The largest and deepest division of Earth's oceans
The FAA has issued a final airworthiness directive requiring visual inspections of a forward "bear strap" and fuselage skin on certain Boeing 737 Max models. The rule, effective Sept. 10, covers about 471 U.S.-registered Max jets and mirrors inspections already mandated for older Next-Generation 737s after reports of cracks in that part.
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.
The Presidio dispute over the border wall has culminated in a court ruling that denies a stay, while the government continues with plans to deploy the barrier, raising flood and environmental concerns for the town and surrounding areas.
Japan has bolstered its military capabilities, prioritizing domestic drone development and long-range missiles as deterrence against China. Cabinet defence paper stresses speed, expanded arms production, and a shift toward homemade unmanned weapons to offset a shrinking workforce.
Guatemala’s Fuego volcano has erupted since Monday, spewing lava, ash and pyroclastic flows that have forced about 1,700 people from at least 18 communities and closed a major highway. Authorities have raised orange and red alerts in nearby departments, suspended some classes and warned that rain could trigger deadly lahars.
Pacific territories warn they were not consulted as the US considers auctioning seabed areas for mining. Officials say local communities fear ecological damage and food-security risks while governments push for clarity and consultations. The move comes amid broader debates over environmental safeguards and national sovereignty.
Copernicus records show Western Europe has faced unprecedented heat in June–July 2026, with an average of 21.62C and soil moisture at historic lows. Rivers run low, powering drought and wildfires across France, Spain and beyond. El Niño is strengthening global temperatures, prompting warnings of deeper climate impacts.
A global heat wave trend persists into August 2026. July saw record or near-record sea surface and air temperatures across Europe and globally. Scientists warn that accelerating warming and a strong El Niño are increasing the odds that 2026 will be the hottest year on record.
Tech giants and startups envisage a future where data centers orbit Earth. Insurers question pricing and risk; space debris and regulatory hurdles loom as hundreds of billions of dollars in hardware move into space.
European nations and the UK are intensifying efforts to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet, with new EU sanctions allowing the sale of seized Russian oil cargoes. Putin warns that seizures amount to piracy and promises a response, while Western and Russian officials describe a growing maritime confrontation surrounding sanctioned oil shipments.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has visited Iturup (Etorofu) in the disputed Kuril Islands, watched Pacific Fleet naval drills including live-fire missile launches, and toured a fish-processing plant, hospital and school. Japan has summoned the Russian ambassador and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi have called the visit "absolutely unacceptable," reaffirming Tokyo's claim to the islands.
Tropical Storm Lala may grow into a hurricane as it grazes Hawaii, with a hurricane warning issued for the Big Island. Forecasters warn of dangerous flooding and mudslides, potentially the first hurricane strike on Hawaii since 1992.
Tropical Storm Lala has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and has lashed Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds, causing at least one death, widespread power outages and property damage. A second system, Moke, has formed south of the islands with tropical-storm‑strength winds and will bring additional heavy rain.
A magnitude-7.7 earthquake has struck off Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, and rescue teams have recovered dozens of bodies and treated hundreds of injured. Authorities have recorded hundreds of aftershocks, lifted an initial tsunami warning after tide gauges showed limited sea-level change, and declared a 14-day state of emergency as landslides and damaged roads are slowing aid deliveries.
Colombia has faced a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake, with rescue efforts continuing in Cali, Pereira and Quibdó. President de la Espriella has appealed to the United States for tariff relief to aid business recovery as Washington pledges $26.5 million in emergency aid.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has made a brief port call at Laem Chabang, Thailand, allowing about 5,000 sailors and Marines to rest after a record, months-long deployment supporting US operations against Iran. Thai authorities are managing transport, security and restrictions in Pattaya while US officials deny widespread failures in shipboard conditions.
The Panama Canal Authority has reduced daily transit capacity due to drought linked to El Niño. From September 3, capacity drops from 36 to 34 ships per day, and from September 15 it falls to 32, signaling tighter restrictions amid dry spells that threaten global shipping and water supplies.
Forecasters have confirmed a very strong El Niño that has pushed Pacific sea-surface temperatures well beyond historical thresholds and is already altering global weather. The Met Office says the event is unprecedented in modern records; governments in Central and South America have declared alerts as droughts and extreme heat are damaging crops and water supplies now and into 2027.
SpaceX is set to launch the secret USSF-366 mission for the U.S. Space Force from Vandenberg AFB, California. The two-stage Falcon 9 will carry a classified payload into low Earth orbit, with a live stream planned about 10 minutes before liftoff. If scrubbed, another launch window is scheduled for the following day.
The U.S. Southern Command has confirmed lethal strikes against low-profile vessels linked to drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. The administration is pressing allied nations to extend operations onto land; critics warn of civilian harm and legal questions. Officials say the goal is to disrupt narco-terror networks and stem drug flows into the United States.
The latest data show global sea temperatures have reached record highs in August 2026 as El Ni 0o intensifies, driven by natural variability and long-term warming. Forecasts indicate the warmth will continue into 2027, with wide-ranging impacts on weather, seas and economies. Governments warn of increased risks to vulnerable communities and fisheries.
The storm Karina has intensified in the Pacific, with NHC reporting high winds. Swells are creating dangerous surf along parts of Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula. Forecasts indicate fluctuations in strength as it moves away from land.
Federal prosecutors allege that a gang known as Los Baja Deo trafficked fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, generating nearly $50 million and driving violence. The operation involved drug distribution through public housing, use of the USPS, and violence to protect the conspiracy. The DOJ seeks assets totaling about $49.7 million.
The Artemis II crew has received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor for their record-breaking lunar trajectory. President Trump has announced plans for a US Space Academy and aims to position Artemis III/IV milestones toward a sustained lunar presence. NASA officials and astronauts are highlighting progress toward a future lunar base and Mars ambitions.
A 29-foot limestone statue at Mount Cristo Rey remains at the center of a legal clash after the U.S. government pursues land seizure for a proposed border wall. Diocese argues the move infringes religious liberty, while authorities say the project will protect the area and support border security.
The US-SOUTHCOM operation has interdicted and sunk a floating refueling vessel linked to the Los Choneros criminal network. Crew members were removed and handed to Ecuadorian authorities as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt narco-trafficking networks in the Eastern Pacific.
Anak Krakatau has erupted since late Friday, producing lava fountains and ash plumes up to 50,000ft and forcing temporary closures at Soekarno‑Hatta and multiple regional airports. Authorities have suspended operations at several airports, delayed or cancelled hundreds of flights and stranded tens to hundreds of thousands of passengers while marine and air exclusion zones remain in place.
Pacific Islands Forum opens in Palau as Beijing objects to Taiwan’s attendance. Pacific leaders press for autonomy in agenda; China warns of consequences. Taiwan’s foreign minister attends, sparking diplomatic friction.
The UN Environment Programme has published a report concluding the world will likely exceed the Paris 1.5°C limit within years. UNEP recommends an "overshoot, peak and decline" pathway that combines immediate, deep emissions cuts, rapid methane reductions and carefully governed carbon dioxide removal to return temperatures below 1.5°C this century.
Rains driven by El Niño have intensified at Bright Angel Creek, triggering a deadly flood near the Grand Canyon. The event follows drought and a megafire that scarred the area, with authorities warning debris flows and ongoing risk as crews assess damages.
El Niño has strengthened toward historic levels, with NOAA and other forecasters projecting a 75% chance of a record-breaking event in late 2026. The phenomenon is driving higher global temperatures, shifting rainfall, and fueling droughts and floods across regions. Governments warn households to prepare for potential disruptions and to stock essentials.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are underway with The Pitt leading drama nominations and Widow’s Bay challenging Hacks for comedy supremacy. Mariska Hargitay is hosting NBC’s telecast, with Apple TV+ debuts Pluribus and DTF St Louis among top contenders. The ceremony honors Buffy, Charlie’s Angels, and Dolly Parton while Zendaya and Harrison Ford are among notable presenters.
Airports serving Jakarta have reopened after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau has moved away. Authorities are conducting inspections and cleaning as flight disruptions affect thousands of passengers across eight airports.
Trump's online memes portray him as all-powerful, yet voters cite economic concerns as the driving factor behind midterm choices. The White House defends meme strategy as energizing base, while critics warn of detached messaging.
A speedboat carrying five photojournalists, two crew members and a guide has lost contact after departing Carita for Anak Krakatau. The last message reported arrival near the volcanic island, but rescuers have yet to locate them amid ongoing eruptions and ash dispersal affecting flights and online schooling for affected communities.
Covenant has announced Anthem, a ground-launched cruise missile capable of carrying a 200+ kg payload. With multiple production sites and a goal of 5,000 missiles per year, the program aims to lower costs while expanding long-range reach, including Indo-Pacific defense considerations.
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.
Taiwan is considering sending a coast guard vessel to participate in a joint exercise near the Philippines, with funding included in the 2027 budget. The plan follows a recent push by Taiwan to engage with democratic partners amid regional tensions; details on the number of vessels remain unclear.
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.
The MV Matui sank between Ambae and Santo in Vanuatu during bad weather. Officials say at least one person is dead and more than 30 remain missing. Fifteen survivors have been accounted for, and authorities are launching an investigation into possible negligence and overloading. Rescue operations are focused along the south-east coast as currents may carry survivors.
The UN Special Rapporteur has concluded that US strikes on 68 vessels in international waters since September last year have killed at least 223 people and may constitute crimes against humanity. The report says self-defence claims are not supported by evidence, and calls for investigations and accountability.
The El Niño weather pattern has intensified, with multiple reports showing record sea-surface temperatures and forecasts of extreme heat. Scientists warn that global impacts will intensify through 2027, affecting temperatures, rainfall, and wildfire risk across regions from the Pacific to Africa and the Americas.
Forecasts indicate Polo remains at Cat 5 while Nolo approaches Hawaii, triggering watches and flood concerns. Heavy rains threaten Mexico’s Pacific coast and Hawaii’s Big Island, with authorities urging preparations as weather patterns intensify under El Niño conditions.