Helene Flooding Strands Hundreds of North Carolina Residents

 The Southeast is grappling with widespread devastation after Helene made landfall three days ago, as the strongest hurricane on record to slam into Florida's Big Bend region and tore through multiple states, killing at least 64 people, knocking out power to millions, , and trapping families in floodwaters, the CNN website reports today (Sept. 29, 2024). 

In hard--hit North Carolina, days of unrelenting flooding have turned roads into waterways, left many without basic necessities , and strained state resources. 

More than 60 have died across 5 states. Deaths have been reported in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia. 

At least 11 people are dead in North Carolina , Gov. Roy Cooper said today. At least 24 are dead in South Carolina, authorities said. In Georgia, at least 17 people have died, two of them killed by a tornado in Alamo, according to a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp. In Florida, at least 11 people have died, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, including several people drowned in Pinellas County. One person died in Craig County, Virginia, in a storm--related tree fall and building collapse , Gov. Glenn Youngkin said. 

About 300 roads are closed in North Carolina and another 150 are closed in South Carolina, acting Federal Administrator Kristin White of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation said. 

Since Helene started swamping the region, it has turned neighborhoods into lakes, lifted cars like toys, snapped trees like twigs, and left businesses underwater. 

Social Security Recipients to Get a 3.2% COLA Increase for 2024

 There will be a 3.2% increase in Social Security income to begin in January, 2025,the Easy Seniors Club website reports today (Sept.28, 2024).

The new measure will increase the average monthly retirement benefit that consumers will receive by almost $50.

These increases are known as cost--of--living adjustments (COLA).

Although $50 might not seem like much for some people, that money can help millions of people keep up with expenses, pay the bills, or take better care of their families. 

The COLA increase for 2024 was calculated based on an average of the inflation figures for July, August, and September 2023, as the CPI--W increased by 2.6%, 3.4%, and 3.6% respectively. 

The COLA increase will be a huge help for millions of people in the U.S., especially retirees who feel the sting when they purchase gas and groceries. 

Hurricane Helene to Cause Flooding Hundreds of Miles beyond Florida

 Florida's Gulf Coast saw catastrophic Hurricane Helene make landfall last night, but forecasters warned that major rain and winds will cause flooding even hundreds of miles  inland, the USA Today website reports today (Sept. 27, 2024). 

Helene's winds extend up to 275 miles from its cenrter, making it a massive storm that can cause inland flooding even well after it makes landfall, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. 

Helene could be a "once--in--a--generation" storm in parts of Georgia and the Carolinas, Accu Weather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin said. 

Today, rain totals of  up to 18 inches are expected up through the southern Appalachian region. Major urban flooding is at risk in Tallahasee, metro Atlanta, and western North Carolina. 

"Extreme rainfall rates ( that is, torrential downpour) across the mountainous terrain of the southern Appalachians will likely inundate communities in its path with flash floods, landslides and cause extensive river and stream flooding," NOAA said in a news release warning of the inland flooding risk. 

Flooding has been the biggest cause of hurricane-- and tropical cyclone--related deaths in the U.S. in the last decade. 

A risk of flooding extends all the way north to the southern parts of Indiana, Ohio, and across to the Washington, D.C.metro area, according to the National Weather Service. 

Zelensky Brings "Victory Plan" to White House; Meets with Biden and Harris

 U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House today (Sept. 26, 2024) , after announcing billions in military aid for Kyiv, insisting that Russia "will not prevail" in its invasion of Ukraine, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website reports. 

Zelensky presented Biden with what he has referred to as his "victory plan" and requested that the United States lift restrictions on the use of long--range weapons it has provided to strike deep inside Russia at military targets. 

"Russia will not prevail. Ukraine will prevail, and we'll continue to stand by you every step of the way, " Biden said as he hosted Zelensky in the Oval Office, after thanking him for presenting his plan. 

"We deeply appreciate that Ukraine and America have stood side by side," said Zelensky , dressed in a dark green military --style outfit. 

Zelensky also met with Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee for president, later at the White House , and shared his "victory plan" with her. 

Harris told Zelensky that her support for the people of Ukraine was unwavering. 

"The Ukrainian people are bravely defending their homes and their homeland, their freedom and their democracy against a brurtal dictator," Harris told Zelensky. 

Biden earlier today announced more than $9 billion in military aid for Kyiv and repeated in a statement that the U.S. will "provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win this war." 

Biden Delivers Final Speech to UN as US President

 In his final speech to the United Nations General Assembly at the annual UN gathering in New York yesterday (Sept. 24), President Joe Biden tried to showcase the diplomatic achievements of his presidency and contrast them with the wars going on in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan, the Greek Reporter website reports today (Sept. 25, 2024). 

During his speech, President Biden stated, " I know many look at the world today and see  difficulties and react with despair." 

"But maybe because of all I've seen and all we have done together over the decades, I have hope," he added. 

Some mentions made by President Biden included supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion in 2022, handling competition with China, and upholding the UN charter.

Biden also commented on the need for a two--state solution in the Middle East,  referring to a world, "where Israel enjoys security and peace, full recognition and normalized relations with its neighbors. And Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self--determination in a state of their own. 

Pope Francis' Visit to Asia Sparks Need for World Climate Commitment

 Pope Francis'recent visit to Asia and Oceania, from September 2 to 13, has provided a significant platform for world leaders to call for urgent action on climate change, the Christian Today website reports today (Sept. 24, 2024). 

As the pope journeyed through countries already feeling the severe impacts of environmental crises, local leaders highlighted the need for a global commitment to address these issues. 

In Papua, New Guinea, one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change, Governor General Bob Dadae delivered an emotional plea during the pope's visit on September 7. 

"Your Holiness, climate change is real," Dadae stated. "The rise in sea levels is affecting the livelihoods of our people   in the remote islands of Papua, New Guinea and across the Pacific." 

Dadae highlighted the existential threat his country faces, with extreme weather events , landslides, and flooding placing thousands of lives at risk. 

US to Send More Troops to Middle East; Due to Major Israeli Airsrtrikes on Lebanon

 The Pentagon announced today (Sept. 23, 2024) that it is bolstering  its forces in the Middle East ,as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah spike, the USA Today website reports. 

The move, with an undisclosed number of troops, follows Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon on Hezbollah targets that killed at least 274 people and wounded more that a thousand, according to Lebanon's health ministry. 

"In light of increased tensions in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment forces already in the region," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary ." For operations security reasons, we won't comment or provide specific details." 

There are about 40,000 U.S. troops in the region. The Pentagon has maintained a robust presence there since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, hoping to contain the fighting there. 

Newark Archdiocese Modernizes Office to Reach Catholics of All Ages

 Effective Sept. 1, 2024, the Archdiocese of Newark modrtnized its  catecletical office, renaming its catecletical office the "Office for Lifelong Faith Formation" and expanding its mission to focus on the faith formulation of adults and full families, in addition to youth, the Crux website reports today (Sept. 20, 2024). 

Patricia Rodriguez, director of the office, said in a statement  when the changes were announced on Sept. 6, that the archdiocese wanted  its faith formation programs to "ignite a passion that reaches Catholics young and old in every aspect of their daily lives."

With its professional development, the archdiocese said, are newly designed courses for catechists and teachers, and closer work with pastors, parish administrators and their staff "to help parishes meet the lifelong faith needs of their communities."

25--Hour Event to Unite Christians in Prayer across Continents

 A global Christian event, made possible by new technology, hopes to connect Christians across multiple countries for an unpreedented international gathering of believers in prayer, the Christian Today website reports today (Sept. 18, 2024).

Gather 25, made possible through the collaboration of organizations including YouVersion, The Bible Project, IllumiNations, 24--7 Prayer International, Global 2033, and many others, will be hosted in--person and virtually across six continents. 

Running over a 25--hour period, Gather 25 will use television broadcasts, radio, and live streams , to enable Christians anywhere in the world to take part --  from their homes. theatres, and local churches or in person at a live broadcast site. 

The event will kick off in the U.S. at 01:00 UTC on Saturday March 1, 2025, before moving around the world and coming to an end in Peru at 02:00 UTC, Sunday March 2, 2025. 

Over the course of the continuous broadcast, it will seek to engage Christians using stories and testimonies of God's hand at work around the world, inspiring believers to reach out to the 5.5 billion people who have yet to discover what having a relationship with Jesus truly means. 

Each of the host countries  will deliver their own session, offering stories, teaching, and worship from multiple locations, as well as sharing new stories from the ongoing work of the church. The event promises to deliver a compelling list of speakers and worship leaders, with the full line--up to be announced later this year. 

"God has been doing amazing things in the global Church, and repentance and prayers are critical in this season," said Sarah Breuel, Executive Director of Revive Europe and Lausanne Movement board member. 

Bringing Synodality to Papal Nuncios

 Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay in India, has been appointed coordinator of the study group that will evaluate the functioning and role of Apostolic Nuncios, the papal Representatives in the Church worldwide, usually serving as the ambassador of the country, the Crux website reports today (Sept. 17, 2024).

The study group will make suggestions to improve their functioning, so that they become more missionary and synodal. Involved in the study will be officials of the Secretariat of State, the Dicastery for Bishops, and the Dicastery for the Evangelization of Peoples. 

"During the synod, we noticed there were so many topics being spoken about, but they were important topics," Gracias told Crux. 

Gracias added there are ten study groups, and the study of Nuncios is just one of them. 

The Vatican communique said that some of the topics were chosen by Pope Francis himself. These subjects will not be discussed during the October 2024 Sesssion of the Synod, but a brief report of the working plans will be presented  to the Synodal Assembly. 

Apostolic Nuncios serve two major functions -- they are ambassadors of the Holy See to the government, and are a representative of the pope to the local church, helping in the appointment of bishops. 

Suspect in Second Attempt to Assassinate Trump Vowed to Fight and Die for Ukraine

 The suspect in the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Sept. 15 is a Democratic donor, who vowed to fight and die for Ukraine, The New American website reports today (Sept. 16, 2024). 

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, has also been arrested some 100 times, and was involved in a stand--off with cops in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2002.

Significantly, in a book he co--authored , he advocated assassinating Trump. 

In 2002 Routh was arrested in North Carolina for carrying  a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon of mass destruction, referring to a fully automatic machine gun.

Routh wrote in 2022, "I am willing to fly to Krakow (Poland) and go to the border of Ukraine to volunteer and fight and die," according to The New York Times. His book, "Ukraine's Unwinnable War ." which he wrote with his fiancee, Kathleen Shaffer, is about that effort. 

He traveled to Kyiv in April to support the people of Ukraine and stayed at a hostel with a military unit for about 90 days. 

Blinken: Ukraine Will Join NATO

 Washington wants to see Ukraine defeat Russia , and become a member of NATO,  U.S. Secretary of Srtate  Antony Blinken said today (Sept. 11, 2024), according to the RT website. 

Blinken is visiting Kiev with his British counterpart, David Lammy, to reiterate Anglo--American support for Vladimir Zelensky's governmwent. 

Hungary and Slovakia have  already said they will not agree to Ukraine's NATO membership,  because  bringing Ukraine into NATO would mean war with Russia. 

During his speech in Kiev, Blinken painted a rosy picture of Ukraine's military industry, claiming it had expanded six--fold over the last year. 

The bottom line is this: "We want Ukraine to win," Blinken declared  at another point during his visit in Kiev. 

In Timor, Pope Praises Becoming "Small before God"

 Pope Francis celebrated Mass for East Timor's overwhelming Catholic majority today (Sept. 10, 2024), applauding the country for its high percentage of youth and stressing the importance of becoming  small and humble in order for God to work miracles, the Crux website reports.

Speaking to Catholics during his Sept. 10 Mass at the Esplanade of Taci Tolu in Dili, the pope said, "Let us not be afraid to make ourselves small before God, and before each other, to lose our lives, to give up our time, to revise our schedules, giving up something to help a brother or sister become better and happier." 

"Let us not be afraid to scale down our plans when necessary, not in order to diminish them, but to make them even more beautiful lthrough the gift of ourselves and the acceptance of others, with all the unpredictability that this entails,"  he added. 

True kingship, he said, "is seen in those who give their life out of love."

Pope Francis is in Dili as part of a broader Sept2--13 tour of Asia and Oceania that has so far taken him to Indonesia and Papua, New Guinea, and which will take him in Singapore before he returns to Rome. 

It marks the longest and farthest trip of Francis's papacy. 

Calif. Fire Grows Due t o High Temps.; Thousands Forced to Leave Homes

 Regarding the spreading fire in California today (September 9, 2024), Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement  "It's critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities, the USA Today website reports. 

The Line Fire in Southern California has set over 20,500 acres ablaze and is 0% contained. 

 The wildfire was discovered Sept. 5, acccording to InciWeb's data. t is located in San Bernardino County, around 121 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

High temperatures have increased the fire's activity and will continue through today. By September 11, temperatures are expected to be below normal.

The fire is spreading towards the northeast direction. The cooler weather will help to moderate the flames below the marine level. 

Over 36,000 structures, including single and multi--family homes, commercial buildings, and others, are threatened by the fire and thousands are forced to evacuate. 

The fire also set areas of San Bernardino National Forest ablaze. 

A Damage Inspection Team was ordered, and there were 1,855 personnel assigned to fight the fire, while  more resources arrived from other parts of California. 

Suitcase--Packing Pope Delivers Materials to the Margins; Calls on Papua, New Guinea Residents to Spread God's Beauty and Love

 In one of Papua, New Guinea's most remote diocese, Pope Francis arived today (Sept. 8, 2024), bringing both spiritual and material comfort to people at the margins, some of whom live in communities so isolated they can only be reached by using a machete to hack a path through thick jungles, the Crux website reports. 

On his 600--mile fligt from the national capirtal of Port Morseby to Vanimo, the Vatican said the pontiff brought eight suitcases, each weighing around 65 pounds. They contain food, medicine, toys, and primary goods, as well as containers for the food which otherwise would risk rapid deterioration in the tropical climate.

On the spiritual level, the pontiff also brought a message of hope to a crowd estimated at some 20,000 exhorting faithful to spread God's beauty and love wherever they go. 

Speaking to members of the local church in the reote Diocese of Vanimo today, Pope Francis called each person to be a missionary in the places they live, bearing witness to Christ at home, at school, at work, and everywhere they go. 

"Let us remember that love and its beauty can heal the world, because it has its roots in God," he said. 

Pope Tells Pastors in New Guinea to Be Close to Peripheries

 Pope Francis told bishops and pastors in Papua, New Guinea today (Sept. 7, 2024) to be close to those on the peripheries and to continue spreading hope, despite the challenges they may face, the Crux website reports. 

Speaking inside Port Moresby's Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, the pope told pastors to "focus their work on the peripheries of this country."

"I think of people belonging to the most deprived segments of urban populations, as well as those who live in the most remote and abandoned areas, where sometimes basic necessities are lacking," he said, also pointing to those marginalized and wounded due to prejudice and superstition.

The church, he said, "desires especially to be close  to these brothers and sisters, because in them, Jesus is present in a special way.And where He , our head is present, there are we, His members, for we belong to the same body."

Indonesia Arrests 7 Suspects Planning to Attack Pope Francis

 Seven people in Indonesia have been detained after a failed plot to attack Pope Francis , who is currently visiting the country, the Crux website reports today (Sept. 6, 2024). 

Local media says the people were taken by police on Sept. 2 and Sept 3 in Jakarta, Bogor, and Bekasi.

Spokesperson Colonel  Aswin Siregar told reporters that investigations are still ongoing, and it is not known if the detainees knew each other or were  part of the same terrorist group.

"We have a mechanism to monitor and filter. We had tip--off information from members of the public, "  he said.

Four Killed, Several Injured in Georgia High School Shooting

 Two students and two teachers were killed , after a 14--year--old student opened fire,and several others were injured at a high school in Georgia in the Atlanta suburb of Winder., the AP website reports today (Sept. 5, 2024).

A  14--year--old student was in custody , facing murder charges. Nine other people were taken from Apalachee High School to hospitals with injuries, officials said. 

Killed were two 14--year--olds, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and instructors Richard Aspenwall and Christina Irimie, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said. 

Two school resource officers encountered the shooter within minutes after a report of shots fired went out, Hosey said. The suspect , a student at the school, immediately surrendered and was taken into custody. He is being charged as an adult with murder. Authorities said the weapon he used was an assault--style rifle.