Mississippi governor declares emergency amid Jackson water crisis

An SUV rests in flood waters in this northeast Jackson, Miss., neighborhood, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022. Rogelio V. Solis | AP

Residents of Jackson, Mississippi, the state's capital and largest city, do not have access to reliable drinking water for the near future after the city's main water treatment facility failed on Monday. The state has issued a state of emergency for Jackson and has activated the Mississippi National Guard. It's also distributing drinking and non-drinking water to up to 180,000 people until the system is fixed. Gov. Tate Reeves said during an emergency briefing Monday night that the city would be without "reliable running water at scale" indefinitely and that there isn't enough water to flush toilets or fight fires. "Do not drink the water. In too many cases, it is raw water from the reservoir being pushed through the pipes," Reeves warned residents. "Be smart, protect yourself, protect your family." Officials blamed the problem on longstanding issues at the O.B. Curtis water treatment plant, which has been in crisis for years due to old infrastructure and inadequate resources to update it. The city also said that recent rainfall and flooding of the Pearl River caused complications at the plant. City officials said the flooding had created issues at the plant, which is located near a reservoir that flows into the Pearl River. City residents have been subject to a boil-water notice since last month after tests found cloudiness in water samples. The water problem grew worse this week when businesses and homes endured little to no water pressure and officials warned that the water from the taps was untreated. Officials on Monday said the water shortage is likely to last the next couple of days.

Reservoir police observe the water release from the Ross Barnett Reservoir Spillway onto the Pearl River, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Rankin County, Miss. Rogelio V. Solis | AP

The governor said the exact cause of failure was unknown, adding that the treatment plant had been inadequately staffed and operated for years. Reeves said the plant's two primary pumps had stopped working, which left the system to depend on unreliable backup pumps. "It's not operating anywhere near capacity," Reeves said of the plant. "We might find out [Tuesday] it's not operating at all. We'll find out." The water crisis is affecting the roughly 150,000 people who live in Jackson and the 30,000 who live in surrounding communities that rely on the same water treatment facility. Jackson is about 82% Black, according to U.S. Census data. In addition to the unreliable water system, the city has been grappling with crime and problematic infrastructure.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is distributing water to residents and the state is overseeing efforts to begin emergency repairs and maintenance to get the water system up and running, the governor said.

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Jackson to lose running water for unknown amount of time: Mississippi governor

People in Mississippi's capital are poised to lose running water for an undetermined amount of time, the state's governor said Monday night.

A major pump at Jackson's main water treatment facility was damaged and the city has been using backup pumps, Gov. Tate Reeves said during a news conference.

Until it's fixed, there will be no reliable running water in Jackson, which will impact up to 180,000 people. The city won't be able to produce enough water for serious needs, including fighting fires and flushing toilets, Reeves said.

All Jackson Public Schools will shift to virtual learning on Tuesday due to the water shortage, the school district said.

"We will continue to closely monitor the water conditions on a day-by-day basis at our schools while conferring with city officials to determine when scholars and staff can safely return for in-person learning," the district said.

No timeline was given on when the main pump will be fixed.

Officials will distribute drinkable and non-drinkable water to residents, Reeves said.

Hinds County Emergency Management Operations deputy director Tracy Funches, right, and operations coordinator Luke Chennault, wade through flood waters as they check water levels in neighborhoods that are near the Pearl River in northeast Jackson, Miss., Aug. 29, 2022. Rogelio V. Solis/AP

On Friday, the governor was informed that Jackson wouldn't be able to produce enough water for all of its residents.

Reeves is in the process of declaring a state of emergency, which will allow state officials to better help in Jackson.

On Twitter, the city said it's not cutting off water to its residents, saying the water shortage is expected to last a couple of days.

The governor declared a state of emergency on Saturday for parts of central Mississippi that were impacted by major flooding that forced residents to evacuate.

Mississippi has begun emergency maintenance and repair of Jackson's water system. Officials are warning the city's residents to not drink the water because it's raw water from the reservoirs being pushed through the pipes.

ABC News' Darren Reynolds contributed to this report.

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Jameel Ahmad assumes charge as SBP governor

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad. — Twitter/SBP 

• Jameel Ahmad has been appointed as governor for next five years. 
• He previously served SBP as deputy governor and executive director.
• Post fell vacant after former SBP governor Reza Baqir’s term expired.

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Jameel Ahmad assumed charge as the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for the next five years after his appointment was approved by President Dr Arif Alvi.  Ahmad has previously served the bank as deputy governor and executive director. 

The post fell vacant in May after former SBP governor Reza Baqir’s term expired and the coalition government decided against extending his tenure further. 

Following Baqir’s exit, Murtaza Syed, being the senior-most deputy governor, assumed the position of acting governor.

According to his SBP profile, Ahmad's career as a central banker spans over 31 years in various senior positions at the SBP and the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). 

His association with the SBP dates back to 1991 and he served the bank in various capacities including deputy governor from April 2017 to October 2021 and executive director. 

He served at SAMA as an adviser from July 2009 to April 2015 and as a senior adviser from December 2021 to August 2022. He advised SAMA management on a broad range of policy matters in various central banking areas and coordinated major transformation projects for the bank. Ahmad did his MBA from the University of Punjab in 1988 and is a fellow member of the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of Pakistan (FCMA) since 1994, fellow member of the Institute of Bankers Pakistan (FIBP) since 1993 and fellow member of the Institute of Corporate Secretaries of Pakistan (FCIS) since 1992.

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US governor visits Taiwan amid rising tensions with China

Fast News

Indiana's Republican governor met with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen after two recent high-profile visits by US politicians that drew China's ire and its military drills.

Eric Holcomb landed in Taiwan on Sunday for an "economic development trip". (AFP)

Indiana's Republican governor, Eric Holcomb, has met Taiwan's president, days after Washington announced trade talks with Taipei.  The meeting comes amid rising US-China tensions since Beijing staged huge military drills in retaliation for US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this month. Holcomb landed in Taiwan on Sunday for an "economic development trip". In her meeting with Holcomb on Monday, President Tsai Ing-wen directly referenced Beijing's drills and called for like-minded countries to continue supporting Taiwan. "Taiwan has been confronted by military threats from China in and around the Taiwan Strait. At this moment democratic allies must stand together and boost cooperation across all areas," she said. Holcomb said the United States and Taiwan "share so many common values and interests and goals". "We will continue to seek to build a strategic partnership with you," he said. READ MORE: US says it doesn't support Taiwan's independence Trade talks Holcomb is also expected to meet representatives of Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor industry before leaving on Wednesday for South Korea.

Alongside South Korea, Taiwan makes some of the world's smallest and most advanced computer chips – a commodity that is vital for electronics but in short supply worldwide. Holcomb's visit comes on the heels of the announcement of trade talks between Washington and Taipei in the coming months as a senior US diplomat warned Beijing will continue to put pressure on Taiwan. Taiwan and China split in 1949 after the Communists won a civil war on the mainland.  Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the island’s decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step US leaders say they don’t support.  READ MORE: China sanctions Taiwanese 'independence diehard' officials Source: AFP

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Hawaii elections: Aiona wins GOP nomination for governor, Dems back Green; Schatz to face McDermott for Senate

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Hawaiians made their voices heard Saturday when voters cast ballots to decide dozens of elections across the state.

Primaries for Democrats and Republicans were held to decide general election showdowns this November for governor, lieutenant governor, their two U.S. House of Representatives seats as well as state and local elections.

Hawaii Governor

Hawaii Gov. David Ige served two four-year terms and was ineligible to run again, setting up an open ballot for his replacement.

Former Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona was declared the winner of the Republican primary for Hawaii governor, a victory he later described as "a miracle."

HAWAII'S THREATENED SPECIES: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT PROTECTED WILDLIFE ON THE ISLANDS

Former Hawaii Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona waves at passing cars while campaigning in Kailua, Hawaii on Aug. 9, 2022.  (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

He defeated former UFC champion and legend B.J. Penn and Honolulu City Councilperson Heidi Tsuneyoshi.

Aiona served as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Linda Lingle’ from 2002 to 2010.

Following his service in Lingle’s administration in 2010, he ran for governor and secured his party’s nomination but ultimately lost that year to Democrat Neil Abercrombie.

BJ Penn poses with all five of his UFC championship belts and several of his fight posters at his family's home on May 30, 2015, in Hilo, Hawaii.  (Hollyn Johnson/Hawaii Tribune-Herald via AP, File)

Since leaving office and following the failed campaign, Aiona resumed his private law practice. He has also hosted the 808 State Update Talk Radio and served as university adjunct faculty.

HAWAII SCHOOL NAMED AFTER FORMER US PRESIDENT MCKINLEY FACES CONTROVERSY REGARDING NAME

On the Democratic ticket, current Lt. Gov. Josh Green won his party’s primary for Hawaii governor, defeating U.S. Rep. Kaiali’i Kahele and former Hawaii first lady Vicky Cayetano.

Green, who has served under Hawaii Gov. David Ige for the past four years, was previously a state senator, representative, and physician.

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green, left, and his wife, Jamie, greet passing cars while campaigning in Honolulu on Aug. 2, 2022.  (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

Aiona is the son of a Portuguese-Hawaiian father and a first-generation Chinese mother while Green was born in Kingston, New York, and was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The two lieutenant governors will square off in November, where Green is already considered a favorite to win the general election as Hawaii is a liberal state. 

HAWAII COUPLE ACCUSED OF STEALING DEAD BABIES' IDENTITIES MAY HAVE BEEN KGB SPIES, PROSECUTORS SAY

In their respective primaries, Green garnered just over 136,000 votes while Aiona received a comparatively smaller 29,000.

U.S. Senate

In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Brian Schatz won the Democratic primary with 94 percent of the vote.

Republican state Rep. Bob McDermott won his party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, beating five other challengers, Hawaii News Now reported.

U.S. House of Representatives — 1st District

In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Case easily defeated a challenge from attorney and political newcomer Sergio Alcubilla in the Democratic primary, News Now reported.

A general view shows Waikiki and Honolulu, Hawaii, from the Diamond Head crater on February 20, 2022.  (DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Among Republicans, Conrad Kress held a comfortable lead with 48 percent over Arturo Reyes (30 percent) and Patrick Largey (24 percent), per the report.

U.S. House of Representatives — 2nd District

After Kaiali’i Kahele vacated his position representing Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District in a bid to become the state’s next governor, six Democrats and three Republicans stepped up to take his place.

HAWAII’S HIDDEN TREASURES INCLUDE THESE HISTORIC WAR MONUMENTS IN OAHU

On Saturday evening, former state Sen. Jill Tokuda secured the Democratic primary win, News Now reported.

An aerial view from the window of a plane shows Diamond Head crater in Oahu, Hawaii on February 23, 2022.  (DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Tokuda, a well-known politician, initially ran for lieutenant governor before joining the congressional race after Kahele announced he was not seeking re-election. She defeated state Rep. Patrick Pihana Branco.

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In the Republican primary, former U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst and businessman Joe Akana won his party’s primary, defeating business owner Joseph Webster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/hawaii-elections-aiona-wins-gop-nomination-for-governor-dems-back-green-schatz-to-face-mcdermott-for-senate/?feed_id=10699&_unique_id=62f8b51291940

Russian Schools to Close in Ukraine Border Regions – Governor

Russian schools near the border with Ukraine will not reopen for the new academic year amid the threat of cross-border attacks, the head of Russia’s Belgorod region said Wednesday.

At least four Russian border regions including Belgorod had canceled school and grounded flights in the days after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. A number of attacks, some of which damaged infrastructure and claimed civilian lives, have been reported there in the five months of hostilities — but Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied being behind them. 

“For the time being, we will limit the work of schools and kindergartens located in the five-kilometer border zone. They will be closed,” Belgorod region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced.

Local authorities will designate which schools the children will attend when the academic year starts on Sept. 1, he added in a Telegram post. 

Gladkov identified five Belgorod region towns and villages located nearest to Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv where schools will not reopen.

Kharkiv resisted Russia’s attempt to capture the city in the first two months of the war but has faced near-daily Russian shelling over the past month. 

Four other Belgorod region settlements further from Kharkiv will resume studies on Sept. 1, Governor Gladkov said. 

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/russian-schools-to-close-in-ukraine-border-regions-governor/?feed_id=5958&_unique_id=62ea3af6f3ffb

6 Wounded in Drone Attack on Russian Fleet – Governor

A drone attack on the Russian fleet in the Crimean port of Sevastopol on Sunday wounded six people, the Russian-annexed city's mayor Mikhail Razvozhayev said.

"This morning, Ukrainian nationalists decided to spoil the Day of the Russian Fleet" being celebrated on Sunday, he said on Telegram, adding that six people, including employees of the army staff, had been wounded.

All festivities had been "canceled for security reasons," he said, asking residents of the city to remain indoors "if possible."

Huge celebrations are due to take place in Russia, including a naval parade in St. Petersburg that will be attended by President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian forces have in recent weeks retaken territory seized by Russian forces since their Feb. 24 invasion.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian strikes partially destroyed a major bridge in the city of Kherson, occupied by Russian forces.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/6-wounded-in-drone-attack-on-russian-fleet-governor/?feed_id=4628&_unique_id=62e63e3fbad0e