Britain is the “sick man of Europe” when it comes to accessing pharmacies locally, new analysis shows. The National Pharmacy Association says the UK has fallen behind countries such as Bulgaria and Romania after a decade of underfunding, forcing pharmacies to close for good. International OECD data shows the UK comes 22nd out of 31 nations for the number of community pharmacies for every 100,000 of the population. It has fewer by this measure than countries including Latvia, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and France. Separate data shows the average UK pharmacy serves around 5,700 patients which is more than double in France, at 3,238 patients, and the Republic of Ireland, at 2,500 patients. Also the UK spends less on its medicines per head of population than Australia , Ireland, Japan, the US, Spain, Germany and Italy. Germany spends double what the UK does, with the US nearly three times more. It comes after government real-term funding cuts of 40% in England over the last decade have forced over 1,500 community pharmacies to close and many more to cut back opening hours. The NPA says its analysis of the data suggests 1,000 more will close in the next three years in England alone if current funding levels persist. The Mirror is campaigning to save family chemists and stop the closures which are piling pressure on overstretched GPs. Nick Kaye, chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: “These shocking new figures show that the UK is the ‘sick man of Europe’ when it comes to spending on vital medicines and community pharmacies. It is damning that UK pharmacies serve more patients than comparative countries whilst also receiving ever reducing levels of funding.” It comes as pharmacies are set to launch their first ever industrial action with many across Britain cutting their opening hours from January. NPA members voted to conduct ‘work to rule’ actions which can also include stopping free medicine deliveries, emergency contraception services or addiction and stop smoking support. Mr Kaye added: “As our ballot result showed, many pharmacy owners feel pushed to breaking point thanks to the impact of 40% cuts to their funding and increases in their workload. Community pharmacies have the potential to deliver so much more for patients, including a wider range of clinical services that will help to keep pressure off other parts of our health system. “However this cannot happen with funding at its current levels and pharmacies shutting at record rates. The government must get round the table and start to deliver the funding necessary so we can stop the closures and deliver the best possible care for patients.”Report: UCF HC Gus Malzahn to become Florida State OC
School district defends decision to punish parents for wearing pink 'XX' wristbandsTel Aviv, Israel, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jeffs' Brands Ltd ("Jeffs' Brands” or the "Company”) (Nasdaq: JFBR, JFBRW), a data-driven e-commerce company operating on the Amazon Marketplace, announces transformative initiatives by its wholly owned subsidiary, Fort Products Ltd. ("Fort”), to reshape pest control solutions and online shopping experiences, as previously announced on November 14, 2024 and November 18, 2024. With a creative move, Fort has partnered with leading digital developers to create an AI-based mobile application, offering customers innovative pest control solutions. This platform is designed to identify pests using AI technology to deliver tailored treatment recommendations, providing seamless access to Fort's top-tier products. The app is expected to launch in the first half of 2025, aiming to enhance Fort's ecosystem and aiming to position it as a leader in both e-commerce and pest control innovation. In addition, Fort is embracing the future of online payments by integrating cryptocurrency options, including Bitcoin, into its online platform. It is expected that starting in Q1 2025, customers will have the ability to pay with Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies to purchase Fort's pest control solutions on its online platform, reflecting Fort's commitment to adapting to emerging trends and meeting the preferences of tech-savvy customers globally. AI App Features: About Jeffs' Brands Ltd Jeffs' Brands aims to transform the world of e-commerce by creating and acquiring products and turning them into market leaders, tapping into vast, unrealized growth potential. Through the Company's management team's insight into the FBA Amazon business model, it aims to use both human capability and advanced technology to take products to the next level. For more information on Jeffs' Brands Ltd visit https://jeffsbrands.com . Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer This press release contains "forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the "safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe,” "expect,” "may,” "should,” "could,” "seek,” "intend,” "plan,” "goal,” "estimate,” "anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when discussing successful development of the AI powered mobile app and cryptocurrency payment options, its availability for use by customers, its enhancement of Fort's product ecosystem, the elevation of Fort's presence in the pest control sector and in e-commerce, the creation of opportunities for market expansion and customer engagement and the Company's commitment to adapting to emerging trends. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: our ability to adapt to significant future alterations in Amazon's policies; our ability to sell our existing products and grow our brands and product offerings, including by acquiring new brands; our ability to meet our expectations regarding the revenue growth and the demand for e-commerce; the overall global economic environment; the impact of competition and new e-commerce technologies; general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which we operate; projected capital expenditures and liquidity; the impact of possible changes in Amazon's policies and terms of use; the impact of the conditions in Israel, including the recent attacks by Hamas, Iran, and other terrorist organizations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC”), on April 1, 2024 and our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Investor Relations Contact: Michal Efraty Adi and Michal PR- IR Investor Relations, Israel [email protected]
ENERGY SERVICES OF AMERICA COMPLETES ACQUISITIONSprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust Updates Its “At-the-Market” Equity ProgramMany little girls venture to New York City around the holidays and get wide-eyed when they walk up to Radio City Music Hall. Some dream of being in the kickline alongside the dozens of Rockettes in sparkling and festive costumes. It only becomes a reality for very few talented, lucky dancers. Gracie Epperson saw the show as a young girl and, having taken dance classes starting at the age of 3, felt called to perform in the show someday. "I just fell in love with it, like I want to do that, I need to do that," Epperson said. "I want the sparkly costumes; I need to kick." She worked diligently through her teen years, participating in competition dance through In Motion Dance Studio in Winston-Salem. "You just wanted to watch her dance," studio owner Michelle Nicholson said. "You knew she was going to be something special." At the age of 18, Epperson moved to New York City with her sights set on Radio City Music Hall. It took six years of auditions and workshops before she finally got the call that she was going to be a Rockette. "It took me six years to audition, and I’m really, I'm proud of that because I think you should never give up on your dreams," she said. "I’m very thankful for my community in Winston, and I credit so much to them for me getting here today. They were always there. Those are the people that inspire me to keep going." Landing the role was just the start of more hard work for Epperson. She described their training, which was six hours a day, six days a week, as "very physically demanding." It's all to create that iconic synchronized kickline. "It’s really cool to see a group of 36 women make a line," she said. "It was really magical to be on that side of things and watch us all come together as a team. It’s really a sisterhood. ... Everyone is so nice and encouraging. It’s really one of the best environments I’ve ever been lucky enough to be a part of." Epperson said one of her favorite numbers is the iconic parade of the wooden soldiers. She also highlighted new technology being used this year. Her family and some friends have already gone to see her perform. "It was a lot of tears," she said. "I think we were all kind of just speechless, just happy for me. It was just so magical to know they were getting to see all the hard work finally pay off at that level at Radio City Music Hall. They were just proud of me." Nicholson said it has been fun to tell her youngest dancers about Epperson's roots in their Winston-Salem dance studio. Some of them have gone to New York City this year just to see her perform and come back giddy and hopeful to be like her someday. The last time Nicholson saw the Christmas Spectacular show was with Epperson when she was still in high school and aspiring to become a Rockette herself. This week, Nicholson will be back in the crowd, watching Epperson on stage this time. "I've known many other Rockettes but never have trained one before," Nicholson said. "So, getting to sit in the audience and watch that little girl be that beautiful woman is just going to, is just going to be amazing. I can't wait." The Radio City Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular runs through Jan. 5. For more information, visit rockettes.com .
An average of 140 women and girls were killed by a partner or relative per day in 2023, the UN says
The Atlanta Braves had a down season in 2024, but at full strength, they are one of the best teams in Major League Baseball. They could be an attractive destination for an international superstar. While listing top landing spots for Rōki Sasaki, FanSided's Christopher Kline named the Braves as a potential suitor. He is going to be pursued by many MLB teams, and money will not be the deciding factor in where he goes. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he expects Sasaki to sign in the 2025 signing period, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo . Since Sasaki is an amateur free agent, teams will only be able to use funds from the international signing bonus pool to sign him. When the 2025 window opens on January 15, the Braves will have $6.2 million at their disposal . The Chiba Lotte Marines star could join the Braves and not have the pressure of being an ace. "We don't see too many Japanese stars taking their talents to the southeast, but Sasaki would be uniquely positioned to soak up the spotlight in Atlanta, on a team with genuine World Series aspirations and a favorable long-term outlook. The Braves should be contending for years to come, with Sasaki able to develop at his own pace," wrote Kline. "Max Fried and Charlie Morton are both free agents, so this is a unique chance for Atlanta to add a premium arm at a bargain-bin price." Sasaki had 129 strikeouts in 18 games in Nippon Professional Baseball last season. He is a two-time NPB All-Star and skills were on full display during the World Baseball Classic where his 100 mph fastball and splitter mowed through lineups. The Athletic's Jim Bowden noted that the Braves' track record of pitching development could make them a surprising landing spot for Sasaki. "Sasaki needs pitching development, which does make the Dodgers a fit, but it also gives advantages to teams such as the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Mets and Atlanta Braves," wrote Bowden. More MLB: Braves $136 million starter predicted to leave Atlanta and join AL contender