Guardian US

The National Weather Service reports an 81% chance of a very strong El Niño developing by year-end, with a 97% probability it will persist through spring 2027. This event could rank among the largest in the historical record and supercharge extreme weather globally.

Bipartisan lawmakers urged HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to implement strict hospice reporting rules to prevent discrimination and coercion in medically assisted suicide. They warned that older adults and people with disabilities risk being pressured to end their lives.

OpenAI released ChatGPT 5.6 after delaying its public rollout due to US government cybersecurity concerns. The Trump administration requested a restricted release to approved users, which OpenAI complied with, and the wider release followed testing by the Center for AI Standards and Innovation.

Graham Platner withdrew from the Maine US Senate race following a sexual assault allegation, prompting his former backers to seek a progressive replacement to prevent the nomination from going to an establishment Democrat. Progressive groups and lawmakers are now divided on whether to support a successor or wait for the party's replacement process to conclude.

Donald Trump's erratic behavior at the NATO summit in Turkey left his allies uncertain, as he alternated between criticizing their defense spending contributions and praising the alliance's unity. The Guardian's Dan Sabbagh reports on the impact of Trump's actions on NATO.

Erika Kirk, the widow of far-right activist Charlie Kirk, has requested a Utah judge to publicly display all exhibits related to her husband’s killing to prevent conspiracy theories. The motion comes during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the alleged murderer, at Utah Valley University in Provo.

California universities are acquiring military-grade weapons like AR-15s, stun grenades, and sonic weapons under a 2021 state law that permits such equipment for civilian safety. Students express concerns these tools may be used to suppress dissent rather than protect safety.

Former US Olympian David Hearn pleaded not guilty to damaging Washington’s reflecting pool during a renovation project. He was indicted on a felony count of property destruction for destroying the pool’s lining material.

A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City has sickened 28 people, with health officials testing building cooling towers for bacteria. Experts link the outbreak to the climate crisis, warning that rising temperatures are increasing exposure to the bacteria.

Chris Mufarrige, director of the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer protection bureau, is targeting Facebook scams and junk fees. Consumer advocates say he faces significant challenges in enforcing consumer protections.

San Francisco International Airport is seeking bids to build and operate a private luxury terminal, following similar initiatives in Los Angeles, London, and other cities. The terminal aims to offer a premium experience with reduced congestion and TSA line waits for those willing to pay a fee.

A US appeals court rejected Donald Trump's attempt to delay paying E. Jean Carroll over $5 million following her 2023 sexual abuse and defamation trial. The decision was made hours after Trump filed paperwork opposing the release of funds held in a court-controlled account since June 2023. Trump denies all wrongdoing.

During Trump's immigration crackdown, 10 people were fatally shot by ICE officers in his second term, including Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was killed during a targeted enforcement operation along with three arrested co-workers.

Greenland Energy, a Texas oil company linked to Trump, claims to have exploration permits for oil drilling in Greenland, a claim denied by Nuuk. The company plans to bring 300 shipping containers of drilling equipment to the territory.

The US military conducted strikes on Iran for a second day, with explosions reported in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and Bushehr province. Donald Trump accused Iran of 'behaving very badly' after attacks on cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to the most extensive exchange of fire since an interim ceasefire. US stock markets fell, Brent crude prices rose over 5%, and the IMF lowered its global growth forecast to 3%.

Maine Democrats plan a convention to replace Platner, who withdrew from a Senate pick in an angry video accusing the party and media of acting as 'judge, jury and executioner'.

Donald Trump is conducting a new phase of bombing Iran, with the US military striking 170 Iranian targets in 48 hours. Trump declared the US-Iran memorandum 'over' at the NATO summit, criticized Iran's leaders as 'evil,' and threatened military action and a potential blockade of Iranian ports.

The meltdown in Maine’s Senate race risks Democrats' chance to make Donald Trump a lame duck president. Democrats previously aimed to prevent Trump's return to the White House but failed, and now face another crisis in the midterms.

Graham Platner, an oyster farmer turned candidate, withdrew from Maine's Democratic primary after allegations of sexual assault he denies. Maine Democrats must select a replacement by 27 July to face Susan Collins, the Republican incumbent, in a pivotal Senate race.

Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Maine, is ending his campaign following sexual assault allegations. He accused the Democratic establishment and corporate media of undermining his campaign in an 11-minute video.