Good morning to you! 🌞 

On Friday we featured an article about sports betting. We asked you’ll what you thought of sports betting and these are the answers we got.

1. 82% of you said you like sports betting and think it should be legal.
2. 10% of you said don’t like sports betting but think it should be legal.
3. 8% of you said that you don’t like sports betting and think it should be illegal.

Very interesting results!

Economy

Housing Market Turning

In recent months, the housing market has seen a surge in new home construction as builders work to meet the growing demand for housing. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, residential new construction rose 14.8% in November 2023 compared to the previous month, reaching an annual rate of 1.56 million new homes being built. This increase in new home construction is a positive sign for the housing market, as it indicates that builders are feeling optimistic about the future of the industry.

One of the driving factors behind the increase in new home construction is the decline in mortgage rates. As rates have come down, more people are able to afford to buy a home, which has led to an increase in demand for new homes. This, in turn, has spurred builders to ramp up construction in order to meet the growing demand.

In addition to the decline in mortgage rates, the increase in new home construction can also be attributed to the rise in housing permits. In November 2023, the number of housing permits issued rose 6.6% month-over-month to 1,453,000 completions. This increase in permits is yet another good sign for the housing market.

Despite the increase in new home construction, the housing market still faces some challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the high cost of building materials. The cost of lumber, for example, has risen significantly in recent months, which has made it more expensive for builders to construct new homes. In addition, the ongoing labor shortage in the construction industry has made it difficult for builders to find the workers they need to complete projects on time.

Despite these challenges, as more homes are built, it will help to ease the shortage of available homes for sale and provide more options for buyers. This, in turn, could help to keep home prices from rising too quickly and make it easier for people to find a home that they can afford.

World News

‘Lost’ Ancient Roman Palace Reopens After 50 Years

After 50 years of closure, Rome's Domus Tiberiana, an ancient imperial palace near the Colosseum, has reopened as an open-air museum. The first-century palace, initially built by Emperor Tiberius and later expanded by Nero, now welcomes visitors after a six-year makeover.

The site, located on Palatine Hill, showcases artifacts like stuccos, frescoes, and statues related to cults of Isis, Dionysius, and Mithras. The renovation, led by archaeologist Alfonsina Russo, uncovered well-preserved antiquities, including some of the earliest paintings of lemons and depictions of gladiators. With 400,000 visitors since reopening, the revamped Domus Tiberiana is hailed as a successful restoration, blending original materials with careful reconstruction. Archaeologist Giorgio Franchetti sees it as a recaptured jewel on the historic Palatine Hill, offering a unique glimpse into Rome's past.

Entertainment

Touching Tribute to Carrie Fisher

On December 27, 2023, Billie Lourd, daughter of the late Carrie Fisher, took to social media to share a moving tribute to her mother on the seventh anniversary of her passing. Fisher, best known for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, died at the age of 60 on December 27, 2016.

In her post, Lourd shared a heartfelt message about the impact of her mother's death and how it has changed her life. She wrote, "Grief has infused my life with a sense of appreciation I had never had before. It makes me soak up every moment of joy as if it were my last."

Lourd also shared a touching anecdote about her son, who she says helps her feel her mother's presence. "As I tell my son, she lives in the stars - and he can always find her there," she wrote.

The post was met with an outpouring of support from fans and friends, many of whom shared their own memories of Fisher and expressed their condolences to Lourd.

In the years since Fisher's death, Lourd has continued to honor her mother's legacy. In 2023, she accepted a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on her mother's behalf. In her speech, she spoke about the impact her mother had on her life and on the world of film.

Sports

Sensational Run at the World Darts Championship

At the 2023 World Darts Championship, the young and talented Luke Littler has been making headlines with his remarkable performance. The 16-year-old prodigy has already secured a place in the last 16 of the tournament, defeating several top-ranked players along the way.

Littler's journey at the World Darts Championship began with a stunning victory against the experienced Andrew Gilding in the second round. The youngster showed incredible composure and skill, winning 3-1 against the world number 45.

In the third round, Littler faced an even tougher challenge in the form of world number 57, Matt Campbell. Despite the odds, the young prodigy managed to outplay his opponent and secure a 4-1 victory, earning a place in the last 16 of the tournament.

Throughout his run at the World Darts Championship, Littler has maintained an impressive average of 97 per dart, throwing eight maximum 180s and producing three 100-plus checkouts. His 164 checkout against Campbell in the fifth set is a testament to his skill and determination.

As the youngest player to ever reach the last 16 of the World Darts Championship, Luke Littler has garnered praise and support from fans and fellow players alike. Many have taken to social media to express their admiration for the young star, with some even comparing him to a young Michael van Gerwen (darts legend).

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

How many squares are there?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
Bowling ball #4 has two thumb-sized holes, whereas the others only have one like they should, which is why it’s the one that doesn’t belong.

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.