Author: space4knews

A recent study warns that the powerful El Niño this year could lead to more than 451,000 additional deaths globally by the end of February. The study estimates approximately 66,800 extra deaths in Africa’s Sahel region, 15,800 in India, and 13,300 in Brazil. Researchers emphasize the urgent need for heat-related early warning systems, cooling centers, water and healthcare services, and targeted support for vulnerable populations.

October 7, Bengaluru – The intense heat, drought, wildfires, and water scarcity caused by this year’s strong El Niño may result in around 451,000 additional deaths worldwide by late February, according to a new study. Investigators at the University of Chicago’s Climate Impact Lab have published projections of excess heat-related fatalities from June 2026 through February 2027. The study highlights that the effects will be most severe in poor and developing countries, where climate change exacerbates food insecurity and rising energy costs.

Michael Greenstone, co-founder of the study, noted that although El Niño is expected to conclude by February, its heat-related impacts will persist beyond that period. He explained that with temperatures already elevated in many hot regions, the risk remains exceptionally high. The researchers analyzed data on how high temperatures affect mortality rates at more than 24,000 locations worldwide and compared these with seasonal temperature forecasts.

The Sahel region in Africa is projected to suffer the greatest impact, with an estimated 66,800 additional deaths. Other affected regions include the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, with a combined estimated excess mortality of 19,400; Indonesia with 19,300; India with 15,800; and Brazil with 13,300 additional deaths.

To mitigate risks from extreme heat, the researchers stress the importance of implementing heat-related early warning systems, establishing cooling centers, ensuring adequate water and health services, protecting outdoor workers, and providing targeted aid to elderly and vulnerable groups. They also recommend financial preparedness to mobilize resources before severe heat events occur.

Abhiyanant Tiwari, a heat specialist at NRDC India, stated that the report should be viewed not as fearmongering but as a prompt for immediate preparation and effective implementation. “The true value of preparedness is not measured by how many warnings we issue but by how effectively we protect people and reduce preventable deaths,” he said.

Although El Niño is a natural climate system, this year’s event is exceptionally strong and coincides with an already warming planet. According to the Climate Impact Lab, global land temperatures during this period could be about 1.2 degrees Celsius above average years, with heatwave days increasing by up to 44 percent. This provides an early indication of the severity of heat conditions that may become more common over the next decade due to climate change.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to arrive in Washington on Wednesday, where U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to personally welcome him on the runway at Joint Base Andrews. The White House has announced that Trump and his wife, Peng Liyuan, are expected to attend the welcoming ceremony held at the military base. During Xi’s three-day visit, a formal welcome ceremony, a military honor guard inspection, and a state dinner will take place at the White House on Thursday.

While foreign leaders are typically greeted at the White House itself, Trump’s decision to receive Xi on the runway at Joint Base Andrews signifies the high priority given to the first official visit by a Chinese president to the U.S. in more than a decade. According to the White House, both Trump and Peng Liyuan will be present at the military base ceremony to officially welcome the Chinese delegation.

First Lady Melania Trump emphasized the need to extend a high level of respect and courtesy to Xi and Peng. She highlighted the good rapport between Xi and Trump and stressed the importance of honoring the Chinese president with proper hospitality on American soil. Despite this high-level reception, U.S.–China relations remain tense over issues including trade, artificial intelligence, Iran, and Taiwan. Both nations are making efforts to maintain ‘strategic stability’ in their bilateral relationship.

In recent months, Trump has referred to Xi as a ‘great leader’ and portrayed their relationship as positive. However, some American lawmakers have criticized the lavish reception planned for Xi. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged Trump to engage in serious discussions with Xi on topics such as China’s military expansion and its ties with Iran. The formal welcome ceremony, military honor guard inspection, and state dinner are scheduled for Thursday at the White House, with leading figures from technology and trade sectors expected to attend the dinner.

At the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly, Argentinian President Javier Milei presented his country’s stance on the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory known in Argentina as ‘Las Malvinas.’ He strongly protested against the United Kingdom’s alleged illegal occupation and ongoing oil extraction projects in the area.

The President stated, “Currently, the ‘Sea Lion Project’ is underway with British approval, involving oil drilling in the Argentine continental shelf area of the Northern Malvinas Basin. Argentina has declared this authorization certificate illegal and invalid.”

He emphasized that these operations lack permission from Argentina and violate international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and Argentine domestic law. President Milei added, “We have chosen to protect our rights through peaceful, pragmatic, and effective means.”

Additionally, he reiterated Argentina’s position regarding the population residing on the Falkland Islands. Rejecting the application of the principle of self-determination on the islands, he stated, “Because the population there was established by a power that seized disputed sovereign territory.”

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. During his address, the US delegation was notably absent from the hall. As Raisi began speaking, the American representatives exited the assembly. This mirrored a similar incident the previous day when the Iranian and Cuban delegations left during US President Donald Trump’s speech.

In his address, President Raisi strongly condemned the attacks by the United States and Israel. He emphasized that the Iranian people are “victims of terrorism.” Raisi asserted that the US strikes against Iran are illegal and he harshly criticized these attacks before the General Assembly.

“I come from Iran, where our respected Supreme Leader has fallen victim to assassination without any legal process or reason,” he stated, holding up a photograph of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the US and Israeli attacks, to the assembly. He also displayed images of a school that was bombed, stating, “I come from the Iran where a school was brutally bombarded.” Raisi mentioned that Iran has responded to the American aggression.

“They infiltrated the surrounding regions targeting our universities, health centers, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure — all of which constitute violations of international law,” Raisi added.

“Our innocent people have suffered from cowardly attacks imposed on our country,” he said. “We have defended ourselves with full might.” Raisi further claimed that Iran has not launched any offensive attacks against any country in the past 200 years. However, he objected to the portrayal of Iran as a source of regional instability and terrorism.

“We do not seek power to attack or be aggressive,” Raisi emphasized. “We seek energy for progress, not to intimidate societies through weapons.”

As violent incidents increase in Sudan, clashes in Eastern and South Darfur have resulted in at least 13 deaths and displaced over 400 people. Ongoing conflicts in North and South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and North Darfur over the past week have displaced thousands, according to United Nations agencies. In North Darfur, the rise in bread prices has exacerbated the food crisis, with the World Food Programme reporting a 13 percent increase in the cost of a basic food basket. On September 23, the United Nations expressed deep concern over the accelerating displacement of civilians and the worsening food insecurity in Sudan.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that various clashes in Eastern and South Darfur have led to at least 13 fatalities. The violence has disrupted local markets and forced many residents to flee their homes. Bread prices in North Darfur have risen sharply. Citing local sources, OCHA noted that a clash on Saturday at the Al Borsa market in El Daein, Eastern Darfur, caused humanitarian harm and led to the partial closure of the market. On the same day, community clashes at Abuja market in Gereida, South Darfur, resulted in 13 deaths and displaced more than 400 individuals.

Additional humanitarian impacts from clashes have been reported in Nyala, South Darfur. The continuing conflicts in North and South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and North Darfur have newly displaced thousands of people in just the past week, humanitarian partners have stated. Meanwhile, two warehouses in the Shikan area of North Kordofan were struck by drone attacks on Sunday. According to UNICEF, these attacks destroyed educational materials that had been prepared for distribution to students as schools reopened. UNICEF partners also reported a series of drone strikes continuing from Sunday through Monday in the city of El Obeid.

OCHA has highlighted the worsening food insecurity in Sudan. In the Tawila area of North Darfur, local markets reportedly went four consecutive days without bread availability. The sharp increase in bread prices and related tensions have caused several bakeries to close since Friday. The World Food Programme noted that the cost of a local food basket increased by 13 percent compared to last month. Prices for essential food and other materials are experiencing significant fluctuations nationwide. OCHA urged all parties engaged in the conflict in Sudan to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to respect international humanitarian laws. They also called on all parties to ensure that humanitarian assistance can reach people in need safely, swiftly, and without obstruction.

October 7, Phnom Penh (RAS/AFP) – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Wednesday asserted that his country will never become a “safe haven” for cybercrime. He claimed that the government has accelerated efforts to combat online fraud. However, international partners have welcomed the progress in law enforcement while noting that much work remains. In Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia and conflict-affected Myanmar, criminal networks operating online scams have established major hubs. Some of these scammers arrive voluntarily, while others are trafficked into these centers. They deceive internet users through fake romantic relationships and cryptocurrency investment schemes.

Speaking at an anti-online fraud conference held in the capital Phnom Penh, Hun Manet stated, “Cambodia will never be a safe refuge for online scams.” He asserted that since last year, through high-level crackdowns, Cambodian authorities have “completely dismantled all small-scale scam centers.” He emphasized that this campaign aims not only to raise public awareness but also to permanently eliminate criminal networks and prevent their re-emergence. Cambodia has long faced accusations of allowing scam centers to flourish, enabling illegal profits amounting to billions of dollars annually.

Prompted by increasing pressure from China and the United States, the government has stepped up enforcement actions. Investigators report that scam groups have spread into smaller, less conspicuous locations, noting that in some cases, scam operators are tipped off before security raids occur. Dolphins Shantz, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), praised Cambodia’s efforts but stated that “more work can and should be done” at national, regional, and international levels regarding the billion-dollar illicit trade.

Yang Weilin, China’s Vice Minister of Public Security, also commended cooperation with Cambodia and stated that no country can confront this problem alone. He warned that an enabling environment for telecom-related scams has yet to be fully eliminated. Stephen Flores, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) official, emphasized that partnerships in law enforcement must be based on mutual trust and shared commitment. The United States estimates that by 2025, transnational criminal organizations in Southeast Asia will have scammed American citizens out of at least $1.82 billion through cyber fraud schemes. During a visit to Phnom Penh in July, FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the high priority given to online scams and urged accountability for high-level fraud operators and increased information sharing concerning implicated officials. Analysts caution that the protection, along with critical financial and physical infrastructure, still afforded to these scam groups poses ongoing risks of their reorganization.

October 7, Kathmandu – India’s Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized the necessity for Pakistan to undertake credible actions against cross-border terrorism. The ministry stated that only through such measures will the world trust Pakistan’s declarations. Ministry spokesperson Randeep Jaiswal commented on this matter during his weekly press briefing on Tuesday.

Journalists sought his reaction regarding statements made by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, who reaffirmed the armed forces’ firm resolve against terrorism amidst rising insurgency in the country. Responding to this, Jaiswal remarked, “Pakistan must take action and demonstrate commitment. It needs to carry out credible operations against cross-border terrorism; only then can it convince the world that it will follow through on what it says.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan recently sent a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council concerning rulings by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. This decision is related to the Indus Waters Treaty, to which India has responded strongly. Ministry spokesperson Randeep Jaiswal accused Pakistan of misrepresenting facts and spreading false claims. He stated, “What Pakistan is referring to as a decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration is, in reality, not that. It is a ruling by a court that was constituted illegally.”

At least 11 people have died in a shooting incident at a house in the KwaMashu township near Durban, South Africa. On Tuesday night, gunmen entered the house and opened fire on 14 occupants. Ten were declared dead at the scene, while four were rushed to the hospital, where one more succumbed to injuries, according to police reports.

Police indicated that some of the deceased individuals were under surveillance in connection with illegal activities. To avoid compromising the investigation, no further details about this aspect have been released. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, although authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the incident stemmed from a dispute between rival groups.

The police statement noted, “According to available information, 13 men and one woman were inside the house celebrating a party. The woman was believed to be pregnant.” She was among those who died in the attack. Authorities have commenced a search for the attackers involved in the shooting.

During their first meeting in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom remains strong. However, Trump criticized the British plan to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius, calling it a “bad deal.” UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized the need for global standards to manage risks associated with artificial intelligence and misinformation at the United Nations General Assembly, though Trump rejected the idea of implementing worldwide AI regulations. October 7, United Nations (Rassas/AP).

Despite affirming positive ties between the two nations, President Trump expressed opposition to the UK’s plan to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a topic discussed during Tuesday’s meeting at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. The session also covered trade, the Falkland Islands, Iran, and Ukraine. Trump described Burnham as a “natural businessman” and said the bilateral relationship is stronger than before.

Regarding the Chagos Islands agreement, Trump criticized it as a “bad deal” from a military and strategic perspective. The UK intends to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while safeguarding the future of the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia. The approval process has stalled due to lack of U.S. support. Burnham said he plans to work with American partners to advance the agreement.

Prior to their meeting, Burnham indicated he would discuss ways to end the U.S.-Iran conflict with Trump. He announced limited military aid to Saudi Arabia to prevent Houthi attacks, including British aircraft refueling Saudi fighter jets. Burnham also said he would urge increased U.S. assistance in providing Ukraine with air defense missiles.

Addressing the General Assembly, Burnham highlighted the necessity of global standards and oversight to mitigate risks from artificial intelligence and misinformation. He stated that the UK would collaborate with other countries to establish rules regarding AI transparency and access. However, Trump declared that the U.S. would reject efforts to create global frameworks for AI regulation.