A continent in the Western Hemisphere, with a rising climate and development footprint.
Gianni Infantino has opened the door to expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, saying it will be examined after the 2026 tournament. He argues 64 teams could be organized to include more nations, though some leaders warn of chaos. The 2030 edition, co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, looms as the potential stage for any expansion.
Orchids mimic animals and people with remarkable accuracy, from naked-man shapes to dove and bee forms. The featured plants thrive in specific climates and offer a glimpse into nature’s artistry.
A mix of sources shows momentum for expanding the World Cup beyond 48 teams. CONMEBOL and some FIFA officials advocate a 64-team format for 2030, while others remain skeptical about logistics and the broader impact on the football ecosystem.
Candidates for the UN secretary-general post have presented reform-minded visions amid a funding and credibility crisis. Straw polls begin late July with a January 2027 appointment target; Latin America is pushing for a regional rotation.
Brazilian President Lula Da Silva is defending sovereignty as talks with the US fray over election interference fears. Milei’s rhetoric and Bolsonaros’ campaign moves intensify regional tensions ahead of Brazil’s October vote. Diplomatic spats include visa revocations and downgrades, amid a broader regional shift toward conservative leadership.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage has struck the Moon near Einstein Crater at about 5,400 mph, carving a new crater and launching a dust plume. South Korea’s Danuri orbiter has photographed the site and released images. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is scheduled to image the impact next week while scientists begin analysing ejecta and crater formation.
Torrential rains and flash floods have intensified across Afghanistan, Pakistan and neighboring regions. Authorities have recorded hundreds of deaths, with the NDMA and local agencies warning of ongoing risks as rivers swell and monsoon systems persist. Cities face evacuations, damaged homes, and disrupted livelihoods.
A wave of Chinese automakers is expanding into Europe and the UK, challenging traditional premium brands. Zeekr, BYD and others are pursuing UK launches while major players like Geely, Volvo and Lucid push into premium segments. European and US automakers are restructuring to cope with China’s rising export power and shifting supply chains.
The new Prime Minister has indicated a pragmatic approach to North Sea oil, with discussions in the US about potential licensing changes. Labour’s manifesto bounds remain a factor, as consultations on Jackdaw and Rosebank proceed while officials weigh existing licences.
Infantino has scrapped a plan to sell stakes in World Cup events after strong opposition from UEFA, AFC and Concacaf. Senior advisers have resigned, and critics say the move undermines FIFA’s leadership. The push now shifts to whether Infantino can survive his presidency amid looming calls for reform.
Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
UEFA has demanded that FIFA preserve data related to the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan after a controversy sparked a global furore. A Dechert letter names 18 FIFA executives and warns that destroying or altering materials may constitute spoliation of evidence. Infantino’s bid appears endangered as UEFA signals a possible end to his presidency.
A cross-border crackdown has led to major drug seizures in several countries. In the UK, 2.9 tonnes of class A drugs hidden in a banana shipment have been seized at London Gateway Port, with nine men questioned. Africa and the Middle East report further seizures and arrests tied to cocaine, cannabis and captagon networks. The operations highlight ongoing efforts by national police agencies to disrupt trafficking chains and cut profits.
Europol-led operations have arrested dozens in Spain and Ecuador in a drug-smuggling ring linked to Dubai investors. The crackdown targets a network moving South American cocaine and MDMA into Europe, with shipments hidden in commercial containers and bananas. The operation has involved dozens of raids and the seizure of vessels, cash, and weapons.
Traders have participated in Tuesday’s tenders with Bunge, CHS and Olam. A new wheat tender is expected to close on August 18, with shipments planned for September-October. Russia’s export tax changes and congestion at Black Sea ports have shaped a cautious market, while forecasts point to a potential fall in August grain exports.
Australia is rolling out an initial vaccination program targeting captive birds at risk from H5N1 bird flu. Vaccines are not a silver bullet; the virus continues to spread among wild and domestic birds. Authorities say vaccination will help protect vulnerable species while surveillance and biosecurity remain essential.
Brazil’s ANPD has ordered Discord to suspend its Go Live and similar livestream features within three days until it implements safeguards for minors. The move follows the death of a 13-year-old in a Discord livestream and marks renewed regulatory scrutiny of tech platforms’ handling of minors and live content.
Scientists reconstruct ancient forests using fossil leaf cuticles to show canopy loss during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, revealing how forests thin, then recover slowly—an event linked to today’s rapid CO2 rise and warming.
A deep partial lunar eclipse has occurred, with about 96% of the Moon in Earth's shadow for observers across much of the Americas. The event followed a recent total solar eclipse and is part of a pair of celestial events that are visible under clear skies. The maximum viewing is around midnight EDT, with visibility shifting by location. NASA notes the Artemis II mission remains a backdrop to ongoing space activity.
Forecasters have confirmed a very strong El Niño that has pushed Pacific sea-surface temperatures well beyond historical thresholds and is already altering global weather. The Met Office says the event is unprecedented in modern records; governments in Central and South America have declared alerts as droughts and extreme heat are damaging crops and water supplies now and into 2027.
Liberia’s former vice president has denied involvement in a transnational cocaine-trafficking network. Police accuse her of meetings and payments linked to the operation; she has been detained, hospitalized for a medical emergency, and court appearances have been disrupted as the investigation broadens to include foreign suspects and multiple charges.
Gianni Infantino faces mounting pressure after reports of his aborted plan to secure private investment for FIFA tournaments surface; fans and multiple confederations are demanding his resignation, with UE...
Susan Lumsden has died after an assault at Overstone Lakes in Sywell, Northamptonshire. A 72-year-old man is in custody as police continue their investigation. Family pay tribute to a mother, Nan and friend who loved to make others smile.
American and United announce a wave of new international routes, leveraging the Airbus A321XLR to open long-haul, high-yield destinations. United aims to bolster JFK access; American revives Reykjavik and adds Melbourne? actually not. The coverage notes CEO quotes and potential mergers remain speculative.
Charles’s autumn itinerary has been outlined, starting with a state visit to the Bahamas on Oct. 27, followed by Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda for a Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, concluding Nov. 4. The trip highlights the Commonwealth’s ties and the King’s role as head of state in 14 countries outside the UK.
El Niño is strengthening and is likely the strongest in modern records. Forecasts foresee hotter global temperatures, worsened heatwaves, floods and droughts across regions as climate warming interacts with the natural cycle.
A trio of stories track unusual rainfall in Israel and across the region, driven by El Niño, with storms in the Philippines and Europe facing record heat. The aim is to explain how shifting climate patterns are producing abnormal weather this season.
Skywatchers have been treated to a string of September conjunctions and phases: Venus has paired with Spica, the Moon has aligned with the Pleiades, Mars and Jupiter, and a partial lunar eclipse has produced reddish tones across wide regions. Through October and November, the Pleiades, the Orionid and Leonid meteor showers, a planetary parade on 14 November and the Beaver supermoon on 24 November will provide more viewing opportunities.
The UN General Assembly has endorsed a non-binding move to shift from the Mercator projection to the Equal Earth map to better reflect continental sizes. The vote saw 164 members in favour with the United States abstaining or opposing; several countries express concerns about disputed territories and implications for regional shading.
New USDA-led research has found that farmed salmon have substantially lower levels of omega‑3 fatty acids than older estimates. The drop reflects a shift in salmon feed from wild fish to terrestrial oils and crops such as soy and canola. That change has linked nutrition losses to broader environmental harm from expanded soy production.
FIFA President has reaffirmed plans to seek a fourth term in 2027 despite mounting criticism from UEFA and other confederations over the failed FFE plan to privatise World Cup profits. Nominations close 18 November ahead of the Rabat congress.
France has recorded a sharply reduced 2026 grape harvest after an exceptionally hot, dry summer pushed harvests earlier and cut yields. Champagne production has fallen by about half and regulators have temporarily allowed some 2026 bubbly to reach 15% alcohol after sugar levels rose in sun‑stressed grapes. The agriculture ministry has estimated total output near 33.9m hectolitres.
A UK study involving nearly a million adults finds that drinking beverages at very hot temperatures increases the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The risk rises with frequency, with six or more hot drinks daily, though overall risk remains small. Researchers urge cooling beverages before drinking.
South Park has announced a name change to South America for its 29th season, in a move that mirrors President Trump’s recent renaming attempts for lakes, gulf and even a state. The show’s creators say the rename is inspired by Apple and Google and thanks Paramount Skydance, as the merger and regulatory backdrop grow.
The creators of South Park have announced that the show will officially be known as SOUTH AMERICA for its 29th season, a move inspired by Apple and Google renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America. The announcement comes as Donald Trump has pushed for names changes in U.S. maps and fronts a broader political clash with Canada and tech platforms.
El Niño is strengthening, with forecasts predicting historic intensity. Reports show drought in Central America’s Dry Corridor and a UK weather shift toward wetter, stormier conditions. Scientists warn impacts will extend into 2027 as temperatures rise globally and rainfall patterns shift.
Artists including Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas withdraw from Ed Sheeran's US Loop tour after Macklemore is dropped for pro-Palestinian remarks. Ed Sheeran says the decision rests with promoters as tensions rise around Gaza conflict coverage.
Rapper Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US Loop Tour after pro-Palestine remarks, prompting other acts to withdraw and drawing scrutiny of venue owners and promoters. Ed Sheeran says the decision was promoter-driven, not his, while fans and artists weigh in on free speech, sponsorship, and accountability. The tour resumes in Philadelphia with uncertainty over lineup and ticketing.
A global report shows 2025 was among the driest years for river flows in 35 years, with groundwater and glaciers dwindling. Major river systems are under stress from drought, pollution and overexploitation, prompting calls for action and data-sharing to protect communities and economies.
FIFA Council members are pushing for an independent review of the FFE sell-off and the Balogun controversy as calls for full document disclosure intensify ahead of the 15 October council meeting in Zurich.
A Bronx jury has convicted Jancys Santiago of first-degree rape in a 2001 case and has sentenced him to 25 years, to run consecutively with a 20-year sentence for a separate 2000 Manhattan home invasion rape. The case used investigative genetic genealogy to identify Santiago after decades-long cold cases were reopened. The judge has also issued a permanent protection order and sex offender registration.
Researchers have described a previously unrecognised small wildcat from Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests and given it the scientific name Leopardus tilcayo. Genetic analysis has shown the tilcayo split from related tiger cats about 1.4 million years ago. Scientists have confirmed the species from sanctuary animals, museum specimens and camera-trap records but they still do not know its full range or population size.
Ed Sheeran has faced mounting backlash as Macklemore has been removed from the US leg of the Loop Tour after pro-Palestinian remarks. The move has sparked a wave of support from fellow artists and a backlash from fans, with Sheeran apologizing to fans as criticism of his apolitical stance grows.
The El Niño weather pattern has intensified, with multiple reports showing record sea-surface temperatures and forecasts of extreme heat. Scientists warn that global impacts will intensify through 2027, affecting temperatures, rainfall, and wildfire risk across regions from the Pacific to Africa and the Americas.
A wave of new AI-focused funding signals a shift toward enterprise-ready solutions. BAG Ventures raises a new fund to back AI-native startups, Dorm Room Fund expands with a $50 million AI-aligned pool, and Ema secures growth funding to expand multi-agent workflows. Spellbook appoints a new CMO as the legal AI space grows. Together, these moves indicate a push toward integrated, outcome-driven AI in businesses.
The national statistics agency INDEC has released new figures showing the poverty rate has jumped by 4.1 percentage points to 32.3% between January and June, with extreme poverty at 7.5%. Unemployment has climbed to 7.9%, while wages fail to keep pace with rising prices. Analysts warn social gains under Milei’s austerity are faltering, and the outlook remains challenging for 2026.