Cuba experienced its worst blackout in years after the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant failed, leaving millions without power. The outage began Thursday, affecting half the island, and by Friday, the entire nation was in darkness. Authorities partially restored power by Saturday, but full restoration remains uncertain. The failure was due to increased demand from air conditioners, breakdowns in aging plants, and insufficient fuel, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions. As Cuba worked to resolve the issue, Hurricane Oscar threatened the eastern provinces. Penelope Kingsley 20/10/2024 8:30 am
Israeli PM Netanyahu’s decision to target Rafah, despite warnings from President Biden and VP Harris, was deemed correct by experts. The IDF and Shin Bet announced the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in southern Gaza. Sinwar was responsible for the October 7 massacre of nearly 1,200 people, including over 40 Americans. Initially, Biden and Harris warned against the Rafah operation, citing potential humanitarian and diplomatic consequences. However, they later congratulated Israel on Sinwar’s death. Penelope Kingsley 20/10/2024 8:30 am
Hurricane Oscar has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with 85 mph winds, located 40 miles east-northeast of Great Inagua Island. It’s moving west at 10 mph and is expected to turn west-southwest, reaching Cuba’s coast tonight. A north-northeast turn is anticipated in a few days. Hurricane warnings are in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands, southeastern Bahamas, and parts of Cuba. Watches and warnings are also issued for other Cuban regions, urging preparations for potential hurricane conditions. Ava Sinclair 20/10/2024 8:30 am
Israel conducted at least a dozen air strikes on Beirut, targeting Hezbollah’s facilities, marking the heaviest attack in over a week. Smoke rose over southern suburbs, and residents received brief evacuation warnings. A multi-storey building was destroyed, and damage assessments are ongoing. Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets at Haifa, killing one person. Strikes also targeted areas near Beirut’s airport and outside the city. A couple was reportedly killed by a missile strike while fleeing a suspected drone. In the Bekaa Valley, five people, including a mayor, were killed in an Israeli strike. Noah Prescott 20/10/2024 8:30 am
Liam Payne, former One Direction member, died in Buenos Aires after a fall from his hotel. His body won’t be released to his family until final tests are completed. Authorities suspect he was alone and possibly experiencing a substance-related episode. His father, Geoff Payne, visited Buenos Aires, saw his son’s body, and thanked fans for their support. The cause of death was “polytrauma” with bleeding, pending toxicology results. Payne’s death has deeply affected fans and the music industry, with tributes pouring in globally. Penelope Kingsley 20/10/2024 5:00 am
In Maputo, Mozambique, lawyer Elvino Dias and Podemos official Paulo Guambe were shot dead in an attack on their car. Dias represented Venâncio Mondlane, a recent presidential candidate. The Center for Democracy and Human Rights described the killings as a “cold-blooded murder,” with 10-15 bullets fired. Witnesses allege police blocked Guambe’s evacuation and engaged in censorship. Police deny wrongdoing but promise to investigate. Tributes highlight Dias’s legal prowess and peaceful nature. The killings are seen as intimidation amid ongoing election vote counting. Noah Prescott 20/10/2024 5:00 am
Hurricane Oscar has formed near the Bahamas, expected to impact the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos with hurricane conditions as it moves west. Eastern Cuba will see heavy rainfall by Sunday. Hurricanes form when Atlantic tropical cyclones encounter favorable conditions, strengthening based on wind speed. At 39 mph, they become tropical storms; at 74 mph, they reach Category 1 hurricane status. These classifications help predict risks like strong winds, storm surges, and flooding. This hurricane season could be severe, with 17-25 tropical storms predicted, including 4-7 major hurricanes. Ava Sinclair 20/10/2024 5:00 am
The leak of classified U.S. intelligence documents reveals American concerns about Israeli military preparations for a potential strike on Iran. The documents, from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, circulated on Telegram, mainly among pro-Iran accounts. They interpret satellite imagery showing Israel’s military exercises and missile repositioning in anticipation of Iranian retaliation. While officials are divided on the leak’s seriousness, it highlights U.S. surveillance of Israel. The documents don’t disclose new American capabilities, and the damage is considered limited unless more leaks occur. Noah Prescott 20/10/2024 5:00 am
Israel reported a drone targeted Prime Minister Netanyahu’s house amid ongoing conflicts with Hezbollah and Hamas. No casualties occurred, and Netanyahu was not present. The drone’s origin and impact remain unclear. This follows a previous missile attempt by Yemen’s Houthis. Hezbollah, while not claiming the drone attack, launched rockets on Israel. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah sites in Beirut. Tensions persist following an earlier attack by Iran, which supports both Hezbollah and Hamas. Noah Prescott 20/10/2024 5:00 am
The final footage of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, wounded and defiant, sparked varied reactions. Israel viewed it as a victory, showing him defeated. However, many in the Arab and Muslim world saw him as a martyr, with the footage going viral and inspiring tributes. In Gaza, reactions were mixed, with some mourning and others hoping for peace. The footage was seen as evidence of Sinwar’s confrontation, not hiding, challenging Israel’s narrative. Israel later distributed leaflets showing Sinwar dead, emphasizing his role in the conflict. Noah Prescott 20/10/2024 5:00 am
