Top Stories

President Holds First Press Conference in Eight Months

President Obama says the fiscal cliff is a high priority.  He held his first press conference since re-election yesterday. He said, “I am open to new ideas. If the Republican counterparts or some democrats have a great idea for us to raise revenue, maintain progressivity, make sure the middle class isn’t getting hit, reduces our deficit, encourages growth, I am not going to slam the door in their face. I think that fair minded people can come to an agreement that does not cause the economy to go back into recession, that protects middle class families, that focuses on jobs and growth and reduces our deficit.”

Other questions included the investigation into the September attacks in Benghazi and former CIA Director David Petraeus, but the president did not comment on either because both are open cases.  As for Petraeus, he will testify regarding Benghazi on Friday – but it will be closed to the public.

Israel-Hamas Fighting Intensifies

There's more fighting in Gaza as militants have killed three Israelis in a rocket attack that is certain to exact a harsh retaliation.  That comes after Israel assassinated the top military commander of the terrorist group Hamas on Wednesday.  It’s the most intense fighting there since a full scale war four years ago.

Meningitis Outbreak Investigation Makes it to Capitol Hill

The fungal meningitis outbreak that has killed more than two dozen people and sickened 400 others is now being investigated by Congress.  The House Subcommittee on Oversight is specifically looking at the pharmaceutical company that’s linked to the outbreak, and wants to hear about the FDA inspections of the facility. Many of the questions posed to officials of the company were met by pleas for taking the 5^th Amendment against testifying against oneself.

Toyota Recall

Another big recall at Toyota.  This time 2.7 million vehicles are affected by steering and water pump problems.  So far no injuries.  Fourteen models are included.  All you need to know at www.Toyota.com.

Humanitarian Aid to Syria

The US is pledging 30-million dollars in aid to Syria as the conflict there continues.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the money will go to food for the hungry inside Syria, as well as refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq.  That announcement came just after France announced they may begin arming the rebels there.

China’s New Leader

China has a new leader, as Xi Jinping takes over for Hu Jintao today.  They don’t have an election process like we do, but Xi was formally appointed at the end of a week-long meeting to not only be the General Secretary, but also the military commander.  It used to be that the outgoing chief held onto the military post.

Church Around the World

Sweden Set to Deport Christian to Iran

A Christian from Iran who fled to Sweden is now facing deportation there.  Resa Jebbari is a former Muslim who has been living in Sweden, and has applied for asylum there because of Iran’s strict laws regarding apostasy and conversion from Islam.  Jebbari is reportedly active in a local church and regularly participates in events, but Swedish courts doubt the sincerity of his claims of faith.

Faith

Competitors, Not Just Fans

In 1 Corinthians 9, the apostle Paul likens our walk with Christ to a marathon, not a sprint.  Jimmy Page with Wisdom Walks Sports says today’s Christians need to step it up and be competitors rather than just fans of Jesus. He says, “There’s a lot of people that will be passive Christians. You know the fans the ones that are content to maybe grow personally but not engage in the community or engage in life in such a way that they are influencers. We believe that you need to engage in order to truly fulfill your calling, the calling that Christ puts on each one of our lives. We need to live in such a way that influences those around us.” More tips and resources at www.WisdomWalks.org.

Family & Relationships

Best Toys for Christmas

Good Housekeeping is out with its annual list of the best toys for Christmas, in terms of safety and education.  The good news is there are more choices under 25-dollars this year.  Some of the winners include:  The Techno Source Glow Crazy Doodle Dome for ages three-and-up.  That’s basically a tent that lets kids draw on the walls.  For older kids, like 10 year olds, there’s the Ravensburger 3D Building Set, a puzzle kit that lets them re-create famous sites like the Empire State Building.  The full list is up at www.GoodHousekeeping.com.

Work

Working from Home Just Got More Comfortable

With more people working out of their homes, it was only a matter of time before the home office made it to the bedroom.  Companies are catching up with more office-gear for your bed. Some the new items on this year’s list: The Double Duty – An adjustable bed with outlets built into it.  It allows one person to work while the other sleeps, theoretically.  Several places have laptop holders or lifters.  And Steelcase has even made a Pseudo Bed for the Office.

Career Change Tips

A lot of workers in the East got time off in the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy.  For some, it’s made them rethink their career choice.  www.Forbes.com has some advice for them, and anyone mulling that decision.  They say the first question to ask is “Am I Happy?”  And then make sure you’re ready for change and that it’s not just an emotional response.

Finances & Economy

Used Car Prices Expected to Spike

Another thing that’s being affected by Hurricane Sandy is used car prices.  USA Today says as many as 250,000 cars were destroyed in the storm, which has sent people out looking to replace those vehicles.  www.Edmunds.com says the rise in demand will mean the rest of the nation will be paying up one-thousand dollars more per vehicle in the short term.

Health

Stents for Your Eyes?

If it works for hearts, why not for your eyes?  Researchers at USC say they’ve come up with a kind of micro-stent that can be placed in the eye to allow fluid to drain off, and provide relief for glaucoma patients.  The fluid that builds up causes pressure on the eye which can damage the optic nerve.  Most patients can control that with eye drops, but when it gets to be too much – these micro-stents may be able to help.

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Super Storm Sandy

Clothed in Compassion

Nick Sippl is from Northern Michigan. He is in New York helping victims of Super Storm Sandy through his job.  Seeing the need first hand, he has organized a clothing drive. He says The police and the National guard were literally not knocking on doors, but kicking in doors to see if anyone was home. They had to be evacuated the water was rising so much. This lady I talked to was about five and a half feet tall. She told me when she came out of the house they were holding their children over their heads. When she came down to the street level, the water was up to her neck. They had pretty much lost everything. When they came in, we got them dried off. "That’s what got me thinking, these people have nothing." If you live in the area, please drop clothing off at Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church. Click here for their address and phone number. There's a trailer parked outside where you can place your donation.

Salvation Style

Pearl Foy is using one of the talents God has given her to raise money for Super Storm Sandy victims. She will give it to the victims by way of the Salvation Army. She's organizing a Hair Cut-A-Thon. It will be held on Sunday November 11th from 10am-5pm in the Phoenix Arizona area. There are two locations. One is located at the Turning Point Beauty College in Mesa. The other will be held at Kor Beauty Academy in Peoria. 

Help Salvation Army Relief Efforts with A Simple Text

Text the word "STORM" to 80888. Then respond with a "yes" when the text response comes to you.
 

Give Blood and Money Through Red Cross

Because many blood donation centers on the east coast are closed, it is even more important for we who are out of harm’s way to donate. www.RedCross.org has all you need to know. You may also give money via that web site, or you can give $10 via text message by texting the word “RedCross” to 90999.

Slice of Family Life Nation reaches Out to Sandy victims

Nick Sippl is from Northern Michigan, but he’s in New York right now helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Nick has gone the extra mile to organize a clothing drive after seeing one family’s struggle. Nick told FLR News, “The police and the National guard were literally not knocking on doors, but kicking in doors to see if anyone was home. They had to be evacuated the water was rising so much. This lady I talked to was about five and a half feet tall. She told me when she came out of the house they were holding their children over their heads. When she came down to the street level, the water was up to her neck. They had pretty much lost everything. When they came in, we got them dried off. That’s what got me thinking, these people have nothing.” Nick says the National Guard had to literally kick in some people’s doors to see if they were home.  We’ve got more stories and links up on this page.