People are fleeing Florida in droves as Ian pound the state as there are extensive flooding and power shortages.
To gather information for analysis and forecasting, however, some daring people are purposefully venturing into the violent storm.
Watch these experienced hurricane hunters fly a jet right into the storm’s chaotic eye as they are renowned for weathering some of the world’s most hazardous weather conditions.
1. Russia
President Vladimir Putin’s order to partially mobilize Russian soldiers to participate in his war in Ukraine has prompted the US Embassy in Moscow to issue an urgent warning to Americans to leave Russia. The embassy “has severe limitations on its ability to assist US citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may suddenly become even more limited,” according to the security alert. Separately, US officials say Russia is the main suspect in the investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline leaks. Today, a fourth leak in the pipelines linking Russia and Germany was discovered, and a German official stated there was “extremely strong evidence” that these were acts of sabotage.
2. Kamala Harris
The Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea was visited by Vice President Kamala Harris today, one day after Pyongyang launched two ballistic missiles into the ocean off its east coast. On official trips to South Korea, US presidents and vice presidents have traditionally stopped at the demilitarized zone (DMZ), where they have been seen peeking through binoculars into North Korean-controlled territory. As was to be expected, Harris went to an observation tower where she used binoculars to see North Korea, and according to US authorities, North Korean guards are likely to have glanced back at her. The Vice President’s visit occurs as tensions on the Korean Peninsula are still very high. This year, North Korea has launched 18 ballistic missiles, which is a record number since Kim Jong Un assumed power in 2012. Since Kim Jong Un assumed leadership in 2012, North Korea has blasted a record-high 18 ballistic missiles this year.
3. Food labels
The FDA is recommending modifications to the nutritional requirements that food products must achieve in order to display the term “healthy” on their packages. A minimum amount of vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, protein, and dietary fiber must also be present in foods that make the claim, as well as limits on specific nutrients including fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. However, the FDA stated that an update was required to reflect advancements in dietary and nutrition knowledge since the “healthy” claim was initially defined in 1994. For instance, salmon, which is high in advantageous polyunsaturated fat, does not fit the concept of “healthy,” but some cereals with high added sugar content do. The FDA stated that the proposal’s objective is to assist consumers in making better dietary choices.
4. Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian, which made landfall on Florida’s southwest coast on Wednesday as a strong Category 4 storm, has already dropped to a tropical storm. On the west coast of the Florida peninsula, it was one of the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall. It unleashed devastating floods and a life-threatening storm surge. The enormous storm has flooded homes and highways, destroyed trees, and sent vehicles floating down the streets, and as of this morning, about 2.5 million homes and businesses are still without electricity. According to the National Hurricane Center, Ian is projected to move inland over the following three days, bringing with it strong gusts and heavy rainfall to parts of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
5. Covid-19
A person familiar with the FDA’s planning discussions said that updated Covid-19 boosters may be made available to younger age groups as early as October. Recently, the revised Covid-19 boosters for younger people from Moderna and Pfizer have requested FDA emergency use authorization. Pfizer and Moderna are requesting approval for pediatric use in youngsters as young as 6 years old and 5 years old, respectively. These shots target both the original coronavirus strain and the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 sub-variants, just like the boosters that became accessible for older adults earlier this month. The revised Pfizer booster is presently approved for use in patients 12 and older, while the Moderna booster is approved for use in patients 18 and older.
