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‘Abolishing FEMA’ Memo Outlines Ways for Trump to Scrap Agency

Article 0 Comments Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prepare a memo on how to abolish itself and create a re-branded, radically smaller disaster response organization, according to a copy of the document reviewed by Bloomberg News. As recently as last week, President Donald Trump and Noem said they wanted to wind down FEMA but offered few details publicly. The March 25 memo offers insight into how the administration has weighed which of its current functions to cut. Technically, only Congress can eliminate the agency. Titled “Abolishing FEMA,” the memo was addressed from then-acting FEMA head Cameron Hamilton to his bosses at the Department of Homeland Security andoutlines a number of functions that “should be drastically reformed, transferred to another agency, or abolished in their entirety,” possibly as soon as late 2025. Potential changes included eliminating long-term housing assistance for disaster survivors, halting enrollments in the National Flood Insurance Program and providing smaller amounts of aid for fewer incidents — moves that by design would dramatically limit the federal government’s role in disaster response. The existence of the seven-page memo has not been previously reported. While Trump and other officials have continued to press...

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Extraordinary People. Extraordinary Service.

Don’t keep waiting for the support you need to grow. Your passion for your clients sets you apart—and drives everything you do. At Cetera, we share that same commitment. Your support team brings energy, focus, and dedication to every interaction, helping you grow and thrive. At Cetera, you’ll enjoy the benefits of: No more waiting on hold—45-second call response times. Same day processing of paperwork in good order—no more chasing signatures. A dedicated support team—one that knows you and your needs. Devotion that drives results. See how we do it. Ready to find out what superior service can do for your practice? Let’s talk. Growth without compromise. We empower you with the tools, teams, and tech to manage and scale your business with ease. For more than 40 years, Cetera has made it easier for independent financial professionals, financial institutions, large enterprises, and tax professionals to create scalable business growth while helping their clients turn dreams into reality. As a premier wealth hub, Cetera’s leading-edge technology, award-winning platforms, and team-driven solutions can empower you to grow your business’ value, enhance client engagement—and increase your satisfaction while doing it. “Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing,...

U.S. Insurers to More Than Double AI Investment in the Next 3-5 Years: Wipro Report 0

U.S. Insurers to More Than Double AI Investment in the Next 3-5 Years: Wipro Report

East Brunswick, NJ  (June 12, 2026) – Wipro Limited, a leading AI-powered technology services and consulting company, is pleased to announced the release of its report, The AI Advantage: Building Tomorrow’s Insurance Enterprise. The report, which includes responses from 100 business leaders from U.S. insurance companies with revenues surpassing $500 million, reveals an industry actively embracing Artificial Intelligence’s (AI’s) potential. As insurance firms look to leverage AI to transform their core processes, the report shows that AI is set to become a much bigger part of Information Technology (IT) budgets, with 81 percent of firms planning to increase AI spending within the next year and most firms looking to more than double AI budgets – from 8 percent today to 20 percent – in the next 3-5 years. Almost all (92 percent) of respondents agree that AI is essential for maintaining their competitive edge in customer experience and personalization. However, the findings point to a two-speed market, where larger firms lead AI adoption – with their robust governance frameworks and vast data resources – while many mid-sized and smaller firms face hurdles from legacy systems to limited AI expertise. Underwriting is one of the main areas where insurers are aiming...

Trust of AI remains a critical challenge, reflecting tension between its benefits and risks 0

Trust of AI remains a critical challenge, reflecting tension between its benefits and risks

Global study on trust in Artificial Intelligence (AI) reveals more than half of people are unwilling to trust AI, reflecting an underlying tension between its obvious benefits and perceived risks The intelligent age has arrived: 66% of people use AI regularly, and 83% believe the use of AI will result in a wide range of benefits. Yet, Trust remains a critical challenge: only 46% of people globally are willing to trust AI systems. There is a public mandate for national and international AI regulation with 70% believing regulation is needed. Many rely on AI output without evaluating accuracy (66%) and are making mistakes in their work due to AI (56%). A global study on trust in Artificial Intelligence (AI) released today reveals more than half of people globally are unwilling to trust AI, reflecting an underlying tension between its obvious benefits and perceived risks. The Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence 2025 global study led by Professor Nicole Gillespie, Chair of Trust at Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne and Dr Steve Lockey, Research Fellow at Melbourne Business School, in collaboration with KPMG, is the most comprehensive global study into the public’s trust, use and attitudes towards AI....

Wildfires Renew Volatility of Natural Catastrophe Losses for Canadian Insurers: Morningstar DBRS 0

Wildfires Renew Volatility of Natural Catastrophe Losses for Canadian Insurers: Morningstar DBRS

Navigating a New Normal: Morningstar DBRS Chicago, IL (June 12, 2025) – Morningstar DBRS has released a new report, titled “Navigating a New Normal: 2025 Wildfires Renew Volatility of Natural Catastrophe Losses for Canadian Insurers.” This commentary discusses the potential financial and credit implications of the ongoing wildfire season for the Canadian P&C insurance industry. The 2025 wildfire season will likely be another active and costly chapter for Canadian P&C insurers. However, given the lessons learned in recent years, strong capitalization, reinsurance protections, and disciplined underwriting, we anticipate the industry to be able to absorb this latest wave of losses without a material impact on credit profiles. Key Highlights: Canada’s 2025 wildfire season has rapidly escalated, with over 2.8 million hectares already burned, adding pressure to an industry still absorbing 2024’s record catastrophe losses. While the Canadian P&C insurance industry remains well capitalized, the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires are testing the limits of underwriting models and reinsurance strategies. The current trajectory suggests that wildfire-related losses may surpass previous records, prompting a re-evaluation of risk management and pricing strategies. “The recurrence of major wildfire seasons, particularly in regions previously considered low risk, is raising broader questions around insurability and...

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Flash Flooding Kills 5 in West Virginia as Rescue Teams Search for Missing

Article 0 Comments Flash flooding caused by torrential rains killed five people in northern West Virginia and rescue crews were searching for three other people who were missing Sunday as authorities assessed damage to roads, bridges, natural gas lines and other infrastructure. Officials said 2.5 to 4 inches (6 to 10 centimeters) of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County within about a half hour on Saturday night. “We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped,” Lou Vargo, Ohio County’s emergency management director, said at a news conference Sunday. “During this time, we had major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, and highways where we couldn’t respond to a lot of incidents. So we were delayed in getting there because there was just so much damage.” Vargo added: “It happened so quickly and so fast. … I’ve been doing this for 35 years. I’ve seen major floods here in the city and the county. I’ve never seen anything like this.” Authorities said vehicles were swept into swollen creeks, some people sought safety in trees and a mobile home caught fire. Similarly, swift flash flooding arrived in Marion County, south of Wheeling and Ohio County,...

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Busting Retirement Income Myths With Michael Finke

As a self-professed “Income Planning Supernerd,” the retirement researcher Michael Finke is well suited for his role as a professor and the Frank M. Engle Chair of Economic Security at the American College of Financial Services. Students across the College’s degree and designation programs have the opportunity to learn directly from Finke, whose extensive research into retirement planning topics has helped to define the way many wealth managers think about the “decumulation challenge.” So do ThinkAdvisor readers, thanks to Finke’s generous participation in Q&A interviews, presentations and events. On this episode of the Ask the Retirement Expert podcast, Finke speaks with ThinkAdvisor Senior Reporter John Manganaro about his extensive research work in the domain of annuity utilization, portfolio construction and retirement income planning — including his own personal decisions to “buy” more guaranteed income. During the episode, Finke and Manganaro also discuss: – How to combat financial myths and misunderstandings. – The important role of behavioral considerations in financial planning. – Ongoing developments within the American College and more. To listen to additional podcasts within the Ask the Retirement Expert series, click here.

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Top 12 States for Staying Alive

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7 Simple Phrases That Make a Point

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10 Industries College Grads Find Most Promising: 2025

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