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Global temperatures have reached record highs as the El Niño climate pattern strengthens, according to a new report. El Niño, the periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters, is driving temperatures higher worldwide, adding to concerns about extreme weather, heatwaves and the accelerating effects of climate change. Meteorologists are watching the pattern closely for further impacts.

Sudan faces a governance vacuum as the United States recognises neither of the warring authorities. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state apparatus, while the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exercises power across territory it holds. Yet Washington says neither side represents legitimate constitutional governance, leaving Sudan with authorities but no internationally recognised government.

Russian forces are urgently redeploying thousands of troops to the Lyman frontline in eastern Ukraine as Ukraine's 3rd Corps continues making large advances in the area. War monitoring reports describe a sense of panic within the Russian command over the situation around Lyman, signalling mounting pressure on Moscow's defensive lines there.

President Trump is calling on Congress to cut short its recess and return to Washington to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, according to the White House. The appeal comes as the government shutdown continues, leaving the department partially unfunded and intensifying pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal.

Chinese battery maker CATL has introduced a new electric vehicle battery that can be recharged in about six minutes and deliver a driving range of roughly 1,000 kilometres on a single charge. The debut is drawing attention as a potential leap forward in easing charging and range anxiety, key barriers to wider EV adoption.

Director Jon Watts, known for the recent Spider-Man films, is reportedly in line to direct the next Star Wars movie. If confirmed, it would mark a major new chapter for the franchise, which has been rethinking its big-screen strategy after several announced projects stalled in development.

A US jury has ruled that Apple must pay a record $5.7 billion in a patent dispute over haptic technology, the vibration feedback used in its devices. The verdict ranks among the largest patent damages awards in US history and is expected to trigger appeals and scrutiny of how Apple licenses touchscreen feedback technology.

Filmmaker Aaron Sorkin is drawing attention with 'The Social Reckoning,' his follow-up to 'The Social Network.' The Wall Street Journal reports that Mark Zuckerberg is treated as a mere supporting character in the new Facebook movie, shifting the focus to other figures in the company's story. Details about the cast and release remain limited, but the angle on Zuckerberg has fueled discussion.

A judge has ordered the Canadian government to release classified records concerning Nazi war criminals who settled in Canada after the Second World War. The decision would open previously sealed files long withheld despite calls from historians and parliamentarians, including a 2023 House of Commons motion, to disclose what Canadian authorities knew about the wartime backgrounds of immigrants admitted to the country.

Meta AI chief and Turing Award winner Yann LeCun says he has 'zero concerns' that artificial intelligence will wipe out humanity, dismissing recent 'rogue' AI incidents as overinterpreted. He also called Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei deluded for his warnings about catastrophic AI risk, deepening a public rift among leading AI researchers over how dangerous advanced systems really are.

A student protest is being described as unprecedented, with no comparable action ever seen before. The claim is circulating widely, but no details are available about where the protest took place, who organised it, or what demands are being made. Without further context, the scale and significance of the demonstration remain unknown.

Viewers are discussing the latest episode of Survivor's 51st season, with recaps breaking down how the episode was edited and which contestants received the most screen time. The season's new cast and early strategic moves are fueling conversation among fans following along week to week.

A person waiting for a taxi back to the hospital has drawn attention online for wearing a mask and urging others to do the same, using hashtags stressing that Covid is not over and that masks save lives. The message reflects an ongoing community of mask advocates who continue to treat the coronavirus as a serious airborne health risk.

A drone attack struck the Yandex data centre in Ryazan, Russia, triggering a fire and a power outage that knocked out parts of the Russian cloud provider's services. The incident disrupted one of Russia's most important internet companies, and reports of the strike circulated widely as attention focused on Ukrainian drone attacks reaching deep into Russian territory.

Weather watchers in the UK are discussing forecasts of a polar vortex bringing snow and storms, with the Daily Star reporting warnings of a 'Godzilla' El Niño driving severe winter conditions. The prospect of an early or harsh cold snap has prompted attention to long-range weather outlooks for Britain.

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.

Interest is surging around the scorecard for the cricket match between the Pakistan and India national teams, with thousands of people searching for the result and individual batting and bowling figures. The Pakistan-India fixture remains one of the biggest draws in international cricket, and the ICC has also highlighted India's readiness for its Men's Asian Games gold-medal clash, keeping attention on the national side's performances across tournaments.

US stocks closed lower after pulling back from record highs, with the decline driven by rising Treasury yields. Higher yields raise borrowing costs and often pressure equity valuations, prompting investors to trim risk. Traders are watching whether the move in bond markets continues and how it may affect the outlook for rate policy.