‘Unprecedented’ temperatures recorded in ocean around Florida | First Thing

Unprecedented' readings above 100F add to previous warnings that water temperature is putting marine life in peril. Plus, how workers in Japan are keeping cool

Good morning.

The surface ocean temperature around the Florida Keys soared to 101.19F (38.43C) this week, in what could be a global record as ocean heat around the state reaches unprecedented extremes.

What else is happening? Wildfires were burning in at least nine countries across the Mediterranean as blazes spread in Croatia and Portugal, with thousands of firefighters in Europe and north Africa working to contain flames stoked by high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds.

What could happen to the Gulf Stream system? It could collapse as soon as 2025, a study suggests. The shutting down of the vital ocean currents, called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, would bring catastrophic climate impacts.

This is not the first controversy since he launched his campaign, is it? No. Kennedy's attempt for the White House has been contentious from the outset, given his embrace of virulent conspiracy theories that promote vaccine hesitancy. A political watchdog, the Congressional Integrity Project, released a report that set the candidate's disputed views on Covid against years of antisemitic, racist and xenophobic remarks which it called horrific" and beyond the pale". The report said his promotion of anti-vaxxer conspiracy theories had deadly real world consequences".