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337 jili Neal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smileAustralian men's 100m record holder Patrick Johnson has lauded the "effortless" running style of 16-year-old sensation , saying it's only a matter of time before the youngster adds a second national sprinting record to the 200m mark he set over the weekend. Gout Gout continues to be the talking of Australian sport following his exploits at the Australian Schools Athletics Championships in Brisbane, where he broke Peter Norman's 56-year-old national mark and set the fastest 200m time [20.04] for a 16-year-old in history. Add to that two blistering runs in the 100 and it's easy to see why vision of Gout Gout's performances spread like wildfire across social media, garnering worldwide attention in the process. Johnson was among those to get swept up in the performances, the two-time Olympian and fastest Australian ever over 100m in awe of Gout Gout's rapid rise. "It was an amazing result. I was really proud to see a young kid come up and produce some results that no one was expecting, even though he had already showed that ability and talent winning a silver medal at the world under 20s championships," Johnson told ESPN. "But I'm really proud that Australia is in a really good space, particularly with the performances across the schools [championships], we've got many young kids coming through the system that are going to create history. "But his result was just a proud moment for me and this country, it shows you that there is just so much talent in this country, and it's now bubbling to surface... I think it's just his smooth, relaxed running. He's similar to Bolt, they say, but I think he is just running the way he runs and is comfortable doing so. But if you look at the way he runs, he's also a very good technical runner. "He's shown at a young age what he can do; no doubt he wants my record and he'll have my record at some stage. And I'm really happy that I was the first [Australian to break 10 seconds] but I'll never be the last." For context, Gout Gout's 200m time in Brisbane would have been good enough for sixth in the men's Olympic final for the same event in Paris in August. But he wasn't the only athlete to catch the eye in Brisbane over the weekend, with Terrell Thorne setting a new national under-18s record for 400m [45.64], while Thewbelle Philp became the third fastest Australian woman ever over 100m when she clocked 11.38 to set a new national mark at under-17 level. It all points to a golden era, of sorts, for Australian athletics, fresh off the back of the country's best Olympics in track and field since the 1968 Mexico Games. There is however no debate around who the standout star is, with Johnson predicting Gout Gout will before too long have captured his national 100m mark of 9.93, set back in 2003, on his way to global sprinting stardom. "I hope so, because he's really proved that he's got the talent and ability [to break my record]," Johnson said. "But we should also make sure that we don't put too much pressure on him too early, he's still young, and that is going to be the big thing now -- how we nurture and support him. "If you look to the next Olympics and further ahead to 2032, he's got incredible potential to break records and shine a light on the talent in this country, and I'm really conscious that [coach] Di [Sheppard] and his family, that he has got the best team around him because the spotlight is going to come on him hard. "He is still a kid, so we need to let him enjoy being a kid, because the world will come very quickly at him and ask him to perform under the spotlight and the pressure. When he joins the circuit and the intense racing overseas, it's really important that they manage that really well -- and no doubt they will." After blitzing his under-18 100m heat with an illegal wind at his back in Brisbane, Gout Gout then missed the start in the final but still fought back to win and set a new national age mark of 10.17. Johnson said Gout Gout still had plenty to learn on the track, but the scope for improvement in his performances was huge given he is just 16. "There's a lot of areas that he has to work on, but he is only going to get stronger, he still hasn't come close to what his full strength, flexibility and speed might be," Johnson told ESPN. "And it's also the mental fortitude as well, he will go overseas and run against some of the more seasoned campaigners, which will be a great test. "But the Peter Norman record, he even said he didn't expect to break it this year, he knew he was going to have a crack, but he was surprised to break it this early. But we don't want to set too much expectation on him, we've got to let him enjoy being a kid, enjoy running and the rest will fall into place." Gazing a little further ahead to the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, when Gout Gout would be in his sprinting prime at 24, Australia could be set for one of the most incredible moments in the nation's sporting history. Whether it is on the same track that Gout Gout scorched last weekend or a rebuilt Gabba remains to be seen, but Johnson said the 2032 Games presented a tantalising prospect. "Outside of what is happening right now [with the stadium debate] I have no doubt that we will deliver the best Games in history; I know I'm biased as a Queenslander and an Australian, but we'll beat Sydney," he joked. "But let's make sure he stays in track-and-field because there will be many other sports eyeing him off. So we all need to support him to let him live out his dreams and be the best runner that he can be, because we've all seen the level of talent and ability he has, and I look forward to seeing him break many more records and putting this country of ours on the world athletics stage."

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Millions displaced by global conflicts. Communities reeling from natural disasters. Lives upended because of health care inequalities. In the middle of these crises are established nonprofits, everyday individuals and mutual aid groups — all seeking your dollars to make a difference. With no shortage of worthy causes and the rise of new giving technologies, how should you donate? The choices can be immobilizing. Many people value conventional charities but others — Gen Z and millennials, as well as the unmarried and less religious, according to 2021 research by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy — like to crowdfund by pooling donations online for folks in dire circumstances. “It’s really: what is the right type of support that either an organization or a community or an individual needs?” said Bloomerang Chief Customer Officer Todd Baylis, who co-founded the platform Qgiv to help nonprofits fundraise online. “And being able to tailor that to the individual giver.” Here are some questions worth considering. It might come down to whether you want to make a big difference for one person or help seed large-scale change. Tiltify is a technology platform that helps nonprofits and individual crowdfunders raise money. If donors want to ensure food gets to communities recovering from disasters, Tiltify CEO Michael Wasserman says a nonprofit contribution is probably best, as established organizations already have distribution pipelines and expertise. If you want to ensure a particular person can take care of themselves, he said, a direct donation to a crowdfunding campaign might make more sense than sending money “through a charitable funnel.” You could do both at once, according to one nonprofit that delivers cash transfers. GiveDirectly reports sending more than $860 million to 1.6 million people across three continents. Senior Program Manager Richard Nkurunziza says the idea initially was met with fears of misuse, but GiveDirectly finds that cash donations are a dignified way to empower people to invest in their unique needs. In Rwandan villages, he said, recipients spent donations on household renovations, new businesses and youth education — all of which benefit their entire community. “There’s a bit of agency,” he said. “It gives an opportunity for the recipient to make a decision on how they use the funds for themselves.” Crowdfunding could be considered “more democratic,” according to Claire van Teunenbroek, a University of Twente professor specializing in online giving behavior. Donors have more control over their gifts’ usage when they choose who benefits. The disadvantage, she said, is that people with the greatest needs aren’t always the ones with the most success. Humans are prone to supporting “easily sellable” projects with highly emotional appeals, and studies showed racial disparities in crowdfunding. The most popular reason donors told Bloomerang they stopped giving was because they did not trust contributions were used wisely, according to the company’s Generational Giving Report. The second most common response was that donors no longer felt connected to the nonprofit. The answers underscore the need for recipients to actively prove their trustworthiness. Tax-exempt nonprofits must submit annual financial disclosures to the Internal Revenue Service that include publicly available information, including executives’ salaries. Watchdogs, such as Charity Navigator, compile lists of verified nonprofits and assess their work. Crowdfunding is much more susceptible to fraud. The online sites are relatively unregulated, leaving the responsibility for protection up to donors and the platforms themselves. In GoFundMe’s case, donations can be refunded up to one year after they are made. The company advises that organizers identify themselves and their beneficiaries, and specify their plans for spending contributions. Online users mistakenly associate high donation numbers with credibility, van Teunenbroek said. She said risk is better mitigated by making sure the project’s description is detailed. “For a donor, if you prefer more certainty, then traditional nonprofits are probably better because they have an established reputation,” she said. ALSAC CEO Rick Shadyac said his charity works hard to make donors feel confident that their money is supporting the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: improving pediatric cancer survival rates worldwide by covering the costs of care and researching treatments. He urges people to give regardless of the medium and to always look for reputable causes. Bonafide charities, he said, bring “greater degrees of confidence” while crowdfunding requires more “due diligence.” Still, he sees room for both. ALSAC gets nearly one-quarter of its annual revenue during the last two months of the calendar, Shadyac said, the time of year designated “Giving Season.” The uptick could stem from the spirit of generosity around the holidays, he added. A 2023 study found that people in good moods are more likely to make a charitable donation. They also might be making year-end tax plans. “Not-for-profits give them the opportunity to address some things that are important to them while also getting a tax deduction,” Shadyac said. Crowdfunding donations to individual campaigns, however, cannot be written off on your taxes. Mutual aid refers to reciprocal support networks of neighbors who meet each other’s most pressing needs when existing systems fail. Participants often describe the act as “solidarity, not charity.” These groups often solicit cash contributions through online payment processors like Venmo, Cash App, PayPal or Zelle. Anyone can scan QR codes, which are usually shared on social media, to donate. The money goes straight to those impacted or helps purchase supplies for shared community resources. Transparency might come in the form of a receipt shared by organizers. Tamara Kneese joined mutual aid efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to take care of her neighbors in Oakland. Kneese, a director at the nonprofit research institute Data & Society, said these groups tend to start as immediate responses to crises hurting disadvantaged communities. The idea, she added, is “state abandonment cannot be addressed by charitable giving alone.” “It is not just a sense of charity, like you make a donation and you’re done,” she said. “There is more of a relationship involved and it is not just transactional.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!

As we enter the holiday season many young people are no doubt beginning to consider their future options. With a range of paths to pursue, a high rate of youth unemployment in Canada and a higher education sector facing unprecedented challenges it may seem logical to wonder if university is worth it. In my role as president of York University I see these issues play out every day in the lives of my students and faculty. However, I can say with certainty that, yes, university is worth it for both students and society. And while you might think that I might be biased, there is real data to back it up. Simply put, going to university enriches both students and society over the long term. We must ensure that students and universities are supported to help ensure as broad access as possible. While many students entering the market fresh out of university will make entry-level wages, the reality is that over the longer term their earning potential has more room to expand . Those with a bachelor’s degree earn 24 per cent more than the national average. The more education, the higher the earning potential. Students with a university degree are more likely to have stable employment even amidst economic disruption, as the COVID-19 pandemic revealed . Graduates are also more likely to gain employment that offers a wider range of benefits. Simply put, an education increases one’s chances of finding fulfilling employment and living a longer and healthier life. Beyond individual benefits, there are also key benefits to society. Canada relies disproportionately on universities compared to other OECD countries to drive the research and innovation central to a productive and prosperous economy . Further research has shown that education is central to a healthy, democratic society To quote Nelson Mandela: “ education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world .” The world faces a host of wicked problems ranging from economic inequality to climate change, geopolitical conflict and ongoing wars. Universities and graduates play a key role in addressing these challenges. Technology is not going away and it is not slowing down. A recent study revealed that the jobs of more than 60 per cent of Canadians may be at risk to AI . Moreover, an estimated one out of 10 employees in Canada could be at a high risk of automation-related job redundancy. Canada’s already volatile job market will continue to be impacted. Those with higher levels of education are the best equipped to benefit from technologies in ways that complement the work they do . Graduates are also more likely to have the transferable skills needed to withstand workforce disruption. According to the OECD , AI technologies pose less of a risk for highly-skilled workers. In fact, their jobs are less likely to be replaced by automation because they possess the critical thinking skills needed to provide oversight to tasks that use AI and automation. While these technologies are sophisticated and becoming even more so each day, they currently cannot replicate human cognitive, critical and decision-making skills. There is also compelling research that shows students with higher education are more likely to pursue continuing education to upgrade and reskill, a quality that makes students more agile in a shifting labour market. Universities have also been increasing micro-credentials , programs which help learners re-skill while they are holding employment and balancing familial obligations, to support lifelong learning and build a more resilient Canadian workforce. If Canada is to meet the expanding needs of students and of the country then we must invest now in higher education. Access is something I worry deeply about to ensure that we are not leaving any talent behind. Data from the 2017 National Survey of Engagement indicates that 48 per cent of first- and fourth-year undergrad students at York came from households where neither parent held a bachelor’s degree. What’s more, York’s 2020 Economic and Social Impact Report revealed that 59 per cent of students could not have attended university without financial support. Creating accessible educational opportunities for diverse learners to develop responsive skills is critical for a vibrant future workforce and for resilient communities. York and other universities in Canada have a good track record for this. At the same time, social mobility and productivity have been declining in Canada in recent years . Continuing to ensure that eligible students have access to university education including at the graduate level is imperative to address these trends. The significant numbers of Canadian students leaving the country to study medicine overseas while Canada is facing a significant gap in primary care physicians is just one example . These are troubling trends which Canadian universities are committed to addressing. While the commitment and innovation of universities is evident, the unfortunate truth is that universities across much of Canada have seen a steady decline in real dollar funding for years. In Ontario, recommendations from the government’s blue-ribbon panel strongly advocated for the urgent increase in financial support for universities . To meet the changes in Canada’s labour market, universities have developed new programs to meet the talent needs in areas such as science, technology, engineering and health . We have also worked to enhance access through flexible teaching formats and strengthened international and cross-sector research collaborations to tackle complex societal problems . Universities have also increased supports for students including activities to help them connect with careers and become more entrepreneurial and efficient . In short, universities in Canada are one of the country’s most important assets. If we are to continue delivering the high-quality education for which we are known and serving the needs of the communities who rely on us, especially given fierce global competition for talent, it is essential that we secure a financially sustainable model for universities. Canada’s high youth unemployment has many people anxious about how they will fare in a job market that bears a striking resemblance to the Hunger Games. Expanding employment opportunities is necessary and will require collaboration across all sectors. But the data are clear. A university education will provide our youth with a running start and the ability to adapt as they go. Rhonda Lenton is chair of the Council of Ontario Universities.NoneSalesforce raises annual revenue forecast

LSU outlasts UCF 109-102 in triple-OT affair

Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of guest commentaries online and in print each day. To contribute, click here . ••• When my son Alec passed away after rationing his insulin, my world shattered. Alec, like many people with diabetes, found himself stuck in a cycle of soaring insulin prices. With insurance, he was paying hundreds of dollars monthly for insulin. Without insurance, the cost of that monthly supply jumped to $1,300. The sky-high price forced Alec to stretch out his doses, and less than a week later, he died from diabetic ketoacidosis. Tragically, Alec wasn’t alone. As I shared his story with local news stations and reached out through social media, I was flooded with responses from others in similar situations — people rationing insulin, resorting to desperate measures to survive. I learned of individuals traveling to Canada or Mexico to buy insulin more affordably or meeting strangers in back alleys to exchange lifesaving supplies. It was a heartbreaking realization: Alec’s death was part of a much larger crisis. When state Sen. Erin Murphy, herself a nurse, heard Alec’s story, she reached out. She wanted to help, and together we discussed the importance of an emergency insulin affordability program that could prevent future deaths due to rationing. In testimony before Minnesota’s Health and Human Services Committee, I shared Alec’s story, and the support was overwhelming. Sen. Michael Howard also stepped forward, motivated to make a difference as he ran for office. Working alongside Gov. Tim Walz, they championed what would become the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, turning a vision into reality. The legislation established the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program, which has since provided relief to countless Minnesotans. The program allows individuals in need of insulin to access a 30-day emergency supply through their pharmacy and, more importantly, gives them a path to longer-term assistance. The continuing-need branch of the program allows eligible Minnesotans who cannot afford their insulin on an ongoing basis to receive a 90-day supply for no more than $50. As we approach the new year, the need for this program is particularly high. Individuals with high-deductible health insurance plans may face hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed insulin in the first several months of the year. The Insulin Safety Net Program can be a lifeline, helping them afford insulin before they meet their deductible. Additionally, many Minnesotans are traveling to see loved ones during the holidays and battling extreme weather, creating more possibilities for a vial to be left at home, spoil in excessive cold or shatter while on the go. The urgent-need program offers a life-saving option in potential emergency situations. We’ve made significant strides in Minnesota, but no one should have to cross state lines or choose between survival and financial ruin for a medication they depend on daily. Access to insulin should never be a privilege — it must be a guarantee. We need to honor the life Alec lived and ensure the pain of our loss drives meaningful, lasting change for everyone who relies on insulin. Minnesotans have access to an innovative solution, and it’s up to all of us to ensure the program reaches those who need it most. This holiday season, take a moment to share this vital resource with friends, family and neighbors. Ask if they are familiar with the Insulin Safety Net Program and encourage them to spread the word. Every conversation has the potential to create change and, ultimately, save a life. Together, we can make access to insulin a reality for all. Nicole Smith-Holt lives in the Minneapolis area and is a mother of four. She became a policy advocate for insulin access and affordability after the death of her son Alec in 2017. She serves as a co-chair of the Minnesota Advisory Task Force on Lowering Pharmaceutical Drug Prices and is part of the Founder’s Council for United States of Care.Britain, Germany, France, Italy and several other European countries said Monday they would freeze all pending asylum requests from Syrians, a day after the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad. While Berlin and other governments said they were watching the fast-moving developments in the war-ravaged nation, Austria signalled it would soon deport refugees back to Syria. Far-right politicians elsewhere made similar demands, including in Germany -- home to Europe's largest Syrian community -- at a time when immigration has become a hot-button issue across the continent. Alice Weidel, of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, reacted with disdain to Sunday's mass rallies by jubilant Syrians celebrating Assad's downfall. "Anyone in Germany who celebrates 'free Syria' evidently no longer has any reason to flee," she wrote on X. "They should return to Syria immediately." World leaders and Syrians abroad watched in disbelief at the weekend as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus, ending Assad's brutal rule while also sparking new uncertainty. A German foreign ministry spokesman pointed out that "the fact that the Assad regime has been ended is unfortunately no guarantee of peaceful developments" in the future. Germany has taken in almost one million Syrians, with most arriving in 2015-16 under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said many Syrian refugees "now finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland" but cautioned that "the situation in Syria is currently very unclear". The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees had imposed a freeze on decisions for ongoing asylum procedures "until the situation is clearer". She added that "concrete possibilities of return cannot yet be predicted and it would be unprofessional to speculate in such a volatile situation". Rights group Amnesty International slammed Germany's freeze on asylum decisions, stressing that for now "the human rights situation in the country is completely unclear". The head of the UN refugee agency also cautioned that "patience and vigilance" were needed on the issue of refugee returns. In Austria, where about 100,000 Syrians live, conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed the interior ministry "to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants". Interior Minister Gerhard Karner added he had "instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation programme to Syria". "The political situation in Syria has changed fundamentally and, above all, rapidly in recent days," the ministry said, adding it is "currently monitoring and analysing the new situation". The French interior ministry said it too would put asylum requests from Syrians on hold, with authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway announcing similar moves. More from this section Britain's interior ministry said it was taking the same measure "whilst we assess the current situation". The Italian government said late Monday after a cabinet meeting that it too was suspending asylum request "in line with other European partners." The leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats, a coalition partner in the government, said residence permits for Syrian refugees should now be "reviewed". "Destructive Islamist forces are behind the change of power" in Syria, wrote their leader Jimmie Akesson on X. "I see that groups are happy about this development here in Sweden. You should see it as a good opportunity to go home." In Greece, a government spokesman voiced hope that Assad's fall will eventually allow "the safe return of Syrian refugees" to their country, but without announcing concrete measures. In Germany, the debate gained momentum as the country heads towards February elections. Achim Brotel, president of a grouping of German communes, called for border controls to stop fleeing Assad loyalists reaching Germany. The centre-right opposition CDU suggested that rejected Syrian asylum-seekers should now lose so-called subsidiary protection. "If the reason for protection no longer applies, then refugees will have to return to their home country," CDU legislator Thorsten Frei told Welt TV. CDU MP Jens Spahn suggested that Berlin charter flights to Syria and offer 1,000 euros ($1,057) to "anyone who wants to return". A member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats criticised the debate as "populist and irresponsible". Greens party deputy Anton Hofreiter also said "it is completely unclear what will happen next in Syria" and deportation talk was "completely out of place". Many Syrians in Germany have watched the events in their home country with great joy but prefer to wait and see before deciding whether to return. "We want to go back to Syria," said Mahmoud Zaml, 25, who works in an Arabic pastry shop in Berlin, adding that he hopes to help "rebuild" his country. "But we have to wait a bit now," he told AFP. "We have to see what happens and if it is really 100 percent safe, then we will go back to Syria." burs-fz/rlp/phz/gv/giv

HitPaw Online Video Enhancer: Unveiling the New Low-light Enhancement Model!NoneIn case you were unaware, Portland is ‘Vaz land’. That’s the declaration made by Member of Parliament (MP) for Portland Western, the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Daryl Vaz. He made his position known on Sunday as he addressed the JLP’s 81st annual conference at the National Arena in St Andrew. Significantly, Vaz’s wife Annmarie is the MP for the adjoining constituency of Portland Eastern. Vaz’s comments follow the recent announcement by the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) that attorney-at-law Isat Buchanan will contest East Portland on behalf of the party. There was immediate talk that he could win the seat for the PNP but Vaz is having none of it. “I hear all kind of rumours and other things about Portland, that dem ago bruk di Vaz. The only Vaz that I see bruk inna politics is not Annmarie Vaz and is not Daryl Vaz, is Dwayne Vaz inna 2020 when wi give him a backsiding,” he remarked. The PNP’s Dwayne Vaz lost the Central Westmoreland seat to the JLP’s George Wright in 2020, the first time in decades that the PNP was losing the seat. “I have one thing to say to conference and to Jamaica and to my Prime Minister (Dr Andrew Holness) and colleagues. Dem talk about ‘Vazism’ and what ‘Vazism’ means. [It means] Portland is Vaz land, argument done,” Vaz declared. Throughout his speech, Vaz consistently accused the PNP of bad mind while pointing out the achievements of the JLP since it formed the Government in 2016. He argued that the record of the Holness Administration is reason enough for the party to be given a third term in office. Vaz also stated that the JLP boasts a better Cabinet than the PNP could put together and a better slate of current MPs and candidates for the upcoming election.