International
Helene rises to category 4 and produces floods in Florida and blackouts in the southeast of the United States
The heavy rains and winds of Hurricane Helene, which in the course of the date reached category 4, have already flooded parts of Florida and have left more than 200,000 homes and offices in this state, as well as Georgia and North Carolina, without power.
The hurricane has strengthened in recent hours and, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), is heading towards the west coast of Florida with maximum winds of 215 kilometers per hour (130 miles), that is, as a major hurricane (category 3, 4 or 5).
Helene is expected to make landfall tonight in northwest Florida, in the Big Bend region, however its effects have already begun to be felt on the Gulf of Mexico coast of this state.
Strong winds and high tide for Helene in Florida
The US media begin to spread the first images of strong winds and high tide in coastal areas of this southern US state, while streets in Tampa Bay are already registering floods due to the rains, which can reach up to 50 centimeters in certain areas.
Likewise, more than 173,000 homes and offices on the west coast of Florida are without electricity this afternoon after the impacts of the hurricane’s external bands, according to the specialized website PowerOutages.
Classes are canceled
Helene, the eighth system with a name in the current hurricane season in the Atlantic, threatens with strong winds, storm surges and floods to a wide coastal strip of Florida facing the Gulf of Mexico.
Schools in all counties, except those in southern Miami-Dade, have canceled classes today as a foresight in the face of the imminent arrival of Helene, whose center was located mid-morning today 405 kilometers (255 miles) southwest of Tampa, in West Florida.
The airport of this city was closed today, as was that of the capital of Florida, Tallahassee, and that of St. Pete-Clearwater, and hundreds of flights have been canceled in this state.
Danger of tornadoes
The US National Meteorological Service has warned today about the possibility of tornadoes forming during the day, a warning that covers about 17 million people and large cities such as Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers.
The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, reported today that there are “tens of thousands” of operators ready to restore the power supply, given the forecast that many localities will be left in the dark due to the impact of Helene, which is estimated to touch the ground well into tonight as a category 3 or more on the Saffir-Simpson scale, of a maximum of 5.
“There will be bad weather during the last part of the day here in the state of Florida,” warned DeSantis, who has declared a state of emergency, as have his counterparts from Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia.
DeSantis said that more than 130 electric generators have been sent to gas stations to ensure the supply of fuel once the hurricane passed, and asked residents to act with caution during the passage of the hurricane.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
International
Trump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
The administration of President Donald Trump is evaluating new immigration guidelines that could deny permanent residency to immigrants based on their political views, according to a report published by The New York Times.
The proposed measures, outlined in internal Department of Homeland Security documents, would instruct immigration officials to take applicants’ public expressions and ideological positions into account when reviewing green card applications.
According to the report, cases involving “possible anti-American and/or antisemitic conduct or ideologies” would need to be referred to higher authorities for additional review.
Even if applicants have not violated any laws, authorities could still reject residency requests if they determine that individuals have “endorsed, promoted, or supported anti-American views.”
Among the factors listed in the guidelines are participation in pro-Palestinian activities, actions considered antisemitic, and the burning of the U.S. flag.
The documents reportedly describe such actions as “heavily negative” factors in immigration evaluations, potentially blocking applicants from obtaining permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
The directives also place particular attention on demonstrations held on university campuses following the 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel.
However, flag burning has previously been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court as a form of protected free speech under the Constitution.
The proposal has sparked criticism from immigrant advocacy organizations, including the New York Immigration Coalition.
Its president, Murad Awawdeh, warned that the policies could pose a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms.
International
Mexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
Mexican authorities arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero,” on Monday during a naval operation in the western state of Nayarit, delivering another major blow to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
Flores was considered one of the top regional leaders within the cartel and had reportedly overseen criminal operations along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Security analysts viewed him as a potential successor to slain drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera.
The arrest was carried out by Mexico’s Navy Special Forces in a planned operation, according to Security Minister Omar García Harfuch.
The United States Department of the Treasury had previously identified Flores as a “significant foreign narcotics trafficker,” while U.S. authorities offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture and extradition.
A U.S. grand jury indicted Flores in 2021 on charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.
His capture comes months after the reported death of “El Mencho,” an operation that Mexican authorities considered a priority due to the cartel leader’s alleged involvement in a 2020 assassination attempt against García Harfuch.
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