the things that are indicated to enhance us.
The Cool: One of the minutes that stands apart is the mixtape. You highly thought in it, the label wasn’t sure, and you left and dropped it as a mixtape. What does it require to think in your art that highly?
Kid X: What led up to that was a near-death encounter. I was on my method to a session with Psyfo, Busie and Speedstar for the tune “Celebration.” I almost entered into a mishap– an extremely close call. The next day I was driving on William Nicol showing, playing the demonstration of the mixtape, and I got a big sense that there was no other way I was resting on this body of work. The label stated it could not head out, however I felt so highly about it. More than that, the night before might have been my last, and this work would simply be resting on my hard disk drive. It truly represented where I was at the time. Individuals had actually never ever heard a complete body of work from me prior to that.
The Cool: Was it a tough discussion to have with the label?
Kid X: I handed in the demonstration. They invested about a week with it and returned stating this is not it– possibly keep 3 or 4 tunes and remodel from there. I argued that if that’s how they felt, I wanted to dress it down, call it an EP or mixtape so they didn’t need to look like they accepted it. They ultimately concurred. From a frustration viewpoint I had the ability to handle it in the discussion since of how highly I felt about the body of work.
The Cool: What were the industrial ramifications of it no longer being an album?
Kid X: It suggested we were most likely offering it away free of charge and needed to monetise in a different way. We submitted it on DataFileHost free of charge. The numbers went nuts– half a million downloads later on the label wished to monetise due to the fact that they were losing cash.
The Cool: How do you connect with individuals who stated “this is not it” when the important things then blows up? Are you able to remain modest?
Kid X: It’s a hard discussion. From a relational viewpoint a great deal of things end up being broken. It ends up being clear that from a vision viewpoint we’re not lined up. There’s a problem of trust. Can we still actively pursue the exact same thing, or are we much better moving individually? That ended up being the truth. We had the discussion and needed to take a look at whether the vision they had for me and the vision I had for myself as an artist were lined up. We were provided liberty and autonomy to make the bodies of work and turn them in. That inconvenienced.
The Cool: Looking at Cash Time as a sort of marital relationship– if there’s misalignment in one location, does it show an absence of total vision?
Kid X: In the Cash Time scenario my position was that of a minority investor. I was unskilled and being led for the higher vision. There was no ownership and I wasn’t in the driving seat.
The Cool: You then left for another setup. Recalling, what service lessons did you get?
Kid X: Once again, positioning of vision. From the start I was a minority even amongst the partners. The other 3 partners, from an interest point of view, were more Kwesta focused. Entering I was extremely ignorant. I desired a circumstance that put me at a various development point– more obligation, a platform to place on other artists. In the conference room, as the minority investor where the other investors currently had a typical interest, you get strong-armed. A great deal of the important things you ‘d like to carry out do not always see the light of day. It was a knowing curve. The lessons discovered, the music we made, the relationships we created– we did some renowned things we would not have actually done any other method. Benefits and drawbacks. I’ll lean towards the pros.
The Cool: Which of the 2 setups raised your profession more? Money Time branded you, however commercially?
Kid X: You can never ever actually compare them. Money Time was fundamental. The structure was laid rock strong. That’s why 15 years later on we can still take a seat and have this discussion. It was the intro– that’s how individuals was familiar with me. Money Time branded me as a rap artist. They put me in front of individuals’s eyes and put the name in the South African hip-hop landscape. When individuals actually got to experience me as more than a rap artist– as an artist– that was RapLyfe.
The Cool: You’ve constantly been viewed as scheduled, conservative, dope with the pen however not the guy screaming “I’m the shit.” How did that play out in organization settings? Did it impact how your function was viewed?
Kid X: There was a level of not pursuing the crown. For the longest time in my profession I wasn’t chasing after the title of king or “the guy.” The journey was more about self-discovery– getting to the depth of who I am so the music would be a more truthful and genuine reflection. A great deal of my outlook is based upon the truth that we require more individuals who wish to serve the culture, serve the video game, contribute, and take a look at what can be done much better. That’s the mindset I featured. I think in a various design of management– leaders who are all set to serve and do the grunt work. From a music perspective I typically take a look at the state of SA hip-hop, what’s missing out on, and how we can arrive. I might plant a seed, however I might not be the guy to actively take it there. And truthfully, I do not believe I was all set for the crown at any of those points. To use a crown you require a great deal of life experience and knowledge.
The Cool: Are you delighted with the existing state of SA hip-hop?
Kid X: I more than happy, however the joy is nuanced. Pleased that it’s vibrant. Delighted that individuals are revealing themselves in their various shapes, types, sizes and colours. It appears like the South African flag. From a music perspective, when you listen to categories from South Africa you require to feel that. I believe SA hip-hop exists today– a little whatever, a great deal of young energy that’s starving. From an appeal viewpoint: do we appeal broadly, or strictly to the specific niche hip-hop-loving audience in SA? That’s a various discussion. There’s a great deal of work that requires to be done to get us there.
The Cool: Music marketing looks various now. Back then you required a dope joint and a number of media runs. Now there’s material, TikTok pressure. How are you browsing that as an artist who existed before this pressure?
Kid X: It’s difficult. It’s an essential difficulty. We require to take a look at them as tools of the day. In the previous the tools were various. Now we require to collaborate with a few of the kids who have a much better understanding of the tools. There requires to be a cross-pollination of understanding. You as the OG can impart understanding on how to much better record the South African audience; the kid can inform you how to much better capture the digital audience. Wed the 2 and whatever advances. The understanding you offer on the net supersedes the real item. That’s the time we’re residing in. As an older head that’s still a part of the video game I’m getting used to. It’s amazing to be put in an area where you feel you’ve mastered the music and after that you’re back at fresh start knowing once again.
The Cool: Caracara was such a huge tune. How did that alter your life?
Kid X: It did a total 180. The turning point was a gig we did at Stones in Melville. We got on and did that tune and our mics might have been off– nobody would have cared since it was their tune now. It had actually reached emergency. From that point it ended up being hysteria. Individuals simply desired a piece of the tune, and since you sing the tune you include it. Those were good times– taking a trip the nation, spreading out the tune, and affecting how SA hip-hop felt and look. It included colour and enjoyment. Pail hats went bananas for those 2 years. In our individual lives it was a point of “wow, it’s really occurring.”
The Cool: Financially, at what point did you take a look at your profession and state this is looking excellent?
Kid X: The metric for me has actually never ever been monetary. My relationship with cash is intriguing. Cash is a tool. I’ve never ever been money-driven. I’ve constantly been driven by what seems like the important things to do. In pursuit of the music dream it was never ever for the cash– it had to do with being of service and contributing. When the cash came it ended up being “fine, this is unavoidable when you do a thing all right at a high level.” Since the journey had to do with self-discovery, it affected how I utilized the cash– on experiences, clothing, things that got me closer to my North Star. That was great in my twenties. When you move into your thirties and handle various duties, the goalposts shift. You need to reorganize and rid yourself of some young practices.
The Cool: How do you stabilize the core of you that is not money-driven with the truth of having a household, kids, a spouse, and requiring to pay costs?
Kid X: That balance needs categorizing my core as the inner kid. The inner kid wishes to enter into the studio and invest hours. The adult me knows that every hour requires to be represented– is it worth investing this numerous hours versus investing the time into something else? It’s a balancing act in between the adult self and the childish self. Every innovative needs to battle with it. For me it’s more so due to the fact that I called myself Kid X. The kid is likewise in the artist that I am. You need to tread thoroughly so you do not dull the art and the pipeline stops streaming. From a star-sign viewpoint I’m a Libra– I’ve constantly discovered myself requiring to stabilize various elements. This is most likely the most essential stabilizing act.
The Cool: Have you ever been lured to drop the “Kid”?
Kid X: Based upon the response I simply offered, I can never ever drop the kid. Dropping the kid feels neglectful. What I’m actively doing now is progressing the kid. The kid will end up being something of an artifact that we put in a museum, and what will continue forth is simply the X. A lot of the music you’ll hear from X will still be from the kid– with modifying, polishing, and some of the knowledge from X sprayed over it.
The Cool: Are you independent today?
Kid X: I’m very independent. Whatever I’m going to put out now will show that. It’s a conclusion of my journey– from being signed to a camp, to being an investor in a label that provided chance to other individuals, to those seasons serving their function and after that lapping. Daddy of Zenwhere you can inform this is a guy looking for something. Going peaceful for 5 years. The body of work will inform you precisely where I’m at.
The Cool: What was the 5 years like?
Kid X: It was unintended, however it played out completely. I got a possibility to return to school. I studied Studio Works at Revolution Media Academy– sound engineering, music service, production and plan. Shout-out to them; we partnered and distributed some Kid X bursaries. It came at a time where I ‘d put out 3 tasks and might recall and see all the bad moves. I had a minute of numeration: with whatever I now understand, how do I wish to progress? Do I still have something to contribute? Does my creative voice still hold worth in the sense that it moves the needle and impacts modification? I chose there was still something there. The very best method to house it was to assemble my group and move on. As soon as we’re made with that, I’ve still got the understanding and abilities to establish a platform and induce other artists.
The Cool: Has it been difficult constructing the maker yourself after having label assistance?
Kid X: Yes. When you’ve got a huge device behind you, you’re running at a particular level. When you need to construct that device yourself, you’re chasing after that level. It’s going to take a while to reach or exceed it. You need to make peace with that and trust that your music will do a great deal of the heavy lifting.
The Cool: How did iRoof happened?
Kid X:iRoof fell on my lap. It was a present– manna from paradise. In 2015 I got a call from uMpilo (a record executive). He stated he desired us to enter the studio. He required me to catch that essence individuals fell for, due to the fact that he was taking a look at the landscape and it was no place to be seen. He helped with whatever, Ubered me to the studio. We tape-recorded. He’s even on the record– the “chur, chur, chur” pre-chorus is him. Among his young boys created the hook. All I required to do was appear. We rested on it for a bit while I arranged circulation channels. Things weren’t lining up so I cooled down, made more music. When we played a lot of tunes for the group, a great deal of them had not even heard iRoofI played it and they resembled, “Bro, stop whatever. This is the one.” That’s how we wound up with it. I choose making music in the studio with the manufacturer constructing the beat live– a great deal of the tunes on the task resemble that.
The Cool: Is it part of a larger job?
Kid X: It will most definitely be on the album. The next body of work will be an album. Working title today is 1988 (my year of birth). It’s altered a couple of times– Through the Eye of a Needleand so on– however those were simply chapters under the 1988 umbrella. I wish to let the songs construct. Possibly press out 2 more songs before I put the album out.
The Cool: Who are Kid X’s leading 10 preferred SA rap artists of perpetuity?
Kid X: In no specific order, and groups are great: Skwatta Kamp, Tuks, ProVerb, ProKid, Stogie T, HHP, Morafe and AKA … I may need to go complete OG with the list. Let’s leave it at 9. These are the fundamental guys I admired and studied. All of them came before me. That’s the requirement.
The Cool: Top 5 preferred SA manufacturers of perpetuity?
The Cool: What other hip-hop are you presently listening to?
Kid X: I’m not. I do not listen to hip-hop much, to be frank. I never ever have, really. I have my go-to individuals, however the dominant music I play is R&B. Even when I’m trying to find motivation to compose a rap, I listen to R&B instead of hip-hop.
The Cool: Tell us about the YouTube series.
Kid X: I’m a chess fan. The bug appropriately bit me throughout lockdown. I signed up on Chess.com and decreased that bunny hole. A number of years later on I began a YouTube series provided by Skipper Bar called State It With Your ChestIt’s me taking a seat with individuals in the area, playing a video game, and having discussions throughout the video game. Whoever loses needs to make a telephone call and get the other individual to add to a neighborhood or charity cause. We’ve done episodes with Zingah and Touchline, and we’ve shot one with. Individuals didn’t understand I had that in the toolbox. It’s been rejuvenating material. We drop on Wednesdays at 4 pm, every number of weeks.
The Cool: Congratulations on the job. It’s been a dope discussion. I actually valued the fresh insights.
Kid X: Thank you, my bro. Crazy concerns and fantastic convo.
Kid X’s advancement is a testimony to the power of self-discovery over status. Whether he’s stabilizing his inner innovative kid with the needs of adult obligation, studying sound engineering, or putting regional figures to the test on a chessboard for his YouTube series State It With Your ChestX relocations with a purposeful, grounded function. As he prepares to introduce his next period with his upcoming album, 1988something stays clear: he isn’t going after a crown– he’s developing a tradition. With iRoof indicating a victorious recover, the South African hip-hop landscape is when again richer with among its finest artisans back at work.
The Albanese federal government has actually presented its digital task of care legislation to parliament today. The costs consists of an “off switch” to enable social networks users to pull out of recommender algorithms.
If passed, Australians might select to turn off their algorithmic suggestion and take in a news feed occupied by the accounts they sign up for. It’s been invited by online security supporters.
The expense echoes a design that a person of the world’s biggest platforms has actually run for more than a years: WeChat in China.
Its long experience provides Australia a sneak peek of what a feed unshackled from algorithms may appear like. It’s not all great news.
Find out more: Australians might quickly have the ability to turn off social networks algorithms. Is that censorship?
What is WeChat?
The Chinese platform WeChat was introduced in 2011 and now has one billion users internationally, making it among the main social networks services for Chinese-speakers worldwide.
The platform’s style reasoning was easy. WeChat was implied to be an effectiveness toolUnlike its American or Chinese equivalents, which utilized algorithmic suggestions to keep users on the platform, WeChat is created for users to open the app, do what they require, close the app and put their phone away.
Algorithmic curation played a very little function up until the intro of the short-video function “Channelsreleased in 2021 to take on Douyin (the Chinese variation of TikTok) and RedNote (Xiaohongshu) in the increasing short-video market.
WeChat mainly stays concentrated on performance.
Rather of attempting to hold user attention for as long as possible, WeChat is a “very appthat uses a suite of services consisting of financing, commerce, publication, home entertainment, and interactions within a single platform to make it essential to individuals’s lives.
It’s everything about the clicks
WeChat’s news function lists stories released by “Official Accountsor material developers. Users just see material they follow.
Our research study job, RECapturehas actually studied Official Accounts targeting Chinese-Australians given that 2019. Our information use a longitudinal research study of monitored material.
We discovered the lack of algorithmic curation provides publishers considerable autonomy to produce profits individually of the app.
Within the platform itself, developers still increasingly contend for user attention. This is since users look for material they’re interested in and sign up for accounts they discover most engaging, which suggests subscribed accounts take on one another for user attention within that swimming pool.
This competitors has actually manifested as increased publication speed. Outlets, limited by their own spending plans, produce low-grade, clickbait material, frequently put together from several fragmented and unproven sources, to draw in customers and increase user engagement.
Significantly, this race is more sped up by the usage of generative expert system (AI).
The reasoning is easy: release early and typically; the clicks roll in throughout the day. Strike the best publication timing, the so-called “golden window”, and clicks spike even more. Run a striking heading, and clicks climb up yet once again. This is the technique to increase a publisher’s opportunities of appearing in a user’s search inquiry and recording their attention.
It’s clicks, clicks, clicks (or taps) that matter, as this is the metric to draw in eyes to adsand for that reason cash to the platform.
If the digital responsibility of care legislation passes in Australia and adequate individuals select to pull out of algorithms, we may see a comparable boost in bad quality material here.
It’s likewise possible the laws will not provide what they assure. This is since we do not truly understand how digital platforms curate users’ subscribed material. We require the platforms to be more transparent about this.
My feed, my obligation?
Under the pledge of providing Australians more control over their online environment, the federal government efficiently unloads its obligation of care onto specific users.
Direct exposure to hazardous material implicitly ends up being an effect of the user’s failure to turn off their algorithm. This might let tech business off the hook.
Instead of entrusting police bodies with dealing with the problem (which ran the risk of being knotted in freedom-of-speech arguments), the federal government rather leaves people to handle the issues themselves.
The federal government understands the item damages. It is making sure to safeguard the kids through the under-16 social media restriction, even while individualising options for damaging digital items for everyone else.
Getting to the origin
The Australian federal government has actually begun seeing digital platforms more seriously, which is a welcome modification from laissez faire mindsets of the past.
The federal government tends to comprehend digital platforms as a lot of functions and tools rather than items of innovation organization entities, with which the federal government nevertheless continues to do offers.
This suggests the federal government runs on the presumption that turning off the “bad” onescutting off gain access to, or presenting monitoring systems is an uncomplicated service to the issues that we deal with in our digital environment.
What this view neglects is that damage originates from business design of tech business. As long as that company design stays the same, damages will not vanish.
Having the ability to pull out of the algorithm will not move business design of material developers for the Australian market. And how the platforms themselves browse this stays to be seen.
And, while the federal government’s legislation concentrates on the issues of social networks over the previous years or two, the emerging possible damages from the exact same huge tech companies’ AI items loom.
It appears the federal government’s advocacy for a responsibility of care just reaches locations where the stakes are presently low, tired or no longer a concern for market to generate income from.
The choice followed a prosecution that started with claims connecting the offenders to a lethal kidnapping occurrence in Agbamu, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, in August 2023.
A Kwara State High Court being in Ilorin has actually released 8 males implicated of kidnapping, murder, heist and unlawful ownership of guns after the state federal government withdrew the criminal case versus them, almost 3 years after their arrest.
The offenders were released on Wednesday by the administering judge, Honourable Justice Yusuf Adebayo Dikko, after the prosecution, represented by Senior State Counsel Cyril N. Kolo, used to withdraw the charges.
The choice followed a prosecution that started with accusations connecting the offenders to a lethal kidnapping occurrence in Agbamu, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, in August 2023.
The 8 offenders are Suleiman Mohammed, Ibrahim Ahmed, Yekeen Raji, Aliu Saheed Babatunde, Abraham Alaka, Jooji Fajenyo, Salihu Umar and John Gazale.
Throughout the procedures observed by SaharaReporters at the Kwara State High Court in the Government Reserved Area, Ilorin, Kolo informed the court that he was acting upon the directions of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, who was just recently consulted the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The prosecution consequently looked for the withdrawal of the case.
Attorneys representing the offenders did not oppose the application however advised the court to release and acquit their customers, arguing that the guys had actually sustained significant challenge, consisting of time in jail, while dealing with severe criminal claims.
Justice Dikko approved the application for withdrawal and released the offenders without acquitting them.
The difference implies the court did not pronounce the males innocent of the claims. Rather, it officially released them after the prosecution withdrew the case.
The state federal government did not openly discuss in the procedures the particular factors for deserting the prosecution.
Accuseds Were Arrested In 2023, Lawyers Say
Talking to SaharaReporters after the court session, a member of the defence legal group stated the case started in August 2023, when the accuseds were jailed and apparently paraded as terrorists.
The attorney stated the arrests and the promotion surrounding the claims exposed the guys to public preconception, with some individuals supposedly branding them terrorists due to the fact that of their ethnic backgrounds.
The legal representative stated a few of the offenders were Fulani and declared that the way in which the claims existed to the general public added to the understanding that the guys was accountable for the criminal activities.
According to the defence attorney, the accuseds were required to jail in August 2023 and stayed there till January 2024, when the defence submitted a bail application that was consequently given.
The attorney included that the guys were arraigned previously in 2026, before the prosecution ultimately used to withdraw the case.
“The case began because August 2023 when the offenders were apprehended and paraded them as terrorists. A great deal of individuals called them terrorists due to the fact that of their people, a few of them are Fulani,” the attorney informed SaharaReporters.
The attorney stated the accuseds had actually suffered considerable psychological and reputational effects from the claims, including that the prosecution’s choice to withdraw the charges followed the case had actually advanced through the court procedure.
Defence Links Case To Dispute Over Farmland
The defence legal representative likewise declared that the case occurred from a disagreement including the offenders, who were farmers, and a lady recognized as the small plaintiff.
According to the attorney, the female had actually bought farmland from the offenders, however differences established when the farmers firmly insisted that they would not leave the land.
The attorney stated that throughout the conflict, the female and other individuals taking a trip with her were abducted by unknown shooters.
Among individuals supposedly abducted, Peter Fadahunsi, later on passed away, according to the prosecution’s modified charge.
The defence attorney declared that after the kidnapping, the cops apprehended the accuseds and implicated them of participation in the occurrence.
The legal representative’s account recommends that the defence thinks the land disagreement related to comprehending the scenarios surrounding the arrests. The readily available court file does not develop that the conflict triggered the arrests or that the accuseds were incorrectly linked.
The prosecution’s modified charge implicated the guys of conspiring to dedicate criminal activities and taking part in the kidnapping, killing, break-in and illegal ownership of guns. Those claims were not shown through a conviction in the procedures explained.
What The Amended Charge Reveals
A court file gotten specifically by SaharaReporters offers information of the accusations brought versus the 8 offenders.
The file is entitled Amended Charge in Charge No. KWS/173/25, in between individuals of Kwara State and the 8 accuseds. It was dated February 19, 2026, and signed by Cyril N. Kolo, Senior State Counsel at the Kwara State Ministry of Justice.
The charge consisted of 6 counts associating with declared offenses dedicated on or around August 27, 2023, in Agbamu and along the Federal Highway near Erin-Ile town in Kwara State.
The very first 2 counts worried the supposed conspiracy to trigger the death of Peter Fadahunsi and the supposed commission of a prohibited act planned to trigger his death.
In Count One, the prosecution declared that the accuseds and others still at big conspired to trigger Fadahunsi’s death in Agbamu on or about August 27, 2023. The charge mentioned Section 9 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State 2006.
Count Two declared that the accuseds devoted a prohibited act meant to trigger Fadahunsi’s death. It pointed out Section 221 of the very same Penal Code.
The 3rd and 4th counts worried the supposed conspiracy to abduct 4 individuals and the supposed kidnapping itself.
The prosecution implicated the accuseds of conspiring to abduct Chief (Mrs.) Grace Adepoju, Isaac Kehinde, Wale Omobolanle and Peter Fadahunsi, who was noted as departed in the charge.
In Count Four, the state declared that the offenders abducted the 4 victims and required a ransom of 90 million, consequently gathering 7 million before the victims were launched.
The charge pointed out Sections 2 and 15 of the Kwara State Prohibition of Kidnapping Law, 2010, for the conspiracy and kidnapping accusations.
State Alleged Armed Robbery, Seizure Of Cash And Phones
Count Five implicated the 8 offenders and others at big of heist throughout the exact same event.
According to the modified charge, the offenders supposedly dispossessed the victims of their cellphones and money amounting to 1.425 million.
The prosecution pointed out Section 1( 2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The last count worried the supposed ownership of guns and ammo.
The prosecution declared that on or about August 27, 2023, along the Federal Highway near Erin-Ile town in Oyun Local Government Area, the offenders were discovered in illegal belongings of 4 pump-action weapons, 4 English-made single-barrel weapons, one English-made double-barrel weapon and 63 live cartridges.
The charge pointed out Section 3( 1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act.
Court Official Questions Prosecution’s Handling Of Case
A court authorities who talked to SaharaReporters revealed issue over the federal government’s handling of a criminal case including accusations of kidnapping and murder.
The main argued that the prosecution needs to have performed an extensive examination and constructed a strong case before bringing the offenders before the court.
“The way in which the Kwara Government dealt with a case of high significance like this is uneasy,” the authorities stated.
The authorities even more declared that insufficient examination and prosecution damaged the state’s case, ultimately causing the choice to withdraw the charges.
“Instead of Kwara Government to do a correct examination and prosecution in this case, they did an extremely lazy task and this damaged their case and now requested for the withdrawal of the case,” the authorities stated.
The authorities likewise connected the handling of severe criminal cases to broader issues about insecurity in Kwara State, arguing that cases including supposed kidnapping and murder need comprehensive examination and reliable prosecution.
The authorities’s evaluation was not a judicial finding on the quality of the examination. The court judgment, as explained in the readily available details, gave the prosecution’s application to withdraw the case and released the offenders.
Federal government Yet To Explain Why It Withdrew Charges
The scenarios surrounding the prosecution’s choice to withdraw the charges stay uncertain.
Throughout the court procedures, Kolo stated he was acting upon the guidelines of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. The details offered from the procedures did not develop whether the withdrawal followed an evaluation of the proof, a reassessment of witness testament, an investigative advancement or another legal factor to consider.
The state federal government’s choice likewise leaves concerns about the examination into the kidnapping occurrence, the death of Fadahunsi and the supposed ransom payment.
The readily available files do not develop whether other suspects stay under examination, whether anybody else has actually been charged in connection with the event or whether the authorities plan to pursue additional procedures.
When asked why the federal government was withdrawing the case, Kolo stated it was “in the general public interest.”
President Bola Tinubu stated himself the APC’s”errand guy “and vowed complete dedication to provide the celebration’s pledges and manifesto ahead of 2027.
Tinubu spoke on Wednesday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, applauding leaders for effective congresses and primaries.
Tinubu informed project council members to mobilise assistance in every ward and cautioned that celebration members will just get credit if they provide votes in 2027.
President Bola Tinubu has actually stated himself as the “errand guy”of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The President swore to promote and satisfy the APC manifesto.
Naija News reports that Tinubu made the dedication on Wednesday while speaking throughout the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He vowed to comply with and satisfy the goals, guarantees and manifesto of the APC.
“To me, I am your errand male. Even for the president, I raise my hand for complete dedication that we follow my guarantees and the manifestos, the goal, the objective of our celebration. That’s all I provide you,Tinubu stated.
The President applauded the celebration leaders at all levels for the effective conduct of congresses in spite of forecasts by political challengers that the activity would make the APC implode.
“We performed it. They stated there would be implosion. We travelled through it. We did not stop working. You did not let us down,” he stated.
Tinubu stated rather of a crisis, the APC has actually emerged more powerful from its congresses and main elections.
“This council will bring our vision, our record and our program to every Nigerian, and it will bring them to every ward of this nation. We get to this minute strong, united and restored,” he stated.
The president prompted members of the project council to mobilise assistance throughout their particular wards, worrying that their efforts would just count if they equated into electoral success for the celebration in 2027.
“The APC is all set. We have actually not collected simply to inaugurate a council; we have actually collected to restore a covenant, a covenant with the Nigerian individuals and the historical obligation they have actually turned over to us as Nigeria’s governing celebration. We guarantee we will not let them down,” he stated.
He thanked celebration members for their assistance in the previous election however alerted that they need to provide votes once again in 2027.
“But nobody gets credit for an insufficient task. Till you provide the next election, up until you provide your wards, till you provide the votes, before we can state thank you,” Tinubu included.
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On Wednesday early morning, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Rob Manfred and MLB owners “do not intend” to withdraw their need for a wage cap in labor settlements– buoyed in big part by “surveys that show fans want one”Sure, it would assist their valuable franchise appraisals increase, however they truly have the very best interests of the video game at heart! They’re simply attempting to defend the common Joe!Other than, simply a couple of hours later on, FOX Sports broke news that Game 1 of the NLCS in between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers had actually generated more than 10.7 million audiences– the most for any LCS Game 1 given that 2005, and the most for any LCS video game duration because 2010.
MOST-WATCHED LCS GAME 1 IN 21 YEARS
FOX knocks it out of the park with finest viewership for any LCS Game 1 because 2005, and most-viewed LCS video game in general because 2010. ⚾ pic.twitter.com/cIEZhvhNUK
base, however it’s barely a huge sufficient market to represent that development all by itself. You just struck that sort of number if you’re getting plenty of casual observers to tune in. You understand, the casual observers that Manfred declares to be fretted about losing if MLB moves on with its present financial design.
Love them or dislike them, everybody takes notice of the DodgersI believe that fans in smaller sized markets like Pittsburgh and Cleveland– heck, even Milwaukee– would not object
to a wage cap. You can just view your group be outspent by numerous countless dollars for numerous years before you begin to question whether there’s a much better method of doing things.
If that aggravation has actually curdled into a rejection of the present item, it hasn’t revealed up the numbers. The fact appears to be rather the reverse: No matter what group you root for, these Dodgers make you feel something. And even if that something is hate, or rage, it keeps you glued to your screen. This is barely a phenomenon special to baseball; you see it in, state, the NBA, where the Golden State Warriors drew big-time numbers for several years mainly since everyone kept tuning in hoping they ‘d lose.
And you saw it in 2015’s World Series, which likewise made banner rankings. Sure, there were an out of proportion variety of wild minutes and remarkable endings, however that’s what occurs when you put an out of proportion variety of terrific baseball gamers on one field. And all of it was increased thanks to what seemed like historical stakes, a dynasty fluctuating on every pitch.
MLB ought to reconsider before putting an end to the age of superteams
National League Championship Series: Los Angeles Dodgers v Milwaukee Brewers- Game Two|Patrick McDermott/GettyImages
That’s the sort of thing that baseball declares to desire, the sort of story that markets itself to even casual sports fans who may not otherwise care much at all about the Fall Classic. It ends up being much, much less most likely in a wage cap system, where synthetic monetary restraints require yearly gamer motion and it’s almost difficult for a group to hoard skill– much less keep it throughout numerous seasons. There are most likely some readers who are rejoicing at that concept, and once again, I do get it. Zooming out, however, it’s not as basic as stating that increased parity will cause more interest from more corners of the sport.(Setting aside the truth that, as this year’s playoffs show, baseball does not appear to have much of a parity issue. )The NBA is going on 8 various champs in a row now, and individuals can’t stop wringing their hands about plateauing interest. Love it or dislike it, leagues require huge bads versus which everyone else can place themselves. Once again, it’s not like merely being abundant enables you to put together a regularly competitive group. What the Dodgers have actually done over the previous couple of years is, obviously, in part a story of cash, however it’s likewise a story of hunting and advancement– you understand, the important things we must be incentivizing. If a group does all of that right, why should not they be this effective? And why would that be a bad thing for baseball, provided all the interest this group plainly produces? All of us understand that Manfred’s actually on about: lining the pockets of the owners who sign his own incomes. In attempting to wash that objective through what’s finest for fans, he unintentionally made a terrific argument for keeping the existing system in location, even if it requires a tweak or 2.
WASHINGTON– The world’s reef deal with an existential danger from increasing seawater temperature levels that set off prevalent lightening, an issue driven by environment modification and intensified by 2026’s extreme El Nino phenomenonA brand-new laboratory research study by researchers at Stanford University discovers that just positioning healthy, vibrant coral in contact with their bleached equivalents is enough to bring the passing away ones back from the verge– a finding that might ultimately pave the method for real-world interventions if it can be scaled.”It’s spectacular,” lead author Daniel Collins informed AFP about the result of the experiments, remembering the “eureka minute” when he initially saw favorable outcomes and hurried to his PhD manager’s workplace to share the news.The paper was released on Oct 14 in the journal Science Advances.Reef healing is an extremely active location of research study, with efforts varying from utilizing synthetic nurseries to rescue reefs to finding and cultivating more heat-tolerant types.Bleached corals had actually been mainly crossed out since of their high death rate, stated Collins– though the brand-new work rather shows they “truly should not be considered a lost cause”.The Stanford group ran a series of tests with sets of cauliflower corals, discovering 5 days of contact in between healthy and bleached pieces was all it considered the latter to install a magnificent healing, at which point they might be securely pried apart.The secret to the success of the approach– which the group informally called “assisting hands”– is the transfer of healthy photosynthetic algae, likewise referred to as symbionts, from which corals obtain their colour.Corals are marine invertebrates comprised of hundreds to countless small, soft-bodied organisms called polyps.They have a mutualistic relationship with symbionts, which produce the large bulk of food the corals need, in return for shelter, in addition to water and the co2 they require to photosynthesise.In times of heat tension, algae can produce contaminants, requiring their hosts to expel them.Collins stated the concept for the experiment originated from 2 sources.The very first was a research study that revealed plastic waste in the ocean can promote illness in corals by moving damaging pathogens, that made him question whether it would be possible to turn that system on its head with a health-promoting transfer.The second was a pleased mishap observed by Stephen Palumbi, the research study’s senior author, likewise at Stanford, who discovered in his laboratory that a healthy coral and bleached coral had actually toppled and were touching each other, and the bleached coral had actually begun to recuperate.The scaling obstacleThe experiments exposed crucial restrictions.3 days of contact was the minimum needed for a bleached coral to start to recuperate, and 5 ensured complete healing.They likewise needed to remain in direct contact– a couple of millimetres apart, and absolutely nothing considerable occurred.A significant restriction was that the procedure worked just when the 2 corals shared the exact same hereditary background, or “genet”.Mixed-genet pairings led to the corals releasing stinging cells, a hostile action that can be compared to organ rejection in people.Effective laser microscopy exposed the system: After a day or more of contact, the corals’ tissues started merging, developing a “nutrition highway” in between the set.The greatest obstacle will be equating an interesting laboratory finding into a real-world service.”We likely will not be touching corals to one another on reefs,” stated Collins, keeping in mind the large size of reefs tends to prevent this choice.It is possible to draw out healthy symbionts and culture them– and the group is now believing about methods to reintroduce them en masse to bleached coral.This likewise has the advantage of side-stepping the hereditary inequality issue, which uses to the corals, not the symbionts. AFP
The case connects to a 20-year research study program called MATES, which utilized veterans’ medical information. It was closed in 2024 due to personal privacy issues.
This followed an earlier examination by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, which discovered the department sent out a veteran’s individual details (consisting of name and medications) to university-based scientists, and after that on to physician associated with their care. This was done without their permission.
The commissioner discovered the department had actually hindered the veteran’s personal privacy.
Other veterans have actually now released a class action versus the department for “mass and regular sharing” of their medical records over 20 years.
Was this an outlier? Or are all of us dealing with comparable personal privacy dangers?
Who has our health info?
Our health records aren’t simply kept in our physician’s locked filing cabinet: they’re often saved in electronic medical records.
Medical record details consists of identifiers such as name, address, date of birth and contact number, along with health history, medications, test and imaging outcomes, and vaccinations.
This info held by our dealing with physicians is submitted to the nationwide My Health Record system, unless we’ve pulled out
Our individual details is likewise gathered by federal government companies, such as to process Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Medicare claims. Agencies need to follow guidelines developed by the Information Commissioner when they manage this details.
Why are scientists interested?
Scientists can be thinking about our health information for research study and analytical functions. Having access to big information collections allows scientists to reveal essential brand-new connections and insights.
A fine example is the GenV research studybased in Victoria. This research study utilizes the health and instructional information of around 120,000 kids and moms and dads who have actually provided permission. It likewise collects additional info from individuals, utilizing studies and physical samples. The dataset is anticipated to yield insights that might deal with weight problemsenhance vaccine securityavoid and deal with asthmaand address other significant health concerns.
How might scientists access our health information?
Health information is offered unique defense as “delicate” information under Australian law. This indicates there are minimal methods scientists can acquire access to this kind of information.
One opportunity for scientists to gain access to and utilize our health information is by getting our permission. That implies we’re outlined how our details is proposed to be managed, and accept it ahead of time.
The method “approval” runs can be difficult. In the commissioner’s previous examinationthe Department of Veterans’ Affairs argued it had the client’s permission for info to be sent out to scientists.
The Information Commissioner disagreed. It stated the client’s approval just covered the department’s collection of info in order to evaluate and handle billing claims. Authorization didn’t cover the extra action of sharing the individual’s information with scientists.
There are other legal entrances scientists in some cases utilize when they wish to get individuals’s health information.
One method is if the research study is “straight associated” to the specific function the details was gathered for in the very first location, and the individual would “fairly anticipate” that research study usage.
A cancer centre may examine results from its prostate cancer clients to compare the impacts of various drug routines.
Another method is if the collection or usage of details is essential for research study appropriate to public health or public security, and acquiring authorization is unwise.
All of these legal requirements use to health details held by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The department’s own research study method has actually highlighted the requirement for compliance with ethical requirements and the value of preserving trust with veterans.
The department’s existing principles treatments — upgraded given that the MATES research study was stopped briefly– likewise needs possible research study individuals to be informed that their existing or future privileges will not be impacted by their research study participation.
Attorneys acting for the veterans in the class action will look for settlement for previous breaches, with a court date yet to be set.
Having a say in how your information is utilized
A lot of good can originate from scientists utilizing our health details. It’s crucial scientists and principles committees take care to comply both with legal requirements and with individuals’s sensible expectations about their personal privacy.
Our health details is naturally delicate. There stand factors that individuals may choose not to have actually that info utilized by scientists, even if that research study might eventually benefit society.
Individuals worried about the research study usage of their health information may select to opt-out from the secondary usage of My Health Record information that is prepared to begin in the future.
In other circumstances, avoiding more usage of our health information needs checking out the great print, and asking concerns about where the information is going. And often, individuals may not be considered that alternative.
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(Photo by Zhang Xinyu/Xinhua)
(Photo by Wang Yong/Xinhua)
