Latest news with #UnifiedCommand
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Proactive approach': Missouri governor declares state of emergency amid anti-ICE protest; activates national guard
Missouri governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican, has declared a state of emergency and activated the state's National Guard. He said this is a precautionary move to prepare for possible protests in Missouri and because of unrest happening in other parts of the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kehoe signed an executive order, which gives the head of the National Guard, known as the Adjutant General, permission to send troops and use necessary equipment to help state and local law enforcement if needed, The Hill reported. Missouri officials have also set up a Unified Command made up of the State Highway Patrol, National Guard, and Department of Public Safety to monitor situations across the state. Governor Kehoe said the order was not meant to stop peaceful protests. "We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state," the governor said. "While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities," he added. Some officials and groups have criticised the governor's action. Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas said he is concerned the state is focusing more on some protesters than others. "Mayor Lucas is concerned with enhanced state enforcement for one set of protestors, but no action or aid to local law enforcement when Neo-Nazis march through Missouri's urban streets," his office said in a statement. "The Mayor has confidence in responsible protestors to use their First Amendment rights peacefully and in compliance with the law. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now More than one thousand Kansas Citians protested peacefully and responsibly just days ago." "For those who do not act responsibly, the Mayor stands by the women and men of local law enforcement at KCPD and other agencies to handle any necessary enforcement actions. Unnecessary escalation from our nation's capital and state capitals undermines local law enforcement and makes all less safe." Missouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune also criticized the move, saying it could make the situation worse. "Governor Kehoe's preemptive declaration of a state of emergency as Missourians prepare to protest an increasingly authoritarian presidential administration is a blatant attempt to intimidate and suppress First Amendment rights," she said. "The protests planned this weekend across Missouri and throughout the nation were sparked by the president's unwarranted and heavy-handed military response to opposition to his policies. By doing the same, the governor will only heighten tensions and increase the possibility of conflict. Governor Kehoe should staunchly defend the rights of Missourians, not mimic the authoritarianism of the president." The American Civil Liberties Union also condemned the governor's action. "Governor Kehoe's decision to activate Missouri's National Guard serves as an unnecessary provocation to thwart public dissent," the ACLU said. "The right for people to join in protests or peaceful assembly is core to the First Amendment, and critical to a functioning democracy. Government and law enforcement officials have the moral and constitutional responsibility to stop the escalation, practice restraint, and allow Missourians to exercise this foundational right." "It is critical that Missourians who plan on attending know and educate others of their rights around protests and police interactions," the statement continued. "We emphasise attendees to prioritize de-escalation, even in moments of governmental provocation and fear-mongering, and to lookout for one another." Mayor Lucas also posted on social media after California Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed at a press conference. "One of our few Latino senators tries to ask a question of a cabinet secretary over whom he has oversight responsibility, and is placed in handcuffs on the ground. Shameful," he wrote. Other officials supported the governor's move. US Representative Mark Alford said Missouri would not tolerate riots. "We support the first amendment right of every Missourian to peacefully demonstrate, but violence and riots will NOT be tolerated in the Show Me State," he said. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also praised Kehoe for acting early. He thanked the governor for "taking preemptive measures to ensure the lawlessness we've seen across our country does not reach our state." In California, protests have been growing after President Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles in response to opposition to his immigration policies.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
J&K lt governor chairs Unified Command meet, reviews Amarnath Yatra security
Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha chaired the Unified Command meeting in Srinagar on Tuesday and reviewed the security situation in the Union Territory and arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra that begins on July 3. The meeting, which was the first since the launch of Operation Sindoor to destroy terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, was attended by top officers of the army, police, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other security agencies and the Jammu and Kashmir administration. During the meeting at Raj Bhawan, the lieutenant governor was briefed by the officers about the current security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly on the Line of Control and international border. Sinha asked the officers to enhance security for the Amarnath Yatra on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, especially in the backdrop of the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadow that left 25 tourists and a local guide dead. Sources said that Sinha was given a presentation about the security arrangements being made for the pilgrims right from Lakhanpur up to the cave shrine on both the routes. It is learnt that additional companies of security personnel are being deployed for this year's yatra that concludes on August 9. Citing the recent operations at Keller, Shopian, and Tral, Awantipora, in which six terrorists were eliminated, the lieutenant governor directed the officers to keep up the pressure to dismantle the terror ecosystem completely. Chief minister Omar Abdullah has also said that the safety of Amarnath Yatra is priority for his government. 'Our first concern is the safety and security of the Amarnath Yatra,' Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar last week.
American Military News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Video: Pentagon cutting 20% of senior generals
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum on Monday directing the Pentagon to reduce the number of four-star generals and admirals in the U.S. military by 20% in an effort to 'shift resources' to America's 'warfighters.' Announcing the memorandum, titled 'Less Generals, More GIs,' in a video on X, formerly Twitter, Hegseth said, 'We're going to shift resources from bloated headquarters elements to our warfighters.' Hegseth explained that the U.S. military currently has 44 four-star and flag officers for a force of 2.1 million service members, compared to only 17 four and five-star generals during World War II for a force of 12 million service members. The secretary of defense warned that having a higher number of top generals and admirals 'does not equal more success.' Addressing the upcoming reduction of four-star generals and flag officers, Hegseth said, 'Now, this is not a slash-and-burn exercise meant to punish high-ranking officers. Nothing could be further from the truth. This has been a deliberative process, working with the Joint Chiefs of Staff with one goal: maximizing strategic readiness and operational effectiveness by making prudent reductions in the general and flag officer ranks.' READ MORE: Video: SECDEF Hegseth orders 'same standard' for men, women in combat roles In Monday's video, Hegseth explained that there will be 'two phases' in the 'Less Generals More GIs Policy.' For the first phase, Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to implement a 20% reduction of four-star and flag officers and a 20% reduction of general and flag officers in the National Guard. Hegseth also announced that the second phase of the Pentagon's new policy will include an additional 10% reduction in general and flag officers and will be conducted 'in conjunction with a realignment of the Unified Command plan.' 'It's going to be done carefully, but it's going to be done expeditiously,' Hegseth said. 'We confront a complex and evolving threat environment. We cannot afford to wait. We got to be lean and mean. And in this case, it means general officer reductions.' Introducing the 'Less Generals More GIs Policy.' — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) May 5, 2025
USA Today
06-05-2025
- General
- USA Today
Oil well spews thousands of gallons into Louisiana marsh, clean up underway: See aftermath
After a week of uncontrolled spillage, a leak pouring more than 70,000 gallons of oil into a Louisiana marsh has been contained, according to the Coast Guard. However, cleanup of the area surrounding the 83-year-old oil well at the heart of the spill is still ongoing. The well, operated by Spectrum Opco, was first noted as spilling an oil and gas mixture into the environment in Plaquemines Parish, southeast of New Orleans, on April 26. The World War II-era well was capped over a decade ago, according to local outlets WWNO and While the Coast Guard announced on May 4 that the leak had been contained, its cause has yet to be determined. The Coast Guard and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSCO), known together in this case as the Unified Command, took over the situation on May 1 and said as of May 4 that it had "successfully secured the discharge of oil and natural gas." The agency also said it was partnering with a litany of organizations on cleanup efforts, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 'Gaining control of the discharge is a vital milestone' As of the May 4 announcement, responders have deployed 15,000 feet of containment boom and 740 bales of absorbent boom (devices used in spills to block and absorb substances) to recover approximately 70,812 gallons of oily water mixture. The total amount of oil discharged is still unknown at this time. 'Gaining control of the discharge is a vital milestone, but it marks only the beginning of our work," said Capt. Greg Callaghan, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal on Scene Coordinator, in a statement. "The Unified Command is fully committed to an exhaustive cleanup effort and will remain on site for as long as necessary to ensure the removal of oil and the safety of both the community and the ecosystem." Nearby areas are protected marshlands that house wildlife like turtles, waterfowl, fish and shrimp. The impact on the ecosystem is not yet known, but the Coast Guard said at least one "oiled bird" had been seen but not captured.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Crews race to cleanup oil spill along Louisiana coastline
NEW ORLEANS – Nearly 200 personnel are working to contain an oil spill along the coast of Louisiana that threatens to pollute marshes around Plaquemines Parish. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the agency was alerted to a leaking well about 20 miles southeast of Venice over the weekend. A unified command was established and deployed thousands of feet of boom in an attempt to contain the oily residue. The agency reports that more than 23,000 gallons of oily water have been collected so far, and drone video shows streaks of a brownish-black substance along the shoreline. "Our top priority remains the safety of the public and our responders," Gregory Callaghan, a captain with the U.S. Coast Guard, said in a statement. "The Unified Command is working around the clock to secure the source of the discharge as safely and quickly as possible. We are committed to minimizing further impacts to the environment." New Satellite Imagery Reveals Expanse Of Oil Spill In Caribbean The exact amount of discharged oil remains unknown as crews continue efforts to plug the once-active well. Aerial surveillance by drones and helicopters has not detected any immediate health concerns for humans, as the impacted area is located some distance from communities. Officials remain concerned about the potential impact on wildlife, including birds, fish and other species that inhabit the marshlands. Authorities have not reported any significant harm to animal populations at this time, though the situation is still developing. Several hotlines have been established for boaters and the public to report sightings of oil or injured wildlife. The National Response Center can be reached at 800-424-8802, and the Wildlife Hotline can be contacted at 832-514-9663. Officials have not disclosed what may have triggered the well to start leaking, nor whether elevated water levels from the Mississippi River are complicating containment and cleanup efforts. 'It Unravels From The Bottom': Scientists Work To Save Louisiana's Shrinking Wetlands The current leak is significantly smaller than the Deepwater Horizon spill that devastated the Gulf Coast in 2010. During that incident, an estimated 134 million gallons of oil were released over 87 days, impacting coastal communities from Texas to Florida. Investigators determined that the historic spill was caused by an explosion triggered by the ignition of methane gas. NOAA reports that several environmental restoration projects remain ongoing and are expected to continue beyond article source: Crews race to cleanup oil spill along Louisiana coastline
