Road safety officials have launched an investigation into Tesla's full self-driving system following reports of four crashes, one of which resulted in a pedestrian fatality. The incidents occurred under low visibility conditions, such as fog and sun glare. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is examining the vehicle's capability to detect and respond appropriately in these conditions. This probe will encompass over 2 million Tesla vehicles from model years 2016 to 2024. Tesla has reiterated that its system does not operate autonomously and that human drivers must remain prepared to intervene at all times.

In Italy, auto workers staged a national strike for the first time in two decades, with tens of thousands participating in protests across Rome. The workers, represented by the country's three main unions, are demanding government action to secure more jobs amid a significant decline in auto production. Stellantis, Italy's largest car manufacturer, has reduced its output by nearly 70% over the past two decades and warned of potential layoffs and buyouts due to an anticipated annual loss of up to $11 billion.

Cuba experienced a nationwide power outage following a failure at a power plant near Havana, just a day after the government urged citizens to conserve electricity amid ongoing fuel shortages. The head of Cuba's energy utility attributed the blackout to increased demand from businesses and private air conditioning use. This outage compounds the challenges faced by millions of Cubans already grappling with shortages of food, fuel, and medicine amid a worsening economic crisis.

On Wall Street, stocks saw modest gains, marking the sixth consecutive week of increases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 36 points, achieving a new all-time high, while the Nasdaq gained over 100 points. The S&P 500 also closed the week at a record level.

In North Carolina, communities continue to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which struck over three weeks ago. The storm resulted in over 90 fatalities, with 81 individuals still unaccounted for. Residents face ongoing challenges, including lack of power and potable water, as recovery efforts are hampered by misinformation and conspiracy theories regarding the federal response. Local officials emphasize the importance of community support and resilience in the face of this disaster, as volunteers work tirelessly to assist those affected.