Latest news with #SarahJacobs
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Tasman residents relieved as latest storm passes, recovery expected to cost millions
Tasman locals breathed a collective sigh of relief on Thursday after another bout of heavy rainfall came and went without further damage. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii A Tasman woman says she is "at peace" with the prospect she may never return home after she was forced to flee aboard her neighbour's tractor during last week's storm. She is one of many wearied locals at the top of the south who avoided further strife on Thursday, when another bout of heavy rainfall came and went without any dramatic exacerbation of the existing post-flood crisis. It leaves the region with a monumental recovery following the storm, dubbed by local authorities as a "one-in-100 year event ". Sarah Jacobs was preparing to go to work last Friday before the nearby Motupiko River burst its banks and engulfed her Korere home. "There was water around us, there was no getting out," she said. She and a friend escaped when her neighbour arrived in his tractor amid the raging torrent. "That was the last I saw of my home. I had to leave my five cats inside," Jacobs said. Upon returning home, she discovered she had lost most of her possessions. "Going home for me personally was heartbreaking. If there was a bigger word to use, I'd use it," she said. "Mud and silt met me as soon as I opened the door and a good foot of water has gone through there. I have nightmares of what my cats went through. "I've lost a lot, all my furniture is to be thrown away." Recovery from the storm is expected to cost millions. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii In the interim, her cats were being sheltered temporarily at the SPCA. After "running on adrenaline" over the past week, Jacobs admitted she was starting to tire. She told RNZ she had accepted that she may never return to the same house. "Long-term going forward, I can't rebuild where I am. Both my neighbour and I realise that," she said. "My place has been standing for 40 years. "I've been making peace myself this week that I can't return there to live. I hope I can restore it as a summer bach or something." Rural Support Trust Nelson/Tasman chair Richard Kempthorne said the recovery for the hardest hit would "take years". "Clearing silt and debris is probably at the top of the list," he said. "That's from farmland, horticulture and orchards. "Any streams that have been blocked need to be cleared, culverts need to be cleared, roads need to be repaired. There's a huge amount to do." Rural Support Trust Nelson/Tasman chair Richard Kempthorne. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Earlier this week, the government unlocked extra support for flood-affected farmers and growers, making up to $100,000 available to support and co-ordinate recovery efforts. Kempthorne said the recovery would "cost millions of dollars". Energy levels among those impacted could also be waning, following an initial burst of energy during the initial emergency. "They'll potentially be feeling a bit flat," Kempthorne said. "Thinking 'my goodness, where do I start?'. That's the biggest challenge for people to be able to actually look at the damage they've got and think 'what can I do, what do I need to do and where do I need to focus?'". Whilst people tend to their properties, officials were already closely looking at the frailties in the emergency response. Thursday's phone and internet outage in Golden Bay meant some people were unable to call 111. It follows similar problems around Wakefield and lower Wai-iti over the past week. Telecommunications company Chorus blamed the problem on a severed fibre-optic cable at Uruwhenua Bridge on State Highway 60, which knocked out connections to about 1100 homes. Chorus told RNZ it was too soon to say what cut the cable, but it would be investigating. Tasman mayor Tim King described the situation as "a bit of a bloody nightmare". Tasman Mayor Tim King. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee "Immensely frustrating for both the people affected and those who are trying to respond in terms of getting out messages and contacts. "The impact of not having communications with both friends and family in these sorts of circumstances is more than frustrating and annoying. "So many people rely on this system and it's something we're going to have to look hard at post this event." For some spots at the top of the south, last month marked its wettest June since records began back in 1941. MetService confirmed more than 250mm of rain fell in Blenheim across the month, whilst about 220mm fell in Nelson - a record for both areas. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What To Know Before You Start Dating Someone Who Is 'Practically Divorced'
You've been swiping through Tinder for a while now and have even debated throwing in the towel on dating apps. But one day, at long last, you match with someone who seems like the real deal. You start messaging each other. You keep messaging each other. You're definitely vibing and hope to take things to the next level with an IRL meetup. Except there's one not-so-itty-bitty problem. Their 'ex' is still in the picture. Even though a person's previous relationship may have ended months ago, they could still technically be married. Or still living with their ex-partner. Or haven't yet figured out the logistics with the kids. Or all of the above. Since the average timeline for a divorce in the United States is about 11 months, it's unrealistic for people to hold off on starting a new relationship before the ink is dry on the legal documents. But if you're the 'single' party in this potential new relationship, you may be putting yourself in a vulnerable position if you're not armed with the facts from the outset. This is not to say things can't work out, but you'll have a much higher chance at long-term happiness if you enter the relationship with a heightened awareness about your new significant other (SO). To help you navigate the legal and romantic challenges of dating someone who is 'practically divorced,' HuffPost sought advice from family law attorneys, a certified dating coach and a marriage and family therapist. Read on for their thoughts on approaching this new relationship with healthy boundaries, while being mindful of red flags. This may seem obvious at first glance — and not always easy at the beginning of a new relationship — but if you plan to date someone who isn't divorced yet, facts are your friend. The first thing you'll need to establish is your significant other's definition of 'practically divorced,' because it's a broad term: 'To one person, 'practically divorced' means the agreement is done, I'm waiting for paperwork, or we're on the last topic and our lawyers are circulating it,' explained Sarah Jacobs, a matrimonial law attorney and co-founder of Jacobs Berger LLC in Morristown, New Jersey. But another person may say they're 'practically divorced,' yet 'they haven't even settled discovery, and they have no idea what's up next. It could take another year to two years for this case to be done.' You'll also want to take stock of your SO's emotional volatility: 'One of the things [people should] consider is that emotions are still really high, and that there's a lot of healing that comes after the divorce,' said family law attorney and Jacobs Berger LLC co-founder Jamie Berger. She advised 'allowing [the divorcing party] the breath and space to truly heal afterward, and understanding that those emotions need to be worked through.' That being said, it's really up to you how much emotional baggage you're willing to shoulder. 'A person still legally wrapped up in their marriage may not have the space, self-honesty, or self-awareness needed for a new beginning,' said Julie Nguyen, a Los Angeles-based certified dating coach with the dating app Hily. 'It would be wise to assess whether they're truly ready for what you have to offer, or if your relationship is a soft landing for their in-between.' 'Legal status matters, but emotional availability matters more,' observed Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC, an LA-based anxiety, trauma and attachment therapist. 'Someone can swear they're 'done' with their marriage — but if the divorce isn't final, and they haven't taken clear steps to close that chapter, you're stepping into something unstable.' If you decide to pursue the relationship, you may have to switch out full-speed ahead for baby steps. Start by finding out if your new SO has financially separated from their ex, the details of their living arrangements (are they still living together?) and if kids are involved. The more you know at the outset, the better the potential for a happy outcome. 'There should be some sort of baseline understanding between the two of you as to what the [divorce] status is,' said Jacobs. Again, boundaries are just a good rule of thumb at the start of any new relationship, but if you're dating someone who's still legally married, setting a few financial and emotional boundaries could mean the difference between happiness and heartbreak. 'Don't become [your significant other's] therapist or distraction from their grief,' warned Nguyen. 'It's a fine line to be part of their support system as they process feelings around their ex, legal process and emotional intensity. However, you want to have boundaries around how much you can be there for them so you can protect the sanctity of what you're building together.' 'From a financial side, you want to be careful not to embroil yourself in somebody else's conflict,' advised Berger, as that can just create messy situations. 'Especially if the relationship goes south.' As for emotional boundaries, Jacobs cautioned against getting involved in divorce-related discussions, even if you think you're just being supportive: '[The non-divorcing partner] inappropriately inserting themselves into parenting-time conversations or financial discussions or unnecessarily churning waters to their individual desired outcome is a recipe for disaster.' But that doesn't mean you can't be a source of emotional support for the divorcing partner, which is why establishing boundaries early on is critical. 'Knowing your role in the situation is very important because it's hard when emotions are high and a relationship is new, and when you want to lend that emotional support,' said Berger. 'And it's very easy to cross a line, especially [if it's] a line that you may not know exists because you don't have all the information.' An example Berger gives here is how sometimes the divorcing couple will include parameters in their agreements about 'when a new significant other can be introduced to kids.' If you're pushing to meet your new partner's kids and don't know this specific parameter exists in the divorce agreement, 'you may be putting your new significant other in a really difficult position too.' While empathy and patience for the divorcing party are certainly important, you also want to make sure things aren't moving too quickly for you, either. This could mean anything from feeling pushed into a step-parent role before you're ready, or cohabitating with someone who is barely out of their previous marriage. Trust your gut in these situations: 'If something is not passing the smell test and you can't get transparency and you can't get answers to very simple questions, you may want to either pass or try to really understand why this person's getting divorced,' Jacobs said. 'You may be engaging in a relationship that's going to blow up for you, too, and you don't need that.' One way to get a clear idea of what you're getting into is to observe how 'somebody communicates with their soon-to-be-ex-spouse, both on the phone and via text message,' Berger said. 'If you see things that you wouldn't be comfortable with receiving on the other side of it, that's a big red flag.' At the same time, if your SO isn't sharing anything with you, that could be problematic too. 'If you never hear about their children, if they never utter a word about their divorce proceedings, I think that's a red flag as to their level of transparency and communication,' Jacobs said. 'Also, what are they trying to hide?' 'I recommend paying attention to how they talk about their ex — not just what they say, but the energy behind it,' Groskopf said. 'Is it clean? Respectful? Or are they still angry, blaming, chaotic, or trying to pull you into the narrative? If they're venting about their marriage on the third date, that's a huge red flag.' Even if you're willing to be your SO's rock as they move through the divorce process, you're also allowed to set expectations in this relationship. That means establishing your own parameters and doing your own research, if necessary. 'You want to be discerning,' advised Berger. '[Know] what you are looking for, what your expectations are — and make sure that you are doing it with your eyes and ears wide open.' Because dating someone during a divorce is complicated, full stop. So if you want to perform some due diligence and google your new SO, Jacobs says to go for it! Check out their LinkedIn profile: Does it track with what they've told you? Do you have any mutual friends you could ask for some intel? 'You're not intending necessarily to stir the tea or create the gossip,' Jacobs said, 'but some third-party feedback could be helpful.' Remember, the internet is forever, so a little sleuthing now could save you a lot of anguish further down the road. This Common Behavior Is A Tell-Tale Sign A Couple Is Divorce-Bound Deborra-Lee Furness Drastically Changes Tone In Hugh Jackman Divorce Statement Joe Jonas Says Dating After His Divorce From Sophie Turner Has Been A 'Scary' Experience
Iraqi News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
US Congress confirms Commitment to Supporting Iraq and Strengthening Strategic Partnership
Baghdad-INA The US Congress confirmed, on Sunday, the United States' commitment to supporting Iraq in various fields and strengthening the existing strategic partnership between the two countries. It reiterated its commitment to effective communication with Iraqi leaders to continue joint work for a better future for both countries. The Speaker of Parliament's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The Speaker of Parliament today received a high-level delegation from the US Congress and members of the US Embassy. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States within the framework of the Strategic Framework Agreement, and ways to enhance joint cooperation in the political, economic, and security fields." "The visiting delegation included Representative Adam Smith, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee from the Democratic Party, Representative Sarah Jacobs, Representative Michael Baumgartner, Representative George Whitesides, and Representative Wesley Bell, along with the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy, Mr. Daniel Rubinstein, and a number of advisors and members of the professional staff of the Armed Services Committee." According to the statement, during the meeting, the Speaker of Parliament emphasized "the importance of the Strategic Framework Agreement as the cornerstone of Iraqi-American relations," emphasizing "the need to activate its provisions to ensure mutual interests between the two countries, particularly in the areas of developing the national economy and investing in non-oil sectors such as agriculture and industry." Al-Mashhadani pointed out "the importance of the Iraqi Constitution as the foundation of the country's democratic system, with the possibility of developing and amending it in accordance with Article (142) and in a manner consistent with the aspirations of the Iraqi people." He emphasized "the need to develop the education and agriculture sectors and support political and security stability in Iraq and the region." He expressed Iraq's firm position in supporting ceasefire efforts in Gaza and the need to end wars and conflicts in the region, which would contribute to consolidating peace and achieving prosperity. For its part, the American delegation confirmed the United States' commitment to supporting Iraq in various fields and strengthening the existing strategic partnership between the two countries, reiterating the US Congress's keenness to communicate effectively with Iraqi leaders to continue working together for a better future for both countries.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Just fabulous': Jacobs receives 2025 Centerville teacher award
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — An Centerville City Schools educator has been recognized by the district for her dedication with teaching. During the district's Board of Education meeting on Monday, Sarah Jacobs was named the district's '2025 Teacher of the Year.' Jacobs, a first grade teacher at Primary Village North, has been teaching in the district for 23 years. According to Jacobs, seeing students learn new things is important. 'The biggest thing is just teaching kids the love for learning,' said Jacobs. 'At this age, they already have a natural curiosity and wonder about the world. Seeing the world through six- and seven-year-olds' eyes is inspiring and exciting.' Mindy Cline, principal at Primary Village North, said watching what Jacobs can do is inspirational. 'Every decision that Sarah makes is about kids and about their families,' said Cline. 'She plans such exciting and engaging lessons. When I walk into her classroom, it is just fabulous to see the joy of student learning on all of the kids' faces.' The first grade teacher's credentials will be examined by a state panel for her chance at the 2026 Ohio Teacher of the Year. The winner of the state award will be announced in the coming months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Norwegian company abandons plans for $2.5 billion battery plant, 700 jobs in metro Atlanta
Plans that have been in the works for years to build a multi-billion battery plant in Coweta County have been scrapped. Norwegian-based company Freyr addressed the Coweta County Development Authority on Thursday announce the cancellation of their plans. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The $2.57 billion battery manufacturing plant was first announced in Nov. 2022 and was slated to bring approximately 723 jobs into the area. The facility was set to be called Giga America and be located at the Bridgeport Industrial Park site. Freyr previously said it would produce lithium-ion batteries at the plant and help address the rapidly growing global markets for electric vehicles, energy storage and marine applications. TRENDING STORIES: Little Caesar's manager defends sign saying suspicious people will be reported to ICE 'It's really chaotic:' Federal employees in Georgia weigh whether to resign Woman says Cobb auto repair shop refused to hand over car until she paid for work that wasn't done The company didn't offer any reasoning for abandoning their plans, but a spokesperson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that they are 'focusing at the moment on the solar module manufacturing facility in Texas.' Company spokespeople had nothing but good things to say about working alongside Coweta County and the State of Georgia 'This decision in no way reflects any concern with the support from our State of Georgia and local partners, each of whom have provided stellar support and guidance. Georgia is a great state to do business,' a company spokesperson said in a letter to Coweta County Development Authority Executive Director Sarah Jacobs. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
