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Hurricane Polo is being reported as one of the strongest storms on record, with El Niño conditions credited for fueling its intensity. News outlets are covering the storm's rapid strengthening, and the link to El Niño is drawing attention to how warmer Pacific waters are supercharging hurricanes this season.

An astronomer is tracking the gradual orbital decay of Starlink satellites and using the rate at which they sink toward Earth as a 'planetary barometer' to infer atmospheric density. Because the satellites' orbits are affected by drag from the upper atmosphere, their descent offers a novel way to measure changes there, drawing interest from the space and science community.

Polling shows Democrats taking the lead in ten states Donald Trump won by landslide margins, prompting what is described as a scramble within Trump's camp to defend them. The reported shift in traditionally Republican territory has triggered alarm among party figures, with one state's swing described as particularly shocking.

A record-strength El Niño has prompted California to declare a state of emergency as the warming of Pacific Ocean waters drives extreme conditions. Scientists and commentators say the event is already disrupting weather patterns worldwide, with storms hitting California and droughts, floods and heat shifts expected in other regions. Analysts warn that this El Niño could be among the most consequential climate events of the year.

Strong storms are moving into the Austin area, bringing heavy rain and a flash flood threat, according to KXAN. Forecasts call for intense downpours that could quickly overwhelm drainage and low-lying roads. Residents are being urged to monitor warnings, avoid flooded crossings, and stay alert as conditions develop through the storm period.

Palmer Luckey is making the case that humanoid robots are becoming the interface between software and the physical world, a view echoed in ARK's robotics forecasts, which analysts say have been beaten by the pace of real-world progress. Discussion is focusing on China's embodiment race, where rapid development of humanoid platforms is reframing robots as an 'API' for physical tasks rather than single-purpose machines.

SpaceX has launched its 13th long-duration astronaut crew to the International Space Station, continuing its regular rotation of crews under NASA's commercial spaceflight program. The mission keeps the station staffed with astronauts for an extended stay, underscoring SpaceX's growing role in routine human spaceflight from the United States.

SpaceX is scheduled to launch the Crew-13 mission for NASA today, carrying astronauts to the International Space Station. Outlets are publishing full launch timelines and guidance on how to watch the liftoff live, with coverage focused on the launch window, rocket, and docking schedule.

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft and NASA are reportedly planning a flight mission set for 2028, according to a French-language report circulating online. The spacecraft has been grounded since its troubled 2024 crew flight, and any new mission date would mark a key step in the programme's recovery. Details of the reported 2028 target remain thin, and neither NASA nor Boeing has confirmed the plans in the shared coverage.

SpaceX has launched a US astronaut mission designated with the number 13, the first American crewed spaceflight to carry that number since the Apollo era. The designation stands out because 13 has long been avoided in spaceflight naming since the Apollo 13 accident, with NASA and its partners historically skipping the number for crewed missions.

Physicists report measuring a quasiparticle carrying exactly one-quarter of an electron's charge, a fractional value that challenges the usual picture of electric charge as indivisible in ordinary materials. Such fractional quasiparticles are of keen interest in condensed matter physics, where they emerge from collective electron behaviour and are studied for potential use in topological quantum computing. The finding is drawing attention across the physics community.

Reports circulating on social media point to NASA preparing a future Boeing Starliner mission with a timeline stretching to 2028, linking the spacecraft, astronauts and spaceflight plans. The news originates from a French-language article by KultureGeek, but no further details about the mission's scope or NASA's decision are available in the current discussion.

Four astronauts are heading to the International Space Station aboard NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission, with the launch carried live by news outlets including ABC7. The flight continues NASA's partnership with SpaceX rotating crews to the orbiting laboratory. Viewers are following the liftoff and journey to the station in real time.

Bitcoin is drawing sustained buying interest while market analysts flag continued risks hanging over the cryptocurrency. Commentators describe a tug of war between robust demand for the asset and concerns such as volatility, regulation and macroeconomic uncertainty that could weigh on prices. Traders are watching which side prevails as the market digests the mixed signals.

The United Kingdom says there are strong indications that Iran played a role in an incident at an air base, according to a Washington Post report. The claim has drawn attention amid already heightened tensions over Iran's regional activities, though further details about the nature and timing of the incident have not been made public.

SpaceX launched four astronauts on a shortened journey to the International Space Station, placing the crew on a fast track to orbit. The mission continues the company's routine astronaut transport flights for NASA using its Crew Dragon spacecraft. Details about the crew members, launch site and mission objectives were not included in the available coverage.

Saudi Arabia has introduced an electronic travel authorization for British nationals, allowing UK passport holders to obtain travel approval online before visiting the kingdom. The measure streamlines entry procedures for British tourists and business travellers, removing the need for a traditional visa application in eligible cases. It aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader push to expand tourism and open the country to more international visitors.

Reviews are landing for Dune: Awakening, the open-world survival MMO set on Arrakis, with Game Informer's verdict summed up as 'only the strong survive'. The review frames the game as a harsh survival experience on Arrakis, where players must endure the desert, manage resources and compete with others. It is part of the first wave of press coverage as the game reaches players.