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.