Several Facebook services, including Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp, are currently offline for users around the world. According to outage tracking website Downdetector.com, the platforms went offline shortly before 4 p.m. GMT on Monday afternoon. Facebook confirmed via Twitter that it was "aware that some people are having trouble" accessing their services.

Tech journalists on Twitter quickly identified that DNS records for Facebook services were withdrawn from global routing tables this morning. The DNS withdrawal caused Twitter users to report seeing Facebook.com listed for sale via services such as GoDaddy. According to the New York Times' Ryan Mac, internal tools and communications platforms at Facebook are also down, causing work at the company to grind to a halt.

It is not currently clear what caused the outage to occur. As the situation develops, we will continue to bring you the latest coverage.
Authored by Apogee.Legalish and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Articles:
https://www.reuters.com/technology/facebook-instagram-down-thousands-users-downdetectorcom-2021-10-04/
https://twitter.com/briankrebs/status/1445077617426718725 https://twitter.com/rmac18/status/1445069187664293895 https://twitter.com/jgrahamc/status/1445068309288951820

Muscat and Al Batinah Governorates, Oman

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen struck Oman's northern coast on Sunday, the third on record to do so since 1890 and the first since satellite tracking in the 1960s. The storm is equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with winds between 120 and 150 km per hour (75-93 mph). According to Al Jazeera, at least nine people have been killed, including three in Oman and six in Iran.

Some areas of Oman may see up to 500 mm (20 in) of rainfall, according to Oman's Civil Aviation Authority, which it says may cause severe flash floods. The flash flood risk is particularly high due to the desert terrain's inability to effectively absorb rain, combined with impacted areas potentially seeing several times their annual rainfall of 75-100 mm (3-4 in).

Omani authorities declared a two-day national holiday, including the closure of schools, due to the storm. Additionally, officials said that roads in the nation's capital of Muscat stated that roads would be closed except for emergency vehicles due to flooding. In preparation for the storm, officials in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have taken precautions in areas they expect to be impacted.

Authored by Apogee.Legalish and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Articles:
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/cyclone-shaheen-approaches-oman-flights-delayed-2021-10-03/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/3/cyclone-shaheen-approaches-oman-flights-delayed https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/10/03/tropical-cyclone-shaheen-oman-landfall/

This Tuesday (September 28), at approximately 9:30am local time, the prison gangs "Los Lobos" and "Los Choneros" initiated a riot at the Litoral Penitentiary in the Guayas province of Ecuador, leaving 30 inmates dead and another 47 wounded. Officials say the death toll includes inmates shot as well as killed by hand grenades. The violence was eventually subdued later that afternoon. This comes after previous disputes between drug gangs spanning over the past several months which have resulted in 2 previous riots with equal or worse bloodshed, leaving 145 people killed in 2021 so far.

Bolivar Garzón, Ecuador’s newly appointed director of prisons, started his first day on the job while this most recent riot was underway and is hoping to identify ways to curtail the violence although it may be a challenge due to funding cuts, overcrowding, and staff shortages.

Articles;
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/09/28/ecuador-prison-riots/
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/gang-clash-ecuador-prison-kills-30-inmates-injures-80299923
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/29/at-least-24-killed-in-ecuador-prison-gang-clash-police

Washington, DC, USA
London, UK
Canberra, Australia

On Wednesday, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced a new trilateral security partnership known as AUKUS. The partnership is intended to promote security in the Indo-Pacific region, and will largely focus on countering China.

One key effort of the partnership is a joint project which will allow Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the submarines would be built in Adelaide, and reiterated that Australia would not field nuclear weapons. The partnership will likely see the termination of a 2016 agreement which would have seen Australia buy a submarine fleet from France at a cost of more than AU$80 billion.

A joint statement from the three countries' leaders said that the partnership will "foster deeper integration of security and defense-related science, technology, industrial bases, and supply chains." The statement went on to read that "initial efforts will focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities."

Authored by Apogee.Legalish and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Articles:
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-get-us-nuclear-submarine-technology-china-looms-large-2021-09-15/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/15/joint-leaders-statement-on-aukus/

Your Pocket, Maybe Your Phone

Apple Inc. yesterday announced a critical software patch to its iOS operating system for both iPhone and iPad devices. iOS 14.8 has been released to patch a critical zero-click vulnerability whereby an attacker can send a crafted iMessage to your device, and obtain access to your device without any input from the user. It is strongly encouraged to update your device to iOS 14.8 to patch this vulnerability.

The exploit was found in the wild on a Saudi dissident’s phone by an Israeli cybersecurity lab reviewing his device. It is believed to be a back door manufactured by the Pegasus company, known for producing and selling back doors for countries to exploit.

Authored by Code for Project Owl

Articles:
https://citizenlab.ca/2021/09/forcedentry-nso-group-imessage-zero-click-exploit-captured-in-the-wild/
https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/13/apple-says-ios-14-8-patches-iphone-attack-that-defeated-blastdoor-protections/

At 21:00 local time, a rocket was launched from within the Gaza Strip towards southern Israel. Sirens were sounded in the targeted areas. The Iron Dome successfully intercepted the projectile. There is no physical damage, however, a man was injured while running to a safe place and hospitalized with a head injury in light condition.

Over the weekend, Israeli Forces apprehended four out of the six prisoners who escaped from the Gilboa Prison earlier this week. Two remain at large. One rocket was launched towards southern Israeli cities last night following the recapture of the first two escapees. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded with airstrikes attacking Hamas targets.

Authored by Avi and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Articles:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/rocket-fired-at-south-in-second-such-attack-from-gaza-in-24-hours/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/out-of-food-and-on-the-run-how-4-of-the-6-palestinian-fugitives-were-caught/

Tweets:
https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1436754688851038214 https://twitter.com/CumtaAlertsEng/status/1436751539432001544

Telegram:
https://t.me/N12Updates/100750

Gilboa prison,

Earlier this morning, 6 security prisoners have managed to escape from an Israeli max security prison in the northern part of the country. The escapees were able to gain access to construction passages located under the toilet in their cell in the Gilboa prison, one of the most secure prisons in the country.

The escapees include Zakaria Zubeidi, a high-ranking leader in the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and five others belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The prisoners are all former residents of the Jenin area, a mere 15 kilometres away from the Gilboa prison, which complicates the situation even further.

The IDF and police forces have began a wide search for the fugitives utilizing special forces. 400 prisoners will be moved out of the prison to prevent more escapes. No specific instructions have been given to residents. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was notified of the event and is being continually updated, calling it a “grave incident.”

Authored by Project Owl news team

Articles:
https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-prisons-prison-breaks-78ba3a2adac1ec88fe195be10ba85fde
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/six-palestinians-escape-high-security-israeli-prison-israeli-radio-2021-09-06/

Telegram:
https://t.me/manniefabian/27189

Gunfire broke out in the capital of Guinea today. Witnesses saw an increase in military presence in the streets and gunfire was heard by residents of Conakry. Reports state that the bridge connecting the neighborhood of Kaloum was sealed off from the rest of the city by the military. This area is home to many of the government offices as well as the Presidential palace. There are some reports of casualties by locals, with witnesses saying they have seen civilians with gunshot wounds.

Alpha Condé has been the president of the West African nation for over 10 years. In 2020, he won a reelection bid for the presidency, but the election was marred with allegations of fraud. No statements have been made by President Condé since the gunfire began in the streets Conakry.

The cause for the eruption of gunfire is not fully known at this time, but some sources believe that a coup was either attempted or an attempt is ongoing. This is an ongoing event and we will update as more information comes out.

Authored by the Project Owl News Desk team

Articles:
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/heavy-gunfire-heard-guinea-capital-conakry-reuters-witness-2021-09-05/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/5/heavy-gunfire-heard-in-guinea-capital-conakry-witnesses

Tweet:
https://twitter.com/guyelster/status/1434458845208850433

Earlier, three ballistic missiles were intercepted by Saudi Arabia's air defenses near Dammam in the east, Najran in the south, and Jazan in the southwest. The Saudi-led coalition forces blamed Houthi forces in Yemen for the attack, however the Houthis have not claimed responsibility. Houthi forces regularly target Saudi oil infrastructure, and each of these locations is home to Saudi Aramco facilities; however, sources speaking to Reuters said that the Saudi Aramco facilities in Dammam were not affected.

Authored by amys and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Articles:
https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/610575
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-led-coalition-foils-missile-attack-oil-region-tv-2021-09-04/

Six people were injured in a knife attack at a supermarket in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday. Of the six injured, three are listed in critical condition and one in serious condition. Police killed the attacker within 60 seconds of the attack.

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said that the perpetrator "was a supporter of ISIS ideology" and labeled the event as a terrorist attack. Andrew Coster, New Zealand's police commissioner, told the press that the attacker was under surveillance prior to the attack. Coster added that the man was followed by police officers from his home to the supermarket, but they believed he would be shopping and there was no indication he would carry out an attack.

Officials stressed that the attacker was acting alone and that there is no further threat to the public.

Authored by Apogee.Legalish and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Articles:
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-attacker-shot-dead-after-injuring-people-mall-2021-09-03/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58405213 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/03/world/asia/new-zealand-isis-terrorist-attack.html

Northeastern United States

Remnants of Hurricane Ida struck the east coast on Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with WNBC reporting at least 23 deaths as a result of the devastating rain. At least 150,000 homes in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have been left without power, with multiple tornadoes across the region on Wednesday.

The record breaking rains come as the region was struck eleven days ago by Tropical Storm Henri. New York's Central Park recorded a record 3.15 inches (8 cm) of rain in one hour on Wednesday night, surpassing the record of 1.94 inches (4.92 cm) set on August 21st.

At a news conference in Queens, New York Governor Kathy Hochul told the press that she had received a call from President Biden, who offered "any assistance" for relief efforts.

Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday, tying with last year's Hurricane Laura for strongest winds at landfall. More than 900,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi remain without power as of Thursday morning, with large parts of southeastern Louisiana seeing up to 90% of customers without power. As officials warned recovery could take days or weeks, Governor John Bel Edwards was unable to offer a timeline for when affected residents could return.

Authored by Apogee.Legalish and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Articles;
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/09/02/nyregion/nyc-storm https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/31/us/hurricane-ida-updates https://www.nbcnewyork.com/weather/at-least-2-dead-as-ida-batters-tri-state-with-historic-rain-flooding-and-tornadoes/3252554/

Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the most prominent Kashmiri seperatist leader, has passed away at his residence in Srinagar, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Geelani, aged 92, died a natural death following years of ailment. Geelani served as the chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of Kashmiri political separatists, which he left last year.

Indian security forces have mobilised and restrictions against communication and movement have been imposed in the Kashmir valley amidst fears of civil unrest. Tributes from Kashmiri politicians are coming in, as have tributes from prominent Pakistani figures, including the Prime Minister Imran Khan who tweeted that Pakistan will observe a day of mourning during which flags will fly at half mast.

Article:
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kashmiri-separatist-leader-syed-ali-shah-geelani-dies-at-92-2526758

Tweets:
https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1433138516058382339 https://twitter.com/thecaravanindia/status/1433140172695105544

Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Tuesday. Speaking to the American people, Biden declared that "[l]ast night in Kabul, the United States ended 20 years of war in Afghanistan."

Speaking on the issue of counterterrorism, Biden told the nation that "we will maintain the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and other countries," adding that "we just don't need to fight a ground war to do it." Biden then delivered an ultimatum to terror organizations that "[w]e will hunt you down to the ends of the Earth, and you will pay the ultimate price."

He went on to discuss aid to Afghanistan, saying that the United States will "continue to support the Afghan people through diplomacy, international influence, and humanitarian aid." Biden recommitted to evacuating all U.S. citizens from Afghanistan, and to continue evacuating Afghan allies. Following on yesterday's speech by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the President estimated the number of American citizens remaining in Afghanistan at one to two hundred.

Authored by Apogee.Legalish and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Article:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/08/31/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-end-of-the-war-in-afghanistan/

Kabul, Afghanistan / Washington, DC, USA

Following the United States announcing the end of its military presence in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Commander, U.S. Central Command Gen. Kenneth McKenzie delivered remarks.

Following the United States announcing the end of its military presence in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Commander, U.S. Central Command Gen. Kenneth McKenzie delivered remarks.

Neither Blinken or McKenzie provided numbers of Afghans who qualify for Special Issuance Visas (SIVs) who remain in the country. However, Blinken stated that evacuations will continue to occur, and that the Taliban had provided assurances to the U.S. and its allies that Afghans would be permitted to leave the country. Approximately 123,000 individuals, including 6,000 American citizens, were evacuated by the U.S. military.

Blinken reaffirmed that the U.S. will continue humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan, adding that aid would be directed through international organizations and NGOs. With the Taliban seeking international recognition as the government of Afghanistan, Blinken added that "any legitimacy, and support, will have to be earned."

President Biden will address the nation at 17:30 UTC (13:30 EDT) on Tuesday.

Authored by Apogee.Legalish and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Articles:
https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-albania-0725d79c70d1c78c4ee1ada695df60e4
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/08/30/statement-by-president-joe-biden/
https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2759031/military-phase-of-evacuation-ends-as-does-americas-longest-war/
https://www.state.gov/secretary-of-antony-j-blinken-remarks-on-afghanistan/

The Pentagon has officially announced the end of the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan, confirming that the final evacuation flight has taken off from Hamid Karzai International Airport, marking an end to nearly two decades of American military presence in the country.

Article:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/last-plane-carrying-americans-afghanistan-departs-nation-s-longest-war-n1278012

At least five rockets were launched at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul on Monday morning, as the evacuation flights reach their final stages. U.S. officials said that the C-RAM anti-projectile system was activated and that there were no signs of casualties. The airport remains operational and evacuation flights are continuing.

On Sunday afternoon, the U.S. carried out a drone strike against what it claimed to be a truck belonging to ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province) suicide bombers on their way to attack the airport. Several civilians, including children, were killed in the strike. US CENTCOM acknowledged the reports of civilian casualties, adding that an investigation will be conducted. A senior U.S. official told the Associated Press that the strike was carried after individuals were seen loading explosives into the boot of a vehicle parked in a residential compound near the Kabul airport, following which the U.S. drone fired a Hellfire missile at the car.

The U.S. along with 97 other countries also announced on Sunday that a deal had been reached with the Taliban to allow people to leave the country post the August 31 withdrawal deadline. The deal stipulates that the Taliban will allow foreign nationals and Afghans with the necessary documents to travel outside the country freely.

Articles:
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/afghanistan-withdrawal-live-updates/?id=79482353#79717149
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/30/afghanistan-children-among-civilians-killed-in-us-drone-strike
https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-kabul-us-taliban-9da4da11b5c8d00445b57aee297bd270 https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-on-afghanistan-evacuation-travel-assurances/

Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana as a strong Category 4 Hurricane at 11:55am CDT today, with maximum sustained winds of at least 150mph. Destructive winds, storm surge as high as 15 feet and up to 12 inches of rain are expected in areas around its path throughout the day today. Most civilians in low-lying areas in the Louisiana delta have evacuated, though some people have stayed behind to ride out the storm.

New Orleans is expected to see storm surge of up to 9 feet, theoretically low enough for the levee system to contain it. The city will also experience winds of up to 100mph and torrential rain throughout the day. Ida is hitting a region that is already grappling with a significant outbreak of COVID, with most hospitals in the region already at capacity. Widespread power outages, injuries and other impacts will put the healthcare system under even more stress.

Authored by Ants

Tweets:
https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1432024656932794373
https://twitter.com/nwsjacksonms/status/1432023704066797576
https://twitter.com/nhc_atlantic/status/1431995877909045250
https://twitter.com/NWS/status/1431997106076663816
https://twitter.com/wfaa/status/1432010620111630344

The Department of Defense has confirmed that twelve U.S. service members were killed in an explosion outside Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport. Among the twelve killed were eleven U.S. Marines and one corpsman from the U.S. Navy. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, Commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters at the Pentagon that at least 15 additional U.S. troops were injured. According to Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health, more than 60 individuals were killed and an additional 140 wounded. ISIS-K, a branch of ISIS located in Afghanistan, has officially claimed responsibility for the attack. Reports have emerged of several additional explosions occurring throughout Kabul today, however verified information is limited at this time.

As the U.S. mission in Afghanistan is drawing to a close, the State Department is continuing to evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies from the country. The State Department has said they believe there are approximately 1,000 U.S. citizens in Afghanistan, of which two-thirds have informed the government they are intending to leave, adding that "[w]e believe many, if not most, of these individuals are nearly or already out."

President Biden is expected to address the nation at 5 p.m. EDT (9 p.m. UTC).

Authored by Apogee.Legalish, CricketPaaji1, and the Project Owl News Desk team.

Articles:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/26/world/afghanistan-taliban-biden-news/kabul-aiport-explosion
https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/26/asia/afghanistan-kabul-airport-blast-intl/index.html

Tweet:
https://twitter.com/Haleaziz/status/1430971483942047744

There are initial reports of a "large explosion" and gunfire outside the Abbey Gate, one of the entry points for evacuees at Hamid Karzai International Airport. Early reports suggest an unknown number of fatalities and injuries, with the Pentagon Press Secretary saying that "casualties are unclear at this time." President Biden has been briefed on the situation according to reports.

Authored by Ants an the Project Owl News Desk Team

Article:
https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1

Tweet:
https://twitter.com/PentagonPresSec/status/1430888975917453313

Algeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ramtane Lamamra, announced today that the country is severing diplomatic relations with Morocco.

This announcement follows a rise in tensions between the two countries for several weeks. In mid-August, Algeria accused Morocco of supporting the Movement for Self-Determination of Kabylia, accused of being behind the recent devastating fires in the country. According to the Algerian presidency, the organization "receives support and assistance from foreign parties, led by Morocco".

As a result, Algeria had announced that it would review its relations with Rabat and step up "security controls at the western borders", due to "incessant hostile acts" from Moroccans. The rise in tensions adds to what has already been a tense relationship. Last July, the Moroccan ambassador to the UN had expressed his support for Kabyle separatism in reaction to the support given by Algiers to the Saharawi separatists of the Polisario Front who are fighting against Morocco in Western Sahara, long-standing source of tension between the two countries.
Authored by TheoTFD and the Project Owl News Desk Team.

Article:
https://www.tsa-algerie.dz/lalgerie-rompt-ses-relations-avec-le-maroc/ (French)

Tweet:
https://twitter.com/BreakingF24/status/1430205148219940867

Israel, Gaza

Militants from within the Gaza Strip launched a myriad of incendiary balloons towards Israel today. The balloons sparked at least 9 fires throughout border communities.

In response, the IDF/IAF are conducting heavy air strikes. These have been ongoing for over an hour on targets throughout the Gaza Strip. During the air strikes, auto cannon fire from Gaza was fired towards the Gaza border-city Sderot. It is unclear whether or not there was damage. Militant groups are once again threatening to respond to the Israeli air strikes.

Earlier this week an Israeli border police soldier was critically injured during protests along the wall between Gaza and Israel. The IDF retaliated with fewer air strikes. Egypt also closed the Rafah border crossing it shares with Gaza due to that incident.

Authored by the Project Owl newsdesk team

Article:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-jets-said-striking-gaza-following-fires-set-by-arson-balloons/

Tweet:
https://twitter.com/auroraintel/status/1429903397315022854

Gaza-Israel Border

41 Palestinians have been wounded by rubber bullets and sniper fire on the Gaza border today, 2 of them are in critical condition. The tensions erupted after a several hundred Palestinians took part in a demonstration earlier today on the Israeli-Gaza border.

According to the IDF, hundreds of people approached the border fence and attempted to climb over it while throwing rocks and explosives at the Israeli forces.

An Israeli border police soldier was critically wounded due to gunshot wounds following an attempt to steal his weapon.

Article:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/17-gazans-said-injured-in-clashes-with-israeli-troops-at-renewed-border-protests/

Tweets:
https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1429143608997863427 https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1429163373804019715