World

In a historic stand against animal cruelty, Switzerland has become the first country in the world to ban both the import and sale of fur. Last year, the Swiss Federal Council banned all imports of fur and fur products produced using “methods that involve cruelty to animals.”

Brazil’s presidential race will go to a second round after the far-right candidate, Flávio Bolsonaro, beat the incumbent leftwing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, but failed to secure the outright majority he needed to avoid a runoff. With 99.9% of votes counted, the 45-year-old son of the disgraced former president, Jair Bolsonaro, had won 47%, meaning he will now face a 25 October showdown with his 80-year-old rival. Lula received 45.1%. Bolsonaro received 56.1m votes to Lula’s 53.8m. Bolsonaro will go into the second round as strong favourite and is likely to be boosted by the migration of votes from the election’s other rightwing candidates, who included Ronaldo Caiado, who secured 2.1%, and Renan Santos, who won 2.2%. Brazil’s far-right put in an even stronger than expected showing, with a succession of Bolsonarista politicians winning congressional or gubernatorial races. They included Jair Bolsonaro’s second son, Carlos Bolsonaro, and his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, who both won seats in the senate. Bolsonaro’s youngest son, Jair Renan, was elected to the lower house of congress.

Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft was announced way back in July, as the first Universes Beyond release for the storied tabletop RPG. And just like the MMO it's based on, D&D: World of Warcraft is absolutely massive. But while this was the first Universes Beyond release for D&D, it’s nothing new for Wizards of the Coast, with the initiative driving a huge number of Magic: The Gathering sets over the last few years. But just like the scope of the Lord of the Rings set for MTG, Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft is an absolutely massive expansion, and almost feels like an entire game unto itself. Rather than just taking the easy way out and releasing a one-off story module, Wizards of the Coast packed its World of Warcraft expansion with enough lore, dungeons, and professions that it could feasibly take you years to try everything. But, unlike WoW on your desktop, you can choose exactly how your Azeroth story will play out. A Whole World of WarcraftWorld of Warcraft has been around for 22 years on its own, and the franchise as a whole has been around since 1994. Needless to say, there is a ton of lore and history baked into the world of Azeroth.

The right to adequate housing is recognized in international human rights instruments and is closely linked to progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. Photo:©UNhabitat Access to adequate housing is a fundamental element of human dignity, safety and well-being, yet the world continues to face a severe housing crisis. More than 3 billion people lack access to adequate housing, more than 1.1 billion people live in informal settlements and hundreds of millions experience homelessness. These challenges are being intensified by conflict, disasters and climate change, with people in vulnerable situations often facing the greatest risks and the fewest resources to recover. The right to adequate housing is recognized in international human rights instruments and is closely linked to progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.

ADVERTISEMENTWatchCanadian universities are hoping to take advantage of academic uncertainty in the U. S., targeting top minds in a PHD recruiting blitz. Heather Butts explains. October 05, 2026 at 5:57p.m. EDT

The following 15 spots were awarded between August and September, three in each of the five continental tournaments held in the period – Egypt, Kenya, and Cameroon qualified in Africa, Thailand, China and Japan succeeded in Asia, Türkiye, Serbia and Poland emerged from Europe, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico earned the spots in play in the North, Central America and Caribbean (NORCECA) region and Brazil, Argentina and Colombia claimed the berths out of South America. The remaining 14 spots were given to the best-placed national teams in the FIVB World Ranking not yet qualified as of October 2. Listed in ranking order, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Czechia, Belgium, France, Slovenia, Sweden, Mexico, Ukraine, Greece, Korea, Bulgaria and Switzerland qualified through this pathway. From all 32 participants, Switzerland are the only country set to appear in the World Cup for the first time in history. Currently in 30th place in the FIVB World Rankings, they took the last spot available for the tournament and will compete among the world’s best for the first time.

Oct 5, 2026 3:09 PMPublished Oct 5, 2026 3:09 PMWhile players from across the globe are looking at the PWHL, coaches and staff in the PWHL are looking to the world not only to build their teams, but to build the game by stepping into leadership roles with national team programs. The PWHL features the world's best women's hockey players. The league has drawn on-ice talent from across the globe into what now stands as a 12-team league. While the league's impact has been felt on the ice, it's also being felt off the ice as leagues across the globe look to synchronize rules such as body checking to mimic and prepare athletes for the PWHL. The league also forced a shift in the international calendar moving the IIHF women's World Championships to November each year, and last year competing in the Olympics for the first time. Kori Cheverie - Photo @ Ellen BondThe league however, has had a notable impact internationally in coaching and management as well. Originally, it was a small group. Gina Kingsbury and Troy Ryan were the general manager and head coach for Team Canada, a staff which also included PWHL coaches like Kori Cheverie, Caroline Ouellette, and Brad Kirkwood.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will not introduce a World Club Championship or more international multilateral tournaments until 2031 at the earliest because of resistance from England, Australia and India. After informal discussions between the ICC and member boards over several months, a cricket ­operations workshop in Dubai last week concluded without any ­additional events being proposed. This means the next Future Tours Programme (FTP), covering 2027 to 2031, will ­mirror that of the current cycle. The one possible change is the expansion of the World Test Championship to 12 teams from next year, with the addition of Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe. The ICC has yet to issue finalised plans to its members. The ICC remains eager to explore new competitions as it seeks to grow the sport and its own revenues, which is likely to lead to tension with the so-called Big Three, although in reality India are out on their own as they ­generate about 70% of cricket’s global revenue.

For decades, scientists have been sounding the alarm about the Arctic’s impending collapse. And now, we may have crossed the tipping point. Warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet, the Arctic could see its first ice-free summer as soon as 2027, far earlier than once feared.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Egyptian Chess Federation are pleased to invite all the member federations to the 2026 FIDE World U7-U17 Rapid and Blitz Championships. The event will take place in Cairo, Egypt, from December 8 (arrival) to December 15 (departure), 2026. The participants will compete across six age categories: Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, Under 15, and Under 17, with separate Open and Girls sections. Players who secured first place in the previous edition of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Cadets & Youth Championships (U9–U17 age groups) are granted the personal right to participate in the corresponding (or higher) age category, provided they meet the age requirement as of January 1, 2026. FIDE Member Federations may register an unlimited number of players and accompanying officials/persons. The registration deadline is November 1, 2026. Invitation, regulations, schedule (PDF)Registration detailsRegistration form: https://forms.gle/sJW3H1QfS5FZ3kqE8Email: youthrapidblitz@fide.com Official website: https://youthrapidblitz2026.fide.com

Artists impression of the second-generation planet orbiting HS 0209+0832, the first such planet to be found orbiting a white dwarf. Credit. Dr. Snehalata Sahu / University of Warwick. Astronomers have discovered the first example of a second-generation planet orbiting a white dwarf, a world that appears to have formed from the remains of the dead star it now orbits.

Members of the Green Party of England and Wales have voted at their autumn conference to include nuclear among a list of low-carbon forms of energy. The motion removed the wording "nuclear power, coal and incineration of waste will be phased out", and replaced it with "electricity generators that are not compatible with renewable and low carbon energy goals or the UK's Planetary Boundaries targets, such as fossil fuels, will be phased out".

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