ELS

A video clip of computing pioneer Alan Kay is circulating on Hacker News, in which he discusses Claude Shannon, the mathematician who founded information theory. The snippet shown references Shannon's work on handling noisy communication channels, a foundational idea behind modern digital communication and computing. Commenters appear drawn to Kay's reflections on computing history and theory, though the full context of the discussion is limited to a single post with around 140 points and no visible thread detail.

New data reported by BBC News indicates the current El Niño is the strongest ever recorded, accompanied by a major shift in global weather patterns. The findings point to intensified ocean warming with wide-reaching consequences for rainfall, drought and temperature extremes across different regions of the world.

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his Japan Open campaign in Tokyo with a first-round match against American Alex Michelsen. The draw also sets up an emotional occasion for Japanese tennis, as Kei Nishikori is set to face Frances Tiafoe in what is being presented as a farewell appearance. Fans are following the tournament for Alcaraz's title push and Nishikori's send-off.

Chelsea have entered the race for a defender valued at around £25m, going head to head with Liverpool and Manchester United. All three Premier League clubs are reportedly monitoring the player ahead of a possible transfer move, setting up a three-way battle for his signature in the ongoing transfer window.

Hurricane Polo is being described as one of the strongest storms ever recorded, with El Niño conditions cited as the fuel behind its intensity. The storm is drawing attention as an example of how the climate pattern is supercharging Pacific hurricanes this season.

Commentary is spreading online claiming the current El Niño is unlike anything ever recorded, with the warming pattern described as unprecedented in strength and behaviour. The claim has drawn millions of engagements as people discuss what an exceptional El Niño could mean for global temperatures, extreme weather, storms and droughts in the months ahead.

The US National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service is highlighting the outlook for a very strong El Nino in 2026-2027. The agency says an unusually warm tropical Pacific Ocean could reshape weather patterns worldwide, with potential effects on rainfall, droughts, storms and temperatures across multiple continents in the coming years.

Germany has for the first time formally committed to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target year of 2045. The pledge, reported by the Guardian, marks a notable step for Europe's largest economy, which has historically leaned heavily on coal and gas. Climate campaigners are likely to press for details on how the target will be enforced and funded, while industry groups will watch the plan's impact on energy costs.

California is examining results from projects that place solar panels over irrigation canals, an approach meant to generate clean power while reducing water evaporation. The state is learning how the panels perform in practice and whether covering canals at scale could cut both water loss and emissions, drawing attention to a idea piloted in the Turlock Irrigation District's Project Nexus.

New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as a Nor'easter storm moves through the region, forcing the cancellation of events and disrupting travel. Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding pose risks across the two states.

California has declared a state of emergency covering the entire state as officials brace for a strong El Niño forecast. The move allows state agencies to mobilise resources, equipment and personnel ahead of what is expected to be a period of heavy storms and flooding risk. The announcement has drawn wide attention as residents prepare for severe weather across the region.

A new study reports that higher air pollution levels are associated with slower finishing times across the six World Marathon Majors, including Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Tokyo. The findings suggest poor air quality measurably affects elite and amateur runners' performance on race day, adding an environmental dimension to debates over race scheduling and urban air standards.

KESQ's Weather Insider segment examines the satellites used to study the world's oceans and monitor El Niño conditions. The piece explains how space-based observation of sea surface temperatures and ocean patterns helps forecasters understand and predict El Niño's effects on global weather. It highlights the role of satellite technology in improving weather and climate forecasting.

Florida is weighing whether fossil fuels or solar power should drive its electricity grid, with the question framed around which option would lower energy bills for residents. The debate touches on the state's abundant sunshine, growing solar adoption, and the costs of continuing reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels, as utilities and consumers weigh affordability against long-term energy strategy.