The Drive

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.

UK authorities have arrested five men near a military base on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. The arrests, announced as breaking news by international outlets, have drawn wide attention as details about the suspects, the base involved and the alleged plot have not yet been made public. Counter-terrorism police are expected to provide more information as the investigation continues.

Iran has declared it is ready to fight a 'doomsday' or apocalyptic war, according to coverage circulating widely in Indian-language news commentary. The statement comes amid escalating tensions across the Middle East, with the conflict touching Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Gaza and the West Bank. Commentators are weighing what Tehran's stark rhetoric means for the prospect of a wider regional confrontation.

Stock markets dropped worldwide as geopolitical upheaval pushed investors toward safe-haven assets, sending oil prices and bond yields higher. The surge in volatility highlights how sensitive markets remain to escalating international tensions, with traders weighing the risk of prolonged disruption to energy supplies and broader economic fallout if the situation deteriorates further.

A Wall Street Journal profile examines how a lawyer with a background in business litigation became the Justice Department's leading figure in its legal campaign against gender-affirming care for transgender people. The report traces his career path and role in shaping federal policy, drawing attention to the Justice Department's expanding involvement in one of the most contested issues in American law and politics.

Sudanese authorities have called for an immediate end to foreign interference in the country and insisted that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) be disarmed. The demand comes as Sudan's civil war, which began in April 2023 between the army and the RSF, continues to drive one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with outside powers widely accused of fuelling the conflict.

A farmer driving home in the early hours near RAF Fairford found three white vans blocking a village road with nobody inside. She became suspicious, turned around, and then saw a group of men described as Middle Eastern-looking near the vehicles. The discovery has prompted a suspected bomb plot investigation, and a summary of what is known so far is circulating widely, drawing intense attention to security around the airbase.

Attention is turning to what a future truce in Sudan must include beyond simply halting fighting. Analysts argue a durable agreement would need humanitarian access, monitoring mechanisms and a political process between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, after repeated ceasefires in the ongoing war failed to hold. Debate centres on whether a ceasefire alone can address the conflict's deeper roots or merely pause the violence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says around 18,000 North Korean troops are now supporting Russia's war effort, a significant escalation in foreign involvement in the conflict. The claim has drawn wide attention as officials and analysts weigh its implications for the battlefield and for broader international security.

SpaceX's Starship rocket is in the spotlight, with coverage of the company's test flight program, including a roundup of its 13 Starship test flights and reports that SpaceX is preparing to send the rocket to orbit. The heavy-lift vehicle, central to NASA's lunar plans and Elon Musk's Mars ambitions, continues to attract scrutiny after a mix of progress and setbacks in testing.

Commentary from Kyiv Post is examining what drives Vladimir Putin's strategic choices as the war continues: defending Russian oil refineries increasingly targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes, or pressing attacks on Ukraine. The debate highlights growing pressure on Russia's energy infrastructure and questions over how Moscow will prioritise its resources and retaliation.

The UN envoy for Sudan has stressed the need for sustained diplomacy to resolve the country's devastating conflict, calling on international and regional actors to keep pushing for a political settlement. The appeal comes as fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces continues to drive displacement and worsen the humanitarian crisis across Sudan.

President Donald Trump has called off planned military strikes against the Houthis, according to Fox News. The decision, announced as breaking news, is drawing wide attention given the US campaign against the Yemen-based group and questions over what prompted the reversal and what it means for American military operations in the region.

Moderna has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine targeting the Zaire strain responsible for the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The early-stage trial will test the vaccine's safety and immune response in humans, marking a new use of the company's vaccine technology against the deadly virus.

US F-35 components, including a cockpit canopy and weapons bay door, were accidentally shipped to China and are now in the possession of the Chinese government, according to a Bloomberg report citing people briefed on the matter. The parts reportedly came from an Australian Air Force F-35. The case has drawn attention because it raised concerns that a US adversary could gain access to sensitive stealth fighter technology through a logistics error.

The Arab Center Washington DC is examining the upcoming UN General Assembly session in 2026, focusing on how war and diplomacy are reshaping the Middle East's regional order. The analysis addresses shifts in alliances and power dynamics as the international community prepares for high-level diplomatic engagement at the assembly.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatari mediators amid stalled nuclear talks with the United States. Oil prices extended gains as concerns grew over Middle East supply, with Tehran reportedly pessimistic about reaching a deal before the US midterm elections. The talks are being closely watched for their impact on regional stability and energy markets.

News outlets are detailing what is known so far about a suspected terror plot in the United Kingdom, with authorities reportedly investigating the alleged scheme. In parallel, coverage is revisiting why the Gulf region remains stuck in limbo, with unresolved political and diplomatic tensions keeping the situation in doubt. Together the two stories are driving conversation about security in Britain and instability in the Gulf.

Sudan's Minister for Foreign Affairs has taken the floor at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, addressing the annual general debate. The speech comes as Sudan's civil war continues to displace millions and drive famine conditions, making the country's diplomatic voice at the UN a focus of international attention.

Powerful storms are striking opposite sides of the United States at the same time, and meteorologists point to El Niño as the driving force. The climate pattern, marked by warmer Pacific waters, is reshaping jet streams and fueling severe weather on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, drawing wide attention to its growing impact.

Pope Leo concluded his trip to France with a message aimed squarely at European leaders, urging the continent to resist the 'desire for domination' he says is driving today's wars. The appeal came as the closing note of his visit, framing Europe's role as one of restraint and peace-making at a time of ongoing conflict.

A 60 Minutes report examines how the race to build artificial intelligence is driving a rapid expansion of data centers across the United States, and the growing resistance from communities where the facilities are being built. Residents have raised concerns over energy demands, water use, noise and strain on local power grids, turning data center approvals into a contested political issue in towns across the country.

Hurricane Polo has made landfall in Baja California, Mexico, with forecasters warning of life-threatening winds as the storm moves across the peninsula. Residents in affected areas are bracing for dangerous conditions, and authorities are monitoring the hurricane's path closely as it pushes inland.

European governments are racing to rearm amid security concerns, but their lack of coordination in defence procurement is costing billions. An investigation argues that each country buying separately, rather than jointly, drives up prices, duplicates effort and delays delivery of weapons and equipment. The report adds to ongoing debate about whether the EU and NATO members should pool orders and standardise military capabilities to get better value from rising defence budgets.