Union Island's Struggle, Rebuilding After Hurricane Beryl

By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News

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Image Source : BERYL

Unprecedented Destruction and Urgent Needs

Hurricane Beryl has left a trail of devastation on Union Island, part of St Vincent and the Grenadines, where virtually every building has been damaged or destroyed. Katrina Coy, a local resident, described the island as being in a "terrible state" with most residents now homeless. "Union Island is in a terrible state after Beryl passed. Literally, almost the whole island is homeless," Ms. Coy shared in a video message. The storm’s impact has blocked roads, downed electricity poles, and flattened houses.

Sebastien Sailly, a fisherman and guide, echoed these sentiments, describing the scene as though a tornado had passed through. Having lived on the island since 1985, he stated that Hurricane Beryl was far more destructive than any storm he had experienced, including Hurricane Ivan in 2004. "Ninety percent of the island easily 90% has been erased," he said. The urgency now is to find shelter and essential supplies. Residents are gathering wood and plastic sheeting for temporary shelters, while the need for food, water, and sanitary products is critical.

The Aftermath and Community Resilience

The residents of Union Island are struggling to cope in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Alizee Sailly, who runs a hotel with her family, described the harrowing experience of riding out the storm. They had to brace doors and windows against the powerful winds, and witnessed their roof being torn apart. "The pressure was so intense that you felt it in your ears. We could hear the roof coming apart and smashing into another building. Windows breaking, flooding," she recounted.

With power and communications still down, the islanders are using the Starlink network for communication. The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has acknowledged the scale of the disaster, with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves promising swift action to address the crisis. However, locals remain skeptical about the government’s ability to manage the massive recovery efforts required. Sebastien Sailly emphasized the need for international assistance, stating, "This is going to take billions, it will take a year or more and is going to need international help."

Katrina Coy, director of the Union Island Environmental Alliance, called for help from the Caribbean diaspora and international community. Despite the immense challenges, the resilience of the Union Island community shines through. "The most important thing is that we are still alive, not the material losses," said Sebastien Sailly. The sense of relief at seeing neighbors safe underscores the enduring spirit of this battered but unbroken community.

Desperate Search Underway for Missing Child in Northern Territory

By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News

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Image Source : Jeremy Edwards

Community and Authorities Mobilize in Response to Potential Crocodile Attack

In a remote area of northern Australia, a frantic search is ongoing for a 12 year old child feared to have been taken by a crocodile. The child was last seen swimming near the small town of Palumpa, roughly a seven hour drive southwest of Darwin in the Northern Territory (NT), around dusk on Tuesday. Local police and community members immediately began searching Mango Creek after initial reports suggested the child had been attacked by a crocodile.

The search effort has since expanded to include a specialist search and rescue team, as well as additional officers. Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson reported that officers are currently combing the creek via boat, and there may be an aerial search launched soon. The NT, home to an estimated 100,000 saltwater crocodiles, boasts the highest population of these reptiles globally, but attacks on humans remain rare.

Saltwater Crocodile Attacks, A Rare but Present Danger

Saltwater crocodiles, once hunted to near extinction, have seen a significant rebound in numbers since hunting was banned in the 1970s. These formidable predators inhabit the northern fringes of Australia, from Broome in Western Australia to Gladstone in Queensland. Despite their prevalence, attacks are infrequent. In the past year, the Northern Territory has experienced only two other crocodile attacks. In January, a nine year old boy was injured while swimming in Kakadu National Park, and in October, a farmer narrowly escaped a crocodile's jaws by biting it back.

Although the NT has not recorded a fatal crocodile attack since 2018, other regions have not been as fortunate. Queensland has witnessed several deadly encounters, including the tragic death of a 16 year old boy in the Torres Strait in April. The current incident in Palumpa underscores the ever present risk posed by these powerful creatures, even as communities and authorities work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well being of their residents.

As Biden Stands Firm, Leading Democrats Push for His Withdrawal from the Race

By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News

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Image Source : Haiyun Jiang

Defiance is ingrained in Joe Biden’s character, just as much as his connection to Delaware. However, following his poor debate performance last week, a rising number of Democratic leaders are urging him to step down for the benefit of the party and the nation.

Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas was the first to publicly call for Biden's withdrawal. Doggett, referencing former President Lyndon Johnson's withdrawal from his own re election bid, stated that Biden should similarly step aside.

A growing faction within the Democratic Party, representing diverse segments of the caucus, is concerned about Biden's viability as a candidate. They are encouraging him to reconsider his campaign but are prepared to voice their concerns more openly if he does not step down.

Biden is set to meet with Democratic governors and congressional leaders, following reports of governors expressing anxiety over his debate performance. Many Democrats, including current and former officials and donors, believe Biden should withdraw and hope he will do so this week.

While Biden’s family has rallied around his decision to continue his campaign, blaming staff for his debate missteps, some Democrats see his stubbornness as a barrier to a necessary change. The debate performance has been seen not as an isolated incident but as indicative of deeper issues that could persist.

Several Democratic leaders, including Illinois Representative Mike Quigley and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have raised concerns about Biden’s capabilities and the broader impact on the party. Pelosi has suggested that Biden should participate in multiple interviews to address these concerns.

The stakes have been heightened by a recent Supreme Court ruling granting Trump significant immunity from prosecution, which has increased the urgency among Democrats for Biden to reconsider his candidacy.

Despite calls for change, Biden's campaign is pushing forward, with plans for travel to swing states and a high profile interview with ABC News. However, many Democrats are skeptical of his ability to sustain the demands of another term. Biden’s campaign is working to gauge the impact of the debate on key battleground states and assess the broader political landscape.

Amid the turmoil, some Biden supporters remain hopeful that he can overcome these challenges, drawing on his history of resilience. The campaign has seen a fundraising boost, but internal discussions continue about the best path forward. Biden’s inner circle remains firmly in control, managing the fallout from the debate and maintaining a forward looking stance.

As Biden continues his campaign, the Democratic Party is grappling with deep concerns about his candidacy and its implications for the future.