AHEAD

New data indicates the current El Niño is the strongest ever recorded, driving a major shift in global weather patterns. The development is expected to bring hotter temperatures, droughts in some regions and heavy rainfall in others, with scientists warning of widespread consequences for agriculture, water supplies and extreme weather events across the globe in the months ahead.

Meta has blocked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Facebook page and his campaign advertisements just two weeks ahead of the country's election. The move affects a sitting head of state's main digital campaign channel, and the reason for the block has not been made clear. The timing, so close to the vote, is drawing attention and questions about platform decisions affecting political speech in Brazil.

NPR's Newsmakers series examines Tucker Carlson's latest political positioning, arguing that the commentator has made an enemy of the very populist politics he helped construct during years as a leading conservative voice. The piece has drawn heavy attention, with more than two million people engaging with it, as commentators debate Carlson's evolution and what it signals for the American right ahead of the next election cycle.

The US Supreme Court has turned down the Trump administration's effort to impose restrictions on mail-in voting. The decision preserves existing access to absentee ballots, a voting method used by millions of Americans. The ruling is drawing attention from both parties, with critics of the restrictions calling it a win for voter access and Republicans weighing the setback ahead of future elections.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran will never seek to build a nuclear bomb, ahead of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The pledge is drawing wide attention as Tehran's nuclear program remains a central point of tension with Western powers, and observers watch for how the statement will land in New York diplomacy.

Forest fires in Indonesia are pushing smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Al Jazeera reports that race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further. The timing has raised concerns among fans, officials and businesses ahead of the major international sporting event.

Beijing has published its official statement on today's meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump at the White House, while Washington has yet to release its own account. The Chinese readout is described as short but unusually dense, and observers are combing it for signals on trade and bilateral ties ahead of the US version.

The United States is weighing a 90-day ban on diesel exports, a move that could hit Europe hard, since the EU relies on US diesel supplies. Politico reports the European Union has launched a diplomatic offensive to stop the plan, warning of fuel shortages and higher prices if the ban goes ahead.

Republican politicians and candidates are increasingly keeping their distance from Donald Trump as polling shows him dragging down the party's prospects. Lawmakers in competitive races are reportedly avoiding joint appearances and softening their ties to the former president. Commentators say the party is recalculating ahead of upcoming elections, with some openly breaking ranks on key issues while others quietly shift their messaging.

US authorities have issued a federal bulletin ahead of the September 11 anniversary, warning that foreign terrorist organizations continue to encourage attacks. The advisory highlights ongoing security vigilance around the commemoration, even without specific threats named.

A Wall Street Journal report says Egyptian intelligence warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government ahead of October 7 that an attack by Hamas was imminent, but the warning apparently did not prevent the assault. The claim raises new questions about Israeli intelligence failures and about how much Israeli officials knew before the Hamas-led attack that killed roughly 1,200 people and triggered the war in Gaza.

ProPublica has published new reporting revealing the extent of the White House's role in attempting to dictate how mail-in ballots are processed. According to the outlet, the effort sparked behind-the-scenes drama that played out for nearly a year. The revelations are drawing attention ahead of the election cycle, with readers sharing the report widely and debating what it means for the independence of election administration.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said rising bond yields will weigh on economic growth and help bring down inflation, comments that traders and analysts are reading as a signal the ECB may not need to raise rates further. Markets are watching closely for confirmation ahead of the bank's next policy decision.

The United States has extended tariff relief to a broad set of products under its latest trade arrangement with China. The exemptions cover US coal and agricultural goods as well as Chinese-made toys, car seats and holiday decorations. The scope of the relief is drawing attention because it touches both American export sectors and everyday consumer imports ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Australia's central bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia, has raised its cash rate to its highest level in 15 years, according to Reuters. The move means higher borrowing costs for Australian households and businesses, and signals the bank is still working to bring inflation back to target despite signs of economic slowing. Markets and economists will be watching for hints on whether further tightening is ahead.

The EU is pressing ahead with plans to build its own payment infrastructure, reducing reliance on US-dominated networks like Visa and Mastercard. The Council of the EU is promoting the initiative, which would allow European consumers and businesses to make card and app payments within an EU-controlled system. Supporters argue it strengthens strategic autonomy and cuts fees; critics question whether it can win adoption against entrenched providers.

SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket ever built, lifted off from Boca Chica, Texas, on its first integrated orbital test flight, but the mission ended early when the vehicle broke apart before completing its planned flight profile. The company framed the launch as a valuable test that gathered data for future attempts.Observers note that the booster failed to separate as planned and that the loss of the vehicle was within the range of expected outcomes for a first flight.

South Sudan addressed the UN General Assembly with a call for elections to be decided by the ballot rather than violence, as the country prepares for its long-delayed national vote. The message, relayed by UN News and regional outlets, underscores international attention to whether South Sudan's transition and first elections since independence will proceed peacefully.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has travelled to the United Arab Emirates to meet the Emirati leader, in a rare visit by an Israeli premier to the Gulf state. The trip comes after reports that Israel received warnings ahead of Hamas's October 7 attack. The meeting is being closely watched for what it signals about Israeli-Arab relations amid the ongoing fallout from the intelligence controversy.

Aliko Dangote says a Kenyan court ruling will not stop the planned launch of his refinery project in the country, though it may affect activities at the site. The statement, reported by Reuters, suggests the billionaire industrialist intends to press ahead with the venture despite legal challenges, while acknowledging the ruling could disrupt on-the-ground operations.

The United States and Iran remain engaged in mediated negotiations, but significant disagreements persist over the terms of a potential agreement. Analysts say a deal is unlikely to be finalized before the upcoming US midterm elections, leaving the diplomatic track in limbo as political pressures build in Washington.

Fuel prices are climbing worldwide as threats issued by Donald Trump and ongoing armed conflicts weigh on energy markets. Traders and analysts are tracking how sanctions rhetoric, military escalation and supply disruption risks could push crude oil and refined fuel costs further up, leaving governments and consumers bracing for more expensive energy in the weeks ahead.

Reuters reports that the powerful forces — dubbed the 'G force' — propelling global markets higher may need to be slowed by the US Federal Reserve and the bond market. The item suggests that if equity momentum keeps running ahead of economic fundamentals, central bank policy and rising bond yields could act as the brake that curbs the rally.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that national security agencies and military cyber forces will be deployed to protect US election systems ahead of the midterm elections. The pledge, carried widely by national and local outlets including AP News, signals a stepped-up Pentagon role in defending election infrastructure against cyber threats. It is likely to fuel debate over the military's place in election security.

The US dollar is holding close to a two-month high as Treasury yields rise and markets await fresh Federal Reserve data. Traders are positioning ahead of upcoming Fed-related releases that could shape expectations for interest rates, with the stronger dollar reflecting firm yield support and lingering uncertainty about the central bank's next policy moves.

The Bank of Japan has signalled it may raise interest rates sooner than markets had anticipated. The hawkish signal points to a possible shift away from Japan's long-standing ultra-loose monetary policy. Investors and analysts are watching closely for clues on the timing of the move, as an earlier hike could affect the yen, bond yields and global carry trades.

The US dollar is trading near a two-month peak, supported by rising oil prices and higher US Treasury yields. Traders are holding back ahead of upcoming US jobs data, which could shape expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate policy. The dollar's strength reflects renewed confidence in US economic resilience, while energy price gains are adding to inflation concerns.

The United States and European Union have raised objections to a United Nations declaration on preparing for future pandemics. The disagreement centers on the draft text ahead of UN discussions on global pandemic preparedness, though details of the specific objections were not provided in the available reporting.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is defending his economic record ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's latest cash rate decision, in ongoing coverage from Canberra. The decision is being closely watched by households and businesses dealing with mortgage costs and inflation, with the opposition and minor parties including One Nation pressing the government over economic management.