Hong kongs prodemocracy protesters take to the streets once again al jazeera journalist peter greste is free. He was released from an egyptian prison a few hours ago and deported. He flue to cypress where he is expected to continue to australia. He is said to be in good health. His colleagues Mohamed Fadel fahmy and Baher Mohamed are still in gaol in egypt, where they have been held for 400 days. Al jazeera welcomed peter grestes release, but said the campaign to free journalists in egypt will not end until all three have been released. Gerald tan respects. This was the most recent protest against the detention of al jazeera staff in egypt. At the end of the december marking a year since arrest journalists rallied in london and around the world sydney the hague, sarajevo. Its been a year of agony for the men. Peter grestes parents were in cairo, hoping for the release by christmas. To me giving him a hug at the end was difficult just to say goodbye and leave him for the rest of the day
Approvement act . And what other benefits are being experienced . Um as far as benefits of the Sandy Recovery reimprovement act is a very important tool and the other lesson that we have learned from is the events of katrina is that there are certain types of projects that are technically difficult that exceed the average capacity for people to manage and you need expert so we engage very early. And identify where the projects will be whether they are hospitals or other large public infrastructures. We brought in a lot of experts. It wasnt until you passed a Sandy Recovery improvement act that we had the resolution had we been using an old program and using actual costs, there would have been more uncertainty for the application cant on what they could and could not do. It would have been more overhead in making those decisions and they would not have had the ability to get what they were going to get from us and move forward. As it is we have obligated the majority of those funds. The
Times the 1st resort for insurable property that was not insured and those losses again it is a decision that we have to look at how to best ensure communities are able to rebuild but at the same time dont support or continue growing the risk. We have to understand there is a a certain amount of risk out there. The exposure for just south florida for a repeat a repeat of the great Miami Hurricane would be in the hundreds of billions of dollars with federal cost exceeding both sandy and katrina. It is, i think something we need to look at. We have to make sure as we go in after a disaster they are setting the stage for the future. We continue to see new disaster aid programs emerge ad hoc in reaction to disasters. They all seem to have different rules and requirements and do not seem well coordinated all we are focused on obtaining the best outcomes. Is this Something Congress should take a look at so that we can streamline programs and ensure that they are Cost Effective . Mr. Chairman
Proceed. There were instances when voter i. D. Laws had received preclearance because they sought to protect the ballot as opposed to act in a different way. But where there is an indication that the vote will somehow be harmed, i believe the department of justice certainly has the obligation to review that matter and look carefully at all of the facts and evidence and proceed accordingly. I couldnt agree with you more. And i find it ironic and painful that at this moment in our history, as we celebrate with the movie selma and talk about 50 Year Anniversary of the Voting Rights act that many states are making it more difficult for americans to vote, without any evidence of voter fraud to back up those changes. In one Southern State it is estimated that 600,000 voters were basically precluded from voting in election because of new voter i. D. Requirements. In that same state a 93yearold veteran was turned away. A 73yearold doctor turned away, people who were proud and wanted to vote tu
Treated a liberian man who died from ebola is now infected. Its the first known case of the disease being transmitted in the United States. Now the person described as a close contact has been placed in isolation. In iraq, isis is advancing on baghdad. Iraqi leaders are pleading with the United States to send in ground troops. It doesnt have to be american boots on the ground, but you have got to have people on the ground who can identify targets. In hong kong, prodemocracy protesters are said to be coming under attack. Some arrests have been made. Its the start of the sentencing hearing for Oscar Pistorius. He could face up to 15 years in jail. Severe Weather Threat today from the ohio valley to the gulf coast. Nearly 40 Million People at risk. And Tropical Storm will be tracking across the u. S. And u. S. Virgin islands. Police bracing for more protests in st. Louis today. Protests led to 17 arrests with tear gas. A dramatic rescue in san diego. Lifeguards save three swimmers who got