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☆ Who is Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media tycoon facing a life sentence in a national security trial?
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Now 77, he's facing a life sentence in a national security trial in Hong Kong. I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me," Lai said in court, per Reuters. This mass sentencing of Hong Kong's activists was also based on charges under Hong Kong's national security law. Related storiesThe imposition of the national security law marked the effective end of Hong Kong's political autonomy from China. "Above all else, the implementation rules have the potential to radically criminalize online speech in Hong Kong," Woodhams said.

Persons: Jimmy Lai, Kong's, Lai, Hong Kong's, Mike Pence Organizations: Hong Kong, Apple, China, White House, Democracy Locations: Hong, Hong Kong, China, Northern California

☆ Hong Kong jails 45 democracy activists in landmark national security trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Police stand guard outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building before the sentencing against the 45 convicted pro-democracy activists charged under the national security law, in Hong Kong, China November 19, 2024. Hong Kong's High Court on Tuesday jailed 45 pro-democracy activists for up to 10 years following a landmark national security trial that has damaged the city's once feisty democracy movement and drawn criticism from the U.S. and other countries. A total of 47 pro-democracy activists were arrested and charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion under a Beijing-imposed national security law and had faced sentences of up to life in prison. The Chinese and Hong Kong governments say the national security laws were necessary to restore order after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019, and the democrats have been treated in accordance with local laws. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was "gravely concerned" about the sentence, and called on China to "cease suppression of freedoms of expression, assembly, media and civil society," in Hong Kong.

Persons: Benny Tai, Gordon Ng, Owen Chow, Penny Wong, Joshua Wong, Chow, Gwyneth Ho, Hendrick Lui, Elsa Wu Organizations: Hong, Authorities, Kowloon Magistrates Locations: Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong's, U.S, Beijing

☆ McDonald's wants to make flatulent cows less of a problem for the environment
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Burgers at McDonald's could soon involve fewer greenhouse gas emissions thanks to a new cattle feed. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on the culture & business of sustainability — delivered weekly to your inbox. McDonald's is working with seed company Syngenta and Lopez Foods, one of McDonald's meat suppliers, to feed cattle Syngenta's Enogen corn, the companies said in a statement on Thursday. Related Video How McDonald's is using data and its loyalty program to make new promotions like the adult Happy MealThat easy digestibility could mean fewer greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. McDonald's global sales were down during the company's third quarter as many consumers saved money by eating at home.

Persons: chow, Syngenta, Lopez, Enogen, McDonald's, It's, McDonald's Kendra Levine Organizations: Service, Mac, Lopez Foods, Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainability, McDonald's Locations: McDonald's

☆ US vs. Chinese replenishment ships: The workhorses that keep aircraft carriers operating
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-10 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Yet for all their importance, their missions would be impossible if not for the US Navy's unsung workhorses: replenishment ships. But replenishment ships also form the weakest link in the chain of American and Chinese carrier groups. Chow Chung-yan/South China Morning Post via Getty ImageChina's replenishment shipsThe US Navy has over 100 years of experience building and operating replenishment ships. Ultimately, the Chinese opted to pursue a new design for its next replenishment ships: the Type 903-class oiler. China has the largest shipbuilding industry in the world, however, enabling it to quickly build more oilers and convert some of its merchant ships into replenishment ships.

Persons: —, Jason R, Henry J, Kaiser refuels, Kenan O'Connor, Kaiser, Lewis, Clark, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Cole Keller, John Lewis, Harvey Milk, Earl Warren —, USNS Robert F, Kennedy, Chow Chung, Michael Singley, Chaganhu, Benjamin Brimelow Organizations: Service, US, Supply, Military Sealift Command, US Navy, Military Sealift Command's Combat Logistics Force, MSC, FAS, USNS Supply, Navy, General Dynamics, USNS, General Dynamics's National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, China Morning, Soviet Navy, NATO, USS Supply, Japanese Ministry of Defense, Sealift Command, Big, Global Affairs, Fletcher School of Law, Diplomacy, Business, Modern, Institute Locations: China, Red, Getty, Ukraine, Gulf, Aden, Shandong, Taiwan, Guam, South China, Pacific, USNS Pecos, Israel, Iran, West

The Summary A patch of snow in Scotland known for lingering year-round has melted for the fourth consecutive year. Such snow patches can act as harbingers of the broader consequences of climate change. A patch of snow in the Scottish Highlands dubbed the Sphinx typically lingers year-round, staying frozen through the summer. “It’s always been about trying to get that the right balance, to make sure that nature and people can thrive in the national park,” Moir said. We are now looking at an epoch where patches of snow are possibly going to be only occasional survivors.”

Persons: It's, ”, Grant Moir, Moir, ” Moir, “ We’ve, we’ve, “ It’s, Iain Cameron, Scottish Snow Hunter, Cameron, “ Organizations: Scottish Highlands, Park Authority, ” Records, Climate, Scottish, Royal Meteorological Locations: Scotland, Scottish, Braeriach, Great Britain, Scotland’s

☆ Drought plagues majority of Northeast as dry, windy weather raises fire risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-08 | by ( Denise Chow | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Several homes were evacuated as a wildfire spread through the Colliers Mills Wildfire Management Area in Ocean County, New Jersey. Lokman Vural Elibol/ | Anadolu | Getty ImagesDry and unseasonably warm conditions in the Northeast have plunged much of the region into drought, fueling wildfires in New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. "To have such persistent periods of really intense drought conditions is not very common." The Drought Monitor's latest map, released Thursday, showed drought conditions expanding from Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York up into Massachusetts and Maine. Dry conditions have intensified in some states, with parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland now in "extreme" drought.

Persons: Lokman Vural, Benjamin Cook, Lamont, Brian Fuchs, " Fuchs, Fuchs, rainier Organizations: Colliers, Management, Anadolu, Getty, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Regional Climate Center, D.C, U.S . Drought Monitor, University of Nebraska, U.S, Drought Monitor Locations: Ocean County , New Jersey, New Jersey , Connecticut, Massachusetts, U.S, Philadelphia, Newark , New Jersey, Wilmington , Delaware, Norfolk , Virginia, Washington, Palisades , New York, Virginia , Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, New Jersey , Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Lincoln, New York , New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Great Lakes, Northeast

☆ Rare pair of Ming Dynasty jars smash auction estimate, selling for $12.5 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-07 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A pair of rare Ming Dynasty fish jars dating from the 16th century have sold for £9.6 million ($12.5 million) at auction, smashing their estimate of £1 million ($1.3 million). “This remarkable result makes it the highest priced Chinese work of art sold at auction worldwide this year,” said Sotheby’s. Part of the lot’s appeal was the fact that this was the first ever appearance of a complete pair of fish jars with covers at auction. There is only one other covered pair known to be maintained together, and they are held by the Musée Guimet in Paris. Tristan Fewings/Getty ImagesIn addition, there are only three known single jars that still have covers, all of which are in private collections.

Persons: ”, Tristan Fewings, Sotheby’s “, –, Nicolas Chow, ” Chow, you’ve, “ Organizations: CNN Locations: Asia, Paris, Wiesbaden, China, Europe

☆ Chanel stages dreamy resort collection in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Stephy Chung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The fashion house staged its two runway shows — one in the afternoon, and one at night — at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI). Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesDesigned by the brand’s artistic director Virginie Viard, before her departure in June, the collection featured dozens of looks. Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesThe runway was spread across two floors of the Hong Kong Design Institute. But the label’s decision to restage the presentation in Hong Kong signals the brand’s continued efforts to court Asian clientele amid a wider luxury market slowdown. Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesBack in June, Viard announced she was exiting Chanel after serving as its artistic director of fashion collections for five years.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Chanel, ”, Penélope Cruz, Chow Yun, Angela Yuen, Chanel, Anthony Kwan, Virginie Viard, Yuen, Benjamin Voisin, Billy H.C, Kwok, Louis Vuitton, Viard, Karl Lagerfeld’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Design Institute, Reuters, Chanel Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, French, Marseilles, France, China

A disturbance in the Caribbean strengthened into Tropical Storm Rafael on Monday afternoon. Rafael is the 17th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and will be the 11th hurricane if it strengthens further, as expected. The storm system is expected to approach the United States later in the week, the hurricane center said, and a tropical storm watch was issued Monday afternoon for the lower and middle Florida Keys and for the Dry Tortugas. A hurricane warning has been issued for the Cayman Islands, and a tropical storm warning is in effect for Jamaica. The government of Cuba issued a hurricane watch for a handful of provinces, and a tropical storm watch for other areas.

Persons: Storm Rafael, Rafael Organizations: Storm, Monday, National Hurricane Center, Atlantic, NHC Locations: Caribbean, Kingston , Jamaica, United States, Florida, Gulf, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba

The Summary FEMA and NOAA have become politicized as the frequency and severity of natural disasters have increased. With the neck-and-neck 2024 election just days away, the futures of the federal agencies responsible for weather forecasting, climate change research and disaster recovery hang in the balance. And with it, they’ve become a target for some conservatives who are skeptical of climate change and want to slash government budgets. “Climate change is a very unique problem in that, like most environmental problems, it doesn’t respect our political boundaries and it doesn’t respect our state boundaries,” he said. “We need centralized federal agencies to respond to climate change, agencies that can handle big, significant, multistate disasters at the appropriate scale.”

Persons: they’ve, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Trump, ”, Craig Fugate, Obama, It’s, “, Helene, Milton . Trump, Jared Moskowitz, Ron DeSantis, Hurricane Michael, ” Moskowitz, Rick Scott, Milton, Hurricane Milton, Pete Beach, Tristan Wheelock, Fugate, ” Matthew Sanders, ” Sanders, Matthew Burgess, ” Burgess, DeNa Carlis, Sanders Organizations: FEMA, NOAA, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Heritage Foundation, Trump, NBC, National Weather Service, Emergency Management, Gov, North, Hurricane, Bloomberg, Getty, Environmental, Stanford University, College of Business, University of Wyoming, ”, NWS Locations: United States, Milton, U.S, Florida, ”, North Carolina, St, Pete Beach , FL

Early November ushers in a skywatching bonanza, with three active meteor showers offering the chance to see shooting stars light up the night sky. The Southern Taurids meteor shower is expected to reach its peak overnight from Monday into Tuesday. At the same time, the last of the Orionid meteor shower should still be visible, following its peak on Oct. 20. The Southern and Northern Taurids, meanwhile, are both long-lasting meteor showers, with peaks that are less clearly defined than some other shooting star shows. The Taurids meteor showers get their name because the shooting stars appear to stream from a point in the sky where the Taurus constellation is located.

Persons: Northern Taurids, it’s, Taurid Organizations: American Meteor Society, Northern, NASA Locations: Southern, Northern, streetlights

The Summary This Halloween is expected to be far warmer than usual in many parts of the country. More than 30 cities across the Northeast could set new temperature records on Thursday. More than 30 cities across the Northeast could set record-high temperatures on Thursday, including Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. Many Midwestern cities, too, are expected to see temperatures 10 to 30 degrees warmer than usual for this time of year. Normal Halloween weather for the area is 56 degrees, he added.

Persons: Caitlyn Mensch, “, ” Mensch, Louis, Jared Maples, St . Louis ., Zachary Yack, “ We’ve, ” Yack Organizations: D.C, Boston, National Weather Service, Weather Locations: Boston , New York, Washington, Boston, . New York City, Washington ,, Midwest, Cleveland, St, St . Louis, St . Louis . Chicago, Chicago, Lakes, United States, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Napa, San Jose , California, California , Arizona, Nevada

☆ Preparing for Quantum
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A reliable quantum computing system could be one of the most important technological advancements we'll see this century. And what will be the most profitable use cases? Guest: Jerry Chow, IBM Fellow & Director of Quantum Infrastructure

Persons: Jerry Chow Organizations: IBM, Quantum

☆ After weeks of weather delays, NASA astronauts and Russian cosomonaut finally leave space station
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Denise-Chow-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Denise Chow | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The summary Three NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut left the International Space Station on Wednesday after weeks of delays. After weeks of delays due to inclement weather, three astronauts and a cosmonaut left the International Space Station on Wednesday, wrapping up an almost eight-month stint in orbit. NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin departed the space station at 5:05 p.m. Had Crew-8 departed at the original time, that would have left astronauts without a way to get home should an urgent problem arise. Members of the group that departed the space station Wednesday spent their time there conducting research, scientific experiments and assisting with visiting spacecraft, including the problem-plagued Starliner.

Persons: Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, Alexander Grebenkin, Hurricane Milton, Dominick, Barratt, Epps, Grebenkin, Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams —, Nick Hague, Aleksandr Gorbunov —, Williams Organizations: NASA, SpaceX, Kennedy Space, Station Locations: Russian, Milton, Hurricane, Florida, Merritt Island, Fla

☆ McConnell says ‘MAGA movement is completely wrong’ and Reagan ‘wouldn’t recognize’ Trump’s GOP
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Morgan Rimmer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered a scathing assessment of the modern Republican Party in an upcoming biography, saying the “MAGA movement is completely wrong” and that Ronald Reagan “wouldn’t recognize” the party today. The Republican leader eventually voted to acquit Trump during the second impeachment trial, focused on the former president’s involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. However, Tackett reports that McConnell had leaned towards voting to convict at certain points. However, McConnell has endorsed Trump, and met with him back in June of this year during Trump’s meeting with Senate Republicans off the Hill. McConnell also expressed support for special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s actions around the 2020 election and the insurrection.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, MAGA, Ronald Reagan “, Trump, Ronald Reagan, ” McConnell, Michael Tackett, Power ”, McConnell, “ Trump, haven’t, ”, “, it’s, acquit Trump, “ I’m, he’s, Elaine Chao, Chao, Coco Chow ”, ” Tackett, Donald Trump, Donald Trump’s, JD Vance, Lindsey Graham, Sen, Rick Scott, Senate Republicans ’, Scott, Rick, Clarence Thomas “, I’m, Thomas, Thomas ’, Jack Smith’s, hasn’t, CNN’s Manu Raju, Ted Barrett Organizations: CNN, Republican Party, Associated Press, Republicans, Republican, Capitol, GOP, Kentucky Republican, Senate, Senate Republicans Locations: ”, China

Phoenix on Tuesday snapped a streak of 21 straight days of record-breaking highs. Heat waves are expected to start earlier in the year and last later as a result of climate change, but Phoenix's streak still surprised scientists. The heat is finally expected to break heading into the weekend, as a cold front brings cooler conditions. The city on Tuesday finally snapped a streak of 21 straight days of record-breaking daily high temperatures. This summer was already the hottest on record in Phoenix, and 2024 is likely to end up as the warmest year in the city's recorded history.

Persons: ”, Jennifer Brady, Phoenix Organizations: Phoenix, Climate Central, National Weather Service Locations: Arizona , Nevada, New Mexico, Phoenix, New Jersey

For decades, an icy moon of Jupiter has been considered one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life in the solar system. As early as midday Monday, NASA plans to launch a new robotic mission to Jupiter. Dubbed Europa Clipper, the probe is the largest spacecraft it has ever built for a planetary science mission. Assuming the launch does not face any further delays, Europa Clipper is scheduled to lift off at 12:06 p.m. A mosaic image of Jupiter's moon Europa, obtained by the camera onboard NASA's Galileo spacecraft on Nov. 25, 1999.

Persons: NASA’s, Hurricane Milton, ”, Jordan Evans, Bonnie Buratti, “ We’re, ” Buratti, “ We’ll, “, we’ll, ” Evans, Galileo Galilei, Buratti, “ I’ve, I’m Organizations: NASA, Clipper, SpaceX, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Europa, NASA Europa Clipper, Cornell University Locations: Europa, Florida, Hurricane, Florida’s, Siesta, Italian

☆ As Florida reels, focus turns to restoring power, assisting victims in Hurricane Milton's wake
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-12 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Denise-Chow-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Denise Chow | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Restoring power, clearing debris and distributing fuel are now the top priorities in Florida as the state continues to reel in the wake Hurricane Milton. Parts of western and central Florida continue to face the risk of significant flooding in creeks and rivers continue to rise. In a “major” flood stage, the agency expects “extensive inundation of structures and roads,” with the possible need to evacuate people and transfer property to higher elevations. Water levels are expected to continue rising in the coming days, posing a major flood risk in low-lying parts of the county, officials said. Parts of central Florida are also facing elevated risks of flooding due to high water levels in the St. Johns River and Ocklawaha River.

Persons: Milton, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, “, Tristan Wheelock, Spencer Platt Organizations: Florida Gov, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Bloomberg, Getty, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Hillsborough Locations: Florida, Plant City, Bradenton, St, Petersburg, Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Tampa, Airports, St . Petersburg, Fla, Tampa Bay, Clearwater Beach, Seminole, Hillsborough, Cypress, ”, New Port Richey, Pasco County, Johns

☆ Northern lights may be visible Thursday night as far south as Alabama and Northern California
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Denise-Chow-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Denise Chow | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

A powerful eruption from the sun is expected to supercharge the northern lights on Thursday evening, making colorful sky shows visible potentially as far south as Alabama and Northern California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center said Thursday that plasma and other materials from the sun reached Earth at 11:17 a.m. If conditions are clear, skywatchers in Canada and many northern U.S. states — including Alaska, Washington state, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin — will likely have the best views of the northern lights. Highly active auroras could also be visible in parts of Northern California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. This week’s solar storm is the most severe since May 10, when the Space Weather Prediction Center observed an even stronger and much rarer solar storm.

Organizations: Prediction, NOAA Locations: Alabama, Northern California, Canada, U.S, Alaska, Washington, , Idaho , Montana , North Dakota , Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northern California , Nevada , Oklahoma , Alabama , Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York

Hurricane Milton dumped so much rain over parts of Florida’s Tampa Bay area that it qualified as a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event. Other significant rainfall totals across Florida included 14.01 inches in Clearwater Beach, 13.09 inches in Baskin, 11.43 inches in Tampa and 10.12 inches in Seminole. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for Tampa and St. Petersburg that lasted until 2:30 a.m. Preliminary measures on Wednesday indicated that 7 inches had fallen in St. Augustine, 7.38 inches in Titusville and 3.05 inches in Daytona Beach, according to the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Milton has moved back out to sea, but additional rainfall and flooding are expected to persist through Thursday in parts of eastern and central Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Persons: Milton, ” Matthew Cappucci, ” Milton, Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Augustine, National Hurricane Center . Hurricane Milton Organizations: National Weather Service, Hurricanes, National Hurricane Center, National Hurricane Center . Hurricane Locations: Florida’s Tampa Bay, St, Petersburg, Siesta, Florida, Clearwater Beach, Baskin, Tampa, Seminole, Milton, Gulf of Mexico, Titusville, Daytona Beach

Storm surge is the abnormal rise in water levels during a storm, as heavy hurricane winds push a bulge of water toward shore as depths become shallower. On Tuesday, Milton "wobbled," according to an early evening forecast from the National Hurricane Center. “Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday in an advisory. Northeast Florida could get 3 to 5 feet of storm surge, the hurricane center projects. In 2008, Hurricane Ike pummeled the Texas Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm and generated a 15-foot storm surge in Galveston Island.

Persons: ” Fritz, ” Chris Slocum, Hurricane Milton, Milton, wobbled, Karen Clark, “ Milton, ” Slocum, ”, ” Cathie Perkins, Ike pummeled Organizations: National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration’s, Research, Hurricane, National Hurricane Center, U.S, , Pinellas County Emergency Management, NOAA, Texas Gulf Locations: Mexico, Tampa, “, Florida, Pinellas County, Clearwater, St, Petersburg, Northeast Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston Island

☆ China's Golden Week holiday signals persistent consumer caution
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Passengers line up to check in at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport on October 6, 2024 as China's week-long National Day holiday draws to a close. China News Service | China News Service | Getty ImagesBEIJING — China's Golden Week holiday affirmed a trend in more cautious spending, while consumers put greater emphasis on experiences. The Golden Week holiday in China commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1. "The Golden Week consumption could still suggest a modest recovery versus August, in our view, due to trade-in subsidies (for appliances and autos) and consumption vouchers issued by the local governments," Peng said. During Golden Week, mainland China recorded 765 million domestic trips, up from both the prior year and before the pandemic, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Trip.com, Kenneth Chow, Oliver Wyman, Chow, It's, Christine Peng, Peng Organizations: Chengdu Tianfu International, China News Service, Getty, BEIJING, China Film Administration, Consumers, CNBC, UBS, Ministry of Culture, Tourism Locations: Chengdu, China, People's Republic of China, Greater China, Japan, Thailand

Hurricane Milton’s last 36 hours have been nothing short of astonishing, as it strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just over a day. The storm’s blisteringly fast evolution is part of a trend of rapidly intensifying storms fueled by climate change. The term “rapid intensification” describes an increase in sustained wind speeds of at least 35 mph over a 24-hour period, according to the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Milton has obliterated that minimum, undergoing “extreme rapid intensification”: Its maximum sustained wind speed increased by 90 mph in roughly 25 hours, according to the nonprofit research group Climate Central. “Warming oceans, due to human-caused climate change, are fueling stronger tropical cyclones,” Climate Central posted Monday on X.

Persons: National Hurricane Center . Hurricane Milton Organizations: Milton’s, National Hurricane Center . Hurricane, Climate, Central

The Summary More than 50 heat records were broken in the western U.S. on Wednesday. New daily temperature records set included a high of 108 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix and 106 degrees in San Jose, California. The October heat wave is expected to continue into the weekend, with extreme conditions in states including California, Arizona and Nevada. More than 50 new heat records were set on Wednesday, as an extraordinary October heat wave continues to bake much of the western United States. California, too, notched several new daily heat records, per the National Weather Service.

Persons: Hurricane Helene Organizations: National Weather Service, NWS Locations: U.S, Phoenix, San Jose , California, California , Arizona, Nevada, United States, Yuma , Arizona, . California, San Jose, Napa, California, Colorado, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Arizona, Florida, Hurricane, Tampa, Fort Myers, St . Petersburg

The start of October is bringing little relief to parts of the western United States, where 36 million people are under heat alerts and sweltering temperatures are setting records into the fall. Excessive heat warnings are in place in Arizona, California and Nevada, where high temperatures are expected to be 10 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than normal. On Tuesday, Phoenix reached 113 F, making it the hottest October day in the city’s recorded history. Before this week, Phoenix had never recorded a high temperature over 110 F in the month of October. Further north, San Francisco reached 94 F on Tuesday, which was the city’s hottest day in two years.

Persons: Phoenix Organizations: Phoenix, Las, Tuesday, National Weather Service Locations: United States, Arizona , California, Nevada, San Francisco, Las Vegas

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