Topic: Blackout

Cuba is experiencing massive electrical blackouts and protests in Havana after exhausting its supply of Russian crude oil. CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a rare visit to the island to deliver a message that the U.S. is willing to engage on economic and security issues only if fundamental reforms are made. While the U.S. maintains a de facto oil blockade, it has offered $100 million in aid. Cuban officials remain resistant to changing their one-party socialist system despite the dire humanitarian situation.

Iran has implemented a severe government-imposed internet shutdown, reaching over 1,000 hours of blackout by April 2026. A leaked plan titled Absolute Digital Isolation reveals a multi-year project to build a "barracks internet" using a Huawei-based platform costing up to $1 billion. This system treats global web access as a privilege for vetted individuals while forcing the general population onto a domestic intranet.

A clandestine network is smuggling Starlink satellite terminals into Iran to bypass a nationwide internet blackout triggered by the war with Israel. These devices provide a vital communications lifeline for citizens to share information and document government actions. While the Iranian regime has escalated arrests for espionage related to Starlink use, the technology remains the primary tool for circumventing state censorship.

The hosts analyze media coverage of a near-total internet blackout in Iran, contrasting CNN's reporting with independent accounts. While mainstream outlets report massive casualties during protests, Mimi notes that recent military actions have shifted toward "surgical strikes" against specific targets. They discuss the difficulty of obtaining accurate information from within the country due to the IRGC's brutal crackdown.

Reports from Iran indicate a bloody crackdown on anti-regime protesters, with claims of thousands killed and an internet blackout. President Trump stated he received information that planned executions have been halted following his warnings of "strong action." A specific case involving a 26-year-old man facing public hanging from a crane in Tehran is highlighted as a symbol of the regime's use of force.

A major power outage in Berlin, the longest since World War II, was attributed to an arson attack by a left-wing extremist group known as the Volcano Group. The attack on the power grid left 100,000 residents without heat during freezing temperatures as a protest against fossil fuels.

Parts of Berlin experienced significant power outages reportedly caused by Antifa activists targeting power stations with sophisticated methods, possibly involving EMP-like devices. The sabotage has left residents without heating during winter, with repairs taking nearly a week to complete. Some analysts suggest the term "Antifa" may be used as code for other radical groups operating within Europe.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the medical effects of alcohol on memory, distinguishing between "blackout" and "grey-out" states. He notes that while intoxicated individuals can often recall details in the short term, alcohol acts as a "sledgehammer" to the process of encoding long-term memories. This medical context is applied to the reliability of Christine Blasey Ford's decades-old recollections.

YouTube TV has removed Disney-owned channels, including ESPN and ABC, following a failed carriage agreement. The blackout leaves subscribers without access to major sports and local news. The hosts suggest a "life hack" for affected viewers: watching Disney-posted clips directly on YouTube, which often removes commercials and provides the core content for free.

Activists on TikTok promote the idea of a "general vacation strike" to shut down the U.S. economy and force the administration out of office. The hosts dismiss the movement as ineffective and "Ohio," a slang term for something lame or cringe. They compare the effort to previous failed social media-driven protests like "Blackout Tuesday."

A movement called "The People's Sick Day" is circulating on TikTok and Discord, calling for a three-day economic blackout where participants stop working and spending. To prevent corporate interference, organizers claim they will only announce the specific dates 48 hours in advance.

A new digital movement called "Blackout the System" is calling for a massive economic protest on September 17th. The website encourages participants to adjust W-4 tax withholdings, withdraw money from major banks in favor of credit unions, and cancel corporate subscriptions. The hosts analyze the site's high production value and its claims of participation across 28 countries.

Local gossip in Fredericksburg, Texas, involves claims from high-ranking military family members that elites are moving into bunkers in anticipation of a major event. Rumors suggest a potential blackout or significant disruption scheduled for late August or mid-September. Listeners are advised to maintain supplies of food, water, and cash.

Viral rumors on social media claim a "five days of darkness" event will occur in August or September, involving a total internet and power shutdown. Some versions of the narrative link the event to a general strike or a "blackout" protest. Experts dismiss these claims as baseless misinformation designed to create public anxiety.

The European Commission addressed a major power outage, dismissing claims of a cyberattack as disinformation. While officials insist the grid can handle high volumes of renewable energy, reports suggest the loss of 15 gigawatts from France caused the system to fluctuate and shut down. Alternative theories involving magnetic pole shifts are also mentioned as circulating online.

A massive power outage struck Spain and Portugal, leaving millions without electricity and causing an 18-hour communications blackout in Marbella. While authorities initially suggested a cyberattack or "induced atmospheric vibration," technical analysis points to a 15-gigawatt drop in power from France following a substation fire. The event highlights the risks of over-reliance on inverter-based renewables like solar and wind, which lack the stability of nuclear or gas base loads.

John C. Dvorak provides the "Tip of the Day," recommending automatic chicken coop doors for poultry owners. He mentions his daughter Jay's upcoming honeymoon to Japan. The show concludes with a discussion of "Blackout Wednesday" and an end-of-show music mix featuring clips of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Senator Lindsey Graham.

Russian artillery strikes have left millions of Ukrainians without power, leading to near-total blackouts across the country as winter approaches. British intelligence reports claim Russia is resorting to firing 1980s-era missiles stripped of nuclear warheads due to depleted supplies. President Zelenskyy has requested an additional $55 billion in international aid to sustain Ukraine's infrastructure and government functions.

Reuters reports that German authorities are increasing efforts to print and store cash in anticipation of potential energy blackouts during the winter. The hosts pivot to a personal anecdote about meeting the Dutch royal family and a conversation involving Ivanka Trump in Manhattan.

Leaked scripts reveal that the BBC has prepared emergency broadcasts for potential winter blackouts in the UK, advising the public to use battery-powered radios. In France, hundreds of thousands of citizens are protesting against rising energy costs and President Emmanuel Macron's leadership. The protests include calls for France to exit the EU and end support for the war in Ukraine.