Liam Lawson is unhappy the British national anthem is played when McLaren win. But would the New Zealand anthem really be more correct?

Alpine have officially announced they will use Mercedes power units when Formula 1 introduces its new engine regulations in 2026.

Dan Fallows is stepping down as Aston Martin's technical director, two-and-a-half years after taking over the role.

Niels Wittich has unexpectedly stood down from his role as Formula 1's race director. The FIA named Rui Marques as his replacement.

All 10 Formula 1 teams will participate in a new "season launch event" in February next year to reveal their liveries together.

In the round-up: Alpine must make up for 0.3-second deficit with 2025 chassis - Briatore • Stolen Lauda helmet goes on display • Wittich 'has not resigned'

Niels Wittich's unexpected departure as Formula 1's race director recreates the circumstances in which Michael Masi was thrown in at the deep end.

American Culture Project’s John Tillman on winning through upstream engagement

Education choice is succeeding in other states

Let anesthesiology assistants work for themselves

Even blue states are doing it; what’s the matter with this state?

Taxpayers lose with poorly designed site preparation program

Muskegon’s supply-side reforms designed to ease home price inflation

Know before you vote

Michigan Rising Action’s Abby Mitch on holding elected officials accountable

Whitmer should take her own advice and stop blocking new ideas

Decision creates incentives for more secrecy

‘Michiganders should know when and what their governor is working on’

Sound public policy ideas are needed for families and businesses to thrive

This isn’t the first time a president claimed democracy was ‘under attack’

Uncle Sam’s got his hand in The Mitten

Why are Michigan nonprofits getting millions from taxpayers?

Economic freedom is positively associated with job creation

Department of Education targets ed tech companies and foreign-owned vendors

There is no excuse for non-disclosure agreements about public spending

Michigan Rising and Mackinac Center sued MEDC over FOIA delays

Party platform calls corporate welfare ‘unsustainable,’ but its policies are a different story

Jon Sanders discusses the feasibility of renewable energy in North Carolina

21 states allow manufacturer-to-consumer sales with no restrictions

Trying to entice businesses is expensive and ineffective

Lawmakers should resist National Popular Vote

Six weeks of labor action led to a year of job losses

With this book, O’Regan efficiently addresses a wide range of ethical and legal issues in computing. It is well crafted, organized, and reader friendly, featuring many recent, relevant examples like tweets, fake news, disinformation

Carlo Lipizzi’s Societal impacts of artificial intelligence and machine learning offers a critical and comprehensive analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning’s effects on society. This book provides a balanced perspective, cutting through the

This rather difficult read introduces the programming language FSM and the programming platform DrRacket. The author asserts that it is a convenient platform to design and prove an automata-based software

This book serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals interested in mobile robotics, including: (i) novices interested in programming simple simulated robots; (ii) individuals with basic knowledge of robotics, that is, intermediate learners, who seek to know

Mathematical theory of finite elements is a comprehensive and rigorous exploration of the mathematical foundations of finite element methods (FEMs). The book focuses on two central topics: the concept of discrete stability, and the theory of conforming elements that

Improving equity in data science, edited by Colby Tofel-Grehl and Emmanuel Schanzer, is a thought-provoking exploration of how data science education can be transformed to foster equity, especially within K-16 classrooms. The editors advocate for redefining

The heart and the chip: our bright future with robots, by Daniela Rus and Gregory Mone, is an insightful exploration of the future of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on how these technologies will transform every aspect of our lives. Rus, a

I had one big question after taking on this review: How relevant is this book with the advent of large language models (LLMs)? In the past two years, the launches of OpenAI’s GPT and Google’s Gemma, amongst others, have severely disrupted the study of natural language

Understanding the free and open-source software (FOSS) movement has, since its beginning, implied crossing many disciplinary boundaries. This article describes FOSS’s history, explaining its undeniable success throughout the 1990s, and why the

The relational model is probably the one innovation that brought computers to the mainstream for business users. This article by Donald Chamberlin, creator of one of the first query languages (that evolved into the ubiquitous SQL), presents its history as a

The mathematics requirements for computer science (CS) students have been debated for decades. I began teaching in a CS program in 1983, and I recall similar discussions at that time. The debate has continued in one form or another

Welsh’s article explores how artificial intelligence (AI) developments may redefine the landscape of the field of software development and make traditional coding methodologies obsolete. Readers should find it interesting, as it forecasts the potential impact

While large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT can assist writers with editing, they might hinder students from learning to generate ideas or write creatively. This article surveys the current state of algorithms for detecting LLM-generated content. Given that

The study shows that artificial intelligence (AI) has become highly important in contemporary computing because of its capacity to efficiently tackle intricate jobs that were typically carried out by people. The authors provide scientific literature that analyzes and

As an academic, I have cheered for and welcomed the open access (OA) mandates that, slowly but steadily, have been accepted in one way or another throughout academia. It is now often accepted that public funds means public

Money is a representation of wealth. A US dollar represents a fraction of the total wealth of the country. This definition underlies any discussion of currency, whether physical cash or digital tokens. Gold and silver have traditionally been used to represent a store of value that is intrinsic to a coin minted from

THE term “trial by media” gained popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
It refers to the impact of television and newspaper coverage on an individual’s reputation, often shaping public perceptions of guilt or innocence before a court has rendered its verdict.

Trial by media creates a reality shaped more by perception than by objective truth, where opinions are formed before verified information can be fully assessed.

The delicate balance between sense and sensationalism, news and noise, civility and chaos, and balance and extremism can also become increasingly distorted.

The Ulu Tiram and GISBH cases have driven the media into a frenzy as both are considered matters of public interest. From broad overviews to minute details, nothing has been spared in the reporting.

Public comments reflect feelings of anger, resentment, frustration and disappointment toward the accused
or state institutions. Even the names of witnesses are often anticipated, jeopardising the confidentiality of the case.

A lackadaisical attitude in handling high-profile cases can ultimately lead to witnesses becoming hostile or biased.

The current situation illustrates how trial by media can create its own narrative, potentially undermining fair judicial proceedings and damaging the reputations of those involved.

It can also contaminate and influence witnesses’ memories, stances and views. Even if an accused individual is acquitted, the public may still perceive the person as guilty, leaving the individual’s reputation tarnished despite a verdict of innocence.

While the creation of social media has given us an extensive space to express our opinions, the lack of policing and regulations has allowed the widespread of rumours and prophecies in court cases.

The news disseminated through mainstream and social media can create multiple ideas, often leading to the presumption of guilt or innocence for the accused before the trial even begins. This is the exact definition of trial by media.

The principle of sub judice (under judicial consideration), though relevant, appears to be overlooked in the public discourse surrounding ongoing trials. The rule on sub judice seeks to safeguard the sanctity of court proceedings and ensure a fair trial for the accused in criminal cases.

Therefore, it would be apt for lawyers, prosecutors and the judiciary to take cognisance of the current situation and devise certain measures to ensure the impartiality of witnesses, and to avoid any spillage or contamination of evidence.

Expert witnesses, if appointed under section 45(1) of the Evidence Act, should not only be someone who is qualified in “science or art” but have a track record of being impartial and have not or will not mislead the court.

Impartiality here refers to individuals who abide by the law and do not have a track record of promoting repealed laws or overruled cases.

Although the court has the discretion to decide whether the expert evidence
is admissible, it is imperative for
experts to be scrutinised by the courts before accepting their views and opinions. In any event, it is trite law that expert opinion is not binding upon the court.

While the media shapes public debate and highlights cases of public interest, the unparalleled capacity of social media also offers lawyers an opportunity to volunteer and represent offenders who are in dire need of representation. Beyond concerns about legal fees, this is about striving to uphold justice. Some cases are simply meant to be pro bono.

With the proliferation of information available through mainstream and
social media platforms, lawyers and prosecutors should seize the opportunity to scour important details from these channels.

Unfortunately, very few lawyers have taken the bold step to assist those in desperate need of legal representation.

With the National Legal Aid Foundation unable to represent detainees under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 during their trials and its potential dissolution, what would become of the poor and marginalised groups in need of legal representation?

Where are the pro bono lawyers
who are expected to uphold justice
and ensure the right to a fair
trial as enshrined in the Federal Constitution?

Legal advocates would do well to remember Martin Luther King Jr’s quote: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

While no one can deny the media’s sterling role as the keeper of conscience and unraveller of wrongdoings, it is equally undeniable that the media has been able to entice vast reporting and responses from the public.

Therefore, it is essential to establish clear rules and regulations to safeguard individuals’ right to a fair trial, as stipulated in the Federal Constitution. Ultimately, what we seek is justice for all.

The writer is a criminologist and the deputy dean (Higher Degree) of
Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

DURING my visit in 1985, I had met the management staff at the plantation in Ghana. The one I remember most was Al Doku.

He was the chief accountant, about 45 years old, working for the managing director, Bill Morrison.

At the meeting in Morrison’s office, he could remember the figures well, and I was impressed. It was just that he was quiet for most of the time, and I could see that his eyes were sad.

At that time, there were many reasons to feel that way. The cedi was devaluing every week, and to go for dinner in town was a major decision for it would involve bringing your money in big wads to pay for it.

This is despite the income from gold that Ghana was blessed with as well as cocoa, which has a flavour that commands a premium. The country also produces shea nut, the fruit of massive trees that grow in the north. The oil is like cocoa butter.

However, that year the food shortage was bad, even potatoes were hard to find. They had to be imported.

Morrison had helped with giving breakfast to the workers, and they would line up for the palm oil, tapioca and fish cooked in large pots in front of them before they started work for the day.

Due to the shortage of hard currency, the plantation too had to make do without many things, and building of workers’ houses was one of them as no imported material was used.

At the housing project for workers, I had no time to ask about Al Doku.

I watched Bill giving instructions to the building supervisor. He was using earth to make a thick wall to build a house, and when it was dry after a few days, he added another level, until the building had a coat of cement and more walls for the rooms. I had not seen a building made in that way before. Bill was thorough.

“Saves a lot of money,” he said, as we had breakfast back in his bungalow. I had fried eggs and a lot of tapioca done very well that they looked like baked potatoes.

I knew that in London Leslie Davidson had advocated using raw materials for buildings, and even for expatriates, he said they could save by eating what is available in the local market and eat like what the locals do, but as usual Bill did not do anything by halves.

“We should be leaving soon to see the country, first to the slave castle at Cape Coast.”

It was in the car that he talked about Al Doku.

“He is going to London on a course that I had arranged for him. But the other reason is it gives him a chance to take his daughter there for treatment. She is losing her eyesight and probably it could be saved by the doctors there.”

“Let him know that I will be in London. I will take him to my house and have lunch with him. He impresses me.”

At the slave castle in Cape Coast, Bill had paid a guide to take us through the full tour. I saw the high white walls and the dark cellars made for the incarceration of human captives. The guide said they were standing in human waste until the time the ship arrived, and they were whipped and pushed through a small exit that all would call the “door of no return”.

We climbed into bright sunlight again to the chapel and the quarters of the commandant. The castle had been fought over by the Swedes, the Norwegians, the Danes and the Dutch before it fell to the English. They traded the slaves in the New World, coming home with cotton and sugar, and out again with cloth and guns to the Gold Coast, and the cycle went on for years.

I was tired after the tour. Bill said to me: “Now I will take you to Elmina castle.”

I did not expect that. It was more or less the same, tiring, as I walked on the hot open yard with rusted cannons lined over the thick stone walls facing the Atlantic below. Coconut trees leaned by the shore where lazy waves lapped away at the sand.

But where our car was parked, we were stopped by many hawkers, who made a brisk business selling handicraft, and what interested me most was the colourful cloth weaved in bright red, yellow and green that I knew was the work of skilled people. The pattern attracted me.

“Fine kente cloth, but tourist prices,” Bill said.

“Can you ask Al Doku if he can bring back a piece and I will pay him in London.”

That was how Al Doku met me again and on a weekend. I invited him for lunch with my family in Surrey and he brought the piece of cloth. It must have cost him a lot of money, and I did not mind paying him a premium for his effort, and it was very beautiful, and probably fit for a minor chief to wear in Ghana.

His daughter was getting medical treatment at a hospital.

I did not hear of Al Doku for many years after I left Unilever, but I still thought of his visit and the lunch like it was yesterday. I had always wondered how he got on after all these years. I remembered him warmly.

By chance, I met him again when he was attending an oil palm conference in Kuala Lumpur. It was just before the conference dinner. I was delighted to see him again and hugged him. I felt a glow of old friendship.

“But I don’t remember you,” he said.

I drew back and explained that he was my guest for lunch in England, and I had bought the kente cloth. I asked him how his daughter was.

But he still could not remember me. Long years had passed but surely he could not have forgotten.

I was told by then he was the managing director of the plantation business. I was upset through the courses of the dinner.

It was at the dessert stage that Al Doku walked up to my table and said with a smile.

“I am so sorry I could not remember you. I think I can remember you now.”

He tried to smile again.

“That’s all right,” I said returning to my dessert.

He tried to be nice to me but the glow of friendship was gone.

The writer has extensive experience in the management of oil palm plantations. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com