casino live stream youtube You share a lot more than just meals and hobbies with your family and friends: you also give each other gut microbes, meaning your personal flora can serve as a detailed profile of your social life. A new study has found just how much face-to-face social interactions impact the human gut microbiome. The study, led by Yale University researchers Francesco Beghini and Jackson Pullman, involved pairing a social network map of 1,787 adults living in isolated villages in Honduras with a detailed analysis of the microbes that live in each participant's gut. "[It] was a long labor of love (if one can use that expression for the collection of hundreds of stool specimens from isolated jungle villages)," sociologist and physician Nicholas Christakis, also from Yale, told ScienceAlert. They also collected information on the villagers' social networks to create a detailed picture of who spent time with who in the community. The data is drawn from a larger project that began in 2013 in collaboration with local and regional public health agencies and local leaders, and was used not only for research but to provide diagnosis and treatment for participants whose samples reflected a need. Participants were instructed on how to collect their own stool samples and passed them on to a local team who put them on ice and shipped them off to the US for analysis. While the larger project involved 176 villages, for this study the team chose to focus on data from 18 particularly isolated villages in the western highlands of Honduras. "W e needed to study isolated populations for our work, where social ties were within a circumscribed community – hence these isolated villages," Christakis explained. They plan to conduct similar studies in other parts of the world, like Greece, to see how things compare across different cultures, but Christakis thinks that even this study of remote villages in Honduras offers a universal insight into how human microbiomes are molded by our social structures. "W e believe our findings are of generic relevance, not bound to the specific location we did this work, shedding light on how human social interactions shape the nature and impact of the microbes in our bodies." They found that microbial species and strains are shared not only between families, but other non-familial and non-household connections – close friends, for instance. They also found that the gut flora of socially central people – those who have a greater number of social connections in the community – is more similar to the overall village than people who live on the social periphery. And that strain-sharing amplifies through social connections over time: among 301 people whose microbiome was measured again after two years, the gut flora strains of those who had more face-to-face connections had become more similar to each other than among otherwise similar co-villagers who were less socially connected. For those who find themselves increasingly isolated from face-to-face interactions, reduced contact with others is almost certain to play a role in their microbiome's makeup. "If you are physically and hence socially isolated, you have different microbes than if you are a social butterfly," Christakis explained. But we don't yet know whether that's for better or worse. As with most biological phenomena, it probably depends on many factors. " The sharing of microbes per se is neither good nor bad, but the sharing of particular microbes in particular circumstances can indeed be good or bad," said Christakis. "For instance, after a person takes antibiotics, their guts may be denuded of healthy microbes , and they must be recolonized with the healthy, normal microbes we need to function. This recolonization likely often occurs via social interactions." Christakis pointed out that studies have linked gut microbiomes with mental and physical health conditions that aren't otherwise considered biologically contagious, like obesity , depression , and arthritis . This research suggests that community structure may have an impact on how the microbial profiles of those conditions might emerge. This research was published in Nature .Stock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% Thursday, its first loss after three straight gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Gains by retailers and health care stocks helped temper the losses. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks wavered on Wall Street in afternoon trading Thursday, as gains in tech companies and retailers helped temper losses elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 was up less than 0.1% after drifting between small gains and losses. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 10 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 3:20 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was up 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened after the Christmas holiday. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.5%, Micron Technology was up 1.3% and Adobe gained 0.8%. While tech stocks overall were in the green, some heavyweights were a drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.1%. Meta Platforms fell 0.5%, Amazon was down 0.4%, and Netflix gave up 0.7%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, down 1.4%. Health care stocks helped lift the market. CVS Health rose 1.4% and Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 3.9% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 3.1%, Ross Stores added 1.8%, Best Buy was up 2.5% and Dollar Tree gained 3.6%. Traders are watching to see whether retailers have a strong holiday season. The day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. U.S.-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4.2% and 15.9%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. Traders got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields turned mostly lower in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.58% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up roughly 26% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed.

Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She noted that because the hack appeared to be targeting a relatively small group of individuals, only a small number of Americans' phone calls and texts have been compromised. Neuberger added that impacted companies are all responding, but none “have fully removed the Chinese actors from these networks.” “So there is a risk of ongoing compromises to communications until U.S. companies address the cybersecurity gaps the Chinese are likely to maintain their access,” Neuberger said. She said that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the findings and that the White House “has made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” The Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages on Wednesday. White House officials believe that the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, which has been dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Neuberger pointed to efforts that have been made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online.Drop in Boxing Day footfall ‘signals return to declining pre-pandemic levels’The Ducks lugged a four-game points streak in tow as they prepared to welcome the Seattle Kraken for the front half of a home-and-home set. It will begin Monday at Honda Center before migrating northward for its second leg on Wednesday in Seattle. Last season, the teams also faced off twice in three days, with both those games being played in Seattle. The Kraken won both by an aggregate score of 8-2 as part of a four-game season sweep, though neither team ended up qualifying for the postseason. This year, they’re both at exactly .500, thanks to recent surges –– the Ducks are 4-1-1 in their past six games and the Kraken are 5-2-0 in their last seven –– with designs on pushing upward in the Pacific Division standings. They’re also both coming off disappointing losses, with the Ducks blowing a two-goal lead to fall 3-2 in overtime to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday and the Kraken coming up with too little, too late in the way of both offense and energy against the Kings on Saturday. Buffalo was opportunistic, twice dredging up goals from rebounds and scoring another off a turnover. For the Ducks’ part, they missed opportunities to shoot the puck, in some cases from prime scoring areas, once more. “We’ve still got to shoot the puck more,” Coach Greg Cronin said. “In the first period, I think Leo (Carlsson) had a 2-on-1 and the (defenseman) shaded towards (Alex Killorn), and he still passed. I think (Pavel Mintyukov) had one in the slot and he didn’t shoot it. It’s a strange mentality.” While Cronin lamented his team’s unwillingness to shoot yet again, former Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour was flummoxed by his Seattle teammates’ lack of pop in a loss to the Kings that he prevented from being a shutout with a goal in the final two minutes of the match. While Montour liked his squad’s late push, he thought they needed more hunger and consistency alike against the Ducks. “These games, we’ve got to be up for. Anaheim’s up next, we’ve got to come with desperation and get those points,” Montour said. Montour had nearly put the Kraken on the board with a booming one-timer and a second-chance effort that pinged the post in a game where his motor, wheels, and open throttle were on full display. Since his departure via trade in 2019, Montour has established himself firmly in the NHL. After parts of three seasons, including two truncated ones, in Buffalo, Montour moved onto the Florida Panthers. There, he scored a career-high 73 points two seasons ago, when the Panthers’ Cinderella run carried them to the Stanley Cup Final. Last season, they won the Cup in a contract year for Montour, who inked a seven-year, $50 million contract with Seattle as a free agent. He leads Seattle in defensive scoring and Jared McCann is its pace car when it comes to points. Another top offensive talent, Jordan Eberle, underwent pelvic surgery on Friday and was expected to miss around three months of action. Goalie Joey Daccord ranks in the league’s top 10 for both save percentage and goals-against average.

WASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. FILE - The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Zhangjiakou, China, on Feb. 2, 2022. A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could grow. The U.S. believes the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden was briefed on the findings and the White House “made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” US officials recommend encrypted messaging apps amid "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack, attributed to China, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and others. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack Tuesday after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday. White House officials believe the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Trump's pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel was allegedly the target of cyberattack attempt by Iranian-backed hackers. Neuberger pointed to efforts made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt Typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online. Picture this: You're on vacation in a city abroad, exploring museums, tasting the local cuisine, and people-watching at cafés. Everything is going perfectly until you get a series of alerts on your phone. Someone is making fraudulent charges using your credit card, sending you into a panic. How could this have happened? Cyberattacks targeting travelers are nothing new. But as travel has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so has the volume of hackers and cybercriminals preying upon tourists. Financial fraud is the most common form of cybercrime experienced by travelers, but surveillance via public Wi-Fi networks, social media hacking, and phishing scams are also common, according to a survey by ExpressVPN . Spokeo consulted cybersecurity sources and travel guides to determine some of the best ways to protect your phone while traveling, from using a VPN to managing secure passwords. Online attacks are not the only type of crime impacting travelers—physical theft of phones is also a threat. Phones have become such invaluable travel aids, housing our navigation tools, digital wallets, itineraries, and contacts, that having your phone stolen, lost, or compromised while abroad can be devastating. Meanwhile, traveling can make people uniquely vulnerable to both cyber and physical attacks due to common pitfalls like oversharing on social media and letting your guard down when it comes to taking risks online. Luckily, there are numerous precautions travelers can take to safeguard against cyberattacks and phone theft. Hackers can—and do—target public Wi-Fi networks at cafés and hotels to gain access to your personal information or install malware onto your device, particularly on unsecured networks. Travelers are especially vulnerable to these types of cybersecurity breaches because they are often more reliant on public Wi-Fi than they would be in their home countries where they have more robust phone plans. This reliance on public, unsecured networks means travelers are more likely to use those networks to perform sensitive tasks like financial transfers, meaning hackers can easily gain access to banking information or other passwords. One easy way to safeguard yourself against these breaches is to use a virtual private network, or VPN, while traveling. VPNs are apps that encrypt your data and hide your location, preventing hackers from accessing personal information. An added bonus is that VPNs allow you to access websites that may be blocked or unavailable in the country you are visiting. To use a VPN, simply download a VPN app on your phone or computer, create an account, choose a server, and connect. Pickpockets, scammers, and flagrant, snatch-your-phone-right-out-of-your-hand thieves can be found pretty much everywhere. In London, for instance, a staggering 91,000 phones were reported stolen to police in 2022 , breaking down to an average of 248 per day, according to the BBC. Whether you're visiting a crowded tourist attraction or just want peace of mind, travel experts advise taking precautions to make sure your phone isn't physically stolen or compromised while traveling. There are several antitheft options to choose from. If you want a bag that will protect your phone from theft, experts recommend looking for features like slash-resistant fabric, reinforced shoulder straps, hidden zippers that can be locked, and secure attachment points, like a cross-body strap or a sturdy clip. For tethers, look for those made of tear-resistant material with a reinforced clip or ring. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, there's a good chance you won't be getting it back. Out of those 91,000 phones stolen in London in 2022, only 1,915 (or about 2%) were recovered. The good news is that you can take precautions to make the loss of your phone less devastating by backing up your data before you travel. With backed-up data, you can acquire a new device and still access your photos, contacts, messages, and passwords. Moreover, if you have "Find My Device" or "Find My Phone" enabled, you can remotely wipe your stolen phone's data so the thief cannot access it. It's safest to back up your data to a hard drive and not just the cloud. That way, if you have to wipe your device, you don't accidentally erase the backup, too. In order for the previous tip on this list to work, "Find My Phone" must be turned on in advance, but remotely wiping your device isn't the only thing this feature allows you to do. The "Find My Phone" feature enables you to track your device, as long as it's turned on and not in airplane mode. This is particularly helpful if you misplaced your phone or left it somewhere since it can help you retrace your steps. While this feature won't show you the live location of a phone that has been turned off, it will show the phone's last known location. With "Find My Phone," you can also remotely lock your phone or enable "Lost Mode," which locks down the phone, suspends any in-phone payment methods, and displays contact information for returning the phone to you. If your phone was stolen, experts caution against taking matters into your own hands by chasing down the thief, since this could land you in a potentially dangerous situation and is unlikely to result in getting your phone back. Strong passwords for important accounts help protect your information while you travel, but it's just a first step. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends creating long, unique, and complex passwords for every account and combining them with multifactor authentication to create maximum barriers to entry. If you're worried about remembering these passwords, password managers can be a vital tool for both creating and storing strong passwords. Password managers are apps that act as secure vaults for all your passwords. Some even come with a feature that allows you to temporarily delete sensitive passwords before you travel and then easily restore them once you return. Story editing by Mia Nakaji Monnier. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Ottawa mayor speaks on transit funding, federal turmoil in year-end interviewCarl Black Chevy Buick GMC in Kennesaw offers valuable research on the new 2025 Chevy Equinox. ATLANTA , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carl Black Chevrolet Buick GMC in Kennesaw is thrilled to announce new insights into the 2025 Chevy Equinox for sale near Atlanta . This small SUV has received a bold redesign, advanced technology updates, and versatile options, including a highly anticipated EV variant. -Redesigned Chevy Equinox Brings Style and Functionality The redesigned Chevy Equinox boasts a sleeker exterior with sharper lines, a reimagined front grille, and stunning LED headlights. These changes not only enhance the SUV's visual appeal but also improve aerodynamics. Inside, drivers and passengers will enjoy a spacious cabin that seamlessly integrates comfort and technology. Moreover, the 2025 Chevy Equinox prioritizes convenience. Features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB-C ports keep everyone connected. Plus, the hands-free power liftgate simplifies loading and unloading, making the Equinox perfect for busy families and commuters alike. -A Look at the Affordable 2025 Chevy Equinox Price Starting at just $28,600 , the 2025 Chevy Equinox price offers incredible value for its class and standard features. It comes loaded with safety features like lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking as standard. Higher trims introduce premium amenities such as leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and a Bose sound system. Carl Black Kennesaw is especially excited about the upcoming 2025 Chevy Equinox EV , which blends innovation with efficiency. As Chevrolet moves toward a sustainable future, this electric variant stands out as an excellent option for environmentally conscious drivers. -Find the Perfect Chevy Equinox Near Me For those searching for a reliable small SUV, Carl Black Chevrolet Buick GMC in Kennesaw has you covered. Explore their extensive current inventory to find the Chevy Equinox near me that fits your needs. From daily commutes to family road trips, the Equinox is a versatile choice. To learn more, visit the 2025 Chevy Equinox model research page or discover what's new in this impressive, completely redesigned SUV. Experience the future of small SUVs today at Carl Black Kennesaw. - About Carl Black Chevy Buick GMC Carl Black Chevy Buick GMC is a leading auto dealership in Kennesaw, GA that offers a wide selection of new and used vehicles and financing, maintenance, and repair services. Now, we have a widening range of personal and business electric vehicles, as well. The dealership is committed to supplying exceptional customer service and helping customers find the right vehicle for their needs and budget. For more information, visit www.carlblackkennesaw.com . Shoppers may also contact the Georgia dealership by calling 888-457-2417 or visiting the store at 1110 Roberts Road. SOURCE Carl Black Chevy Buick GMC Kennesaw

The trial of the 51 men accused of raping Gisele Pelicot in France has entered its final phase. A report from the courtroom where the rape survivor declared war on a society that trivializes rape and shames survivors. Warning: This text contains descriptions of sexual violence. At first glance, with its medieval city walls and charming alleyways, the French town of Avignon seems like normal French municipality. But the closer one draws to the courthouse, the more the fresh graffiti and posters demand attention: "Gisele, our sun," "Gisele, our icon," "Symbol of dignity and courage." Opposite the court, a banner that reads "Rape is rape" flutters in the wind. Gisele Pelicot 's decision to make the rape trial against her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot and 50 other alleged perpetrators public has rocked France, sparking protests and debate about violence against women — it has also made her a feminist icon far beyond Avignon. Investigators have counted around 200 instances of rape in the case, most of them by Gisele Pelicot's ex-husband and more than 90 by strangers after he secretly drugged her. She has said that for years she suffered unexplained memory and health problems, only discovering what had happened after her then-husband was arrested for filming up the skirts of women in a supermarket. The last defendant takes the stand Though filled to capacity, the courtroom is silent on Tuesday, November 19. So many people want to witness the victim's final testimony that a second room has been opened for a video broadcast. Five judges sit on black chairs. Opposite the president of the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon, Roger Arata, is the last defendant, Philippe L., a 62-year-old gardener. Philippe L. rocks back and forth nervously. He doesn't seem to know where to put his hands. From above, his bald spot shines through the crown of his hair. He denies having had any intention of raping Gisele Pelicot. He "only" penetrated her with his fingers, he says in a deep smoker's voice. He illustrates the act with his hands and hips, moving his pelvis back and forth. Listening to this account, one could get the impression that Philippe L. had merely arranged to meet Dominique Pelicot for a coffee date. He says he was looking for a "kinky woman" on the internet portal Coco, where he was contacted by Dominique Pelicot for a "trio." They arranged to meet on the afternoon of June 7, 2018. First, they had coffee and water, then Dominique Pelicot and Philippe L. watched videos in which Gisele is raped by her ex-husband and other men. Dominique Pelicot filmed all of the rapes In the bedroom of the couple's home in Mazan in southwestern France , Pelicot told Philippe L. that his wife had taken sleeping pills and that the whole thing was part of a game. Philippe L. says that Pelicot then insisted that he penetrate his motionless wife. The court president reads out a description of the video of the alleged rape, a detailed account of what was done to Gisele Pelicot while she lay unconscious on her stomach. She can be heard snoring in the video. "Out of politeness," he then dressed himself and waited for Pelicot to finish raping his wife. "You have a strange understanding of politeness," says Stephane Babonneau, Gisele Pelicot's lawyer. "You wait for Mr. Pelicot, yet can't keep yourself in check?" Pelicot trial inspires rape survivor to speak To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'There is no right to be mistaken' He did not act "as a man should act," Philippe L. says. He didn't think with his brain but with his penis. He didn't know that Gisele Pelicot was unconscious and could not give her consent. Philippe L. says this even though the chat room where the husband recruited him and the other men is called "à son insu," meaning "without her knowledge." The lawyer wants to know whether it didn't bother him that Gisele Pelicot was lying there motionless. Philippe L. rambles. He can neither be still nor formulate a clear sentence. He speaks in idioms: "Voilá, ehhh, je sais pas...comme ci, comme ça." With his hand in his pocket, bobbing up and down, he finally says that he is sorry that things have unfortunately turned out this way. Like most of the 50 co-defendants, Philippe L. pleads not guilty. He was not a rapist but rather a victim of Dominique Pelicot's system, according to the defense. So the around 200 rapes documented on video between 2011 and 2020 were all just mistakes made by men who didn't know any better? "If a man comes across an unconscious woman and decides to perform sexual acts on her without her consent, there is no right to be mistaken," Gisele Pelicot's lawyer says later in closing argument about this strategy. 'They are all guilty' Then Gisele Pelicot takes the witness stand for the last time since the trial began in September. She stands up straight with her head held high, her hands folded on the lectern. She says in a composed voice that she is tired today. She has heard things here that are unacceptable, men who deny raping her despite video evidence. She wants to say to these men: "At what point did Mrs. Pelicot give you her consent when you entered the room?" Each of these men had the opportunity to go to the police. Even an anonymous tip could have saved her, she says. Dominique Pelicot and the men sitting behind her in the dock made a conscious decision to rape her, she says. Gisele Pelicot does not believe that the codefendants were merely manipulated into committing these crimes. Even her ex-husband, who has confessed to the rapes, says that the codefendants are claiming this "to save themselves." But will such a strategy even be worth trying? In France, rape is defined as "any form of sexual penetration committed against another person using force, coercion, threat or surprise." With the verdict expected by the end of December, many hope that it will not only bring about social change but also a change in the law. French Minister of Justice Didier Migaud could initiate such a change. He told the press that he was open to including "consent” in the legal definition of rape. Yet early this year, France, along with 14 member states that included Germany, rejected a European Union directive that would have introduced a standard definition of rape as sex without consent without those affected having to prove violence or coercion, as is currently the case in France. 'I want my grandchildren to be proud' Gisele Pelicot hopes her trial will bring about social change. It is high time that France's "patriarchal, macho society that trivializes rape" changes, the 71-year-old said in her final testimony. In court, she has not called the man to whom she was married for over 50 years "Dominique" but "Monsieur Pelicot." Her children, she says, are now ashamed of this name. Her daughter, who has even assumed the pen name Caroline Darian, believes she was also assaulted by her father. During the cross-examination, one of the lawyers asks Gisele Pelicot why she has kept her husband's surname. There is silence in the courtroom as she answers calmly: "My name is now known worldwide. They should not be ashamed to bear this name. Today, I want my grandchildren to be proud of their grandma. Today, we remember Gisele Pelicot." This article was originally written in German.

The Kansas City Chiefs bounced back from their first defeat of the season with a dramatic 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. The reigning Super Bowl champions saw their run of 15 straight wins ended by the Buffalo Bills last week, but got back to winning ways thanks to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After a late Chuba Hubbard touchdown and two-point conversion had made it 27-27, the Chiefs got the ball back with less than two minutes on the clock and a 33-yard run from Mahomes helped set up Spencer Shrader for a game-winning field goal. Mahomes finished the game with 269 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Noah Gray in the first half. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored two touchdowns as the Detroit Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-6 to improve their record to 10-1, matching that of the Chiefs. David Montgomery also ran for a score before having to leave the game with a shoulder injury. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended a four-game losing streak with a 30-7 win over the New York Giants, who “mutually agreed” to terminate the contract of quarterback Daniel Jones earlier this week. Jones’ replacement Tommy DeVito was sacked four times while opposite number Baker Mayfield ran for a touchdown and completed 24 of 30 pass attempts for 294 yards. Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker also ran for touchdowns in a one-sided contest. The Dallas Cowboys ended their five-game losing streak with a remarkable 34-26 win over the Washington Commanders, with 30 points scored in the final three minutes. KaVontae Turpin’s 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown looked to have sealed victory for the Cowboys, only for the Commanders to respond with a field goal before getting the ball back with 33 seconds remaining. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin sprinted 86 yards through the Dallas defence for a touchdown, only for Austin Seibert to miss the extra point. The Commanders tried an onside kick and Juanyeh Thomas returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw four touchdown passes as the Miami Dolphins cruised to a 34-15 win over the New England Patriots, while the Tennessee Titans pulled off a surprise 32-27 victory at the Houston Texans. The Minnesota Vikings improved to 9-2 thanks to a 30-27 overtime win against the Chicago Bears, Parker Romo kicking the decisive field goal from 29 yards.EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Jonathan Greenard was gassed, gasping for breath and gulping some water late in the game on Minnesota's sideline, having chased around Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray to the point of sheer exhaustion after fighting through an illness all week. The Cardinals faced fourth down in those closing seconds , trailing by one, and Greenard needed a break. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell let defensive coordinator Brian Flores see the formation the Cardinals sent out and deftly called timeout. The badly wanted Greenard, who'd been battling an illness all week, back in the game. “'You ready to go? You ready to go? You ready to go?'” O'Connell asked, smiling later as he reflected on his eagerness and the rarity of using a timeout to give a defensive player a rest. “No doubt, he was going back on the field and going to have a really impactful snap.” Greenard and the rest of the pass rush put enough heat on Murray to force a that Shaquill Griffin intercepted to seal a 23-22 comeback victory that stretched Minnesota's winning streak to five. “He’s playing some high-level football. I don’t know where we’re at with postseason accolades, but he should be in the conversation for a number of those,” Flores said. “I feel like I say this every week: We’re lucky to have him.” Greenard is tied for fourth in the NFL with 32 pressures, according to Sportradar tracking. He's also tied for fourth in the league with 10 sacks. “He’s always popping off the tape, no matter what week it is,” teammate Harrison Smith said. “Especially in crunch time.” Those basic statistics only begin to show the impact Greenard has made on the Vikings, who made him their top priority in free agency this year once it was clear Danielle Hunter priced himself out of the plan. Greenard has not only blossomed into one of the league's most effective edge rushers after four injury-limited seasons with Houston, but he has also been a major part of Minnesota's success against the ground attack to the tune of an NFL-leading average allowance of 81.3 rushing yards per game. “The underrated part is just the all-down aspect of the physicality, setting edges, playing blocks and making some plays at or behind the line of scrimmage that set up his chances to then rush the passer,” O'Connell said. “He’s played a ton. We’re trying to be aware of just how much he’s played and see if we can give him some spurts here and there where we can kind of keep his play count where we want it, but at the same time he’s one of our best players. As I like to call him, he’s the closer.” Never was that nickname more evident than against the Cardinals. Pushed wide on his rush by left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., Greenard stabbed at Murray with his left hand to graze just enough of the ball to poke it loose. Murray fell on it to maintain possession, but the sack put the Cardinals in an uphill third-and-13 play. This time, Greenard deftly slid to the inside to keep full vision on one of the NFL’s most elusive quarterbacks. Pressure by Patrick Jones prompted Murray to take off as he barely avoided another sack, and Greenard was in ideal position to minimize the scramble. Once Murray hesitated to try to juke him and approaching cornerback Byron Murphy for more yardage, Greenard caught up and corralled him — inbounds, forcing the Cardinals to burn another timeout — for a 3-yard gain. Afterward, Greenard drew a straight line from those plays back to his offseason training. “If your tongue ain’t on the ground after your workouts, I feel like you’re not doing enough, especially the guys on the quarterbacks,” Greenard said. With the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd roaring, Greenard doubled over and asked to be subbed out. “I just wanted to show that I’m running my tail off to that football. It just so happened that he cut back and I was like, ‘Oh, perfect,'” Greenard said. “That was tough.” AP NFL:

Federal government seeks injunctions against two Tulsa-area DAs

MIAMI — As president-elect Donald Trump considers Ron DeSantis to lead the Pentagon, many Floridians may be wondering: Who will be governor if he takes the job? The answer is Jeanette Núñez. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Kensington's town council has reversed its plans to help fund a set of pickleball courts, a week its mayor resigned over the issue, saying the small P.E.I. town couldn't afford them. On Nov. 25, council voted 3-2 to spend about $289,000 on a six-court pickleball facility, or possibly less if fundraising efforts came up with some cash. The Canada Games Legacy Fund would provide another $270,000. Rowan Caseley, who was in his 10th year as mayor, had been vocal in insisting the money could be better spent elsewhere, given the town already had four places for people to play pickleball. He saw his fellow councillors' action as a "vote of non-confidence" in his leadership and resigned that same night. Now, after a closed-door meeting Tuesday night, councillors have voted to reverse the original decision to fund the facility. Mayor of central P.E.I. town quits after his council backs a pricey pickleball project In a news release Wednesday, the town said that after the original vote, members of the local pickleball club said they would not be able to fundraise for, manage or maintain the facility. How a pitch for new pickleball courts led a longtime P.E.I. mayor to resign 8 days ago Duration 2:32 After many years in the Kensington mayor's chair, Rowan Caseley has quit. His sudden decision followed a lengthy and emotional debate around whether the town could afford a complex of new pickleball courts, in an era when requests for things Caseley calls "needs" have been rejected because the money just wasn't there. "This pickleball court is something that is a want," he said. "While they were excited at the prospect of a new pickleball facility in the community, the development of pickleball courts does not align with the current priorities of the local pickleball club," the release said. "It was the town's original understanding that the pickleball club was committed to fundraising towards the capital cost and the operations and maintenance of the facility, which formed an integral part of why the original direction to staff to proceed with the project was given." Given that Kensington has several other projects in the planning stages, the news release also said, the town did not have the staffing resources to take on another one. Those include "playground improvements, sidewalk replacements, expansions to the town's wastewater treatment and collection systems, and projects that improve operational efficiency." This issue has been divisive within our community. My hope is that we can now put this behind us and continue working together to build and strengthen our great community. — Acting Mayor Jeff Spencer Acting mayor Jeff Spencer was quoted in the news release as saying councillors would continue to seek other ways to enhance the town's recreational offerings. "This issue has been divisive within our community," he noted. "My hope is that we can now put this behind us and continue working together to build and strengthen our great community." Spencer also said: "We appreciate the input from the local pickleball club and their honesty about their current priorities and capabilities." Pickleball explained 11 years ago Duration 2:03 Pickleball aficianado Garth Matthews demonstrates the finer points of a racquet sport becoming popular in eastern P.E.I. Reached on Wednesday, Caseley said he was not pleased he had to take such a "drastic step," but has no regrets about his decision to resign. "I've got to look at there being some success, because that was the big problem that I had, was with the project moving forward and not having the resources to be able to do it," he said. "So if that cancelled the project, then I guess that's worth me resigning over." The town has until May 25 to hold a byelection for a new mayor.What Canada’s chief of defence staff says keeps her up at night

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Port: No more budget addresses from lame-duck governors, pleaseEarlier this month, Google released new some details about its use of AI to block spam and dangerous messages from reaching your email. Now though, it looks like this same technology could be coming to Google Chrome too. As reported by BleepingComputer , a new “Client Side Detection Brand and Intent for Scam Detection” Chrome feature was spotted by Leopeva64 on X . Just like with Gmail's recent upgrade, this feature uses a Large Language Model to analyze potential threats. In this case though, it’s not emails that are being analyzed but web pages on your devices, and the feature searches through brands and the intent of the pages you see when navigating across different sites. This new AI feature is believed to power a scam detection service which understands the associated brand and purpose of each page you visit online. This will help make it even easier to identify sites that could potentially be fraudulent in nature. Though Google hasn't share any specific details yet on how this feature works or how to turn it on, you will be able to use it on Mac, Windows and Linux once it rolls out next year. This new tool is currently being tested in Chrome Canary and it could be related to Google's existing Enhanced Protection feature which has been using AI to provide real time protection against dangerous sites, downloads and extensions since November of this year. More from Tom's GuidePercentages: FG .418, FT .750. 3-Point Goals: 10-26, .385 (Butler 5-9, Campbell 2-3, Khayat 1-2, M.Johnson 1-4, Thomas 1-7, Exacte 0-1). Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 1 (Towns). Turnovers: 10 (Campbell 4, M.Johnson 3, Butler, Felt, Towns). Steals: 6 (Campbell 2, Green, Khayat, M.Johnson, Thomas). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .500, FT .909. 3-Point Goals: 8-20, .400 (Karasinski 2-4, Smith 2-4, B.Johnson 2-6, Hopf 1-1, Branson 1-2, Goodin 0-1, Hacker 0-2). Team Rebounds: 0. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 4 (Branson 2, Hacker 2). Turnovers: 9 (Branson 2, Hopf 2, B.Johnson, Hacker, Karasinski, Smith, Whitaker). Steals: 6 (Smith 3, Doyle, Hopf, Karasinski). Technical Fouls: None. A_1,282 (2,196).

SHAREHOLDER INVESTIGATION: Halper Sadeh LLC Investigates ALTR, SASR, AUB, CYTH on Behalf of ShareholdersThe press has given Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra the nickname "Paetongphoey" -- a reference to her dependence on prepared scripts at important occasions -- as part of the year-end tradition among Government House reporters to come up with monikers for senior government officials. The nickname "Paetongphoey" is a mash-up between the first two syllables of the prime minister's name, and phoey -- the Thai word for "script". When asked to comment on the name, Ms Paetongtarn insisted it didn't upset her, before adding good-naturedly that "Paetongpad" would have been more accurate, as she reads the scripts off her iPad (as her critics have noted). Government House correspondents also dubbed Ms Paetongtarn's administration as "the dad-backed government", due to her father's -- former prime minister Thaksin -- prominent role in her government. Meanwhile, they also viewed her remarks about her husband's southern origin, brought up when the South was hit by severe floods last month, as quote of the year. In the wake of widespread public criticism for her decision to supervise flood clean-up operations in the North instead of visiting the South when the floods there were at their worst, the premier responded by saying her husband "is a Southerner," so would not let her ignore the area's plight anyway. She said she would have loved to inspect the flooded areas herself, but the widespread nature and timing of the disasters meant she had no option but to delegate tasks to various lawmakers and members of her cabinet. "I feel like I just have to take a step back from anything that makes me feel bad, because hating someone is tiresome," said Ms Paetongtarn at Government House on Monday. When asked about her goals for next year after receiving the feedback from the press, Ms Paetongtarn said she will put her focus on chronic social issues plaguing the country, before pledging to expedite the nation's economic recovery.WASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. FILE - The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Zhangjiakou, China, on Feb. 2, 2022. A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could grow. The U.S. believes the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden was briefed on the findings and the White House “made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” US officials recommend encrypted messaging apps amid "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack, attributed to China, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and others. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack Tuesday after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday. White House officials believe the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Trump's pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel was allegedly the target of cyberattack attempt by Iranian-backed hackers. Neuberger pointed to efforts made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt Typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online. Picture this: You're on vacation in a city abroad, exploring museums, tasting the local cuisine, and people-watching at cafés. Everything is going perfectly until you get a series of alerts on your phone. Someone is making fraudulent charges using your credit card, sending you into a panic. How could this have happened? Cyberattacks targeting travelers are nothing new. But as travel has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so has the volume of hackers and cybercriminals preying upon tourists. Financial fraud is the most common form of cybercrime experienced by travelers, but surveillance via public Wi-Fi networks, social media hacking, and phishing scams are also common, according to a survey by ExpressVPN . Spokeo consulted cybersecurity sources and travel guides to determine some of the best ways to protect your phone while traveling, from using a VPN to managing secure passwords. Online attacks are not the only type of crime impacting travelers—physical theft of phones is also a threat. Phones have become such invaluable travel aids, housing our navigation tools, digital wallets, itineraries, and contacts, that having your phone stolen, lost, or compromised while abroad can be devastating. Meanwhile, traveling can make people uniquely vulnerable to both cyber and physical attacks due to common pitfalls like oversharing on social media and letting your guard down when it comes to taking risks online. Luckily, there are numerous precautions travelers can take to safeguard against cyberattacks and phone theft. Hackers can—and do—target public Wi-Fi networks at cafés and hotels to gain access to your personal information or install malware onto your device, particularly on unsecured networks. Travelers are especially vulnerable to these types of cybersecurity breaches because they are often more reliant on public Wi-Fi than they would be in their home countries where they have more robust phone plans. This reliance on public, unsecured networks means travelers are more likely to use those networks to perform sensitive tasks like financial transfers, meaning hackers can easily gain access to banking information or other passwords. One easy way to safeguard yourself against these breaches is to use a virtual private network, or VPN, while traveling. VPNs are apps that encrypt your data and hide your location, preventing hackers from accessing personal information. An added bonus is that VPNs allow you to access websites that may be blocked or unavailable in the country you are visiting. To use a VPN, simply download a VPN app on your phone or computer, create an account, choose a server, and connect. Pickpockets, scammers, and flagrant, snatch-your-phone-right-out-of-your-hand thieves can be found pretty much everywhere. In London, for instance, a staggering 91,000 phones were reported stolen to police in 2022 , breaking down to an average of 248 per day, according to the BBC. Whether you're visiting a crowded tourist attraction or just want peace of mind, travel experts advise taking precautions to make sure your phone isn't physically stolen or compromised while traveling. There are several antitheft options to choose from. If you want a bag that will protect your phone from theft, experts recommend looking for features like slash-resistant fabric, reinforced shoulder straps, hidden zippers that can be locked, and secure attachment points, like a cross-body strap or a sturdy clip. For tethers, look for those made of tear-resistant material with a reinforced clip or ring. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, there's a good chance you won't be getting it back. Out of those 91,000 phones stolen in London in 2022, only 1,915 (or about 2%) were recovered. The good news is that you can take precautions to make the loss of your phone less devastating by backing up your data before you travel. With backed-up data, you can acquire a new device and still access your photos, contacts, messages, and passwords. Moreover, if you have "Find My Device" or "Find My Phone" enabled, you can remotely wipe your stolen phone's data so the thief cannot access it. It's safest to back up your data to a hard drive and not just the cloud. That way, if you have to wipe your device, you don't accidentally erase the backup, too. In order for the previous tip on this list to work, "Find My Phone" must be turned on in advance, but remotely wiping your device isn't the only thing this feature allows you to do. The "Find My Phone" feature enables you to track your device, as long as it's turned on and not in airplane mode. This is particularly helpful if you misplaced your phone or left it somewhere since it can help you retrace your steps. While this feature won't show you the live location of a phone that has been turned off, it will show the phone's last known location. With "Find My Phone," you can also remotely lock your phone or enable "Lost Mode," which locks down the phone, suspends any in-phone payment methods, and displays contact information for returning the phone to you. If your phone was stolen, experts caution against taking matters into your own hands by chasing down the thief, since this could land you in a potentially dangerous situation and is unlikely to result in getting your phone back. Strong passwords for important accounts help protect your information while you travel, but it's just a first step. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends creating long, unique, and complex passwords for every account and combining them with multifactor authentication to create maximum barriers to entry. If you're worried about remembering these passwords, password managers can be a vital tool for both creating and storing strong passwords. Password managers are apps that act as secure vaults for all your passwords. Some even come with a feature that allows you to temporarily delete sensitive passwords before you travel and then easily restore them once you return. Story editing by Mia Nakaji Monnier. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Sofia Brizo spends four hours a day on what she calls "disability admin". The 27-year-old PHD student, who has cerebral palsy, said she needed to spend that time on making accommodations and planning alternatives, because "the world is not accessible." Disability Wales said disabled people endured an "immense and often daunting" amount of administration. A Welsh government spokesperson said it was committed to supporting the rights of all disabled people and creating an inclusive society. Sofia, from Cardiff, who is also a disability activist lives, said it was everyday things, such as planning a train journey or booking a routine medical appointment, which can take time. "It's all of these little things that kind of add on to your day and something that, for a non-disabled person would take like 30 seconds, for me sometimes it could take you know half an hour," she added. She said she was lucky as her work in academia meant she had a degree of flexibility in her job, recalling how she recently had to leave a meeting unexpectedly to get her walker repaired at a nearby bike shop. "I feel like my disability is a full-time job sometimes, and it's not just because of my own body and the extra care it needs, but it's mostly because of the inaccessible world that we live in," she said. The para swimmer, from Bergamo in Italy, said she recently decided to monitor how much time she spent on these tasks, after a series of problems, and calculated it was four hours a day. "That's literally half of my working day and then I end up having to work weekends, but paradoxically, it's less stressful for me to do my job at weekends. "I can't make phone calls about medical appointments on a Saturday or Sunday," she added. The campaigner said a recent attempt to book her smear test was a good example. "I have a disability as it states in my medical record, I need my legs supported so I need a bed with stirrups. "They say they'll call me back in a few days. A week later I call again, it takes about an hour, it's a different receptionist, I have to explain everything again." Eventually Sofia was able to book an appointment at a nearby medical centre, although when she arrived, they had booked the wrong appointment. "The whole thing was a disaster," she said. Employment relations and diversity researcher, Prof Debbie Foster, of Cardiff University, said her own ill-health and difficulties in getting back to work sparked her interest in disability and employment. "I thought, if I've got lots of information at my fingertips, I know how to read things about the law and rights. "What about other people who don't have access to that information?" The academic, who is also co-chair of the Welsh government disability rights task force, has written extensively on negotiating workplace adjustments, as well as the experience of disabled people in Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic. "We need to think more in terms of an accessible world, and much more in terms of accessible design rather than just making it an individual problem - that's when you get all the disability admin," she added. The professor said, at times, asking for reasonable adjustments in the workplace could feel like asking for "special favours". "The embedded ableism that's in the way that we've designed everything, because it's people who are able-bodied, who have done the designing," she added. Miranda Evans from Disability Wales said disability related administration can include navigating welfare benefits applications, searching for equipment to assist independence, researching accessible transport options, and navigating the health and social care system. The organisation said it was estimated that 26% of Wales' population were disabled and, with an ageing population, this figure will grow to 58% by 2035. She added that many disabled people "confront multiple barriers throughout this journey, necessitating relentless perseverance to access the vital resources and support they deserve." "This systemic complexity often exacerbates their struggles, highlighting the urgent need for reform and greater accessibility" she added. A Welsh government spokesperson said it was committed to "creating an inclusive and accessible society". "Our disability rights action plan, set for release in Spring 2025, aims to eliminate barriers and enhance participation for all disabled people in Wales."