More than 11,000 Dead in Libya Floods, Thousands Still Missing

Written By Guest User

As many as 20,000 feared dead as rescue teams continue search

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Good morning everyone,

On this Friday, let’s start with UFO’s (or UAP’s as they’re now called— “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena” and aliens.

A NASA investigation into hundreds of UFO sightings found there was no evidence aliens were behind the unexplained phenomena. But they also couldn’t rule out the possibility. So…. yeah. Kind of back to where we started.

NASA says we need to end the stigma attached to reporting sightings and move the conversation from “sensationalism to science.” The agency now has a full time director in charge of investigating UAPs. That should be a fun role.

Also, as the holiday of Rosh Hashanah begins tonight, we wish our Jewish readers a sweet and healthy New Year.

Mosheh, Jill, & Leila

🗞 LIBYA DEATH TOLL SOARS ABOVE 11,000

The death toll from flooding in Libya has risen above 11,000, but as many as 20,000 are feared dead after devastating floods from Mediterranean Storm Daniel. Nearly a quarter of the city of Derna in the northeastern part of the country has been destroyed.

It’s a devastating toll that global officials say could have largely been avoided.

SEARCH AND RESCUE
Rescuers are attempting to beat the clock as they search both under rubble. Authorities are not expecting many survivors to be found.

  • About 10,000 people are still missing.

  • At least 30,000 survivors are displaced.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Catastrophic amounts of rainfall caused two dams to collapse. The immense rainfall caused the Wadi Derna River to swell to several times its normal level, creating what’s been described as 23-foot-high waves.

COULD IT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED?

Last year, academics flagged a collapse in dams on the Wadi Derna as a potential risk. They called for "immediate" action, including periodic maintenance of the dams. Turns out, the two dams on the Wadi Derna have not been maintained since 2008.

The UN weather and climate agency says most of the deaths could have been avoided if a better warning system was in place.

  • Libya’s National Meteorological Center had issued warnings 72 hours before the flooding to all governmental authorities that evacuations were necessary. It doesn’t appear those alerts were acted upon.

    • The mayor of Derna called for an evacuation of the city. Instead, the eastern Libyan government ordered curfews and for people to stay put.

VOLATILE NATION

The real issue in Libya comes down to internal governmental turmoil.

The country is split in half and ruled by two rival governments. It has faced years of political chaos and civil war since the 2011 downfall of Muammar Gaddafi. Most of the country to the west of Derna is run by the Government of National Unity. But Derna has been chaotic, run by a succession of Islamist groups, including the Islamic State. It is currently controlled by the Libyan National Army, a rival to the unity government.

Investment in infrastructure and development has largely fallen to the wayside, particularly in villages around the country.

GLOBAL AID

A massive aid operation has already begun. President Biden and other world leaders have pledged their support.

Another problem: Aid workers are struggling to get to the disaster zone because of destroyed roads, lack of power and communication, and the internal division of the country.

 

✔︎ Mo News Reality Check: Adding to the tragedy, in some cases entire families have been wiped out. As explained by Dr. Alaa Murabit, families often live on extended family land plots. Grandparents, children, aunts, uncles and cousins live side by side or in the same building. Entire families and generations were lost in a matter of minutes.

⏳ SPEED READ

 
 

🚨NATION

📌 Hunter Biden indicted by special counsel on felony gun charges (ABC)

📌 Tropical Storm warnings expanded across New England as Hurricane Lee makes final approach (FOX WEATHER)

📌 Georgia judge shuts down effort to try Trump and 18 co-defendants all together (CNN)

📌 United Auto Workers officially go on strike after failing to reach deal with GM, Ford & Stellantis (NBC NEWS)

📌 Ukraine’s Zelensky to visit Washington as support for additional aid drops among Republicans (POLITICO)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

📌Journalist who fled threats in Mexico wins US asylum appeal (AL JAZEERA)

📌 Luxury cruise ship freed off coast of Greenland after getting stuck (ABC NEWS)

📌 Man who groped Spanish reporter live on TV arrested (NY POST)

📌 Botulism outbreak linked to sardines at Bordeaux restaurant leaves 1 dead, 8 hospitalized (CNN)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

📌 Apple iPhone 15 pre-orders begin today (USA TODAY)

📌 Disney is in talks to sell ABC (INSIDER)

📌 Inside Exxon’s strategy to downplay climate change (WSJ)

📌 France threatens to ban iPhone 12 over radiation. Why you shouldn’t freak out (USA TODAY )

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

📌 NSYNC reveals first new song in 20 Years for 'Trolls Band Together' soundtrack (ET)

📌Hear stunning music recorded inside Mississippi's infamous Parchman prison (BBC)

📌 CIA discloses identity of 2nd spy in ‘Argo’ operation after all these years (NY TIMES)

📌 Why Sofia Vergara walked off the set of America’s Got Talent (PEOPLE)

🎉CHEERS TO THE FREAKIN WEEKEND

Guest User
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