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Premier League: First Female Referee & Black Referee Since 2008

Premier League: First Female Referee & Black Referee Since 2008
Dec 15 2023 Share

Rebecca Welch is poised to make history as the first woman to referee a Premier League match, having been selected to officiate the Fulham versus Burnley game on Saturday, December 23. 

A trailblazer in men’s football, Welch previously made history by becoming the first woman to referee an English Football League (EFL) match in April 2021 and the first to oversee a men’s FA Cup fixture in January 2022. 

Additionally, she served as the fourth official in Manchester United’s November victory over Fulham, marking the first instance of a woman taking on this role in the Premier League.

Sam Allison, at 42, will also make history as the first black official to referee a Premier League match since Uriah Rennie in 2008. Allison will preside over the Sheffield United versus Luton game on Boxing Day. 

The Premier League officially announced these historic appointments, emphasising the league’s commitment to increasing diversity among officials. Welch, a referee since 2010, has balanced her officiating career with a role in the NHS. 

Allison, who transitioned from playing for clubs like Swindon, Bristol City, Bournemouth, and Exeter to a career in refereeing, became a full-time official in 2020, officiating over 100 matches in the Football League. These landmark appointments align with the FA’s initiative to recruit 1,000 new referees from diverse backgrounds in the next three years.

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Man Almost Blows Up Apartment To Kill A Single Cockroach

Man Almost Blows Up Apartment To Kill A Single Cockroach
Dec 15 2023 Share

One man in Kumamoto, Japan, learned the hard way that attempting to kill a single cockroach with insecticide can lead to disastrous consequences. 

The 54-year-old Japanese citizen, aiming to eradicate the critter, sprayed a substantial amount of insecticide in his apartment, triggering an unexpected explosion that blew out a balcony window and resulted in the man sustaining a minor injury. 

The incident, reported early on Sunday, served as a cautionary tale against using insecticides near electrical outlets, as investigations revealed burn marks near the victim’s kotatsu, a Japanese heating table.

This mishap is not an isolated incident, as the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan has received multiple reports linking explosions to insecticide use near electrical outlets. 

Similar incidents have been documented in the US, where inappropriate use of pest control substances led to house fires, emphasizing the potential hazards of applying such sprays in certain areas. 

In Cincinnati, Ohio, a woman burned her house down while attempting to address a bed bug infestation with rubbing alcohol near an open flame, underscoring the importance of caution when dealing with insecticides.

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EU Agreement To Open Ukraine & Moldova Membership Talks

EU Agreement To Open Ukraine & Moldova Membership Talks
Dec 15 2023 Share

European Union leaders reached an agreement on Thursday to commence formal membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, overcoming earlier threats of a veto from Hungary. 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reportedly agreed to be absent from the room during the consensus decision made by the other 26 leaders. 

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European Council President Charles Michel celebrated the decision on social media, calling it “a clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent.” A senior European official confirmed that the decision was unopposed by any member of the European Council.

However, the following day, Prime Minister Orban blocked €50 billion in EU aid for Ukraine after leaders proceeded with talks on its accession to the EU, sparking a deadlock in a Brussels summit. 

Orban’s refusal to approve funding for Ukraine’s government over the next four years prompted the EU’s 26 other leaders to postpone the debate until early next year. 

Despite this setback, the EU leaders hailed the opening of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova as a historic moment. The situation on the Ukrainian battlefield remains challenging, with Russian President Putin claiming an increasing troop presence. 

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of continued Western support for Ukraine to safeguard Europe against further aggression.

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UK Government Considers Social Media Limits For Under 16s

UK Government Considers Social Media Limits For Under 16s
Dec 15 2023 Share

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is contemplating restricting social media access for individuals under 16 years old in an effort to shield them from online harm. 

This potential move comes despite the recent implementation of the Online Safety Act, which mandates social media platforms to protect minors from harmful content under threat of substantial fines. 

While reports suggest a forthcoming consultation to assess the risks faced by children on social media, a government spokesperson downplayed the possibility of an outright ban, emphasizing a focus on empowering parents rather than imposing restrictions.

The Molly Rose Foundation, established by the family of Molly Russell, who tragically took her own life at 14 after exposure to harmful content on Instagram and Pinterest, advocates for strengthening the powers of the communications watchdog, Ofcom. 

Critics, such as cross-bench peer Beeban Kidron, express concerns about excluding children from digital spaces, urging a design that supports their well-being rather than a knee-jerk exclusion.

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