The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has introduced a groundbreaking family benefits program sponsored by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), offering players up to 12 months of paid maternity leave, grants for fertility treatment, and other benefits, marking the first time such benefits are available to self-employed athletes. More than 320 players are eligible based on criteria related to tournament participation, with WTA Players’ Council representative Victoria Azarenka expressing optimism about the initiative’s lasting impact on supporting women in tennis who wish to balance their careers with starting a family. This move aligns with a broader trend in global sport towards providing more support for working parents, with athletes advocating for enhanced benefits across various disciplines.
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Heavy rain across south-east Queensland and northern NSW, 300,000 without power, hundreds of schools closed
Last night, damaging wind gusts up to 100km/h north of Brisbane caused trees to fall and roofs to be ripped off homes, with one occupant sleeping through the destruction. About 300,000 homes and businesses in Queensland, along with 13,000 in New South Wales, are without power due to ongoing thunderstorms and tree damage. Emergency warnings have been issued, with hundreds of schools closed and residents in certain areas advised to take caution due to flooding...
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