Artificial waterway connecting Atlantic and Pacific, freight lifeline
Tui has seen a sharp drop in pre-tax profits in its third quarter as fuel costs rise amid the Middle East conflict. The group reports weaker bookings and higher costs, but notes some signs of recovery in demand and continued price pressure.
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.
The US has opened a border crossing for Mexican cattle as concerns over the New World screwworm lessen. Authorities plan a phased reopening of additional crossings while Trump pushes a 90-day tariff-free import surge of ground beef to lower prices, though ranchers warn it risks hollowing domestic herd expansion.
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.
Global shipping authorities warn that parallel, opaque systems are fragmenting trade routes, raising costs and destabilising supply chains amid Middle East tensions and wider geopolitical frictions. Markets have already priced in heightened risk as sanctions-evading vessels and longer routes push freight costs higher.
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.
El Niño has strengthened to historic levels, suppressing Atlantic hurricane formation. Forecasters say the pattern, alongside Saharan dust, will keep the Atlantic unusually quiet for the remainder of the season, while the Pacific remains highly active with several hurricanes.
The State Department has reprogrammed $52 million in foreign military financing from Slovakia, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Iraq to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has visited Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, signaling a pivot toward the Western Hemisphere amid concerns about narcotics, migration and China’s growing presence. The move follows earlier efforts to reduce European spending and troop deployments in NATO, aligning with a renewed Monroe Doctrine approach.
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.
President Donald Trump has hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a ceremonial state visit in Washington that has focused on pageantry rather than major agreements. The two leaders have extended a trade truce to January 10, held private talks, attended a state dinner with US tech executives and staged a rare tarmac greeting and military flyovers.
Projections show 451,000 additional heat-related deaths globally between June and February 2027, with Nigeria, Sudan, Niger and Chad bearing the heaviest impact. The Climate Impact Lab says emergency actions now can save tens of thousands of lives as El Niño intensifies.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude quake has shaken Panama, collapsing structures and injuring dozens. Authorities report no confirmed deaths, as aftershocks roll across the isthmus and emergency operations coordinate relief efforts.
Unions across 22 countries have launched a coordinated day of action, demanding an end to Middle East wars and the militarization of ports. The protests involve more than 110 ports, with disruptions reported in several major hubs; experts say the broader supply chain impact will likely be limited.