UNICEF's Olga Isaza is joining us now from Kingston, Jamaica. Olga, you're headed out into the field right now. This really is Jamaica's storm of the century.Tell us what you're seeing so far today in terms of damage and and how's everyone, you know, doing. >> Good morning and let me start by expressing my compassion and my solidarity with all the people that are suffering here. The impact is huge.We are trying to reach the specific point in which the hurricane uh falls. So we are going to to try to reach a ...

For more on the storm relief response, let's bring in Olga Isaza. She's the UNICEF representative for Kingston, Jamaica. Olga, good morning.So, I mean, I think it's a big blessing after this just monster of a storm that we're not hearing large loss of life numbers, but UNICEF does estimate that 1.6% million children across the Caribbean were at some type of risk because of the storm. What are those risks and what are the top priorities right now as these areas try to recover for children and families. >> Go ...

US THIS MORNING. I'M JOE FRYER. - AND I'M SAVANNAH SELLERS.THANKS FOR STARTING YOUR WEDNESDAY WITH US. WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN IN CUBA, WHERE HURRICANE MELISSA MADE ITS SECOND LANDFALL AS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY THREE STORM JUST AFTER 3 A. M.THIS MORNING, PACKING WINDS UP TO 120MPH. THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER WARNS OF FLOODING RAINS AND DANGEROUS STORM SURGE FOR THE EASTERN PART OF THE ISLAND. CUBA'S PRESIDENT SAID.HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED, AND A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN PL ...

RT Irlandarra (@aldamu_jo)A Zionist attacks two Unicef fundraisers raising money for Gaza in Italy while saying:“I’ll fu**ing kill you, say Palestine one more time!” https://t.co/gGAo4Y6O4D ...

Government Spending and Budget Cuts - Congress passed a partisan bill cutting $9 billion in spending, primarily from foreign assistance programs [1][2] - $8 billion of the cuts target foreign assistance programs, including migration and refugee assistance and USAID [2] - $137 million cut to UNICEF [12] - $1.1 billion is cut from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, affecting news outlets like NPR and PBS [2] - The White House signals more recision packages could follow [3] Foreign Policy and Geopolitical Implications - Cuts to foreign assistance programs may harm America's soft power and influence globally [6][8] - Reduced funding could allow China and Russia to expand their influence, particularly in Africa [7][9][13][23] - The cuts are seen as the United States unilaterally disarming in the area of soft power [11] - Cutting aid for disease control and famine could lead to problems spreading beyond borders, impacting US strategic interests [14][15] Political Strategy and Consequences - Democrats express concern that any government funding deal can be undone by a partisan vote [16] - Republicans are perceived as willing to use tactics to achieve their goals, potentially leading to increased cynicism and anger among the Democratic base [20] - The cuts are criticized as harming the poorest people in the world [5][21]