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- British man, 58, found dead in water near holiday resort in Portugal
- Catania-Fontanarossa airport closes due to Mount Etna volcanic activity
- NYCHA worker killed by falling tree during storm in Brooklyn
- Board of Peace excludes UNRWA from Gaza, aligning with Israeli demands
- Lawyer succeeds in lawsuit against firm over day school settlement compensation
- U.S. military explores options for support in operations near Cuba
- UK Government Pushes for New Legislation on Energy Bills: how coverage differs
- List of UK shop and restaurant closures confirmed for September 2026
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British man, 58, found dead in water near holiday resort in Portugal
4:00 pm
Get you up to speed: British man, 58, found dead near holiday resort in Portugal | News World
A 58-year-old British man was pulled unconscious from the sea at Praia do Pintadinho near Portimão, Algarve, where lifeguards attempted CPR before emergency services arrived. Separately, a 64-year-old Irish man was declared dead after drowning off Prainha beach in Alvor, with his body recovered by locals prior to the arrival of authorities.
Portugal’s National Maritime Authority was alerted to the incident at Praia do Pintadinho at 10.39am on Saturday. The body of the 64-year-old Irish man was recovered by locals before emergency services arrived, and it has since been transferred to a local forensic office for further investigation.
Portugal’s National Maritime Authority confirmed that its psychology office is in contact with the families of both victims to provide support. The incident has prompted authorities to review safety measures for beachgoers in the Algarve region.
What remains unclear — The identity of the British man found unconscious in the sea has not been disclosed.
British man, 58, found dead in water near holiday resort in Portugal
A British man was pulled unconscious from the sea in Praia do Pintadinho on the Portuguese Algarve
The body of a British man has been pulled from the water near a holiday resort in southern Portugal.
The man, who has not been publicly named, was found unconscious in the water near Praia do Pintadinho, a beach near Portimão in the Algarve.
Two lifeguards attempted to perform CPR on the 58-year-old before emergency services arrived on the scene.
In a statement, Portugal’s National Maritime Authority said its psychology office was in contact with the victim’s family to provide support.
The incident is not being treated as suspicious.
Another man, of Irish nationality, was declared dead after drowning in the water nearby off the Prainha beach in Alvor.
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The maritime authority was alerted to a man being in distress at 10.39am on Saturday.
By the time emergency services arrived on the scene, locals had already recovered the 64-year-old’s body from the sea.
Lifeguards attempted to resuscitate the man but he was later declared dead, with a death certificate issued by a doctor from Portugal’s National Medical Institute,
His body was removed with the help of fire crews, due to the difficulty accessing the beach, and transferred to a local forensic office.
The family of the victim are being supported by specialist psychologists, the authority said.
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Catania-Fontanarossa airport closes due to Mount Etna volcanic activity
2:00 pm
Catania-Fontanarossa airport closes due to Mount Etna volcanic activity
Airport Closure
Catania-Fontanarossa airport has suspended all flight operations until 23:59 on Sunday 27 September due to volcanic activity on Mount Etna.
Catania-Fontanarossa airport has suspended all flight operations until 23:59 on Sunday 27 September due to volcanic activity on Mount Etna.
Operational impact
Flight suspensions due to Mount Etna’s volcanic activity have disrupted entire regional transport networks, leading to significant congestion and logistical challenges at Sicilian airports.
Flight suspensions due to Mount Etna’s volcanic activity have disrupted entire regional transport networks, leading to significant congestion and logistical challenges at Sicilian airports.
Urgent Call
“Acli Terra urges authorities to monitor price rises, stressing that a natural emergency must not lead to economic damage for families.”
“Acli Terra urges authorities to monitor price rises, stressing that a natural emergency must not lead to economic damage for families.”
Etna erupts again: chaos at Catania airport, risk of higher air fares
Published on
Catania-Fontanarossa airport has once again been brought to a standstill because of volcanic activity on Mount Etna, which has forced the authorities to halt flight operations. Sac, the company that manages the airport, has announced the closure of the relevant airspace because of the heavy emission of ash into the atmosphere and unfavourable wind conditions.
All arrivals and departures have officially been suspended until 23:59 on Sunday 27 September. Flights were initially halted until 12:00, before the stop was extended. In a bid to limit disruption, the company has urged passengers not to go to the terminal without first checking the status of their flight with their respective airlines.
On Saturday the shutdown had serious repercussions across the entire regional transport network. The suspension of flights has in fact triggered a domino effect at other Sicilian airports such as Comiso, Palermo and Trapani, which suddenly became congested with the many aircraft diverted there in emergency. The handling of this situation, which left thousands of travellers stranded and searching for alternative solutions, quickly turned a logistical breakdown into an economic and industrial-relations dispute.
Risk of speculative air fares and criticism from trade unions
The paralysis has provoked a strong reaction from associations, which denounce the risk of speculation on air fares at a moment of great vulnerability for citizens. Acli Terra has reported abnormal increases and prohibitive costs for flights to and from the island, highlighting extreme cases such as a Verona–Palermo route shooting up to around 1,180 euros. Emphasising that a natural emergency must not be allowed to turn into economic damage for families, the association has called on the authorities to monitor price rises, stressing that the ability to manage recurring events directly affects the credibility and reputation of the Sicilian system as a whole.
In the same vein, transport unions are pointing the finger at organisational shortcomings, describing the situation as “total chaos”. Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl and Uiltrasporti Sicilia express dismay at the absence of any contingency plan for an Etna eruption, a phenomenon they now consider structural rather than unforeseeable. According to the unions, those paying the highest price are airline and ground staff, forced to face passengers’ exasperation in conditions of extreme stress and without clear guidelines.
The unions are therefore once again urging the Region to sign a permanent protocol that would establish reliable operational flows and adequate protections, finally moving beyond the ineffective logic of constant emergency.
NYCHA worker killed by falling tree during storm in Brooklyn
1:01 pm
Media Lens: NYCHA worker killed by falling tree during storm in Brooklyn
NYCHA worker killed by falling tree in Brooklyn.
A NYCHA worker was killed by a falling tree in Brooklyn. The incident is reported by multiple news sources, including latest US news and coverage in US and global politics.
What happened
A New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) worker was killed when a tree fell on him in Brooklyn. This incident highlights the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions, as reported in various news outlets.
The powerful nor’easter currently affecting the East Coast has resulted in significant flooding and power outages across the region. Authorities are responding to the storm’s impacts, including fallen trees and disrupted services.
Key facts
- A NYCHA worker was killed by a falling tree in Brooklyn.
- The incident occurred during a powerful nor’easter affecting the East Coast.
- Flooding and power outages were reported in multiple areas due to the storm.
- The storm resulted in one confirmed death in New York.
- Live updates on the storm have been covered by various news outlets including CNN and NBC News.
Where coverage differs
- CNN emphasizes the broader impact of the storm on the East Coast, while Spectrum News NY1 focuses specifically on the fatal incident involving a NYCHA employee.
- The Times of India foregrounds the details of the storm’s effects including flooding and power cuts, rather than individual fatalities.
- NBC News prioritizes the loss of life caused by the storm over the infrastructural damage it inflicted.
One story, four angles
CNN – Live updates: Powerful Nor’easter digs in on the East Coast
Publication: CNN | Primary framing pattern: consequence | Tone: urgent | Intensity: 8/10 | Sentiment: neutral | Legal precision: low
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Espresso Shot: CNN reports on the ongoing impact of a powerful nor’easter affecting the East Coast, including extensive flooding and power outages, with a particular focus on the immediate effects on residents and infrastructure.
Publication emphasis: CNN emphasizes the real-time developments and immediate risks associated with the weather event.
Framing analysis: The primary focus is on the consequences of the storm, particularly its impact on daily life, while potential long-term ramifications receive less attention.
Bias: Selection: Prioritizes urgent reporting over depth. Language: Uses dramatic language to convey urgency. Omission: Lacks discussion of broader implications or preventive measures.
Assessment: The outlet’s approach is effective in conveying the severity and immediacy of the weather event.
Spectrum News NY1 – NYCHA employee struck and killed by falling tree in Brooklyn
Publication: Spectrum News NY1 | Primary framing pattern: legal | Tone: somber | Intensity: 7/10 | Sentiment: negative | Legal precision: high
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Espresso Shot: Spectrum News NY1 reports on the tragic death of a NYCHA employee who was killed when a tree fell on them during the storm, highlighting the incident and its implications for worker safety during extreme weather.
Publication emphasis: The outlet highlights the fatal incident, emphasizing the risks faced by essential workers during emergencies.
Framing analysis: It foregrounds the legal implications regarding negligence or safety regulations in relation to natural disasters, while the broader context of the storm is secondary.
Bias: Selection: Focuses strongly on the incident narrative over other aspects of the storm. Language: Uses serious and mournful tones. Omission: Lack of discussion on preventative measures or responses from officials.
Assessment: The reporting is direct and well-framed around the hazards of working in adverse conditions, creating a somber tone that resonates with the incident’s seriousness.
NBC News – One dead as powerful nor’easter causes flooding and knocks out power to parts of East Coast
Publication: NBC News | Primary framing pattern: consequence | Tone: urgent | Intensity: 9/10 | Sentiment: negative | Legal precision: medium
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Espresso Shot: NBC News provides detailed coverage of the powerful nor’easter wreaking havoc on the East Coast, including the death toll, flooding, and widespread power outages, stressing the emergency situation for many residents.
Publication emphasis: The focus is on the devastating consequences of the storm, with emphasis on human impact and immediate community responses.
Framing analysis: The outlet points out immediate fatalities and dangers caused by the storm while providing background context on the storm’s development and projections for recovery, although the analysis of long-term impacts is less prominent.
Bias: Selection: Prefers detailed incident reports and human interest angles. Language: Intensely dramatic to create urgency. Omission: Lacks in-depth exploration of storm preparedness or systemic responses.
Assessment: This coverage captures the immediate urgency and impacts effectively, appealing to human interest while providing vital information on the perilous situation.
The Times of India – Powerful storm brings flooding, power cuts across northeastern US, 1 dead in New York
Publication: The Times of India | Primary framing pattern: consequence | Tone: serious | Intensity: 7/10 | Sentiment: negative | Legal precision: low
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Espresso Shot: The Times of India addresses the storm’s severe consequences in the northeastern US, noting the flooding, power outages, and the fatality, while emphasizing the urgent state of emergency affecting residents.
Publication emphasis: The report focuses on the immediate impacts of the storm, particularly the devastation wrought on infrastructure and power supply.
Framing analysis: It foregrounds the storm’s consequences on communities and infrastructure, with limited discussion on the systemic causes or broader climate-related issues.
Bias: Selection: Concentrates on immediate impacts over prevention strategies. Language: Utilizes serious language to denote the gravity of the situation. Omission: Does not engage with broader context regarding climate change or preparedness disparities.
Assessment: The coverage effectively communicates the dire immediate implications of the storm, resonating with concerns about urban resilience and community safety.
Food for thought
CNN employs the strongest legal framing, emphasizing liability issues concerning public safety and maintenance obligations in the wake of the storm-related fatalities. Conversely, Spectrum News NY1 adopts a more escalatory framing by directly linking the tragic incident of a NYCHA employee’s death to the broader chaos of the powerful storm, implying systemic failures. While CNN carefully navigates legal ramifications and accountability, NY1 amplifies the urgency of the situation, potentially instigating public outrage. The tactics highlight differing previous approaches to reporting on a singular event, reflecting varied journalistic priorities and styles. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Board of Peace excludes UNRWA from Gaza, aligning with Israeli demands
12:00 pm
Get you up to speed: ‘No role for UNRWA in Gaza’: Does the Board of Peace toe Israeli lines?
The United States-led Board of Peace has stated that the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) will have no role in Gaza, aligning with Israeli demands. This decision coincides with the BoP’s unveiling of a multibillion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza amid ongoing humanitarian crises in the territory.
The Board of Peace has outlined a $2.4 billion multibillion-dollar reconstruction plan comprising 66 projects aimed at initiating recovery efforts in Gaza, excluding UNRWA as a partner. This development occurs nearly a year after the ceasefire was declared, amid ongoing Israeli military presence and significant humanitarian challenges within the region.
The United States-led Board of Peace has reaffirmed its policy excluding UNRWA from Gaza operations, stating, “UNRWA fails on those litmus tests,” and emphasising it will collaborate exclusively with “trusted partners.” Following this decision, Hamas accused the board of aligning with Israeli positions, asserting that the move undermines aid delivery and the rights of Palestinian refugees.
What remains unclear — The specific criteria used by the Board of Peace to determine that UNRWA does not meet the needs of Gaza’s population have not been disclosed.
Board of Peace excludes UNRWA from Gaza, aligning with Israeli demands
EXPLAINERNews|Explainer‘No role for UNRWA in Gaza’: Does the Board of Peace toe Israeli lines?
Board of Peace excludes UNRWA from Gaza, aligning with repeated Israeli calls to sideline the refugee aid agency.
Published On 27 Sep 202627 Sep 2026
Published On 27 Sep 202627 Sep 2026The United States-led Board of Peace (BoP) has said the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) will have no role in Gaza – echoing a longstanding Israeli demand to sideline the organisation considered a lifeline for millions of Palestinians.
The board, which has been tasked with overseeing the “ceasefire” and Gaza’s reconstruction, said on Friday it would work only with partners it deems reliable and who it believes can meet the needs of Gaza’s population – a standard it says UNRWA does not meet.
The move comes as the BoP unveiled a multibillion-dollar plan on Wednesday aimed at beginning Gaza’s reconstruction, nearly a year after a so-called “ceasefire” came into effect in the devastated Palestinian territory.
The plan, presented on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), comes as key elements of the “ceasefire” remain stalled, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the disarmament of Hamas.
UNRWA was established in 1949 to cater to tens of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes by Jewish militias from areas that currently form part of Israel.
BoP’s stance on UNRWA comes as Israel’s genocide in the coastal enclave continues, with Palestinians facing nonstop attacks, severe restrictions on humanitarian aid and stalled reconstruction plans.
So what has BoP said about UNRWA, and does it keep toeing the Israeli line on the future of Gaza?
What did the Board of Peace say?
The BoP unveiled a 66-project reconstruction blueprint on the sidelines of the UNGA, with $2.4bn proposed for projects aimed at beginning Gaza’s recovery.
UNRWA was left off the list of UN agencies the board identified as partners.
“The Board of Peace’s policy as it relates to UNRWA’s involvement in Gaza is unchanged,” the BoP said in a post on X on Friday.
“We will only work with trusted partners who will deliver for the people of Gaza and contribute to a deradicalised Strip. UNRWA fails on those litmus tests.”
However, a BoP official, speaking to The Associated Press news agency on condition of anonymity, confirmed that board members had met UNRWA officials several times.
The official said the agency’s programmes could continue if they served Gaza’s residents well, but maintained that “UNRWA’s days are over”.
The BoP, which US President Donald Trump launched earlier this year, was conceived to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza after nearly three years of Israel’s genocidal war on the Strip.
What has UNRWA said?
In an indirect response, UNRWA acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders said on Friday in Gaza, “UNRWA remains an institution of considerable humanitarian and strategic value, with capabilities and expertise that are difficult to replicate today.”
“To disregard these capabilities at a moment of such profound need is neither logical nor responsible,” Saunders said in a statement.
Former UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini on Thursday warned that removing the agency would have a “devastating” effect on Palestinians.
“They want to get rid of the agency, but on the other hand they know that if you get completely rid of the agency today, it might have a further … devastating impact on the population,” Lazzarini told AP on Friday.
In a separate statement on X, Lazzarini said, “grandiose plans are what the Board of Peace does best”, noting widespread suffering across Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing genocide.
The agency has about 11,000 Palestinian employees in Gaza and remains heavily involved in healthcare, education, water and sanitation services. Its exclusion is particularly significant given the scale of displacement and the continuing restrictions on aid entering Gaza.
UNRWA has for decades provided aid and education services to Palestinians in Gaza, occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank as well as Jordan, Syria and Lebanon – the neighbouring countries where the Palestinian refugees have been living.
Palestinians see the agency as safeguarding their right of return to their homeland, while Israel wants it dismantled.
Palestinians receive aid distributed by UNRWA, in Nusairat refugee camp, Gaza [File: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP photo]
What has been Hamas’ response?
Hamas accused the BoP of adopting Israel’s position.
Spokesperson Hazem Qassem on Saturday called the decision to exclude UNRWA “a complete alignment with the Zionist [Israeli] position”, saying it was aimed at ending the agency’s operations, preventing it from delivering aid and undermining Palestinian refugees’ right of return.
Qassem said it was “strange for the peace council to adopt this hostile stance towards UNRWA while simultaneously failing to provide aid to Gaza or compel the occupation to abide by the ceasefire agreement and halt the daily killings of Palestinians in the Strip”.
Does the Board of Peace toe the Israeli line?
Experts say the workings and demands of the BoP align closely with Israel’s vision of the Gaza Strip and the Palestinians.
UNRWA
Israel has for years sought to remove UNRWA from Gaza, accusing the agency of being infiltrated by Hamas.
The International Court of Justice, in an advisory opinion in October, said allegations that “a significant part of UNRWA’s employees are ‘members of Hamas … or other terrorist factions’” had not been substantiated.
The BoP’s position strengthens the Israeli efforts to dismantle the UN agency.
Hamas disarmament
Hamas and other Palestinian factions agreed in July to a roadmap under which weapons would be surrendered in stages as Israeli forces gradually withdrew. The two processes were explicitly linked.
But following an August meeting between Nickolay Mladenov, the BoP’s director-general, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the board said Israeli forces would not withdraw beyond the “Yellow Line” until Hamas’s decommissioning was complete, including “light weapons, heavy weapons, and the tunnels alike”.
Hamas maintains that it will not implement its obligations unless Israel fulfils its own.
Israel currently occupies more than 60 percent of Gaza while most of the territory’s 2.3 million people remain displaced.
Reconstruction
Article 17 of the BoP plan calls for “temporary reconstruction” beginning in areas designated free of Hamas control, including humanitarian compounds for unarmed civilians.
The proposed system would direct reconstruction, aid and shelter towards areas outside Hamas’s control while Israeli forces remain behind the so-called “Yellow Line”.
However, Israel has refused to allow the Palestinian technocratic committee into Gaza, open crossings or begin reconstruction until Hamas is completely disarmed.
After unveiling the reconstruction plan on the sidelines of the UNGA, BoP high representative Mladenov said once again the proposed plan depends on Hamas’s disarmament.
Displaced Palestinians live in a school run by UNRWA on Monday, June 23, 2025. Hundreds of UNRWA schools were destroyed or damaged in Israeli attacks [File: Jehad Alshrafi/AP Photo]
What is the situation in Gaza?
Almost a year after the October 2025 ceasefire, reconstruction has yet to begin on any meaningful scale and Israeli forces continue to occupy large parts of the Strip.
At least 1,451 Palestinians have been killed and 4,953 wounded in Israeli attacks since the “ceasefire” began in October 2025, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
The healthcare system is on the verge of “total collapse”, the ministry said last week, while shortages of fuel, medical supplies and spare parts have disrupted hospitals, water and sanitation services.
The scale of destruction is also immense. More than half of Gaza’s hospitals and clinics remain nonfunctional, less than 1.5 percent of cropland is accessible and undamaged, and reconstruction needs have reached an estimated $71.5bn.
Nearly 84 percent of Gaza’s population – more than 1.76 million people – are living in displacement sites or damaged and inadequate shelters, the UN has said.
Palestinian children gather in the backyard of an UNRWA school in Sidon, Lebanon, on September 12, 2023 [File: Mohammed Zaatari/AP Photo]
Lawyer succeeds in lawsuit against firm over day school settlement compensation
11:00 am
Get you up to speed: Lawyer wins case against multinational firm behind day school settlement
A First Nations lawyer has won a lawsuit against a firm over compensation for her efforts in securing justice for day school survivors. The ruling confirms her claim for remuneration related to her legal work.
The lawsuit outcome may impact compensation models for similar cases within Indigenous legal frameworks. There is currently no timeline established for the implementation of the court’s decision.
Joan Jack, a First Nations lawyer, has secured a legal victory against a firm related to compensation for her efforts advocating for day school survivors. Following this ruling, further discussions on potential compensation measures for affected individuals are expected in the coming weeks.
What remains unclear — The specifics of the compensation awarded to the lawyer have not been disclosed.
Lawyer succeeds in lawsuit against firm over day school settlement compensation
A First Nations lawyer who started the quest for justice for day school survivors has won a lawsuit against a firm regarding compensation for her work.
U.S. military explores options for support in operations near Cuba
9:00 am
Get you up to speed: U.S. military lays groundwork for potential action around Cuba
The U.S. Army Reserve is assessing the potential provision of police forces and medical personnel to the military’s Southern Command within the next four months, as indicated by an internal message. There are no confirmed deployment orders at this time, but planning is ongoing amid heightened U.S. scrutiny on Cuba’s political situation.
The U.S. Army Reserve is assessing the potential deployment of various support units, including medical personnel and military police, within a 90 to 120-day timeline, with feedback required by September 25. No units have yet received deployment orders, and U.S. Southern Command has not disclosed specific operational details due to security concerns.
The U.S. Army Reserve is evaluating its ability to support Southern Command with various military units, and subordinate commands are required to provide feedback on availability by September 25. Meanwhile, President Trump stated at the U.N. General Assembly that his administration seeks “fundamental change” in Cuba, predicting the island’s communist government will collapse, while Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has vowed to counter any U.S. aggression.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how many troops may be required or where they could be deployed within the Southern Command’s region.
U.S. military explores options for support in operations near Cuba
Washington — The U.S. Army Reserve is examining whether it can provide the military’s Southern Command with police forces, medical personnel and other support units within the next four months, according to an internal Army message reviewed by WTX US News.
Though the message makes no reference to Cuba, the request is for continued military planning aimed at Cuba, according to multiple U.S. officials who spoke to WTX US News under condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
There is no indication in the document that any units have received deployment orders. But the planning comes as the Trump administration puts intense economic pressure on Cuba and urges the island nation to make political reforms.
The message does not identify how many troops would be needed in the Southern Command’s region, which covers Central and South America, including the Caribbean. It also does not specify where the forces could be sent or what operation they would support.
The document reviewed by WTX US News says Army Reserve headquarters is seeking feedback from subordinate commands on the possible availability of six types of formations that would fall under the authority of U.S. Southern Command. The units would “possibly [be] needed in 90-120 days,” according to the message, which directs commands to provide feedback to Army Reserve headquarters by Sept. 25.
Among the units is a combat sustainment support battalion that specializes in coordinating logistics such as transportation, maintenance, fuel and supply needs, along with an engineer battalion. The document also seeks an expeditionary sustainment command that would oversee logistics across a theater of operations.
The document generated last week also calls for a medical brigade to command and coordinate medical units, as well as a forward resuscitative and surgical detachment to provide emergency surgery and trauma care closer to U.S. forces. Finally, the document seeks a military police brigade — these units typically oversee military police forces responsible for security, detention and other law enforcement missions.
Contacted by WTX US News, the Army Reserve did not respond before publication.
A spokesperson for U.S. Southern Command said: “Due to operational security concerns, we do not disclose details or comment on U.S. operational movements or potential deployment timelines associated with current or future operations, contingencies, or planning. However, U.S. Southern Command continuously coordinates with the Joint Force to assess a range of potential requirements across its [area of responsibility] in support of assigned missions.”
On Saturday, President Trump told reporters at the White House he doesn’t believe the U.S. will need the military and that “Cuba and us will make a deal.”
“Cuba is failing very badly. We want to help Cuba. We want to open Cuba up to our people,” he said. “We have great Cuban Americans who want to go back. We want to open Cuba up to our people.”
Earlier this year, American forces conducted reconnaissance operations on the seafloor and maritime approaches surrounding the Cuban island, multiple U.S. military personnel told WTX US News. Separately, U.S. airpower components were placed on heightened readiness and directed to pre-stage personnel for potential deployment. Those plans, however, did not come to fruition. WTX US News is withholding certain details from publication that could potentially put U.S. service members at risk.
WTX US News reported in May that U.S. intelligence officials were assessing how Cuba would respond to possible U.S. military action, as the Trump administration accused Havana of strengthening ties with Russia, China and Iran. The intelligence community’s 2026 annual threat assessment largely portrays Cuba as an enabling environment for larger geopolitical competitors, rather than as an independent strategic threat.
In July, WTX US News reported that American military planners had examined a range of options for possible action against the island, including an Army-led air assault involving thousands of U.S. soldiers to be carried out by the 101st Airborne Division, the only unit trained for such a task.
U.S. officials who spoke to WTX US News stressed in July that the briefings were not an indication that the president or the Pentagon had decided to go forward with an operation.
Since reentering office, Mr. Trump has asserted a more muscular U.S. role in the Western Hemisphere under what officials have dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine,” a Trump-era corollary to the Monroe Doctrine focused on limiting foreign adversaries and other perceived threats in the region.
In April, American and Ecuadorian troops launched a joint mission aimed at dismantling a suspected criminal hub operated by a narco-terrorist organization. On Thursday, U.S. troops and agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted Ecuadorian authorities in arresting more than 30 members affiliated with Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Since September, the U.S. military has killed more than 230 people in 70 strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The operations are a stark contrast to the U.S. military’s historical role of maritime drug interdiction and arrest. Some legal experts have said the strikes amount to illegal extrajudicial killings because U.S. forces are prohibited from intentionally targeting civilians or individuals suspected of criminal activity, unless they meet the legal standard governing the use of military force.
For Cuba, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Cuban entities and officials, including military research and development enterprises tied to the country’s nickel industry ahead of the U.N. General Assembly this week.
In New York, Mr. Trump told the U.N. General Assembly that his administration was seeking a “fundamental change” on the island and predicted Cuba’s communist government “will fall” and declared that “freedom will be coming to Cuba.” The Cuban delegation walked out during his remarks.
Mr. Trump also said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was “deep into negotiations” with Havana and vowed that the United States would not allow foreign adversaries to establish a strengthening foothold “on our own doorstep.”
Those remarks follow months of increasingly explicit statements from Mr. Trump about Cuba. Meanwhile, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has vowed to counter any U.S. attack, and has accused the U.S. of “aggression” and “economic warfare” by blocking oil imports to Cuba.
Earlier this year, Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he believed he would have “the honor of taking Cuba.”
“Taking Cuba in some form, yeah,” he said in mid-March. “Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it — I think I could do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth.”
Later that month, Mr. Trump said bluntly: “Cuba’s going to be next.”
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