What's Happening

Politics

Reports of Threats Hinder Hurricane Recovery Efforts

What's going on: More than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, federal emergency responders continue to face significant hurdles. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been battling a wave of misinformation — including a barrage of antisemitic posts on social media. However, tensions reached a new high over the weekend following reports of an “armed militia” targeting FEMA. As a result, the agency paused critical door-to-door outreach to help hurricane victims apply for federal aid. Although the militia reports turned out to be false, authorities arrested an armed man in North Carolina for allegedly threatening to harm federal emergency workers in the area. Officials said he was working alone.

What it means: Threats of violence hinder FEMA as it tries to get aid to those who need it, which is already difficult because of the mountainous terrain in western North Carolina, according to a former FEMA administrator. Compounding these challenges: The politicization of Hurricanes Helene and Milton has fed online conspiracies. According to The Wall Street Journal, white supremacist groups are taking advantage of the situation to recruit new members. Meanwhile, FEMA, already a frequent target of far-right conspiracy theories, now faces increased scrutiny, raising concerns about how law enforcement should handle vigilante groups and individuals interfering with recovery efforts.

Related: Hurricane Helene’s Death Toll Continues To Climb As Officials Recover Bodies (AP)

International

Oh Baby: Countries Around the World Struggle to Boost Birth Rates

What's going on: People are hitting pause on parenthood in many parts of the world, and governments appear to be freaking out about it. Europe’s population growth has been shrinking since the 1960s, but it’s been dropping at a faster rate in recent years compared to what experts initially predicted. The UN estimates Europe’s population will decrease by about 40 million by 2050. America isn’t far behind with a fertility rate of 1.6 children for every woman, according to data from the CDC. That’s far below the rate needed to keep the US population steady. Russia, China, Hungary, South Korea, and many other countries have made it a national priority to boost population rates by offering subsidies and benefits to growing families, but most haven’t seen major success.

What it means: Experts told The Wall Street Journal the declining birth rate isn’t solely tied to financial concerns. (Though, universal paid family leave and affordable child care would be nice.) They say the drop also represents a cultural shift in society as many couples prioritize hitting milestones tied to their education or career growth. Declining fertility rates are persisting among nearly all socioeconomic groups and age levels. As for the US, experts warn a declining population could strain future social security funding and limit economic growth. Experts say one key factor preventing a sharp population drop in the US is steady immigration, which helps maintain a strong workforce.

Related: Parents in America Are Struggling. This Is What Trump and Harris Are Saying (CBS)

Space

Move Over Mars…The Search for Life Outside Earth Moves to a New Planet

What's going on: NASA is debunking the old schoolyard myth about going “to Jupiter to get more stupider.” In fact, top scientists crafted the agency’s latest mission — sending a spacecraft to explore Jupiter’s mysterious moon Europa — as part of a crucial quest. The vessel, which launched yesterday, will determine if a deep ocean exists beneath the moon’s icy shell. If so, it could create conditions that might support life — think Aquamarine-meets-ET vibes. Scientists estimate Europa (which is clearly a water sign) may hold twice as much H2O as Earth’s oceans. It’ll take NASA five and a half years and 1.8 million miles to reach the moon, so this is a long game. NASA’s also feeling sentimental, as the spacecraft (fittingly dubbed the “Europa Clipper”) carries a microchip engraved with about 2.6 million names sent in by the public, plus a poem by US Poet Laureate Ada Limón (if there are aliens, they’ll know we’re cultured — though we might have sent the lyrics to “Drops of Jupiter,” too). 

What it means: Although NASA has sent vessels to check out Jupiter before, the Clipper will be the first one dedicated to understanding a complex, ice-engulfed ocean within our solar system, particularly one that’s potentially habitable for life. It’s a big swing and one that will cost $5.2 billion. NASA’s been conceptualizing the mission since 2013, and has faced a few obstacles, including dealing with Jupiter’s radiation field (the Clipper will have to withstand the equivalent of several million chest X-rays). While it orbits Europa, the spacecraft will try to figure out exactly how thick the moon’s ice layer is and make other discoveries about how that frigid sheet interacts with the ocean and the celestial body itself.

Related: How Are Those Astronauts Stuck in Space Holding Up?  (AP)