HOTSPOT There are only few families in the country who don’t fear getting sick. They are the richest and wealthiest ones – many of them possessing generational wealth, political power or both. Not a few own or partly-own hospitals and medical centers, or are connected with them by sheer political power. If they cannot or refuse to avail of medical attention locally, they can at any time go abroad to see a doctor, get lifesaving treatment, and as we saw in the recent pandemic, obtain vaccine shots. This is aside from the fact that they are insulated from the problems of ordinary Filipinos: earning a living, budgeting, food preparation, keeping oneself physically and mentally healthy amid all the daily stress. The highest-earning professionals serving these families and their companies or political offices are the next most fortunate, because they could avail of the highest possible levels of private health insurance. Below them are the “middle class” who get some form of private health insurance, on top of Philhealth benefits. When faced with devastating ailments, both the private and public health benefits often fall short and they could tumble back down to poverty. For the majority — workers and farmers — the mantra is the advertising adage “bawal magkasakit.” It terrorizes them. How could the minimum wage or the dwindling farm incomes possibly pay for a check-up, lab tests, hospitalization, procedures, and surgeries? During the pandemic, a friend who was doing consulting work for companies was shocked to learn that many minimum-wage and gig workers were refusing to be vaccinated. He dispatched a team to find out why. The research discovered that while the workers trust the vaccines, they were worried by the side-effect of getting a fever for even a day or two because they would lose a day’s or two days’ wage. Some feared losing their jobs for being absent. (They solved this by persuading some conscientious company owners to give the workers a vaccination leave.) Elsewhere and at the same time, we heard that the more fortunate (with wealth, cars, and connections) could go “shop” for the vaccines of their choice. There were many anecdotal accounts about those who got jabbed with Sinovac doses, also availed of Moderna and Pfizer. Mind you, this was prior to the introduction of booster shots. On any given day, those passing through East Avenue would see the long lines of patients seeking medical attention at the East Avenue Medical Center and the Philippine Heart Center. The lines actually start in the early hours of the morning. Friends say the situation is replicated in many public hospitals nationwide. No wonder sales continue to rise for health supplements that supposedly promise cures for many ailments. Those could be more affordable and accessible than seeing a doctor. The situation is not easy to solve. But neither is it impossible. The local government of Quezon City is admirable in setting up many health centers across the city which could provide primary healthcare services. They cater to pregnant mothers, provide shots for newborns, and free maintenance medicines for those with hypertension. They also have free or very affordable mental health consultations and medicines. The billions in excess Philhealth funds should stay with Philhealth and be used for keeping our workers, seniors, and PWDs healthy, and provide for those facing devastating ailments and illnesses. At the same time, we hope to see more and bigger public hospitals and public medical centers where any citizen should be able to obtain medical assistance. This is an investment worth making, and an expenditure worthy of public appropriation. If we can provide free elementary, high school, and college education, we can find merit in providing free medical services to people, regardless of age, class, region, religion, and political belief. Nobody should lose their jobs or go bankrupt just because they get sick. Workers especially should get the care they need, now and in their retirement. Hopefully, we turn healthcare into an important issue in the coming elections and challenge politicians to propose solutions that would turn healthcare from a privilege or a matter of patronage, into a right of all.
A “miracle” new mum who survived childbirth despite haemorrhaging 15 litres of blood has joined an appeal for people to make a lifesaving donation before Christmas . Adele Darlington needed 65 units of blood, plasma and platelets to save her life after giving birth to baby Jasmine last November. The 41-year-old from Stockton Heath in Warrington needed transfusions and emergency surgery including a hysterectomy following a C-section. She had developed a condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a blood clotting problem which is such a bad sign it is informally referred to as ‘Death is Coming’. Adele is now telling her story as part of an urgent NHS appeal as it has just four weeks to build the blood stocks needed to get it through Christmas and into the New Year. She said: “I was told it's a medical miracle that I'm still here. My husband was told to call in family to prepare to say goodbye. But thanks to everyone’s work I got to spend Christmas with my family and new daughter.” The new appeal comes after the Mirror launched the Give a Pint, Save a Life campaign to help blood stocks recover after the Covid-19 pandemic amid ongoing shortages. The NHS remains on Amber Alert for low blood stocks. One donation can save up to three lives. Describing her ordeal, Adele said: “The c-section went ahead at 9am. I vaguely remember Jasmine being born and then I passed out. By this point I'd already lost six litres of blood and it was thought that I'd stabilised. But in the recovery room it became evident that I was still internally bleeding so I was urgently rushed back into theatre. They told me I needed a hysterectomy to save my life. I had this sense of doom that I would not make it. My blood pressure and heart rate were at dangerous levels. I remember crying and saying ‘I think I'm dying’ and telling the theatre staff that I was scared to go to sleep because I didn’t think I would wake up.” Adele had placenta previa, a condition where the placenta partly or completely blocks the cervix. She underwent four hours of surgery during the C-section at Warrington Hospital then nine more hours of surgery involving four surgeons, including a hysterectomy, partial cervix removal, tube and ovary removal and the removal of most of her bladder. The mother-of-five added: “I'm still on a road to recovery. I am just forever grateful that I am here. I am very aware that I shouldn’t be. All of these amazing people worked together to save me. Blood donors might think it’s not a big thing to donate - they donate and they have a hot drink and a biscuit - but I can’t thank them enough. I will be eternally grateful to these selfless donors who took time to voluntary donate and ultimately save my life.” One year on Adele visited the Liverpool NHS Blood and Transplant regional centre, which sent most of the blood for her care to thank staff. Julie Riley from NHSBT Liverpool Hospital Services, said: “I was on shift issuing the blood and meeting Adele was absolutely beautiful. We don’t normally get to meet anyone. We work in labs for eight hours a day. I am glad she got home for her little kiddies.” Michael Kay, NHSBT blood delivery driver, said: “It was the end of my shift but I stayed on to do a blue light delivery and it’s just amazing to find out it went to Adele.” Sharon Jones, Liverpool Blood Donor Centre Manager, said: “It’s been fantastic to see Adele’s happiness, knowing she managed to get back to her family. It is the result of all the cogs in the system working.” Annabel Power, a transfusion lab scientist from Warrington Hospital, said: “I was one of the people in the lab issuing the blood products and in contact with NHSBT to make sure we had enough. To put a face to a name is amazing.” Medics laid out the exact number of units of blood products she received and she had the chance to meet some of the people who gave lifesaving donations. Adele said: “It’s been a really humbling experience to meet some of the people who sent blood when I had my transfusion. It was unbelievable to see the same quantity of blood that I received laid out, knowing that it took so many people to save me. I'm forever indebted to the more than 65 people who gave me the gift of life.” The Christmas period is particularly busy so people are less likely to find the time to donate. The problem is that the period is also particularly busy for hospitals which need more lifesaving blood. Adele added: “I never thought in a million years that this would happen to me. But trauma and the need for a lot of blood can happen to anyone at any time, including at Christmas. So I would urge anyone who is able to donate to please do so.” During Christmas week last year demand for the vital O negative blood type – the universal type used to save lives in emergencies – exceeded collections by 300 units. Last December the NHS collected about 108,000 donations - 10% below the monthly average. Chris Philips, NHSBT’s head of hospital service, said: “It was incredibly moving to see Adele visit our teams because that night is very clear in their memories – they won’t forget it any time soon. Our teams knew a patient was in trouble with a massive bleed. They urgently delivered blood for her. This is an amazing example of NHS teams working together but without donors none of this would have happened. Please help people like Adele by giving blood this Christmas and New Year.” Appointments are now available at the 26 fixed donor centres and NHSBT says donor centres in towns and cities are now most likely to have the unfilled appointments up until the new year. To register or book an appointment visit blood.co.uk , use the GiveBlood app or call 0300 123 2323.‘Victory of PDA’s unity’: Akhilesh on SP retaining 2 Maharashtra seats
Met Éireann weather warnings currently in place: 'Status Red warnings could still be issued for east coast' "We don't want people on the streets - at all - between 10pm and 2am during a Status Red warning" - Galway mayor Peter Keane Public transport services likely to be cancelled/curtailed during Storm Darragh Storm Darragh: Forecasters upgrade seven counties to Status Red wind warning, Bus Éireann services cancelled Bye for now Toll of Storm Darragh Wild conditions on the west coast 9pm on the dot and it went from 0 to 100 #StormDarragh has arrived in North Mayo pic.twitter.com/8FmVUGBlPf Gusts of over 140km/h now recorded Mace Head gusting up to 141kmh now at 10pm with Mayo Sailing club private station up to 148kmh. #StormDarragh pic.twitter.com/0VSoL6KrVs Large swathes of the west without power Thousands without power in the southwest due to Storm Darragh Flight diversions due to high winds ⚠️ Diversion #FR7722 / #RYR9PC from Gatwick to Cork is currently diverting to Shannon airport due to strong winds in cork #StormDarragh #aviation #avgeek #dublinairport #dublin #wind #corkairport #ireland #bert #storm #travel #goaround #diversion #corkairport #cork pic.twitter.com/jA7oGlyhk3 UK sends 'risk to life' alert to phones of over 3m people over Storm Darragh Storm Darragh about to draw near Ireland #StormDarragh is set to bring damaging winds, heavy rain, and some snow to parts of the UK and Ireland this weekend. Coastal gusts could reach 90 mph, with 60-70 mph gusts expected inland. pic.twitter.com/yqnWonrmQa Storm Darragh safety message from Gas Networks Ireland Met Éireann weather warnings currently in place: OPW warns Dublin Castle Christmas markets 'could close early' Due to Storm Darragh, Christmas at the Castle may close early this evening. On Saturday December 7th, the market will open at 1pm at the earliest, subject to the weather status. Please keep an eye on our socials & https://t.co/QgylwbOk9V for updates 📸Dublin Castle @opwireland pic.twitter.com/TxPA4cq34C Those planning "Christmas night out" advised to check local forecast and plan accordingly ❗Attention 📢Red warnings are now in place on the West & North West Coasts until 3pm tomorrow. Extremely strong and gusty northwest winds are expected. pic.twitter.com/ohNqIll1VF University of Galway to close during Red Alert hours **Weather Alert** Met Éireann have issued a Status Red wind warning for Galway and other counties from 10PM Friday, 6th December to 2AM Saturday, 7th December. University campuses in affected areas will be closed until the warning ends. If the warning is extended, the closure... pic.twitter.com/hZ58633OmS Leading homelessness organisations express 'grave concern' for asylum-seekers Assistance available to households Orange warning update Timings updated for Red warningsChipotle's chief customer and technology officer sells $2.9 million in stock
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Akron 97, Alabama St. 78Country singer Caleb Kennedy, who competed in American Idol Season 19, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his involvement in a 2022 car crash that killed a man in Pacolet, South Carolina. Kennedy pled guilty last week to the felony charge of driving under the influence resulting in death, according to the Greenville News . He was initially sentenced to 25 years in prison and a $25,100 fine, but he had that sentence and fine reduced to eight years and $15,100, with three of those years served in home detention. He also received credit for the nearly three years he has already served. Additionally, the singer will serve five years of probation, and he is required to attend mental health and substance abuse counseling. The legal update comes nearly three years after Kennedy, then 17, struck and killed 54-year-old Larry Duane Parris while driving his Ford F-150 on February 8, 2022. Warrants alleged that Kennedy was under the influence of marijuana at the time, and he was arrested on the DUI charge on the day of the crash. Ryan Beasley, Kennedy’s attorney, told the News that the sentencing was fair. “He’s got no record, and he was a minor when this happened,” Beasley said. “This wasn’t such an egregious act that you see most of the time, where people were drinking and driving then they hit somebody at night or going the wrong way down the road. This was a weird reaction from his prescription medicine and possibly THC.” Beasley also said that Kennedy is “very remorseful” and that the sentencing “starts the healing process for everybody involved in this situation.” (The News notes that Parris’ family wanted the maximum 25-year sentence.) Kennedy made it to the Top 7 of American Idol Season 19 but withdrew from the competition after a video of him standing next to a person wearing a Ku Klux Klan-style hood resurfaced. “I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse,” Kennedy said, in part, on social media at the time. “I wanna say I’m sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down.” More Headlines:
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Sells 5,446 Shares of Vontier Co. (NYSE:VNT)
SANTA CLARA — pulled off his grey 49ers sweatshirt Friday and, as he headed for the locker room showers, his sore right shoulder was exposed. There was no noticeable swelling or lump, aside from minor marks via treatment he received since last Sunday’s once-subtle injury. His muscular 24-year-old build appeared stout as ever. Looks can be deceiving. So can words, in any NFL team’s injury descriptions, any Instagram doctors’ prognosis, or any reporters’ déjà vu feelings. “I don’t want to say there’s long-term concern,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday, referring to Purdy’s MRI exam and indicating the quarterback will miss Sunday’s game at Green Bay. will make the spot start. For how long, though? Exercising caution is wise to protect a bona fide franchise quarterback who threw for a 49ers-record 4,280 yards last season on a surgically repaired elbow and is due for a 49ers-record contract extension at this season’s likely bitter end. Shanahan and general manager John Lynch indicated that Purdy’s MRI on Monday did not reveal a dire, franchise-altering ailment. “We thought he just needed some rest and really weren’t concerned about him not being good this week,” Shanahan said. “But when he started up Thursday, (his shoulder) just surprised him, surprised us, how it felt.” It’s no surprise, however, how a shoulder injury can grow into a bigger firestorm. For now, public proclamations are minimizing any long-range ramifications. Purdy was not made available to reporters, but as he walked through the locker room Friday, he tried to exude a positive outlook, saying: “We’re all good.” His demeanor remained as upbeat and polite as ever in an ensuing conversation with a staff member. Neither of Purdy’s understudies, Allen and Josh Dobbs, has a history of shoulder injuries, so they were hesitant to speak about how fear-inducing those must be for a quarterback. “I’m not too worried about it, I don’t think any of our guys are,” Allen said. “He’ll rehab and get back as fast as he can. And as far as shoulders, it happens. I don’t think it’ll be anything lingering or long-term for him.” Three seasons ago, when the 49ers last visited Lambeau Field, Jimmy Garoppolo was a week removed from hurting his shoulder – a torn capsule, the 49ers said – in a wild-card playoff win at Dallas. Garoppolo played through the injury, the 49ers won without scoring an offensive touchdown. Two months after losing in the NFC Championship Game, Garoppolo surprised the 49ers by electing to have surgery on his shoulder, complicating a potential trade or release and keeping him on the roster. That made for an awkward but necessary comeback in 2022 as he served as a helpful bridge between Trey Lance’s two-start cameo and Purdy’s late-season emergence for another playoff run. Go back nine years and there is another 49ers quarterback quandary. Colin Kaepernick was listed as probable to play at Seattle, but a day before kickoff, the 49ers surprisingly put him on injured reserve. He headed for surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. Benched three weeks before that IR move, Kaepernick spent the ensuing offseason rehabilitating for what would be one final season with the 49ers and the NFL. An even messier shoulder story unfolded with Kaepernick’s predecessor, Alex Smith. A 2007 feud ensued between Smith and third-year coach Mike Nolan, who publicly dismissed Smith’s shoulder pain that traced back to a Sept. 30 separation. Smith played hurt a few games, then confessed to the nagging pain in his shoulder, after the 49ers had listed him out of practice with a forearm strain. Smith rallied and rebuilt his career, albeit under other coaches. Now it’s Purdy stepping aside for an unknown length of time. Allen relayed their Friday conversation: “He believes in me, says ‘You’re here for a reason. Go in, step up, play well.’ He’ll be back. So I’m not worried about it.” “He’s doing well. He’s in good spirits,” Dobbs added. “Obviously, I don’t want to speak for him, but he wants to be out there. So he will work his butt off to get back out there, and we’ll hold it down for him until he gets back.”Golden State Valkyries select 4 players to begin building roster through WNBA expansion draft SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Valkyries have selected center Iliana Rupert of Atlanta, guard Veronica Burton of Connecticut, guard Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde of Chicago with their initial picks of the WNBA expansion draft. Those four became the first players for the new Bay Area franchise that’s set to begin play next season. Friday's expansion draft was the first for the WNBA in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008. Golden State is able to acquire the contract or negotiating rights to one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams. Lionel Messi wins MLS MVP award, the latest trophy on a long list of honors for the Inter Miami star FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi is the MVP of Major League Soccer for 2024. The award comes after a season where he missed 15 of Inter Miami’s 34 regular-season matches with injuries or commitments to Argentina’s national team. He still factored into a league-high 36 goals by scoring 20 and assisting on 16 others. His 2.1 goal contributions per 90 minutes played is the best by any player in any season in MLS history. MLS revealed the voting results Friday. Messi edged out Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernández for the award, which is determined by a poll of players, club technical staff and select media members. NFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun Watson CLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL has closed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The league has been reviewing the case for months, trying to determine whether Watson should be punished. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email that "there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.” Watson, who served an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault by a woman in September. She was seeking more than $1 million in damage before the sides reached a confidential settlement. Watson has played in just 19 games over three seasons for the Browns. Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber returning to Cleveland Guardians on 1-year deal, AP source says CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that right-hander Shane Bieber is returning to the Cleveland Guardians after making just two starts and undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. Bieber had been expected to leave the AL Central champions, but will be back after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million contract that includes a $16 million player option for 2026. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner made just starts in 2024 before having the surgery on his troublesome elbow that bothered him the previous campaign. The 29-year-old Bieber has spent all seven big-league seasons with Cleveland. NBA returning to China for pair of Suns-Nets preseason games in 2025 The NBA is returning to China next season. The league has struck a deal to play preseason games there more than five years after the league was effectively banned for Commissioner Adam Silver not punishing Daryl Morey for tweeting support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Brooklyn and Phoenix will play games in China’s gambling hub of Macao on Oct. 10, 2025, and again two days later. There are more games planned for China in 2026, a source told The Associated Press. American ski racer Lindsey Vonn is picking up speed in her comeback bid at 40 years old COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — American ski racer Lindsey Vonn darted through the shadows on the speed course at Copper Mountain on a frigid morning. She was on the hill Friday as she tries to make a comeback to skiing nearly six years after her last race. Vonn plans to enter a series of lower-tier FIS downhill and super-G races this weekend at Copper Mountain, Colorado. It could be the first step toward seeing her on the World Cup circuit again. Scottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2 NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler used a big run of birdies to take a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Scheffler had seven birdies on the front nine for a 29. The world No. 1 added one birdie on the back nine to lead by two over Justin Thomas and Akshay Bhatia. Scheffler found no need to apologize for only one birdie on the back nine. He says it simply was a matter of the ball being a little closer to the hole and a few more putts going in. Scheffler already has eight victories this year, including Olympic gold. A's GM David Forst says the team wanted to make a statement with Luis Severino's contract SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Athletics general manager David Forst says the team wanted to make a statement going into its new home. That was one the factors that led to its deal with Luis Severino. The 30-year-old Severino was formally introduced by his new club after finalizing a $67 million, three-year contract. The veteran right-hander was a free agent for the second straight offseason after going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings during his only season with the New York Mets. It’s the largest deal ever for the low-budget A’s, topping a $66 million contract for third baseman Eric Chavez covering 2005-10. Hall of Famer Randy Moss is stepping away from ESPN for an extended time to deal with health issue Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss is stepping away from his ESPN analyst role for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge, the network said in a statement. Moss revealed last week that he’s dealing with a health issue and asked fans to pray for him and his family. The 47-year-old ESPN football analyst made his announcement on Instagram from the set of the network’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show. He directed his message to men and urged them to get checkups and bloodwork done, without specifying any particular illness. No Bevo? SEC tells Texas there's no room for its 1,700-pound longhorn at title game vs. Georgia ATLANTA (AP) — The Southeastern Conference championship game will not feature another mascot showdown. The league says there's not enough space on the sideline at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for No. 2 Texas to bring along its 1,700-pound longhorn Bevo XV for the game against No. 5 Georgia. The teams have two of college football’s most famous mascots. There should be enough sideline space for Georgia’s pure white English bulldog, Uga XI. Before the 2019 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans, Bevo XV toppled his barrier and began to charge at Uga X. Texas handlers were able to pull Bevo back before any harm.
US President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his support for Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth, citing the Ivy League-educated former Fox News host's "charisma" and calling him "a WINNER" even as the nomination faces headwinds in Congress amid allegations of misconduct. or signup to continue reading A 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran, Hegseth has vowed to continue fighting for the top Department of Defence job and spent the week meeting with senators as some key lawmakers have said they are not yet ready to support him. "Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep," Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defence, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" "Thank you Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down," Hegseth responded. Trump's fellow Republicans will take control of the Senate next month ahead of his January 20 inauguration. If Democrats remain united against Hegseth, he can only afford to lose support from three Republicans and still win Senate approval. Trump has weighed alternative Republican nominees, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Mike Waltz, who Trump has already picked for national security adviser, sources told Reuters earlier this week. Ernst, a senior Armed Services Committee member who on Thursday said she was not yet ready to back Hegseth, posted on Friday that she planned to meet him next week. "At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing," she wrote on X. Hegseth served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and has two Bronze Stars. But he has been criticised for lacking the management experience needed to lead 1.3 million active-duty service members and the nearly one million civilians who work for the nation's military. A California police report showed a woman filed a sexual assault complaint in 2017. Hegseth was never charged and has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer told CNN late Thursday that they may take legal action against the woman if Hegseth is not confirmed. On Wednesday, Hegseth told Sirius XM that he has "never had a drinking problem" but would nonetheless not drink alcohol if confirmed as defence secretary. Ernst, herself a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor, on Thursday said there must be a very thorough vetting process and that senators wanted "that any allegations have been cleared." Other Republicans offered tepid support. Two other Trump nominees have already ended their bids for top jobs: former Representative Matt Gaetz for US attorney general and Florida sheriff Chad Chronister for head of the Drug Enforcement Administration. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementTIOHTIÀ:KE ( MONTREAL ), QC , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Calling all youth in Canada , Mexico and the United States ! Are you ready to act now to support North American communities and preserve our shared waters, lands and air? The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is pleased to announce the launch of the second edition of its Generation of Environmental Leaders Program (GELP). This exciting program supports young leaders in accessing seed funding and developing the necessary skills to make a real and meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. The selected youth will benefit from a year-long mentorship program, networking opportunities across North America , receive C$15,000 in seed funding and the chance to present their solutions to North America's top environmental officials as part of the CEC's annual Council Session in the summer of 2025. It's time to act now. The GELP invites young people from North America to support communities and preserve our shared waters, lands and air. The program is aimed at youth who are 18–35 years old and are part of a team such as, but not exclusively, youth-led organizations, youth-led associations, nongovernmental organizations, not-for-profit youth-led businesses, and teams of youth innovators and entrepreneurs interested in building their businesses. Here's what the current GELP cohort is saying. "The mentorship provided by the GELP has greatly helped me grow as a person and has made me feel more comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone, especially in areas like preparing for presentations and managing stress. Today, I feel much more at ease speaking in front of an audience!"—Alexandre Savard, Encore! Biomatériaux, Canada . "The seed funding provided through the GELP was a wonderful opportunity to kickstart some of our project's most important activities. Thanks to this support, we were able to initiate the implementation of an Environmental Management Unit, a step that will foster restoration and conservation of the area." —Ana Cristina Posadas García, Strategy for the Restoration and Conservation of the Ciénega of Tamasopo Wetland, RAMSAR Site, Mexico . "As members of the inaugural GELP cohort, we have had the privilege of connecting with individuals and organizations driven to be a power for good in the environmental and climate space. These experiences have been the catalyst for additional award nominations and the formation of collaborative partnerships that we believe will further grow our work at the intersection of justice and an equitable energy transition."—McKenna Dunbar and Jake Barnet , Electrivive: An Equitable Building Electrification Workforce Redevelopment Tool, United States . We're giving youth the resources to succeed and lead. In addition to building capacity for youth, this program accelerates youth leadership by expanding youth environmental networks and providing seed funding for creative solutions to flourish, particularly at the local level. During the year-long mentorship program, youth leaders receive advice from experts to help advance their solutions and guidance on various elements of their projects, including how to pitch their solutions and other project development and management topics such as risk management, budgeting, outreach and fundraising. The program supports impactful and enduring community-driven activities and establishes a robust youth network across North America . The GELP also provides extended networking opportunities for participants. The selected solutions are presented to the public and selected teams can engage with the CEC's Joint Public Advisory Committee and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Expert Group , and Government officials and experts, during the CEC Council Session , an ideal platform to showcase the impactful ideas at the ministerial level. Requirements for participation. Applicants must demonstrate that their solutions can address or respond to critical issues related to supporting our communities and preserving our shared waters, lands and air across North America . Submissions should be practical, effective, achievable and propose sustainable solutions to an identifiable environmental problem. They should also be context-specific and consider the unique characteristics of the community or region targeted by the project. The eligibility and evaluation criteria prioritize solutions that have established a clear objective and will have a significant impact on local communities and their environment: Priority is given to proposals submitted by diverse youth who identified or developed their solutions jointly with communities, including community members who traditionally do not have access to decision-making spaces. Submission deadline : Completed submissions must be uploaded to the submission platform by 23:59 local time on 12 January 2025 . Click here to learn more about the program, the submission guidelines and criteria, and to apply. For more information about the Generation of Environmental Leaders Program and the submission process, please join us for a virtual information session on 17 December 2024 from 13:00–14:00 Eastern Time (12:00–13:00 Central Time) and (10:00–11:00 Pacific Time), available with simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Spanish. If you would like to know more about CEC initiatives, opportunities and efforts, you can sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media . Media Contact Patrick Tonissen Head of Communications +1 (438) 885-8463 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cecs-generation-of-environmental-leaders-program-now-open-to-north-american-youth-302314604.html SOURCE Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)Southside Bancshares ( NASDAQ:SBSI – Get Free Report ) and Western Alliance Bancorporation ( NYSE:WAL – Get Free Report ) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, dividends, valuation and earnings. Dividends Southside Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. Western Alliance Bancorporation pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Southside Bancshares pays out 52.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Western Alliance Bancorporation pays out 23.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Volatility & Risk Southside Bancshares has a beta of 0.55, indicating that its stock price is 45% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Western Alliance Bancorporation has a beta of 1.44, indicating that its stock price is 44% more volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings & Valuation Western Alliance Bancorporation has higher revenue and earnings than Southside Bancshares. Southside Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Western Alliance Bancorporation, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Southside Bancshares and Western Alliance Bancorporation, as reported by MarketBeat. Southside Bancshares currently has a consensus price target of $37.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.89%. Western Alliance Bancorporation has a consensus price target of $92.73, suggesting a potential downside of 0.98%. Given Southside Bancshares’ higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Southside Bancshares is more favorable than Western Alliance Bancorporation. Profitability This table compares Southside Bancshares and Western Alliance Bancorporation’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Institutional and Insider Ownership 55.7% of Southside Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.2% of Western Alliance Bancorporation shares are held by institutional investors. 5.9% of Southside Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 2.8% of Western Alliance Bancorporation shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Summary Western Alliance Bancorporation beats Southside Bancshares on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About Southside Bancshares ( Get Free Report ) Southside Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Southside Bank that provides a range of financial services to individuals, businesses, municipal entities, and nonprofit organizations. Its deposit products include savings, money market, and interest and noninterest bearing checking accounts, as well as certificates of deposits. The company’s loan portfolio comprises consumer loans that include 1-4 family residential loans, home equity loans, home improvement loans, automobile loans, and other consumer related loans; commercial loans, such as short-term working capital loans for inventory and accounts receivable, short and medium-term loans for equipment or other business capital expansion, commercial real estate loans, and municipal loans; and construction loans for 1-4 family residential and commercial real estate. It also offers wealth management and trust services consisting of investment management, administration of irrevocable, revocable, and testamentary trusts, estate administration, and custodian services for individuals, partnerships, and corporations; safe deposit services; and brokerage services. In addition, the company provides retirement and employee benefit accounts, including plans and profit sharing plans; and telephone, internet, and mobile banking services. The company offers various banking services through branches, drive-thru facilities, automated teller machines, and interactive teller machines. Southside Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Tyler, Texas. About Western Alliance Bancorporation ( Get Free Report ) Western Alliance Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for Western Alliance Bank that provides various banking products and related services primarily in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It operates through Commercial and Consumer Related segments. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as fixed-rate and fixed maturity certificates of deposit accounts; demand deposits; and treasury management and residential mortgage products and services. It also provides commercial and industrial loan products, such as working capital lines of credit, loans to technology companies, inventory and accounts receivable lines, mortgage warehouse lines, equipment loans and leases, and other commercial loans; commercial real estate loans, which are secured by multi-family residential properties, professional offices, industrial facilities, retail centers, hotels, and other commercial properties; construction and land development loans for single family and multi-family residential projects, industrial/warehouse properties, office buildings, retail centers, medical office facilities, and residential lot developments; and consumer loans. In addition, the company provides other financial services, such as internet banking, wire transfers, electronic bill payment and presentment, funds transfer and other digital payment offerings, lock box services, courier, and cash management services. Further, the company holds certain investment securities, municipal and non-profit loans, and leases; invests primarily in low-income housing tax credits and small business investment corporations; and holds certain real estate loans and related securities. Western Alliance Bancorporation was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Receive News & Ratings for Southside Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southside Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .TIOHTIÀ:KE ( MONTREAL ), QC , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Calling all youth in Canada , Mexico and the United States ! Are you ready to act now to support North American communities and preserve our shared waters, lands and air? The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is pleased to announce the launch of the second edition of its Generation of Environmental Leaders Program (GELP). This exciting program supports young leaders in accessing seed funding and developing the necessary skills to make a real and meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. The selected youth will benefit from a year-long mentorship program, networking opportunities across North America , receive C$15,000 in seed funding and the chance to present their solutions to North America's top environmental officials as part of the CEC's annual Council Session in the summer of 2025. It's time to act now. The GELP invites young people from North America to support communities and preserve our shared waters, lands and air. The program is aimed at youth who are 18–35 years old and are part of a team such as, but not exclusively, youth-led organizations, youth-led associations, nongovernmental organizations, not-for-profit youth-led businesses, and teams of youth innovators and entrepreneurs interested in building their businesses. Here's what the current GELP cohort is saying. "The mentorship provided by the GELP has greatly helped me grow as a person and has made me feel more comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone, especially in areas like preparing for presentations and managing stress. Today, I feel much more at ease speaking in front of an audience!"—Alexandre Savard, Encore! Biomatériaux, Canada . "The seed funding provided through the GELP was a wonderful opportunity to kickstart some of our project's most important activities. Thanks to this support, we were able to initiate the implementation of an Environmental Management Unit, a step that will foster restoration and conservation of the area." —Ana Cristina Posadas García, Strategy for the Restoration and Conservation of the Ciénega of Tamasopo Wetland, RAMSAR Site, Mexico . "As members of the inaugural GELP cohort, we have had the privilege of connecting with individuals and organizations driven to be a power for good in the environmental and climate space. These experiences have been the catalyst for additional award nominations and the formation of collaborative partnerships that we believe will further grow our work at the intersection of justice and an equitable energy transition."—McKenna Dunbar and Jake Barnet , Electrivive: An Equitable Building Electrification Workforce Redevelopment Tool, United States . We're giving youth the resources to succeed and lead. In addition to building capacity for youth, this program accelerates youth leadership by expanding youth environmental networks and providing seed funding for creative solutions to flourish, particularly at the local level. During the year-long mentorship program, youth leaders receive advice from experts to help advance their solutions and guidance on various elements of their projects, including how to pitch their solutions and other project development and management topics such as risk management, budgeting, outreach and fundraising. The program supports impactful and enduring community-driven activities and establishes a robust youth network across North America . The GELP also provides extended networking opportunities for participants. The selected solutions are presented to the public and selected teams can engage with the CEC's Joint Public Advisory Committee and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Expert Group , and Government officials and experts, during the CEC Council Session , an ideal platform to showcase the impactful ideas at the ministerial level. Requirements for participation. Applicants must demonstrate that their solutions can address or respond to critical issues related to supporting our communities and preserving our shared waters, lands and air across North America . Submissions should be practical, effective, achievable and propose sustainable solutions to an identifiable environmental problem. They should also be context-specific and consider the unique characteristics of the community or region targeted by the project. The eligibility and evaluation criteria prioritize solutions that have established a clear objective and will have a significant impact on local communities and their environment: Priority is given to proposals submitted by diverse youth who identified or developed their solutions jointly with communities, including community members who traditionally do not have access to decision-making spaces. Submission deadline : Completed submissions must be uploaded to the submission platform by 23:59 local time on 12 January 2025 . Click here to learn more about the program, the submission guidelines and criteria, and to apply. For more information about the Generation of Environmental Leaders Program and the submission process, please join us for a virtual information session on 17 December 2024 from 13:00–14:00 Eastern Time (12:00–13:00 Central Time) and (10:00–11:00 Pacific Time), available with simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Spanish. If you would like to know more about CEC initiatives, opportunities and efforts, you can sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media . Media Contact Patrick Tonissen Head of Communications +1 (438) 885-8463 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cecs-generation-of-environmental-leaders-program-now-open-to-north-american-youth-302314604.html SOURCE Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)
Today, Dec. 6, is the anniversary of the Polytechnique massacre and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Port Moody–Coquitlam NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo delivered a blunt speech on the topic in the House of Commons. "It has been 35 years since Barbara Kuchnik-Vijadavich, Annie Turcotte, Annie St-Arneault, Michèle Richard, Sonia Pelletier, Anne-Marie Lemay, Maryse Leclair, Maryse Laganière, Maud Haviernick, Anne-Marie Edward, Barbara Dayneault, Nathalie Croteau, Hélène Colgan and Geneviève Bergeron were murdered for being a woman. New Democrats will always remember the women of Polytechnique Montreal as they lost their lives to patriarchy and white privilege. This deadly combination continues, with the upholding of male supremacy across the globe. It is called misogyny: an ingrained prejudice and contempt for women. It is misogyny that has kept women excluded from the hallways of power. It is what has limited their job opportunities, income, ability to move freely in community, be safe from violence or to even have the healthcare they need. And, for Indigenous women in Canada, the impacts are even more deadly. Indigenous women are killed at seven times the rate of non-Indigenous women in Canada. This is a recognized genocide that has become so normalized in this country that when an Indigenous woman, girl or two-spirit individual goes missing or is killed, it barely makes the news. That reality is happening right now in Winnipeg where murdered Indigenous women have been abandoned in a landfill. And it was not a given that the hallways of power would offer dignity to these women and search for them wherever they were. No, it took the pressure of sisters to get it done and I take a moment here to recognize the power of the NDP member from Winnipeg Centre, who fought alongside Indigenous women and their families and created a red-dress alert system to find and protect Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. This is what action on violence against women looks like. It is shameful that women and diverse-gender people in this country need to stand on guard because, in 35 years, misogyny has not dissipated; in fact, it has increased. With the reach of online gaming and social media, misogyny now has a new name: manospheres. These are clubs, podcasts, books and influencers who use these platforms to radicalize young males through a combination of algorithmic design, social dynamics and exposure to extremist ideologies. Remember these words: Algorithmic Amplification, Gamification of Hate, Normalization of Misogyny, Recruitment of Vulnerability men, and lack of Counter-Messaging. These are all enemies of human rights and are the new wave of violence against women and diverse genders. Right now, the Winnipeg Human Rights Museum draws the country’s attention to the fact, and I quote from their website, "that a growing number of men spread hateful ideas about women, trans and non-binary people online. Some internet communities even encourage and celebrate gender-based violence. Researchers have called for a variety of regulatory and technical improvements to reduce the reach and harmfulness of radical, hateful internet content. Simply banning users who engage in hate speech — deplatforming them — has been shown to reduce their reach. Legislatures must take action on this immediately as the internet giants will not because they are financially benefiting from hate. So, this is where Canada is at 35 years after 14 aspiring engineers were killed for being women, and bravely stepping into the manosphere. Today, and every day, New Democrats honour the women who lost their lives at École Polytechnique, and to every victim of gender-based violence. And we call on the government and the Opposition to stop fuelling hate, take immediately action to end the amplification of misogyny and end decades of government’s systemic failures to protect the fundamental human rights of women and gender-diverse people in this country." 📣 Got an opinion on this story or any others in the Tri-Cities? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected] . 📲 Want to stay updated on Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra news? Sign up for our free daily newsletter . 💬 Words missing in an article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.As Ghana prepares for its crucial presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2024, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised serious concerns over alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process and the heavy deployment of military personnel across the country. NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, took to social media to accuse the Electoral Commission (EC) of conspiring with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the elections. Mahama criticized the EC for what he called a deliberate leak of validation stamps, which, according to him, would allow political parties to print their own fake ballot papers. In his post, Mahama stated, “With less than 24 hours to go, it has become obvious that the Electoral Commission is determined to aid the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the elections. But they will fail because the people of Ghana are determined to vote for change and protect their ballots.” He further claimed that the EC had exposed serial numbers of the validating stamps in an internal memo, which could enable parties to counterfeit the stamps and engage in ballot stuffing. Mahama called on various stakeholders, including the National Peace Council, religious and traditional leaders, civil society, and international observers, to hold the EC accountable and ensure a fair election. In addition, NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, echoed Mahama’s concerns, demanding that President Akufo-Addo recall the military personnel deployed to various constituencies, which he described as “militarization” of the election. The NDC warned that it would not tolerate such actions and called for the immediate withdrawal of military forces from election-related duties. Meanwhile, Malik Basintale, the NDC’s Deputy General Secretary, issued a strong statement, warning that the party would take retaliatory action if it perceived any unfairness or violence during the elections. His post read, “We are ready! Tomorrow, if we hear K3, we will do.” As the nation heads to the polls tomorrow, the allegations from the NDC add to the tense atmosphere surrounding the election, with both sides on high alert. The Electoral Commission, however, has not yet responded to these accusations. Security measures have been ramped up across the country, with the Ghana Armed Forces deploying personnel in support of the police to maintain law and order during the election process.