(BPT) - Every year, roughly 20-30% of older Americans head to warmer climates for the colder winter months. Snowbirds are often retirees on fixed incomes, though flexible work environments now provide more opportunities for anyone to spend several months escaping the chill. Whether on a fixed income or an empty nester with disposable income, consumers are interested in saving money where they can. With this in mind, snowbirds can look to their AARP membership to take advantage of relevant discounts and offerings as they fluff their feathers and get ready for takeoff. From savory breakfast options while driving to your seasonal destination, to home and auto protection, and even resources to support mental and physical health, AARP member benefits offer deals and savings that will help snowbirds take flight this winter. "Spending winters in warmer places has so many benefits that come with being able to be outside more often. Warmth and sunlight not only increase serotonin levels , which can result in more positive moods and a calm, focused mental outlook, but they also stimulate vitamin D production and may even boost immunity ," said Elvira Christiansen, Director of Retail and Loyalty for AARP Services. "An AARP membership makes it even better by offering savings as you plan your trip, as well as at many dining, entertainment and retail locations you will come across in your winter getaway destination, helping you to enjoy it to the fullest." 1. Order Up Road trips are often the preferred way to travel to a winter home for the flexibility of having a car once there. Whether your drive will have you behind the wheel for hours or days, you'll want to make sure you have your meals planned out. Fill up with a tasty breakfast or lunch with a stop at Denny's, which is easy to spot from most major highways. AARP members can save when heading to Denny's . With over 1,500 locations nationwide, members save 15% on everything from diner classics to breakfast items every day; maximum discount not to exceed $10. Restrictions apply. 2. Primary Care from Almost Anywhere Feeling under the weather can put a damper on your winter travels, so it's a good idea to make sure you can access quality healthcare even when you're at your winter destination. If you are on Medicare, you can check whether there is an Oak Street Health primary care clinic near you. Oak Street Health , the only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, provides primary care for adults on Medicare and focuses on prevention with personalized care to help keep you healthy — physically, mentally and socially. Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health clinic. 3. Wellness Checklist Once you check off primary care needs for your winter destination, don't overlook other priorities like maintaining your prescriptions and protecting your vision. Start by making sure your prescriptions are up to date before you head out of town. If you do need a refill while you're away, you have access to a free prescription discount card from AARP ® Prescription Discounts provided by Optum Rx ® that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on FDA-approved medications. You do not need to be an AARP member to take advantage of these benefits, though AARP members receive additional perks, including deeper discounts on medications, home delivery, coverage for your dependents and more. If you're having trouble with your vision, want to update your sunglass prescription, or simply want to maintain your annual visits to an optometrist or ophthalmologist while away, AARP members have access to information on vision insurance options that offer individual and family plans, featuring a large doctor network, savings on frames, lens enhancements, progressives and more. 4. Home (Safety) Away from Home One thing that should always be a priority is keeping your home safe while you're away for the winter. While Neighborhood Watch is always helpful, long periods away from a home require additional security systems. With an AARP membership, homeowners can secure their homes for less. Members save 5% on monthly home security monitoring with ADT Home Security , which covers smart home security systems including intrusion monitoring, connected smoke and CO detection, and smart automation for video doorbells, security cameras and smart locks. 5. Pack Auto Coverage in Your Luggage Driving south for the winter? Utilize AARP member benefits to save on auto care so you can road trip worry free. AARP members save up to 20% on annual membership fees for Allstate Roadside Assistance plans, which provides access to assistance for towing, jump-starts, tire changes, lockout assistance, fuel delivery and more. Allstate Roadside plan benefits can be used 24/7 in any car you drive, including rented and borrowed ones. And, if you want to bring any personal items with you but don't have room to squeeze them in your car, Budget Truck Rental has a variety of trucks for you to choose from. AARP members can save 20% on local or one-way truck rentals on Sunday through Thursday and 10% on Friday and Saturday, plus receive a $10-per-day Physical Damage Waiver. Regardless of how you're traveling or spending your winter months, AARP member benefits can help you maximize your budget while you prioritize the things that matter. To learn more about the benefits and discounts for AARP members to help you prepare for your relaunch, please visit aarp.org/save . AARP member benefits are provided by third parties. AARP receives a royalty fee for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.The Parliament of Moldova has adopted a defence strategy spanning the next decade, aligning with its ambition to join the European Union by 2030. The pro-Western majority navigated tensions with the pro-Russian opposition, who derided the initiative as ineffective against major powers. The strategy, brought forward by Defence Minister Anatolie Nosatii, outlines an increase in defence expenditure to reach 1% of the GDP by 2030. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moldova's defence budget is already on an upward trend, climbing to 0.39% of GDP in 2022 and further to 0.55% in 2023. Possessing a neutral stance enshrined in its constitution, Moldova focuses on bolstering international partnerships to strengthen national defence. The document underscores the potential spread of the Ukraine conflict, especially around Odesa near Moldova's border, raising concerns over national security amidst geopolitical tensions. (With inputs from agencies.)
Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. trained and went through the NFL draft process together on the way to becoming two of the five quarterbacks taken in the top 10. After going off the board earlier with the second pick by the Washington Commanders, Daniels has been their starter all season and one of football's breakout stars . Penix, taken eighth in a move coach Raheem Morris joked “shocked the world," waited behind Kirk Cousins until usurping the veteran and making his first pro start last week. On Sunday night, they'll face off in the league's first prime-time showdown of rookie QBs selected in the first round, and the spotlight is bright with significant playoff implications at stake. “I'm happy for him — he waited his time,” Daniels said of Penix. “He's a phenomenal player in my eyes, and I'm excited to be able to match up against him.” Daniels and the Commanders (10-5) are in the playoffs with a win. They might already be in before kickoff if Tampa Bay loses at home to Carolina, though the Buccaneers are 8-point favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook. Washington is favored by 4 against the Falcons (8-7), who are vying with the Bucs for the NFC South title and a home playoff game and also in contention with the Commanders and others for the conference's wild-card spots. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.The Nike Air Max Plus OG is making a bold comeback in the iconic "Hyper Blue" colorway. First released in 1998, this sneaker remains a fan favorite. Its vibrant design and revolutionary technology changed the game. Now, it’s set to drop again in Spring 2025, reigniting nostalgia for sneaker enthusiasts. The "Hyper Blue" colorway features a gradient blue upper that fades from dark to light. Black overlays add depth and structure, creating a striking visual effect. Additionally, the sneaker includes white midsoles with visible Air units, offering both comfort and a timeless look. The yellow-to-orange accents on the Air bubbles and branding bring energy and warmth to the design. Designed by Sean McDowell, the Nike Air Max Plus introduced the Tuned Air system . This technology provided unmatched support and cushioning, ideal for both performance and casual wear. The sneaker’s wavy TPU overlays and breathable mesh upper further enhanced its appeal. These details remain intact in the 2025 release, staying true to the original. The "Hyper Blue" continues to be one of the most iconic colorways in the Air Max Plus series . With its bold gradient and innovative design, it’s poised to make a big impact once again. Fans are already counting down the days. Read More: On-Foot Images Of The Nike SB Dunk Low x Supreme “Ink” Image via SNKRS These sneakers feature a black rubber sole paired with a white midsole. Also, the midsole includes multiple air bubbles, a signature element of the Nike Air Max family. Further, the uppers are crafted from gradient mesh, going from light to dark blue. zblack laces complement the design, and a yellow Nike Swoosh adorns the sides. Overall, this pair boasts a vibrant colorway that looks great on foot. Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Nike Air Max Plus “Hyper Blue” is going to drop in the spring of 2025. Also, the retail price will be $180 when they release. Read More: Celebrating The “Year Of The Snake” With The Air Jordan 1 Low OG'Absolute necessity': Trump sparks concerns after floating desire to control Panama Canal, Greenland
Aries Daily Horoscope Today, Dec 10, 2024 predicts exploring new dimensionsWASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz's nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump's desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Story continues below video Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It's unclear what's next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he's done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress," he said.
Baker Mayfield’s equipment donation helps prep program to state titleThe Federal Aviation Administration will soon have a new director after the current leader decided to step down early, paving the way for President-elect Donald Trump to name someone to lead the agency as it tries to build on improvements to safety and efforts to get struggling manufacturer Boeing back on track. FAA Director Mike Whitaker announced he would resign from his post just over a year into his five-year term the day President-elect Donald Trump takes office. “The United States is the safest and most complex airspace in the world, and that is because of your commitment to the safety of the flying public,” Whitaker said in a message to employees. “This has been the best and most challenging job of my career, and I wanted you to hear directly from me that my tenure will come to a close on Jan. 20, 2025.” His decision to step down means the FAA will once again be without a Senate-confirmed leader. Whitaker’s confirmation to the post in October 2023 ended an 18-month gap without a permanent leader, during which problems piled up with runway safety in a series of near-misses, struggles to fill a shortage in air traffic controllers and questions about its oversight of Boeing developed as problems for the iconic manufacturer grew. FAA administrators are appointed to five-year terms to avoid partisanship interfering with safety, but it has been somewhat of a struggle to have chiefs fulfill the entire time commitment recently. Trump’s first FAA administrator, Stephen Dickson, also stepped down before his five-year term ended. Airline safety procedures and regulations will not change in the absence of a Senate-confirmed leader, but it does present the agency a challenge to continue implementing new rules, upgrading technology and recruiting new employees. “The aviation industry is going to miss (Whitaker), but it’s important to have a strong leader there,” said Dan Bubb, associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Honors College, and former airline pilot. “It can be a little nerve-wracking, not having a leader, because who knows what’s going to happen? Who’s going to make the decisions — the real, critical decisions — who’s going to help us out if we hit a little bit of a problem in the road?” Whoever Trump appoints will have several problems to contend with. Infrastructure for airlines is in significant need of repairs and modernization, there is still a shortage in traffic controllers and the growing demand for air travel puts additional pressure on outdated software and equipment. There are also questions about how to get Boeing’s problems with quality control and safety back on track. Its 737 Max jets were grounded during Whitaker’s tenure after one of the planes lost a door panel as it flew over Oregon, reigniting safety concerns about Boeing’s signature plane and sparking criticism of the FAA’s failure to properly oversee the company’s quality control measures. After admitting fault in letting FAA oversight get too lax, Whitaker has increased the number of on-site inspectors in Boeing’s factories, slowed the company’s production timelines to allow for tighter scrutiny and ramped up the level of inspections of the products. “The next administrator needs to be ready on day one to continue the job of restoring the FAA’s safety culture and providing real oversight of the aviation sector,” Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said during a Commerce Committee hearing on airline safety on Thursday. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who will likely lead the committee that will advance the new FAA leader’s nomination, said it will heavily focus “on the status of the airspace and what changes may be necessary to enhance its efficiency and reliability.” It is unclear when Trump may name Whitaker’s replacement, but he has rolled out appointments quickly ahead of his return to the White House and GOP senators, who will have a majority in the next Congress, have prioritized getting nominees that need Senate confirmation through quickly. Airlines are anticipating some changes under the incoming Trump administration but many of the regulatory rollbacks they are predicting are focused on fees and disclosures implemented under the Biden administration. “Aviation safety is so critical, and we have so many planes, we have so many pilots, so many people want to fly,” Bubb said. “My hope is that the administration will give the FAA the resources it needs to do its job and support it. That’s really, in my mind, the best thing that the administration can do.” Have a news tip? Contact Austin Denean at atdenean@sbgtv.com or at x.com/austindenean . Content from The National Desk is provided by Sinclair, the parent company of FOX45 News.Teenage West Ham goalkeeper dies aged 15 after cancer battleUnwrap the latest AI features with Amazon Fire Tablets
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Chinese ESG models take the lead in building a sustainable future 12-09-2024 11:56 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: SHENZHEN HMEDIUM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD The second annual ceremony of the environmental, social and governance or ESG models campaign by China Media Group took place in Beijing on December 5th, 2024. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/10101cecf100af20ab6c78509155dad8.jpg At the year-end event of this campaign, eight companies were unveiled as China's ESG models in 2024. They are China Post Group Co., Ltd., China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd., China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd., HBIS Group Co., LtdKweichow Moutai Group Co., Ltd., LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd, and Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. Liu Aili, chairman of China Post Group, Meng Zhenping, chairman of China Southern Power Grid, Wen Shugang, chairman of China Huaneng Group, Yu Yong, chairman of HBIS Group, Zhang Deqin, chairman of Kweichow Moutai Group, Li Zhenguo, founder and CEO of LONGi Green Energy Technology, Lu Weibing, partner and CEO of Xiaomi Group, and Liu Chunxi, executive president of Yili Group, attended the ceremony and interpreted their companies' practices and performances in respect to ESG , showcasing the growing development of Chinese companies in ESG. In recent years, ESG has increasingly become a globally recognized framework for evaluating corporate sustainable development and social responsibility. In order to promote Chinese enterprises to better fulfill their social responsibilities and inject new impetus into global economic growth, CCTV-2 of China Media Group, has co-worked with such authoritative institutions as the State Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, the State Owned Economic Research Think Tank of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the China Enterprise Reform and Development Research Society, and held the ESG models campaign ceremony for two consecutive years. The second annual ceremony of ESG models campaign was themed on growth, showcasing how ESG standards are increasingly accepted and followed in the high-quality development of the Chinese economy, as well as the multidimensional changes and progress made by Chinese enterprises in ESG. The outstanding practices of these model companies will further inspire other enterprises in China to move forward in ESG, fulfilling their commitments to the ESG principles on China's path to modernization. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/416d99412109392d6b6b63b636164751.jpg Peng Jianming, a member of China Media Group's editorial board, attended the event and delivered a speech. Emmanuel Faber, chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board, David Atkin, CEO of the Responsible Investment Principles, and Ayla Majid, global president of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, all sent video congratulations for the event. The annual ceremony will be aired on CCTV-2 of China Media Group on December 14th, 2024. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/5b54096ba4ab802970f4d57ac32e6083.jpg Media Contact Company Name: Xiamen Zhiding Interactive Media Co., Ltd. Contact Person: Danna Xu Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=chinese-esg-models-take-the-lead-in-building-a-sustainable-future ] Country: China Website: http://www.ideazd.com This release was published on openPR.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his nominee to l e ad the Labor Department . The Oregon House member who narrowly lost her reelection bid earlier this month received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce and its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health, safety and ability to unionize, and employers' rights to fire employees, among other responsibilities. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success - Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!” Trump said in a statement. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.Gaetz's withdrawal highlights how incoming presidents often lose Cabinet nominees MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) — Losing a Cabinet nominee to the confirmation process isn’t unheard of for incoming presidents — including for Donald Trump when he was elected the first time. Matt Gaetz’s decision to pull his name Thursday from consideration for attorney general — amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation — represents the first indication of resistance that the president-elect could face from his own party to picks facing allegations of sexual misconduct or other questions. Other Trump picks have drawn negative attention as well, including Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence. Vance takes on a more visible transition role as he works to boost Trump's most controversial picks WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role. He's been helping Donald Trump’s most contentious Cabinet picks try to win confirmation in the Senate, where he has served for the last two years. Vance spent part of Wednesday at the Capitol with Rep. Matt Gaetz sitting in on meetings with Trump’s controversial choice for attorney general. On Thursday, Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings over the coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, but he didn't focus exclusively on large religious voter blocs. He and his allies also wooed smaller religious groups, away from the mainstream. He posted a tribute to Coptic church members on social media and met with members of Assyrians for Trump — two smaller Christian communities with Middle Eastern roots. He visited the grave of the revered late leader of an Orthodox Jewish movement. His allies sought votes from the separatist Amish community. While Trump won decisively, the outreaches reflected aggressive campaigning in what was expected to be a tight race. NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missile KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with a hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Ukraine's parliament canceled a session Friday over the security threat. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech Thursday that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik, saying it's so powerful that several of them fitted with conventional warheads could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ education board has voted to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools. The approval Friday follows other Republican-led states that have pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms. The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education is optional for schools to adopt, but they’ll receive additional funding if they do so. Parents and teachers who opposed the curriculum say the lessons will alienate students of other faith backgrounds. Supporters argue the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich learning. 2 men convicted of charges related to human smuggling after scheme led to an Indian family’s death FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — A prosecution spokesperson says a jury has convicted two men of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand each faced four charges related to human smuggling before being convicted Friday. Patel is an Indian national. Shand is an American from Florida. They were arrested after the family froze while trying to cross the desolate border during a 2022 blizzard. Northern California gets record rain and heavy snow. Many have been in the dark for days in Seattle FORESTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A major storm with heavy snow and record rain that's moving through Northern California has toppled trees, closed roads and prompted evacuations in some areas after knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people in Washington and Oregon. Forecasters warn that the risk of flash flooding and rockslides will continue through Friday. The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for areas north of San Francisco as a plume of moisture known as an atmospheric river inundates Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Up to 16 inches of rain is forecast in Northern California and southwestern Oregon. The storm system unleashed winds earlier this week that left two people dead and hundreds of thousands without power in Washington. Colorado funeral home owners accused of letting 190 bodies decay plead guilty to corpse abuse COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Colorado funeral home owners accused of stashing 190 decaying bodies and giving grieving families fake ashes have pleaded guilty to corpse abuse. Jon and Carie Hallford entered the plea on Friday. Prosecutors say the owners of the Return to Nature funeral home began improperly storing bodies in a building outside Colorado Springs as far back as 2019. They allege the couple gave grieving families dry concrete in place of their loved ones’ cremains. Over the years, the Hallfords spent lavishly, buying luxury cars and laser body sculpting. That ended when the bodies were discovered last year. What do hundreds of beavers have to do with the future of movies? NEW YORK (AP) — The low-budget movie “Hundreds of Beavers” has turned into a lo-fi legend. Mike Cheslik’s film, made for just $150,000 and self-distributed in theaters, has managed to gnaw its way into a movie culture largely dominated by big-budget sequels. It’s a wordless black-and-white bonanza of slapstick antics about a stranded 19th century applejack salesman at war with a bevy of beavers, all of whom are played by actors in mascot costumes. It’s been called “the future of cinema” — a proclamation that may sound extreme for a movie about a guy with a giant beaver hat. But in a shrinking movie industry, DIY microbudget filmmaking may increasingly be left to fill some of the void left by risk-adverse, corporate-driven Hollywood. Noodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping saga Blame it on the noodles. That's what one Chinese official suggested when anti-doping leaders were looking for answers for the doping scandal that cast a shadow over this year's Olympic swim meet. Earlier this year, reports that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned heart medication emerged. None were sanctioned because Chinese authorities determined the swimmers were contaminated by traces of the drug spread about a hotel kitchen. In a strange twist, the leader of China's anti-doping agency suggested this case could have been similar to one in which criminals were responsible for tainting noodles that were later eaten by another Chinese athlete who also tested positive for the drug.Headed South for Winter? 5 Tips for Snowbirds About to Take FlightNucor Corp. stock falls Wednesday, underperforms market