Astronomers have confirmed that ASASSN-24fw dimmed by an extraordinary 97% over a period of more than nine months, starting in late 2024 making it one of the longest and deepest stellar eclipses ever recorded. The star, located in the Monoceros constellation, was monitored through sky surveys that track brightness changes in stars over time. The data clearly shows a prolonged and structured drop in light, far beyond what a normal planet could cause. Scientists say the most likely explanation is a massive ringed object passing in front of the star either a brown dwarf or a super Jupiter–type planet. Unlike typical transits that last hours or days, this event stretched across months, pointing to something enormous in size. The ring system itself is estimated to span about 16 million miles (25 million km), making it one of the largest ever inferred. As different parts of the rings moved across the star, they created layered dimming patterns, which allowed astronomers to study the...
President Donald Trump stunned observers this week by raising the possibility of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, suggesting the U.S. might step in as the island nation sinks deeper into economic and energy crisis.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House as he prepared to board Marine One, Trump said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is engaged in “high‑level” discussions with Cuban officials amid the worsening fuel shortages, and hinted that these talks could ultimately lead to a transition of power that he described as “very positive” for Cuban Americans and the Cuban people.
Trump did not offer details about what a “friendly takeover” would entail whether it would be political, economic, or involve U.S. personnel but he portrayed Cuba as a “failing nation” with severe fuel and financial shortages, urging that something must change and that the U.S. could help guide that transformation.
Cuba’s economy has been under heavy strain in recent weeks, exacerbated by U.S. pressure on Venezuela, which formerly supplied the island with crucial oil imports. With Venezuelan oil cut off, the flow of fuel has slowed dramatically, contributing to power outages, grounded flights, and mounting hardship for ordinary Cubans.
The U.S. government, meanwhile, has tightened sanctions and economic levers, including an effective fuel blockade that has worsened conditions and raised humanitarian concerns. Though some restrictions may be eased to allow non‑governmental oil imports, the crisis remains severe.
Trump described the idea as potentially beneficial, particularly for Cuban exiles living in the United States who long for change on the island. He noted that Cuba’s government is struggling and that broader cooperation between Washington and Havana could yield positive
outcomes.
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However, Havana has denied that formal negotiations are taking place, and Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel has condemned any suggestion of U.S. intervention as an assault on Cuban sovereignty. Cuban officials also report recent incidents involving armed individuals from the U.S. aimed at destabilizing the country though Washington has denied direct involvement.
Trump’s remarks underline the deepening tension in U.S.–Cuba relations as Cuba struggles with economic collapse, power blackouts, and fuel scarcity. International observers warn that a rapid escalation in U.S. rhetoric especially around a “friendly takeover” could provoke heightened diplomatic friction and regional instability.
Cuban officials have called for dialogue without conditions, insisting that any negotiations must respect Cuba’s sovereignty and independence. At the same time, critics of Trump’s approach argue that using economic pressure to force political change risks worsening the hardship faced by ordinary Cubans already grappling with shortages and infrastructure failures.
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