Wednesday briefing: ‘Catastrophic’ reports as Jamaica reels from worst storm since records began

Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm in Jamaica's recorded history, has caused catastrophic damage with high winds and torrential rain. The storm has already impacted Haiti and the Dominican Republic before strengthening again on its path to Cuba. Over 700,000 people have been evacuated in Cuba in anticipation of Melissa's arrival. The full extent of the damage and death toll in Jamaica remains unknown. Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves believes Britain can overcome pessimistic economic predictions. Ethnically motivated killings are reported in Sudan's Darfur region after the Rapid Support Forces seized El Fasher. Downing Street defends housing asylum seekers in barracks despite higher costs to appease public concerns. Israeli warplanes struck Gaza after Netanyahu ordered "powerful strikes," testing the US-brokered ceasefire. Actress Prunella Scales, famous for Fawlty Towers, has died at age 93 after suffering from Alzheimer's.