Latest news with #SpecialSession
Washington Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Democrats are willing to play the redistricting game
Good morning, Early Birds. Welcome to another week with us. Send tips to earlytips@ Thanks for waking up with us. In today's edition … All eyes on the Texas legislature … Trump pushes to release more on Epstein … but first … Today kicks off what will probably be a particularly contentious and closely watched special session of the Texas legislature. Republicans want to redraw the state's congressional districts to create new Republican seats — five more, if President Donald Trump gets his way. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called the special session following devastating floods in Central Texas that killed over 100 people, many of them children. The state's legislature meets only once every two years, but the governor has the power to reconvene outside that schedule.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Texas Governor Says He'll Introduce Flood Items at Special Session
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Sunday that flood-related legislation will be a priority during the upcoming Legislative Special Session beginning Monday. Abbott added four flood preparedness items to the session agenda following flooding over the Fourth of July weekend that killed at least 135 people across the Lone Star State. Newsweek has reached out to Abbott's office via email on Sunday for comment. Why It Matters The devastating floods exposed critical gaps in Texas's disaster preparedness infrastructure, particularly in the Hill Country region where many communities lack adequate warning systems. Kerr County, which suffered the majority of casualties, does not have a flood warning system despite missed opportunities over the past decade to finance one. The legislative response could fundamentally reshape how Texas prepares for and responds to natural disasters, potentially saving lives in future extreme weather events. President Donald Trump later announced on Truth Social that he had approved a "Major Disaster Declaration" for the deadly floods. What To Know The special session will address flood warning systems, emergency communications, relief funding for Hill Country floods, and natural disaster preparation and recovery. Most deaths occurred along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio, where the Hill Country's dry, dirt-packed soil cannot absorb heavy rainfall. Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian summer camp for girls, lost at least 27 campers and counselors in the flooding. The state's House and Senate have formed special committees on flooding and disaster preparedness, planning a July 31 visit to Kerrville to hear from residents. Texas state Representative Don McLaughlin, a Republican, has already introduced legislation requiring the state's top public health official to set building standards for youth camps in 100-year floodplains. The committees will begin with a joint hearing Wednesday examining the state's response, flood planning, infrastructure management, and first responder communications. Abbott initially called the special session to address other issues, including THC product regulation and congressional redistricting at Trump's request. The 30-day session now includes 17 total agenda items beyond the flood-related measures. Special session begins tomorrow. I included 4 items to address flood preparedness and recovery: Flood warning systems Flood emergency communications Relief funding Natural disaster prep & recovery We must ensure better preparation in the — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 20, 2025 What People Are Saying Texas Governor Greg Abott wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: "Special session begins tomorrow. I included 4 items to address flood preparedness and recovery: Flood warning systems, Flood emergency communications, Relief funding, Natural disaster prep & recovery We must ensure better preparation in the future." Dalton Rice, Kerrville City Manager, said in a statement: "We are profoundly grateful to the more than 1,000 local, state, and federal authorities who have worked tirelessly in the wake of the devastating flood that struck our community. Thanks to their extraordinary efforts, the number of individuals previously listed as missing has dropped from over 160 to three." Rice continued: "This remarkable progress reflects countless hours of coordinated search and rescue operations, careful investigative work, and an unwavering commitment to bringing clarity and hope to families during an unimaginably difficult time." Rob Kelly, Kerr County Judge, said in a statement: "To every member of law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency management, and supporting agencies — thank you. Your dedication, professionalism, and compassion have brought comfort and answers to so many." Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
India has taken a proactive and forward-thinking approach to extreme heat risk management under leadership of PM Modi: Dr P K Mishra
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra, has emphasised the urgent need to address extreme heat as a global crisis, echoing the call from the UN Secretary-General. Delivering the keynote address during the Special Session on Extreme Heat Risk Governance at Geneva on Friday, he underlined that rising temperatures pose a systemic risk to public health, economic stability, and ecological resilience, according to a PMO statement. India welcomes the UNDRR's initiative to advance the Common Framework for Extreme Heat Risk Governance as a platform for shared learning, guidance, and collaboration. Mishra emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has taken a proactive and forward-thinking approach to extreme heat risk management. He pointed out that India has moved beyond disaster response toward integrated preparedness and mitigation strategies. Since 2016, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has developed comprehensive national guidelines on heatwave management, revised in 2019, which laid the foundation for decentralised Heat Action Plans (HAPs). He acknowledged the pioneering Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan, which demonstrated how early warnings, inter-agency coordination, and community outreach can save lives. 'Over 250 cities and districts across 23 heat-prone states have operational Heat Action Plans, supported by NDMA's advisory, technical, and institutional mechanisms', stressed the Principal Secretary, underscoring that strengthened surveillance, hospital readiness, and awareness campaigns have significantly reduced heatwave-related mortality. Mishra highlighted that India's approach is whole-of-government and whole-of-society, engaging ministries from health, agriculture, urban development, labour, power, water, education, and infrastructure. He noted that public health institutes, research groups, civil society organisations, and universities are playing a crucial role in supporting local governments in improving heat action plans. 'Extreme heat deeply impacts communities, and India has actively incorporated traditional wisdom and local experiences into its response', stressed Dr Mishra. He noted that schools have become catalysts for behavioural change, educating children about climate resilience. He also emphasised that hospitals and primary health centres must be strengthened to ensure swift and effective emergency responses. Outlining India's transition from a preparedness-only approach to long-term heatwave mitigation, including cool roof technologies, passive cooling centres, urban greening, and the revival of traditional water bodies, Shri Mishra affirmed that India is integrating Urban Heat Island (UHI) assessments into city planning. Mishra announced a major policy shift, stating that National and State Disaster Mitigation Funds (SDMF) can now be used for heatwave mitigation. This allows local governments, private sector entities, NGOs, and individuals to co-finance prevention and mitigation projects, fostering shared responsibility. Mishra acknowledged key challenges that remain and called for a global focus on developing a localized heat-humidity index based on real-time data to enhance early warning systems, advancing affordable and culturally appropriate building technologies and passive cooling innovations, and addressing equity concerns, as extreme heat disproportionately affects women, outdoor workers, the elderly, and children. 'Heatwaves are transboundary and systemic risks, particularly for densely populated urban areas', stressed Dr Mishra, urging the international community to enhance technological collaboration, data sharing, and joint research on heat resilience. He called for the Common Framework to provide accessible knowledge, research, and practical solutions, alongside institutional and financial support mechanisms. As per the statement, Mishra affirmed India's full commitment to sharing its expertise, technical capacities, and institutional strengths with global partners, ensuring a resilient, coordinated, and proactive global response to extreme heat.(ANI)
