Good Morning! Today’s edition is 864 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader

• U.S. dominates at the President’s Cup

• Research shows personalities can change

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Big Story

Hurricane Helene Aftermath

Hurricane Helene has caused widespread devastation across the Southeast U.S.

• As of this writing, it has caused 64 deaths and left 3.7 million people without power in states like Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. It brought record flooding to North and South Carolina and hit Tampa with an unprecedented storm surge.

• Helene merged with another system, affecting areas hundreds of miles from the coast. Hurricane-force winds tore through the Southern Appalachians, and heavy rains caused historic flooding in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Roads were closed due to landslides, and record-breaking floods in Asheville, NC, left parts of the city under 10 feet of water. (See photos) Floodwaters swallowed a hospital in Tennessee so quickly that 50 patients had to be rescued from the roof.

• Hurricane Helene underwent rapid intensification, growing from a Category 1 to a Category 4 storm in just one day before making landfall in Florida's Big Bend region. With maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, it became the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in that area. The storm’s damage is spread across at least 10 states, and the situation continues to develop.

Big Story

Airstrike Kills Hezbollah Leader

Israel conducted a powerful airstrike in Beirut, killing Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

• The Israeli military confirmed Nasrallah’s death after a strike on Hezbollah's central command headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs. It is considered a major blow to both Hezbollah and Iran, as Nasrallah was a key figure in building Hezbollah's influence in the Arab world.

• Israel's strikes also killed other Hezbollah leaders and caused massive destruction in Lebanon, displacing about one million people. Hezbollah vowed to continue fighting Israel, and Iran promised to avenge Nasrallah's death. There are no clear plans yet for who will lead Hezbollah next.

• The death of Nasrallah has worried many countries, including Russia, which urged Israel to stop its actions in Lebanon. Joe Biden called it an act of justice but also pushed for a ceasefire.

Big Story

Austria Elects Far-Right “Freedom Party”

Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) won its first general election with its tough stance on immigration and the economy.

• The party, led by Herbert Kickl, secured 29.1% of the vote, slightly ahead of the ruling conservative Austrian People's Party. The victory shows growing support for far-right parties in Europe, but the FPO will still need to form a coalition to govern. (See Explanation)

• The FPO's policies include strict rules on asylum seekers and a "Fortress Austria" plan. Kickl’s alliance with Hungary's Viktor Orban and his opposition to aid for Ukraine and EU sanctions against Russia make him polarizing. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen is hesitant to let the FPO lead, partly because of its past connections to Nazi figures and other recent controversies.

• Many people are divided over the FPO’s victory. While some celebrate the win, others fear a reduction in democracy and media freedom, similar to what they see in Hungary. Kickl will face challenges in forming a government, as other party leaders are reluctant to work with him, despite his readiness to negotiate.

Little Stories

• The United States won the Presidents Cup again, beating the International Team 18 1/2 to 11 1/2. The victory makes it the 13th U.S. win out of 15 events. Xander Schauffele led the way Sunday with a big win over Jason Day, and Keegan Bradley secured the final point against Si Woo Kim. (More)

• More than half of U.S. states have taken steps to limit or ban cellphones in K-12 schools, according to a new study. While students admit phones can be distracting and lead to cyberbullying, many parents think phones are important for safety during emergencies. Seven states, like Florida and Virginia, have already passed these restrictions, and others are considering similar rules. (More)

• The Justice Department is suing Alabama because the state wanted to remove ineligible voters from its list too close to the election. The law says states can't take voters off the list within 90 days before an election to avoid mistakes. Alabama’s Secretary of State had planned to remove over 3,000 registered but non-American citizens from the voting rolls. (More)

• California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed an AI safety bill on Sunday after the tech industry raised concerns it could push AI companies out of the state and hurt innovation. Newsom said the bill didn’t consider how AI is used in different situations and would enforce strict rules on even basic functions. (More)

• A fire at a chemical plant near Atlanta has forced road closures and evacuations. The plant is in Conyers, about 24 miles from Atlanta. The fire had started early in the morning but was put out, only to reignite after a sprinkler hit water-reactive chemicals. (More)

Extra Credit

🪲 Watch: Meet the bug you didn’t know you were eating. 

🎭️ Research shows you can change your personality.

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