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This development has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and themes in video games, particularly in a franchise like Grand Theft Auto, known for its gritty, often satirical take on modern society. Supporters of the decision argue that it reflects a growing awareness and responsibility within the industry to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes or promoting discrimination. On the other hand, critics view it as a form of censorship and an infringement on creative freedom.Arsenal's attacking prowess, flair, and creativity have caught the eye of many fans and experts, and players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka, and Emile Smith Rowe have been key to the club's success. Arsenal's strong performances in both domestic competition and Europe have helped them secure their place in the top three of the Club Strength Rankings.
The recent controversy surrounding the popular game "Treasure Hunters: Ancient Realm" has sparked heated discussion among players worldwide. The issue at hand? The inability to kill dogs in the game, with players asking: Should dogs that aggressively attack players be exempt from harm too?In the end, Evan Kyle's culinary exploration of China had not only opened his eyes to a world of new and exciting flavors but also deepened his appreciation for the rich tapestry of food and culture that defines this ancient land. He returned home with a heart full of memories, a stomach full of delicious experiences, and a newfound love for Chinese cuisine that would stay with him forever.
In the south, amidst the gentle rustling of the leaves and the soft chirping of the birds, Little Spud's story continued to be whispered among the rows of swaying potato plants, a testament to the indomitable spirit of a tiny but courageous potato.
The recent incident involving the United States and Spain has stirred up a diplomatic storm, as Spain refused to allow a U.S. weapons cargo ship to dock for inspection. The decision by Spain has raised tensions between the two countries and sparked speculation about the motives behind the Spanish authorities' actions.
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The NBA decided to hit Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown with a $25,000 fine for making a throat-slash gesture Wednesday night after a dunk against the Detroit Pistons. Brown celebrated after making a wild dunk over Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart. Stewart was playing a physical and aggressive game and Brown responded. In the heat and intensity of the play, with 12 seconds left on the clock, the 28-year old made the throat-slashing gesture toward Stewart. And that’s all it takes to ruffle the feathers of the powers-that-be. Joe Dumars, NBA’s head of basketball operations, announced the $25,000 penalty two days after for what the league called an “inappropriate gesture,” according to ESPN. THIS ANGLE OF THE JAYLEN BROWN POSTER ON STEWART IS SO FUCKING COLD 🥶 @CelticsCLNS COOKING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cp5STgasai — CELTICS ☘️ BANNER 19 (@BiggLynch) December 5, 2024 The hefty fine is a bit excessive given the circumstances and simply takes the focus off the sport by putting it on to the corporate policies that govern the game. The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/rRG7JTlXme — NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 6, 2024 Brown didn’t seem too surprised. He spoke to the press after the game and acknowledged that he knew would be held accountable by them. Celtics’ Jaylen Brown has been fined $25,000 for throat slash gesture toward Isaiah Stewart on Wednesday. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 6, 2024 If the NBA isn’t expecting their players to hit the court with fire and ferociousness, they have underestimated the passion they have for the sport. The gesture wasn’t an ideal one, a penalty was expected and they’re not exactly making Brown suffer, given he agreed to a $304 million deal with the Celtics in 2023. (RELATED: Jontay Porter Facing Potential Lifetime Ban From NBA After Allegedly Committing ‘Cardinal Sin’ Of Betting On Games)
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Aussie beauty queen turned boxer Avril Mathie reveals the VERY surprising effect breast reduction surgery has had on her fighting Avril Mathie is back in the gym after undergoing operation The Aussie boxing star boasts an 8-1-1 professional record By ED CARRUTHERS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 23:24, 11 December 2024 | Updated: 23:26, 11 December 2024 e-mail 17 shares View comments Aussie boxer Avril Mathie has opened up on the impact breast-reduction surgery has had on her fighting technique. The 37-year-old began boxing in 2012 and currently boasts a fight record of 8-1-1. Back in February 2023, Mathie challenged for the vacant IBF inter-continental super bantamweight title against Ramla Ali but suffered the first professional defeat of her career at Madison Square Garden. The Australian boxer, who had also won the prestigious Miss Swimsuit USA International crown in 2014, recently revealed that she had undergone surgery to remove her breast implants. Having now recovered, she has returned to the gym and has spoken out on how her 'biomechanics are working differently' 'Today was my first day punching anything in more than two months (since before the explant surgery), and for the first time d ever in my boxing life, my forearms can actually defend both my chin and body simultaneously, and I will be able to throw straight punches longer and faster now that the implants are not in the way forcing my elbows out,' she wrote in a caption alongside a video of herself punching a bag during training. Avril Mathie has opened up on the changes a breast reduction procedure has had on her boxing technique Mathie has returned to training after undergoing the surgery, and claimed her 'boxing biomechanics were working differently' She took to Instagram to speak out on the changes to her body, claiming she'd be back to her best in 'a few weeks' 'But old habits die hard, so here I’m doing reps on reps to teach my elbows their new position and I think we’re going to be here on the basics for a while,' she said adding a 'laughing-face' emoji. 'But give me a few weeks and my boxing is about to be tight.' Mathie was due to fight Ebanie Bridges back in 2023 following her defeat by Ali but was forced to pull out of the fight due to an injury. She was replaced by Miyo Yoshida who went on to defeat Bridges in what was considered a big upset. Mathie, meanwhile, elaborated change in the biomechanics of her body, claiming that she feels like boxing might now be 'easier'. 'My elbows can now touch my chest at the same time as my hands can protect my face for the first time in my life,' she said on a Q&A published on her YouTube channel . 'I've always had a stopping block in the way, so it was always a choice between: "Do I want my hands protecting my ribs or protecting my face?" Coaches were always yelling at me.' She added: 'I feel like my life as a boxer is about to get a lot easier and more opportunities.' Mathie has previously opened up on getting the implants when she was 19 but opted to remove them upon the advice of her doctor. Mathie says her recovery from surgery hasn't been easy - but she's very happy she had it done View this post on Instagram A post shared by AVRIL (@avrilmathie) Mathie (pictured right) explained that following her recovery she now 'feels great' 'Basically, I got them when I was 19 because I was, I guess brainwashed into thinking by the culture that I grew up in that I was out of proportion. 'I was super self-conscious. It's not like I was one of those girls that was like: "Oh my god look at my boobs. I have boobs now," or like wearing revealing tops.' But during the YouTube video, Mathie revealed the reasoning behind why she opted to remove her implants. 'When I saw girls posting on social media on their choice to remove, most of these girls were doing it because of breast implant illness - which I didn't necessarily think I have,' she said. 'Because of this information, it prompted me to do a bit of research.' She went to go and get hers checked before her doctor had advised her that while it wasn't an emergency, 'given a time or an opportunity she should consider removing or replacing them'. Mathie also explained that the recovery had been 'really brutal and I wasn't really prepared for it.' But despite that, she said she now 'feels great'. Share or comment on this article: Aussie beauty queen turned boxer Avril Mathie reveals the VERY surprising effect breast reduction surgery has had on her fighting e-mail 17 shares Add commentSyrian President Bashar al-Assad oversaw a merciless crackdown on a pro-democracy revolt that morphed into one of the bloodiest wars of the century. After facing down nationwide protests demanding his ouster and an armed rebellion that he all but crushed, he had until this month taken back control of much of Syria in the civil war that began in 2011. Quiet in his demeanour, Assad is a political survivor who for years excelled in his alliance-building with Russia and Iran, and who knew just how to present himself as Syria's only viable leader in the face of the Islamist threat. But since November 27, an Islamist-led rebel offensive has wrested from Assad's control city after city, including Aleppo and Hama for the first time since 2011, leaving his grip on power severely under threat. Assad has cast himself as the protector of Syria's minorities, a bulwark against extremism and the sole possible purveyor of stability for the war-ravaged country. In multiple votes held over the years, conducted solely on government-held territory, he has taken the vast majority of the ballots, amid accusations from Western countries that the wartime elections were neither free nor fair. In appearance, whether in person or in the many portraits of him in the capital Damascus, Assad has typically eschewed military garb, opting instead for a sharp-cut business suit and sober tie. In official meetings, during interviews and even on the frontlines, the 59-year-old ophthalmologist by training conducts himself calmly and can almost appear timid. Behind the facade, however, is an astonishing ability to hold onto power amid multiple waves of violence and transformative change in Syria and the wider region. One journalist, who met with Assad on several occasions before and after war broke out in 2011, told AFP the president is a "unique and complex figure". "Each time I met him he was calm... even during the most difficult moments of the war," said the journalist, who declined to be named. Assad has "the same qualities" as his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades until his death in 2000, the journalist said. "In politics, it's important to know how to shuffle cards, not just how to arrange them," he added. "Assad has mastered the shuffling game." Hafez al-Assad, head of the Syrian Baath Party, imposed in the country a secretive, paranoid regime where even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in jail or worse. Bashar al-Assad was never meant to become president, but his life changed radically when his older brother Bassel, who was being groomed to inherit power, was killed in a road accident in 1994. Bashar quit his studies in ophthalmology and left London, where he had met his wife, Asma, a British-Syrian and Sunni Muslim who worked for financial services firm JP Morgan. Back home, he took a course in military studies and was tutored in politics by his father. When the latter died, Bashar became president by referendum, running unopposed, then winning a second term in 2007. Sworn in at the age of 34, Assad was widely seen by Syrians pining for freedoms as a reformer, who could do away with years of repression and introduce economic liberalisation. In the early days, Assad would be seen driving his own car or having dinner at restaurants with his wife. He relaxed some of the heavy restrictions that existed under his father. But his initial image as a reformer quickly evaporated as authorities arrested and jailed academics, intellectuals and other members of what was then known as the Damascus Spring movement. When the Arab Spring reached Syria in March 2011, peaceful demonstrations broke out calling for change. Assad, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, responded by ordering a brutal crackdown on the protesters and civil war swiftly ensued. Throughout the war, which has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half the population, Assad's position has not changed. He has been the subject of countless cartoons by dissident artists depicting him as a killer, not least in the aftermath of the 2013 chemical attacks on rebel bastions around Damascus. A Syrian researcher in Damascus, who asked to speak anonymously over security concerns, said: "Assad's personality played an undeniable role in his survival." His "persistence and rigour" were especially important in helping him "consolidate decision-making powers, and secure the army's full support", he added. Throughout the war, Assad has enjoyed military backing from staunch allies Iran and Russia, who helped him score a string of military victories. Since the start of the Islamist-led rebel offensive on November 27, Assad has echoed his long-held stance that the conflict in Syria is machinated from abroad. "The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West," Assad said on Monday. He is the father of three children. His wife, Asma, was dubbed a "rose in the desert" by Vogue magazine before the revolt. bur/ser/jhb
The main takeaway from the expression ‘every rose has its thorns’ is that everybody and everything, even something as beautiful and desired as a rose, has imperfections and struggles. — Photo by Pinkinesss / pexels.com WHAT is meant by ‘every rose has its thorns’? And no, I am not referring to the song by the rock band, ‘Poison’. The main takeaway from this expression is that everybody and everything, even something as beautiful and desired as a rose, has imperfections and struggles – the thorns symbolise the challenges and misfortunes in life. Everyone, including you and I, has flaws. Being human comes naturally with this. It is impossible to live a life devoid of mistakes and shortcomings. “No one is perfect.” “It is impossible to achieve perfection.” These two sayings make it evident that it is useless to pursue perfection in performances or appearances as it is unattainable. Yet, they are also often misinterpreted, and occasionally they are terribly misconstrued and misused. These phrases are intended to simply explain the existence of flaws that are natural or over which we have little control, but ironically, they are sometimes used to shield the current self from legitimate responsibility and blame, or as a means of cover-up. This makes it impossible to avoid criticism and accountability, as well as the humility and hard work that come with becoming a better person. Saying ‘nobody’s perfect’ is far easier than saying ‘I’m sorry for what I did; I take full responsibility; I’ll be better next time’. You could say the former after knowing you have hurt or annoyed someone, but that does not mean they were expecting too much (perfection) from you. Their feelings are fairly reasonable. It is acceptable for them to tell you what you did to them and how it affected them. We all have boundaries that should be respected and safeguarded, after all, and maintaining boundaries does not equate to demanding perfection. If we discount problems or issues as totally ‘human’ since ‘no one is perfect’, it transfers the guilt to our humanity. While it is true that no one is flawless, not everyone attacks people, takes things from others, or commits other types of mistakes. Those are personal decisions that cannot be attributed to anything else. Rather than trying too hard to defend or make excuses, it is wiser to genuinely apologise and work to change when your actions have hurt someone. This is because, despite the fact that none of us are perfect, we all have the potential to get better. The word ‘perfect’ refers to an idealised objective that is unachievable and constantly shifting. The word ‘potential’, on the other hand, is more empowering. It makes our unrealised capabilities clear to us and drives us to progress. Life has taught me that progress should always take priority over perfection since, in fact, there is always room for growth and new standards are always being set. After all, it is more important to enjoy the journey than just the final destination. I believe that fear of failure is another factor that contributes to perfectionism, as I am a perfectionist myself. A person with this ego-based fear is unable to try new things and take chances because they are terrified of seeming flawed and bad. I have been gradually starting to accept the notion that it is ‘okay’ to have numerous thorns, which consequently opens up a whole new world of experiences and boundless opportunities. Looking back, despite the constant discontent that I whine about, it is because of this realisation that I am where I am and have what I have today – my support system, my appearance, my responsibilities, the places I visited, and the good deeds I have been able to contribute to. For instance, I have heard comments about how timid and socially awkward I am with a lot of people for much of my life, and those comments honestly made me feel so judged. When I hear those comments now, I don’t feel much. Why? What has changed? In fact, those comments keep coming back to me, but I have come to the conclusion that accepting who you are makes life much simpler – this is the relationship between progress and perfection that I was talking about. As we approach the year’s last month, many of us take account of the last 12 months and reflect on our accomplishments – and, more often, our shortcomings and things that were not perfect. We also often make resolutions and goals for the upcoming year at this time. For perfectionists, this can be dreadful. We may focus less on the progress we made and more on what was missing between our goals and what we actually accomplished. But guess what? Something is better than nothing, and done is better than perfect, since progress is the more important objective here. Because nothing is perfect, you will also never be perfect. This is great news since it also means you will always have the potential to become a better person than you were a day before. Most people consider thorns to be dangerous since they cut and scratch us. However, every mark tells a story, a victory, and an indication of a person’s strength. Since I just finished watching ‘Arcane Season 2’, one of the best series I have seen this year, I will close my piece with one of the most memorable quotes from one of the characters: “There is no prize in perfection. Only an end to pursuit.” In Viktor’s ‘Glorious Evolution’, human suffering was eliminated, but there was also no longer striving and no triumph over hardship. Let this quote serve as a reminder to us of the true essence of being human. * The writer is a psychology graduate who enjoys sharing about how the human mind views the world. For feedback, email to [email protected] .
