Hurricane Milton delays 4 astronauts’ return home as crew member shares pics
Hurricane Milton isn’t just disrupting plans on Earth but in space as well. NASA has revealed that four astronauts will have to wait a few days longer than expected to return home because of the hurricane. NASA and SpaceX originally scheduled departure for Monday, Oct. 7, for the Crew-8 Mission from the International Space Station (ISS).
However, Hurricane Milton is on a direct path for Florida’s coast, where the crew planned on splashing down. Now, the astronauts won’t be able to depart from the ISS until at least Sunday, Oct. 13.
In the meantime, crew member Matthew Dominick posted an incredible picture and timelapse video from space on the social media platform X on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Dominick promised to provide more pictures and video outside the Dragon Endeavour’s window as the crew waits to undock and return home.
NASA and SpaceX said that they are continuing to monitor conditions to see when a safe return is possible and they will provide an update on Friday, Oct. 11.
Crew-8’s departure plans went into effect with the arrival of SpaceX’s Crew-9 Mission late last month, which was delayed two days because of Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s already hard-hit west coast
Hurricane Milton, which strengthened to a Category 5 storm, spins closer to southwest Florida. And it’ll cost you a little more for a chance at the big Mega Millions jackpot. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s already hard-hit west coast
Still reeling from Hurricane Helene, Florida’s west coast is hunkering down once again as Hurricane Milton barrels that way. As of early Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, it was a Category 4 storm.
The storm intensified to a major Category 5 hurricane Monday before being downgraded. Still, it threatens to bring torrential rain to already-soaked and flooded parts of the Sunshine State.
The National Hurricane Center said people on Florida’s west coast should expect “devastating hurricane force winds” and life-threatening storm surges. Some predictions call for 15 feet of storm surge.
Evacuations have already been ordered in some parts of the state, including the Tampa Bay area. Residents in some areas have been told first responders are not expected to risk their lives to try to save those who do evacuate in time.
Less than 24 hours after the world marked one year of war in the Middle East, Israel exchanged deadly strikes with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah has been striking Israel since its war with Hamas began as a show of solidarity for the other Iran-backed militant group, but the deadly violence has escalated significantly in recent weeks, with the killings of top Hezbollah leaders.
Trump, Harris commemorate anniversary of Oct. 7 terror attacks
As the 2024 presidential campaign heads into the final four weeks, both candidates marked the anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
On Monday morning, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump visited the New York gravesite of a renowned rabbi in the Orthodox Judaism community, leaving a stone atop the headstone, a traditional Jewish custom.
Trump later held a remembrance ceremony at his golf club in Miami, which included Jewish community leaders, Holocaust survivors and Republican lawmakers.
“October 7 was not just the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, it was not just the worst terror attack since 9/11, it was an attack on humanity itself,” Trump said. “It was a hideous, incredible cruelty. It was chilling savagery. It was a demonic delight and the destruction of innocent life. On October 7, it seemed as if the gates of hell had sprung open and unleashed their horrors onto the world. And that’s exactly what happened.”
Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff helped plant a pomegranate tree outside the VP’s residence in Washington, D.C., dedicating it to the 1,200 people killed a year ago in Israel — including 46 Americans.
https://twitter.com/VP/status/1843457053966193110
“So, in this moment, on the one-year commemoration of October 7, what is asked of us?” Harris said. “What is asked of us? First and foremost, I believe that we must never forget. I will never forget October 7 and the world must never forget. What is asked of us? We must work to ensure nothing like the horrors of October 7 can never happen again. And on this solemn day, I will restate my pledge to always ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and that I will always work to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish people here and around the world.”
Later Tuesday, Vice President Harris will continue her media blitz with stops at “The View,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Howard Stern Show.” On Wednesday, former President Trump is scheduled to hold two rallies in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.
Mexican mayor killed less than a week after taking office
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is expected to present her strategy to confront the country’s security problems Tuesday. The country’s first woman president — inaugurated less than a week ago — is reportedly going to present a plan that will highlight law and order amid the growing violence linked to drug cartels and organized crime.
Arcos is the latest politician to be murdered in the country, with 37 candidates assassinated leading up to Mexico’s most recent elections this past June.
Google ordered to open app store after anti-trust ruling
The ruling comes in the wake of a jury verdict last year in favor of Fortnite game maker Epic Games, which found Google was illegally blocking competition.
Mega Millions raising ticket prices, improving odds to win
If you play the lottery, get ready to shell out more money for a chance at that mega jackpot. Mega Millions announced some big changes to its lottery game — including an increase in ticket prices.
Starting in April, tickets will cost $5 per play, more than double the current price of $2. It’ll be the game’s second price increase since 2002.
Mega Millions said this is all part of its “mega” overhaul, which will see improved odds of winning the jackpot and bigger jackpots more often.
Since launching more than 20 years ago, Mega Millions — which is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands — has seen six $1 billion winners.
Does FEMA have enough money to respond to Helene and Milton?
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall near Tampa Bay as a Category 3 storm Wednesday, Oct. 9. It’s forecast to bring over 6 feet of storm surge and more than 10 inches of rain. That wind and water could lead to billions of dollars in damages that federal government agencies may not have.
FEMA announced it has enough money for immediate response and recovery needs for Hurricane Helene, but Hurricane Milton will likely put another dent in the Disaster Relief Fund’s balance sheet.
As of Aug. 31, the Disaster Relief Fund had about $6.2 billion. President Biden said that’s not enough for long-term efforts.
“Without additional funding, FEMA would be required to forego longer-term recovery activities in favor of meeting urgent needs,” The president wrote in a letter to congressional leaders. “The Congress should provide FEMA additional resources to avoid forcing that kind of unnecessary trade-off and to give the communities we serve the certainty of knowing that help will be ongoing, both for the short- and long-term.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., indicated Congress will not return until Nov. 12, after the election.
“Remember that before we left Washington, the day before Helene hit by the way, made landfall, Congress appropriated $20 billion additional dollars to FEMA so that they would have the immediate dollars they need to address the immediate needs,” Johnson said on Fox News Sunday, Oct. 6. “Then after that, Congress always takes its due approach of providing what is necessary.”
President Biden said the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program will run out of funding in a matter of weeks, before Congress plans to reconvene.
“I warned the Congress of this potential shortfall even before Hurricane Helene landed on America’s shores,” President Biden wrote in the letter. “It is critical that Congress ensures that no critical disaster programs, such as the SBA disaster loan program, run out of funding during the Congressional Recess period.”
SBA loans help cover what FEMA and insurance do not. They’re available to homeowners, businesses, renters and nonprofit organizations within disaster areas. SBA makes clear the loans are for both personal and business use. They can even cover business expenses the owner would have been able to cover had the disaster not occurred.
If the SBA or FEMA run out of money, then storm victims could still apply for money they need to rebuild or repair, but they will not receive it.
US hospitals face IV shortage as new hurricane threats loom
As another hurricane barrels toward the United States’ Gulf Coast, hospitals across the country are dealing with a shortage of IV fluid caused by the last one. Hurricane Helene forced manufacturers to halt production.
The leading supplier of IV fluids in the U.S., Baxter International, said its facility in North Carolina will remain closed for the foreseeable future after it flooded during the storm. The company supplies about 60% of IV fluid bags in the U.S.
IV fluids treat dehydration and are a critical component of surgery – when patients are asleep for a long time and can’t eat or drink.
Because of Hurricane Helene, Baxter has placed limits on how many IV bags hospitals can buy at one time. There are other fluid manufacturers in the U.S. but they tend to give priority to meeting the demand from their existing customers, one Boston doctor told the Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. also can’t count on European manufacturers to fill the gap because there’s a global shortage of IV fluids right now, as well. Baxter said it’s working with health, emergency, and government officials to get back up and running as soon as possible.
How Hurricane Helene’s destruction led to swarms of bees, wasps, yellow jackets
As thousands continue to recover from deadly Hurricane Helene another danger is lurking: yellow jackets, wasps and bees. Reports of stings from swarms of the insects increased as underground bee colonies and wasps’ nests have been disturbed or washed away from severe flooding.
The increase in stings forced state officials to adjust on the fly and get EpiPens and Benadryl ready for statewide distribution.
North Carolina announced on Friday, Oct. 4, that it was buying up the medications and said officials would give the medications to residents through hospitals, emergency medical services and other health providers soon.
Those allergic to the insects’ venom can die from one sting if medical help isn’t quickly available. Health experts also warned that being stung more than a dozen times can lead to a severe reaction, which can lead to convulsions, vomiting and fever. Additionally, doctors said that individuals should wait to clear trees from their property until nighttime, when the bees and wasps are least active.
If a person does encounter a swarm, experts said they should put their hands over their face and walk away slowly to avoid stings.
Many of those stung are reportedly line workers trying to restore power to hard-hit communities.
In the meantime, state officials told those with deathly allergies to stings to get emergency refills at local pharmacies and carry emergency medication at all times.
2% of residents in Hurricane Helene’s hardest-hit counties had flood insurance
Adding to the devastation from Hurricane Helene, an alarming lack of flood insurance coverage exists in the counties hardest hit by the storm. While coastal counties generally have better coverage, inland areas are significantly underinsured.
Only about 2% of residences in the most affected counties had flood insurance. In North Carolina, that figure drops to just 0.7%, while South Carolina has an even lower coverage rate at 0.3%. This information comes from an NBC News analysis using data from the Census Bureau, PowerOutage.us, and National Flood Insurance Program policy data.
In the Southeastern states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, only about 5% of residences are covered by flood insurance, primarily along coastal areas. Many homeowners remain unaware that standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, leaving them vulnerable when disaster strikes.
Disaster struck hard one week ago. Before-and-after satellite images shared by NearMap illustrate homes that once stood but have since been wiped off the map, replaced by a flow of floodwaters.
FEMA does offer some assistance to individuals without flood insurance, but it’s important to note that this aid is usually just a fraction of the average payout for those with flood insurance policies.
FEMA’s spending on hurricane disasters and migrants crisis under scrutiny
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas sparked significant reaction this week by stating that FEMA lacks sufficient funds to support Americans through the remainder of the Atlantic hurricane season. The announcement put FEMA’s spending habits under scrutiny.
Questions are being raised about how much FEMA spends on natural disasters compared to its expenditures on migrants in the country.
“We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have,” Mayorkas said. “We are expecting another hurricane hitting. We do not have the funds. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season.”
President Joe Biden said Wednesday, Oct. 2, during a briefing that it will cost billions to recover from the storm and that Congress must ensure states have adequate resources. The funding shortage has led to outrage among Republicans.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott responded on X.
This is easy.
Mayorkas and FEMA — immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas hit by the hurricane.
“This is easy. Mayorkas and FEMA — immediately stop spending money on illegal immigration resettlement and redirect those funds to areas hit by the hurricane,” Abbott wrote. “Put Americans first.”
“The Biden-Harris administration took more than a billion tax dollars that had been allocated to FEMA for disaster relief and used it to house illegal aliens,” Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said on X. “Now, they’ve abandoned American hurricane victims in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee.”
The Biden-Harris administration took more than a billion tax dollars that had been allocated to FEMA for disaster relief and used it to house illegal aliens.
Now, they’ve abandoned American hurricane victims in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee.…
In response to the backlash, FEMA clarified that there is a separation between funds for disaster relief and those allocated for the migrant crisis.
“No money is being diverted from disaster response needs,” FEMA said. “FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster-related efforts.”
FEMA has already spent more than $1.4 billion since 2022 to address the ongoing migrant crisis, including $640 million this year, which is part of FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Money for hurricane relief, on the other hand, comes from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
So far, $4 million from FEMA has been distributed to families affected by the storm, with each receiving $750 for grocery reimbursement. Last week, Congress bolstered FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund with $20 billion as part of a short-term government spending bill.
US cybersecurity chief reassures voters the election will be secure
The head of a top federal agency for election security is insisting the upcoming presidential election in the United States will be secure and not affected by any foreign interference. She made those statements in a lengthy interview with The Associated Press (AP).
Jen Easterly, the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told the AP, there is no way American adversaries, such as Russia or Iran, will be able to alter the results.
“Malicious actors, even if they tried, could not have an impact at scale, such that there would be a material effect on the outcome of the election,” Easterly said.
She added that it is important to understand that the machines that Americans will use to cast ballots are not connected to the internet, which makes it difficult for malicious foreign actors to impact how votes are cast and counted.
In September, federal prosecutors charged three Iranian operatives with hacking the Trump campaign. In addition, the Biden administration seized more than two dozen fake websites and charged two Russian state media employees with crimes.
Easterly said her agency works with elections officials to disseminate accurate information, and there are layers of security to make sure the information is accurate.
Her remarks come after U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, from the Senate Intelligence Committee, wrote a letter to the agency to take steps to deal with election misinformation and disinformation.
Easterly also noted that her office is now working with elections officials from states impacted by Hurricane Helene so that voters there have a chance to cast their ballots in the upcoming election.
Helene halts quartz mining in North Carolina, sparks misinformation online
Update: According to an assessment by Sibleco, key sites for quartz “only sustained minor damage.” The Quartz Corp also remarks they will be able to “avoid” any supply disruptions.
Hurricane Helene has severely disrupted quartz mining operations in North Carolina, raising concerns about a potential ripple effect across the global tech industry. Meanwhile, misinformation is spreading online with unfounded conspiracy theories gaining traction on social media.
Spruce Pine, a small Appalachian town that is home to one of the world’s only sources of high-purity quartz, suffered significant flooding from Helene, halting operations at major producers Quartz Corp. and Sibelco.
The high-purity quartz mined there is essential for producing silicon wafers used in semiconductors, smartphones and solar panels.
Experts warn that prolonged shutdowns could lead to significant delays in global supply chains and shortages of critical components needed for the tech industry
Getty Images
Adding to these challenges are viral conspiracy theories on platforms like TikTok and X. They claim that the hurricane was an orchestrated form of weather manipulation.
These theories suggest the storm was part of a government plan to disrupt quartz mining and advance lithium mining interests. Some allege that the hurricane was a political maneuver to displace voters or seize land, echoing similar claims made during the Maui wildfires of 2023.
However, experts have repeatedly debunked these ideas, pointing out that hurricanes are natural phenomena, and no credible evidence supports such theories.
As cleanup efforts begin, the residents of Spruce Pine are focused on restoring basic services, with the mining industry uncertain of when full operations will resume. The long-term effects of this disruption on quartz supply, particularly for tech industries in both the U.S. and China, remain to be seen.
The strike is over for now, as thousands of dockworkers return to their jobs after a tentative agreement to raise their pay. And why after more than three decades in prison , the Menendez brothers — infamous for killing their parents — might have their case reviewed and the factor it all hinges on. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
Tens of thousands of U.S. dockworkers are getting back on the job after two days of a strike that clogged dozens of East and Gulf coast ports. The historic labor action, which threatened to drive inflation back up, is now on hold until at least January 15.
Thursday night, Oct. 3, members of the International Longshoremen’s Association struck a tentative deal with the U.S. Maritime Alliance over pay. The agreement will increase workers’ wages by 62% over the span of six years.
The agreement is an increase over the Maritime Alliance’s offer of 50% earlier this week, but a compromise for the ILA, which has called for a 77% increase in wages over the same time period.
The new deal would bring hourly pay for top dockworkers to $63 per hour by the end of the deal, compared to $39 an hour under the most recently expired contract.
Dockworkers had also been calling for a total ban on automation, but no deal was reached on that. Sources close to the matter have said that will be the main topic of negotiations between now and Jan. 15.
I applaud the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance for coming together to reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports and ensure the availability of critical supplies for Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding.
More Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut
Powerful blasts rocked Beirut Thursday night into Friday morning, Oct. 4, as Israel unleashed some of its heaviest strikes on the Lebanese capital city yet. This comes as Iran’s foreign minister is in Beirut meeting with Lebanese officials over the expanding conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Thursday, Israel ordered more evacuations for villages in southern Lebanon, potentially signaling plans to broaden the ground invasion there. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run news agency said an Israeli strike took out the main highway between Lebanon and Syria, which tens of thousands of people have used over the past two weeks to flee the escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
🔴Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Communications Unit, during a precise, intelligence-based strike in Beirut yesterday.
Sakafi was a senior Hezbollah terrorist, who was responsible for the communications unit since 2000. Sakafi invested significant efforts… pic.twitter.com/PH65nh5FLI
The Israeli military also said it killed another top Hezbollah militant, Mohammed Anisi, in a recent strike on Beirut. Hezbollah has not yet confirmed that claim.
Three ex-officers found guilty in Tyre Nichols beating death
A federal jury convicted three former Memphis police officers in the 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols Thursday, but they were acquitted of the most serious charges. The jury found Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith guilty of witness tampering for covering up the attack. Haley was also convicted of violating Nichols’ civil rights.
Nichols died three days after the officers brutally beat him following a traffic stop. The officers now face up to 20 years in prison for the witness tampering convictions while Haley’s civil rights violation conviction carries up to 10 years. Sentencing is pending with a hearing scheduled to determine whether they will remain in custody.
The case has triggered federal investigations into Memphis police practices, and Nichols’ family has filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city and its police department.
In a statement, the assistant U.S. attorney who oversees the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “Tyre Nichols should be alive today.”
35 years later, Menendez brothers’ case under review following claims of parental abuse
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced his office will review the convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez, nearly 35 years after they were imprisoned for killing their parents in 1989. New evidence, including a letter from Erik Menendez alleging sexual abuse by their father, prompted the reexamination.
Gascón stressed that while the brothers’ guilt is not being contested, the new evidence and changing views on sexual abuse require a review. The attorney for the Menendez brothers argues they’ve been rehabilitated and is seeking a re-sentencing.
A hearing on Nov. 29 will determine the next steps, which could include a new trial or an adjusted sentence.
Country star Garth Brooks accused of rape
A former employee has come forward accusing country music superstar Garth Brooks of sexual assault and battery. In a the lawsuit, the woman said she worked as his hair and makeup artist.
The lawsuit alleges in 2019, Brooks raped the woman during a work trip in Los Angeles.
Before this lawsuit was made public, CNN reported an anonymous celebrity plaintiff — now identified as Brooks — had tried to block the woman from suing and denied the claims.
In a statement released to the media, Brooks said, “For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars.”
If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!! love, g pic.twitter.com/q6FFLrJO0a
He went on to say, “Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of—ugly acts no human should ever do to another. We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides.”
Category 4 Hurricane Kirk strengthens, expected to stay offshore
Hurricane Kirk, a powerful Category 4 storm, is churning in the Atlantic, with forecasters warning of dangerous swells that could impact the U.S. east coast, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, and the Bahamas by this weekend. Though the hurricane is expected to remain far from land, its waves might cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.
NEW: #Kirk is now a major #hurricane with 125mph sustained winds and will strengthen to *near Category 5 strength* over the next couple of days. Certainly thankful it will remain out to sea and no threat to land! #HurricaneKirk#weatherpic.twitter.com/frSGbEgtFe
As Kirk strengthens, Tropical Storm Leslie has also formed in the Atlantic but poses no immediate threat to land.
Meanwhile, the southeast is still reeling from Hurricane Helene, which left more than 200 people dead and caused catastrophic damage. Rescue efforts continue as many residents remain without water, power and communication services.
President Joe Biden has visited the region to survey the devastation, pledging federal aid for debris removal and recovery efforts in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
