Reservoir 'half full' after hot, dry weather, Essex Suffolk water.

A reservoir is just over half full following a "prolonged" period of hot and dry weather.

Hanningfield Reservoir, between Chelmsford and Wickford is just 52% full according to operators Essex and Suffolk Water (ESW), who said they do not expect significant rainfall until October.

In August, the firm implemented its first hosepipe ban in almost 30 years, describing the situation as "very unusual".

ESW, which also owns Abberton Reservoir, said their total water supply has dropped by a quarter since June, from 83% to 57%.

Currently, most of Essex is prohibited from using a hosepipe with Affinity Water and Anglian Water also introducing restrictions.

read more from source - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgq5wdkn7q0o

China deploys warships, 700 personnel to Red Sea.

 

• China has deployed its 49th naval escort fleet, including three warships and over 700 personnel, to waters near Somalia amid rising piracy threats.
• African states are creating a new regional task force under the Djibouti Code of Conduct to coordinate anti-piracy operations.
• The new African-led task force aims to complement existing international maritime security efforts and strengthen regional cooperation against piracy.
• China's sustained naval presence in the region since 2008 is part of its strategy to protect shipping routes vital to global trade.
• read more from source - https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/worlds-3rd-most-powerful-military-deploys-warships-700-personnel-to-red-sea-gateway/401fcnp

Qatar denies capturing three Iranian pilots after downing fighter jets

Iran has called for the release of three pilots it said were captured by Qatar after two of its fighter jets were hit by air defences during a military operation at the start of the US-Iran war.

In a letter to the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Iran's Brig Gen Mohammad Bagherzadeh claimed the pilots - Javad Salehi, Abdul Majid Dashtian and Imran Behroshian - had been held captive for six months.

He said the body of a fourth pilot, Majid Kazemi, had been returned after he was killed in the same operation on 2 March 2026 - the third day of the war.

Qatar "categorically denied" Iran's claims and said it was "surprised by these misleading statements".

read more from source - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4kk8kz271o

Iran DEMANDS Return of 3 Pilots Or All Missile ATTACK On Middle East, Qatar Issues BIG Response

 

Israel-Turkey Tensions: Netanyahu Says Won't Tolerate Turkish Military Presence In Syria

 

El Niño set to be 'strongest in living memory'

The El Niño event that is developing over the Pacific Ocean is likely to be the strongest in living memory, the Met Office has warned.

The powerful natural climate phenomenon pushes up global temperatures and can increase the risks of extreme weather.

Added to the effects of human-induced climate change, the Met Office is warning that it is "very likely" to mean 2027 is the hottest year on record globally.

There is growing evidence that weather patterns around the world are already being affected, with below-average monsoon rains in India and suppressed hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean.

El Niño could put the UK at greater risk of a wet, stormy autumn with signs of a very unsettled spell already showing up in long-range forecasts.

"We should be clear that this is an unprecedented event," said Prof Adam Scaife, head of long-range forecasting at the UK Met Office.

read more from source  -https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/c3ekg93vjz9o

Houthis 'Attack' Saudi Airport, Aramco Site Amid Bab Al-Mandeb Threat