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
Over 450 bags of human remains found near Jalisco’s World Cup stadium
At least 456 bags containing human remains have been found in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, according to reports from the search collective Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco. The remains were discovered at various locations, all near Akron Stadium — one of the venues selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — said José Raúl Servín García, a member of the organization.
“We are counting approximately 456 bags, more or less, and they are all in the vicinity of Akron Stadium, which is set to be a World Cup venue. Unfortunately, it’s tragic that a World Cup will be held here when there is so much evil,” Servín told Aristegui Noticias. He revealed that the most recent discovery was made in September, although searches in the area began in 2022.
What is most alarming, Servín explained, is that the remains do not all belong to people who disappeared years ago; some of the bodies appear to have been buried less than a year ago, indicating that the clandestine graves are still active.
Among the bags are complete bodies, dismembered parts, and skeletal remains. Servín also reported that search collectives have documented pressure and threats suggesting the involvement or intimidation of organized crime in the handling of bodies within official institutions.
“We know that criminal groups have threatened Forensic Sciences, because they decide which bodies are released and which are not. Families are told that if they know their child is there, they should leave them and not claim the body, or there will be consequences,” he added.
International
Colombia rescues 17 minors linked to ultra-orthodox sect Lev Tahor
Colombian authorities have rescued 17 minors from the ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect Lev Tahor in the northwestern region of the country, Migration Colombia reported on Sunday. Five of the rescued children were listed under international search notices issued by Interpol for kidnapping and human trafficking.
Lev Tahor has been at the center of several recent cases involving child abuse and mistreatment in countries such as Guatemala. Colombian officials said they received alerts about the group’s presence in the country along with several minors, who were transferred to a government-supervised shelter following their rescue.
“We rescued 17 children and adolescents from the ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect Lev Tahor (…) There are international alerts for crimes against minors linked to this community,” Migration Colombia stated on X, sharing a photograph showing several of the minors dressed head-to-toe in black tunics with their faces concealed.
According to a police report, the minors hold various nationalities, including Guatemalan, American, and Canadian. The rescue operation was conducted on Saturday. “There are indications that some may have been abducted, suggesting a possible scenario of human trafficking concealed under religious doctrine,” the report noted.
Interpol has issued red notices for some members of the sect, who are wanted internationally. Authorities indicated that the group had traveled to Colombia “seeking a country where they would not face restrictions on continuing their alleged irregular activities.”
In December 2024, Guatemalan authorities rescued 160 children from the group. Numerous members were arrested and charged with crimes such as human trafficking, forced pregnancy, and the forced marriage of minors.
The sect was founded in the 1980s and established a base in Guatemala in 2013, but has also clashed with authorities in Mexico and Canada.
International
At least 10 dead and 20 injured in highway crash near Morelia
The accident occurred on the highway connecting Morelia, the capital of Michoacán, with the town of Pátzcuaro, the Morelia police reported in a statement.
“Preliminary information indicates there are around 10 fatalities and nearly 20 people injured. Emergency teams are carrying out extraction efforts and providing medical assistance at the scene,” the department said. It added that traffic on the roadway remains closed while rescue crews continue their work.
So far, authorities have not specified the cause of the crash.
Road accidents are common in Mexico, often caused by excessive speed or poor vehicle maintenance, particularly involving buses or cargo trucks.
In September, a truck carrying nearly 50,000 liters of gas exploded at an intersection in Mexico City, resulting in 32 deaths.
Over 450 bags of human remains found near Jalisco’s World Cup stadium
Colombia rescues 17 minors linked to ultra-orthodox sect Lev Tahor
At least 10 dead and 20 injured in highway crash near Morelia
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