NOAA says El Niño has begun in the tropical Pacific, with a 63% chance it becomes one of the strongest events recorded since 1950. Scientists warn it could intensify global heat and disrupt weather, food supplies and economies into 2027.
News Mash
Vance Boelter is expected to plead guilty to federal charges in the June 2025 shootings that killed Melissa and Mark Hortman and wounded John and Yvette Hoffman. Federal prosecutors said they will not seek the death penalty under a proposed plea agreement.
The House is set to vote on a short-term extension of Section 702, but Democratic opposition over Bill Pulte’s appointment as acting intelligence chief could doom the measure. Lawmakers remain divided over civil liberties, national security and what happens if the authority expires Friday.
John Healey resigned as Britain’s defence secretary, saying Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Treasury had failed to provide the resources needed for national defence. His departure is the sixth ministerial resignation since Labour’s poor election showing last month.
Pope Leo appealed for humane treatment of migrants during a visit to the Canary Islands, warning that dignity “has no passport.” The trip comes as Spain expands legal status for many undocumented migrants while a new EU pact tightens border and deportation rules.
India lodged a “strong protest” with the United States after three Indian sailors were killed in a U.S. strike on the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. forces also disabled two other tankers this week as part of a naval blockade linked to Iran.
Florida’s Supreme Court refused to block a new congressional map for the midterm elections, leaving districts drawn by Republicans in place while a legal challenge continues. Voting rights groups say the map is an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander; state officials defended it as lawful.
A Thai court sentenced Bilal Mohammed and Yusufu Mieraili to death for the 2015 Erawan shrine bombing that killed 20 people and injured more than 120. Both men deny wrongdoing and plan to appeal after a decade-long case criticized by rights groups.