Poland’s economy reached roughly $1.04 trillion in nominal GDP in 2025, putting its output close to the combined size of eight countries to its east and north, according to World Bank data .

The comparison brings together Ukraine , Romania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Moldova. The infographic puts their combined GDP at about $1.076 trillion, compared with $1.036 trillion for Poland.

That makes the headline slightly overstated. The eight economies were collectively about $40 billion larger than Poland, so it is more accurate to say Poland’s economy was almost as large as the eight combined, rather than exactly equal to them.

Poland has become a trillion-dollar economy

Poland has emerged as one of Europe’s largest economies after decades of economic expansion. In 2025, its nominal GDP was around $1.04 trillion, placing it among the continent’s 10 largest economies when measured at current US dollar exchange rates.

The comparison is striking partly because the eight countries together have a much larger population . The infographic estimates their combined population at about 77.5 million, compared with around 36.4 million in Poland.

That helps explain the difference in income per person. The graphic puts Poland’s nominal GDP per capita at roughly $27,600, almost twice the combined group's average of about $13,900.

Romania is by far the largest economy among the eight, at roughly $428 billion in 2025, followed by Ukraine at around $213 billion. Bulgaria was about $131 billion, Lithuania $95 billion and Belarus $93 billion.

The smaller Baltic economies also contribute to the total, with Latvia at around $48.6 billion and Estonia at $47 billion, while Moldova was about $20.3 billion.

Muslim-ruled states governed territories stretching from the Iberian Peninsula and West Africa to South and Central Asia at different points over the past 1,400 years , although their borders and periods of control varied considerably.

The expansion began in the seventh century and involved many different caliphates, sultanates, emirates and empires. Parts of the Middle East and North Africa experienced Muslim rule for more than 1,000 years, but this was not continuous rule by one empire or dynasty.

Using today's national borders can also make the history look simpler than it was. A modern country shaded on the map may contain regions that experienced Muslim rule for very different lengths of time.

India shows why modern borders can mislead

Muslim political rule reached the Indian subcontinent in the early eighth century when Arab forces established control in Sindh, most of which is now in Pakistan rather than India.

Muslim dynasties later controlled large parts of present-day India, particularly under the Delhi Sultanate from 1206 and the Mughal Empire from 1526. But their territory expanded and contracted, and other kingdoms continued to control different parts of the subcontinent.

It would therefore be misleading to say that all of modern India was under Muslim rule for more than 1,000 years. Different regions experienced Muslim-led governments at different times and for different periods.

Muslim rule in Iberia also changed dramatically

The Iberian Peninsula provides another example. Muslim forces entered in 711 and established control over most of the peninsula, but that territory gradually contracted as Christian kingdoms expanded.

By the 13th century, Muslim political control was largely confined to the Emirate of Granada, which survived until 1492.

So although Muslim-ruled states existed somewhere on the Iberian Peninsula for nearly eight centuries, not every part of modern Spain and Portugal was under Muslim rule for that entire period.

The same caution applies across the map. It is best understood as showing regions that experienced Muslim rule at some point in history, with the duration varying within today's national borders.

Movements seeking to redraw Europe’s borders range from established constitutional projects to small nationalist campaigns, meaning the continent’s various “unification movements” differ sharply in their political support, legal status and prospects.

The map includes proposals for a united Ireland, a Russia-Belarus union, Romania and Moldova reunification, a Greater Netherlands, Iberian unity, Greater Albania, Greater Serbia, France-Belgium “Rattachism” and Enosis involving Greece and Cyprus.

But grouping them can be misleading. Some have formal political or legal foundations, while others are mainly historical ideas or are promoted by relatively limited political movements.

Irish unity has a legal route

A united Ireland is one of the clearest examples of a territorial change for which an established democratic mechanism exists.

Under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom unless a majority there votes to change its constitutional status. The agreement therefore provides a peaceful democratic route towards Irish reunification while equally protecting the right to remain in the UK unless voters decide otherwise.

If reunification took place under the agreement, the whole island would form part of the European Union because the Republic of Ireland is already an EU member.

Russia and Belarus are already formally linked

The Russia-Belarus case is different because the two countries already belong to the Union State, established by a treaty signed in December 1999 and in force since January 2000.

The arrangement has developed common programmes covering economic integration and coordination in areas including foreign and defence policy . Integration has continued, with the two governments working on hundreds of measures extending through 2026.

However, Russia and Belarus remain separate sovereign countries. Even official Russian descriptions of the Union State say the integration process preserves the sovereignty of both states.

Other movements are much less straightforward

The remaining ideas on the map should not be interpreted as equally active or likely political projects.

Greater Netherlands generally refers to proposals linking the Netherlands with Dutch-speaking Flanders. Iberianism has historically advocated closer political or cultural union between Spain and Portugal, while Rattachism refers to the idea of French-speaking Wallonia becoming part of France.

In southeastern Europe, ideas described as Greater Albania and Greater Serbia involve politically sensitive territorial claims crossing existing borders. Enosis, meaning union, is historically associated with the campaign for Cyprus to join Greece. These concepts have played very different roles at different points in European history and should not be presented as equivalent current government policies.

The same caution applies to possible Romanian-Moldovan reunification. The two countries share close linguistic, cultural and historical ties, and reunification has supporters, but Moldova remains an independent sovereign state.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has become the country’s longest-serving uninterrupted administration since World War Two, setting a new record in a political system known for frequent changes of government.

Meloni took office on October 22, 2022, becoming Italy’s first female prime minister. On September 4, 2026, her government reached 1,413 days in office, surpassing the 1,412-day record set by Silvio Berlusconi’s second government between 2001 and 2005.

The milestone is notable in Italy, which has had 68 governments since 1946. Reuters calculates that Italian governments have lasted about 14 months on average, although the figure varies depending on how caretaker periods are counted.

Berlusconi still holds another record

While Meloni now leads the longest-lasting single government, Berlusconi remains Italy’s longest-serving prime minister overall. He spent about nine years in office across four separate governments between 1994 and 2011.

Before Meloni, Berlusconi's second government was the longest at 1,412 days. His fourth government lasted 1,287 days, followed by Bettino Craxi's first government at 1,093 days and Matteo Renzi's government at 1,024 days, according to Reuters.

Italy's Senate records confirm that the Meloni government has been in office continuously since October 22, 2022.

Meloni has presented the longevity of her coalition as evidence of greater political stability. Speaking after reaching the milestone, she said stability allowed Italy to plan and make longer-term decisions. Critics, meanwhile, have disputed the government's broader record and argued that longevity alone is not a measure of policy success.

More than half of renters across nearly 30 countries say they do not believe they will ever be able to afford their own home, highlighting widespread anxiety over housing costs even as homeownership remains a goal for many.

The Ipsos Housing Monitor 2025 found that 56% of renters on average believed they would never be able to afford to buy a home. That contrasts with the 71% who said they would like to own one, showing a large gap between the desire for homeownership and expectations of achieving it.

Germany recorded the highest level of pessimism, with 70% of renters saying they did not believe they would ever be able to afford a home. Australia followed at 69% and Japan at 68%. The Netherlands and Türkiye were both at 65%, while Ireland stood at 64%.

The concern extends beyond those countries. The infographic, based on Ipsos data, shows 61% in Canada, 60% in Great Britain, 59% in South Korea and 58% in the United States saying they doubt they will ever be able to afford a home.

At the other end, renters were less pessimistic in Brazil, where the figure was 36%, followed by Colombia and South Africa at 38%. That does not necessarily mean homes are more affordable in those countries, however. The survey measures people's expectations about their ability to buy, rather than comparing house prices with incomes.

Housing costs have climbed

The pessimism comes after substantial increases in housing costs in many economies.

In the European Union, house prices rose 53% between 2010 and 2024, according to Eurostat. By the first quarter of 2026, prices were another 5.1% higher than a year earlier, while rents had risen 3%.

The pressure is also evident in the United States. Harvard University's Joint Centre for Housing Studies reported that the median existing-home price reached a record $412,500 in 2024, while the typical monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home reached $2,560. A record 22.6 million renter households were also spending more than 30% of their income on housing and utilities.

Data from the National Association of Realtors show how the difficulties are affecting entry into the US housing market. First-time buyers accounted for just 21% of home purchases in its 2025 survey, the lowest share since the organisation began tracking the figure in 1981. Their median age reached a record 40.

A global affordability problem

The Ipsos findings suggest that housing concerns go beyond current rent or mortgage payments. Seven in ten people across 30 countries said that even young people who work hard and secure good jobs will have difficulty getting the housing they need.

Housing markets differ sharply between countries, and factors such as wages, interest rates, housing supply, mortgage rules and government support all affect affordability. The OECD has similarly highlighted housing affordability as a challenge across many member countries, particularly for younger and lower-income households.

Survivor Mahmud al-Sotah said he heard a cracking sound at around 02:00 before the building collapsed. “We survived miraculously and are still in shock at how we managed to escape alive,” he said, describing how survivors crawled through a collapsed wall before being pulled out one by one.

Mohammed Mansour, a spokesperson for the Egyptian Committee, said rescuers received an emergency call at around 03:00, with about 80 people believed to have been inside the building. The fate of a family of 18 remained unknown.

Gaza's Interior Ministry said 45 people had been rescued, including 14 who were injured and taken to hospital. Others managed to escape without assistance.

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing said it was coordinating with international partners and municipalities to provide equipment for rescue and rubble-clearing operations. It warned that more than 2,000 damaged or structurally unsafe buildings across Gaza posed further risks to residents.

According to an April 10 report by the UN humanitarian office, OCHA, more than 91,000 housing units had been assessed across Gaza, with around 40,000 classified as totally damaged and about 51,000 partially damaged.

Bolsonaro,  one of the presidential candidates formally registered for  Brazil ’s 2026 election, began the event with supporters at Marco Zero in Old Recife before walking to Cais da Alfândega  for the main rally.

Bolsonaro targets Lula and Supreme Court

During his speech, Bolsonaro focused his criticism on Lula and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. He claimed Lula’s ministers were protecting Moraes and linked the issue to the presidential election .

"Lula's ministers are protecting Alexandre de Moraes. Do you know why? Because they are betting on Lula's re-election so that everything ends in a cover-up in the Supreme Court. But that is not going to happen, because we are going to win these elections in the first round," Bolsonaro told his supporters.

Bolsonaro also questioned Lula's government's economic and social record and criticised the Workers’ Party (PT).

"And with the continuity of this government, if it does continue, do you think Brazil would have more or less corruption, or even more, with another four years of this government? Would you suffer more or less violence? You would suffer more. But I, together with each one of you here, together we will rescue this Brazil," he said.

Bolsonaro added that he would not allow Brazil "to sink into this sea of mud created by Lula", and he called the president "a liar, a corrupt man and incompetent".

Supporters back Bolsonaro

Supporters attending the rally also voiced their backing for Bolsonaro.

Linda, one of those at the event, said she believed voters wanted a change in leadership.

"I trust in Flavio Bolsonaro's victory because the people are tired of theft, of the PT's theft. So enough of this dishonest old guard in power," she said.

The Pernambuco visit forms part of Bolsonaro’s campaign efforts in Brazil’s north-east.

Brazil’s first-round election is officially scheduled for October 4, with a possible presidential run-off on October 25 if no candidate receives the required majority. Voters will also elect governors, senators and federal, state and district deputies.

India withdraws more freshwater each year than any other country, with agriculture accounting for about nine-tenths of its total, according to data compiled from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s AQUASTAT database and the World Bank.

The data used in the graphic put India’s annual freshwater withdrawals at about 761 billion cubic metres, ahead of China at 581 billion and the United States at 444 billion. Indonesia ranks fourth at 223 billion cubic metres, followed by Pakistan at 183 billion.

FAO data support the 761 billion cubic metre figure for India, including about 688 billion cubic metres used by agriculture.

Agriculture dominates water demand

The figures show a sharp difference in how countries use freshwater. Agriculture accounts for 90.4% of withdrawals in India, while the graphic puts the share at 94.3% in Pakistan, 92.2% in Iran and 92.1% in Indonesia .

Vietnam has the highest agricultural share among the 10 countries shown, at 94.8%, with total withdrawals of about 82 billion cubic metres a year. FAO data similarly put Vietnam’s agricultural share at roughly 95%.

AQUASTAT defines agricultural withdrawals as water used for activities including irrigation and livestock production. Water withdrawal refers to water removed from rivers, lakes and aquifers for use; it is not the same as water permanently consumed, because some withdrawn water eventually returns to the environment.

US stands out for industrial use

The United States has a very different pattern. According to the graphic, 45.3% of US freshwater withdrawals go to industry, compared with 39.7% for agriculture and 15% for domestic use.

China sits between the two patterns, with agriculture accounting for 62.1% of its withdrawals, industry 20.1% and domestic use 17.8%.

Japan has the largest domestic share among the countries shown, at 18.9%, while agriculture still accounts for 68%.

The differences reflect how economies use water for farming, households, manufacturing and activities such as electricity generation. The World Bank's freshwater indicators are sourced from FAO AQUASTAT and separate withdrawals into agricultural, industrial and domestic uses.

Two of the Middle East’s most important shipping routes are under mounting pressure, while the shutdown of a major Saudi oil pipeline has reduced options for moving crude around the disrupted Strait of Hormuz .

Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its 1,200-km East-West pipeline after drone attacks damaged the route in September. The pipeline links oil-producing areas in the east with the Red Sea port of Yanbu and had become increasingly important as tanker traffic through Hormuz fell. Saudi Arabia said the closure was a precautionary measure.

The pipeline can carry as much as 7 million barrels of crude a day, although it had been transporting about 4 million to 5 million barrels a day earlier in the conflict before flows fell. Its closure removes one of Saudi Arabia’s main ways of bypassing Hormuz.

Hormuz remains a major pressure point

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints.

Before the current disruption, more than 20 million barrels of oil a day regularly moved through the strait. US Energy Information Administration data show flows fell from 21.6 million barrels a day in the fourth quarter of 2025 to just 4.9 million barrels a day in the second quarter of 2026.

That matters because Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates rely on Gulf export routes, although some have pipelines that can bypass Hormuz.

Red Sea route also under pressure

Sending Saudi crude west through the East-West pipeline normally provides an alternative. Oil arriving at Yanbu can travel north towards the Suez Canal and Mediterranean or south through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait towards Asian markets.

But the southern route is also facing security problems. Houthi activity around Yemen and attacks on shipping have made parts of the Red Sea more dangerous, pushing some vessels onto the much longer journey around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

The pressure has increased in recent weeks. Ship traffic through Bab al-Mandeb fell sharply after Houthi forces expanded their control around strategically important areas near the strait, adding to concerns over shipping costs, insurance and the risk of further attacks.

The EIA said Saudi exports from Yanbu were already down by about half in August from July and that the kingdom had increased shipments north through the Suez Canal, a longer and more expensive option for oil destined for Asia .

Why the two chokepoints matter

Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb sit on opposite sides of the Arabian Peninsula, making them crucial to the movement of Middle Eastern energy. Disruption at one can sometimes be managed by redirecting oil through pipelines and alternative shipping routes. Pressure on both at the same time makes that much harder.

Saudi Arabia is not completely cut off from world markets, and the Suez Canal, existing inventories and routes around Africa provide alternatives. But those options can take longer and cost more, increasing the risk of higher freight, insurance and ultimately energy costs if disruptions persist.

“We are facing a global attack against the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces,” Netanyahu said, arguing that accusations of war crimes against Israeli soldiers were “the most absurd thing imaginable.”

He also claimed Israel was the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community was flourishing and growing, while describing allegations that the country persecutes minorities as a “big lie.”

Netanyahu said the ceremony itself challenged those claims, adding that Christians in Israel were not only protected by the state but also served in its defence forces.

His remarks come after incidents involving Israeli soldiers and Christian statues in the predominantly Christian village of Debel in southern Lebanon. In one incident in April, a soldier was documented striking a statue of Jesus, while another filmed the act. Both were subsequently punished by the Israeli military .

The demonstration briefly halted the civic-military parade outside the Morelos Government Palace. Scuffles broke out as security personnel attempted to contain the protesters, while some spectators urged officers to allow the demonstration to continue.

Morelos Attorney General Fernando Blumenkron said a judge had issued an arrest warrant for Francisco Javier "N", whom prosecutors identify as the suspected perpetrator of Tacoronte's killing.

"This person answers to the name Francisco Javier N and is attributed responsibility for Claudia's femicide," Blumenkron said.

Authorities have issued a wanted notice and expanded the search beyond Morelos to other Mexican states. Prosecutors stressed that the suspect is presumed innocent until his responsibility is determined by a court.

Sheinbaum led the Civic- Military Parade in Mexico City's Zocalo on Wednesday, with military contingents marching through the capital as parachutists descended onto the esplanade and aircraft flew overhead.

Music from the Mexican Army War Band accompanied the parade.

Sheinbaum Puts Sovereignty at Centre

Before the procession began, Sheinbaum presided over protocol events in the Zocalo, including the raising of the National Flag and the presidential review of the Armed Forces.

She was accompanied by members of her cabinet and representatives of the branches of government.

During her address, Sheinbaum linked the country's independence celebrations with the defence of Mexico's sovereignty and autonomy.

"16 September, Independence Day, is Mexico's living memory. It always means holding our heads high and proclaiming to the four winds that Mexico will never be anyone's colony or protectorate. Mexico does not bow down, does not kneel and Mexico is never for sale," the president said. "Long live independence! Long live sovereignty! For ever. Long live Mexico!"

She also described Mexico's Independence as the result of people challenging injustice.

"Mexicans. Mexico was born out of the defiance of a people who refused to accept injustice as their fate," she added.

‘Defend the Homeland’

Sheinbaum called on generations of Mexicans to protect the legacy of those who fought for the country's independence.

"It is a responsibility of all generations of Mexicans to honour what cost lives, to defend the homeland, to safeguard sovereignty and to make social justice a reality, for which so many have given their lives. Because although some would prefer otherwise, Mexico cannot be understood without its noble, courageous and hard-working people. Nor can it be understood without its constant struggle for sovereignty and independence."

The parade concluded with more than 15,000 members of the Armed Forces taking part, alongside 536 land vehicles and 107 aircraft.

Protesters burned objects and tyres on some roads as the three-day action got underway.

They are demanding a round table for dialogue with government representatives and the arrival of a high-level executive commission to address their concerns.

Workers Raise Cost of Living Concerns

Juan Santi, secretary of the Civil Construction organisation, said workers were observing the strike from September 16 to 18 and accused the government of neglecting Loreto.

"We in the construction sector are observing this call, which has been set in full for Wednesday 16, Thursday 17 and Friday 18; we reject this government that has turned its back on the people of Loreto. Here in the city of Iquitos, an extremely expensive city, as you well know fuel is high; we are paying more than 20 soles (USD $5.96) for fuel, and gas, 80 soles (USD $23.82) for gas. And not only that; the issue of mining exploitation is also contaminating my brothers and sisters who are indigenous," Santi said.

Protesters Demand Fujimori’s Presence

Demonstrators also called for President Keiko Fujimori to travel to Loreto, criticising her for not visiting the region to hear their concerns.

"Let her [President Keiko Fujimori] come and fix the situation here in Peru, here in Loreto, let her come. She does not deliver; just as she came during the campaign, she should come here in person to sort out this problem. She should come the way she came to seek votes," said one of the protesters.

Claudia Pinedo, secretary of the General Confederation of Workers of Peru (CGTP), also called for government representatives to travel to Loreto and open talks with protesters.

"I do not understand why now she [Keiko Fujimori] cannot come, does not want to come, does not even want to send a minister, a couple of ministers. Yet nothing. They say 'we do not act under pressure'," Pinedo said.

Loreto's organisations agreed to hold the strike on September 16, 17 and 18 after previously considering a 48-hour stoppage.

Union leaders are demanding government action on fuel prices, electricity and illegal mining, as well as a commission to negotiate possible solutions.

Mauritania has signed a comprehensive agreement with CWP Global to advance the Aman green hydrogen project, one of the country's largest planned renewable-energy developments. The agreement was signed in Nouakchott on September 16 by Energy and Petroleum Minister Mohamed Ould Khaled and CWP Global Chairman Mark Crandall. It establishes a long-term contractual framework for the project's next stages and sets out its fiscal, economic and development terms. Mauritania's Energy Ministry described it as the country's first Global Convention of its kind for a green hydrogen project. The scale is significant. Aman aims to eventually produce around 1.2 million tonnes of green hydrogen and 6.6 million tonnes of green ammonia annually, with potential uses in fertiliser production, food security and clean fuels. Authorities also see opportunities for green steel production and local processing of Mauritania's iron ore. The project dates to 2020, followed by a memorandum of understanding in 2021 and a framework agreement in 2022. It has now reached the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage, with CWP targeting a final investment decision before 2030.

Government reviews school readiness as new academic year approaches

Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay chaired a ministerial committee meeting on September 16 to assess preparations for the 2026–27 school year , focusing on classrooms, equipment, school furniture and teaching staff. The committee reviewed how far authorities had implemented decisions from its previous meeting and assessed whether schools had the infrastructure and human resources required for the new term. Officials reported notable progress in preparing classrooms, equipment and desks and in ensuring sufficient teaching staff. However, the review identified limited shortages in some specialities, which the government said it was addressing through measures already underway. The preparations form part of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani's education agenda under his “My Ambition for the Homeland” programme. The government says improving learning conditions and education quality is a central priority. Staffing is particularly important because Mauritania is simultaneously recruiting more than 1,100 education workers to reinforce schools across the country's regions.

Training begins for 1,132 newly recruited contract teachers

Mauritania's Ministry of Education and Reform of the Education System has announced compulsory training for 1,132 successful candidates recruited as education service providers. The group consists of 891 primary-school teachers and 241 lower-secondary teachers. Their training is scheduled to run from September 21 to October 2, beginning at 8 a.m. each day. Primary teachers will train at Boys' High School No. 1, while secondary teachers will attend the Arabic High School. The ministry has made attendance compulsory and warned that absence will result in final exclusion. The recruitment process began earlier. The ministry announced the district-based competition in August, with applications open from August 20 to 25. The examination itself began on September 3. Ministry Secretary-General Sadafi Sidi Mohamed inspected several examination centres on the opening day and said he was satisfied with the organisation. He urged candidates to recognise the responsibility attached to teaching, describing the profession as a national mission requiring competence and dedication to pupils and the country.

Aoukar programme targets around 100,000 livestock in animal-health drive

Mauritania has launched the 2026 animal-health component of its Aoukar integrated livestock development programme , targeting around 100,000 head of livestock in the country's east. The programme was formally launched in the Dhar district on September 15 under the supervision of Hodh Charghi Governor Isselmou Ould Sidi. It forms part of the first phase of the integrated livestock-development programme for the Aoukar areas. The programme combines preventive and curative veterinary care for small and large ruminants. Veterinary agents will be trained and equipped with medicines, equipment and transport, while the programme will also support Mauritania's annual national vaccination campaign. The regional veterinary delegation in Hodh Charghi is coordinating implementation. Ould Sidi said the programme reflected the importance authorities place on livestock development and support for herders. Livestock is particularly important in rural Mauritania, making animal disease prevention directly relevant to household livelihoods and food security. The initiative is also intended to strengthen veterinary coverage in areas where herders may have limited access to animal-health services.

Cabinet moves on digital harms and plans forum for Mauritanians abroad

Mauritania's Cabinet has approved two government statements dealing with protection from harms in the digital space and preparations for a forum bringing together Mauritanians living abroad. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani on September 16. The digital-protection initiative comes as the government gives greater attention to the risks associated with increased internet and social-media use. The Cabinet statement frames the issue around protecting people from harmful practices and content in the digital environment. The second statement concerns the organisation of a forum for Mauritanian communities abroad, providing a platform for the diaspora to engage with government institutions and discuss its role in the country's development. The Cabinet meeting also considered a series of appointments, including positions in the Higher Council for Education, Olympic Complex Authority, Higher Institute of Youth and Sports and National Higher Institute of Technical Education.

Canada could become the European Union ’s first “associate member” under a proposal unveiled by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, potentially creating a new level of cooperation between the 27-member bloc and one of its closest non-European partners.

Von der Leyen raised the idea in her State of the Union address on September 16, 2026, attended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. She said the EU wanted to take relations with Canada to the “highest level possible” and proposed opening the door to Canada becoming the bloc’s first associate member.

The proposal does not mean Canada is joining the European Union. No formal associate membership structure currently exists, and von der Leyen did not set out what rights, obligations or access such a status would give Canada.

Carney has also said Canada is not seeking full EU membership, instead describing the goal as a “unique alliance” with Europe. Details are expected to be developed through further talks, with the next EU-Canada summit scheduled for October 29-30 in Montreal.

Canada and EU are already moving closer

The proposal comes after a series of agreements that have brought Canada deeper into European economic, research and security programmes.

Canada already has a comprehensive trade agreement with the EU through CETA and has been associated with part of the EU’s Horizon Europe research programme since 2024. The two sides have also expanded cooperation on digital trade, critical minerals , economic security and defence.

In June 2026, Canada became the first non-European country to formally participate in the EU’s SAFE defence procurement instrument, following an agreement signed in February. The programme allows greater participation by Canadian companies in joint European defence procurement.

Von der Leyen said the next stage could include closer cooperation in advanced manufacturing, technology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, critical minerals, batteries, defence and the Arctic.

What would associate membership mean?

For now, that is the biggest unanswered question.

The EU treaties allow a European state to apply for full membership, creating an obvious legal obstacle to Canada becoming an ordinary EU member. The proposed associate status could instead offer Canada a specially designed relationship without making it one of the bloc’s 27 member states.

Exactly how that would work, including whether Canada would gain additional access to the EU single market, institutions or programmes, has not yet been decided publicly.

Mental health has become the health issue people are most concerned about worldwide, overtaking cancer as worries about the Covid-19 pandemic continue to fade, according to Ipsos’ Health Service Report 2024 .

Across the 31 countries surveyed, 45% of adults named mental health as one of the biggest health problems facing their country. Cancer followed at 38%, while 31% selected stress. Obesity was cited by 26% and drug abuse by 21%.

The findings mark a significant change from the pandemic years. In 2021, 70% identified coronavirus as a major health problem. By 2023, that had dropped to 15%, and in the 2024 survey only 11% mentioned Covid-19, placing it 10th among the 13 health issues measured.

Mental health has now ranked as the leading health concern for three consecutive years in the Ipsos survey. The share identifying it as a major problem rose from 31% in 2021 to 44% in 2023 and 45% in 2024.

Concern is particularly high among younger women. 55% of Gen Z women identified mental health as a major health problem, compared with 37% of Gen Z men. Across all age groups, 51% of women selected mental health, 11 percentage points higher than men.

Older people see the picture differently. Cancer was the leading concern among Baby Boomers, with 46% identifying it as a major health problem. They were the only generation in the survey for whom mental health did not rank first.

Ipsos surveyed 23,667 adults across 31 countries between July 26 and August 9, 2024. The global country average gives each surveyed country equal weight rather than weighting results according to population size.

The demonstration included sectors linked to the National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP) and took place during the country's independence anniversary celebrations.

Protesters marched towards the city centre carrying flags and banners and chanting slogans against the government and US President Donald Trump .

Protesters Raise Economic Concerns

Demonstrator Scarlet Romero said the independence anniversary provided an opportunity to highlight social and economic concerns.

"We cannot be celebrating an independence when the Honduran people are being vilified, when the basic food basket is unaffordable, when wages are on the floor, when mass lay-offs are the order of the day," she said.

The role of the United States in Honduran politics was another focus of the demonstration.

Victor Rodriguez accused the Trump administration of interfering in the country's internal affairs.

"The interference by Donald Trump and by the criminal right-wing group that is trying to take over the whole of Latin America ," the demonstrator said.

Protesters Question 2025 Election

Tomas Andino also questioned the 2025 presidential election result and alleged that foreign intervention influenced the process.

"People are becoming aware that the elections were stolen from them; that there was a foreign power that intervened, that meddled through bot farms that have already begun to be exposed as the great electoral fraud that took place," he argued.

The allegations relate to the 2025 election campaign. Honduras's official electoral calendar scheduled the general election for November 30, 2025.

According to the information provided for this report, Trump publicly backed Asfura before the vote and warned that a victory by Libre's left-wing candidate, Rixi Moncada, could have consequences for relations with Washington.

The National Electoral Council later declared Asfura, of the National Party, the winner with 40.26 percent of the vote, compared with 39.54 percent for Salvador Nasralla. Moncada finished third.

The electoral process faced delays in the count, technical problems and allegations of fraud and US interference. Asfura took office on January 27, 2026.

Chimwemwe Liwonde demonstrated the technology at the UNiPod innovation facility in Blantyre on Tuesday, moving a computer cursor and navigating pages through eye movements.

For Liwonde, the aim is to give users greater independence when accessing the digital world .

“Currently, for a motor-disabled user to use the computer, they rely on caregivers who may perform the task on their behalf. For example, a motor-disabled user may dictate, ‘I want to open this app,’ or ‘I want to type this.’ So actually, I developed this innovation to give them back their independence and access to the digital world,” Liwonde explained.

Eye Control Without Specialised Hardware

The system works offline and uses a standard computer camera. This removes the need for specialised eye-tracking hardware and could make the technology more accessible.

Lyson Mapanga, Communications Officer at the Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA), demonstrated the system and explained how his disability affects the time needed to complete some computer tasks.

“If I am to type a four-page document using one hand, it will take me three to four hours for a four-page document to be finalised.”

After testing the technology, Mapanga said it could help him make better use of his abilities.

“I do believe that with this software, when I am using it, navigating this software, it will be very helpful. I will be able to maximise my potential in delivering what is recommended for me to do,” Mapanga explained.

Taking the Technology Beyond Development

Liwonde's project has already received the Best Social Impact Award at Malawi's National ICT Innovation Awards.

UNiPod Manager Francis Masi said efforts are underway to involve more stakeholders and move the technology beyond its development stage.

“The idea is that we should see this innovation being used out there,” he said.

Access to assistive technology remains limited in Malawi. Research cited by those involved in the project found that 56.5 percent of people with disabilities needed assistive technology, while only 6.1 percent had received it.

Protesters filled Plaza de los Reyes with Spanish and Ceuta flags. Some wore shirts carrying slogans including "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta defends itself".

Attendees said they wanted the Spanish government to hear their concerns and vowed to remain in the square until action was taken at Playa del Trampolin.

"We'll be here all the time until they kick us out. If (Playa) del Trampolin isn't cleared out, this won't be cleared out either," said a protester, with another adding, “We’re not leaving.”

Another attendee called for residents to maintain pressure on authorities.

"We have to be out on the streets every day so we are heard and so we are seen. And we cannot stop. We have to keep going and resist," said another attendee.

Protesters Set Up Camp in Ceuta

The gathering, called 'Ceuta with Juan Vivas', was organised by local business owners.

Participants were encouraged to bring chairs, flags, mattresses and tents, deliberately drawing parallels with migrant settlements in the city. Organisers also planned painting and other activities for children to allow people of different ages to participate.

The demonstration also showed support for Ceuta's regional president, Juan Jesus Vivas. His television appearance on Monday evening was shown on a large screen in the square.

Vivas accused the Spanish government of subservience to Morocco and demanded the truth about what happened on July 30 and 31.

Thousands of Migrants Remain in Ceuta

Last week, Vivas said around 13,000 migrants remained in Ceuta. He said about 4,500 were at the Trampolin settlement, 1,300 in Loma Margarita and 1,200 in Loma Colmenar.

Protests have spread across the city since tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco on July 30 and 31.

Spanish authorities have moved more than 800 migrants from Ceuta's streets into a newly opened temporary reception centre as emergency accommodation expands.

Most of those who crossed returned to Morocco within days, but thousands remained, putting pressure on existing reception facilities.

Spain said 3,519 migrants voluntarily returned to Morocco between August 10 and 31, while another 214 were deported during the same period.

Shortly after 23:00 local time, Sheinbaum delivered the traditional proclamations honouring figures from Mexico's fight for independence. This year's ceremony also recognised Indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples and migrants, while celebrating freedom, equality, justice and democracy .

Sheinbaum concluded by hailing a free, independent and sovereign Mexico before ringing the historic bell and waving the national flag over the crowd.

The ceremony followed hours of musical and cultural performances in the Zocalo, with Intocable among the main acts. In 2025, Sheinbaum became the first woman in Mexican history to lead the traditional Grito from the National Palace.

The Grito commemorates Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's call for resistance against Spanish rule on September 16, 1810. Mexico's independence struggle ended in 1821.

“Niger is taking an important step in modernising official documents and strengthening the tools that serve the sovereignty, security and mobility of our citizens,” said Abdoul Kader Garba Moussa, Secretary-General of Niger's Interior Ministry.

Moussa said the new passport combines biometric and biographical data to strengthen protection against document fraud , identity theft and transnational threats.

“The AES biometric passport that we are launching today, more than simply the issuance of a travel document, represents a new generation of travel documents,” he said.

The common passport was introduced in January 2025, when Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso formally withdrew from ECOWAS. The three military -led countries have since expanded cooperation under the AES, including establishing a unified military force, a confederal investment bank and a confederal parliament.