Organisations and community groups who manage airports and airstrips across remote Australia will be able to apply for new funding to deliver critical upgrades from Monday, with $25 million available under a new round of funding.
The highly successful Remote Airstrip Upgrade (RAU) Program provides funding to improve the safety and accessibility of aerodromes in remote and very remote areas of Australia.
Remote airstrips provide critical access for Australians living in the far reaches of our country by connecting them with services in major regional centres, but they’re also vital to the delivery of urgent supplies and facilitation of life-saving emergency flights.
Upgrade works under the Program may include improving all-weather capabilities such as sealing or resealing runways to ensure air operators can land safely and without damaging their aircraft, or lighting to allow aircraft to land at night.
This latest grant funding will also encourage successful applicants to use the allocated funding to conduct safety training for key operational personnel.
The Albanese Government has committed $50 million in the 2024-25 Budget to deliver an additional two rounds of the RAU Program.
Applications for Round 11 are set to open from Monday, 4 November for grants of between $5,000 and $4 million covering 50 per cent of eligible costs, or up to 100 per cent for Indigenous-owned and/or operated aerodromes that meet certain requirements.
Following feedback from previous rounds of the RAU Program, Round 11 has been expanded to support improved access to air services for people with disability. This may include items such as ramps, signage or aircraft boarding facilities.
These works can be undertaken as a standalone project or in conjunction with other safety and access works at the airport.
More information on the RAU Program, including Round 11 Guidelines, will be available at business.gov.au from Monday 4 November.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm:
“Safe and accessible airstrips are critical to safeguarding the quality of life in many remote and very remote communities across Australia, as they keep essential services running and allow businesses to grow and thrive.
“Improving the resilience of these aerodromes will also mean people who are based in remote areas can continue to live, do business and retire there, knowing they will have access to the emergency and other services needed in any stage of life.
“As remote communities across Northern Australia head into another wet season and bushfire warnings become more frequent across the country, I urge aerodrome owners and operators to take a look at the guidelines and consider applying to make their priority upgrades a reality.
“The Aviation White Paper backed this Program due to its support for some of our most vulnerable who reside in these remote communities, so I’m pleased to hear that measures allowing people with a disability to access air services have been prioritised under the RAU.”
Federal funding will help restore the Klamath River’s habitat following historic dam removal and further protect endangered C’waam, Koptu, and salmon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is investing a total of$46,191,133in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to boost ecosystem restoration and enhance water quality and reliability through 24 projects throughout the Klamath Basin—12 of which are taking place in Oregon.
This latest federal funding wave from the landmark law will largely fuel the Klamath River’s recovery and habitat restoration efforts following the removal of the four lower Klamath Dams in 2024—the largest dam removal effort in U.S. history.
“A key to restoring the Klamath Basin is major federal investments that will support collaborative ecosystem restoration and water improvement efforts. This funding will continue ongoing efforts I helped energize alongside the Klamath Tribes and other stakeholders to save the C’waam and Koptu, and restore the aquatic habitat and ecosystems of the Klamath River following the historic removal of the four lower Klamath Dams,” said Merkley, who visited Northern California earlier in October to tour a former dam site and celebrate removal alongside Tribes and other key partners. “Since the dams came out, we’ve seen the salmon returning home for the first time in generations. This federal investment champions projects that help ensure the C’waam, Koptu, and salmon all have an ecosystem to thrive in, while also prioritizing efforts that help this unique region’s water go farther for the Tribes, farmers, fish, and vital ecosystems that rely on it.”
“Restoration of the Klamath Basin requires significant resources just like these to catalyze the work that’s needed locally to build a stronger ecosystem and improve water quality,” Wyden said. “This fresh federal investment in the region and the big gains it will generate for jobs, recreation, and habitat will work to ensure the area’s farmers, Tribes and communities can grow and thrive for generations to come.”
As Chairman of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Merkley secured a historic $162 million over five years through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law specifically dedicated to restoring ecosystems and enhancing drought resiliency work in the Klamath Basin. Today’s $46 million funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s USFWS marks the third year of investments from this landmark law, as it follows $26 million provided in 2022 and $15 million in 2023. Merkley also convened the “Sucker Summit ” in 2018, which brought people from across the Basin together and helped lay the groundwork for these significant investments to protect the C’waam and the Koptu.
In February of this year, Merkley and Wyden announced $72 million in new federal funding for critical ecosystem restoration projects and agricultural infrastructure modernization in the Basin, as well as a historic agreement with the Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Karuk Tribe, and Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA). This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) cemented their commitment to working together to drive long-term solutions to the Basin’s water challenges. That includes collective efforts to restore the region’s ecosystem and improve water supply and reliability for the Klamath Project.
The 12 restoration projects in Oregon—some of which are being developed by Klamath MOU group partners, as well as other Tribes and other conservation partners—are as follows:
$13,000,000 for the Wetland Restoration on Upper Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Agency Lake Units project. This will complete restoration of the Agency-Barnes wetland units of Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and provide fish habitat access in Fourmile and Sevenmile creeks. Covering 14,356 acres, the restored wetland will create vital habitat for waterfowl, federally endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers (C’waam and Koptu sucker fish), and other species, making it one of the largest wetland restoration initiatives in America. MOU group partners – Ducks Unlimited and Klamath Tribes
$3,500,000 for the Upper Williamson River Restoration Phase 2 project. This will provide fish passage to over 26 miles of the upper Williamson River and reconnect several thousand acres of adjacent wetlands and riparian habitats within the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge project area. MOU group partners – Ducks Unlimited and Klamath Tribes
$3,179,400 for the Climate Change Resiliency Stream Restoration and Post Bootleg Fire Stream Stabilization and Restoration project. This effort includes placing approximately 400 Beaver Dam Analog, Post Assisted Log Structures, and other types of instream structures to help restore several streams in the Sprague River and Williamson River watersheds. MOU partner – Klamath Tribes
$3,000,000 for the Lake Ewauna Restoration for the Benefit of People, Fish and Wildlife project. This funding will be used to develop and restore wetlands and shoreline around Lake Ewauna in downtown Klamath Falls for the benefit of native fish and wildlife species and to tell the story of the local Tribes, farmers, and communities in the Klamath Basin. Restorative improvements to habitat in Link River and instream habitat improvements within Lake Ewauna will benefit C’waam and Koptu suckers, native trout, migratory waterfowl, and other species. With the recently removed Klamath dams, salmon and steelhead will also be migrating through Lake Ewauna for the first time in over a century. Partners – The Klamath Watershed Partnership, City of Klamath Falls, and Klamath County Economic Development Agency
$2,540,000 million for the Tule Lake Flow Through Infrastructure Improvement project. This encompasses a suite of infrastructure improvements and operational changes to provide natural ecosystem services with respect to water quality in the Klamath Basin. Water used for farmland irrigation would then flow through wetlands before returning to the Klamath River. In addition to water quality benefits for the Klamath River, this project will provide habitat for threatened and endangered fish, support migratory wildlife, recharge groundwater, and provide other ecosystem benefits. MOU group partners – KWUA and Tulelake Irrigation District
$2,027,799 for the SONAR and Radio Telemetry and Spawning Surveys for Klamath Salmon project. This will be used to obtain abundance estimates of salmon and steelhead entering the reach previously blocked by the four lower Klamath dams and track salmon migrations to their spawning grounds. These metrics will provide a foundation for assessment of stock status and trends while guiding future restoration efforts in the newly accessible habitats, developing a toolset to support prioritization of future restoration and monitoring in the Klamath River. It will also provide much needed capacity for three of the six tribes on the Klamath River, allowing them to track the return of these culturally significant species. MOU group partners –Karuk Tribe, California Trout, Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Cal Poly Humboldt, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
$1,253,000 for the Klamath Basin Fisheries Collaborative: Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Tag Monitoring and Database project. This will be used to continue to build the infrastructure required to provide Klamath Basin fisheries managers with consistent and reliable data on movements of fish using PIT tags. Work funded by this proposal includes continuing to improve on existing fish monitoring efforts by coordinating activities and collaborating on tasks, as well as advancing data exchange by refining the user interface and providing technical support to data providers. Partner – Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
$500,000 for the Implementation of Integrated Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Plan (IFRMP) project. This will fund a USFWS initiative to support Klamath Basin stakeholders in tracking, coordinating, and integrating monitoring and data collection efforts across the Basin.
$500,000 for the Klamath Basin Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitation project. This will fund a USFWS initiative to provide greater continuity and work toward local governance for the MOU parties, which are interested in utilizing a neutral facilitator to help identify additional ways to promote collaboration and reduce conflict over natural resources. This effort could include expanding the MOU group to include other interested parties and to develop proposals related to a governance structure for making important decisions on restoration and monitoring in the Klamath Basin. These funds would support the hiring of a facilitator selected by the parties and support up to three to five years of facilitation support.
$300,000 for the Post Dam Removal Data Collection on Salmon Migration and Movement project. This funding will be used by project partners to use otolith microchemistry tools to 1) understand how Klamath Dam removal affects the early life history diversity of Chinook salmon, 2) determine the natal origin and migration histories of returning fish, pre- and post-dam removal, 3) determine which tributaries are and are not producing Chinook salmon, and 4) quantify how Chinook production varies between different tributaries before and after dam removal. The information is critical to adaptively managing the Klamath Basin, post dam removal, and has important implications for restoration of key tributaries. Partner – UC Davis
$295,000 for the Surface Water Management and Efficiency Enhancement project. This encompasses necessary infrastructure improvements to allow safe, reliable, and integrated management of water within the Klamath Project. MOU group partners – KWUA, Klamath Irrigation District, and Klamath Drainage District
$200,000 for the FWS Post Dam Removal Science Symposia project. This will fund an USFWS initiative to sponsor a Klamath science symposium in 2025. Planning for this symposium will start in November 2024. The goal is to bring together stakeholders/experts to discuss the state of the Basin post dam removal, progress on restoration and monitoring, and next-step strategies to continue the momentum on restoration progress in the years ahead.
For a complete list and full descriptions of all the 24 projects awarded funding in the Klamath Basin, click HERE.
November is the 200th anniversary of the Great Gale of 1824. It killed nearly 100 people and destroyed villages along the south coast of England.
There is a free public exhibition about the impacts of the Great Gale on the Dorset coast.
The Environment Agency, Dorset Coast Forum and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council are raising awareness of extreme weather and flooding as they mark the 200th anniversary of the 1824 Great Gale.
On the night of 22 November 1824, a devastating storm struck England’s south coast and raged for two days. Winds reached hurricane force, with gusts exceeding 100 mph, causing widespread damage. Houses were severely flooded, whole villages destroyed, ships lost at sea and nearly 100 people were tragically killed.
Trail of destruction
The Dorset coast was hardest hit, but the storm’s impact stretched from Land’s End to Dover. Inland communities did not escape devastation from wind damage and it took many years for affected communities to recover.
At Plymouth, the storm sunk 22 vessels and swept away over 200,000 tons of stone from the city’s new breakwater which was under construction. While, at Abbotsbury, seawater surged over Chesil Beach, reaching astonishing depths of up to 6.9 metres.
Watch our animation about the Great Gale’s trail of destruction Great Gale of 1824.
Rare combination created Dorset’s worst storm
The Great Gale, considered the most destructive storm ever to strike the Dorset coastline, was caused by a rare combination of factors. Hurricane force winds, spring high tides, extreme low pressure and towering waves created unprecedented conditions for the storm. Its severity was so extreme it is estimated to have a 1 in 10,000 chance of recurring each year.
Recent events like Storm Boris in Europe, Typhoon Yagi in Asia and Hurricanes Helene and Milton in North America highlight the ongoing threat of severe weather – and, as climate change increases the energy driving these storms, the importance of being prepared.
How to prepare for extreme weather
This post is nearly 7m high and shows the 1824 storm’s high water mark which reached 22ft 8in at the Swannery, Abbotsbury, Dorset.
Andrea Summers, Environment Agency flood and coastal risk manager for Wessex, said:
As we remember those who tragically lost their lives 200 years ago, this anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature and the devastating impact flooding can have on communities.
Needless to say, we are much more resilient now than we were then, with major innovations in forecasting, warning and defence systems. But our climate is changing, sea levels are rising and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent.
The Environment Agency is investing to better protect people from flooding and extreme weather. The £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes is working in partnership with local authorities nationwide to develop, test and implement innovative ways of improving resilience and adapting to the impacts of flooding, coastal erosion and climate change.
Additionally, the new Floods Resilience Taskforce is driving government efforts to accelerate the development of flood defences and bolster the nation’s resilience to extreme weather events.
How to see The Great Gale of 1824 exhibition
As part of the bicentenary commemorations, the Environment Agency has worked with Dorset Coast Forum and BCP Council to bring together a free public exhibition to explore the impacts the Great Gale left on the Dorset Coast. For more information, including dates and venues, please visit the Dorset Coast Forum website.
The Fire Danger Period will commence on November 11
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will begin at 01.00am on Monday, November 11, for the following municipalities in CFA’s northwest Region:
City of Greater Bendigo
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Residents living in these districts are asked to take this opportunity ahead of the FDP to clean up their properties, while landowners are encouraged to conduct safe private burn-offs where possible.
CFA District 2 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Archie Conroy said residents should take note of the conditions and prepare accordingly.
“Conditions across the northwest region are drier than usual, warranting the implementation of restrictions to protect our communities,” Archie said.
“Macedon Ranges Shire is currently the exception, and we’ll be assessing conditions there closely.
“As we head into the warmer months, small actions like reducing vegetation and securing your property can make a significant difference in protecting both homes and lives.
“We’re working hard to monitor conditions, and every precaution you take now helps build a stronger line of defence against fire.”
Those conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website (www.firepermits.vic.gov.au), or by calling ESTA on 1800 668 511.
By registering your burn-off online, you allow emergency call takers to allocate more of their time taking calls from people who need emergency assistance immediately.
No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website.
There are very strict conditions attached to these permits and the liability sits with the permit holder to ensure they always act safely.
Fire Danger Period information:
A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. You can apply for a permit atfirepermits.vic.gov.au. It can also be issued by the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or the CFA District Office.
Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visitcfa.vic.gov.au/can.
To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/canor by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
As a three-day fact-finding mission from a group of Pacific leaders drew to a close in New Caledonia, and with the outcomes report not expected before next year, the visit to the riot-hit French Pacific territory seems to have triggered a new sense of awareness locally about the values of Pacific regional mechanisms of “talanoa” embodied by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
Local President Louis Mapou stressed on several occasions during the visit that New Caledonia’s situation was the “subject of much attention” in the Pacific region.
He suggested that one of the reasons for this could be because of a potential “spillover” effect that could “jeopardise cohesion in the Pacific”.
However, Mapou also stressed that he had received the message conveyed by the PIF “Troika-Plus” group that “they’re ready to take part in [New Caledonia’s] reconstruction”.
‘New Caledonia’s regional integration in its region’ Mapou said that one of the recurrent themes during the PIF visit was “New Caledonia’s regional integration in its region”.
“Whatever might be said, in many ways, New Caledonia does not know its [Pacific] region very well. Because it has this affiliation relationship to Europe and France that has prevailed over all these years,” he told local media.
“So, in a certain way, we’re just discovering our region. And in this process, the Pacific Islands Forum could bring a sort of leverage,” he said.
Kanaky New Caledonia, as well as French Polynesia — both French Pacific entities — became full members of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2016, after several years of “associate members” status.
Mapou said New Caledonia’s current status vis-à-vis France was mentioned during talks with the PIF mission.
“I spoke with them about obstacles that should be removed, that are directly related to our current status. This is part of topics on which we should be working in future,” he said.
“They’re very open-minded, they don’t have any preconceived ideas, they’re happy to talk equally about the concepts of independence, just as they are for keeping [New Caledonia] within the French Republic,” he revealed.
One of the unexpected outcomes, beyond the specific fact-finding mission that brought this PIF “Troika-Plus” leaders’ delegation to New Caledonia, seems to have underlined the values of regionalism, as well as New Caledonia’s long-awaited and genuine integration in its “regional environment”.
These values seem to have been recognised by all sides of New Caledonia’s political spectrum, as well as all walks of life within the civil, economic, educational and religious society.
PIF’s “Troika-Plus” leaders meet with Southern Province President Sonia Backès (third from left) at SPC headquarters last Monday. Image: PIF/RNZ Pacific
Pacific diversity in status During the past few days, informal exchanges with the Pacific leaders have also allowed New Caledonia’s authorities to share and compare possible ways forward regarding the territory’s political status.
“They readily exchanged their own experiences with our government. The Cook Islands, which is a self-governing state in ‘free association’ with New Zealand; Tonga, which has never been colonised; and the Solomon Islands, who have also undergone inter-ethnic conflicts and where the young population was also involved. And Fiji, which obtained independence (in 1970), had decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth and is finally re-discussing its link with Great Britain,” Mapou briefed local media on Tuesday.
The leaders spent three days (October 27-29) in the French Pacific territory to gather information on the ground, after destructive riots broke out in May, resulting in 13 deaths and extensive economic damage estimated at €2.2 billion.
During the three days, the PIF leaders met a wide range of political, business, religious, and civil society leaders to get a first-hand account of the situation.
On Tuesday, the “plus” component of the troika, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, reiterated the mission’s assigned mantra in a manner of conclusion to their mission.
“We were here to understand and make recommendations. We have heard many extremely different attitudes. We hope it will be possible to find a solution for the people and the government,” Rabuka told religious leaders.
Bitterness from civil society The long series of talks, within a particularly tight schedule, also allowed groups within New Caledonia’s civil society — including traditional chiefs, youth, human rights activists, educationists, mayors and women — to express their views directly during the Pacific leaders’ visit.
Some of these groups also took the opportunity to point out that they were not always listened to in other circumstances.
“Today, peace has just been through a rough episode. And we, women, are being asked to help. But when was the last time we were heard?
“We’ve already said women should be part of all levels of decision-making, including on matters of dealing with violence and access for women to economic empowerment.
“We were ignored. And then, when fire breaks out, we’re being asked for help because this is the foundation of Pacific values,” said Sonia Tonga, the president of the Oceania Union of Francophone Women, which groups women’s groups from New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis-and-Futuna and Vanuatu.
Talking about the youth, she said there was an “ill-being”, “they don’t recognise themselves in this system, including for education. We’re trying to fit an Oceanian society into a framework that has not been designed for them.
“When will we be heard in our country?”.
As part of talks with church leaders, it was also pointed out that there were benefits from sharing experiences with Pacific leaders.
“I’ve been many times in Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and other Pacific islands. They too have had their hard times.
“And they too are familiar with the experience of violence which is difficult to bring back to a path of dialogue,” said 80-year-old Nouméa Catholic Archbishop Michel-Marie Calvet, a respected figure.
In terms of earlier crises in the Pacific region, among PIF member island states, in the early 2000s, civil unrest occurred in both Fiji and the Solomon Islands, with shops being targeted and looted.
Under Pacific Islands Forum mechanisms, especially the declaration of Biketawa, this prompted in 2003 the setting up of “RAMSI” (Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands), with mostly Australia and New Zealand military and police as its main contributors, with additional input from other Pacific island countries.
In Fiji, the mission to defuse the crisis, associated with an attempted coup and a MPs hostage situation within Parliament buildings in May 2000, was mainly achieved by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) through protracted negotiations and without violence.
Forum “Troika-Plus” leaders in New Caledonia conducting a fact-finding mission to assess the situation on ground. Image: X /@ForumSEC/RNZ Pacific
Supporting Pacific dialogue In the political sphere, there was a recognition of the benefits of a Pacific perspective.
“There is a Pacific tradition of dialogue and talanoa. So, I think [the PIF leaders] can invite pro-independence parties to come to the [negotiating] table,” said New Caledonia’s Mayors’ Association president Pascal Vittori.
“We’re actually expecting PIF will back this notion of dialogue — that’s what’s important now,” he told local media.
Sonia Backès, one of the staunchest defenders of New Caledonia remaining part of France, told reporters on Monday: “We didn’t ask for this [mission]. Now we’re waiting for this (troika) report based on their observing mission.
“We all know that there are biased views on the part of some, one way or the other.
“So we hope the final report will be as fair and neutral as possible so as not to add fuel to the fire.”
Following their visit to New Caledonia and based on the information gathered, the Forum “Troika-Plus” leaders are expected to compile a “comprehensive report” to be submitted to the next annual Forum Leaders’ Summit in the Solomon Islands in 2025.
“The terms of reference of this mission were discussed beforehand between the government of New Caledonia, the Pacific Islands Forum and the (French) State. We all agreed that what was most important was to have an assessment of the situation.
“There is a need to provide information to the public so that it is an informed opinion leader. It’s important in those times of misinformation and manipulation from one side or the other,” French ambassador for the Pacific Véronique Roger-Lacan told public broadcaster NC la 1ère TV on Tuesday evening.
Business sector now needs Pacific market overtures Even the business sector now seems to believe that, as a result of the widespread destruction caused by the riots, which has left more than 800 companies burnt down and looted, as well as thousands jobless, the wider Pacific region has now become a new potentially attractive market.
“Our local market has just shrunk considerably and so we will need to find new openings for our products. In that perspective, our cooperation with the Pacific is very, very strategic”, said business leaders association MEDEF-NC president Mimsy Daly.
She had once again presented a detailed view of the widespread devastation caused by the recent riots and those who took part.
“‘Were they aware of what they were doing?’ is one of the questions I was asked,” she wrote on social networks after her encounter with the “Troika-Plus”.
“A logical question when you know that what has been destroyed equals about 70 percent of the GDP of the Cook Islands, 100 percent of the GDP of the Solomon Islands and 40 percent of the GDP of Fiji.”
But she admitted the response to this complex question was “primordial” and “every light will have to be shed on the matter”.
In a wrap-up of the three days, President Mapou held a final meeting with the group on Tuesday.
Wide circle of ‘concertation’ needed French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc, after a final meeting with the delegation, said: “They have come here to seek the profound causes of what happened on May 13. They have been listening very closely.
“I understand their view is that a wide circle of concertation [cooperation] will be required to reach an agreement,” he said.
He elaborated, saying that the Pacific Forum leaders seemed to place a lot of hope in the notions of “trust”, the “necessity of living together” and the PIF’s “will to help, while saying that, at the same time, the solution lies in the hands of New Caledonia”.
French President Macron (right) with New Caledonia’s President Louis Mapou (left) and former New Caledonia Congress President Roch Wamytan (centre) earlier this year. Image: RNZ Pacific
Next: another ‘concertation and dialogue’ mission Following the PIF “Troika-Plus” mission, another visit is expected in New Caledonia in the next few days — this time coming from Paris.
This new high-level visit will be headed by the presidents of both houses of Parliament in France (Senate and National Assembly), respectively Gérard Larcher and Yaël Braun-Pivet, from November 9-14.
They will lead what is described as a “mission of concertation and dialogue”.
The dates come as a top-level meeting took place last week, presided by French Head of State Emmanuel Macron and attended by French minister for Overseas François-Noël Buffet (who had just returned from New Caledonia), French PM Barnier, Larcher and Braun-Pivet.
The objective, once again, was to reinforce the signal that the time had come to resume political dialogue.
Macron indicated earlier that he still intended to host a meeting in Paris sometime in November.
Buffet was also in New Caledonia earlier this month for four days to assess the situation and try to restore a path to dialogue between all political stakeholders, both pro-independence and pro-France.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Unless you’re a moderator for a local community group discussing garbage collections or dog park etiquette, you are unlikely to fully understand the sheer volume and scale of abuse directed at people online.
But when social media moderation and community management is part and parcel of your daily work, the toll on people and their loved ones can be enormous. Journalists, often early in their careers, can be on the receiving end of torrents of abuse.
If they come from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds, that reluctance to report can be even higher than other colleagues.
There’s growing employer concern about how moderating confronting content can affect people’s wellbeing. Employers also have a duty to keep their staff safe at work, including online.
The ABC wanted to understand what this looked like in practice. Its internal survey data shows just how bad the problem has become for moderators who are employed to keep audience members safe when contributing to online discussions.
What did the ABC find?
In 2022, the ABC asked 111 staff who were engaged in online moderation as part of their jobs to self-report the frequency of exposure to potentially harmful experiences.
First it was important to understand just how long people were spending online moderating content. For those who had to moderate content every day, 63% they did it for less than an hour and a half, and 88% moderated for less than three hours.
The majority of staff surveyed saw potentially harmful content every week.
71% of moderators reported seeing denigration of their work weekly, with 25% seeing this daily.
Half reported seeing misogynistic content weekly, while more than half said they saw racist content weekly.
Around a third reported seeing homophobic content every week.
In the case of abusive language, 20% said they encountered it weekly.
It’s a confronting picture on its own, but many see more than one type of this content at a time. This compounds the situation.
It is important to note the survey did not define specifically what was meant by racist, homophobic or misogynistic content, so that was open to interpretation from the moderators.
Some people employed by Facebook to filter out the most toxic material and have gone on to take the company to court.
In one case in the United States, Facebook reached a settlement with more than 10,000 content moderators that included U$52 million (A$77.8 million) for mental health treatment.
In Kenya, 184 moderators contracted by Facebook are suing the company for poor working conditions, including a lack of mental health support. They’re seeking U$1.6 billion (A$2.3 billion) in compensation.
In Australia, moderators during the height of the COVID pandemic reported how confronting it could be to deal with social media users’ misinformation and threats.
A 2023 report by Australian Community Managers, the peak body for online moderators, found 50% of people surveyed said a key challenge of their job was maintaining good mental health.
What’s being done?
Although it is not without its own issues, the ABC is leading the way in protecting its moderators from harm.
It has long worked to protect its staff from trauma exposure with a variety of programs, including a peer support program for journalists. The program was supported by the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma Asia Pacific.
But as the level of abuse directed at staff increased in tone and intensity, the national broadcaster appointed a full-time Social Media Wellbeing Advisor. Nicolle White manages the workplace health and safety risk generated by social media. She’s believed to be the first in the world in such a role.
As part of the survey, the ABC’s moderators were asked about ways they could be better supported.
Turning off comments was unsurprisingly rated as the most helpful technique to promote wellbeing, followed by support from management, peer support, and preparing responses to anticipated audience reactions.
Turning off the comments, however, often leads to complaints from at least some people that their views are being censored. This is despite the fact media publishers are legally liable for comments on their content, following a 2021 High Court decision.
Educating staff about why people comment on news content has been an important part of harm reduction.
Some of the other changes implemented after the survey included encouraging staff not to moderate comments when it related to their own lived experience or identity, unless they feel empowered in doing so.
The peer support program also links staff others with moderation experience.
Managers were urged to ensure that self-care plans were completed by staff to prepare for high-risk moderation days (such as the Voice referendum). These includes documenting positive coping mechanisms, how to implement boundaries at the end of a news shift, debriefing and asking staff to reflect on the value in their work.
Research shows one of the most protective factors for journalists is being reminded that the work is important.
But overwhelmingly, the single most significant piece of advice for all working on moderation is to ensure they have clear guidance on what to do if their wellbeing is affected, and that seeking support is normalised in the workplace.
Lessons for others
While these data are specific to the public broadcaster, it’s certain the experiences of the ABC are reflected across the news industry and other forums where people are responsible for moderating communities.
It’s not just paid employees. Volunteer moderators at youth radio stations or Facebook group admins are among the many people who face online hostility.
What’s clear is that any business or volunteer organisation building a social media audience need to consider the health and safety ramifications for those tasked with maintaining those platforms, and ensure they build in support strategies.
Australia’s eSafety commissioner has developed a range of publicly available resources to help.
The author would like to acknowledge the work of Nicolle White in writing this article and the research it reports.
Alexandra Wake is a member of Dart Asia Pacific, having previously served as a director of its Board. She is currently a joint recipient of an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant, Australian Journalism, Trauma and Community.
Older people and children at increased risk of death and disease
Severe flooding in Pakistan’s Sindh province has left thousands of people suffering from disease and food insecurity amid government inaction, Amnesty International said.
Following major flooding in August 2024, more than 140,000 people were displaced with many now living in tents. Months later, affected communities are still struggling with health risks and lost livelihoods compounded by little international or government support. With disease rampant due to stagnant floodwaters, older people, children and pregnant women are at increased risk of illness and death.
By failing to guarantee access to adequate healthcare, food and housing in the wake of the floods, the government of Sindh has failed to fulfil economic, social and cultural rights set out in key human rights instruments ratified by Pakistan. The biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, who bear most responsibility for climate change-related disasters, must also minimize the harmful effects of climate change on human rights by phasing out fossil fuels as quickly as possible.
“Tens of thousands of people have been abandoned by the Sindh government and the international community after being devastated again by major floods,” said Scott Edwards, Amnesty International’s Crisis Response Programme Director.
“Many impacted communities were harmed by record-breaking floods in 2022, and have struggled to rebuild their lives. Inaction in the face of repeated disasters is evidence of waning resiliency and global lethargy.
“Climate change is not a tentative threat; lives are being lost today to global inaction and inadequate humanitarian response. The international community and Pakistani authorities must act urgently before more people suffer unnecessarily.”
In late September 2024, Amnesty International visited eight flood-affected villages in Badin and Dadu districts in Sindh province and interviewed 36 people, including older people, people with disabilities, children, pregnant women, and one doctor.
CFA firefighters battled a recycling truck fire this morning at Colac which prompted a warning to the community to stay indoors.
CFA was called to the truck fire on the corner of Calvert Street and Queen Street at 7.14am today.
Firefighters found the rubbish in the recycling truck on fire and heavy haulage machinery was called to the scene to help lift the truck to empty its contents onto the ground.
CFA District 6 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Craig Brittain said the volunteer firefighters who responded to this incident have done an amazing job.
“On inspection there was quite a number of items such as aerosol cans that shouldn’t be in a recycling bin that have possibly caused the fire so we will investigate that further,” Craig said.
“Community members need to please be careful what they put into rubbish bins.”
An excavator was also called in to pull apart the rubbish to assist firefighting with extinguishing the fire.
A Watch and Act message was issued asking people in the area to stay indoors due to the dangerous smoke from the burning plastic and other materials in the truck. That warning has since been downgraded to an Advice message.
The incident was brought under control at 8.48am and declared safe at 9.05am.
CFA has four trucks on scene from Colac, Cororooke and Larpent.
Headline: FEMA Senior Leaders Continue to Survey Impacted Areas and Meet with Local Officials as Helene, Milton Recovery Progresses
FEMA Senior Leaders Continue to Survey Impacted Areas and Meet with Local Officials as Helene, Milton Recovery Progresses
WASHINGTON – More than a month after Helene made landfall, FEMA officials remain on the ground coordinating with local officials in affected states to help guide their recovery. Visits included Victoria Salinas, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator, meeting with officials over several days in North Carolina and Florida. Salinas and other FEMA officials discussed how the communities were progressing in their recovery and surveyed the effectiveness of modern building codes in minimizing storm-related damage.FEMA has approved more than $1.3 billion in direct assistance to Hurricanes Helene and Milton survivors. These funds help survivors with housing repairs, personal property replacement and other essential recovery efforts. Additionally, over $1.1 billion has been approved for debris removal and emergency protective measures, which are necessary to save lives, protect public health and prevent further damage to public and private property. More than 1,400 FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance team members are in affected neighborhoods across affected states helping survivors apply for assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources. Also,FEMA now has 76 Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the hurricane affected communities. Center locations can be found at FEMA.gov/DRC. Centers can provide survivors in-person help with their applications and answer questions they have about available resources to help with their recovery.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Operation Blue Roof which is a free service to homeowners for 25 counties in Florida impacted by Hurricane Milton. Residents can sign-up at www.blueroof.gov or by calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258). The sign-up period deadline is Nov. 5.FEMA encourages Helene and Milton survivors to apply for disaster assistance online as this remains the quickest way to start your recovery. Individuals can apply for federal assistance by: Applying online at disasterassistance.govUsing the FEMA AppCalling 800-621-3362, Staffed daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. local timeVisiting a Disaster Recovery Center to talk with FEMA and state agency officials and apply for assistancePresident Joseph R. Biden has approved major disaster declarations in six states–Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia–affected by Helene. He has also approved a major disaster declaration for Florida following Hurricane Milton.These photos highlight response and recovery efforts across states affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
SWANNANOA, North Carolina – FEMA sets up a mobile Disaster Recovery Center in an affected North Carolina community. Helene survivors in Swannanoa and nearby areas can visit this center to apply for federal disaster assistance and ask questions about available state and federal resources for their recovery. (Photo Credit: FEMA)
SAVANNAH, Georgia – FEMA staff and FEMA Corps members help survivors of Hurricane Helene at the Disaster Recovery Center in Savannah. (Photo Credit: FEMA)
CORTEZ, Florida – Victoria Salinas, FEMA Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator, and other FEMA personnel join Manatee County officials in the Hunters Point Neighborhood in Cortez. There they spoke with an owner of a property development to talk about how building codes helped the community following the recent hurricanes. (Photo Credit: FEMA)
COLLETSVILLE, North Carolina – Victoria Salinas, FEMA Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator, surveys the flood damage from Wilson Creek along Brown Mountain Road with members of the Collettsville Fire Department. Salinas also talked with the owners of the Brown Mountain Resort as they shared their story of surviving the flood from Hurricane Helene. (Photo Credit: FEMA)
FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Toolkit provides graphics, social media copy and sample text in multiple languages. In addition, FEMA has set up a rumor response web page to reduce confusion about its role in the Helene and Milton response and recovery. annie.bond Wed, 10/30/2024 – 17:58
China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters launched a Level-IV emergency response on Wednesday to flooding and typhoons in the coastal province of Zhejiang as Super Typhoon Kong-rey approaches. Kong-rey is forecast to bring torrential rain to parts of Fujian Province, Zhejiang Province, Shanghai and Jiangsu Province from Wednesday to Friday, with Zhejiang to be hit hard. The headquarters also maintained a Level-IV emergency response to flooding and typhoons in Hainan Province and Fujian Province. The Ministry of Emergency Management has deployed more than 4,100 rescuers. It also urged local authorities to take solid steps to brace for the super typhoon.
Typhoon Trami has claimed seven lives and caused another missing in the southern Chinese island province of Hainan, according to the provincial emergency management authorities on Wednesday.
Trami, the 20th typhoon this year, has brought heavy rainfall to many parts of Hainan since Oct. 28, forcing over 40,000 people to evacuate.
Ministry of Water Resources on Wednesday issued a Level-IV emergency response to flooding due to the lingering impact of Typhoon Trami in Hainan. Qionghai, one of the worst-hit areas, has been on the highest level of emergency response for flood and wind control since late Tuesday.
Affected by Typhoon Trami, most areas of Hainan will experience torrential rain on Wednesday, with a high risk of flash floods, and the Wanquan River may experience floods exceeding the warning level.
The ministry has dispatched a working group to the front line to guide flood response, with the focus on evacuating people from high-risk areas.
China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe level.
Safe, resilient, reliable state highways are the priority across Tairāwhiti, as the summer maintenance season ramps up in addition to cyclone recovery work.
The 2024/25 summer maintenance season is now underway.
During the course of the maintenance season, which typically runs from now until March when the weather is warmer and drier, it’s anticipated that approximately 11.8 lane kilometres* of state highway in the region will be renewed.
Renewing the road involves removing the existing road surface and underlying structure and replacing it with new materials.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Rua Pani says this summer is set to be one of the biggest roadwork seasons the region has seen.
“Summer, with its warmer, drier, calmer weather, is always a better time to renew and reseal roads.
“This year, the annual renewals programme includes major road renewal work on both State Highway 2 and State Highway 35.
“Renewing a road is the best way to boost the resilience and durability of a road. When we talk about renewing a road during the summer maintenance season, it’s not redesigning the road, rather it involves removing the existing road surface and underlying structure and renewing it with new materials.
“Undertaking a higher number of road renewals is a key priority in the region. This is how we improve road conditions long-term,” says Ms Pani.
NZTA crews will be working alongside Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance crews who are currently carrying out other cyclone recovery work throughout the region, alongside local contractors.
TREC project spokesman Richard Bayley says there’s a whole raft of activity underway, in addition to the summer maintenance programme.
“Crews are continuing repair and recovery work on cyclone damaged sections of the highway – stabilising areas to help prevent slips, restoring the Rotokautuku (Waiapu) Bridge and other bridges, and preparing to start larger projects such as replacing Hikuwai Bridge No.1.
“Work to finish Connecting Tairāwhiti programme sites is also continuing – installing slow vehicle bays, laybys and other resilience work,” says Mr Bayley.
“It’s a busy time of year for the region as a whole, with lots of different events planned.
“We all like to get to our destination as quickly and safely as possible. We’re mindful that this work is going to be diusruptive for local communities, for road users and businesses.
“It’s the support from the region’s communities since the cyclone which has helped us get to this point. We’re doing what we can to schedule work in a way that minimises delays. However, road users will notice longer travel at times, as a result of the summer works.
“We’re strongly urging people to expect those delays and plan ahead.
“Ultimately all this work will lead to more efficient travel and safer, more resilient roads,” says Mr Bayley.
Seven road renewals are scheduled for SH35 until January, starting in Hicks Bay and working towards Mangatuna.
Resealing is also planned, with the majority of sites between Te Puia Springs and Gisborne.
On other parts of the highway, crews will be working on recovery projects designed to safeguard the road and bridges from erosion and repairing several underslips. Key areas include Awatere Gully, Rotokautuku Bridge, Jeru Straight, Makarika Valley, Kopuaroa Hill, Ihungia Road, and Whakaari Bluff.
Subject to consents and design, work on enabling works for Hikuwai Bridge No.1 is expected to start by early 2025. People may notice crews carrying out investigation works in the area and on the highway through the Mangahauini Gorge.
State Highway 2
Two road renewals are scheduled on SH2 north of Gisborne. One near Matawai in mid-November and one near Waihuka in early-January.
Two road renewals are scheduled on SH2 south of Gisborne, one near Tarewa (starting late November) and the other near Bartletts Hill (mid-January).
Almost half of SH2 north of Gisborne will also be resealed this summer.
Drivers will see a lot of activity around the Otoko Hill area where TREC crews are working to upgrade drainage and culverts and strengthen and stabilise areas around the highway.
The season’s work is funded through the State Highway Maintenance and Pothole Prevention activity classes in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
he Oregon State Fire Marshal incident management team sent to North Carolina in mid-October will return home at the end of the week after a two-week deployment. The team was in Yancey County helping with Hurricane Helene recovery.
Oregon Incident Commander Lance Lighty and Plans Section Chief Bill Boos will replace departing personnel to ensure a seamless transition in leadership and maintain strong support for North Carolina’s ongoing recovery operations. Lighty will take command from Incident Commander Ian Yocum, leading the OSFM’s continued assistance efforts.
The incoming OSFM team members traveled Tuesday. After arrival, they will shadow the current team and take over command the following day, marking the next phase of the OSFM’s support in North Carolina.
“Our team is honored to contribute to the community’s continued recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “The commitment and expertise of our incident management teams reflect Oregon’s dedication to supporting others in times of need.”
The OSFM has three all-hazard incident management teams. They typically respond to help communities when they are impacted by wildfire. The team was ordered through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The compact provides help during governor-declared emergencies or disasters by allowing states to send personnel, equipment, and supplies to support response and recovery efforts in other states.
Police in South Auckland have taken another firearm off the streets following a road rage incident in Hampton Downs.
At about 6pm, a member of the public contacted Police stating that a person travelling in a yellow vehicle had allegedly pointed a gun at them while travelling north on State Highway 1.
Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes, says within minutes Police located the vehicle north of Ramarama and observed it exiting at Drury.
“The Police Eagle helicopter has provided support as ground units initiated an armed vehicle stop on Chichester Drive, Papakura.
“During a search of the car, a loaded shotgun was located along with a number of shotgun cartridges.”
Inspector Hoyes says three people were taken into custody without incident.
“Thanks to the detailed and prompt report made by a member of the public, we were able to act quickly to locate the vehicle of interest and take one more firearm off the street.
“Police work hard to hold offenders to account, especially those with the potential to cause serious harm in our communities.”
If you witness any unlawful activity and it is happening now, please contact Police on 111 as soon as possible with as much information as possible, including descriptions of the offenders, their vehicles, and what direction they may have travelled in.
Alternatively you can report any information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
A 22-year-old man will appear in Papakura District Court today charged with presenting a firearm at a person, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
BATON ROUGE –Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) hosted his final rural community funding summit of 2024, to connect elected leaders in the Capital Region with opportunities in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to improve roads, fix sewage and water problems, and reduce their risk of flooding.
“We have a partnership with mayors and other leaders in the Capital Region to use the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to meet the needs of this growing community,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Already we’re replacing gas lines in Donaldsonville and East Feliciana and reducing flood risk across the Baton Rouge area. This region is moving forward.”
Cassidy also discussed the IIJA before the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. Communities in the Capital Region have been major beneficiaries of the law. Just last week, Iberville Parish was awarded over $2.54 million and the village of Morganza over $1.87 million to upgrade their natural gas pipe systems. Additionally, Cassidy announced last October that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development received $88.3 million for Phase One of the LA 415 Interconnector Project, which would help fund the construction of highways and bridges and reduce traffic congestion in the Baton Rouge area, including in West Baton Rouge Parish.
Other major grant announcements for communities around Baton Rouge include over $10.4 million from the drinking water state revolving fund for the Livingston Ward 2 Water District and West Feliciana Parish, $30 million in 2023 and 2024 to replace aging gas pipes in the City of Donaldsonville, over $33 million for dredging and surveys along the Atchafalaya River and in Bayous Chene, Boeuf and Black, over $39 million for improvements to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and $100 million to launch a manufacturing plant in St. Gabriel that will produce lithium hexafluorophosphate, which is necessary for batteries. Major highway projects are also being funded throughout the region.
At the rural community funding summit and the West Baton Rouge Chamber, Cassidy was welcomed by community leaders and thanked for his service.
“I appreciate Senator Cassidy coming to Gonzales to make sure that communities in Ascension Parish and throughout the region know how we can take advantage of his infrastructure bill,” said Mayor Ryland Percy, of Gonzales, Louisiana. “I also appreciate his work to protect the energy industry that keeps people here and throughout the parish. That’s the kind of leadership we need in Washington.”
“Thanks to Senator Cassidy, the people in West Baton Rouge Parish employed by our manufacturers and energy companies will be able to stay employed and make a life in this community,” said Ms. Anna Johnson, Executive Director of the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. “And his infrastructure bill will make it easier for them to get to work, to their kids’ school, and back home in the evening. We appreciate Senator Cassidy for making life easier and better for our neighbors.”
Later, Cassidy toured Turner Industries’ modular fabrication facility in Port Allen, from which they also transport modules. They build major modules (or components) for industrial facilities such as refineries and petrochemical plants, and then ship them to worksites for more efficient installation. Their facility is also being used to build modules for LNG plants that will process liquefied natural gas, to be delivered to the rest of the world while supporting jobs in Louisiana.
“Turner is building modules for the Venture Global plant,” said Dr. Cassidy. “They’re part of a job creating process that starts at the wellhead and ends at the LNG terminal, but along the way produces thousands of great paying Louisiana jobs.”
Turner’s Port Allen facility features a 415 Yard, which spans 35 acres, has a 24,000-square-foot module assembly building, and sits along 1,100 feet of intracoastal waterway in order to more easily ship modules. The 415 Yard is one of three similar facilities that Turner owns. As part of their module construction, they provide welding, blasting and painting, steel and pipe support fabrication, and specialty alloy work. Additionally, Turner has a pipe fabrication facility nearby, which is capable of producing more than 6,500 spools per month. Turner Industries provides its array of services in over 400 facilities across the nation.
Cassidy has also worked to protect Louisiana’s energy industry. On October 16, Cassidy convened the Louisiana Energy Security Summit in Baton Rouge, which brought together senior officials from previous Republican administrations and leaders in Louisiana’s energy industry and research community to discuss how to bring back manufacturing jobs to the United States by developing the state’s energy resources. Cassidy also introduced the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, which would improve U.S. trade policy to help Louisiana’s manufacturers counter the unfair competition they face from foreign adversaries like China.
There are over 400 employees at Turner’s Port Allen facility. In total, Turner has over 19,000 employees. Cassidy was thanked in advance for his work in a statement by Mr. Stephen Toups, CEO of Turner Industries.
“On behalf of the Turner team, we thank Senator Cassidy for visiting us in Port Allen today,” said Mr. Toups. “I am so glad that he got to meet the men and women who are constructing the modules for the Liquefied Natural Gas projects here in the state. Our state has supported so many energy projects for our country and for the world. Thanks to our employees, we are supporting the Senators vision to keep America energy independent, and to use that energy to produce jobs here at home. We look forward to working with the Senator as he writes laws that continue to make our work possible.”
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (31 October 2024) — New Asian Development Bank (ADB) research finds the impacts of climate change could reduce gross domestic product (GDP) in developing Asia and the Pacific by 17% by 2070 under a high-end greenhouse gas emissions scenario, rising to 41% by 2100.
Rising sea levels and falling labor productivity would cause the greatest losses, with lower income and fragile economies hit hardest. The new research, presented in the inaugural issue of ADB’sAsia-Pacific Climate Report, details a series of damaging impacts threatening the region. If the climate crisis continues to accelerate, up to 300 million people in the region could be threatened by coastal inundation, and trillions of dollars of coastal assets could be damaged annually by 2070.
“Climate change has supercharged the devastation from tropical storms, heat waves, and floods in the region, contributing to unprecedented economic challenges and human suffering,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. “Urgent, well-coordinated climate action that addresses these impacts is needed before it is too late. This climate report provides insight into how to finance urgent adaptation needs and offers promising policy recommendations to governments in our developing member countries on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at lowest cost.”
The report finds that regional public sentiment supports climate action. In an ADB climate change perception study this year, 91% of respondents across 14 regional economies said they view global warming as a serious problem, with many seeking more ambitious government action.
Adaptation responses need to be accelerated to address growing climate risks, along with an imperative to greatly upscale adaptation-focused climate finance. The report values annual investment needs for regional countries to adapt to global warming at between $102 billion and $431 billion—far exceeding the $34 billion of tracked adaptation finance in the region in 2021–2022. Government regulation reforms and enhanced recognition of climate risks are helping attract new sources of private climate capital, but far greater private investment flows are needed.
On the mitigation front, the report shows the region is well placed to embrace renewable energy in driving a transition to net zero, and that forging ahead with domestic and international carbon markets can help achieve climate action goals cost effectively.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.
Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio
Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought high winds, flooding, and damage across Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services estimates the total crop and infrastructure losses range from $1.5 to $2.5 billion.The State of Florida has requested federal agriculture disaster designations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to compensate impacted counties.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Representative Scott Franklin (R-FL), and colleagues sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to ensure Florida producers and farmers are provided critical aid and policy flexibilities as they recover from the storms.
“These back-to-back major hurricanes have decimated Florida agriculture, our state’s second largest industry, which generates more than $182.6 billion in annual revenue and provides more than 2.5 million jobs.…. As Members of Congress, it is our responsibility to work with USDA to best assist the producers who feed our nation. We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter.”
Joining Rubio and Franklin were U.S. Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Brian Mast (R-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Michael Waltz (R-FL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Aaron Bean (R-FL), Bill Posey (R-FL), John Rutherford (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Greg Steube (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Carlos Giménez (R-FL), Federica Wilson (D-FL), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and Kathy Castor (D-FL).
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Secretary Vilsack:
We write to strongly urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) take immediate action to deliver critical aid to agricultural producers affected by recent hurricanes Helene and Milton. These back-to-back major hurricanes have decimated Florida agriculture, our state’s second largest industry, which generates more than $182.6 billion in annual revenue and provides more than 2.5 million jobs.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast just 13 days after Helene and brought high winds, flooding and damage across the entire state. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (FDACS), the preliminary estimate of total crop and infrastructure losses ranges from $1.5 to $2.5 billion, and the State of Florida has requested federal agriculture disaster designations for impacted counties in response to both storms.
Milton’s path impacted some of Florida’s most productive agricultural areas for aquaculture, avocados, bell peppers, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, cattle, citrus, christmas trees, corn, cotton, cucumbers, dairy, equine, floriculture, grapes, leafy greens, mangos, other animal products, peaches, peanuts, pecans, potatoes, poultry, rice, snap beans, soybeans, strawberries, sugarcane, sweet corn, tangerines, tomatoes, watermelons, and more. Agricultural lands and agribusiness more than 100 miles away from the eye of the storm experienced tornadoes and other devastating effects which compounded losses.
Block Grants:
In 2018, after Hurricane Irma, Congress appropriated relief to Florida agriculture and USDA delivered that aid through a block grant to the state. The State of Florida was successful in getting that aid to those in need quickly and efficiently. During a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture hearing held on March 9, 2023, USDA Inspector General Phyllis K. Fong was asked about the effectiveness of this block grant and she stated, “[i]n that instance, FSA successfully partnered with Florida to deliver assistance to the citrus farmers.” She went on to say: “I think that is an example, within your own state, where that kind of block grant program can work.” We ask that you support both an appropriation request and authority to deliver the assistance in the form of a block grant to our state.
USDA must work to deliver aid to communities affected by disasters as quickly and efficiently as possible. FSA offices across Florida are still having trouble facilitating disaster assistance programs designed to help after 2022 Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. However, these funds were not in the form of a block grant and as a result, there are hundreds of producers who are still awaiting assistance.
Creating a new disaster program each time funds are appropriated by Congress not only complicates the disaster relief application process, but also delays delivery of critical assistance for the producers who feed our state and nation. Block grants administered by the state expedite disbursement, free up personnel at FSA to efficiently carry out routine programs and provide needed flexibility for states.
As you are aware, the Block Grant Assistance Act (H.R 662 & S.180) was designed to authorize USDA to administer calendar year 2022 disaster relief via block grants. This would give USDA the ability, when reasonable, to issue block grants and expedite payment to producers. This bill is cosponsored by the entire Florida delegation and unanimously passed the House on June 12, 2023. We remain steadfast in our support for standing block grant authority and continue to urge USDA to support this measure giving them additional flexibility in administering disaster programs.
Farm Service Agency:
Unlike most commodity crop programs, Florida specialty crop programs are disaster based and time consuming to deliver. Additionally, permanent FSA staff are needed in the county offices to administer the USDA disaster programs efficiently and effectively. We ask that USDA approve an expedited review of applications and deployment of existing authority for FSA offices to waive requirements that are redundant or unnecessary.
In many other states, straightforward programs like Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage enable producers to easily enroll and receive payments. These routine programs influence FSA workload metrics and help the agency prioritize personnel and resources. However, the situation differs significantly in Florida with specialty crops. Most of our programs are disaster-based, which are notably more time-consuming to administer and manage. These factors are not accounted for when allocating staff. As a result, our FSA county offices are not adequately staffed and have not finalized Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) payments to producers for 2022.
Disaster Appropriation:
Per USDA data, losses in agriculture across calendar year 2022 totaled $14 billion, yet Congress only appropriated $3.7 billion in relief to our nation’s producers in the December 2022 omnibus. We recognize this led to difficult decisions on how to distribute the disaster assistance. However, the “Progressive Payment Factor” being applied to ERP 2022 payments was an unnecessary and harmful program flaw that has resulted in the producers who suffered the most severe losses receiving pennies on the dollars in assistance. Federal disaster assistance is never meant to make producers whole, but Congress has a duty to prevent a failure like this from occurring again. We look forward to working with USDA to ensure adequate funding for 2023 and 2024 losses.
Improved Crop Insurance Options:
Crop insurance is another tool USDA can use to improve the farm safety net alongside these suggestions for improving delivery of FSA disaster programs. The 2024 Farm Bill that passed the House Committee on Agriculture includes language to improve crop insurance options for specialty crop growers, including the Temperature Endorsement for Multi-Peril Policies (TEMP) Act (H.R.6186 & S.3253).4 Many of Florida’s specialty crop growers do not have insurance on their crops because of the high price of the premiums and low payouts from claims. The Florida Delegation will continue its efforts to work with USDA to prioritize improving crop insurance options for growers as outlined in the 2024 Farm Bill passed by the House Committee on Agriculture earlier this year.
To ensure USDA and Congress are equipped to provide adequate support for producers, please respond to the following questions and provide the following documents and information no later than November 29, 2024.
A statement of agency policy for utilization of block grants within USDA disaster-based programs.
A document detailing calendar year 2024 calendar year losses up to October 29, 2024, and a budgetary request to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to ensure adequate funding of relief programs.
An updated document detailing FSA county office leadership, and how many FTEs are employed at each.
A report on the number of FTEs Florida FSA offices need to efficiently administer a disaster-based program to Florida producers.
A plan for strike team deployment to Florida FSA offices including timeline, number of employees and where these teams will be placed.
As Members of Congress, it is our responsibility to work with USDA to best assist the producers who feed our nation. We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Zheng Dazhe never imagined he would end up spending an entire afternoon touring porcelain workshops, engaging with craftsmen, and becoming captivated by their stories and creations, but when he visited the Taoyangli historical and cultural district in Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province, that’s exactly what happened.
Zheng visited the popular tourist destination in September to learn about porcelain. After exploring the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum, he found himself fascinated by the area’s many porcelain workshops in their centuries-old courtyards, and had engaging conversations with the craftsmen, learning about the intricate process of making porcelain, from the initial shaping of the clay, to the hand-painting of the designs.
“It’s like being in a movie. The porcelain artisans have lived and worked here for centuries. The buildings are old, and the city’s glorious history of porcelain making comes vividly alive,” says Zheng.
The Taoyangli historical and cultural district at the heart of Jingdezhen, which is known as the “porcelain capital of China”, consists of significant remains and ruins that bear witness to its millennium-old porcelain industry. This includes imperial and ordinary kilns dating back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, as well as workshops and trading houses once inhabited by ceramics makers and business owners.
Restored in 2016, the area has since become a popular destination for tourists like Zheng who are interested in porcelain. According to Liu Zili, president of the Jingdezhen Ceramic Culture Tourism Group, which oversees the district’s operation and restoration, Taoyangli received more than 3.7 million visits last year. During the National Day holiday earlier this month, daily visits peaked at 80,000.
Liu says that Taoyangli owes its birth to ceramics, and went on to develop a rich culture. The group aims to revitalize the historical district, and entice more young people to engage with its deeply rooted ceramic traditions.
Some 40 ceramic artisans and 300 apprentices are currently working in the historical workshops, mainly to demonstrate the intricacy of making porcelain and share their stories with visitors — tales of tradition, innovation, and the pursuit of beauty.
Sun Lixin, a fourth-generation inheritor of blue-and-white porcelain craftsmanship, continues the family legacy at his Taoyangli workshop. Growing up immersed in ceramic culture, he learned the craft from his grandfather, who also worked there.
The 57-year-old makes porcelain every day and enjoys engaging with the visitors who enter his courtyard. He has 60 apprentices, some of whom practice alongside him in the workshop.
“Most of the tourists coming here are young people. The district is a good window onto our porcelain culture. I believe as long as it interests young people, ceramic culture will continue to thrive and remain vibrant,” he says.
Apart from the traditional workshops, new shops have also been introduced. Two years ago, when Wen Jing first visited, she was captivated by Taoyangli’s blend of ancient architecture and old kilns. This January, she moved her aromatherapy shop from Shanghai to the district.
“Taoyangli is different to other ancient districts. It has not only imperial kilns and many old workshops, but also an abundant alleyway culture. It’s amazing to see all these well-preserved old homes and production spaces packed into such a small area,” says the 34-year-old.
Wen took the area’s tradition of ceramics into consideration when she worked with her designer to create a stylish bottle for her aromatherapy products. It is covered in thorns, like those of a rose, and so has to be handcrafted, and Wen says the mass production of such an item is only possible in Jingdezhen.
“It has a well-established system for everything, from molding to making porcelain, and there are many skilled craftsmen who can work with us,” she says.
Her shop is located in a centuries-old house and the interior can’t be changed due to preservation laws, so Wen has added some stylish furniture and decorations to create a blend of old and new.
“Being here allows us to connect with more young people and directly interact with customers, which is really helpful for developing our future products. We get a lot of valuable feedback from them,” she says.
As artisans deftly continue age-old traditions, visitors are invited to step back in time and experience the enduring legacy of this unique cultural enclave.
Taoyangli hosts numerous ceramic culture-related events each year to attract visitors. In addition to trying their hands at ceramics and exploring shops, tourists can visit the archaeological sites of the kilns that used to produce porcelain for the imperial families, participate in ceremonies held to mark the removal of freshly fired porcelain from the kilns, visit immersive ceramics exhibitions at the museum, and even do some role-playing.
“We will continue to explore cultural resources as a driving force for the integrated development of culture and tourism in Taoyangli,” says Liu.
In recent years, the group has been reaching out to former residents and craftsmen who moved out of Taoyangli, inviting them to return for a visit, and to record oral history videos.
“Their stories are an inseparable part of the culture and history of the old neighborhood.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
This picture shows the torch for the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
HARBIN, Oct. 30 — The torch, medals and anthem for the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin were officially unveiled on Wednesday.
The height of the torch is 735mm, with a top diameter of 115mm and a grip diameter of 50mm. The theme of the design, “Surging”, aims to capture the vibrant and dynamic energy of life in nature. It symbolizes that the 9th Asian Winter Games will be filled with vitality and passion. The overall torch design incorporates international aesthetic features while blending classical and modern Chinese art.
The design takes the form of a blossoming lilac, integrating colors such as China Red, Lilac Purple, and Snow White, symbolizing the sincerity, warmth, openness, and inclusivity of Heilongjiang Province and the characteristics of the host city, Harbin.
The torch features a burner nozzle that combines a lilac floral design with a hollow center, creating a three-dimensional effect. The outer wall of the upper combustion chamber is designed with hollow snowflakes, harmonizing the beauty of order with the overall biomimetic natural aesthetic, blending culture and technology with natural artistry. The outer shell resembles a blossomed lilac, transitioning from transparent ice crystal to Snow White. The inner core transitions from China Red to Lilac Purple. When lit, the torch presents an effect of ice and fire merging, highlighting the radiant energy of winter sports that springs from challenge and passion.
This picture shows the front of the medals for the 9th Asian Winter Games. [Photo/Xinhua]
The medals for the Asian Winter Games, titled “Spirit of Speed”, were also released on the same day. The front of the medals combines the streamlined shape of a racetrack with the emblem of the 9th Asian Winter Games, capturing the powerful and graceful motion of athletes in action. This design embodies the strength and beauty of competitive sports. The flowing curves of the racetrack incorporate the silhouette of the Harbin Grand Theatre, reflecting the city’s unique aesthetic.
This picture shows the reverse side of the medals for the 9th Asian Winter Games. [Photo/Xinhua]
The reverse side of the medal features a picturesque landscape of Yabuli, with mountain ranges and forests that mirror the terrain of the Greater and Lesser Khingan ranges, creating a vibrant portrayal of Heilongjiang’s rich and bountiful landscape. At the center, the emblem of the Olympic Council of Asia is embedded with a rare Xunke red agate gem from Heilongjiang — symbolizing the sun shining brightly over the vibrant land. The ribbon clasp at the top of the medal is inspired by the Sun Gate of Sun Island Scenic Area, adding a distinctive local character to the design.
The anthem for the Asian Winter Games is titled “Snow of Harbin”, written by lyricist and director Wang Pingjiu and composed by renowned domestic music producer Chang Shilei. The lyrics and melody express the vision of unity, friendship, and a shared commitment to peace and development among the people of Asian countries and regions, working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
A screen shows Hezbollah’s new leader Sheikh Naim Qassem delivering a televised speech on Oct. 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Hezbollah’s new leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Wednesday he will continue the war strategy adopted by his predecessor Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah by supporting the Gaza front, Lebanese TV channel al-Manar reported.
“My work program is a continuation of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s program in all fields, political, jihadist, social, and cultural,” Qassem said in his first televised speech following his appointment as the new secretary-general of Hezbollah.
Qassem emphasized that supporting Gaza is essential to confront the threat posed by Israel in the region.
“You will certainly be defeated because this is our land. Get out of our lands; if you stay, you will pay a heavy price,” he said, addressing the Israelis.
Qassem also said that Iran has been supporting Hezbollah without any hidden intentions.
“We are liberating Lebanese land when we fight Israel with Lebanese men on our borders; Iran is not using us to fight Israel as some people were saying,” he said.
While acknowledging that Hezbollah was impacted by the assassination of Nasrallah, Qassem reiterated that the group is capable of filling all vacant positions.
Since September 23, the Israeli army has been conducting an unprecedented and intensive air campaign against Lebanon, marking a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah.
Since Oct. 8, 2023, Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border amid concerns of a broader conflict, as the war between Hamas and Israel continues in the Gaza Strip.
This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2024 shows the view of a flood-hit street in Aldaya, Valencia province of Spain. [Photo/Xinhua]
At least 95 people have been killed in flooding as torrential rain battered Spain’s eastern region of Valencia and the neighboring provinces of Albacete and Cuenca, according to Angel Victor Torres, Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory.
Exceptionally heavy rainfall, totaling over 400 liters per square meter, flooded parts of Valencia and the provinces of Albacete and Cuenca within just a few hours between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
More than 60 roads have been closed due to flooding, including major highways along the eastern coast and between Madrid and Valencia. Local train services have been halted, and the high-speed rail connection between Valencia and the capital is also suspended.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will visit the affected regions on Thursday, the government said in an official communique.
Sanchez convened an emergency cabinet meeting Wednesday morning and made a formal declaration at midday, pledging full support from his government to the families of flood victims.
Around 1,000 members of the Spanish Military’s Emergency Response United (UME) have been deployed to the affected areas, assisting with rescue and clean-up efforts. However, operations have been hampered by power outages and collapsed phone networks in many areas.
Meteorologists attribute the torrential rain to a phenomenon known as “isolated high-altitude depression,” or DANA in Spanish, which occurs when a cold air front crosses the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. While its impacts are often localized, similar events wreaked havoc in 1966 and 1957, with the River Turia overflowing and devastating the city of Valencia.
Israeli airstrikes targeted dozens of towns and villages in eastern and southern Lebanon on Wednesday, killing 31 people and injuring 27 others, according to official and military sources in Lebanon.
The Lebanese military sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes and drones carried out 55 airstrikes on towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including 17 raids on the southeast village of Khiam.
The official National News Agency (NNA) said that Israeli warplanes targeted the nuns’ neighborhood in the city of Nabatieh on Wednesday, destroying several buildings.
Meanwhile, towns and villages surrounding the eastern city of Baalbek were also subjected to 15 raids.
NNA reported that there was a massive displacement movement following Israel’s evacuation warning in Baalbek, in which about 100,000 citizens left their homes within several hours.
Many teams from the Civil Defense, the Lebanese Red Cross, and the Islamic Health Authority are still working to remove the rubble of destroyed homes in search of missing persons.
For its part, Hezbollah said in a series of statements that its fighters bombed several Israeli targets with dozens of missiles and drones, including the Adam Camp for special forces training southeast of Tel Aviv and a missile defense and regional brigade base east of Hadera.
Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been launching an unprecedented, intensive air attack on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah.
Since Oct. 8, 2023, Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border amid fears of a broader conflict as the war between Hamas and Israel continues in the Gaza Strip.
The National Government should review its support for Gumboot Friday after unacceptable comments by its leader and champion Mike King.
“Do young people have to be hurt before Matt Doocey realises he made the wrong decision to bypass the usual process and fund Gumboot Friday,” Labour mental health spokesperson Ingrid Leary said.
“The comments made by Mike King promoting alcohol use to treat mental health issues are a sad indictment of the Government’s poor funding decision relating to Gumboot Friday.
“The comments are deeply problematic and fly in the face of well-established body of literature that links alcohol use both directly and indirectly with mental ill health, including with suicide risk.
“To continue to fund Gumboot Friday sends a message to young people that alcohol use is a recognised treatment for mental health issues.
“It must be galling for the many wonderful non-governmental organisations with safe and evidence-based approaches to providing mental health support and services to hear these comments, and know that they weren’t able to contest for these funds and help these young people.
“The Auditor General has already criticised the process that saw funding given to Gumboot Friday — today’s comments vindicate his concerns and add fuel to the fire.
“This is on top of the recently reported resignation of I Am Hope board members, which raises serious questions about the organisation’s ability to deliver,” Ingrid Leary said.
Work to improve the quality of Launceston’s biggest waterway has reached a new milestone, with construction of a giant storage tank at Ti-Tree Bend underway, following the recent completion of upgrades to the Margaret Street Pump Station and Western Rising Main.
The 10-megalitre concrete tank will be connected to the new pipeline under the Kanamaluka / Tamar Estuary riverbed – boosting the storage capacity of Launceston’s combined sewage and stormwater system, and significantly reducing untreated overflows.
Ahead of construction, mass soil mixing works of more than 28,000 cubic metres of soil – the equivalent to filling 11 Olympic-sized swimming pools – were undertaken, along with the installation of 120 concrete piles to a depth of 20 metres.
With these essential ground improvement and foundation works completed, TasWater is now beginning construction of the new 10-megalitre covered storage facility and supporting infrastructure, with the project expected to be completed in 2026.
The project is supporting up to 80 jobs during construction, and includes the services of local Tasmanian contractors, One Earth Excavations.
It is part of the $140.7 million Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan, with the Albanese Government providing $49 million, the Tasmanian Government $47.5 million, TasWater $33.2 million, and the City of Launceston $11 million – an initiative of the $609.4 million Launceston City Deal.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:
“It was fantastic to be back in Launceston to see this infrastructure continuing to take shape, with construction of this 10-megalitre tank marking an exciting milestone in this region-shaping project.
“Upgrading Launceston’s sewage and stormwater system will not only ensure it keeps pace with the city’s growing population, it will significantly boost the health of the Kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary, supporting commercial and recreational opportunities on this waterway into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz:
“Alongside the recently completed pipeline, this latest milestone will continue improvements in the overall health of the Estuary.
“The work being conducted under the Launceston City Deal and Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce demonstrates once again what can be achieved when the three levels of government collaborate.
“The Tamar Estuary is a major asset for Launceston and Northern Tasmania and the more focus we have on its health and amenity, the better.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for Tasmania, Helen Polley:
“Improving the health of the Kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary is something that people in Launceston have long called for, which is why we’re getting on with the job of delivering these critical upgrades to the city’s sewage and stormwater system.
“With work kickstarting on this storage tank installation, we’re another step closer to this estuary becoming a recreational waterway, which will really transform how this part of Launceston is utilised by locals and visitors long into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Simon Wood, Liberal Member for Bass:
“We appreciate the river’s importance to Launceston and the wider community, which is why we are making investments today to ensure its health for future generations.
“The health of the Tamar is a daily topic of conversation around Launceston.
“People can be confident that the Tasmanian Government, as part of the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce and through the Launceston City Deal, is helping to protect this waterway.”
Quotes from City of Launceston Council Mayor Matthew Garwood:
“The City of Launceston is proud to work alongside our Launceston City Deal partners to continue to make improvements to the health of our waterways,” Mayor Garwood said.
“The work TasWater has been undertaking to progress new and improved sewage infrastructure is phenomenal and is going to make a really positive difference to the natural environment over coming decades.”
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Derik Carothers, 29, pleaded guilty to Count Four of the Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on or about October 20, 2019, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Carothers possessed numerous firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Carothers was previously convicted on November 7, 2013, in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas of burglary and carrying a firearm without a license, and, on March 20, 2017, of carrying a firearm without a license. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for March 12, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Carothers.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
GREENVILLE, Miss. – Dennis Vernandale Phillips, 42, was sentenced today to over 15 years in prison for his possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the controlled substance.
The investigation began when law enforcement purchased over 30 grams of methamphetamine from Phillips using a confidential informant. During a subsequent search of Phillips’ residence in Preston, Mississippi, officers located methamphetamine, two firearms, and other narcotics. In total, Phillips’ conduct involved over a kilogram of methamphetamine that impacted the Choctaw Indian Reservation in Winston, Kemper, and Neshoba counties.
On October 30, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Phillips to 188 months imprisonment followed by a 48-month term of supervised release for possessing the methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
“Meth indiscriminately kills children, men and women and it ravages our communities, including the Choctaw Indian Reservation,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “This prosecution and sentence are the result of outstanding cooperation between our federal law enforcement partners and the tribal police to achieve a straightforward goal – to reduce the supply of illicit drugs while seeing to it that those who poison communities with narcotics are held to account.”
Phillips’ drug distribution was a threat to the community,” said Whitney Woodruff, Regional Agent in Charge of the Southeast Region for the Division of Drug Enforcement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. “He was poisoning Indian Country for his personal gain and now he will pay the price. I am proud of our partnerships with the other law enforcement agencies involved.”
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case in partnership with the Choctaw Police Criminal Investigations Division, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Howell Addison prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel
Reviewed: 7 June 2023, 08:45 NZST
Still current at: 31 October 2024
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Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
Work to improve the quality of Launceston’s biggest waterway has reached a new milestone, with construction of a giant storage tank at Ti-Tree Bend underway, following the recent completion of upgrades to the Margaret Street Pump Station and Western Rising Main.
The 10-megalitre concrete tank will be connected to the new pipeline under the Kanamaluka / Tamar Estuary riverbed – boosting the storage capacity of Launceston’s combined sewage and stormwater system, and significantly reducing untreated overflows.
Ahead of construction, mass soil mixing works of more than 28,000 cubic metres of soil – the equivalent to filling 11 Olympic-sized swimming pools – were undertaken, along with the installation of 120 concrete piles to a depth of 20 metres.
With these essential ground improvement and foundation works completed, TasWater is now beginning construction of the new 10-megalitre covered storage facility and supporting infrastructure, with the project expected to be completed in 2026.
The project is supporting up to 80 jobs during construction, and includes the services of local Tasmanian contractors, One Earth Excavations.
It is part of the $140.7 million Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan, with the Albanese Government providing $49 million, the Tasmanian Government $47.5 million, TasWater $33.2 million, and the City of Launceston $11 million – an initiative of the $609.4 million Launceston City Deal.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:
“It was fantastic to be back in Launceston to see this infrastructure continuing to take shape, with construction of this 10-megalitre tank marking an exciting milestone in this region-shaping project.
“Upgrading Launceston’s sewage and stormwater system will not only ensure it keeps pace with the city’s growing population, it will significantly boost the health of the Kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary, supporting commercial and recreational opportunities on this waterway into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz:
“Alongside the recently completed pipeline, this latest milestone will continue improvements in the overall health of the Estuary.
“The work being conducted under the Launceston City Deal and Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce demonstrates once again what can be achieved when the three levels of government collaborate.
“The Tamar Estuary is a major asset for Launceston and Northern Tasmania and the more focus we have on its health and amenity, the better.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for Tasmania, Helen Polley:
“Improving the health of the Kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary is something that people in Launceston have long called for, which is why we’re getting on with the job of delivering these critical upgrades to the city’s sewage and stormwater system.
“With work kickstarting on this storage tank installation, we’re another step closer to this estuary becoming a recreational waterway, which will really transform how this part of Launceston is utilised by locals and visitors long into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Simon Wood, Liberal Member for Bass:
“We appreciate the river’s importance to Launceston and the wider community, which is why we are making investments today to ensure its health for future generations.
“The health of the Tamar is a daily topic of conversation around Launceston.
“People can be confident that the Tasmanian Government, as part of the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce and through the Launceston City Deal, is helping to protect this waterway.”
Quotes from City of Launceston Council Mayor Matthew Garwood:
“The City of Launceston is proud to work alongside our Launceston City Deal partners to continue to make improvements to the health of our waterways,” Mayor Garwood said.
“The work TasWater has been undertaking to progress new and improved sewage infrastructure is phenomenal and is going to make a really positive difference to the natural environment over coming decades.”
More than 50 senior enlisted leaders from the Republic of Korea and United States militaries engaged in Mangudai 2024, which ran from Oct. 22-24, and included events spanning the lengths of Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Camp Casey, and Camp Bonifas.
Mangudai is an annual three-day training exercise that evaluates senior enlisted leaders’ mettle in a grueling series of events, testing their physical fitness, adaptability, discipline, and mastery of core Soldiering tasks in an environment where sleep is sparse, and the weather is constantly adverse.
“Mangudai goes back to the 13th Century with the Mongolian Warriors. The leader of that force would select his most elite special forces through a training competition, which was called Mangudai,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jack Love, Tri-Command Senior Enlisted Advisor.
“The US military has been executing Mangudai since the former U.S. Forces Korea Sergeant Major, Sgt. Maj. John Wayne Troxell started it at Joint Base Lewis McCord when he was the 1st Corps Command Sergeant Major,” said Love. “I think it’s critically important for all senior enlisted leaders to participate for a number of reasons. First and foremost, we can never forget that we, all of us, whether you’re in for twenty years or thirty years, we must earn our place in the formation every day.”
“We need to be able to do what we expect our young Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Guardians to do,” explained Love. “We may not be able to do it as fast as we used to be able to, but we must be able to train, fight, and win in any conflict, in any environment. And so, this exercise really gets after that, and it tests a lot of grit.”
Key events for Mangudai include: live fires, patrol base activities, land navigation, rendering casualty care under threat of mortar fire, a hand-to-hand combat challenge in a waist deep mud-pit, and miles upon miles of foot-marching through rain and the frigid cold.
“We all got soaking wet from the rain and it was extremely cold to the point we were shivering; However, we were still motivated, which is the most meaningful part to me,” said Republic of Korea-Army Master Sgt. Hyun-Beom Lim, company executive officer, Special Task Infantry. “I think it is fascinating that ROK and U.S. personnel manage to overcome hardships by working as a team, and it made me enjoy all the tough tasks that need to be done through the exercise.”
While the training focuses on pushing competitors to their limits and potentially to their breaking points, it’s also an opportunity to build trust and strong relations between partners, according to 1st Sgt. Gerald L. Harness, a competitor hailing from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6-52 Air Defense Artillery Battalion.
“Mangudai is a test of intestinal fortitude and of our ability to communicate with our allied partners who we’re teamed up with. It’s all about teamwork. When you’re in charge, be in charge, and when you’re not, be a good follower,” said Harness. “My biggest takeaways from participating in Mangudai are, understanding my limits and the capabilities of our host nation allies, expanding both my comfort zone and my capabilities to not only lead with my peers, but follow them as well.”
When all is said and done, the core focus of Mangudai, like all military training, is grounded in warfighter readiness and instilling confidence in the tactics, techniques, and procedures Soldiers will employ on the battlefield.
“General LaCamera has four lines of operation and two lines of effort. Line of Operation number three is Combat Readiness,” said Love. “We have to be ready on the Peninsula, and though we pray for peace and want to maintain the current armistice state, should crisis or conflict arise, we have to be ready to fight tonight and win, so these skills really are the foundation of everything we do, regardless of your service, whether you’re from the United States or a Republic of Korea service member, winning is the only option.”
“When I watch these first sergeants and master sergeants across our combined forces command and the grit and determination they’re pushing through, I’ve never been prouder,” Love added. “I would go to combat any day, anywhere with any one of them because they’re warriors.”
The new disaster film “Cesium Fallout” kept audiences on the edge of their seats at its premiere, telling a cautionary tale about battling a Cesium-137 radiation leak in China’s Hong Kong region.
An IMAX poster for “Cesium Fallout.” [Photo courtesy of IMAX China]
Cesium-137 is a radioactive isotope that is used by many commercial and industrial sectors. Having a half-life of 30 years, Cesium-137 during its period of decay emits gamma rays, which can negatively impact “human health.” The radioactive isotope can even cause death.
Directed by Anthony Pun and starring Andy Lau, Bai Yu and Karen Mok, “Cesium Fallout” delivers an apocalyptic scenario in which government officials, firefighters and experts race against the clock to address a Cesium-137 radiation leak and save millions of lives. The film also explores themes of heroism, complex human nature, corruption among officials and businessmen, and environmental pollution.
Veteran producer Bill Kong shared at the Beijing premiere on Oct. 28 that his inspiration for creating the film came after seeing news about illegal transshipment of foreign waste and wanting “to let the whole world know.”
“Waste recycling sites and imported trash pose many safety hazards,” he said, “we interviewed environmental experts and learned that, in the past, some foreign companies, to save on recycling costs, dumped electronic waste overseas, with some of it sent to Hong Kong. Electronic waste contains many harmful substances and, if they seep into soil and water sources, they can severely damage the environment. Through this film, I hope to spark public concern about these issues.”
At the Beijing premiere, real-life firefighters brought hazmat suits similar to those used in the film, adding authenticity that impressed the audience. They explained that the 27-kilogram suit’s oxygen supply “only lasts for 30 minutes.”
Director Pun shared that filming the scene where Andy Lau and Bai Yu wore these suits to locate hazardous substances was especially challenging, as the real breathing apparatus and 20-minute countdown intervals added intense tension both on and off set.
Cast and crew interact with the audience at the premiere for “Cesium Fallout” in Beijing, Oct. 28, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse Entertainment]
A pre-record speech by the prominent Chinese director Zhang Yimou was also played at the premiere. In his video address, Zhang described the film as a rare disaster blockbuster that portrays a “doomsday scenario triggered by a hazardous substance leak,” adding that it “fills a gap in Hong Kong cinema.”
Zhang also noted that this film is not just a commercial blockbuster but a profound message that addresses the critical issue of environmental pollution, provoking people to think about how to face the future of planet Earth.
“Cesium Fallout” will hit theaters nationwide on Nov. 1, with advanced limited screenings having already started on Oct. 25, receiving positive feedback from moviegoers.