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Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
A federal judge has paused an order that would have forced the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust to hand over detailed financial records to the BBC in a $10bn defamation suit. The stay will last while the court considers Trump’s request to amend his complaint to focus on personal reputational harm rather than business damages.
Airservices Australia reports ongoing delays at major airports amid a shortage of air-traffic controllers. Officials say delays have reduced slightly year-on-year, but disruption remains a risk as the workforce faces high demand and rostering challenges.
Syria has signed an agreement with Russia that transfers civilian management of Hmeimim airport and Tartus’ commercial berth to Damascus and converts military areas at both sites into joint Russian–Syrian training centres. The memorandum sets a three‑month deadline for the transition and preserves Russian access for transit and operations.
A powerful earthquake has struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar, Chocó. The USGS has measured magnitude 7.4 while Colombia's geological service initially reported 6.6. The quake has caused building collapses across Pereira, Cali, Quibdó and Manizales, killed dozens, injured many and forced large-scale evacuations and search operations.
Mark Zuckerberg has published a manifesto arguing AI should be widely accessible and accompanied by personal AI agents. Meta launches Muse Glimmer, a downloadable AI model, and outlines safeguards and privacy protections while signaling a shift toward distributed power and entrepreneurial opportunity. The piece synthesizes perspectives from other tech leaders and frames the debate around control, jobs, and governance.
Bloomberg reports Warner Bros. shares have risen in recent sessions, narrowing the gap to Paramount’s $31 offer to about $3 after a rebound from a July spread that peaked above $5 amid state antitrust actions.
The Times of Israel reports Team8 has secured a fresh funding round led by global investors, expanding its assets to nearly $2 billion. The third venture fund will invest in Israeli-founded AI startups across cybersecurity, software infrastructure, fintech and digital health, with additional dollars allocated to follow-on investments.
Bloomberg reports that Cooper, host of Call Her Daddy, is navigating employee turnover, a slipping slate of shows and internal discord with husband and co-CEO Matt Kaplan, as the company restructures to stabilize operations.
Two unvaccinated residents in Pennsylvania have died from measles, triggering a public health debate. Governor Shapiro says vaccinations could have averted the deaths, while RFK Jr. questions the figures, fueling a political row that experts warn could hinder responses to the outbreak.
The FDA has approved daraxonrasib, sold as Rasonque by Revolution Medicines, for adults with previously treated or ineligible metastatic pancreatic cancer. Clinical trials have shown median survival extended to about 13.2 months versus roughly 6.7 months with chemotherapy. The drug will be available in the US with a roughly $39,800 monthly list price and expanded-access programmes have already treated thousands.
Eli Lilly has agreed to acquire privately held Merida Biosciences for up to $2.88 billion in cash. Merida develops treatments targeting auto-antibodies for autoimmune diseases, with MER511 in early-stage trials for Graves’ disease and thyroid eye disease. The deal expands Lilly’s immunology pipeline amid strong demand for obesity drugs.
South Korea has refused US pressure to deploy combat forces to the Strait of Hormuz and has said it will not send troops into the US-Iran war. Seoul has told Washington it will consider limited, non‑combat contributions to protect shipping while negotiations continue over a $350bn investment package and alliance tensions persist.
Associated British Foods says Primark has acquired a Sheffield warehouse and will offer home delivery in Great Britain in the future, expanding beyond its established click-and-collect model. Primark sales are dipping year-on-year, with UK performance modestly positive while continental Europe weakens. A demerger plan to list Primark separately is targeted for end-2027.
A Grizzly Research report has questioned Raiffeisen Bank International's compliance and role in Russia, triggering a corrective response from RBI and a slide in RBI shares. Bloomberg and The Moscow Times report RBI denying ties to sanctions circumvention and reaffirming compliance.
Russian presidential decrees have placed the Russian operations of several Western retailers and food companies under temporary administration, transferring control to newly registered or Kremlin‑linked firms. The moves follow earlier 2023 seizures and are taking place as Moscow and Berlin exchange diplomatic and security accusations, putting German firms such as Metro and Globus at risk.
Maritime agencies and industry groups have reported a recent surge in attacks on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, including at least a dozen strikes in a single week and multiple crew injuries. Exports from the Gulf briefly recovered to near prewar levels in September, but shipping risks and higher tanker fees have pushed flows below those levels and kept crude prices volatile.
The Brazilian presidential runoff on Oct. 25 pits Jair Bolsonaro against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Polls show a narrowing gap, with Bolsonaro leading in some surveys and Lula regaining ground in others. Environmental policy and deforestation remain central as Marina Silva warns that a Bolsonaro victory could undo protections and threaten the Amazon’s future.
The Federal Trade Commission and seven states have asked a federal judge to hold ex-pharma executive Martin Shkreli in contempt for allegedly violating a 2022 lifetime ban by trading pharmaceutical stocks and discussing the industry in livestreams since his release from prison.