WORLD NEWS FLASH
UNITED STATES
Photo via Dax McDonald Twitter
Tragedy struck in the Midwest after an unfortunate meeting between two massive mobile objects.
On June 27 at 12:42 p.m. local time, an Amtrak Train, identified as Southwest Chief Train 4, derailed after striking a truck that was obstructing a public crossing near Mendon, Missouri. The eight-car, two locomotive train was traveling eastbound on BNSF track from Los Angeles to Chicago, had approximately 275 passengers and 12 crew members onboard.
Local authorities responded to the scene to provide assistance and care for our customers and employees. Emergency personnel was dispatched to the scene to help support passengers and employees with their needs.
In response, Amtrak issued the following statement: “We are deeply saddened to learn that the Missouri State Highway Patrol is now confirming that four people, three passengers and the truck driver, have lost their lives as a result of this grade crossing incident. There are also several reported injuries among the passengers and crew members traveling on the train. Amtrak is working with local authorities to make sure those who are injured get medical care and everyone else receives services and transportation.
“We are grateful for the support from the local authorities who provided assistance and resources for our customers and employees. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has activated, and we will fully support the NTSB with its investigation. Additional details will be provided as available.”
As of this posting, 50 injuries have been reported, with 40 still hospitalized. The level crossing in question had been flagged as dangerous because of its lack of gates and lights, and the way that trucks had to climb an embankment to cross. According to reports, the work required would have cost $400,000.
WORLD
RUSSIA STRIKES UKRAINIAN SHOPPING MALL
At least ten people have reportedly been killed by what Ukrainian authorities have said was a Russian missile strike on a crowded shopping center, and attack which the UN condemned on June 27 as “utterly deplorable.”
The mall in the eastern city of Kremenchuk – a city which has largely escaped being targeted – was hit in the late afternoon, with reportedly 1,000 or more shoppers inside.
At least 40 were injured in the strike, said authorities, and the number of dead and injured is likely to rise. Footage from the scene showed buildings on fire and widespread destruction.
United Nations Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, told correspondents at the daily briefing in New York that although casualties still had to be verified.
“Any sort of civilian infrastructure, which includes obviously shopping malls, and civilians, should never ever be targeted,” he added.
Mr. Dujarric said there had been “disturbing reports of a new wave of airstrikes and shelling over the weekend and again today, with civilians having been killed or injured. Homes, health facilities and other civilian infrastructure were reportedly damaged.”
In a statement issued later in the day, Osnat Lubrani, UN Resident Coordinator for Ukraine, said she was appalled at news of the airstrike on the mall.
“My thoughts and my heart are with the families and loved ones, of the people that have been killed, with those injured, and with the people of Kremenchuk and Ukraine, that had to witness another tragic event.”
She said it was one more example “of the massive suffering that Russia’s war on Ukraine is causing on the people of this country.”
During the weekend, the capital, Kyiv, was hit again, and a residential building was damaged, with some people trapped in the debris, he added.
“Loss of life, injury, destruction of homes across Ukraine, wreak havoc in the lives of individuals, families, communities,” said Ms. Lubrani, in a tweet. “Civilians must be protected wherever they are.”
Meanwhile in the Donbas region on the front lines between the invading Russian forces and Ukrainian defenders, fighting has continued, with UN humanitarians facing “tremendous challenges” reaching civilians, “who are facing increasing needs,” said Mr. Dujarric.
EUROPE
UK TO TRESPASSERS: LEAVE OR ELSE
Trespassers who set up camp illegally on other people’s land or in local communities could face up to three months in prison from June 28, as a new criminal offence becomes law.
Cracking down on antisocial people causing misery by setting up illegal camps and refusing to remove their vehicles, delivers on a key government manifesto commitment.
Made possible by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, police in England and Wales will be given new powers to limit the harms caused by such unauthorized encampments and new statutory guidance will be published.
Police will now be able to ban trespassers from returning to a patch of land for a year, rather than just three months. And the definition of harm will be broadened, so that police can take more decisive action to tackle unauthorized encampments when necessary.
They will be able to intervene where unauthorized encampments are causing environmental damage or distress to the community – not just the landowner.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said, “No one should have unchecked rights to trespass on other people’s land, or cause misery in communities without consequence. The position in law is now very clear – trespassers must move their vehicles when asked to do so, or face jail time and a hefty fine.
“Illegal encampments cause misery for thousands of people: they damage and pollute environments and often result in local residents facing unacceptable intimidation on their own doorstep. Delivering on our manifesto commitments, this government will always stand on the side of the law-abiding majority and on the side of the police.”
Under the new guidance, the harms potentially caused by unauthorized encampments could include – but are not limited to – instances where: there is excessive littering, noise or smell – including from bonfire smoke; a local resident is verbally abused or intimidated, or fears leaving their house to avoid walking past an encampment; local communities are prevented from accessing sports fields, parks or car parks; property on the land, or the land itself has been damaged – including farmland.
For the first time, unauthorized encampments on highways will be covered, as well as on public and private land.
The new criminal offence will be punishable by a prison sentence of up to 3 months, or a fine of up to £2,500, or both, and/or seizure of the vehicle.
The conditions of the offense are clear – if people leave when asked to by the police or landowner, they will not risk having their vehicle seized, a fine or prison time.
CARIBBEAN
400 KILOS OF COKE SEIZED
On June 27, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents interdicted a vessel with two occupants transporting 902 pounds (409 kilos) of cocaine near Desecheo Island in the western coast of the island. The estimated value is approximately $ 9 million.
“Smuggling organizations are attempting to disguise their illegal activities as normal small vessel operators or fishermen,” Augusto Reyes, Director of the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch. “AMO agents are highly skilled, able to see through their tactics, and committed to use all our capabilities to interdict them and stop their illegal smuggling ventures.”
On June 27, Mayaguez Marine Interdiction Agents conducting a patrol approached for inspection a vessel navigating near Desecheo island. The two occupants indicated that they were fishing.
The AMO agents escorted the boat and its occupants to the Mayaguez Marine Boathouse for further inspection. On shore a US Border Patrol K9 alerted to the presence of a smell for which it is trained.
A more intrusive inspection resulted in finding a hidden compartment where 339 bricks of a white powdery substance which tested positive for the properties of cocaine.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) took custody of two men and the contraband for prosecution and investigation. On June 22, AMO agents intercepted another vessel attempting to smuggle 289 pounds of cocaine towards Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.
AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments at and beyond the border, and within the nation’s interior.
