Bolsonaro, who is among 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 Alfandega 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 the economic and social record of Lula’s government 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.

The World Bank has had 1 4 presidents since it began operations in 1946 , and every one of them has been a US national, reflecting a longstanding pattern in the leadership of one of the world's most influential development institutions.

The tradition began with Eugene Meyer, who became the Bank's first president in June 1946. It continues with Ajay Banga, whom the World Bank's executive directors selected as its 14th president in 2023. The Bank identified Banga as a US national during the selection process.

Banga was born in India and later became a US citizen. He began his five-year term on June 2, 2023, succeeding David Malpass, another US national who led the institution from 2019 to 2023.

The pattern means that although the World Bank has 189 member countries, its permanent presidency has never been held by a national of another country.

One brief exception

There has been one temporary break from the pattern.

Kristalina Georgieva, a Bulgarian economist, became interim World Bank Group president on February 1, 2019, after Jim Yong Kim stepped down before completing his term. She served until David Malpass took office on April 9.

Georgieva therefore led the institution temporarily but was not selected as a permanent World Bank president. She later became managing director of the International Monetary Fund in October 2019.

The Bank's own historical records list 13 former presidents from Eugene Meyer through David Malpass, with Banga serving as the 14th.

Why has every president been American?

The pattern stems from an informal convention, rather than a rule requiring the president to be American. Since the World Bank and IMF were created at Bretton Woods, the United States has traditionally put forward the candidate to lead the World Bank, while a European has traditionally headed the IMF.

The World Bank's executive directors formally select the president. In Banga's case, he was the only nominee submitted during the 2023 selection process before being chosen for a five-year term.

Around 77% of children under five in Madagascar experience food poverty , meaning their diets lack sufficient variety and nutrients. Many consume food from only two food groups a day, often dominated by rice or other staples. The consequences are serious. Between May 2026 and April 2027, about 502,000 children under five in the Grand South and Grand South-East are expected to suffer acute malnutrition, including roughly 78,000 severe cases. The figures highlight a wider problem in Madagascar: many families struggle to consistently provide young children with the range of nutritious foods needed for healthy growth.

AfDB forecasts 4.5% growth in 2027, but financing remains a major challenge

Madagascar’s economy is forecast to rebound to 4.5% growth in 2027, according to the African Development Bank, after growth slowed from 4.3% in 2024 to 3.2% in 2025 and was projected at 3% in 2026. However, the AfDB estimates Madagascar needs about $7.27 billion annually until 2030 to finance its development ambitions. AfDB Country Manager Adam Amoumoun said: “To achieve its development ambitions, Madagascar will need to mobilise resources at scale, both domestic and external.” The challenge is compounded by a tax-to-GDP ratio of about 10.5% in 2025 and an informal economy representing roughly 47% of GDP. The AfDB recommends stronger tax administration, greater economic formalisation and financing tools including green, blue and diaspora bonds.

Northern Madagascar begins displacement and disaster-risk mapping

The International Organisation for Migration and Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) began collecting displacement and vulnerability data in the northern SAVA and DIANA regions on September 10. The first phase covers Sambava, Vohémar, Ambilobe and Ambanja and uses IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). Teams are gathering information from local authorities, health workers, teachers and community representatives about population movements, exposure to cyclones and floods, vulnerabilities and emergency needs. The objective is to identify high-risk communities before disasters occur, giving authorities and humanitarian organisations better information for evacuations, emergency assistance and recovery planning.

Rehabilitated 47-km road connects five rural communes in Fandriana

A 47-kilometre road between Ambinanitelo and Milamaina in Fandriana district has been rehabilitated to improve transport and agricultural market access. The route connects Ambinanitelo, Fiadanana, Sahamadioa, Ambohipo and Milamaina and was financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development through the DEFIS rural development programme. Better road access is expected to help farmers transport crops to markets and obtain seeds, fertiliser and other agricultural inputs more easily. It should also improve residents’ access to healthcare, education and other services. The project was officially received during the weekend preceding September 14 and forms part of wider efforts to reduce the isolation of Madagascar’s rural communities.

Three youth centres equipped to serve 1,500 young people

Around 1,500 secondary-school students in southern and southeastern Madagascar will benefit from newly equipped Youth Corners in Manakara , Mananjary and Milenaka-Toliara II. With support from Norway and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the centres received computers, internet connections, musical instruments, sports equipment and recreational facilities. The centres also provide confidential information and support on sexual and reproductive health, relationships and prevention of gender-based violence, alongside Comprehensive Sexuality Education. The initiative is designed to give young people safe spaces combining digital access, education, recreation and confidential counselling, particularly in areas where access to youth-focused health and social services remains limited.

A bicycle may be a bicicleta in standard Spanish, but travel across Latin America and the same two-wheeled vehicle can pick up a surprisingly different name.

The most familiar shortened form is bici, which is used across much of the Spanish-speaking world . But regional speech has produced alternatives including cicla, ciclo, cleta, bicla, baica, chiva and burra. FundéuRAE, which advises on Spanish usage, confirms that bici, ciclo and cicla are established shortened forms, while more colloquial words include baica and cleta.

In Colombia , cicla is a familiar alternative to bici, while burra is also used informally for a bicycle. Colombian public broadcaster Señal Colombia describes burra as a popular name for a bike.

Chile is particularly associated with cleta, a shortened form of bicicleta. In Mexico , cyclists may hear bici, bicla, baica or cleta, among other local expressions. Baica or baika appears to have developed from the English word bike.

Other expressions become even more local. Chiva is used for a bicycle in Uruguay, for example, while cycling sources also document cicla and burra in Colombia and cleta in Argentina and Chile.

Brazil stands out for another reason. Its national language is Portuguese rather than Spanish, and the standard word is bicicleta. The English borrowing bike is also widely used, alongside Brazilian slang such as magrela and camelo.

The variety shows how one standard word can change as it moves through different countries and communities. Even within a single country, vocabulary can vary by city, generation and social group, so there is rarely one exclusive national word for a bicycle.

Coca-Cola, Red Bull and Monster Energy are sold across much of the world, but their global footprints are not identical, with Coca-Cola operating on the broadest scale and the two energy-drink businesses continuing to expand internationally.

The maps show all three brands reaching most of Europe, the Americas and large parts of Africa and Asia. However, official company information suggests some of the country-by-country shading should be treated cautiously because distribution changes and companies do not publish identical measures of availability.

The Coca-Cola Company says beverages carrying its trademarks are sold in more than 200 countries and territories . Its vast distribution network includes more than 200 bottling partners and over 950 production facilities worldwide, helping deliver about 2.2 billion servings each day.

That does not necessarily mean every Coca-Cola product is available everywhere. The company's portfolio contains around 200 brands, and the drinks sold differ from market to market.

Red Bull reaches 178 countries

Red Bull also has a large international presence . The Austrian company says the energy drink was sold in 178 countries at the end of 2025.

Its worldwide sales reached a record 13.969 billion cans in 2025, up 10.2% from 2024. Revenue increased 8.6% to €12.196 billion.

Red Bull's international expansion is notable given its relatively recent history. The drink was first launched in Austria in 1987, decades after Coca-Cola had already developed a large international distribution network.

Monster continues international expansion

Monster Beverage has a slightly smaller but still extensive footprint. Its 2025 annual report says one or more of its products are distributed in approximately 158 countries and territories.

International business is also becoming increasingly important to the company. Sales to customers outside the United States reached $3.44 billion in 2025, accounting for about 41% of total net sales, up from 38% in 2023.

Monster's international distribution is closely linked to Coca-Cola. The companies have distribution agreements under which Coca-Cola's network of bottlers distributes Monster products in many markets. Monster says substantially all of its international distribution territories have transitioned to Coca-Cola network bottlers and distributors.

The world's biggest economies have changed substantially since 2000, with China and India recording some of the largest jumps while the United States remains firmly in first place, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The IMF's April 2026 World Economic Outlook projects US nominal GDP at about $32.38 trillion in 2026, making it the world's largest economy at current US dollar exchange rates. China follows at $20.85 trillion, while Germany ranks third at about $5.45 trillion.

Japan, once the world's second-largest economy, is projected to rank fourth at $4.38 trillion, narrowly ahead of the United Kingdom at $4.26 trillion. India follows at $4.15 trillion, ahead of France and Italy.

China and India make the biggest advances

The change since 2000 is particularly striking for Asia's two most populous countries.

China was the sixth-largest economy in 2000, with a nominal GDP of roughly $1.22 trillion. It is projected to rank second in 2026, an increase of four places.

India has moved even further up the table. It ranked 13th in 2000, with a GDP of about $468 billion, but is projected to reach sixth place in 2026. That represents a seven-place rise.

Russia also shows a large change in the graphic, moving from 20th in 2000 to a projected ninth in 2026. Australia rises from 16th to 12th.

Meanwhile, several established advanced economies have slipped in relative position. Japan falls from second to fourth, France from fifth to seventh, Canada from eighth to 11th and Spain from 11th to 14th.

Türkiye, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are projected to be among the top 20 in 2026 after sitting outside it in 2000. Iran, Taiwan and Argentina , which were among the 20 largest economies at the start of the century, are no longer in the group under the graphic's comparison.

The rankings do not measure living standards

These figures measure nominal GDP in current US dollars, so they show the total dollar value of each economy rather than how wealthy individual residents are. Exchange-rate movements can also change a country's dollar GDP and therefore its ranking even without an equivalent change in its real economic output.

The 2026 figures should also not be treated as final results. They are IMF projections based on information available through April 1, 2026. The IMF says its historical figures are also updated as new information becomes available.

The April outlook projects global economic growth of 3.1% in 2026, but the IMF warns that geopolitical tensions, trade disruption and other risks could weaken the outlook.

Latin American and Caribbean governments collect a considerably smaller share of their economies in taxes than OECD countries on average , although the gap varies widely across the region, according to the OECD’s Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2026 report.

In 2024, the region’s average tax-to-GDP ratio was 21.7%, meaning governments collected the equivalent of roughly one-fifth of economic output through taxes and social security contributions. The OECD average was 34.1%.

Brazil recorded the highest ratio in the region at 33.7%, approaching the OECD average. Argentina stood at 27.6%, Uruguay at 27.3%, Costa Rica at 24.8% and Bolivia at 23.6%.

At the other end, Guyana had the lowest ratio at 9.2%, followed by Panama at 11.3% and Guatemala at 14.3%. Mexico, Latin America’s second-largest economy, collected taxes equal to 18.3% of GDP.

The regional average rose by 0.2 percentage points from 2023, with tax-to-GDP ratios increasing in 15 of the 28 countries covered and falling in 13. Brazil and Cuba were among the countries recording some of the largest increases, partly reflecting tax reforms.

The way governments raise money also differs from much of the OECD. Taxes on goods and services, including VAT, generated 49.2% of total tax revenue in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024. Income and profit taxes contributed 29.1%, while social security contributions accounted for 15.9%.

From Scotland to Catalonia, movements seeking independence or greater self-government remain part of Europe's political landscape, but the map risks making very different campaigns look more alike than they really are.

Scotland has one of the continent's most prominent independence movements. Scots rejected independence by 55% to 45% in a 2014 referendum, but the Scottish National Party continues to seek another vote. In August 2026, Scotland's government published a draft referendum bill proposing the same basic question used in 2014, although it says the legislation would be introduced only after the necessary legal powers are secured.

The UK government remains opposed to another referendum. In September it said it had been elected on a commitment not to support Scottish independence or another vote.

Wales also has an organised independence movement led politically by Plaid Cymru, while Northern Ireland's constitutional debate is different. Nationalists there generally seek reunification with the Republic of Ireland, rather than an independent Northern Irish state. Under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland Act, a referendum must be called if it appears likely that a majority would support a united Ireland.

Independence is not the goal everywhere

In Belgium, Flemish nationalism remains politically significant. The New Flemish Alliance, or N-VA, says its eventual goal is an independent Flanders within Europe , but currently advocates a gradual move towards a more confederal Belgium and acknowledges there is no democratic majority for outright independence.

Catalonia remains another of Europe's best-known cases. Its 2017 independence referendum, which Spanish courts had ruled illegal, triggered the country's biggest constitutional crisis in decades. The movement remains politically active, although the balance of power and strategies within Catalan nationalism have changed considerably since then.

Other places shown on the map have much weaker separatist movements or are mainly debating greater autonomy. South Tyrol already enjoys extensive self-government within Italy, for example, and academic research describes support for secession there as relatively weak.

Corsica provides an even clearer example of why the distinction matters. France is considering a constitutional change that would give Corsica an autonomous status within the French Republic, not independence. France's National Assembly approved the proposal at first reading in June 2026 before sending it to the Senate.

Movements also exist in places including Brittany, Galicia, the Basque Country, Bavaria, Sicily and Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but they differ substantially in their political support, objectives and legal circumstances. Some campaign for sovereignty, others for more regional powers, while some independence parties have only limited electoral support.

Common ragweed, a highly allergenic plant native to North America , has spread across large parts of Europe and other regions, creating growing problems for public health and agriculture.

The International Ragweed Society says common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is now the most widespread ragweed species in Europe. Major invasion hotspots include the Pannonian region around Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia, Romania and Austria, while substantial populations are also found in Serbia, Italy, Ukraine and parts of France.

The plant is also present much farther afield. The society says ragweed species have been recorded across temperate and tropical Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and Pacific islands , in addition to their native North America.

Why ragweed is a problem

The biggest concern is its pollen. Common ragweed releases large amounts of wind-borne pollen in late summer and early autumn, which can travel long distances. It is a major cause of seasonal allergies and can trigger more serious reactions, including pollen-induced asthma.

This can extend the allergy season because ragweed flowers relatively late in the year, affecting some people after the main spring and early-summer pollen seasons have passed.

Ragweed is also an agricultural problem. It can invade fields, roadsides and disturbed land, compete with crops and reduce yields. Its ability to produce large numbers of seeds makes established populations difficult to eliminate.

Its European spread accelerated substantially during the second half of the 20th century. The International Ragweed Society points to changes in farming, urbanisation and international trade in seeds and grain as important factors helping it spread.

Climate change could worsen the problem. The society says warmer conditions can allow ragweed to establish itself in new areas. At the same time, higher carbon dioxide levels and longer growing seasons may increase the amount and allergenic effects of its pollen.