WATERFUL

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.

Hurricane Polo has intensified to become one of the strongest storms ever recorded, with forecasters linking its unusual strength to El Niño conditions in the Pacific. Warm ocean waters associated with the climate pattern are seen as a key driver behind the storm's rapid strengthening, drawing widespread attention to El Niño's role in extreme weather this season.

Doctors are warning that people taking GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs such as Ozempic face heightened health risks during the current heat wave. The drugs can contribute to dehydration, and patients may not feel thirsty or may experience nausea and vomiting, making it harder to stay hydrated. Medical experts are advising users to drink water regularly, avoid excessive heat, and seek medical attention if they develop dizziness or other symptoms of dehydration.

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.

Researchers at the University of Miami are using new imaging technologies to track changes in coral reefs with unprecedented clarity. The tools allow scientists to observe reef decline and recovery at fine scales, offering better data on how reefs respond to warming waters and other pressures. The work is drawing attention amid ongoing concern over the global loss of coral ecosystems.

The CDC says more than 11,500 cyclosporiasis cases have been reported across 41 US states. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a parasite, typically spread through contaminated food or water, causing diarrhea and other digestive symptoms. Health officials are monitoring the outbreak as case counts remain elevated across a wide swath of the country.

Scientists and US media are raising alarms about a slow-moving, planetary-scale Kelvin wave in the Pacific making its way toward the California coast. The ocean phenomenon could raise sea levels by up to a foot as El Niño conditions keep warm water trapped along the coastline. Observers warn the combined effect could worsen coastal erosion and flooding risks for communities already exposed to rising seas and winter storms.

British health officials are reporting a sharp increase in cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by the Cyclospora parasite, with many cases connected to travel to Mexico. The illness typically causes prolonged diarrhoea, fatigue and stomach cramps, and is often associated with contaminated food or water abroad. Health authorities are urging returning travellers with symptoms to seek medical advice. US outlets are also covering the story, as cyclospora outbreaks tied to travel and fresh produce have drawn attention in North America in recent years.

Oklahoma is facing scrutiny over the environmental toll of its large marijuana industry, with widespread coverage examining issues such as water use, energy consumption, and waste from indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation. The story is being picked up by outlets across the region, prompting debate over how the state should regulate grow operations and balance its booming cannabis market against environmental protection.

Scientists and commercial fishermen in New England are calling on federal agencies to maintain funding for a deep-ocean observation system that tracks conditions in Atlantic waters. Researchers use the system to study ocean changes, while fishermen rely on its data for safety and understanding fish stocks. The two groups, often at odds, are jointly pressing for continued federal support.

Tropical Storm Rachel is being monitored as it moves across the eastern Pacific, with news outlets publishing tracking maps showing its projected path and wind speeds. Forecasters are watching whether the system strengthens toward hurricane level or weakens over cooler waters, and whether any coastal areas of Mexico could face heavy rain or rough surf in the coming days.

New research highlighted by ScienceAlert finds that as the Pacific Ocean warms, its water-age circulation is behaving counterintuitively: younger surface waters are becoming older, while older deep waters are becoming younger. The finding suggests warming is disrupting normal ocean mixing and ventilation patterns, with possible implications for heat storage, carbon uptake and marine ecosystems across the Pacific.

The European Union has welcomed joint solutions to address water challenges in the Mediterranean region, according to an announcement from the European Commission's environment department. The statement highlights cooperation among Mediterranean countries on water management issues such as scarcity and drought. Water stress is an increasing concern across the region as climate change intensifies pressure on shared resources.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned the United Nations that any Indian move against Pakistan over water or military matters would be treated as an act of war, while India struck back by accusing Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism. The exchange at the UN General Assembly has drawn strong reactions, with commentators and analysts debating the escalating rhetoric between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Scientists are tracking a slow-moving kelvin wave, a vast pulse of warm ocean water travelling along the equatorial Pacific toward the US West Coast. The phenomenon is closely tied to El Niño-Southern Oscillation dynamics, and observers warn it could shift weather patterns, raise coastal sea levels and influence storm activity for California in the months ahead, sharpening fears of extreme conditions on the West Coast.

Maharashtra is in the news for two reasons: rapidly changing weather bringing rain and storms alongside an announced water supply cut, and a debate over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The state's Chief Electoral Officer had reportedly written a letter seeking more powers for local officials in the SIR process, making four specific demands, drawing attention to how the exercise is being run.

A strong nor'easter has flooded parts of Ocean City, forcing organisers to cancel a major local festival. Streets and waterfront areas are reported under water, with officials urging residents to avoid coastal roads as high tides and onshore winds continue. Coverage is focused on the latest updates on damage, cleanup efforts and whether further cancellations will follow as the storm system moves through the region.

News outlets are explaining Kelvin waves — pulses of unusually warm water that travel eastward along the equator beneath the ocean surface. These underwater movements can raise sea temperatures near the Americas and are closely watched because they can strengthen El Niño conditions, influencing rainfall, storms and coastal temperatures in California and beyond.

An Oklahoma oil company has plugged a well that was potentially leaking toxic waste, following an investigation by ProPublica and The Frontier. The reporting revealed that state regulators had approved the well in violation of rules designed to protect public drinking water, raising questions about oversight of oil and gas operations and the safety of water supplies in the state.