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Table of Contents
Drones in Ukraine
As Ukraine battles Russian invasion, drones have assumed immense significance. Their use has revolutionized battlefield operations with affordable capabilities that weren’t previously available – giving Ukraine’s soldiers access to powerful tools not previously available to them.
Ukrainian forces utilize hobbyist rotor drones and military-grade models of consumer drones for mapping and camouflaging themselves from above. Their attacks against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet as well as Moscow have caused shockwaves among political elites.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in February the establishment of an armed forces branch dedicated exclusively to drone technology as part of his bid to gain technological superiority over Moscow. Yet domestic drone industry still faces many hurdles; and new first-person-view kamikaze drones requiring advanced software require support from outside experts in order to operate successfully.
Japanese automakers
Japanese automakers have left an indelible mark on the global automotive landscape, leading the world in reliability, fuel efficiency and customer satisfaction thanks to their focus on innovation. Furthermore, they have pioneered hybrid and electric vehicle development as an environmental solution.
Though Japanese companies have been successful, they still face numerous challenges in the globally competitive auto market. Exchange rate fluctuations can have a detrimental impact on profitability; domestic demand has declined due to an aging population, so Japanese car brands rely heavily on international markets to sustain growth; regulatory requirements in different countries may prove more than daunting, forcing them to invest heavily in research and development to ensure compliance.
FEMA still paying Helene’s hotel bills
One month since Helene devastated Western North Carolina, many families remain living in hotels. FEMA extended their Transitional Sheltering Assistance program through Jan. 11 on Friday – which means many have not been forced out.
Surviving hurricane victims have two options for housing: hotels or longer-term apartments provided by an agency, as well as trailers or mobile homes provided to those unable to return to their original properties due to damage caused by Hurricane Irma.
Beyond covering hotel stays, other federal programs can assist with cleaning and sanitizing homes, child care expenses, vehicle repairs and funeral costs. You can apply online or at a disaster recovery center; just be wary of scammers. FEMA employees wear photo ID badges that clearly state they do not charge fees for disaster aid; should anyone try to force you into making payments they should report it immediately with local law enforcement authorities.
Puerto Rico’s piers
Puerto Rico’s iconic piers provide the ideal setting to experience the excitement of fishing in a Caribbean environment. Jacks such as crevalle and horse-eye roam the shallow waters around piers and reefs, ambushing unsuspecting prey. Mutton snapper can be caught using bottom fishing techniques; also Mutton snapper and lane snapper may be found using bottom-fishing techniques.
One suspicious oil discharge has been detected near Old San Juan Pier 9 near Pier 9, which has now been confirmed through sample analysis as heavy petroleum substance similar to what was seen during the 2021 mystery spill. Pier 9 serves home port ships from Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Carnival; transit cruises also dock there for transit cruises run by private companies operating the pier; taxis are readily available outside its exit; ultimately it will be replaced with another newer facility.
Drones in the U.S.
New Jersey has recently seen an outbreak of drone sightings that have highlighted our limited ability to monitor low-flying drones. While investments in radar infrastructure and federal efforts regarding aircraft traffic control provide authorities with an accurate view of conventional crewed airplanes flying overhead, such technology doesn’t easily facilitate tracking drones that operate without broadcasting their presence.
Since their investigation started, the FBI has received over 5,000 drone sighting tips; only two percent were followed up on. Some matched airplane flight patterns while others led directly to stars in the night sky.
New Jersey lawmakers are pressing federal officials for more information regarding drones, including what the government knows about them and whether any state equipment used against drones complies with federal laws when fighting them.
