Island state of the United States in the Pacific
El Niño is strengthening, triggering floods, heat, and rising seas. Authorities warn of a potentially historic winter as infrastructure is strained and communities prep for extreme weather and food impacts.
Skywatchers have been treated to a string of September conjunctions and phases: Venus has paired with Spica, the Moon has aligned with the Pleiades, Mars and Jupiter, and a partial lunar eclipse has produced reddish tones across wide regions. Through October and November, the Pleiades, the Orionid and Leonid meteor showers, a planetary parade on 14 November and the Beaver supermoon on 24 November will provide more viewing opportunities.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is facing Helena Foulkes in a rematch for the Democratic nomination. The Washington Bridge reconstruction has become a central issue, with voters weighing safety, cost, and timely completion as campaign ads highlight differing records.
Authorities warn residents in Kauai and Niihue of torrential rain, flash floods and mudslides as Tropical Storm Lowell moves north-northwest, with Hawaii's Big Island forecast to receive heavy rain. Separately, Hurricane Marie off Baja California is generating dangerous swells along the West Coast.
Diesel prices have surged to record levels amid the Iran war and ongoing Middle East tensions, with weekly readings showing prices at $5.90–$6+ per gallon in several states. The cost burden is rippling through transportation, groceries and consumer prices, while officials say relief remains uncertain in the near term.
A UK study involving nearly a million adults finds that drinking beverages at very hot temperatures increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The risk rises with frequency, with six or more hot drinks daily, though overall risk remains small. Researchers urge cooling beverages before drinking.
McKenna West has filed an emergency appeal seeking to halt a California court order that recognizes California couple Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar as the parents of a seriously ill infant. The child, born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, has undergone surgery. West argues the couple would withhold life-saving care; the Supreme Court’s involvement remains uncertain.
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the government’s bid to enforce Trump’s mail-voting rules as states prepare for midterm elections. Courts have blocked the rules, while USPS and administration officials argue for a streamlined process. Ballots are already being mailed in several states, and lawsuits over the rules continue.
Atlantic hurricane activity has remained unusually low this season, with no hurricanes forming yet. Forecasters say El Niño, Sahara dust, and high wind shear are suppressing development, while Pacific activity remains high. The season has seen record-breaking delays in hurricane formation, with experts cautioning that a single system could still cause damage.
El Niño is strengthening, with forecasts predicting historic intensity. Reports show drought in Central America’s Dry Corridor and a UK weather shift toward wetter, stormier conditions. Scientists warn impacts will extend into 2027 as temperatures rise globally and rainfall patterns shift.
Hurricane Lowell has damaged coastal resorts, damaged roads and cut power on Kauai. Officials say thousands remain without power; travel disruption persists while locals and volunteers provide aid and communities begin to rebuild.
A guide to lesser-known fall landscapes across the United States, highlighting offbeat spots from the Midwest to New England and beyond, with practical tips on crowds, reservations, and hidden gems.
The FBI has moved to consider applicants who previously engaged in activities such as prostitution or bestiality only if their conduct occurred before age 18. The change aims to protect victims and avoid automatic disqualification, but it faces sharp questioning from Senate Republicans about the agency’s standards and staffing.
A series of luxury hotels are marketing wellness-forward accommodations and programs, from wellness floors and heated rooms to curated nutrition and sleep-focused amenities. The trend reflects a shift toward holistic health as a key differentiator for premium stays.
Iranian authorities have carried out the execution of Hossein Pedaran, who allegedly provided information on missile sites to Mossad. The judiciary says the sentence was upheld by the supreme court, with the case not previously reported by media. The move comes as Iran faces ongoing conflict and domestic protests.
US envoy David Perdue has said President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether Beijing would like to buy US weapons. The remark has prompted the State Department to reiterate that US law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no plan to sell. The comments come as Washington has paused a roughly $14bn arms package to Taiwan while Taipei receives deliveries of delayed F-16V jets.
Polo has strengthened into a major Pacific hurricane with winds reaching Category 5 at times, threatening Mexico’s Pacific coast and prompting evacuations, shelter preparations, and heavy rain forecasts. Officials warn of life‑threatening flooding and mudslides as the storm tracks toward Baja California and may affect parts of the U.S. Southwest.
A hurricane is tracking toward southwestern Mexico as it fuels on record-strong El Niño waters. NOAA says Polo remains an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm, with potential for heavy rain, flooding and dangerous surf along the Pacific coast; no landfall is expected but residents face urgent warnings.
Heavy, near‑continuous rain since late September has dumped roughly 300–330mm across Bangkok, forcing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to declare all 50 districts disaster zones. Major roads and canals have flooded, thousands of households have been affected and thousands of people have moved into shelters while authorities pump water and restrict travel.
Nolo has strengthened toward a dangerous hurricane off Hawaii, while Polo threatens Mexico’s Baja California as forecasters warn of heavy rain, flooding and power outages. Authorities have activated emergency responses and urged precautions as the storms loom.
Polo has strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane with winds around 125 mph. It is moving toward the Baja California peninsula and mainland Mexico, bringing heavy rain, flooding and storm surge risks. Authorities say embankments in San Carlos and San Juanico face breach threats, prompting evacuations and shelter preparations. The storm could also trigger heavy rain and flooding in the U.S. Southwest as it tracks north.
SpaceX has flown Starship into low‑Earth orbit for the first time during its 14th test flight from Starbase, Texas, and has deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites. The Super Heavy booster has returned to the Gulf of Mexico; the upper stage has completed multiple orbits before a planned reentry and splashdown west of Chile during a roughly 10‑hour mission on Monday.
Ground-level metals linked to respiratory harm persist in residents for months after wildfires, with new Hawaii study showing elevated arsenic, cadmium, copper and antimony in urine up to 18 months post-blaze, underscoring long-term health risks beyond immediate smoke exposure.
President Donald Trump has signed a voluntary accord with executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, xAI and Nvidia committing companies to four layers of internal and external AI controls, including auditors and board oversight. The pact is non‑binding, leaves disclosure and enforcement to companies, and says the measures could later be codified into law.
The America.gov platform has used AI to answer government-service questions and has debunked some of Trump’s past claims, but responses have varied and sometimes refused to address political questions. The rollout shows guardrails influencing outputs, with later replies avoiding political commentary while still contradicting some claims in other instances.
As Brazil heads to a high-stakes presidential vote, Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro remain the leading contenders. Voters will decide whether Lula secures a fourth term or Bolsonaro returns his family to power. The race also shapes Brazil’s stance on the Amazon and relations with the United States, with a broad field of other races on Sunday’s ballot.
The Holei Sea Arch, a 90-foot-tall lava rock formation at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, has collapsed between Sept. 23 and Sept. 27, possibly during Tropical Storm Nolo. The National Park Service warns of ongoing instability and hazards for visitors; the arch formed about 550 years ago and was a major tourist sight.
SpaceX's Starship has achieved orbit in its 14th test flight, deploying 26 new Starlink V3 satellites. The mission demonstrates full orbital capability, a milestone after repeated suborbital tests, and signals a shift toward high-frequency, reusable launches.
President Donald Trump has approved a U.S. Army firing‑squad execution for Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted for the 2009 Fort Hood shootings that killed 13 people and wounded more than 30. The Army secretary has been instructed to set the time and place; Hasan can seek civilian habeas review that could delay the execution for years.
Isaias has weakened from a major hurricane as it tracks inland after slamming Florida’s Gulf Coast. The NHC warns of storm surges and flooding as Alabama, Florida Panhandle, and parts of Georgia brace for continued impacts. Power outages exceed 400,000 across several states as rescue and shelter operations unfold.