
‘Tis the season to be jolly, but also mindful. Over Christmas we generate more waste than any other time of the year with tonnes of wrapping paper, plastic packaging, unwanted gifts, glass bottles, cards, leftover food, fairy lights and Christmas trees ending up in landfill. Auckland Council WasteWise advisor Courtenay Hunt, who used to work for Mahurangi Wastebusters, says everyone can help reduce waste by having what she calls a conscious Christmas. “The benefits are that you buy less and simplify things. You can save money, reduce stress and spend more time on what’s important to your whanau, as well as protecting their environment.” Hunt says to keep it simple – it could be making just one change. “People can only do what they can do. We want to be encouraging and empowering. “You could make something for someone. One example is, a few years ago I actually grew loofah shower sponges just for fun. “So a conscious Christmas is about being mindful. Thinking, planning and having discussions with whomever you’re spending your holidays, with as well as the people that you want to acknowledge through a gift,” she says. • Consider gifts that create little or no waste, that can be reused again and again, or recycled at the end of their life • Join the #BuyNothingNew trend – challenge yourself to find preloved or upcycled gifts for your loved ones. Find your local ReUse Market • If you do buy something new, shop local and choose products with minimal packaging • Use reusable or recyclable gift-wrapping options, such as fabric, newspapers, or brown paper. Avoid glossy or metallic wrapping paper as these can’t go in the recycling bin • The Japanese art of Furoshiki involves wrapping gifts in reusable cloth. This is a beautiful way to show you care about your loved one and the environment • Place gifts in reusable bags or baskets that can be repurposed once the gift has been given Decorate with nature’s flair • Put up nature’s own decorations, like pine cones, branches, and fresh flowers. These can be composted after use • Create your own decorations using recycled materials or items you already have at home • Make your own Christmas stockings using fabric scraps or repurposed materials • If you prefer a real tree, consider one that is locally sourced and can be composted after use. Or get a potted tree that can be planted in your garden after the holiday season • If you choose an artificial tree, make sure it’s robust enough to be used for many years • Reduce food waste by planning your meals, buy only what you need, and use leftovers creatively. Check out Love Food Hate Waste for an impressive list of ideas and mouthwatering recipes • If you know you’ll be feeding the extended family, buy ingredients in bulk to reduce packaging waste • After you’ve used the chicken or turkey carcass for making soup or stock, put the leftover bones in your food scraps bin • Bring a plate (literally): Going to a Christmas BBQ? Help out your hosts by not only bringing a plate of kai, but also by taking your own dishes and cutlery to avoid using single-use products • Book a food waste collection service • Use reusable plates or offer food on napkins instead of plastic plates • Serve tap water or buy soft drinks in larger bottles or aluminium cans to reduce plastic waste • Offer takeaways – let people know to bring a reusable container to take extra food home with them • Set up Auckland Council recycling and food scrap bins at your function next to rubbish bins • You can also book loan gear for free from Auckland Council to support your event. Cards and invitations approved by Mother Earth • Send electronic cards or create a digital invitation to reduce paper waste • If you prefer traditional cards, choose eco-friendly greeting cards, or cards with seeds embedded into handmade paper that can be planted in the garden Get it sorted! • Our rubbish, recycling and food scraps elves will be working all the way through the holidays, so give them a great Christmas present – all waste sorted correctly; rinse your containers to avoid recycling contamination and remember only plastics number 1,2, or 5 (look for a number in the centre of a small triangle) • Christmas and New Year public holidays may affect council collections days. Please check your rubbish, recycling and food scraps collection day for your property at aucklandcouncil.nz/binday Join the movement and share your #LowWasteXmas on social media.Chemung Financial stock hits 52-week high at $52.6The federal government has been accused of emboldening those who wish Jewish Australians harm as police consider designating a synagogue firebombing as a terrorist attack. or signup to continue reading The firebombing at Melbourne's Adass Israel Synagogue is being investigated by Victoria Police and a counter-terrorism squad, who will take part in a meeting with Australian Federal Police on Monday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said over the week that he personally believed it had hallmarks of an act of terror, saying anti-Semitism has no place in Australia. But former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who is a member of Melbourne's Jewish community, claimed "the government's weakness (in calling out anti-Semitism) has emboldened those who hate and emboldened those who harm". "It's clearly a terrorist attack under the legislation, it's a house of worship, so it's a religiously motivated attack," he told Nine's Today Show on Monday. "There were people inside who could have been killed in this firebombing, and it was, of course, designed to intimidate and cause harm so it's a terrorist attack." Asked if it was an act of terror, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, who is a member of the Jewish community, said that as the minister responsible for the Australian Federal Police it was important that the force be allowed to make the determination rather than politicians. "This was an event that struck fear into the hearts of everybody in Melbourne across Australia, particularly causing fear and distress in the Jewish community," he told ABC TV on Monday. "I'll be waiting to hear more from Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police after their meeting today. "It's always important that we let police do their work, we let commonwealth agencies who are assisting Victoria Police in their work to do just that and let them make the announcements." Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said political leaders can call it a terrorist incident without impeding the official process. "It's hard to think of what else it could be when two masked men, allegedly in the middle of the night, turned up with a sledgehammer, a broom and an accelerant, and set on fire a synagogue while there were Jews inside praying," he told ABC radio. "Even the prime minister has now conceded there's no problem with any political leader sharing her opinion and calling this out for what it is - that doesn't in any way impede the process that police will go through." Mr Dreyfus called for unity rather than "partisan bickering" after the government on Sunday announced an extra $32.5 million in funding over the next 18 months to improve security measures to protect the Jewish community. "I have experienced levels of anti-Semitism, as has every Australian Jew, like we have never experienced it before in our lives," he said. "That's got to stop, and it's not a time for finger-pointing, it's not a time for cheap criticisms." The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has written to the prime minister asking him "to reflect on how this has been allowed to occur". "Your words swiftly condemning the attack were heard by our community," it said in the letter revealed on Sunday. "However, the time for mere words has long passed. We now call for action." The council asked for emergency security funding, mandatory national anti-Semitism education in schools, a direction to police to strictly enforce laws and put in place further laws for universities to protect students. It wants Mr Albanese to "review the government's rhetoric and public statements on anti-Semitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict". Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement
By MARC LEVY HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, as a statewide recount showed no signs of closing the gap and his campaign suffered repeated blows in court in its effort to get potentially favorable ballots counted. Casey’s concession comes more than two weeks after Election Day, as a grindingly slow ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, social media outrage, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were openly flouting the law. Republicans had been claiming that Democrats were trying to steal McCormick’s seat by counting “illegal votes.” Casey’s campaign had accused of Republicans of trying to block enough votes to prevent him from pulling ahead and winning. In a statement, Casey said he had just called McCormick to congratulate him. “As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last,” Casey said. The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted in areas Casey was winning for him to take the lead. As of Thursday, McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted. That was well within the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. But no election official expected a recount to change more than a couple hundred votes or so, and Pennsylvania’s highest court dealt him a blow when it refused entreaties to allow counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate. Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Court documents: 3-year-old grabbed dad’s gun off kitchen counter and accidentally shot himself Court documents: 3-year-old grabbed dad’s gun off kitchen counter and accidentally shot himself Virginia Beach man accused of striking state trooper with car after pursuit Virginia Beach man accused of striking state trooper with car after pursuit Entertainment venue Uptown Alley no longer coming to Williamsburg Entertainment venue Uptown Alley no longer coming to Williamsburg Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws Ex-student pleads guilty to fatally shooting 3 University of Virginia football players in 2022 Ex-student pleads guilty to fatally shooting 3 University of Virginia football players in 2022 Virginia’s withdrawal from RGGI was ‘unlawful,’ judge rules Virginia’s withdrawal from RGGI was ‘unlawful,’ judge rules Man tried to rob Virginia Beach 7-Eleven with knife, officials say, before police shot him Man tried to rob Virginia Beach 7-Eleven with knife, officials say, before police shot him 2 school buses involved in crash in James City County. Here’s what happened. 2 school buses involved in crash in James City County. Here's what happened. Newport News’ first Saladworks combines former doctor’s passions for health and business Newport News’ first Saladworks combines former doctor’s passions for health and business Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Trending Nationally ‘End of an era’: What’s next for Matt Gaetz? When ‘compostables’ are actually garbage School bus driver accused of abandoning 40 elementary students miles from home More foods are making us sick: What to know as foodborne outbreaks hit consumers San Diego toddler’s backyard snake bite bills totaled more than a quarter-million dollarsNoneChelsea: Enzo Maresca confident in Premier League referees after David Coote scandal
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Thousands of Afghans on Thursday attended the funeral of the refugees minister, AFP journalists saw, after he was killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul the day before in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. The Minister for Refugees and Repatriation, Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, was killed on Wednesday afternoon in a suicide bombing at the ministry's offices in the Afghan capital. Thousands of men, many of them armed, gathered for Haqqani's funeral in his home village of Sarana, in a mountainous area of Paktia province, south of Kabul. The funeral included heavy security, with armoured vehicles, snipers and personnel manning the area and the road from Kabul, which was jammed with hundreds of cars as mourners travelled from surrounding provinces. Senior Taliban officials, including the Chief of Army Staff Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat, and Maulawi Abdul Kabir, political deputy of the prime minister's office, attended the funeral, according to an AFP team on site. The deceased's nephew, the powerful interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, also attended, along with foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. In a speech there, Muttaqi said the latest IS attacks had been planned "abroad", denouncing, without naming them, "countries harbouring" the organisation. "We call on all nations to work together to stop the common enemy, which does not recognise any kind of morality." In September, the Taliban authorities said IS had training camps in Balochistan province of Pakistan, which also regularly faces jihadist attacks. Haqqani, the highest ranked member of the Taliban government to be killed in an attack since their return to power, "was a big loss for us, the system and the nation", said Paktia resident Hedayatullah, 22. "May God protect our other leaders and keep them victorious." "Our leader... who had his life brutally taken away, achieved martyrdom," said Bostan, 53, haranguing the "cowardly attack" that killed Haqqani. The United Nations mission in Afghanistan condemned the attack on Thursday, offering condolences to the victims' families. "There can be no place for terrorism in the quest for stability," the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on X. The European Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation also condemned the attack, along with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran. Haqqani -- who is on US and UN sanctions lists and never appeared without an automatic weapon in his hand -- was the brother of Jalaluddin Haqqani, founder of the feared Haqqani network responsible for some of the most violent attacks during the Taliban's two-decade insurgency. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a bomber detonated an explosive vest inside the ministry, according to a statement on its Amaq news agency, as translated by the SITE Intelligence Group. Taliban authorities had already blamed IS for the "cowardly attack" -- the first targeting a minister since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Violence has waned in Afghanistan since the Taliban forces took over the country that year, ending their war against US-led NATO coalition forces. However, the regional chapter of IS, known as Islamic State Khorasan, is active in Afghanistan and has regularly targeted civilians, foreigners and Taliban officials with gun and bomb attacks. bur-qb-sw/nro
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.
Homebound seniors living alone often slip through health system’s cracksMembers who served in peacekeeping mission in Sarajevo gather at Canadian War Museum
Washington — TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have asked the Supreme Court to temporarily pause a law that would ban the app in the U.S. as soon as Jan. 19. "A modest delay in enforcing the Act will create breathing room for this Court to conduct an orderly review and the new Administration to evaluate this matter — before this vital channel for Americans to communicate with their fellow citizens and the world is closed," the emergency application said. TikTok has asked the Supreme Court for an injunction on an emergency basis but has not yet sought review on the merits of the case. In its application, TikTok said the company and its users will suffer "immediate irreparable harm" if the ban is not delayed. "Congress's unprecedented attempt to single out Applicants and bar them from operating one of the most significant speech platforms in this Nation presents grave constitutional problems that this Court likely will not allow to stand," the filing said. The move comes days after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikTok's bid to delay the ban from taking effect pending a Supreme Court review. TikTok and ByteDance asked the Supreme Court to make a decision on its request to delay the law by Jan. 6 so they can "coordinate with their service providers to perform the complex task of shutting down the TikTok platform only in the United States" if the justices decline. When TikTok challenged the law in May, it argued that it never had a choice between divestment or a ban because a forced sale "is simply not possible: not commercially, not technologically, not legally." The Chinese government vowed to block the sale of TikTok's algorithm which tailors content recommendations to each user. A new buyer would be forced to rebuild the algorithm that powers the app. The petition said "such a fundamental rearchitecting is not remotely feasible" under the restrictions within the legislation. "The platform consists of millions of lines of software code that have been painstakingly developed by thousands of engineers over multiple years," the petition said. President-elect Donald Trump previously supported a ban but has since reversed his position, though several of his administration picks still back restricting the social media platform. Trump takes office a day after the law's implementation. When asked Monday how he plans to stop a ban, Trump praised TikTok saying it helped him with the youth vote. "I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok," he said. Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, listed as questionable due to a shoulder issue, is expected to play Monday night against the visiting Baltimore Ravens, NFL Network reported. McConkey missed practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday and Saturday. Star linebacker Khalil Mack, who was questionable because of a groin injury and was a limited participant, also is expected to play, according to the report. The Chargers (7-3) made several moves Monday ahead of the game against the Ravens (7-4), placing tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) on injured reserve, activating cornerback Deane Leonard (hamstring) off IR, signing cornerback Eli Apple from the practice to the active squad, and elevating linebacker Caleb Murphy and safety Tony Jefferson for game day. McConkey, 23, has started nine of 10 games and has 43 receptions on 63 targets for 615 yards and four touchdowns. The Chargers drafted the 6-foot, 185-pound McConkey in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Georgia. Mack, 33, is a three-time first-team All-Pro, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He has started the nine games he has played and has 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks this season. For his career, Mack has 617 tackles, 106 sacks, 141 tackles for loss, 178 quarterback hits, three interceptions -- two returned for touchdowns -- 32 forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries in 160 games (159 starts). He has played for the Raiders (2014-17), Chicago Bears (2018-21) and Chargers. Hurst, 31, has started two of seven games in his first season with the Chargers. He has seven receptions on 12 targets for 65 yards. A first-round pick (25th overall) by Baltimore in the 2018 NFL Draft out of South Carolina, Hurst has 202 receptions for 1,967 yards and 15 TDs in 86 games (41 starts) for the Ravens (2018-19), Atlanta Falcons (2020-21), Cincinnati Bengals (2022), Carolina Panthers (2023) and Chargers. Apple, 29, has two tackles in three games this season, his first with the Chargers. The 10th overall selection in the 2016 draft, Apple has 383 career tackles and six interceptions in 101 games (82 starts) for the New York Giants (2016-18), New Orleans Saints (2018-19), Panthers (2020), Bengals (2021-22), Miami Dolphins (2023) and Chargers. Leonard, who turned 25 last Tuesday, has four tackles in four games this season. His 21-day practice window on IR opened Wednesday. --Field Level Media Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.
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Catastrophic inland flooding in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee has made headlines across the country in recent months. Severe flooding in areas not typically associated with flood problems may have Americans wondering if they should buy federal flood insurance. But National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage may not be available to everyone who wants it, Insurify reports. Nationally, 2,279 communities don't participate in the voluntary program that provides insurance against flood damage, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, and most homeowners policies won't cover flood damage. Property owners in non-participating municipalities can't buy federally backed flood insurance. Often, non-participating communities are rural, and many have very small populations. Other communities may seem to have little to no risk of flooding, though some may be unaware of the true risk in their area. Communities that don't participate in the NFIP often "have horrible, inadequate flood maps," Chad Berginnis, executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, or ASFPM, told Insurify. "FEMA's limited mapping budget goes to areas with risk, and your areas of higher risk are going to be bigger. In smaller communities, you're going to have old, approximate flood data." A lack of good data and floodplain maps is a widespread problem for communities, Berginnis said. "We have 3.5 million miles of streams, rivers, and coastlines in the country. We've mapped 1.2 million miles of them. We've only mapped a third of our floodplains." FEMA manages the NFIP, which Congress created in 1968 with the National Flood Insurance Act. Homeowners, businesses, and renters can buy flood coverage through the NFIP Direct system or more than 50 insurance companies that work with FEMA. In order to participate in the NFIP, communities must agree to regulate residential and commercial development in any floodplains that fall within the municipality's boundaries. Communities can participate in the NFIP only if their adopted and enforced regulations meet or exceed NFIP criteria. In participating communities, any property is eligible to buy NFIP coverage—even those outside a mapped floodplain. Currently, the NFIP underwrites approximately 5 million policies in over 22,600 communities across all 50 states and six U.S. territories. Any area that receives rain can be at risk for flooding, and flooding is the most common natural disaster, causing the costliest damages, according to FEMA. Yet nearly one-third of all NFIP claims originate in areas outside high-risk flood zones. Berginnis, who spent a decade in Ohio's state floodplain management office before joining ASFPM, said communities may forgo NFIP participation for multiple reasons. Some have no identified floodplains in their boundaries. Others may have flood zones that are already off limits for development. Some may have considered the relative costs of initiating a floodplain management program—a prerequisite for NFIP participation—and chose not to participate in the program. In such situations, town officials may decide participating isn't worth the effort—especially if they don't see demand from residents for flood insurance. A lack of penalties for non-participation may also be a factor, Berginnis said. "Essentially, joining the [NFIP] is a very simple and straightforward proposition," he said. "Typically, the community passes a resolution of intent to join the program. That's something the [town] council could do, literally at their next meeting. Then, they adopt a set of regulations and standards that include designating someone to be the floodplain manager." Every state provides model fill-in-the-blank ordinances to make it easy for communities to create the regulations required to participate in the NFIP, he said. Once communities commit to participation, they must administer and enforce the regulations they adopted around development in floodplains. "We've kind of made it easy in this country, in my opinion, for communities to participate, and remove all obstacles for them participating," Berginnis said. "They just need the political will to do it." Residents of non-participating communities can't buy federally backed flood insurance. They may also struggle to find private flood insurers willing to cover their properties, as some private insurers won't sell flood coverage in areas that don't take part in the NFIP. Additionally, residents won't be able to use federally backed mortgages, such as loans from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Housing Administration, or Rural Housing Services, to buy or build a home in a Special Flood Hazard Area, or SFHA. And, if disaster strikes—as it did on Sept. 27 for many Western North Carolinians—non-participating communities won't be able to secure financial assistance from the federal government to repair or rebuild structures in SFHAs. Perhaps no state is a better example of the potential consequences of unprotected flood risk than North Carolina. Most of North Carolina's 550 municipalities participate in the NFIP. But 27 don't—including Mills River, which experienced damage in Hurricane Helene. Helene ripped through the northwestern part of the state on Sept. 27, decimating communities in North Carolina's largely rural Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountain ranges. The storm killed more than 225 people, and about half of those deaths were in North Carolina. As of October, authorities were still unsure how many people remained missing. Flood damage to homes and businesses in affected communities is extensive. Since many affected communities are participants in the federal program, the NFIP could cover those losses, at least in part. But few property owners in those areas purchased NFIP policies before Helene. For example, Asheville, with a population of more than 95,500 and 47,606 housing units, saw nearly 10 inches of rainfall that caused devastating flooding. But city residents and businesses had just 447 NFIP policies in force, offering total coverage of just under $152 million. Helene's total cost could range as high as $250 billion, according to AccuWeather. At least one Tarheel community that saw damage from Helene doesn't participate in the NFIP. The town of Mills River in Henderson County lies south of the Asheville Regional Airport—and the Mills River. After Helene, the town's Mills River Park became a distribution point for food, water, and supplies, and offered a mobile shower station, and mobile kitchen serving hot meals for storm victims. The town was home to more than 7,300 people, according to the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Because the community doesn't participate in the NFIP, most—if not all—homeowners and businesses in the town lack flood insurance and will have to shoulder the cost of rebuilding without federal funding. Many of the North Carolina communities that don't participate in the NFIP have very small populations of fewer than 1,000 residents. Like Mills River, they also tend to be rural. Many exist in close proximity to a number of waterways, from large rivers and lakes to creeks and streams. With inland waterways comes an elevated risk of inland flooding. Helene's severe effect on many inland communities across multiple states took many people by surprise. But with climate change driving more frequent and stronger hurricanes and other weather events, it's likely more communities will face situations similar to Helene's effect on Western North Carolina. Smaller communities may be unaware of the elevated risks they face. "In counties and rural areas, you need to pick up 10 to 20 square miles of drainage before a FEMA flood map starts picking up on the floodplain area, yet you have flood risk even if there's only a square mile of drainage," Berginnis said. "These small communities way up in the hollows, they have significant flood risk. [But] we've not mapped it, and that's, I think, on us as a country." Property owners can take steps to protect themselves, even if they're in a non-participating community, he said. The federal government has been working for over a decade to support the development of a private flood insurance market. People in communities where NFIP coverage isn't available may be able to purchase private flood insurance. Homeowners and businesses can also ask their town leaders to begin participating in the NFIP. Above all, Berginnis cautioned, communities should continue to prepare for flooding—even those that have already experienced a catastrophic flood event. "Do not delude yourself to think it can't happen again, or it won't happen again. It will," he said. "And it could happen next week, it could happen next month, it could happen a year from now—the same extreme event." This story was produced by Insurify and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.Homebound seniors living alone often slip through health system’s cracks
RICHMOND, Va. – December 12, 2024 – Bowlero Corporation, a household name in the world of location-based entertainment, is rolling into a new era. The company has officially rebranded to Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation , marking a transformative step in its journey. Alongside the new name comes a fresh ticker symbol—NYSE: LUCK—a fitting nod to its ambition to become a premier entertainment powerhouse. The rebrand signals more than just a name change. According to Thomas Shannon, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, this is about "redefining what location-based entertainment can be." For young retail investors, this pivot presents a unique opportunity to watch a legacy business innovate and evolve for modern audiences. Lucky Strike Entertainment isn’t just about bowling anymore. With over 360 locations across North America, the company is diversifying its offerings to include amusements, water parks, and family entertainment centers. By broadening its scope, Lucky Strike taps into growing consumer demand for experiential activities that blend fun, nostalgia, and modern flair—a trend especially popular with Millennials and Gen Z. The Lucky Strike brand has long been associated with premium bowling and social experiences. This rebrand amplifies that ethos, aiming to position the company as a destination for memorable experiences, whether it’s a family day out, date night, or group hangout. The rebrand also sets the stage for Lucky Strike to leverage its strong brand equity to introduce new offerings and partnerships that align with evolving consumer preferences. Lucky Strike owns the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), a growing media property with millions of global fans. With sports betting, livestreaming, and niche sports all on the rise, the PBA represents a significant growth opportunity. As Lucky Strike expands its entertainment empire, the PBA could serve as a critical pillar for audience engagement and revenue diversification. The move to rebrand as Lucky Strike Entertainment comes at a time when experiential entertainment is seeing a resurgence. From arcades to axe-throwing bars, consumers are seeking out unique social experiences. Lucky Strike’s rebrand positions it as a leader in this space, with its scale and resources giving it a competitive edge. The name change to Lucky Strike Entertainment and the ticker symbol LUCK underscore the company’s renewed focus on its core mission: creating exceptional entertainment experiences. For retail investors, this rebrand could signal a turning point for the stock as the company broadens its appeal, diversifies revenue streams, and attracts new audiences. If Lucky Strike Entertainment succeeds in delivering on its bold vision, it could unlock new growth opportunities and position itself as a market leader in the booming location-based entertainment industry. For young investors, this is a story worth watching—LUCK might just live up to its name. Stay tuned on Stocktwits for more updates on Lucky Strike Entertainment (NYSE: LUCK) and join the conversation with fellow investors.
Expelled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s whereabouts have been revealed after fleeing Syria. Assad, along with his family, have arrived in Moscow on Sunday and granted asylum, according to the TASS news agency, which received the information from a Kremlin source. “Assad and his family members have arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum,” the source said. In Syria, celebrations are taking place after rebels captured the capital of Damascus, triggering the collapse of Assad’s government and the end of his 24-year reign. Assad left with his wife and two children, their location remaining unknown until now. “At long last, the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice,” U.S. President Joe Biden said after the overtaking. “It’s a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. It’s also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next.” A popular LA radio host has died at 44 years old, loved ones said. Robin Ayers, a personality on KBLA 1580 Talk, died on Thursday, according to fellow broadcaster Tavis Smiley .Her cause of death has not been released. “Robin was a bright light. You could see her radiant smile through the radio. We all respected her immense talent, loved her jovial spirit, celebrated her love of family, and honored her faith in God," Smiley wrote on X. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Robin’s entire family, most especially her husband Rob and her twin daughters Brooklyn and Madison.” On Friday, KBLA Talk 150 opened up phone lines and listeners could call in and talk about Ayers and their memories of the star, who was also an entertainment reporter. Prior to being a host for “The RA Report with Robin Ayers,” she was a stylist in Hollywood for 15 years. Her last Instagram post showed Ayers spending time with her family in New York City, where they celebrated Thanksgiving and her twin daughters' 18th birthday. If you’re trying to pick up gifts for the loved ones on your list, here’s a tip: everyone appreciates the gift of softer and more manageable hair and skin. 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The Disney sequel won the box office for the second week in a row, earning $52 million over the post-Thanksgiving weekend. It’s the largest total ever for the post-holiday weekend, besting Disney’s own Frozen 2 ($35.1 million) for the crown. Wicked followed its fellow musical for the No. 2 title, earning $34.9 million throughout the weekend. The film, the first in the two-part tale, became the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation of all time. Gladiator II completed the trifecta for a second week in a row, earning $12.4 million. The weekend also saw the return of Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, which played in various IMAX theaters for its 10th anniversary. The film scored at No. 6 for the weekend with $4.5 million. New York Police Department detectives arrived in Atlanta on Saturday as the search for the UnitedHealthcare assassin continues. Officers traveled to the Georgia city after receiving a large number of tips linked to the yet-to-be unidentified suspect wanted in the murder of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ABC News reported . The Atlanta Police Department confirmed the arrival of NYPD officers, but reportedly declined to provide additional details. The suspected shooter allegedly arrived in New York on Nov. 24 on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta . On Dec. 4, the masked gunman shot Thompson at point-blank range outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where the insurance executive’s company was holding an investors conference. After the shooting, police say that the suspected gunman boarded a bus out of New York City. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the murder as “brazen” and “targeted.” And, while the suspect remains at large, authorities released new images of the suspected shooter on Saturday and investigators are said to have followed leads in multiple states. 🚨UPDATE: Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4. The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public's help—if you have any information about this case, call the... https://t.co/U4wlUquumf pic.twitter.com/243V0tBZOr Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. As any true audiophile already knows, Amazon Music Unlimited has long been a reliable destination for an elevated listening experience. With millions of high-quality songs and an unparalleled collection of top ad-free podcasts, the platform’s catalog is curated to capture both your attention and your imagination. Now, Amazon is raising the bar with an exciting update: Audible is officially joining Amazon Music Unlimited, cementing the brand’s status as an all-in-one audio hub . Audible’s industry-leading catalog of audiobooks features an expansive selection of can’t-miss bestsellers, hot-off-the-press exclusives, and timeless classics to immerse yourself in. As an Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber, you’ll be free to select one book each month (of any length) and listen to it directly in the Amazon Music app . Whether you’re a fiction buff ready to dive into a thrilling new adventure or a non-fiction enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, Audible’s expansive collection is sure to have the right title that matches your tastes. Plus, when you’re ready to take a break from the book, you can seamlessly swap back to your favorite tunes and podcast episodes —all without having to leave the app. It’s all the audio that you’ll ever need, all in one place! Best of all, this game-changing update is arriving just in time for the holiday season: start a new subscription , and enjoy your first three months of Amazon Music Unlimited, completely for free. Audio art, conversation, and storytelling—all in one place. What’s not to love? Sign up today and get lost in the sound . Mariah Carey shut down rumors that her new Christmas video was generated by artificial intelligence, claiming bad lighting and red lipstick were to blame for the odd visuals. Carey, who filmed a Christmas-themed video thanking her fans, had commenters questioning if the video was actually real with one user writing, “that is AI for sure!!” Another chimed in, “Definitely AI. It’s always something off with the eyes.” The clip, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of her album, “Merry Christmas,” was made for Spotify Wrapped, and shown to users who counted Carey as one of their most-listened artists. Carey responded to the backlash from the video, saying it was the red lipstick and lighting throwing viewers off. “Bad lighting and a red lip have you all thinking this is AI?? There’s a reason I’m not a fan of either of those things,” she wrote on X. One fan responded, “It must be hard being so gorgeous that nobody believes you’re real.” . @MariahCarey with an exclusive message for her top fans on Spotify Wrapped. pic.twitter.com/ODo5DHW5ih A $2 million dollar home in Nantucket was broken into by high schoolers after the homeowner ignored their AirBnB request. The owner, Edith Stone Lentini, received rental request for the home for Oct. 28 about a Halloween party for 14-15 year olds. “My daughter wants to throw a little Halloween party for her and her friends and I was wondering if that’s possible,” the AirBnB rental request message read, obtained by the Nantucket Current . “I would be there to monitor the kids and it would just be a fun get together.” After ignoring the “sketchy” request, a police officer called her one night informing her a rager was being thrown at the house. Police told Lentini that the high schoolers broke in through an unlocked window, and threw the party despite the ignored request. The teenagers took extraordinary caution, however: rolling up the white rug, taking all the pictures off the walls, moving furniture aside and more. “As much as I’m upset about this, they did take care of the house,” Lentini told the Nantucket Current. “The most damage was just sticky floors. They even put ‘do not enter’ tape around the TV stand.” The house rents for $5,500 a week in the summer, and was worth an estimated $2.3 million. Photos of the home can be seen on realtor.com , with the last sale in 2012 for $1.3 million. CNN political commentator Alisyn Camerota announced on Sunday she would leave the network. “Big News, Everyone! — today is my last day on CNN,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing that her sign-off would be early Sunday evening. Camerota joined the network in 2014 after a 16-year stint at Fox News, hosting its New Day morning show for years alongside Chris Cuomo before a move to afternoons in 2021. After Warner Bros. Discovery assumed control of CNN, Camerota floated through various positions at the network, including as its 11 p.m. host before an eventual floating role as a political commentator and fill-in anchor. Camerota disclosed in July that her husband of nearly 23 years, Tim Lewis, died after a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. “I cannot imagine any human being soldiering through a devastating diagnosis with more humor, humility and bravery than Tim,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “He was a phenomenal father, husband, friend and role model and the rest of us are left trying to follow in his footsteps.” Aside from her role at CNN, where she won two Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow award, Camerota is a best-selling author, publishing both a children’s book and a memoir. Her memoir, Combat Love, is being adapted for film and television. Barry Keoghan addressed his abrupt departure from Instagram after he deactivated his account on the platform Friday night. The actor took to X asking fans be “respectful” of him and his loved ones after his name was “dragged across the internet” following news of his breakup with Sabrina Carpenter on Tuesday. Since their split, internet rumors have swirled that Keoghan cheated on the pop star. Some suggested he had a tryst with influencer Breckie Hill, a claim Hill seemingly confirmed when she re-posted a TikTok about their speculated romance. Keoghan, however, made no mention of Hill in his statement. “The messages I have received no person should ever have to read them. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent, and every other inhumane thing you can imagine,” the actor wrote , accusing trolls of “Knocking on my grannies door. Sitting outside my baby boys house intimidating them.” Keoghan, who has a young son, also pleaded with social media users to think of his child before they post about him. “I need you to remeber (sic) he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older,” he said. Please be respectful x pic.twitter.com/N03eHAIbC8 Scouted selects products independently. 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Dumont is best-known for portraying Oppenheimer’s sister-in-law Jackie Oppenheimer in the 2023 Oscar-winning blockbuster. They have also portrayed Lorna Dane/Polaris in Fox’s 2017 X-men adaptation series The Gifted , also scoring a role in Paul Thomas Anderson‘s Licorice Pizza . Next they are set to star in a film called The New Me , about a young mother struggling to connect with her baby and husband, according to IMDb . The film does not have a release date yet, but Dumont has updated their listed pronouns on Instagram to reflect their life update. “Only call me Nick if ur cool okay?” they wrote on their updated Instagram profile. The family of Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, 78, said he is in the “early stages” of Alzheimer’s and battling another blood-born disease that is “causing problems with his entire body.” Robertson’s son Jase broke the news Friday on an episode of the Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast. “Phil’s not doing well. We were trying to figure out the diagnosis, but according to the doctors, they are sure that he has some sort of blood disease causing all kinds of problems,” said Jase, 55. He added, “And he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s just not doing well.” Robertson rose to fame with the popularity of the hit 2012 A&E show, which followed the Louisiana family of seven as they operated their lucrative duck call and decoy business, Duck Commanders. When the show ended in 2017, Robertson became a conservative figurehead with his support of President-elect Donald Trump . According to Jase, Robertson is hoping to return to hosting the podcast. “I’m like, ‘Well Phil, you can barely walk around without crying out in pain, and your memory is not what it once was,’” said Jase. “He’s like, ‘Tell me about it.’”
Online immigration system to streamline processes, says Minister ElikanaRobert Way We learned more about the recent "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack this weekend. Experts say "Salt Typhoon" is a Chinese government espionage initiative and one prominent senior U.S. Senator Mark Warner called it the “worst telecom hack in our nation’s Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AVGO, IGV, VOO, QQQ either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. I am an electronics engineer, not a CFA. The information and data presented in this article were obtained from company documents and/or sources believed to be reliable, but have not been independently verified. Therefore, the author cannot guarantee their accuracy. Please do your own research and contact a qualified investment advisor. I am not responsible for the investment decisions you make. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.