Sunday, September 10, 2017

10 things you need to know today

430,000 lose power as Irma arrives in Florida, Trump tweets Irma caution and encouragement, and more

1. 430,000 lose power as Irma arrives in Florida

Hurricane Irma accelerated to become a Category 4 storm once again Sunday morning as it began to whip through the Florida Keys. Some 430,000 Floridians had already lost power as Irma made landfall, and a storm surge of up to 15 feet is expected in Gulf Coast areas, promising fast and dangerous flooding. Ocean water had surged by 2 feet in Key West by 4 a.m. ET. "A very dangerous day is unfolding in the Florida Keys and much of West Florida," said the National Hurricane Center's Michael Brennan on Sunday. "It certainly could inundate the entire island." Authorities have issued stern evacuation warnings for about one third of Florida's population, and holdouts have been warned they cannot expect rescue at the height of the storm.

Source: The Washington Post, The Associated Press
2. Trump tweets Irma caution and encouragement

After coming under criticism for mixing comments about Hurricane Harvey with swipes at political opponents and promotions of his friends, President Trump mostly stuck to the issue at hand in the run-up to Hurricane Irma's landfall in Florida. Trump retweeted warnings about the importance of evacuation and guidance for U.S. citizens stuck overseas because of the storm. He also posted a few tweets of his own, advising Floridians to heed Gov. Rick Scott's evacuation orders. "The U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA and all Federal and State brave people are ready," Trump wrote Saturday night. "Here comes Irma. God bless everyone!"

Source: CNN, Los Angeles Times
3. Irma floods streets, removes roofs in Cuba

Before striking Florida Sunday, Hurricane Irma ripped through Cuba on Saturday, making the island's first direct hit by a Category 5 storm since 1932. The Cuban government evacuated more than 1 million people from low-lying areas, and flooding is expected to continue until Monday, including in Havana. Though Cuba is more prepared for extreme weather than some of its Caribbean neighbors, Irma left many houses in affected areas without their roofs and downed utility poles across the island. Irma's death toll currently stands at 22, but no deaths have been reported in Cuba so far.

Source: The Associated Press, Miami Herald
4. Irma holdouts stay put despite evacuation warnings

Ignoring warnings of high winds and life-threatening storm surges, some of the 6.3 million Floridians under evacuation order have decided to stay put as Hurricane Irma tears through their state. In Key West, some locals booked rooms in rapidly emptying hotels, preferring to stay in a heftier building than the wooden "conch houses" common on the island. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long on Saturday reiterated holdouts are "on your own until we can actually get in there" and "you put your life in your own hands by not evacuating."

Source: CNN, Miami Herald
5. Hurricane Jose veers away from Caribbean islands

Caribbean islands already decimated by Hurricane Irma, like Barbuda and Saint Martin, got welcome news Saturday night when Hurricane Jose, a Category 4 storm, veered away from their path and turned north into the Atlantic Ocean. Though Jose did produce some additional rainfall in the battered islands, its change in course offered a major reprieve from additional anticipated destruction. Jose's future direction is currently unclear; it could stall out over the Atlantic, producing high surf but little serious threat on the Eastern Seaboard.

Source: CNN, Chicago Tribune
6. Clinton concedes missed chances in book interview

Hillary Clinton is on the interview circuit to promote her new book, What Happened, which reflects on her loss in the 2016 election. Clinton's first broadcast appearance will air on CBS Sunday, and advance excerpts see the former secretary of state conceding she might have "missed a few chances" in her campaign. Addressing President Trump's debate tactic of looming into her personal space, Clinton praised her own composure, but noted that failing to more boldly repudiate Trump did not serve her well. What Happened will be released Tuesday.

Source: Politico, CBS News
7. North Korea celebrates nuclear scientists

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threw a lavish party to celebrate his country's nuclear scientists on the 69th anniversary of the founding of the Kim regime on Saturday. State media reported the event included a banquet, live entertainment, and photo opportunities with Kim. "The recent test of the H-bomb is the great victory won by the Korean people at the cost of their blood while tightening their belts in the arduous period," Kim said at the party, referring to Pyongyang's recent claim to have successfully rested a hydrogen bomb.

Source: Reuters, The Guardian
8. Son of former Fox host Eric Bolling found dead

Eric Chase, the son of former Fox News host Eric Bolling, who was fired from Fox Friday amid sexual harassment allegations, was found dead late Friday night, the Bolling family announced Saturday. Chase was 19 and about to begin his sophomore year at the University of Colorado in Boulder. No cause of death has been confirmed. "Adrienne and I are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Eric Chase last night. Details still unclear. Thoughts, prayers appreciated," Bolling wrote on Twitter. President Trump retweeted several condolences to Bolling.

Source: Politico, CNN
9. Apparent iPhone leak reveals new features and names

An apparent software leak from Apple that was shared online Friday night and spread Saturday seems to give an advance look a the new iPhone models scheduled to be revealed Tuesday. If the leak is accurate, Apple will debut three new versions of the phone: the iPhone 8, the iPhone 8 Plus, and the iPhone X. Firmware details indicate new features including a face-based unlock system; "Animoji," which are animated emoji symbols for chat applications; and design changes to the status bar at the top of the phone screen.

Source: The Verge, Gizmodo
10. New mummies discovered in Egypt

Archaeologists in Luxor, Egypt, on Saturday announced the discovery of several new mummies in a previously undisturbed tomb belonging to an ancient goldsmith and his family. The goldsmith's name was Amenemhat, and his wife was Amenhotep, the archaeological team revealed. Their 3,500-year-old tomb included "sarcophagi, statuettes, pots, and other artifacts," said a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities. The mummies found inside were a woman and her two adult sons; research is ongoing to confirm whether the mummies are from the goldsmith's family.

Source: CNN, BBC News
MOST POPULAR
Trump tweets Irma caution, encouragement: 'Federal and State brave people are ready'
Bonnie Kristian
The dangers of the great American unchurching
Damon Linker
Jeff Sessions announces end of DACA, calls it the 'compassionate' thing to do
Jeva Lange
9-year-old's lemonade stand raises more than $1,600 for local children's hospital
Jeva Lange
Why you should learn to love spousal IRAs
CAPTURED: A PHOTO BLOG
Kelly Gonsalves
The week's best photojournalism

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
© 2015 THE WEEK PUBLICATIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE WEEK ® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OWNED BY FELIX DENNIS.

Get 4
Risk-Free
issues of
The Week

TRY IT OUT
Subscribe
Subscriber login
Give a gift
Back issues
Classroom subscriptions
Newsletters
Privacy policy
Terms & conditions
The Week UK
Contact Us
Ad info
RSS

No comments:

Post a Comment