With parts of the globe aflame in wildfires, deadly heat waves parking over cities, record hot oceans and a strengthening super El Nino, it seems like we’re baking through the hottest year on record. But we’re not quite there — yet. It's only No. 3 in the record books. But it could be No. 1 soon. With the El Nino kicking in and accelerated warming, scientists say there’s increasing likelihood that the second half of 2026 will be near record territory. Scientists say this summer's warming is from human-caused climate change, not El Nino.

A Northern California lifeguard is being hailed as a hero after saving a boy from pounding surf. The dramatic rescue at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz caught the attention of President Donald Trump. The president said Tuesday that he would invite the lifeguard and possibly the boy to the White House. A witness captured video of the rescue, showing the lifeguard rushing into the water and diving into a wave while holding the boy. Several adults tried to help but retreated due to the powerful surf. Eventually the lifeguard and a colleague brought the boy safely ashore.

Before the war in Iran, roughly 15 million barrels of Persian Gulf oil were shipped each day through the Strait of Hormuz. Within a few years, much of that oil could bypass the strait. As Iran’s chokehold over the strait drags on and oil prices surge, countries across the Gulf are planning to spend billions of dollars to build pipelines enabling them to redirect more supplies to ports on the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Mediterranean. At least seven major pipeline projects are under construction, in the planning stage or being discussed as possibilities.

U.S. Coast Guard crews have suspended their search for three people missing after a boat sank in San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island. The search was suspended late Wednesday. One person was pulled from the water but later died, and 16 others were rescued Tuesday afternoon. A dog on board also died. Ralph Boisa said his extended family were out scattering the ashes of his daughter, who died over a decade ago. Authorities say the boat was a cabin cruiser that capsized amid swells up to 5 feet. The U.S. Coast Guard led the search with vessels and aircraft.