Under cover of Christmas, Education Minister Stuart Robert overruled the experts

Politicians and their courtiers have so many bad habits: deception, pork-barrelling, promise-breaking, taking out the trash. All are commonly understood but the last – Friday [...] The post Under cover of Christmas, Education Minister Stuart Robert overruled the experts first appeared on PRP Breaking News and Top Stories.
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Mitch McConnell scores the lowest approval rating among top federal officials in Gallup poll

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is losing support among Republicans, according to a new poll. More than half of Republican voters — 52% — disapprove [...] The post Mitch McConnell scores the lowest approval rating among top federal officials in Gallup poll first appeared on PRP Breaking News and Top Stories.
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Elon Musk criticised after China space complaint to UN

Elon Musk is facing a social media backlash after China complained that its space station was forced to avoid collisions with satellites launched by his [...] The post Elon Musk criticised after China space complaint to UN first appeared on PRP Breaking News and Top Stories.
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Apple celebrating Year of the Tiger in Japan with special edition Air Tag & Beats Studio Buds

AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not [...] The post Apple celebrating Year of the Tiger in Japan with special edition Air Tag & Beats Studio Buds first appeared on PRP Breaking News and Top Stories.
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Judge schedules January 13 hearing to consider resentencing trucker who was given 110 years in fatal crash

A district court judge in Colorado has scheduled a hearing for January 13 to reconsider the 110-year sentence of Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a truck driver who [...] The post Judge schedules January 13 hearing to consider resentencing trucker who was given 110 years in fatal crash first appeared on PRP Breaking News and Top Stories.
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Mortgage Industry Officials Warn of Halt to Reverse Mortgage Originations

Boston, MA, Dec 27, 2021 -- Hundreds of senior citizens seeking financial stability through reverse mortgages could see their plans grind to a halt unless the Massachusetts Legislature acts to extend the governor’s COVID emergency order that expired Dec. 15. At issue is a state law that mandates in-person counseling for all reverse mortgage applicants. Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that does not allow reverse mortgage counseling by phone or videoconference. However, Gov. Charlie Baker in April 2020 introduced a COVID-related measure that temporarily permitted counseling by phone or videoconference. That measure, which made it possible for seniors and counselors to interact without fear of COVID transmission, expired on Dec. 15. Had the Legislature extended the order as was expected, the crisis would have been avoided. A bill, H1146, that would make telephone and video counseling permanent is pending. That bill likely won’t be acted upon until next spring. In the meantime, senior homeowners are left with the dilemma that legislative inaction created. George Downey, founder of Harbor Mortgage Solutions in Braintree and a board member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, urged the Legislature, which meets on Thursday, to pass the measure. “If they do nothing, the ability of hundreds of seniors to leverage the equity in their homes during this extremely stressful time will be rendered impossible. There is no rational reason why Massachusetts should be so out of step with every other state when it comes to giving seniors flexibility in arranging for safe and effective reverse mortgage advice,” Downey said. Multiple factors are contributing to the likely halt, Downey said. Only eight reverse mortgage counselors are currently licensed in the state. None of them are scheduling in-house meetings due to COVID concerns, including the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. As a result, seniors have to drive to one of just six counseling offices in the state, located in Quincy, Agawam, Hyannis, Auburndale, Stoneham and Woburn. “For many seniors, having to drive such long distances for in-person meetings amid heightened COVID concerns is a non-starter. Not having the ability to conduct these sessions by phone or videoconference is an insurmountable obstacle,” Downey said. The Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association have sent letters to legislative leaders urging passage of the omnibus bill. According to the MMBA, some 1,500 seniors annually in Massachusetts utilize reverse mortgage products.
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Clean Franchise Brands (CFB) Announces Franchise Disclosure Document for Martinizing Dry Cleaning

Naples, FL, December 24, 2021 -- Clean Franchise Brands (CFB), the largest dry cleaning and laundry company on the planet, recently issued its Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for Martinizing Dry Cleaning. CFB will now begin efforts to sell franchise locations to prospective buyers. CFB purchased Martinizing Dry Cleaning in Spring 2021, along with 1-800-Dry Clean, Pressed4Time and Dry Cleaning Station. CFB is also the franchisor for Lapels Dry Cleaning. All totaled, CFB has more than 400 locations in seven countries including Canada, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Peru—making it the largest dry cleaning company on the planet! “The pandemic has been a very difficult time for dry cleaners. Many local independents have not survived. Yet recent industry reports indicate a strong trend in growth for the dry cleaning and laundry industry,” said Kevin Dubois, CFB CEO. “We are very excited to have finalized the FDD for Martinizing Dry Cleaning and make that opportunity available to prospects literally across the globe.” According to a report put out by Research and Markets, “The dry-cleaning and laundry services market is poised to grow by $13.62 billion during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of almost five percent.” “That report is one reason why we’re excited,” said Dubois. “Yet it is more about what we can offer prospective Martinizing owners. With the five other companies, we can provide a level of support that’s just unheard of in the dry cleaning industry.” Added Dubois, “For example, a prospect could open up a Martinizing Dry Cleaning satellite location and utilize a Lapels Dry Cleaning plant to clean customers’ clothing—or vice versa. Or a Martinizing store could utilize the delivery services of a Pressed4Time location. There are any number of scenarios like this.” For complete information on the Martinizing Dry Cleaning franchise opportunity, visit martinizingfranchise.com. To schedule an information call about the Martinizing opportunity, call 248-654-7009 or go to https://calendly.com/martinizing/introduction. About Martinizing Dry Cleaning:As part of Clean Franchise Brands, Martinizing is among the largest U.S. based dry-cleaning franchise systems with more than 400 locations in seven countries including Canada, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Peru. Martinizing was founded in 1949 and remains a trusted, iconic name in dry cleaning in the U.S. For more information, visit https://www.martinizing.com/ About Clean Franchise Brands, LLC:Based in Naples, Florida, Clean Franchise Brands, LLC is now the owner of the following brands: Lapels Dry Cleaning; Martinizing Dry Cleaning; 1-800-DryClean, Pressed4Time, Dry Cleaning Station and Bizziebox. Collectively, the brands have 500 plus stores in 40 states and nine countries. Clean Franchise Brands corporate offices are located at 711 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102. For more information, go to https://calendly.com/martinizing/introduction or contact John Powers at jpowers@cleanfranchisebrands.com
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