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Biden considers emergency session of Congress for disaster relief

President Joe Biden said this week that he may recall Congress from recess to pass new disaster aid following Hurricane Helene, which exhausted federal disaster funds.

Andres Picon reports for E&E News.

In short:

Hurricane Helene caused severe damage, and the cost of recovery may reach $160 billion.
FEMA’s disaster fund is nearly empty, and the agency may face funding shortages soon without new congressional action.
Biden requested billions in additional disaster relief last year, but lawmakers have yet to approve the funds.

Key quote:

“This is a historic storm; it’s devastating.”

— President Joe Biden

Why this matters:

Hurricanes are becoming more destructive, straining federal disaster resources. Without immediate congressional funding, recovery efforts may stall, worsening the long-term impacts on affected communities like Asheville, North Carolina.

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Antarctica’s latest geoengineering proposal could spark international conflict

As climate change accelerates Antarctic ice melt, a proposal to create an underwater “curtain” to block warm water from glaciers is raising concerns—not just about environmental impact but about the geopolitical fallout it could trigger.

Ellen Phiddian reports for Cosmos.

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