Chang

Scientists and commentators say the current El Niño is unlike any previously observed, with ocean temperatures in the Pacific reaching record highs. The event is being linked to extreme weather worldwide, including heatwaves, flooding and droughts, and is fuelling debate about how climate change may be intensifying the natural cycle.

President Trump's second administration is changing how the United States funds the United Nations, with reporting examining cuts and shifts in U.S. contributions to the world body. The changes affect UN programmes and budgets that have long relied on American financial support, and are drawing attention from diplomats and international observers.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Iran conflict is pushing up prices at US auto shops, with oil changes getting more expensive as crude and lubricant costs climb. The war's impact on global oil markets is filtering down to everyday consumers, adding to household expenses already strained by inflation.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is set to tell Labour's conference that critics of the party's approach to Gaza 'were right', in an admission that Labour was wrong on the issue. He will frame the message around change, saying the party is 'not here to accept the status quo but to change it'. The remarks mark a notable shift from a senior minister on one of the most contested foreign policy questions in British politics.

The Arab Center Washington DC is highlighting the upcoming UN General Assembly 2026 session, framing it around war, diplomacy, and a shifting regional order in the Middle East. The piece points to expectations that ongoing conflicts and realignments among regional and global powers will dominate the assembly's agenda and debates.

Attention is on the European Central Bank's upcoming leadership changes, with reporting framing the succession as a contest shaped by political bargaining among EU governments rather than a purely technocratic decision. Key posts at the bank are expected to open up as senior officials' terms near their end, prompting jockeying over which nationalities and candidates fill them. The process matters because the ECB's leadership steers eurozone monetary policy and its balance between hawkish and dovish voices.

Scientists are developing new approaches to control mosquitoes, the animal responsible for more human deaths than any other, as climate change lengthens mosquito seasons and expands the areas where the insects can spread diseases such as malaria and dengue. Reporting highlights that longer warm periods give mosquitoes more time to breed and transmit dangerous illnesses, prompting research into novel targeting methods.

French attention is turning to how pensions will be revalued in 2027. According to La Tribune, the government is expected to favour scrapping the 10% tax allowance on pension income rather than adjusting indexation rules, as ministers look for ways to fund or offset the revaluation. The debate matters for millions of retirees, since changes to the abattement would reduce net pension income for many households.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a major climate change case pending before the court, according to CBS News. The move means only eight justices will weigh in on the decision, raising the possibility of a 4-4 split that would leave a lower court ruling in place. Recusals by Supreme Court justices are rare and often prompt questions about the reasons behind them, which were not immediately explained.

The Trump administration is moving to roll back federal fuel economy standards for vehicles, a change expected to affect what cars automakers sell and how much drivers pay at the pump. Coverage explains that weaker efficiency rules could lower upfront vehicle costs but increase gasoline consumption, with knock-on effects for emissions, the auto industry and consumers.

Speaking at the United Nations, Donald Trump dismissed calls to regulate artificial intelligence, comparing warnings about AI risks to climate change. He claimed climate warnings have proven to be a hoax and portrayed AI critics as alarmists, drawing criticism for conflating the two issues and rejecting oversight of a fast-growing technology.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will no longer take part in an upcoming climate change dispute before the court, according to the legal news outlet SCOTUSblog. The removal of one justice from a case involving climate policy can affect the outcome in a closely divided court. No detailed reason for his recusal was included in the initial report.

The US Education Department has formally rescinded the Biden administration's Title IX rules, which had expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students and changed how schools handle sexual harassment and assault complaints. The move returns schools to earlier regulatory standards and is expected to trigger legal challenges and renewed debate over transgender athletes and campus misconduct procedures.

Russia's central bank has lowered the official exchange rates it sets for major currencies against the ruble. The move affects the daily rates used across Russia's financial system for accounting, taxation and currency conversion. It comes amid ongoing volatility in the ruble, which has faced pressure from sanctions, energy export fluctuations and shifts in foreign trade flows since 2022.

The Trump administration has moved to sharply scale back federal fuel economy standards, loosening requirements that push automakers to produce more efficient vehicles. The rollback is likely to draw criticism from environmental groups and states that back stricter emissions rules, while offering relief to carmakers facing compliance costs. The full scope of the changes and their timing remain unclear.

Oil prices reversed an early session rally amid speculation about diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran. Traders had bid crude higher before reports of possible talks weighed on the market, easing supply concerns and pulling prices back down. The move highlights how sensitive oil markets remain to any signal of easing or worsening tensions between Washington and Tehran.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a major climate-change case just days before it was set to be heard. The move comes without a publicly stated reason, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in a case with wide-ranging implications for climate regulation. Legal observers are watching closely, as recusals by Supreme Court justices are rare and can affect the outcome of closely divided rulings.

The Trump administration has moved to roll back federal fuel economy standards, easing efficiency requirements for automakers. Supporters argue the change will lower vehicle manufacturing costs and make new cars cheaper for buyers, while critics warn it could increase fuel consumption and emissions over time. Debate is focused on whether any savings from relaxed rules will actually be passed on to consumers at the dealership, or absorbed by manufacturers.

The Trump administration is rolling back fuel economy standards for automakers, easing requirements that vehicles meet rising efficiency targets. The move, explained in coverage by ABC News, is expected to lower compliance costs for car manufacturers while drawing criticism from environmental groups who argue it will increase emissions and fuel consumption for American drivers.

The US Department of Education has moved to rescind Title IX protections for LGBTQ students, drawing criticism from civil rights groups and praise from conservatives. Reports indicate the department's Office for Civil Rights may dismiss some complaints related to transgender athletes and gender identity discrimination. Advocates warn the change weakens safeguards against discrimination in schools, while supporters frame it as restoring the original intent of the law.

The Trump administration is moving to roll back federal fuel economy standards for cars, a move described as breaking with five decades of policy aimed at improving vehicle efficiency and cutting fuel consumption. The change is expected to ease requirements on automakers, drawing criticism from environmental groups and potentially reshaping US emissions and energy policy.

The US Department of Education has formally rescinded a Biden-era rule that extended Title IX anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ students. The move reverses one of the previous administration's signature education policies and reshapes how federal sex-discrimination rules apply in schools and universities. Education observers are weighing the implications for students, schools, and ongoing legal battles over Title IX's scope.

Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a major climate change case before the US Supreme Court, according to CNN. The move means only eight justices will weigh in on a dispute with significant implications for US climate policy. The reason for the recusal was not given in the report, and it remains unclear how his absence will affect the outcome.

The Trump administration has announced a major rollback of US fuel-economy standards, cutting requirements for passenger vehicles and changing how light trucks are classified, a shift that would let larger pickups and SUVs face weaker efficiency rules. Auto industry and environmental groups are expected to clash over the move, which would reshape emissions and efficiency rules for a large share of vehicles sold in the United States.

Ukraine says its forces have recaptured another 51 square kilometres of territory in northern Donetsk as part of Operation Vivaldi. The latest gains reportedly bring the total territory retaken in the operation to 176 square kilometres, with five settlements also coming under Ukrainian control. The claims have not been independently verified, and Russia has not commented on them.

A US federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from conditioning anti-terrorism grant funding on changes to election procedures. The ruling prevents the administration from using homeland security grants as leverage over how states run their elections. The decision is being closely watched as part of the broader legal battles over presidential power and election administration.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature used the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week to advance its agenda on nature protection, ocean conservation and climate action. The organisation highlighted the links between biodiversity loss and climate change, urging governments to keep nature and ocean issues central to international climate commitments.

Leaders of Pacific island nations used their addresses at the UN General Assembly to highlight the existential threats climate change poses to their countries, including rising sea levels and extreme weather. They urged the international community to take stronger action on emissions and to support vulnerable states facing displacement and loss of land.

The Trump administration has moved to roll back fuel economy standards put in place under President Biden. The change would loosen requirements on automakers to improve vehicle efficiency, reversing one of Biden's signature climate policies. The move is likely to reignite debate over emissions rules, gas prices and the auto industry's shift toward electric vehicles.

A Stanford Medicine study concludes that cutting ultra-processed foods from school menus will be a difficult task. Researchers at Stanford examined the challenges involved in changing school meal programs, finding that removing such foods is not straightforward. The findings suggest schools face practical obstacles in overhauling menus to meet growing demands for healthier food for children.