Daily Brief: Top 5 science stories making headlines
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 18 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in the field of science....
NASA and NOAA have confirmed that the Sun has entered its solar maximum phase as part of Solar Cycle 25. This marks an increase in sunspot activity, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections, creating space weather that can impact communication systems and offer enhanced aurora displays worldwide.
NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have confirmed that the Sun has officially entered the solar maximum phase of its current cycle, Solar Cycle 25. This milestone occurs approximately every 11 years as the Sun shifts between periods of low and high magnetic activity.
During the solar maximum, the number of sunspots surges, leading to increased solar activity, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These events generate space weather conditions that can affect satellites, astronauts, and communication systems on Earth, including radio and GPS networks.
A key development highlighted in the announcement is the Sun's magnetic poles having flipped, similar to the reversal of Earth’s North and South Poles. The heightened sunspot activity observed over the past two years further confirms that we are in an active phase of the solar cycle.
One of the exciting outcomes of solar maximum is the increased chance of witnessing auroras. As the Sun releases more solar flares and CMEs, they interact with Earth's magnetic field to create these stunning light displays. This period often intensifies and expands the visibility of auroras, making them observable even at lower latitudes where they are typically rare. This means that more people worldwide will have the opportunity to see these captivating natural phenomena.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
Russian air strikes injured 13 and damaged buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and in the Black Sea port city of Odesa in the early hours of Thursday, officials said on the Telegram messaging app.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the war against Iran was nearing its end and that Tehran wanted to reach a deal, but Iran dismissed his comments as “mixed signals” as the conflict approaches its seventh month.
The European Union will continue allowing large-scale plastic waste exports to Türkiye despite concerns over recycling rates, environmental damage and the risk of illegal waste trafficking.
Hundreds of thousands of deep-diving turtles, known as olive ridley sea turtles, have arrived on Mexico’s southern coast for one of nature’s most striking nesting events. But conservation officials warn that climate change is making it increasingly difficult for their eggs to hatch.
August 2026 tied as the hottest month ever recorded globally, pushing average temperatures above the critical 1.5°C threshold as extreme weather swept across several regions, the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said.
Increasingly intense wildfires and heat waves are threatening global efforts to improve air quality and protect public health, the United Nations’ weather agency has warned.
Vast flocks of storks passed through Türkiye and the Bosporus this week as part of their annual autumn migration from European breeding grounds toward Africa and the Middle East.
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