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mythical sea creature names Washington State wins 76-68 against Northern IowaRemember Taylor Swift's police motorcades while she performed her six-show series in Toronto last month? Toronto police revealed on Thursday that the popstar's sold-out performances, including her motorcade, cost them about $1.9 million. Toronto Police Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue equated the cost per concert to what it takes to police a Toronto Raptors playoff game. For a few days in mid-November, downtown Toronto shimmered with throngs of Swifties in bejeweled outfits to watch the singer-songwriter perform. Met with some skepticism, the "All Too Well" singer was escorted by a police motorcade along the Gardiner Expressway as she made her way to the Rogers Centre. Officers would patrol the decorated arena, handing friendship bracelets to fans in the downtown core, and set up a command centre to manage crowds as well as respond to service calls during the performances. "Our police presence was highly visible and vigilant surrounding the Rogers Centre and the surrounding area, and we received many compliments on social media about the professionalism and positivity of our officers," Pogue said. Pogue told the board the "primary focus" of the service's security planning was to protect the 282,000 concertgoers, and the thousands others who visited the city to celebrate the Eras Tour. "In policing, crowds like these represent a massive 'soft target' and our deployment strategy contained sufficient personnel and measures to mitigate the risk," Pogue said. Months before her Toronto concerts, the three concerts slated in Vienna were cancelled due to a foiled terror plot. The deputy chief noted the incredible energy that pulsed throughout the city then, saying it was "really inspiring to engage directly with so many women and girls." Pogue concluded it would be an opportunity for recruitment, particularly for women. "With this goal in mind, I invited 25 women members to engage with Swift fans and talk about career opportunities for women at the Toronto Police Service," Pogue said.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Germain Ifedi became the fourth left tackle to start this season for the Cleveland Browns, lining up Thursday night against the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers. Ifedi moved up the depth chart and into the lineup after starter Dawand Jones broke his left leg last week at New Orleans and had surgery. He'll be responsible for blocking quarterback Jameis Winston's blindside. Jedrick Wills Jr., who had lost his starting job to Jones, figured to start against the Steelers (8-2), but was ruled out Wednesday with a knee injury that has bothered him for weeks. A first-round pick in 2020, Wills recently caused a stir by saying he made a “business decision” to sit out a game on Oct. 27 against Baltimore because of his knee. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Wills used a “poor choice of words.” James Hudson started Cleveland's first two games at left tackle while the Browns (2-8) waited for Wills to recover from knee surgery in December. The first-place Steelers were without outside linebacker/edge rusher Alex Highsmith, who missed his second straight game with an ankle injury. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflAP Trending SummaryBrief at 1:50 p.m. EST

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Looking Into Medtronic's Recent Short InterestNew York Jets (3-10) at Jacksonville (3-10) Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX. BetMGM NFL Odds: Jets by 31⁄2. Against the spread: New York Jets 4-9; Jacksonville 7-5-1. Series record: Jaguars lead 9-8. Last meeting: Jaguars beat the Jets 19-3 in New Jersey on Dec. 22, 2022. Last week: Jets lost 32-26 in OT at Miami; Jaguars won 10-6 at Tennessee. Jets offense: overall (27), rush (31), pass (19T), scoring (25). Jets defense: overall (4), rush (16), pass (4), scoring (19). Jaguars offense: overall (28), rush (26), pass (24), scoring (26). Jaguars defense: overall (32), rush (24), pass (31), scoring (28). Turnover differential: Jets minus-3; Jaguars minus-11. QB Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old four-time MVP is coming off his best game with the Jets, throwing for 339 yards and ending a drought of 34 regular-season games without reaching 300 yards. Rodgers will be looking for his first consecutive 300-yard passing games since he did three straight weeks in 2021 with Green Bay. DE Josh Hines-Allen needs 3 1/2 sacks to break the franchise record (55) held by Tony Brackens. Hines-Allen has seven sacks this season, becoming the second in team history with at least seven in four consecutive years. Yannick Ngakoue is the other. Jaguars rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr. versus Jets CB Sauce Gardner. Thomas had eight catches for 86 yards last week and is 15 yards shy of breaking Justin Blackmon's franchise record (865) for receiving yards by a rookie. Gardner (hamstring) was inactive a week ago, but will play this week and is looking for his first interception of the season. Jets RB Breece Hall could return after missing last week because of an MCL injury and hyperextension in his left knee. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said it “looks promising” for Hall to play. ... CB D.J. Reed was doubtful with a groin injury. Backup Brandin Echols (shoulder) is out, so veteran Isaiah Oliver or rookie Qwan'tez Stiggers could start in Reed's place. ... Special teams ace Irvin Charles was placed on injured reserve this week with a torn ACL. ... KR Kene Nwangwu also landed on IR after breaking a hand during a return last week. ... The Jaguars are relatively healthy for Week 15, at least defensively. They are putting TE Evan Engram (shoulder) on injured reserve, where he will join three fellow starters: QB Trevor Lawrence and WRs Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis. The Jaguars have won three of the past four meetings, including two straight in Jacksonville. ... The Jets are one of just six NFL teams with a losing record against the Jags. The Jets were eliminated from playoff contention last week, extending their postseason drought to 14 consecutive years. It's the longest active skid in the NFL. ... New York has lost four in a row and nine of 10 but is 2-1 against the AFC South, with victories over Houston and Tennessee. ... Ulbrich is 1-7 since replacing the fired Robert Saleh on Oct. 8. ... The Jets have lost a franchise-worst five games in which they held a fourth-quarter lead, and they’ve done it in three straight games. ... Rodgers and Davante Adams have connected 79 times for touchdowns, including the playoffs, for the fourth most by a QB-WR duo in NFL history. Next on the list is Miami's Dan Marino and Mark Clayton, who had 82 TDs together. ... WR Garrett Wilson needs 123 yards receiving to become the fifth player in NFL history with 80 or more catches and 1,000 or more yards receiving in each of his first three seasons. ... Adams has 40 catches on 69 targets for 453 yards and three TDs in seven games since being acquired from Las Vegas. ... LB Jamien Sherwood had 18 tackles, including 13 solo, last week to become the first NFL player this season with multiple games of 17 or more tackles. ... The Jets failed to register a quarterback hit against Miami's Tua Tagovailoa, who passed 47 times last week. ... The Jaguars are 2-7 in one-score games this season and 1-4 at EverBank Stadium. ... QB Mac Jones is 5-0 against the Jets, throwing for 1,134 yards and four TDs in those starts. ... DE Travon Walker has 5 1/2 sacks in his past four home games. ... Rookie CB Jarrian Jones is coming off his best game. He has two pass breakups and a sack last week at Tennessee. Jets TE Tyler Conklin has at least one catch in 23 consecutive games and could be in for a big day against a defense that has struggled to cover tight ends all season. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — When the MLS playoffs began late last month, everyone who follows Inter Miami assumed coach Tata Martino would be preparing his team for the conference semifinals this week. Instead, the runner up for MLS Coach of the Year was in the Chase Stadium interview room on Friday morning announcing his resignation two weeks after the team’s shocking first-round playoff exit. Martino said he wanted to diffuse rumors and stress that he is leaving strictly for personal reasons, that he must return to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, and that his decision was made before the first playoff game in late-October. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old dispute between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications. Stock market today: Wall Street slips at the end of a bumpy week Stocks slipped as Wall Street closes out a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 was up less than 0.1% in afternoon trading Friday and headed for a weekly loss. The benchmark index hit its latest in a string of records a week ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 58 points. The Nasdaq composite was up 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. Treasury yields edged higher in the bond market. European markets were mostly lower and Asian markets mostly fell. Next Week: Retail sales, Fed policy update, existing home sales The Commerce Department releases its monthly snapshot of U.S. retail sales Tuesday. Federal Reserve officials wrap up a two-day meeting and issue an interest rate policy update Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors issues its latest update on U.S. home sales Thursday. African Union chairperson candidates advocate for permanent UN Security Council seats NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Three African leaders seeking to head the African Union have detailed their plans for regional security amid conflicts and political coups while strongly advocating for inter-Africa trade. The race for chairperson debate was held Friday in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Kenya’s Raila Odinga, Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato are seeking to be elected as chairperson for the 55-member state African Union. They had a two-hour debate Friday in which they all advocated for two permanent seats for African countries at the U.N. Security Council to effectively represent the continent with the youngest population. The three are seeking to convince most African countries before the February election to succeed the African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki.Tech Stocks Tumble! Inflation Data Looms Over MarketsCHICAGO (WLS) -- The I-Team is finding the biggest threats to your wallet and your privacy through holiday scams, as the shopping season is in full swing. Fake websites, malicious links and other holiday scams are targeting consumers right now. Criminals are hoping they can take advantage of people in the holiday spirit and in a rush to buy. Holiday phishing texts or emails made to look like they are coming from a retailer or shipping company are some of the biggest threats. "And it will be very difficult for people to spot which one is real and which one is going to be scam," said Leyla Bilge, a security expert at Norton. Bilge said the texts claim there's an update to an order or delivery, but they are trying to get consumers to click to install malware on their devices. Or, they want consumers to give up crucial personal information. Always go directly to the store or shipper's website. Holiday scam No. 2 is social media shopping ads. According to McAfee's 2024 Global Holiday Shopping Scams Study, 83% of Gen Z consumers say their shopping starts on social media. Many of the ads can be enticing, but experts say many companies could take several weeks to send a poor-quality item, or it may not come at all. SEE ALSO: Chicago restaurant owner warns industry about new scam ripping off businesses "They think they're going to get a product at a reduced price and that they can't get anywhere else," said Steve Bernas, Chicago-area Better Business Bureau president. Bernas said many of the social media scam ads are using artificial intelligence. "They create fictitious photography and making it look like it's a great offer. So, you can't today look at an offering like you used to 10 years ago, where you had misspellings, grammar problems and things of that nature," Bernas said. Experts say to look at the company's website directly. Research reviews online, and always use a credit card, so you can dispute the charge, if needed. Holiday scam No. 3 is cloned websites made to look like they are the brands consumers know and trust. But, if they look closely at the URLs and address bars, they are not the real deal. "There are a lot of cases like impersonation of a legitimate brand; it would have like an amazing look and feel," Bilge said. Bilge said, besides looking at the address bar, consumers can look closely at the payment method section. Legitimate sites offer several ways to pay, while fakes may only offer options which take cash directly out of your account. And don't forget about gift card scams. The Federal Trade Commission said consumers lost approximately $217 million to gift card scams in 2023. Most of the money is lost when criminals steal numbers or codes from the backs of cards in stores. Then they drain the cards before consumers can spend them. Buying virtual gift cards online can be one way to protect yourself form a drained gift card. You may want to also avoid mailing gift cards, as thieves are targeting the mail for those right now. You can also beware of charity scams. Research charities on your own before donating, and don't click on charity links sent to you in texts and emails. Go to sites independently.

THE STOCK ROSE 6.5% FRO THE SIGNAL Applovin corp, (APP) today experienced a Power Inflow, a significant event for those who follow where smart money goes and value order flow analytics in their trading decisions. At 10:36 AM on December 9th , a significant trading signal occurred for Applovin corp. APP as it demonstrated a Power Inflow at a price of $336.87 . This indicator is crucial for traders who want to know directionally where institutions and so-called "smart money" moves in the market. They see the value of utilizing order flow analytics to guide their trading decisions. The Power Inflow points to a possible uptrend in Applovin’s stock, marking a potential entry point for traders looking to capitalize on the expected upward movement. Traders with this signal closely watch for sustained momentum in Applovin’s stock price, interpreting this event as a bullish sign. Signal description Order flow analytics, aka transaction or market flow analysis, separate and study both the retail and institutional volume rate of orders (flow). It involves analyzing the flow of buy and sell orders, along with size, timing, and other associated characteristics and patterns, to gain insights and make more informed trading decisions. This particular indicator is interpreted as a bullish signal by active traders. The Power Inflow occurs within the first two hours of the market open and generally signals the trend that helps gauge the stock’s overall direction, powered by institutional activity in the stock, for the remainder of the day. By incorporating order flow analytics into their trading strategies, market participants can better interpret market conditions, identify trading opportunities, and potentially improve their trading performance. But let's not forget that while watching smart money flow can provide valuable insights, it is crucial to incorporate effective risk management strategies to protect capital and mitigate potential losses. Employing a consistent and effective risk management plan helps traders navigate the uncertainties of the market in a more controlled and calculated manner, increasing the likelihood of long-term success If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for APP , Benzinga Pro gives you real-time options trades alerts. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs and include firms, like https://www.tradepulse.net which are responsible for parts of the data within this article. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. After Market Close UPDATE : The price at the time of the Power Inflow was $336.87 . The returns on the High ( $358.72) and Close ( $342.53) after the Power Inflow were 6.5% and 1.2% , respectively . That is why it is important to have a trading plan that includes Profit Targets and Stop Losses that reflect your risk appetite. Past Performance is Not Indicative of Future Results © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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Gastown business owner 'heartbroken' after thief steals irreplaceable itemThe development of childhood and the enhancement of children’s rights form a guiding framework towards creating a better world now and in the future. By listening to children we can fulfil their right to self-expression, understand their ideas for a better world and include their priorities in our actions today. This year, the world and its international institutions are celebrating World Children’s Day under the theme “Listen to the future. Stand Up for Children’s Rights.” World Children’s Day offers everyone an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children. World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. November 20 is an important date as it is the date when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) is one of the leading international organisations active in the field of children’s rights, their development, and protection. Unicef works in over 190 countries and territories, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children living amid social challenges and armed conflicts. Unicef became a permanent part of the UN system in 1953 and has launched global campaigns focusing especially on health and education. Unicef draws attention to poverty as a primary concern, which affects children disproportionately around the world. One in every six children globally lives in extreme poverty, earning less than $1.90 per day, and their families struggle to meet basic healthcare costs and the nutrition necessary for a strong start in life. In 2019, 149mn children under the age of five suffered from stunting due to malnutrition. Despite significant progress in school enrolment rates in many parts of the world, more than 175mn children are not enrolled in pre-primary education, missing a critical investment opportunity and suffering deep inequalities from the start, missing a critical investment opportunity and suffering deep inequalities from the start. Unicef statistics show that 6 out of 10 children leave primary school without achieving the minimum levels of literacy, writing, or mathematics. This challenge is exacerbated in areas affected by prolonged armed conflicts. For over 20 years, Unicef has been working to garner support against the recruitment of children in armed conflicts. Since then, thousands of children have been released due to action plans decided by the UN Security Council and other measures aimed at ending and preventing the exploitation of children by armed forces and groups. However, serious challenges remain in protecting children affected by armed conflict. In 2019, 1.6bn children, or about 69%, lived in conflict-affected countries. About 426mn children live in conflict zones. These children face numerous risks, including displacement, separation from their families, forced recruitment, or becoming victims of organised gangs in some fragile states. In this context, violence against children represents one of the most significant developmental challenges, as it is a major barrier to achieving basic cultural and educational requirements. This includes the growing issue of bullying via the internet, leading to isolation, loneliness, and fear, particularly among younger children who are more vulnerable because they are less able to speak out and seek support. Qatar’s government and its institutions place great emphasis on enhancing and protecting children’s rights. This is clearly demonstrated through the establishment of numerous legal frameworks, as well as the adoption of administrative and practical measures in various fields at the national, regional, and international levels. This is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and its commitments to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Qatar acceded in 1992 and ratified in 1995. Qatar has created appropriate mechanisms to protect children’s rights, such as the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre (Aman), under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation for Social Work. This centre aims to raise awareness of child protection and build institutional capacities in this area. Additionally, Qatar supports efforts to enhance and protect children’s rights in education through numerous governmental initiatives and initiatives by civil society institutions, providing quality education opportunities for both Qatari citizens and residents. Qatar has established one of the world’s most advanced educational systems, which received a government expenditure of nearly 3.3% of the country’s GDP in 2019 — one of the highest public expending rates in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the Word Bank. Nearly QR19.2bn ($5.3bn) was allocated to the education sector from the budget, representing about 9.3% of total expenditures allocated to the education sector and child care institutions. Regarding the enhancement of the protection of children, Qatar has not overlooked the role of technological development and the opportunities it provides in the digital field for education and enhancing the protection of children’s rights. In this field, the Qatar Social Work Foundation launched in 2018 the ‘Help Me’ app, as the first e-service for children that enables them to request help via mobile phone in case they are harmed. At the level of regional and international cooperation, the State of Qatar implemented international and regional initiatives aimed at providing quality education to millions of children who have been deprived due to poverty, armed conflicts, insecurity, and disasters. Among these initiatives, for example, are the “Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict” programme — a founding member of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), and the Educate A Child (EAC) programme — an unprecedented initiative that enrolled 10mn children in schooling through implementing over 65 projects in 50 countries, in partnership with 82 global partners. The State of Qatar is proud of its close partnership with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and hosting and financially supporting its Doha-based Analysis and Outreach Hub for the years 2018-2023. Qatar is also proud of its partnership with Unicef to implement many projects and programmes, which contributed to saving the lives of children, defending their rights and helping them achieve their potential, including the opening of the Unesco Regional Office as part of the UN House in Doha in March 2022. The 10-year partnership between Unicef and Qatar’s Education Above All (EAA) Foundation has achieved a major transformation in the lives of over 5mn children and young people in 17 countries, through their joint programs, which were reflected in “A Decade of Dreams” exhibition, held in partnership with Unicef in New York on Sept 13, 2023, to mark 10 years of effective and fruitful cooperation to change the lives of millions of children around the world. Related Story CRA resolved nearly 98% of telecom complaints last yearAnd single people are more likely to use mobility tools compared to those who are married, according to researchers from University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Researchers looked at information from a group of more than 12,000 adults in England aged 50 to 89 who were tracked over a 13-year period. At the start of the study, 8,225 adults had no mobility difficulty and did not use mobility assistive products (MAPs). Some 2,480 were deemed to have “unmet need” and 1,375 were using mobility aids. During the follow-up period, there were 2,313 “transitions” where people went from having no mobility issues to needing some help with getting around. And 1,274 people started to use mobility aids. Compared with men, women were 49% more likely to transition from not needing mobility aids to needing to use them, according to the study which has been published in The Lancet Public Health. But were 21% less likely to go on to use mobility aids when they needed them. The authors said their study showed “barriers to access” for women. For both men and women, with every year that passed during the study period the need for mobility aids increased. People who were older, less educated, less wealthy or reported being disabled were more likely to “transition from no need to unmet need, and from unmet need to use”, the authors said, with this indicating a “higher prevalence of mobility limitations and MAP need overall among these groups”. They added: “Finally, marital or partnership status was not associated with transitioning to unmet need; however, single people were more likely to transition from unmet need to use compared with married or partnered people.” Jamie Danemayer, first author of the study from UCL Computer Science and UCL’s Global Disability Innovation Hub, said: “Our analysis suggests that there is a clear gender gap in access to mobility aids. “Though our data didn’t ascertain the reason why participants weren’t using mobility aids, other research tells us that women are often more likely than men to face obstacles such as cost barriers as a result of well-documented income disparities between genders. “Many mobility aids are designed for men rather than women, which we think may be a factor. “Using mobility aids can also make a disability visible, which can impact the safety and stigma experienced by women, in particular. “There’s a critical need for further research to identify and break down the barriers preventing women from accessing mobility aids that would improve their quality of life.” Professor Cathy Holloway, also from UCL, added: “Not having access to mobility aids when a person needs one can have a big impact on their independence, well-being and quality of life. “Our analysis suggests that women, in particular, regardless of other factors such as education and employment status, are not getting the support that they need.” Professor Shereen Hussein, senior author of the study and lead of the social care group at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “The research provides compelling evidence of gender disparities in accessing assistive technology, suggesting that cost, design bias, and social stigma are likely to disproportionally affect women. “This underscores the need for inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches in the design, production and inclusivity of assistive technologies.”ILLUSTRATION BY RUTHMACAPAGAL Preparing and seasoning her every day meal with ready-to-mix flavorings have become a common practice for 24-year-old Maica Aquinde these days. “It’s a good way to stretch the budget, especially when cooking at home and you want to get the feel, the taste of eating out,” she says, particularly citing the preparation of stir-fried dishes, as well as stews. She explains that a well-seasoned meal makes her feel like she is eating at one of her favorite restaurants, a practice that can increasingly become expensive if done regularly. Spice mixes and seasonings can also bring out the “soul” of a dish, she says, making a bland meal soothing to the “heart.” Aquinde is but one of the many Filipinos that have turned to diskarte or resourcefulness during a year of fluctuating inflation that has nevertheless remained a constant drag to the pockets. The latest Sari IQ report by Philippine startup Packworks emphasizes that Filipinos are getting madiskarte or resourceful this year, based on buying trends seen in sari-sari stores, the colloquial term for small neighborhood stores. In its report, which drew data from Packworks’ network of over 300,000 sari-sari stores, sales of seasoning mix items this year soared by 80 percent compared with the previous year. Purchases of recipe mix sales also surged by 72 percent, the report says. Additionally, it says that seasoning mix was sold in 69 percent more sari-sari stores, while recipe mix saw an even greater reach as it was purchased at 79 percent more of these small neighborhood retail stores. Commenting on the data, Packworks says these trends reflect the resourcefulness of Filipino households, which are stretching their budgets by buying cost-effective additives to enhance cheaper ingredients sourced from wet markets. “The resilience of Filipinos shines through in the way they adapt their purchasing habits to make ends meet,” Packworks chief data officer Andoy Montiel says in a statement. “These insights highlight not only the shifting preferences of sari-sari store customers but also their enduring ingenuity in navigating economic challenges,” he adds. As prices continue to rise, many Filipinos find ways to make their money go further, the company adds. Inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, picked up to 2.5 percent year-on year in November following the onslaught of powerful typhoons hit food supply. Year-to-date, inflation averaged 3.2 percent, as food inflation accelerated to 3.4 percent during the month. The same Packworks report also shows that sari-sari stores in Region V recorded the highest sales growth this year, with transactions of over P616 million in gross merchandise value (GMV). “The sales growth in Bicol can be attributed to the increase in the number of sari-sari stores in our network in the region,” Montiel says. “Additionally, we’ve observed that rural, agriculture-based regions like Bicol remain more dependent on sari-sari stores than modern trade stores such as groceries.” Other regions that topped this year’s list are Region IV-A with P1.9 billion, Region III with P1.02 billion, Region II with P979 million, Ilocos Region, Region I with P811 million, Region VII with P695 million. Packworks unveiled these insights during its first-ever Sari-Sari Store Innovation Summit in Taguig City. The event brought together key figures and decision-makers from some of the country’s most prominent fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands, distributors and policymakers to delve into how technology and collaboration can address the challenges faced by sari-sari stores, from digitalization to economic empowerment. Former Department of Trade annd Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ed Sunico, the keynote speaker, highlights the role of sari-sari stores in the country. “Sari-sari stores remain the fastest-growing channel compared to modern trade per year-on-year, serving as an indispensable part of the sales ecosystem in the Philippines. Despite this, many stores are still operating informally, do not have access to government support and financing, and are behind in technology adoption,” Sunico says. He notes that public-private partnerships are essential to empowering the sector, citing the DTI’s “Tindahan Mo, e-Level Up Mo!” program, launched in collaboration with organizations like Packworks to support and digitalize micro, small and medium enterprises. The event also featured a panel on leveraging data and technology to transform the retail supply chain. Moderated by Packworks chief marketing officer Ibba Bernardo, the panel included industry leaders like Miko David, president of David & Golyat; Jojo Malolos, CEO of Paymongo; Richard Sanchez, sales director of Unilever RFM (Selecta) and Jill Que, sales director of Alaska Milk Corp. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . “Together with our partners, we are committed to providing sari-sari stores with business success that they would not have achieved without technology. As we build our network of stores, let’s imagine a future for them beyond digitization,” says Packworks CEO Bing Tan.

Yankees trade away Nestor Cortes, prospect for late-inning aceOracle Earnings Are Here. What to Know. - Barron'sNone

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Paul Stephens and his team met recently Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman and Chief Executive Mangala Wijesinghe to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two countries. Over the past 75 years, Sri Lanka and Australia bilateral relationship has vastly expanded over through deep people-to-people ties, trade and investment, tourism, culture and sports. This relationship is strong and enduring, underpinned by shared history and common values. Trade and investment between two countries have been increasing over the time. Australia ranks as the 11th largest export destination for Sri Lanka, with total exports amounting to $ 226.51 million in 2023. It also stands as the 24th largest source of imports for Sri Lanka, with total imports valued at $ 185.89 million during the same period. This results in a favourable trade balance for Sri Lanka of approximately $ 40 million. Wijesinghe elaborated on the new Government’s vision for export development, highlighting the critical role of partnerships in fostering Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). He emphasised the Government’s commitment to streamlining and expediting the approval process for FDIs to create a more investor-friendly environment. Additionally, Wijesinghe underscored the necessity for Sri Lanka to align with global manufacturing trends to integrate into international supply chains. He stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral trade relations with Australia as a key step toward achieving this goal and strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in the global market. The High Commissioner explained the potential for Australia to invest in the Mineral Sector in Sri Lanka as well as joint ventures on export led manufacturing. Further he explained the interest of Australian companies to invest in Sri Lanka targeting export-led manufacturing and processing. Especially, develop Sri Lanka as a commodity hub for the value adding of Australian agri commodities targeting export markets under the benefits of free/preferential trade agreements. Both parties agreed to discuss further on the possibility of implementation of this proposal. Australia and Sri Lanka maintain a robust trade relationship underpinned by a framework arrangement and development cooperation. The Australia-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) serves as a cornerstone for advancing economic collaboration between the two nations. The TIFA action plan focuses on key areas such as facilitating quarantine processes for agricultural exports, promoting investment programs, enhancing market access for SME exports, attracting high-end tourists, and fostering partnerships for broader adoption of digital technologies. In 2023, Sri Lanka’s major exports to Australia included apparel, tea, rubber tires and tubes, rubber gloves, motor vehicles and parts, as well as edible preparations. Conversely, the primary imports from Australia consisted of lentils, cereals, meat preparations, dairy products, pharmaceuticals and paints. The EDB has identified significant opportunities to expand exports to Australia in sectors such as apparel, tea and mate, plastics and rubber products, fish and shellfish and paper products. Both nations are committed to strengthening bilateral trade ties by fostering productive dialogues, engaging proactively with business communities, encouraging and facilitating trade and investment, transferring modern technologies and resolving trade and investment-related challenges. These efforts aim to create a conducive environment for business growth and unlock new opportunities for collaboration. Australian Deputy High Commissioner Lalita Kapur, First Secretary Dr. Paul Zeccola, Austrade Country Manager Shameel Javadh, Austrade Director Education Saduni Seneviratne and senior EDB Officials also participated at the discussion.The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. - Standout student - A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dw

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NoneLula's Road to Recovery and Political Future