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Mary Lou’s eyeroll and the ‘Simon stare’: The body language in TV leaders’ debateWith technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic.
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(The Center Square) — California’s senators have sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg requesting last-minute federal funding for the state’s high-speed rail project before the Trump administration takes office in January. This move comes amid concerns that the incoming administration might pull federal funding from the now $135 billion project, and use California as a national example for redirecting federal funds from Democratic priorities. Once complete, the project is supposed to carry passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles in under three hours, with one-way tickets priced at $86. It’s unclear how competitive this will be with air travel; one-way flights booked more than two weeks in advance currently cost $59 on Southwest, which includes two checked bags. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), proposed by the incoming Trump administration, aims to reduce what it views as wasteful government spending, recently spotlighted the project, and Congressmen Kevin Kiley, R-California, announced his bill to eliminate federal funding for the endeavor. Amid the state’s financial foes, a pause or withdrawal of federal funding could leave the state with no choice but to put the project on hold. During the spring, the California High Speed Rail Authority requested the use of state rainy day funding to plug the $8 billion to $10 billion funding shortfall for the system’s initial $30 billion to $33 billion, 171-mile segment connecting the cities of Bakersfield and Merced in the relatively sparsely populated Central Valley. But with the state’s legislative analyst now finding the state has “no capacity” for new spending and projecting annual deficits will soon rise to $30 billion, enhanced state support for the project is unlikely, leaving federal funding as the only option to fill the gap. The letter , signed by Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and Reps. Pete Aguilar, Zoe Lofgren, and Jim Costa, requests an additional $536 million to join $134 million in state funds to complete a 30%, or preliminary, design of one tunnel in Southern California and one tunnel in Northern California. The letter also recounted the federal government’s existing $6.8 billion in support for the project, and $22 billion from California for the project thus far. “By preparing for future final design and construction of complex tunnels in this corridor, the Project will advance both state and federal goals to improve safety, expand economic strength and global competitiveness, address equity issues, and implement sustainability practices to confront climate change,” wrote the federal legislators. “These investments will continue to support living wage jobs, provide small business opportunities, and equitably enhance the mobility of communities in need – including disadvantaged agricultural communities – all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” In 2012, the state legislative analyst’s office found the bullet train would increase overall greenhouse gas emissions for the first 30 years of its operation, putting the project’s emissions impact — and state funding based on emissions reductions — into question. Kiley, who is aiming to pass a bill in Congress ending federal support for the project, said even if a grant is approved, he hopes to keep that money away from California’s bullet train. “A small group of CA Democrats is asking Biden to send even more money for High-Speed Rail ... before Congress can pass my bill to deny further funding,” said Kiley on X. “If Biden complies, we will make sure that the grant is promptly revoked.” Because U.S. Congress holds “power of the purse,” Kiley’s bill could allow the federal government to withhold any further funding from the project – even spending that is already approved. However, it's less clear whether the Trump administration could unilaterally halt funding. As a discretionary grant under the Department of Transportation, such a decision might fall within its authority, but political and legal challenges could arise.
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Mary Lou McDonald said Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin were now “indistinguishable” from each other, as she claimed they were suffering “acute amnesia” in regard to their records in government. The Fine Gael and Fianna Fail leaders, who were partners in the last coalition government in Ireland, have made clear they will not countenance Sinn Fein as a potential partner in the next administration in Dublin. On a visit to Naas Fire Station in Co Kildare, Ms McDonald reflected on Tuesday night’s final leaders’ TV debate which featured herself along with Taoiseach Mr Harris and deputy premier Mr Martin. “I was in the middle of the two and I didn’t hear anything that I haven’t heard a million times before,” she said of the RTE Prime Time debate. “I am absolutely struck at the fact that they seem to be suffering from acute amnesia, they have forgotten that, in fact, they have been in government together in support of each other for the last decade. “To listen to them, you’d imagine they had just arrived on the scene and that they were going to come up with all of these solutions. They have had ample chances, ample opportunity to make things better, and they have failed, and in between the two of them, I make the case that now we ask for our chance, with our plans, with our team, to demonstrate how change can happen, how your community, your family, yourself, can be supported when the government is actually on your side.” Mr Martin accused Sinn Fein of being “dishonest” about how they will fund their manifesto plans. Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday, he said that he is anxious to get clarity on the issue. “I think Sinn Fein have been very dishonest, frankly, in terms of the funds, because if you go through their figures, and this is a matter of fact, not opinion, they’re predicting a surplus of a billion in 2026, a billion in 2027. “Even in 2025, they’re talking about a mini budget, which would mean reducing the surplus that we’re anticipating in 2025. “There’s a legislative obligation now on any new government to put 0.8% of GDP to one side, and into the funds. There’s no way you can do that with a surplus of a billion in 2026 or 2027 and we would argue they would not have enough funds next year either to put into the funds. “You can’t ignore the legislation. And it seems to me Sinn Finn should be more upfront and honest in saying that they’re going to discontinue the 0.8% contribution to the funds. The implications of that are serious. “It means they have no room to manoeuvre if things go wrong, if there’s headwinds come externally, or there are shocks internationally, Sinn Fein is not allowing any headroom at all in terms of room to respond or to move it. “They want to spend all the windfall cooperation taxes next year, the year after and in 2027.” Mr Martin said he enjoyed the debate, adding it went fast. He said the next 48 hours will be tough. “It will be a closely fought race. There’ll be 43 different elections in different constituencies,” he added. “So it’s too close to call, I’m not predicting anything, and I think it would be far too premature to do so.” The leaders of Ireland’s three main political parties clashed on housing, healthcare and financial management in the last televised debate before Friday’s General Election. The tetchy debate, which was marked by several interruptions, saw the parties set out their stalls in a broadcast that commentators said did little to move the dial before polling day. The latest opinion poll on Monday put the parties in a tight grouping with Fianna Fail slightly ahead of Sinn Fein, and Fine Gael in a close third after a significant slide in a campaign marked with several hiccups for Mr Harris’s party. After the 2020 general election delivered an inconclusive result, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, two parties forged from opposing sides of Ireland’s Civil War of the 1920s, agreed to set aside almost a century of animosity and share power. The Green Party joined the administration as a junior partner. From 2016 to 2020, Fianna Fail had supported Fine Gael in power through a confidence and supply arrangement from the Opposition benches in the Dail parliament. Sinn Fein won the popular vote in 2020 but a failure to run enough candidates meant it did not secure sufficient seats in the Dail to give it a realistic chance of forming a government. Following Tuesday’s debate, Ms McDonald was the first of the three leaders to face the cameras on Wednesday. “I think people know from the last general election that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael went to all lengths to keep not just Sinn Fein out of government, but to stop change,” Ms McDonald said. “And we’re saying to people this election now is time to call time on that. “There’s an opportunity now for the people to be in the driving seat, to come out in big numbers, to back Sinn Fein, to back change, to back a change of government, because that is the thing that can transform the situation.” Ms McDonald said she found it “astonishing” that Tanaiste Mr Martin appeared to be on a “mission” to ensure that Fine Gael returned to government. “It’s astonishing, really, that Fine Gael having been in government for 14 years that Micheal Martin is now so intent on returning them again,” she told reporters. “That, to be clear, is a recipe for continuing failure. And I think it’s astonishing that he would advance that position, having been so clear five years ago (during the last election campaign) that Fine Gael had been too long in the government.” Asked who she thought won the RTE debate, Ms McDonald replied: “I think the argument for change won the debate last night. I think that Micheal Martin and Simon Harris have become now almost indistinguishable. I think there is a pretence that they are different in their politics. They’re not.”Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The U.S. Navy is transforming a costly flub into a potent weapon with the first shipborne hypersonic weapon, which is being retrofitted aboard the first of its three stealthy destroyers. The USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. The USS Zumwalt is seen at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard Nov. 21 in Pascagoula, Miss. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of them by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the Hudson Institute. The U.S. has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the U.S. military to hasten their production. Questions about Gillian’s Wonderland finances draw angry response from Mita Pleasantville man accused of murdering girlfriend Absecon police detain suspect in dollar store robbery Mainland Regional falls to Old Tappan in state final Northfield intersection to become four-way stop 4 Bridgeton men indicted in alleged sex trafficking ring Mays Landing man charged in hit-and-run that injured man, killed dog in Absecon Wonderland developer to pitch vision again Wednesday at Ocean City Tabernacle Atlantic City mayor waives first appearance on witness tampering charge Northfield Councilman Leeds resigns, citing concerns over Mayor Chau's criminal charges Former Galloway gymnastics co-owner accused of sex with minor to remain in jail These South Jersey bars and restaurants have transformed into holiday wonderlands Some Atlantic City casino workers call on union boss to resign for opposing a smoking ban Atlantic County suing NJ Juvenile Justice Commission over placement of youth offenders Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added maneuverability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defense department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon previously acknowledged the weapon's development, it had not recognized its testing. One of the U.S. programs in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the “Conventional Prompt Strike." It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a $7.5 billion warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The USS Zumwalt is seen at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard Nov. 21 in Pascagoula, Miss. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an Advanced Gun System with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155 mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was canceled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost between $800,000 and $1 million. Despite the stain on its reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warship in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimize radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The Zumwalt arrived at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in August 2023 and was removed from the water for the complex work of integrating the new weapon system. It is due to be undocked this week in preparation for the next round of tests and its return to the fleet, shipyard spokeswoman Kimberly Aguillard said. A U.S. hypersonic weapon was successfully tested over the summer and development of the missiles is continuing. The Navy wants to begin testing the system aboard the Zumwalt in 2027 or 2028, according to the Navy. The U.S. weapon system will come at a steep price. It would cost nearly $18 billion to buy 300 of the weapons and maintain them over 20 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Critics say there is too little bang for the buck. “This particular missile costs more than a dozen tanks. All it gets you is a precise non-nuclear explosion, some place far far away. Is it really worth the money? The answer is most of the time the missile costs much more than any target you can destroy with it,” said Loren Thompson, a longtime military analyst in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Navy intercepted Houthi missiles and drones targeting two warships and three merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden. But they provide the capability for Navy vessels to strike an enemy from a distance of thousands of kilometers — outside the range of most enemy weapons — and there is no effective defense against them, said retired Navy Rear Adm. Ray Spicer, CEO of the U.S. Naval Institute, an independent forum focusing on national security issues, and former commander of an aircraft carrier strike force. Conventional missiles that cost less aren’t much of a bargain if they are unable to reach their targets, Spicer said, adding the U.S. military really has no choice but to pursue them. “The adversary has them. We never want to be outdone,” he said. The U.S. is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to U.S. national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities,” said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defense department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said. Image Credit: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock The financial challenges facing U.S. military households are a significant concern throughout the year. Holidays such as Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, or Veterans Day highlight the ongoing struggles that service members face, particularly amid rising costs for everyday essentials. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey shows a troubling trend: Military personnel and their families are finding it more difficult to cover basic household expenses such as food, housing, and transportation than the average American. Our analysis examines how service members are faring in today’s economy compared to civilian households, highlighting the states where military families report the greatest challenges in managing their finances. As we enter Giving Season, we’ve also highlighted meaningful ways to support service members and their families through charitable contributions, offering an opportunity to make a direct impact on those who serve our nation. Service members are struggling more financially than the average American. Image Credit: Upgraded Points According to recent Household Pulse Survey data, members of the armed services are experiencing financial strain at higher rates than the general U.S. population. Over 40% of service members report difficulty covering their usual household expenses, compared to 36.6% of all U.S. adults. The data also shows heightened anxiety among service members regarding rising prices. Nearly 80% of military personnel express stress about recent price increases, significantly higher than the 71.8% of all U.S. adults who share similar feelings. Furthermore, 81.8% of service members are concerned about future price hikes, reflecting widespread uncertainty about inflation’s long-term impact on household budgets. More than half of service members in certain states have difficulty covering basic household expenses. Image Credit: Upgraded Points Across the U.S., the financial burden on service members varies significantly from state to state, primarily influenced by local economic conditions. According to the most recent data, Utah leads with 53.7% of service members reporting difficulty covering basic household expenses, closely followed by Louisiana (52.9%) and Alaska (52.8%). Other states where over half of service members are struggling include Indiana (52.0%), Tennessee (51.2%), New York (50.8%), and Florida (50.3%). A key issue service members frequently raise is that their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) has not kept pace with the rapidly rising cost of housing. In states where service members face the greatest financial difficulties, such as Utah, Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida, home price increases have far exceeded the national average, exacerbating the strain on household budgets. Another critical factor affecting military families is the employment challenges military spouses face. According to the Department of Defense, the military spouse unemployment rate was 21% in 2023, compared to a national rate of 3.6% that year. Many military bases are located in rural or remote areas, limiting job opportunities for spouses, particularly in specialized fields. Additionally, frequent relocations make it difficult for spouses to sustain long-term careers, especially for those in professions requiring state-specific occupational licenses that can be difficult to transfer. Service members are also more likely to report financial struggles in states with higher-than-average unemployment rates, such as Louisiana, Alaska, and New York. Conversely, the state unemployment rate is below average in 9 of the 10 states where service members report the least financial difficulty. This suggests that strong local employment opportunities, particularly for spouses, significantly ease the financial burden on military households. Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock One of the most impactful ways to support service members, veterans, and their families who are facing financial hardships is through donations to reputable charities. These organizations are dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by military families and veterans, providing vital assistance in areas like housing, medical expenses, scholarships, and career training. To help guide your generosity, we’ve compiled a list of top-rated charities based on scores from Charity Navigator , CharityWatch , and GuideStar , which assess organizations on criteria such as impact, efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Here are some of the best charities supporting military families and veterans in need: 1. USO For over 80 years, the USO has provided crucial support to active-duty service members and their families. From financial assistance programs to community-building initiatives, the USO helps service members stay connected to loved ones while addressing their most pressing needs during deployments and transitions. 2. Homes For Our Troops This charity is focused on providing specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. It helps veterans regain independence. Homes For Our Troops also provides financial planning and household budgeting to ensure long-term stability for the recipients. 3. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Dedicated to advocating for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, IAVA works to improve government policies and programs that support military families. Its advocacy ensures veterans have access to financial resources, healthcare, and education opportunities. 4. Fisher House Foundation This foundation builds “comfort homes” near military and VA medical centers, allowing families to stay free of charge while a loved one is hospitalized. By reducing travel and lodging expenses, Fisher House eases financial stress during difficult times. 5. Hope For The Warriors Offering a range of programs focused on financial stability, wellness, social support, and education, Hope For The Warriors provides critical support to service members, veterans, and their families. Its services include direct financial assistance for transitioning service members and veterans in need, career training and job placement, and scholarships for spouses. 6. Semper Fi & America’s Fund Semper Fi & America’s Fund assists wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families through direct financial assistance and case management during hospitalization and recovery. The organization also provides educational support, career assistance, and health and wellness services. 7. Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS) WWFS supports families of those wounded or killed in combat through programs like medical travel grants, meal and housekeeping assistance, in-home care services, and family retreats. By addressing these families' immediate and ongoing needs, WWFS alleviates the financial burdens of those suffering from recent tragic events. For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, see Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help on Upgraded Points . Photo Credit: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock Upgraded Points conducted the analysis using the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey Phase 4.0–4.2 , covering the period from January 9, 2024, to September 16, 2024. Service members were defined as adults currently serving in the U.S. armed forces (Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard) and their spouses. This analysis focuses on 3 key questions from the survey: Difficulty Covering Household Expenses: Respondents were asked, "In the last 7 days, how difficult has it been for your household to pay for usual household expenses, including but not limited to food, rent or mortgage, car payments, medical expenses, student loans, and so on?" We defined difficulty as either "very difficult" or "somewhat difficult.” Stress Due to Price Increases: Respondents were asked, "How stressful, if at all, has the increase in prices in the last two months been for you?" We defined stress as either "very stressful" or "moderately stressful." Concern About Future Price Increases: Finally, respondents were asked, "In the area you live and shop, how concerned are you, if at all, that prices will increase in the next 6 months?" We defined concern as either "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned." Statistics with fewer than 50 survey responses were omitted from the analysis. Additional statistics on home prices were sourced from Zillow’s Home Value Index , and unemployment rates were sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates . For complete results, see Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help on Upgraded Points. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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I know this makes me a bad queer, but I'm not drawn to astrology culture . Someone dubbed it "birthday racism" on Twitter years ago and I've never been able to shake it. Sure, I know a few obnoxious people born in March, but you won't catch me hexing every Pisces or Aries that walks into my life. As a victim of zodiac discrimination myself ( I'm a Scorpio ), I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy (who actually happens to be a Leo). But unlike its loudest critics, my aversion to astrology is not based in some chest-thumping, Western-science-supremacist ideology. I don't recoil because it offers a more spiritual, intuitive read of the universe. If anything, I want more of that in my life. But the astrology industrial complex has moved so far from that. I don't care what an algorithm has to say about my Pluto in the sixth house, or which signs make the best lovers. It's all too much like a competition — like I was dropped into a SoulCycle class when I signed up for meditation. Where's the awe? Where's the wonder? I just want to howl at the moon! Suffice to say, when I was recently invited on a "zodiac-based retreat" at the StolenTime resort in St. Lucia, I was deeply skeptical. Typically when I travel, I'm hoping to engage with local culture rather than impose anything that could be construed as Americanized nonsense, and the idea of prancing around with an itinerary shaped by my star sign felt a little arrogant at best and culturally insensitive at worst. Despite my reservations, I decided to say yes to the trip. It was booked for right after my birthday and a week after the election , so I figured some escapism — while usually not my style — might be a decent way to temporarily soothe my anxiety about growing older in a country run by authoritarian sympathizers . I told myself I'd choke down the astrology stuff as best I could and just try to focus on the lush island, the mellow water, and the sweet rum cocktails. Somehow I'd make it through. (Cue the world's smallest violin.) Over Zoom a few nights before takeoff, I met with Tali Edut, one half of the renowned astrology duo AstroTwins , who put together individual itineraries based on each traveler's sun sign. (Launching next year, the twins have partnered with the resort to offer guests similar "bespoke wellness itineraries" based on their zodiac signs for what they're calling "astrology themed months.") I resolved to go into my session with an open mind. Edut performed the most in-depth chart reading I'd ever had, laying out how my Gemini moon means I'm sometimes more playful than the average Scorpio, and why my north node in Libra means I might sometimes struggle with relationships. I was impressed by the thorough breakdown, even if it felt a little prescriptive. By the end, I found myself resonating with what she said, and even sort of . . . enjoying it? After the reading, the AstroTwins sent me a brief summary of my sign-specific "vacation vibe" along with my itinerary, broadly detailing what sorts of foods to reach for and what activity styles we might especially enjoy. Mine encouraged plenty of time in the water (hi, water signs), lots of spicy foods, and time to turn inward for some much-needed introspection. Freshly 29 — and with my entire astrological personality read to filth by a stranger on the internet — I boarded my direct flight from Boston to Vieux Fort, ready to embrace my specially curated Scorpio itinerary at StolenTime. Read on for my takeaways from my first-ever astrology-themed trip. Zodiac-Inspired Activities Being that Scorpio is a water sign, it tracks that the itineraries for the two Scorpios on the trip included a full morning of snorkeling. I'm still not convinced it has much to do with when I was born, but it's true that I'm a lifelong water-lover. Whenever possible I like to mark big life transitions with a cleansing plunge into a body of saltwater, and if I weren't a journalist, I'd probably be a marine biologist. Naturally, I savored the opportunity to get out on a boat and into the Caribbean Sea at Anse Cochon, a reef that curves along a stretch of low, rugged cliffs. With a gaggle of other neon vest–clad tourists, I squirmed around at the surface, pointing excitedly at the big parrot fish and moray eels below, and the brown boobies soaring above. Whether or not it was good for my inner Scorpio, it was definitely good for my soul. Zodiac-Inspired Treatments The Scorpio summary also emphasized our sensuality, intensity, and the need to "center" ourselves — something I was able to do a lot of at StolenTime and around the island. A highlight of my itinerary involved a mud bath in the volcanic sulfur springs of Soufrière, at the foot of the Pitons mountains. It was a two-hour drive from the resort to the dormant volcano, where natural springs bubble with nourishing gray mud and scalding freshwater pools. (And I wasn't complaining about the stop at the local chocolate factory on the way there either.) My itinerary also called for a full-body massage back at the resort, in a peaceful treatment room above the water garden and one of the property's main relaxing pools. Zodiac-Inspired Food While on the island, the AstroTwins recommended Scorpios opt for boldly spiced meals and lots of seafood. (Again, no complaints.) Our group mostly ate from the resort's three on-site restaurants: a daily buffet, an upscale dining room serving French classics, and a feet-in-sand beachside dining experience that specialized in elegantly presented local fish. My favorite meal of the trip was the grilled lobster with creole sauce at the latter restaurant — the earthy, smoky, briny flavors melded even better with the backdrop of the waves. Overall Impression It's hard to have a bad time in a place as beautiful as St. Lucia, and I certainly am no exception. Plus, I do think the astrology element, while not really my thing, does make this vacation package stand out from more generic all-inclusive offerings in similar destinations around the world. (The astrology retreats will be available beginning in 2025, with rates starting at $805 per night on an all-inclusive basis for double occupancy.) While my Scorpio itinerary aligned well with my personal interests, I was able to easily tack on experiences that weren't initially slated for the Scorpios, like a sunset cruise and a night out at the Gros Islet street party, a weekly fete featuring local DJs, endless food carts packed with grilled lobsters and curried meats, and lots of free-flowing alcohol. While I think the AstroTwins did a good job of assigning sign-specific activities, travelers can also easily use the astrology element to supplement an itinerary of their own creation, mixing in excursions that don't perfectly align with their sign but align with their individual personality. When it came time to leave, I reflected on how disembodied modern-day astrology can feel. A lot of the knowledge-sharing happens online, through apps and social media, where it's too easy to flatten ourselves and our deliciously complicated personhood into stereotypes and generalizations. In those spaces, it's hard for me to authentically appreciate this ancient practice and the potential it holds to deepen our connections not just to ourselves, but our planet and our solar system. But to my delight, there were moments on this trip when I was able to marry mind and body, and to actually inhabit the astrology rather than experience it secondhand from a screen. The initial idea of a zodiac retreat did make me wince. I figured at that point I might as well walk into a hole-in-the-wall bakery in the capital city of Castries, glance at the shelves stocked with dense, hand-milled cassava breads and steamed paime pies, and ask for a cronut. But now, having done one, I see the appeal. If I were to do another, I'd hope it would lean into the spirituality even more. I would love a lesson about the connection between the zodiac and the destination, and about the spiritual practices that have shaped the culture of that specific place throughout history, astrologically or otherwise. With that deeper analysis, it's sure to steer clear of gimmick territory and maybe even rope in a few more skeptics like me. Halle Bailey Wants You to Take a Vacation This Year Emma Glassman-Hughes (she/her) is the associate editor at PS Balance. In her seven years as a reporter, her beats have spanned the lifestyle spectrum; she's covered arts and culture for The Boston Globe, sex and relationships for Cosmopolitan, and food, climate, and farming for Ambrook Research.A Florida insurance company is scrambling to explain why it denied 77% of claims after Hurricane Debby . NOTUS reported in September that a significant number of insurance claims were denied. Months later, NOTUS said the company has scrambled to justify those denials. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation announced it would conduct an “independent audit” into the claim denials. After increased scrutiny, the denied claims fell from 77% to 74%. However, according to industry-wide data, it's still much larger than the average of 68%. ALSO READ: Your tax dollars are funding a $64 billion scam That means that, on average, insurance companies deny 68% of residential property claims, and policyholders receive no payment. Citizens CEO Tim Cerio told lawmakers that he hopes the audit will help bring back public trust, but he still believes the low approval rate is legitimate. “To the 77% denial story that’s out there,” Cerio began, “Although I do stand behind the data I presented — our Citizens data that we’ve gathered — it is important to maintain public trust and confidence of our policyholders and stakeholders ..." According to the company's spokesperson, Michael Peltier, that number is significantly higher than the real number. The company only closed claims "because of lack of coverage or because of flood damage are formally deemed 'denied,'" the report said. Other denied claims fell under the policyholder's deductible or if the claim was withdrawn. Those aren't considered "denied." Cerio told the Board of Governors that this calculation means they've only denied 13% of claims. Insurance critic Martin Weiss, who runs an independent watchdog group, told NOTUS number is nothing more than fuzzy math. “If I file a claim and I get a letter back saying your claim has been closed with no payment, whether they use the word denial or not, they’re denying my claim,” Weiss said. “We look at it from the perspective of the average consumer’s actual experience.” Still, state lawmakers were furious. “I’m not going to sit idly by if legitimate claims get denied while rates continue to rise. Period," said Republican state Sen. Ben Albritton. “Floridians have been paying faithfully their insurance premiums for years, sometimes decades, and now they expect their insurance company to keep up its end of the bargain. I want to make sure that impacted Floridians and insurance companies hear me loudly and clearly — we are watching,” Albritton added. Weiss warned last month that Florida insurers are "on the brink of collapse." Read the full report here. A former official in Donald Trump’s first administration , who online sleuths allegedly caught on camera at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, is back at work for his former boss, according to a new report. Pete Marocco, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for African Affairs, has been spotted at Trump’s transition headquarters in Florida, where he is at work with the president-elect’s transition team on “national security personnel matters,” sources told Politico on Monday. That includes interviewing candidates this week to fill administration positions, including in the State Department, the report added. ALSO READ: The Medicare Advantage trap: What they don’t tell you Marocco found himself a controversial figure during his stint in Trump’s first administration. He drew “international fire ” for his work in the first term and has since emerged as a conservative activist in Dallas, Politico reported. He was also identified, along with his wife, by the online sleuth group Sedition Hunters as allegedly being among the Trump-inspired rioters inside and outside of the Capitol on Jan. 6 , the report said. But Marocco told the publication that the allegations were nothing more than “petty smear tactics and desperate personal attacks,” and neither he nor his wife have been charged . In a statement, Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt praised Marocco’s “valuable knowledge on national security policy” and added that he “has been a tremendous benefit to the Trump-Vance transition effort.” “Democrats and their allies in the media who think they are going to obstruct our ability to deliver on this mandate by going back to the same January 6 playbook of smears and faux outrage that was soundly rejected by the American people will be disappointed,” Leavitt told Politico. Florida state Rep. Susan Valdés announced Monday she is defecting to the Republican Party — immediately after being re-elected as a Democrat. Valdés, a Cuban-American lawmaker who was raised by immigrants in New York, represents a Tampa area district. "I have spent my adult life fighting to give a voice to the people of my West Tampa home," she wrote. "I have done so as a Democrat partly out of habit — I come from a family of Democrats — and partly because I believed the Democrats were the party most concerned with the working families I represent." However, she added, "I will not waste my final two years in the Florida Legislature being ignored in a caucus whose leadership expects me to ignore the needs of my community." "I will continue to fight every day to benefit the people of West Tampa, Hillsborough County and the state of Florida," she concluded. "And in my heart, I know the best way to do that is to stand with Speaker [Daniel] Perez and join the Republican supermajority in the Florida House of Representatives. ALSO READ: The Medicare Advantage trap: What they don’t tell you Valdés did not explicitly list a reason for abandoning Democrats in her statement. However, it comes just a week after she lost a campaign to chair the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee. Furthermore, last year, she was one of a small handful of Democrats who crossed the aisle to support a massive school voucher program championed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis . This was also a precipitating issue cited by North Carolina state Rep. Tricia Cotham , who also infamously defected to the GOP last year, giving the party there a supermajority in the legislature that they narrowly lost this year , as well as Georgia state Rep. Mesha Mainor , who was defeated after defecting in the election last month. Critics have said school voucher programs, touted as giving parents "choice" to move their tax dollars to private education, consistently worsen education outcomes while enriching a small group of wealthy parents already outside the public school system. Last week, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) appeared to be against Donald Trump's announced nominee for the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth . But on Monday, Ernst met with him again and now pledges her support . “Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks," she writes in a statement. ALSO READ: 'It's offensive': Multiple senators object to Trump's plan to usher in Pete Hegseth Ernst is a survivor of sexual assault who has tried to stop sexual assaults in the military. She is also reportedly a top contender for the role should Hegseth's nomination fail. Hegseth's nomination has been plagued by revelations he was accused of rape in 2017 and amid accusations he has a drinking problem. He has also advocated against having women in combat roles. Hegseth claimed that the sexual encounter was consensual. His attorney, Tom Parlatore, has said his client entered into a confidentiality agreement with the accuser. "As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources," Ernst said. Other lawmakers have demanded that he swear not to drink while under the position after concerns that he was an alcoholic from former and current Fox colleagues. Ernst, a former Army National Guard member and a retired lieutenant colonel, indicated Thursday she wasn't ready to support Hegseth. A spokesperson for Ernst told Newsweek: "As Senator Ernst has said, she is not seeking to be secretary of defense, there is no 'campaign' against Pete, and is continuing the vetting process." Her comments led to social media backlash from MAGA allies, including Charlie Kirk, the founder of the nonprofit conservative Turning Point USA. "People in Iowa have a well-funded primary challenger ready against her. Her political career is in serious jeopardy," he threatened on X. Read the full statement here.U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian made the decision in a written ruling following a bail hearing last week, when lawyers for the hip-hop mogul argued that a $50 million bail package they proposed would be sufficient to ensure Combs doesn’t flee and doesn’t try to intimidate prospective trial witnesses. Two other judges previously had been persuaded by prosecutors’ arguments that the Bad Boy Records founder was a danger to the community if he is not behind bars. Lawyers did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the decision. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years, aided by associates and employees. An indictment alleges that he silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. A federal appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan considers his bail request. Prosecutors have insisted that no bail conditions would be sufficient to protect the public and prevent the “I'll Be Missing You” singer from fleeing. They say that even in a federal lockup in Brooklyn, Combs has orchestrated social media campaigns designed to influence prospective jurors and tried to publicly leak materials he thinks can help his case. They say he also has contacted potential witnesses through third parties. Lawyers for Combs say any alleged sexual abuse described in the indictment occurred during consensual relations between adults and that new evidence refutes allegations that Combs used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers known as “Freak Offs.”
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Makai Richards had 17 points in Chattanooga's 84-76 victory against Bryant on Wednesday. Richards added five rebounds for the Mocs (5-3). Trey Bonham shot 4 of 11 from the field, including 2 for 8 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 7 from the line to add 15 points. Sean Cusano went 5 of 7 from the field (3 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points. Earl Timberlake led the Bulldogs (4-4) in scoring, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists. Bryant also got 16 points from Rafael Pinzon. Jakai Robinson finished with 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
A Cornish charity which has helped thousands of people in need has closed its doors for good. DISC, a drop-in centre and food bank service at the Sandy Lodge Hotel, has closed just before Christmas after more than a decade. It comes after Monique Collins, who took over the running of the charity seven years ago, announced in October that she had made the sad decision to step down from her role. She said the last year has been “the hardest of my life” and feels it is time for her to take a step back to focus on her health and family. Monique’s last day at DISC was yesterday (Monday, December 23) and while the charity said it will officially close its doors on January 1, she said it will stop running once she has left. She wanted to stay on as manager until in an effort to make it the "best one yet". The charity, which received The King’s Award for Voluntary Service earlier this year, had hoped it would be able to find someone else to become the new manager but its search has been unsuccessful. In addition, Monique said the lack of funding and increased demand for its services has made DISC “nearly impossible” to run. In a statement shared on , Monique described the closure of DISC as being the "end of an era". She thanked the organisations and businesses which have supported the charity over the last seven years and said she feels "emotional" that it has all come to an end. The post said: "Here’s the post that everyone has waited for, it’s with heartfelt emotions I can’t describe as it’s an end of an era. I am writing this as me as I want to thank all of the volunteers over the years - cooking over 1.5 million meals. We helped thousands into homes, gave out tents and sleeping bags when that was all we could do. We helped with school uniforms, gas, electric, tinned and fresh fruit and vegetables, moral support, referrals to DV [domestic violence] and the list goes on. "I want to thank the organisations and businesses that have supported me to be able to do so much for our community. There are many as you can see on our Facebook page. This week has been very emotional seeing so many people we helped and giving me hugs and thanks for housing them, feeding them and handing out Christmas presents." Monique but she feels it is necessary as she can no longer continue in her role. Ahead of its closure, the charity has been handing out Christmas presents to local children in need, as well as handing out food parcels to families, schools, and care homes. The post on Facebook continued: "The last year has been tougher than most because of politics, very nasty people and funding however I need to highlight three phenomenal people who have had my back every single day, during DISC days but also in my private life Carol, Dave and Joan you are definitely my three musketeers and nothing is going to stop us now enjoying a bit of us time. "Today I can say Newquay I love you and we have made 3000+ children happy this Christmas with presents, helped 1750 families out with food excluding [sic] several local Newquay schools, local care homes, Academy and Penrice St. Austell, gave away hundreds of toys to children’s social services so we have definitely gone with a bang I estimate we have helped about 550+ children and families this Christmas. "I just hope someone will step up to fill our void and yes I know I built a monster so not likely but hopefully something will come up as a drip in the ocean always helps. Leaves me to say it’s been mostly a privilege and pleasure and I love you Newquay. You will see me so please say hi or give me a hug if you need one. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all."
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