Headline: Kerr County Texans Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding July 2 and Continuing Can Apply for Possible FEMA Assistance
Kerr County Texans Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding July 2 and Continuing Can Apply for Possible FEMA Assistance
AUSTIN – FEMA is supporting state and local recovery efforts for Texas homeowners and renters in Kerr County who sustained damage from the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred July 2, 2025, and continuing
Financial assistance is available to eligible homeowners and renters in Kerr County
FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs
Survivors with homeowners, renters’ or flood insurance should file a claim first
By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance
If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may then be eligible for federal assistance
Public Assistance federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations
This assistance is available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in Kerr County
How To Apply for FEMA AssistanceHomeowners and renters who have disaster-caused damage or loss can apply for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration DR-4879-TX in several ways:The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance
gov
Download the FEMA App for mobile devices
Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a
m
and 10 p
m
CT
Help is available in most languages
If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service
To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube
When you apply for assistance, have this information readily available:If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company nameA current phone number where you can be contactedYour address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now stayingYour Social Security number, if availableA general list of damage and lossesBanking information for direct depositRemember to keep receipts from all purchases related to cleanup and repair
Assistance from FEMA can include grants for home repairs, replacement of uninsured personal property and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster
U
S
Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners and renters
Like FEMA, SBA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance
Additional designations may be made later if warranted by the results of damage assessments
Headline: FEMA Activates in Texas Following President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration Announcement
lass=”text-align-center”>FEMA will partner with Texas state and local authorities to provide resources and assist in recovery efforts WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been activated in Texas following President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration
Beginning on the evening of July 3, heavy storms across the state of Texas produced rainfall totals between 5 to 15 inches and over 18 inches in some isolated areas, leading to significant flooding, especially in Kerr County located in the Texas Hill Country
“Thank you, President Trump
We are currently deploying federal emergency management resources to Texas first responders, and will work closely with state and local authorities to ensure the people of Texas get the support they need as search efforts continue and recovery begins,” said Secretary Kristi Noem
“Pray for the victims, the families, and our first responders
God bless Texas
” The Department of Homeland Security will ensure that state and local authorities have the resources they need to lead a swift and effective response amid this tragic disaster
Secretary Noem was on the ground with Governor Abbott and local leaders on Saturday and will continue to work to make sure Texas has the resources needed to respond and recover
In addition, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is working around the clock, including overnight, on search and rescue operations
Today, USCG continues to fly two helicopters in the Llano, Texas area and is assisting with two helicopters and three C-144 airplanes equipped with thermal cameras to find more survivors
850 people have been rescued
Individuals who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance by registering online at www
DisasterAssistance
gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App
If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service
Headline: 8 Barbaric Criminal Illegal Aliens Finally Deported to South Sudan After Weeks of Delays by Activist Judges
“These sickos were finally deported to South Sudan on Independence Day,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin “After weeks of delays by activist judges that put our law enforcement in danger, ICE deported these 8 barbaric criminal illegal aliens who are so heinous even their own countries will not accept them This was a win for the rule of law, safety and security of the American people We thank our brave ICE law enforcement for their sacrifice to defend our freedoms We will continue to fight for the freedoms of Americans while these far-left activists continue to try and force us to bring murderers, pedophiles, and rapists back to the US
Below are the individuals ICE removed from American communities to South Sudan Enrique Arias-Hierro, a Cuban illegal alien, was arrested by ICE on May 2, 2025 His criminal history includes convictions for homicide, armed robbery, false impersonation of official, kidnapping, and robbery strong arm Image
On April 30, 2025, ICE arrested Cuban illegal alien Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Quinones He has been convicted of attempted first-degree murder with a weapon, battery and larceny, and cocaine possession and trafficking
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Thongxay Nilakout, a citizen of Laos, was arrested by ICE on January 26, 2025 Nilakout has been convicted of first-degree murder and robbery; sentenced to life confinement Image
On May 12, 2025, ICE arrested Mexican national, Jesus Munoz-Gutierrez He has been convicted of second-degree murder; sentenced to life confinement
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Dian Peter Domach, an illegal alien from South Sudan, was arrested by ICE on May 8, 2024 Domach has been convicted of robbery and possession of a firearm, possession of defaced firearm, possession of burglar’s tools, and driving under the influence
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Kyaw Mya, an illegal alien from Burma, was arrested by ICE on February 18, 2025 Mya has been convicted of lascivious acts with a child-victim less than 12 years of age; sentenced to 10 years confinement, paroled after 4 years Image
Nyo Myint, an illegal alien from Burma, was arrested by ICE on February 19, 2025 Myint has been convicted of first-degree sexual assault involving a victim mentally and physically incapable of resisting; sentenced to 12 years confinement Myint has also charged with aggravated assault-nonfamily strongarm
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On May 3, 2025, ICE arrested Tuan Thanh Phan, a Vietnamese illegal alien Phan has been convicted of first-degree murder and second-degree assault; sentenced to 22 years confinement
Our thoughts are with the Central Texas communities impacted by this weekend’s destructive floods.
Despite the extensive devastation across the region, Verizon’s network remains operational. Our teams are actively monitoring the situation to prioritize life, safety and connectivity.
We are in contact with local public safety and emergency management teams to coordinate any communication needs or support. This includes providing low-earth orbit satellite devices to aid the Texas Department of Public Safety’s drone search and recovery operations.
We stand with the community and our public safety partners as they continue their extensive response efforts.
Our thoughts are with the Central Texas communities impacted by this weekend’s destructive floods.
Despite the extensive devastation across the region, Verizon’s network remains operational. Our teams are actively monitoring the situation to prioritize life, safety and connectivity.
We are in contact with local public safety and emergency management teams to coordinate any communication needs or support. This includes providing low-earth orbit satellite devices to aid the Texas Department of Public Safety’s drone search and recovery operations.
We stand with the community and our public safety partners as they continue their extensive response efforts.
First Nations people please be advised this article speaks of racially discriminating moments in history, including the distress and death of First Nations people.
The inquest findings into the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker are among the most anticipated in the history of deaths in custody.
It is almost six years since Walker was shot point blank three times by former Northern Territory (NT) Police constable Zachary Rolfe. These events occurred on the evening of November 9 2019 in a family home of Walker, as Warlpiri people of the remote Central Australian community of Yuendumu listened in fear.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Chief Minister Michael Gunner promised “consequences would flow”.
In 2022, Rolfe was tried for murder and the alternate charges of manslaughter and violent act causing death. The first, non-lethal, shot was conceded by the prosecution to be in self-defence. The fatal second and third shots were the basis for the prosecution.
The jury, with no Aboriginalrepresentation, decided in March 2022 that self-defence also applied to the subsequent shots, and Rolfe was found not guilty.
Legal experts have since contended that the first shot was not an act of self-defence, given Rolfe unlawfully ambushed Walker without permission to enter the home. They also maintain Rolfe’s history of racial violence and slurs against Aboriginal people should have been admissible evidence given their relevance to Rolfe’s conduct on the night of November 9.
Following the trial, in September 2022 the inquest into Kumanjayi Walker’s death commenced. The coroner’s role is to determine the causes of Walker’s death.
The issue of police racism, generally in the NT Police and specifically on the part of Rolfe, came within the scope of the inquest, along with Rolfe’s allegedly violent practices towards Aboriginal people, police relations with Aboriginal people in remote communities, and the use of police weapons, especially firearms.
The inquest has been a litmus test for racism in police forces. The Yuendumu community has sought findings of racism and recommendations to redress this wicked problem, including disciplinary action for racist and violent police officers.
The inquest was originally due to conclude in December 2022, but was substantially delayed based on a number of applications and appeals from Rolfe.
Rolfe requested for Coroner Armitage to remove herself from the inquest based on perceived bias against him. He also refused to give evidence to the inquest, on the basis that his evidence would implicate him. Multiple appeals to higher courts were unsuccessful but time-consuming.
Walker’s family expressed concerns that the significant delays in the inquest have been detrimental to their plight.
A fortnight before the inquest findings were due to be delivered, another young Warlpiri man, 24-year-old Kumanjayi White from Yuendumu, was killed by police in May 2024. This set back the findings and reopened wounds endured by the Yuendumu community. Once again, the community has had to remobilise to campaign for justice. It has added to the sentiment of the community, which was expressed by Kumanjayi White’s grandfather Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves: “we do not trust police”.
What did the inquest reveal?
This inquest, more than any other in recent history, has put into sharp relief the violence of the police force. It received evidence of text messages in which Rolfe described Aboriginal people as “neanderthals who drink too much alcohol” and referred to Aboriginal people as “coon”.
Footage was shown of Rolfe’s use of violence towards Aboriginal people. Forty-six incidents of violence, including punching Aboriginal people and rendering them unconscious, had been recorded between 2016 and 2019. Some of these attacks were the subject of professional standards and legal complaints. The inquest heard of the failure of police and prosecutors to investigate.
However, the racism was not confined to Rolfe. Evidence of a culture of racism disclosed that it was endemic up to the highest levels. There was “normalised” and widespread use of racist language towards Aboriginal people, including use of the “n-word”.
Rolfe provided evidence of the police annual racist awards (“Coon of the Year”) and officers who would describe a pub that Aboriginal people attended as the “animal bar”.
The fact a white police officer, Rolfe, disclosed the racism gave it a legitimacy and widespread coverage that the Yuendumu community was unable to garner.
The inquest identified issues with the substantial recruitment of former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to the NT Police. Rolfe, who served in Afghanistan, gave evidence he was trained by the ADF to dehumanise the “enemy”.
The inquest also heard that NT police officers who had served in the ADF were twice as likely to draw a firearm than non-ADF police officers. This use of force raised important questions around police recruitment.
Leanne Liddle, who at the time was director of the NT government’s Aboriginal Justice Unit and conducted consultations across remote communities on criminal justice, gave evidence to the inquest that racism in the police was “systemic”.
Findings and recommendations
The findings of the coroner have identified acts of racism but have not delivered a crushing blow to racial violence in the NT Police. The recommendations do not seek to transform the force’s practices or dilute its powers.
The coroner’s starting point in her findings delivered at Yuendumu was that police should be able to “defend themselves” against “serious attacks”. Coroner Armitage acknowledged the “stress” endured by Rolfe and his family along with the trauma of Walker’s family.
While evidence before the inquest identified Rolfe’s days of planning around Walker’s forceful arrest, the coroner first considered Walker’s conduct, upbringing and circumstances that led to his death. The coroner did not give attention to the privilege of Rolfe’s background and how this may have contributed to his treatment of Aboriginal people in central Australia, including Walker.
Racism was “normalised” in the Alice Springs police station, including on the part of Rolfe. Racism “could have” contributed to Rolfe’s shooting of Walker. The coroner stopped short of finding systemic racism in NT Police due to the “modest amount of evidence on racism” across the police force. Arguably this inquest heard the most substantial evidence of institutional police racism in the history of inquests into deaths in custody. She determined that a separate inquiry into systemic racism was required given that the NT Police force had “significant hallmarks of institutional racism”.
The coroner also noted Alice Springs police officers are on the “receiving end” of racist comments from Aboriginal people.
Police racism, according to the coroner, existed because the officers are overwhelmingly dealing with Aboriginal people on a “negative” basis.
Rolfe used excessive force in his career as a police officer, and due to his dehumanisation of Aboriginal arrestees, had created a dangerous situation on November 9.
Ultimately, Walker’s death in custody arose from Rolfe’s “flawed decisions”.
Since Walker’s death in custody, NT Police have undertaken “significant changes”.
NT Police should strengthen its anti-racism strategy and publicly report on compliance
Mutual respect agreements should be developed between NT Police and Yuendumu
The NT government should enhance support for the Yuendumu community night patrol, youth services, mediators, and diversion and rehabilitation programs
NT Police should engage directly with Yuendumu leadership groups to discuss concerns, including when it would be appropriate for police not to carry firearms.
Where to from here?
The almost six years since the shooting of Kumanjayi Walker have not delivered on Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s promise that “consequences would flow”.
The inquest findings do not bring the community any closer to consequences. There was no disciplinary action recommended for any officer involved in Walker’s death. The coroner also did not recommend consequences for police with a history of using force against Aboriginal people, or those who have expressed racist attitudes or behaved in racist ways.
To date, Rolfe, or Adam Erbel who was restraining Walker at the time of the shooting, have not apologised for Walker’s death.
The coroner also did not set down recommendations that had consequence for NT Police. These might have included reconstituting the force to make it community-oriented, relying less on force and not carrying firearms in remote communities, or redirecting funds to NT Aboriginal remote community-controlled law and justice groups.
Even the modest recommendations that were made may not see the light of day in government policy or police practice. There is no legally enforceable obligation for governments and agencies to implement coronial recommendations, despite the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommending governments routinely adopt inquest recommendations and report on their implementation.
The NT government has stipulated that it decides which coronial recommendations to accept. The implementation of coronial recommendations in the NT has a sordid history.
In a climate of expanding police numbers and powers in the NT, with an additional 200 police being recruited to add to the already highest police ratio in the country, Aboriginal deaths in custody will continue to happen. This was the clarion call of the royal commission: more police and police powers will result in more deaths in custody.
Walker’s is one of the 598 deaths since the royal commission, and the brutal circumstances of his death show little has changed. The coronial recommendations fall short of calling for the structural overhaul demanded by Aboriginal families and advocates, to eradicate police racial violence from the lives of Aboriginal people in the NT.
Thalia Anthony receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Eddie Cubillo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Islanders are being invited to have their say on plans to protect one of Jersey’s most at-risk coastal areas from the increasing threat of flooding and climate change.
A public consultation has launched today on the proposed Havre des Pas Coastal Flood Alleviation Scheme, which will deliver enhanced coastal defences and improve the resilience of the area for the next 100 years.
Covering the coastline from La Collette to La Grande Charrière Slipway. The scheme will address the growing risk of wave overtopping and rising water levels. While the existing defences remain in good condition, the area has been identified as the Island’s highest priority for upgrades.
This is the largest coastal defences project undertaken in Jersey since the 1800’s.
In addition to critical flood protection, the Advancing of the Line enables us to seek greater opportunities such as public realm enhancements featuring new promenades, safe cycle routes, landscaped coastal gardens, and enhanced wildlife habitats for Havre des Pas.
Currently, around 350 properties in the area are at risk from a 1 in 200-year flood event. Without intervention, this number could rise to approximately 1,000 properties by 2120 due to projected sea level rise.
Drop-in sessions will be held at The Lido from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 July, offering Islanders the opportunity to speak with the project team and learn more about the plans.
The consultation runs from 7 July to 12 September 2025, and feedback from all Islanders is welcome.
Full details and the online consultation form can be found at: Consultations.
Employment Rights Bill to increase bereavement leave for families who face pregnancy loss
Government announces a new amendment to the Employment Rights Bill which will expand rights to bereavement leave to those who experience pregnancy loss
Families suffering pregnancy loss to be given new rights to time off, as part of Employment Rights Bill.
Entitlements set to benefit the hundreds of thousands of employees affected by pregnancy loss per year.
Changes put dignity and security back at the heart of work, in line with the Government’s Plan for Change.
Families who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks are set to become entitled to protected bereavement leave, under new amendments to the Employment Rights Bill announced today (Monday 7 July).
These amendments form part of the biggest uplift to workers’ rights in a generation, set to benefit half of all UK workers. Hundreds of thousands of employees are impacted by pregnancy loss per year – one estimate for example suggests that there are around 250,000 pregnancy losses caused by miscarriages alone in the UK each year with a further 12,000 impacted by loss due to ectopic pregnancies.
The measures announced today will give those experiencing pregnancy loss at any stage the legal right to take time off work to grieve, giving them much needed support at a difficult time.
This announcement comes as a result of a hard-fought campaign by MP Sarah Owen as Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, with the Government agreeing to bring forward an amendment at in the Lords to make these changes a reality.
Until now, statutory Parental Bereavement Leave has only been available to parents who lose a child under 18 or experience stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. This compassionate change acknowledges that the grief following pregnancy loss can be just as profound regardless of when it happens.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
For many families including mine that have been affected by pregnancy loss, the decision around returning to work or taking sick leave to grieve properly can make an already painful experience even more difficult.
Grief doesn’t follow a timetable, and expanding rights to leave for pregnancy loss will ensure every family gets the time they need to heal without worrying about their job.
Our Plan for Change is making a difference for hardworking people across the UK. Today’s amendments are the next step in delivering the dignity and respect that they deserve.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:
No one who is going through the heartbreak of pregnancy loss should have to go back to work before they are ready.
I am proud that this Government is introducing a day one right to protected time off work after experiencing pregnancy loss, giving people time away from work to grieve and spend time with their families.
Today’s announcement follows the launch of the landmark Parental Leave and Pay Review last week, which will look at ways to fix the parental leave system for millions of parents so that it delivers a better start to life for all children.
These amendments will be designed to ensure they work for businesses, workers and trade unions alike, as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay. Government has been informed by engagement with more than 190 businesses and other crucial stakeholders over the past 12 months, in order to get this balance right.
Sarah Owen MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, said:
From my personal experience of miscarriage to the powerful testimony the Women & Equalities Select Committee heard, I know the difference that bereavement leave will make.
It is a bold and necessary move from this Government to see the UK become one of only a handful of countries in the world to recognise pregnancy loss as a bereavement and give workers the right to take time off to grieve.
Nothing will ever take away the pain of losing a pregnancy, but this law change will provide workers with the security of time to grieve and help end the stigma of miscarriage for good.
Vicki Robinson, CEO of the Miscarriage Association, said:
We welcome today’s announcement that, for the first time, miscarriage and other types of pregnancy loss will be formally recognised as bereavement and those affected will have the legal right to take time off work to start to grieve and heal. This is a hugely important step that acknowledges the often very significant impact of pre-24-week loss, not only for those experiencing the physical loss, but for their partners, too.
We’ve been pleased to contribute to the Government’s decision making on this issue and are encouraged that our views, and those of our community, have been heard loud and clear – that pregnancy loss can be experienced as a bereavement like any other.
This positive outcome reflects the strength of our Leave for Every Loss campaign, the dedication of Sarah Owen MP, and the efforts of our partner organisations and individuals who have worked tirelessly for change.
We remain committed to working with the Government as the legislation progresses, to help ensure the new provisions meet the needs of everyone affected by pregnancy loss and support employers in implementing these vital changes.
Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands, said:
We welcome amendments to the Employment Rights Bill to include leave for pregnancy loss before 24-weeks.
Families tell us how important it is to have the time they need after pregnancy and baby loss, and statutory leave for all employees, including partners, will help to provide this.
We now look forward to a thorough consultation involving families affected by losses before 24 weeks.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
This Government is delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation—backed by business and public support. For too long, the UK has lagged behind other advanced economies in modernising employment protections. That’s why we’re banning exploitative zero-hours contracts, ending fire and rehire, introducing day-one rights to sick pay and parental leave, and extending bereavement leave to those facing pregnancy loss through this legislation. These reforms boost job security and wellbeing, which in turn drives productivity and economic growth—the top priority in our Plan for Change.
Estimates on pregnancy losses due to miscarriage per year can be found on gov.uk here.
Estimates on pregnancy losses due to ectopic pregnancies can be found here.
Survey Says: Determining Shoreline Boundary Can be Critical for Community Rebuilding
HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) Land Survey Division is privileged to be a small part of helping the Lahaina community find normalcy, as residents and businesses rebuild after the tragic fires of 2023.
Six surveyors work in the Land Survey Division. Their job is to officially notate where the boundaries are on a parcel of land. For oceanfront parcels, they determine where the state shoreline ends and where private land begins. Their measurements also help legally specify what the shoreline setback is for a structure, like a house or a condominium.
This is all information a property owner needs when applying for a county permit to rebuild their house. The quicker the shoreline can be certified, the quicker the permits can be processed.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is responsible for certifying the shoreline with the assistance of DAGS Land Survey Division.
DAGS land surveyors’ work in Lahaina usually involves oceanfront lots, because that’s where private land meets state land. Dozens of those seaside lots were destroyed in the wildfire, including many of the survey stakes or property corner markers that indicate the legal borders of a plot of land. Property corner markers can be natural identifying structures, some of which could be burned in a fire.
The Land Survey Division also has 154 years’ worth of government survey records, since the division was established in 1871. It is able to furnish historical records as needed to aid in Lahaina’s recovery management and disaster planning.
“We are honored to play a small part in helping Lahaina residents and business owners rebuild. Our hearts go out to this community that has suffered so much. Certifying property boundaries seems like such an ordinary task, but knowing that it helps a homeowner get their long-awaited building permit makes it so worthwhile and fulfilling for our department in doing our jobs,” said DAGS Director and Comptroller Keith Regan.
“DAGS conducts about 20 land surveys a year on Maui,” added division administrator Reid Siarot. “Since the 2023 wildfires, demand for surveyors in Lahaina has significantly increased. We’ve stepped up our travel to the Valley Isle to meet demand.”
DAGS surveyors are scheduling earlier site visits to affected properties, accelerating application reviews and prioritizing certification recommendations. Further, they have been notifying Maui County before they conduct site inspections to reduce lag time between agency actions.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Brazil – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has challenged BRICS nations to take the lead in reshaping international governance to reflect the world’s new multipolar reality.
Addressing the Peace, Security and Global Governance Session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday, President Lula warned about the collapse of multilateralism and the risk to the advancements made in climate and trade regimes.
“The United Nations recently marked its 80th anniversary on June 26 of this year, and we are witnessing an unprecedented collapse of multilateralism. The advent of the UN marked the defeat of Nazi-Fascism and the birth of a sense of collective hope.
“BRICS is an heir of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is once again in check,” President Lula warned.
Amid the worst sanitation crisis in decades, President Lula said the global health system is being subjected to an unprecedented attack, with “absurd intellectual property demands” that still restrict access to medication.
“It is easier to designate 5% of the GDP to military spending than to allocate the 0.7% that has been promised for Official Development Assistance. This demonstrates that the resources for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda do exist. However, they are not available due to a lack of political priority,” the President said.
President Lula also warned against the instrumentalisation of institutions, including the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, saying this risks the reputation of an organisation that is fundamental for maintaining peace.
He condemned the acts of terrorism, including attacks by Hamas and in Kashmir, as well as the genocidal practices by Israel in Gaza, the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
President Lula believes that the solution to this conflict will only be possible with the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State within the 1967 borders.
“The Brazilian government [has] denounced the violations of Iran’s territorial integrity, just as it had done in the case of Ukraine. The parties engaged in the war in Ukraine must urgently deepen a direct dialogue that aims for a ceasefire and a lasting peace.”
He said that the “Friends for Peace” group, formed by China and Brazil, and comprising countries from the Global South, aims to identify potential avenues for ending hostilities. – SAnews.gov.za
Both personally and on behalf of the Government, I wish to express heartfelt thanks to the public security forces, firefighters, Roma Capitale local police officers, healthcare providers, civil protection workers and all those who swiftly and efficiently intervened today following the serious explosion in the city.
The promptness and professionalism of the initial action taken to secure and close off the affected area and the rapid response of the emergency services made it possible to avoid this tragic event having even more serious repercussions. The immediate coordination between the various operational units and the courage shown demonstrate, once again, the extraordinary value of the men and women who work every day to guarantee citizens’ safety, security and well-being.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Remembering Lugou Bridge Incident, uncovering true history of Japan’s long-planned invasion of China
Monday marks the 88th anniversary of the beginning of China’s whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression. However, 88 years later, the truth of the historic Lugou Bridge Incident, which marked the start of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China, still has not been recorded in Japanese textbooks.
“In July 1937, the Japanese and Chinese armies clashed at the Lugou Bridge on the outskirts of Beijing, and the Sino-Japanese War broke out.” This is the description of the historic Lugou Bridge Incident in some school textbooks currently published in Japan.
Another one goes: “On July 7, 1937, the Japanese army was fired upon by unknown gunmen during a night exercise near the Lugou Bridge on the outskirts of Beijing. At dawn on the 8th, the Japanese army attacked the positions of the National Revolutionary Army, and the two sides fell into battle.”
Historical materials, nevertheless, show that it was the Japanese soldiers who, on July 7, 1937, attacked Chinese forces at the bridge. The pivotal event is recognized as the start of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China and China’s whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.
“The Lugou Bridge Incident was an event staged and directed by the invading Japanese forces. This has long been made clear by the Japanese historian community through objective research. Despite this, the Japanese right wing still fabricates lies and attempts to shift the blame for the incident to the Chinese army,” said Japanese historian Atsushi Koketsu in a recent interview with Xinhua.
“At present, this kind of historical revisionism that fabricates, distorts and denies the true history still prevails in Japan’s education and media circles. What lies behind this is Japan’s unwillingness to admit its aggression and reluctance to accept its ‘responsibility for harm,’” Koketsu said.
“The Lugou Bridge Incident was deliberately schemed by the invading Japanese army,” said Zhang Sheng, professor at the School of History, Nanjing University. “This has already been ‘confessed’ by Takeo Imai, a senior Japanese intelligence officer who led ‘peace work’ in China, in his memoir.”
In his memoir, Imai wrote: “At that time, before the July 7 incident, a rumor had already been circulating among the well-informed political figures in Tokyo: ‘On the night of Tanabata, an incident similar to that at Liutiaohu will occur in North China.’”
The so-called Liutiaohu Incident is the September 18th Incident. On Sept. 18, 1931, Japanese troops blew up a section of railway under their control near Shenyang and accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for the attack. Later that night, they bombarded barracks near Shenyang, marking the start of Japan’s 14-year invasion of China.
“The Japanese Tanabata Festival takes place on July 7,” said Zhang, “therefore, this date had been set for a long time.”
Luo Cunkang, curator of the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, pointed out that historical files show that from February to June 1936, “the China Garrison Army” dispatched by Japan to Beijing increased from 2,003 to 5,774 people. In just four months, the number more than doubled, which clearly demonstrates their intention to deliberately provoke conflicts.
It has been 88 years since the outbreak of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China. True history should not be concealed, let alone distorted. Remembering true history is necessary to draw lessons from it and to cherish peace.
CUPERTINO, Calif., July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ambow Education Holding Ltd. (NYSE American: AMBO), a leading global provider of AI-driven education and collaboration technology, today announced the launch of HybriU Knowledge Capture, a strategic expansion of the Company’s award-winning HybriU platform—originally developed for education environments—now adapted to help enterprises preserve critical knowledge, retain proprietary institutional expertise and ensure operational continuity.
HybriU Knowledge Capture includes the HybriU AI UniBox, a portable control pad and a USB microphone. This powerful combination delivers a compact, plug-and-play system that seamlessly records and securely stores key components of corporate sessions. The system captures voice audio, electronic whiteboard content, PowerPoint presentations and collaborative discussions, whether sessions are conducted in person, remotely, or in hybrid formats. All recordings are automatically analyzed by HybriU’s AI to generate searchable summaries and key-point highlights, building a structured institutional knowledge library. Unlike standard video conferencing tools, HybriU Knowledge Capture transforms meetings, training sessions and brainstorming discussions into actionable insights and lasting organizational memory, ensuring company continuity even as teams evolve.
“HybriU Knowledge Capture addresses one of the most pressing challenges organizations face today: retaining knowledge to ensure day-to-day stability and future-proofing the organization, even as teams evolve,” said Dr. Jin Huang, CEO of Ambow. “By transforming every meeting, training session and collaborative discussion into a permanent, accessible resource, HybriU Knowledge Capture empowers organizations. It’s far more than recording meetings; it’s about transforming daily interactions into powerful competitive advantages, while securing company knowledge that drives innovation and long-term growth.”
With HybriU Knowledge Capture, information is no longer lost when roles change or teams shift. Every training session, meeting and brainstorming discussion becomes a durable and searchable part of the organization’s intellectual capital.
Key features of HybriU Knowledge Capture include:
Comprehensive Recording: Captures voice, PowerPoint presentations, whiteboard content and collaborative discussions, supporting both in-person and hybrid (remote + on-site) sessions.
AI-Generated Summaries: Automatically produces clear, accurate summaries of recorded sessions for quick review and knowledge sharing.
Institutional Knowledge Library: Builds a searchable, structured archive of organizational knowledge, reducing the risk of knowledge loss during staff transitions.
Enhanced Productivity: Enables faster onboarding, more effective training and real-time knowledge transfer across organizations.
Real-Time Whiteboard Collaboration: Participants can scan a QR code or click a secure link to work together on a shared digital whiteboard—on-site or remotely.
AI-Powered Translation: Built-in real-time translation enables seamless multilingual communication across global teams.
HybriU Knowledge Capture empowers teams to collaborate more effectively, accelerate training, and retain institutional expertise that fuels long-term innovation and strategic alignment across global operations.
Derived from Ambow’s robust HybriU Conferencing ecosystem, HybriU Knowledge Capture is now available as part of Ambow’s HybriU platform suite of products. HybriU Knowledge Capture is the first in a new wave of Ambow innovations aimed at reshaping how both educational and corporate institutions preserve, share and activate knowledge. For more information, visit www.ambow.com or www.hybriU.com.
About Ambow Education
Ambow Education Holding Ltd. (NYSE American: AMBO) is a global technology company pioneering AI-driven solutions for education, training and collaboration. Through its innovative HybriU platform, Ambow bridges the physical and digital worlds, empowering institutions and enterprises to redefine learning, communication and knowledge management.
About Ambow
Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a U.S.-based, AI-driven technology company offering phygital (physical + digital) solutions for education, corporate conferencing and live events. Through its flagship platform, HybriU, Ambow is shaping the future of learning, collaboration and communication—delivering immersive, intelligent, real-time experiences across industries. For more information, visit Ambow’s corporate website at https://www.ambow.com/.
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Eskom has announced that Unit 4 of the Medupi Power Station has been successfully returned to service, adding 800MW to the national grid.
This milestone strengthens South Africa’s energy security and enhances the stability of electricity supply.
“The unit’s return follows extensive repairs, completed eight months ahead of the original schedule, made possible by the innovative use of a refurbished Generator Stator, an alternative to waiting for a brand-new component.
“The unit had been out of service since 8 August 2021 after sustaining significant damage from the explosion of its Generator Stator, a key component in the operation of the generation unit,” said Eskom in a statement.
As part of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan, Eskom’s engineering teams implemented strategic measures to cost effectively fast-track the unit’s return.
To avoid the costly delays associated with the lengthy delivery time of a new Generator Stator, Eskom sourced a used stator from the Netherlands as an interim solution, enabling the early return to service of Medupi Unit 4.
With the return of Unit 4, all six units at Medupi are now operational and will contribute a combined capacity of 4 800MW to the national grid once the unit reaches full output in the coming weeks.
Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, said “The return of Medupi Unit 4 marks a major milestone in our strategic objective of achieving operational stability through the addition of 2 500MW to the grid and Eskom remains committed to its Operational Excellence Programme, which focuses on restoring performance, strengthening oversight, and ensuring accountability from service providers.”
He said the development once again reflected the progress of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan, which is central to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the broader economy. T
“This achievement moves us closer to consistently overcoming load shedding, which is now largely behind us due to structural improvements in the generation fleet, as we continue to build a more reliable, resilient, and sustainable power system,” said Marokane.
Eskom Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, said: “Eskom applauds the Medupi team, support staff, and all execution partners for their dedication and professionalism, including the daunting task of safely transporting the 400-tonne Generator Stator approximately 1 000km by road from Richards Bay to the power station, a feat accomplished by Eskom Rotek Industries.
“Their achievement serves as a motivation for our teams as we advance our recovery efforts. We are confident that, like the other units, Unit 4 will deliver stable electricity to the national grid, enhancing South Africa’s energy security.”
Medupi Power Station, located in Lephalale in Limpopo, holds the distinction of being one of the world’s largest dry-cooled, coal-fired power plant.
As one of the newest additions to Eskom’s fleet, Medupi features advanced supercritical technology that allows it to operate at higher temperatures, improving efficiency while reducing both coal and water consumption, an essential advantage in a water-scarce region.
The station is designed to recycle and reuse all water involved in the power generation process on-site. It is also equipped with low nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) burners to minimise NOₓ emissions.
Additionally, Medupi has been designed to accommodate future installation of flue gas desulphurisation technology, which will cut sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions by more than 90%, further enhancing its environmental performance.
Medupi continues to play a vital role in supporting South Africa’s economic growth and development. During its construction, Eskom invested over R2.9 billion in socio-economic development initiatives aimed at addressing urgent needs within local communities.
Since its inception, more than R145 million has been allocated to corporate social investment programmes, benefiting over 80 000 people, with a strong focus on rural development, education, and healthcare infrastructure. – SAnews.gov.za
At midday today, fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Holy Father Leo XIV appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus with the faithful and pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.
The following are the Pope’s words of introduction to the Marian prayer:
Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!
Today’s Gospel (Lk 10:1-12, 17-20) reminds us of the importance of the mission to which we are all called, each according to our own vocation and in the particular situations in which the Lord has placed us.
Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples (v. 1). This symbolic number indicates that the hope of the Gospel is meant for all peoples, for such is the breadth of God’s heart and the abundance of his harvest. Indeed, God continues to work in the world so that all his children may experience his love and be saved.
At the same time, Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (v. 2).
On the one hand, God, like a sower, has generously gone out into the world, throughout history, and sowed in people’s hearts a desire for the infinite, for a fulfilled life and for salvation that sets us free. The harvest, then, is plentiful. The Kingdom of God grows like a seed in the ground, and the women and men of today, even when seemingly overwhelmed by so many other things, still yearn for a greater truth; they search for a fuller meaning for their lives, desire justice, and carry within themselves a longing for eternal life.
On the other hand, however, there are few laborers to go out into the field sown by the Lord; few who are able to distinguish, with the eyes of Jesus, the good grain that is ripe for harvesting (cf. Jn 4:35-38). The Lord wishes to do something great in our lives and in the history of humanity, yet there are few who perceive this, pause to receive the gift and then proclaim and share it with others.
Dear brothers and sisters, the Church and the world do not need people who fulfill their religious duties as if the faith were merely an external label. We need laborers who are eager to work in the mission field, loving disciples who bear witness to the Kingdom of God in all places. Perhaps there is no shortage of “intermittent Christians” who occasionally act upon some religious feeling or participate in sporadic events. But there are few who are ready, on a daily basis, to labor in God’s harvest, cultivating the seed of the Gospel in their own hearts in order then to share it in their families, places of work or study, their social contexts and with those in need.
To do this, we do not need too many theoretical ideas about pastoral plans. Instead, we need to pray to the Lord of the harvest. Priority must be given, then, to our relationship with the Lord and to cultivating our dialogue with him. In this way, he will make us his laborers and send us into the field of the world to bear witness to his Kingdom.
Let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, who generously gave her “yes” to participating in the work of salvation, to intercede for us and accompany us on the path of following the Lord, so that we too may become joyful laborers in God’s Kingdom.
___________________
After the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters,
With affection I greet all of you, faithful of Rome and pilgrims from Italy and from various countries. In the great heat of this time of year, your journey to pass through the Holy Doors is even more courageous and admirable!
In particular, I greet the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart; the pupils and parents of Strzyzow School and the faithful from Legnica in Poland; and the Greek Catholic group from Ukraine.
I also greet the pilgrims from Romano di Lombardia, Melia (Reggio Calabria), Sassari, and the Latin American community from the Archdiocese of Florence.
Greetings to the English speaking pilgrims. I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters, who were at the summer camp, in the disaster caused by flooding of the Guadalupe river in Texas in the United States. We pray for them.
Dearest friends, peace is a desire of all peoples, and it is the sorrowful cry of those torn apart by war. Let us ask the Lord to touch the hearts and inspire the minds of those who govern, that the violence of weapons be replaced by the pursuit of dialogue.
This afternoon, I will travel to Castel Gandolfo, where I intend to have a short period of rest. I hope that everyone will be able to enjoy some vacation time in order to restore both body and spirit.
I wish all of you a happy Sunday!
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HANGZHOU, July 7 (Xinhua) — Authorities in east China’s Zhejiang Province raised their emergency response level to level 3 from level 4 on Monday morning as Typhoon Danas, the fourth storm this year, approaches.
The center of Danasa reached the coast of Chiayi County, Taiwan, around midnight on Monday and continued moving northward, according to the provincial meteorological service.
By 7 a.m., it was in waters about 258 kilometers southeast of Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Danas is expected to make landfall again between the afternoon of July 8 and the night on the coast between Taizhou in Zhejiang and Fuzhou in neighboring Fujian Province.
Due to the typhoon, 60-90 mm of rainfall, up to 350 mm in some places, is expected in central and southern Zhejiang, as well as coastal areas of the province, from July 7 to 9.
The provincial government has called on all coastal areas and relevant authorities to closely monitor the hurricane’s progress, intensify inter-agency consultations and take preventive measures in accordance with the emergency plan, including sheltering ships, suspending shipping and construction work. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
A low-pressure area over southwest Gangetic West Bengal and surrounding regions is expected to bring widespread heavy rainfall to several parts of India over the next few days, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday.
Central and eastern India are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall for the next three to four days, with isolated pockets – particularly in east Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, and interior Odisha – experiencing extremely heavy downpour (21 cm or more) on Monday.
Northwest India and the West Coast are also set to receive continued heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next four to five days.
Very heavy showers are expected in Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, east Rajasthan, Konkan, and central Maharashtra from July 7-10. Similar rainfall is predicted for Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya today; while Odisha is expected to experience heavy rain today and tomorrow.
Vidarbha and Telangana will likely see intense rainfall on July 8-9, Chhattisgarh on July 8, and Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on Monday and Tuesday.
Weather forecast for Delhi-NCR
In Delhi-NCR, residents can expect a series of cool and rainy days ahead.
Today, the sky will remain generally cloudy with light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 31 and 33°C, which is 4 to 6 degrees below normal. Winds will blow from the southwest at speeds below 15 kmph in the afternoon and shift to a southeast direction at 8–12 kmph by evening.
Similar weather is expected on July 8, with cloudy skies and light to moderate rain. Daytime temperatures will hover between 32 and 34°C, and nighttime lows will range from 23 to 25°C—both below seasonal averages. Wind patterns will shift throughout the day, moving from the southwest in the morning to the northwest by evening, with speeds up to 20 kmph.
The rain pattern will continue on July 9, with moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning. Temperatures are forecast to remain cooler than normal, ranging from 31 to 33°C during the day and 24 to 26°C at night. Winds will begin from the northeast in the morning and shift to an easterly direction by afternoon, gradually slowing down by night.
On July 10, Delhi is expected to receive very light to light rain, with partly cloudy skies persisting. Maximum temperatures will stay between 32 and 34°C, while minimums will be around 24 to 26°C. Winds will predominantly flow from the southeast, becoming lighter throughout the day.
The IMD’s extended forecast suggests a continued spell of monsoon activity, providing welcome relief from earlier hot and humid conditions, while also raising concerns about waterlogging and localised flooding in low-lying areas.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HANGZHOU, July 7 — East China’s Zhejiang Province has elevated its typhoon emergency response to Level III at 10 a.m. Monday, as Typhoon Danas, the fourth typhoon of this year, moves closer.
According to the province’s meteorological observatory, the center of Typhoon Danas made landfall along the coast of Taiwan’s Chiayi City in the wee hours on Monday. After making landfall, Danas continued to move northward.
At 7:00 a.m., its center was located over the sea, approximately 258 km southeast of Wenzhou, Zhejiang. It is expected to make landfall again along the coast between Taizhou in Zhejiang and Fuzhou in neighboring Fujian Province, sometime between the afternoon and night of July 8.
From July 7 to 9, central and southern Zhejiang, as well as nearby coastal regions, are expected to receive total rainfall of 60 to 90 mm due to Danas, with precipitation in some areas potentially exceeding 350 mm.
Zhejiang has urged all coastal regions and departments to closely monitor the typhoon’s path, strengthen joint consultations, and implement prevention measures in line with the contingency plan. These include sheltering ships, suspending sea routes and halting construction projects.
China’s national observatory also renewed a yellow alert for Typhoon Danas on Sunday as it is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain.
China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system for typhoons, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CHONGQING, July 7 (Xinhua) — A week after the official opening of a new section of the Chongqing-Xiamen high-speed railway, a key transportation hub on the route, Chongqing East Railway Station in southwest China, has been put into operation.
From the receipt of design documents in May 2022 to the official opening of the facility, it took 38 months to complete the largest high-speed railway station in western China. Behind this grandiose project are the heroes left behind the scenes – robots.
According to Sun Haoran, project manager for the station from China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG), the station serves as a pilot project for “integrating a station into an urban environment” as part of the country’s efforts to strengthen transportation infrastructure.
Located in Nan’an District of Chongqing, the station has 15 platforms and 29 tracks. The eight-story station building occupies a total construction area of 1.22 million square meters, equivalent to 170 standard football fields. The roof area of the facility is about 120,000 square meters, and its weight reaches 16,500 tons.
“The scale of the station roof alone is colossal, making the construction complex and associated with high safety risks,” Sun Haoran said.
Indeed, in this city, where temperatures regularly reach 40 degrees Celsius during the scorching summer sun, building a large-scale transport hub on difficult terrain requires innovation.
Robots have made a quiet revolution, transforming traditional construction work in extreme conditions.
“Leveling the surface in 40-degree heat used to result in workers fainting from heatstroke,” said Huang Pingqing, a project manager at the 11th Bureau of China Railway.
“Now laser robots perform this work with millimetre accuracy three times faster than a human, reducing labour costs by 40 percent,” he added.
“At the same time, in this mountainous area, which is as hot as a furnace in the summer, steel does not sweat,” he added, and proudly presented his “robotic army.”
Four-wheeled laser leveling machines equipped with lidar, AI algorithms and 5G connectivity have replaced manual concrete leveling. While workers remotely monitor them from cool shelters, the robots’ precision work reduces waste.
Patrol robots, regardless of night or rain, work around the clock. Using AI vision, they detect the absence of helmets or incorrectly parked cars within a radius of 100 meters during the day or 50 meters at night, reducing the time to detect violations by 90 percent and increasing the efficiency of quality control by four times, he noted.
Glass installation robots handle 800-kilogram panels for high-rise facades. Precision servo drives position massive glass units with millimeter accuracy, speeding up installation three times and reducing the risk of accidents by 90 percent compared to the manual lifting of giant glass units by dozens of workers.
All-round welding robots were used to join overhead pipelines. Capable of controlling movement with an accuracy of 0.1 mm, they sealed the joint of an 800 mm diameter steel pipe in two hours – three times faster than the manual method – ensuring consistent quality of work carried out at height.
“Robots free our teams from working in unbearable heat,” Huang Pingqing emphasized. “They are not just something, but important and irreplaceable partners.”
Data from the 11th Bureau of China Railway Corporation confirmed that robotics has tripled average labor productivity and nearly halved labor costs.
In addition, safety-related accidents have been reduced by 90 percent, despite summer heat waves regularly testing the limits of construction capabilities in the city’s challenging terrain, including record temperatures in 2022 and 2024 that saw traditional construction sites suspend work during daylight hours.
“This is how technology serves people – building faster, safer and smarter even in Chongqing’s ‘firebox,’” Huang Pinqing said.
The mountainous metropolis is also accelerating its adoption of automation to transform infrastructure development and beyond.
According to the Chongqing Economic and Information Technology Commission, in recent years the city has developed action plans to promote the application of robots and develop future industries, laying the institutional foundation for the development of the robotics industry.
By 2024, the city’s robot production capacity exceeded 60,000 units, and the total output value of the entire production chain exceeded 37 billion yuan (about 5.17 billion US dollars).
At the same time, the city is forming a cluster of intelligent equipment that is internationally competitive.
At present, Chongqing has gathered more than 300 key robotics enterprises and established 31 R&D platforms, including the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Robotics Testing Center.
This has resulted in the creation of a comprehensive ecosystem covering R&D, manufacturing, testing, systems integration, component supply, training and application services. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HANOI, July 7 (Xinhua) — Eight people, including six adults and two children, were killed in a fire that broke out late Sunday at a residential complex in Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
The fire broke out at around 10:00 pm local time on the first floor of a residential complex in Phu Tho Hoa district.
Neighbours tried to put out the fire with portable fire extinguishers, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
The fire spread quickly, leading to a chaotic evacuation as residents fled the building in panic.
Many vehicles, including motorcycles, bicycles and cars, were completely destroyed by the fire.
According to Vietnam’s National Statistics Office, a total of 1,723 fires and explosions occurred across the country in the first half of this year, killing 48 people and injuring 75. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ABUJA, July 7 (Xinhua) — At least 21 people were killed and three others injured on Sunday when a truck and a bus collided in Nigeria’s northern Kano state.
The accident occurred on the Zaria-Kano highway in Kasuwar Dogo area due to the bus driver deviating from the route, said Mohammed Bature, Kano State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
The accident resulted in a fire that engulfed both vehicles, he said, adding that the victims were taken to a government hospital.
Fatal road accidents are common in Nigeria, mainly due to overloaded vehicles, poor road conditions and reckless driving. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Geraldine Reuteler got the opening goal and Alayah Pilgrim scored a late second as hosts Switzerland beat Iceland 2-0 on Sunday to keep alive their hopes of a place in the knockout stage by registering their first win in Group A at the Women’s Euros.
The result means Norway, who beat Finland 2-1 earlier on Sunday, will go through as group winners, while the Swiss will play Finland in their final group game in Geneva on Wednesday with second place and a spot in the last eight up for grabs.
Iceland became the first team to be eliminated from the competition.
“We wanted to win that game and we got carried by our fans. In the end we created the chances needed to win… I am so happy,” Swiss captain Lia Walti said.
The tropical heat of the last week gave way to a cool evening and a light but persistent rain that made the pitch slick and slippery, raising the stakes for the two sides, neither of whom had much margin for error after losing their opening group games.
There were ominous signs for the hosts in the first minute when Ingibjorg Sigurdarsdottir sent a thunderous shot off the crossbar, shocking the majority of the 29,658 fans in attendance.
The Swiss had the ball in the net on the half-hour mark after Svenja Foelmli’s header was helped into her own goal by Glodis Viggosdottir, but the strike was ruled out after a VAR review found that Foelmli had committed a foul in the build-up.
It took until the 76th minute for Reuteler to break the deadlock in a tough, tense encounter as Iceland lost the ball in midfield and Sydney Schertenlieb slid it into her path to fire home confidently, capping off another superb individual display.
Substitute Pilgrim then wrapped up the three points with a deflected shot that flew into the net to send the crowd into a frenzy, with the promise of another big night of football for the hosts on the immediate horizon.
“When we scored the first goal, the 1-0, it was a fantastic feeling — now there are 30,000 in the stands who are celebrating for us. It’s a good feeling, it was overwhelming in a way. It just exploded in here,” Swiss midfielder Smilla Valotto told reporters.
“That was up and down and back and forth. It was a fight and, at the end of the day, I think we did well,” Swiss coach Pia Sundhage said with a mixture of elation and relief.
“It’s difficult to play against Iceland because of all the duels, they’re good in the air. But we met that and we managed to do so with a clean sheet and score two goals, we are very happy about that.”
Sundhage said she would have no problem getting her squad to focus on the next task against Finland.
“I feel that the team is getting tighter and tighter. And that’s very important in order to win anything, believing each other, and believe that you can win,” she told reporters.
Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka and men’s defending champion Carlos Alcaraz both survived tough tests to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and Cameron Norrie kept alive British singles hopes after surviving a five-set thriller on Sunday.
Sabalenka ruined home favourite Emma Raducanu’s dream in the previous round but had the Centre Court crowd cheering her on as she beat Elise Mertens 6-4 7-6(4) in a high-quality duel.
Wimbledon’s new automated line-calling technology came under fire after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.
Spaniard Alcaraz came through a ferocious firefight against Russian 14th seed Andrey Rublev 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 6-4 to stay on course for a third successive title.
“Andrey is one of the most powerful players we have on Tour and is so aggressive with the ball. He forces you to the limit on each point,” Alcaraz, bidding to become only the fourth man to win back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles multiple times, said on court.
The 22-year-old second seed extended his current winning streak to 22 matches and will take on Norrie for a place in the semi-finals after the unseeded Briton soaked up 46 aces from towering Chilean Nicolas Jarry to win a feisty Court One battle 6-3 7-6(4) 6-7(7) 6-7(5) 6-3.
While Alcaraz seeks a Wimbledon hat-trick, Sabalenka is eyeing her first title on the London lawns after missing last year’s tournament with injury and the 2022 edition due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, and the 27-year-old made a fast start against Mertens.
Sabalenka, who claimed doubles titles at the U.S. Open and Australian Open partnering Mertens, was then put through the wringer before raising her level to prevail.
The victory improved her win-loss record against Belgian Mertens to 11-2 and she said the growing adoration of the crowd made a big difference after fans were on the other side of the fence when she met Raducanu on Friday.
“I definitely felt the support. It was so amazing playing and feeling the support. I didn’t have to pretend that they were cheering for me because they were really cheering for me,” said Sabalenka, who will face the 37-year-old German Laura Siegemund in the quarter-finals.
“What can be better than that? I really enjoyed it. I hope it can stay the same all the way, and they help me energy-wise to stay strong and to face all of the challenges.”
HEAVY SHOWERS
Siegemund, the second-oldest player to start in the women’s draw this year, swatted aside plucky Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra with a 6-3 6-2 victory in a Court Two match interrupted by the heavy showers that prompted organisers to shut the roofs for the day’s play on Centre Court and Court One.
While Sierra was the first lucky loser to reach the last 16 in the professional era, Siegemund created her own slice of history by becoming the oldest woman to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final.
Explaining her run, Siegemund said it was simple.
“It’s like you have an opponent. Either you find good solutions and you execute well, you go forward, or you don’t, and you don’t go forward. So it’s very simple,” she said.
Sierra’s fellow South American, Jarry, fought back brilliantly against Norrie after saving a match point in the third-set tiebreak but fell short in a needle match.
Jarry seemed irritated at times during the heat of battle and the players exchanged words at the end.
“Cameron played unbelievable. Not unbelievable, played great. He did his job. He plays like that,” said qualifier Jarry, whose total ace count reached a tournament-leading 111.
Asked what happened, Norrie said there had been no problem.
“I think he just said I was being a little bit too vocal,” he said. “Honestly, nothing but credit to Nico for his performance. I guess we both really wanted to win.”
Norrie, a 2022 semi-finalist, is the last British hope after the unseeded Kartal’s run ended with a 7-6(3) 6-4 defeat by experienced Russian Pavlyuchenkova.
The big talking point in that match was the malfunction of the Electronic Line Calling system, which left the Russian former French Open runner-up seething after being robbed of a game point at 4-4 in the opening set when there was no ‘out’ call despite a Kartal shot landing over the baseline.
Umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone and then ruled that the point should be replayed, with Pavlyuchenkova going on to have her serve broken.
“We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” she said. “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative.
“That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t. I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”
Organisers said it had been caused by the system being ‘deactivated in error’.
American fifth seed Taylor Fritz marched on after his Australian opponent Jordan Thompson retired with a thigh injury at 6-1 3-0 down in their fourth-round meeting.
Up next for Fritz is a meeting with Russian 17th seed Karen Khachanov who thumped Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-4 6-2 6-3.
Fritz is not the only American to reach the quarter-finals, after 13th seed Amanda Anisimova beat Linda Noskova 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the day’s final action.
Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka and men’s defending champion Carlos Alcaraz both survived tough tests to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and Cameron Norrie kept alive British singles hopes after surviving a five-set thriller on Sunday.
Sabalenka ruined home favourite Emma Raducanu’s dream in the previous round but had the Centre Court crowd cheering her on as she beat Elise Mertens 6-4 7-6(4) in a high-quality duel.
Wimbledon’s new automated line-calling technology came under fire after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.
Spaniard Alcaraz came through a ferocious firefight against Russian 14th seed Andrey Rublev 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 6-4 to stay on course for a third successive title.
“Andrey is one of the most powerful players we have on Tour and is so aggressive with the ball. He forces you to the limit on each point,” Alcaraz, bidding to become only the fourth man to win back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles multiple times, said on court.
The 22-year-old second seed extended his current winning streak to 22 matches and will take on Norrie for a place in the semi-finals after the unseeded Briton soaked up 46 aces from towering Chilean Nicolas Jarry to win a feisty Court One battle 6-3 7-6(4) 6-7(7) 6-7(5) 6-3.
While Alcaraz seeks a Wimbledon hat-trick, Sabalenka is eyeing her first title on the London lawns after missing last year’s tournament with injury and the 2022 edition due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, and the 27-year-old made a fast start against Mertens.
Sabalenka, who claimed doubles titles at the U.S. Open and Australian Open partnering Mertens, was then put through the wringer before raising her level to prevail.
The victory improved her win-loss record against Belgian Mertens to 11-2 and she said the growing adoration of the crowd made a big difference after fans were on the other side of the fence when she met Raducanu on Friday.
“I definitely felt the support. It was so amazing playing and feeling the support. I didn’t have to pretend that they were cheering for me because they were really cheering for me,” said Sabalenka, who will face the 37-year-old German Laura Siegemund in the quarter-finals.
“What can be better than that? I really enjoyed it. I hope it can stay the same all the way, and they help me energy-wise to stay strong and to face all of the challenges.”
HEAVY SHOWERS
Siegemund, the second-oldest player to start in the women’s draw this year, swatted aside plucky Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra with a 6-3 6-2 victory in a Court Two match interrupted by the heavy showers that prompted organisers to shut the roofs for the day’s play on Centre Court and Court One.
While Sierra was the first lucky loser to reach the last 16 in the professional era, Siegemund created her own slice of history by becoming the oldest woman to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final.
Explaining her run, Siegemund said it was simple.
“It’s like you have an opponent. Either you find good solutions and you execute well, you go forward, or you don’t, and you don’t go forward. So it’s very simple,” she said.
Sierra’s fellow South American, Jarry, fought back brilliantly against Norrie after saving a match point in the third-set tiebreak but fell short in a needle match.
Jarry seemed irritated at times during the heat of battle and the players exchanged words at the end.
“Cameron played unbelievable. Not unbelievable, played great. He did his job. He plays like that,” said qualifier Jarry, whose total ace count reached a tournament-leading 111.
Asked what happened, Norrie said there had been no problem.
“I think he just said I was being a little bit too vocal,” he said. “Honestly, nothing but credit to Nico for his performance. I guess we both really wanted to win.”
Norrie, a 2022 semi-finalist, is the last British hope after the unseeded Kartal’s run ended with a 7-6(3) 6-4 defeat by experienced Russian Pavlyuchenkova.
The big talking point in that match was the malfunction of the Electronic Line Calling system, which left the Russian former French Open runner-up seething after being robbed of a game point at 4-4 in the opening set when there was no ‘out’ call despite a Kartal shot landing over the baseline.
Umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone and then ruled that the point should be replayed, with Pavlyuchenkova going on to have her serve broken.
“We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” she said. “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative.
“That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t. I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”
Organisers said it had been caused by the system being ‘deactivated in error’.
American fifth seed Taylor Fritz marched on after his Australian opponent Jordan Thompson retired with a thigh injury at 6-1 3-0 down in their fourth-round meeting.
Up next for Fritz is a meeting with Russian 17th seed Karen Khachanov who thumped Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-4 6-2 6-3.
Fritz is not the only American to reach the quarter-finals, after 13th seed Amanda Anisimova beat Linda Noskova 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the day’s final action.
Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka and men’s defending champion Carlos Alcaraz both survived tough tests to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and Cameron Norrie kept alive British singles hopes after surviving a five-set thriller on Sunday.
Sabalenka ruined home favourite Emma Raducanu’s dream in the previous round but had the Centre Court crowd cheering her on as she beat Elise Mertens 6-4 7-6(4) in a high-quality duel.
Wimbledon’s new automated line-calling technology came under fire after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Centre Court.
Spaniard Alcaraz came through a ferocious firefight against Russian 14th seed Andrey Rublev 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 6-4 to stay on course for a third successive title.
“Andrey is one of the most powerful players we have on Tour and is so aggressive with the ball. He forces you to the limit on each point,” Alcaraz, bidding to become only the fourth man to win back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles multiple times, said on court.
The 22-year-old second seed extended his current winning streak to 22 matches and will take on Norrie for a place in the semi-finals after the unseeded Briton soaked up 46 aces from towering Chilean Nicolas Jarry to win a feisty Court One battle 6-3 7-6(4) 6-7(7) 6-7(5) 6-3.
While Alcaraz seeks a Wimbledon hat-trick, Sabalenka is eyeing her first title on the London lawns after missing last year’s tournament with injury and the 2022 edition due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, and the 27-year-old made a fast start against Mertens.
Sabalenka, who claimed doubles titles at the U.S. Open and Australian Open partnering Mertens, was then put through the wringer before raising her level to prevail.
The victory improved her win-loss record against Belgian Mertens to 11-2 and she said the growing adoration of the crowd made a big difference after fans were on the other side of the fence when she met Raducanu on Friday.
“I definitely felt the support. It was so amazing playing and feeling the support. I didn’t have to pretend that they were cheering for me because they were really cheering for me,” said Sabalenka, who will face the 37-year-old German Laura Siegemund in the quarter-finals.
“What can be better than that? I really enjoyed it. I hope it can stay the same all the way, and they help me energy-wise to stay strong and to face all of the challenges.”
HEAVY SHOWERS
Siegemund, the second-oldest player to start in the women’s draw this year, swatted aside plucky Argentine lucky loser Solana Sierra with a 6-3 6-2 victory in a Court Two match interrupted by the heavy showers that prompted organisers to shut the roofs for the day’s play on Centre Court and Court One.
While Sierra was the first lucky loser to reach the last 16 in the professional era, Siegemund created her own slice of history by becoming the oldest woman to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final.
Explaining her run, Siegemund said it was simple.
“It’s like you have an opponent. Either you find good solutions and you execute well, you go forward, or you don’t, and you don’t go forward. So it’s very simple,” she said.
Sierra’s fellow South American, Jarry, fought back brilliantly against Norrie after saving a match point in the third-set tiebreak but fell short in a needle match.
Jarry seemed irritated at times during the heat of battle and the players exchanged words at the end.
“Cameron played unbelievable. Not unbelievable, played great. He did his job. He plays like that,” said qualifier Jarry, whose total ace count reached a tournament-leading 111.
Asked what happened, Norrie said there had been no problem.
“I think he just said I was being a little bit too vocal,” he said. “Honestly, nothing but credit to Nico for his performance. I guess we both really wanted to win.”
Norrie, a 2022 semi-finalist, is the last British hope after the unseeded Kartal’s run ended with a 7-6(3) 6-4 defeat by experienced Russian Pavlyuchenkova.
The big talking point in that match was the malfunction of the Electronic Line Calling system, which left the Russian former French Open runner-up seething after being robbed of a game point at 4-4 in the opening set when there was no ‘out’ call despite a Kartal shot landing over the baseline.
Umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone and then ruled that the point should be replayed, with Pavlyuchenkova going on to have her serve broken.
“We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,” she said. “I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative.
“That’s why he’s there sitting on the chair. He also saw it (was) out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn’t. I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”
Organisers said it had been caused by the system being ‘deactivated in error’.
American fifth seed Taylor Fritz marched on after his Australian opponent Jordan Thompson retired with a thigh injury at 6-1 3-0 down in their fourth-round meeting.
Up next for Fritz is a meeting with Russian 17th seed Karen Khachanov who thumped Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 6-4 6-2 6-3.
Fritz is not the only American to reach the quarter-finals, after 13th seed Amanda Anisimova beat Linda Noskova 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the day’s final action.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SANAA/JERUSALEM, July 7 (Xinhua) — Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s Red Sea ports in the western province of Hodeida late Sunday.
The strikes came minutes after the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation warning on the X social media platform. Witnesses reported explosions in several locations along Yemen’s west coast, including the port of Hodeida.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that the strikes targeted what he described as Houthi strongholds, including the ports of Hodeida, al-Salif and Ras Isa, the Ras Katib power plant and the Galaxy Leader ship, which was captured by Houthi forces in November 2023.
He suggested that a wider escalation could follow. “Yemen will be treated the same way as Tehran,” he said. “The Houthis will continue to pay a high price for their actions.”
Earlier on Sunday, a rocket fired by Houthi forces triggered air raid sirens in southern Israel and was intercepted without casualties, the Israeli army said. The Houthis said it was a hypersonic missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
Israel has carried out several strikes on key ports and infrastructure in Yemen in recent months, while the Houthis continue to fire rockets into Israel while declaring solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. –0–
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Harrowing stories are emerging in the wake of catastrophic and sudden flooding over the fourth of July weekend in Texas – where many people were camping, and children were at riverside summer camp.
More than 80 people are confirmed dead (28 of whom were children) and 12 people are still missing. Parents have described finding children’s bodies while picking through flood debris searching for their own missing kids.
Sudden floods can also happen in Australia, as seen recently in New South Wales around Taree and Lismore, in the wake of ex-Cyclone Alfred.
As climate change makes severe weather events more frequent, it’s worth asking: how ready is Australia for its next sudden flood? And what could help to encourage people to leave while there’s still time?
It’s hard to appreciate how suddenly floods happen
Decades of research shows disasters can emerge and change very quickly. Hazards at night are especially difficult, because much can change while people are sleeping.
Even when flood warnings are issued, authorities can struggle to convince people the problem will affect them.
People often base their risk assessments on what’s happened in the past. So, if they live in an area that has experienced minor flooding before, they may think the current flood will be similarly minor.
Research also shows people often wait for extra evidence to confirm the initial warnings from officials. They might look to see if people around them are preparing to leave, or look for cues from the environment such as a sudden burst of loud rain.
Unfortunately, waiting can mean you miss the opportunity to leave. A road may close, or services may be overwhelmed and evacuation may no longer be an option. Escape options can narrow incredibly quickly, especially when people are asleep.
What about early warning systems?
The Albanese government announced in 2023 it would spend A$236 million over a decade to establish a national flood warning network. This will involve buying and upgrading flood gauges across Australia and trying to repair what the government has called “patchwork flood gauge network”.
That’s important, and it’s also positive to see other research on ways we can use existing technology infrastructure such as mobile phone towers to get early warnings on rising floodwaters.
But technology is only one part of the bigger picture. As growing body of research shows, many people do not evacuate even when warned about floods or fire.
Communicating risk in a disaster
Authorities must find ways to communicate disaster risk in a way that people will respond to.
Research shows getting the message out through as many channels as possible is crucial. People need to hear about the warnings on TV and on radio and online through various platforms and via local groups as well as national authorities.
The evidence also suggests people are more likely to trust messages coming from others in their community.
So, emergency agencies should work through community “champions” to help spread the word about an impending flood threat. It could be the principal of a school, a trusted source in a non-English speaking community, local emergency services volunteers or the manager of a local neighbourhood centre.
Emergency and government agencies need to identify trusted sources in communities, and build connections with them, before the crisis arrives to ensure information is disseminated smoothly in an emergency.
Tailoring information is key
Many people hear warnings and believe a flood is coming, but may think the worst impacts won’t happen in their area. This is a very common misconception.
That’s why information should be tailored so people understand the risk at their particular location.
Helping people understand the consequences of not evacuating is also vital. This might mean messaging such as “if you don’t leave now, the floods will be over your roof and we may not be able to come and rescue you or your children or pet”.
Residents may not understand how fast floodwaters can move, that conditions may be very choppy and windy, or that large and dangerous debris will be coming at them and their children in a flood. This should also be communicated clearly.
Education prior to the crisis event can help people understand what flood waters can do at their location. This community awareness should be conducted in flood-prone areas at regular intervals.
Localised, tailored information can help people understand what will happen to them and their families if they don’t leave early enough – hopefully preventing devastating death tolls of the kind Texas is now grappling with.
Erica Kuligowski has received funding from the Australian Research Council and from Natural Hazards Research Australia.
Harrowing stories are emerging in the wake of catastrophic and sudden flooding over the fourth of July weekend in Texas – where many people were camping, and children were at riverside summer camp.
More than 80 people are confirmed dead (28 of whom were children) and 12 people are still missing. Parents have described finding children’s bodies while picking through flood debris searching for their own missing kids.
Sudden floods can also happen in Australia, as seen recently in New South Wales around Taree and Lismore, in the wake of ex-Cyclone Alfred.
As climate change makes severe weather events more frequent, it’s worth asking: how ready is Australia for its next sudden flood? And what could help to encourage people to leave while there’s still time?
It’s hard to appreciate how suddenly floods happen
Decades of research shows disasters can emerge and change very quickly. Hazards at night are especially difficult, because much can change while people are sleeping.
Even when flood warnings are issued, authorities can struggle to convince people the problem will affect them.
People often base their risk assessments on what’s happened in the past. So, if they live in an area that has experienced minor flooding before, they may think the current flood will be similarly minor.
Research also shows people often wait for extra evidence to confirm the initial warnings from officials. They might look to see if people around them are preparing to leave, or look for cues from the environment such as a sudden burst of loud rain.
Unfortunately, waiting can mean you miss the opportunity to leave. A road may close, or services may be overwhelmed and evacuation may no longer be an option. Escape options can narrow incredibly quickly, especially when people are asleep.
What about early warning systems?
The Albanese government announced in 2023 it would spend A$236 million over a decade to establish a national flood warning network. This will involve buying and upgrading flood gauges across Australia and trying to repair what the government has called “patchwork flood gauge network”.
That’s important, and it’s also positive to see other research on ways we can use existing technology infrastructure such as mobile phone towers to get early warnings on rising floodwaters.
But technology is only one part of the bigger picture. As growing body of research shows, many people do not evacuate even when warned about floods or fire.
Communicating risk in a disaster
Authorities must find ways to communicate disaster risk in a way that people will respond to.
Research shows getting the message out through as many channels as possible is crucial. People need to hear about the warnings on TV and on radio and online through various platforms and via local groups as well as national authorities.
The evidence also suggests people are more likely to trust messages coming from others in their community.
So, emergency agencies should work through community “champions” to help spread the word about an impending flood threat. It could be the principal of a school, a trusted source in a non-English speaking community, local emergency services volunteers or the manager of a local neighbourhood centre.
Emergency and government agencies need to identify trusted sources in communities, and build connections with them, before the crisis arrives to ensure information is disseminated smoothly in an emergency.
Tailoring information is key
Many people hear warnings and believe a flood is coming, but may think the worst impacts won’t happen in their area. This is a very common misconception.
That’s why information should be tailored so people understand the risk at their particular location.
Helping people understand the consequences of not evacuating is also vital. This might mean messaging such as “if you don’t leave now, the floods will be over your roof and we may not be able to come and rescue you or your children or pet”.
Residents may not understand how fast floodwaters can move, that conditions may be very choppy and windy, or that large and dangerous debris will be coming at them and their children in a flood. This should also be communicated clearly.
Education prior to the crisis event can help people understand what flood waters can do at their location. This community awareness should be conducted in flood-prone areas at regular intervals.
Localised, tailored information can help people understand what will happen to them and their families if they don’t leave early enough – hopefully preventing devastating death tolls of the kind Texas is now grappling with.
Erica Kuligowski has received funding from the Australian Research Council and from Natural Hazards Research Australia.
Harrowing stories are emerging in the wake of catastrophic and sudden flooding over the fourth of July weekend in Texas – where many people were camping, and children were at riverside summer camp.
More than 80 people are confirmed dead (28 of whom were children) and 12 people are still missing. Parents have described finding children’s bodies while picking through flood debris searching for their own missing kids.
Sudden floods can also happen in Australia, as seen recently in New South Wales around Taree and Lismore, in the wake of ex-Cyclone Alfred.
As climate change makes severe weather events more frequent, it’s worth asking: how ready is Australia for its next sudden flood? And what could help to encourage people to leave while there’s still time?
It’s hard to appreciate how suddenly floods happen
Decades of research shows disasters can emerge and change very quickly. Hazards at night are especially difficult, because much can change while people are sleeping.
Even when flood warnings are issued, authorities can struggle to convince people the problem will affect them.
People often base their risk assessments on what’s happened in the past. So, if they live in an area that has experienced minor flooding before, they may think the current flood will be similarly minor.
Research also shows people often wait for extra evidence to confirm the initial warnings from officials. They might look to see if people around them are preparing to leave, or look for cues from the environment such as a sudden burst of loud rain.
Unfortunately, waiting can mean you miss the opportunity to leave. A road may close, or services may be overwhelmed and evacuation may no longer be an option. Escape options can narrow incredibly quickly, especially when people are asleep.
What about early warning systems?
The Albanese government announced in 2023 it would spend A$236 million over a decade to establish a national flood warning network. This will involve buying and upgrading flood gauges across Australia and trying to repair what the government has called “patchwork flood gauge network”.
That’s important, and it’s also positive to see other research on ways we can use existing technology infrastructure such as mobile phone towers to get early warnings on rising floodwaters.
But technology is only one part of the bigger picture. As growing body of research shows, many people do not evacuate even when warned about floods or fire.
Communicating risk in a disaster
Authorities must find ways to communicate disaster risk in a way that people will respond to.
Research shows getting the message out through as many channels as possible is crucial. People need to hear about the warnings on TV and on radio and online through various platforms and via local groups as well as national authorities.
The evidence also suggests people are more likely to trust messages coming from others in their community.
So, emergency agencies should work through community “champions” to help spread the word about an impending flood threat. It could be the principal of a school, a trusted source in a non-English speaking community, local emergency services volunteers or the manager of a local neighbourhood centre.
Emergency and government agencies need to identify trusted sources in communities, and build connections with them, before the crisis arrives to ensure information is disseminated smoothly in an emergency.
Tailoring information is key
Many people hear warnings and believe a flood is coming, but may think the worst impacts won’t happen in their area. This is a very common misconception.
That’s why information should be tailored so people understand the risk at their particular location.
Helping people understand the consequences of not evacuating is also vital. This might mean messaging such as “if you don’t leave now, the floods will be over your roof and we may not be able to come and rescue you or your children or pet”.
Residents may not understand how fast floodwaters can move, that conditions may be very choppy and windy, or that large and dangerous debris will be coming at them and their children in a flood. This should also be communicated clearly.
Education prior to the crisis event can help people understand what flood waters can do at their location. This community awareness should be conducted in flood-prone areas at regular intervals.
Localised, tailored information can help people understand what will happen to them and their families if they don’t leave early enough – hopefully preventing devastating death tolls of the kind Texas is now grappling with.
Erica Kuligowski has received funding from the Australian Research Council and from Natural Hazards Research Australia.
Harrowing stories are emerging in the wake of catastrophic and sudden flooding over the fourth of July weekend in Texas – where many people were camping, and children were at riverside summer camp.
More than 80 people are confirmed dead (28 of whom were children) and 12 people are still missing. Parents have described finding children’s bodies while picking through flood debris searching for their own missing kids.
Sudden floods can also happen in Australia, as seen recently in New South Wales around Taree and Lismore, in the wake of ex-Cyclone Alfred.
As climate change makes severe weather events more frequent, it’s worth asking: how ready is Australia for its next sudden flood? And what could help to encourage people to leave while there’s still time?
It’s hard to appreciate how suddenly floods happen
Decades of research shows disasters can emerge and change very quickly. Hazards at night are especially difficult, because much can change while people are sleeping.
Even when flood warnings are issued, authorities can struggle to convince people the problem will affect them.
People often base their risk assessments on what’s happened in the past. So, if they live in an area that has experienced minor flooding before, they may think the current flood will be similarly minor.
Research also shows people often wait for extra evidence to confirm the initial warnings from officials. They might look to see if people around them are preparing to leave, or look for cues from the environment such as a sudden burst of loud rain.
Unfortunately, waiting can mean you miss the opportunity to leave. A road may close, or services may be overwhelmed and evacuation may no longer be an option. Escape options can narrow incredibly quickly, especially when people are asleep.
What about early warning systems?
The Albanese government announced in 2023 it would spend A$236 million over a decade to establish a national flood warning network. This will involve buying and upgrading flood gauges across Australia and trying to repair what the government has called “patchwork flood gauge network”.
That’s important, and it’s also positive to see other research on ways we can use existing technology infrastructure such as mobile phone towers to get early warnings on rising floodwaters.
But technology is only one part of the bigger picture. As growing body of research shows, many people do not evacuate even when warned about floods or fire.
Communicating risk in a disaster
Authorities must find ways to communicate disaster risk in a way that people will respond to.
Research shows getting the message out through as many channels as possible is crucial. People need to hear about the warnings on TV and on radio and online through various platforms and via local groups as well as national authorities.
The evidence also suggests people are more likely to trust messages coming from others in their community.
So, emergency agencies should work through community “champions” to help spread the word about an impending flood threat. It could be the principal of a school, a trusted source in a non-English speaking community, local emergency services volunteers or the manager of a local neighbourhood centre.
Emergency and government agencies need to identify trusted sources in communities, and build connections with them, before the crisis arrives to ensure information is disseminated smoothly in an emergency.
Tailoring information is key
Many people hear warnings and believe a flood is coming, but may think the worst impacts won’t happen in their area. This is a very common misconception.
That’s why information should be tailored so people understand the risk at their particular location.
Helping people understand the consequences of not evacuating is also vital. This might mean messaging such as “if you don’t leave now, the floods will be over your roof and we may not be able to come and rescue you or your children or pet”.
Residents may not understand how fast floodwaters can move, that conditions may be very choppy and windy, or that large and dangerous debris will be coming at them and their children in a flood. This should also be communicated clearly.
Education prior to the crisis event can help people understand what flood waters can do at their location. This community awareness should be conducted in flood-prone areas at regular intervals.
Localised, tailored information can help people understand what will happen to them and their families if they don’t leave early enough – hopefully preventing devastating death tolls of the kind Texas is now grappling with.
Erica Kuligowski has received funding from the Australian Research Council and from Natural Hazards Research Australia.