Uruguay has the highest share of urban residents in Latin America, with 95.9% of its population living in urban areas in 2024, according to the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanisation Prospects .

The UN estimates that nearly all Uruguayans now live in cities and towns, reflecting one of the world's most urbanised societies. The country's population is heavily concentrated around Montevideo, which, together with its surrounding metropolitan area, accounts for more than half of the national population.

Puerto Rico ranks second with 93.7%, followed by Argentina at 92.6%. Venezuela places fourth with 88.5%, narrowly ahead of Chile at 88.1% and Brazil at 88.0%.

Among Latin America's largest economies, urban populations now dominate national demographics.

Brazil, the region's most populous country, has almost nine in ten people living in urban areas. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Belo Horizonte and Salvador remain among the country's largest metropolitan centres.

Mexico ranks tenth with 81.9%, driven by continued growth around Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Colombia follows closely with 82.7%, where Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla account for a significant share of the country's population.

The Dominican Republic records 85.0%, while Costa Rica reaches 83.2%, with urban growth concentrated around Santo Domingo and the Greater Metropolitan Area of San José, respectively.

According to the United Nations, Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the world's most urbanised regions, with urbanisation accelerating rapidly throughout the second half of the 20th century as millions of people moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment, education and healthcare.

The UN projects that urbanisation will continue increasing across much of the region over the coming decades, although growth is expected to slow as many countries approach saturation levels where the overwhelming majority of their populations already live in urban areas.

The index, published by the Global Tax Expenditures Lab (GTEL), evaluates how governments disclose tax expenditures, including tax exemptions, deductions, credits and reduced tax rates. These measures represent government revenue forgone through the tax system and are widely used to support economic sectors, investment and social policy .

Indonesia climbed one place from the previous edition to lead the global rankings with 79.9 points, narrowly ahead of the Republic of Korea, which scored 78.3 after slipping from first place.

Australia recorded one of the greatest improvements, rising eight places to third with 76.3, while the Netherlands also climbed eight positions to fourth on 75.5. Canada completed the top five with 72.9, despite dropping two places.

Germany ranked sixth with 72.2, followed by the Russian Federation on 71.3. Benin emerged as Africa's highest-ranked country, placing eighth globally with 71.0, while France and Brazil rounded out the top ten with 68.9 and 68.8, respectively.

Unlike broader tax competitiveness rankings, the GTETI focuses exclusively on transparency. It assesses whether governments publish comprehensive information about tax expenditures, including their legal basis, estimated fiscal cost, policy objectives, beneficiaries and regular evaluations.

The index examines five key dimensions: institutional frameworks, the quality and scope of reporting, accessibility of information, oversight and accountability, and the use of evaluations to determine whether tax incentives achieve their intended goals.

According to the Global Tax Expenditures Lab, transparent reporting allows governments, legislators and the public to better understand the true cost of tax incentives and whether they deliver value for money.

Tax expenditures can amount to several percentage points of a country's gross domestic product and often rival direct government spending in size. Yet many governments still provide limited public information on these measures.

The GTETI argues that stronger reporting improves fiscal accountability, supports evidence-based policymaking and helps governments assess whether tax incentives remain justified over time.

The European Union has introduced sweeping changes to the way low-value imports are handled, ending a long-standing system that allowed millions of inexpensive parcels to enter the bloc with minimal customs scrutiny.

Since 1 July 2026, new customs rules have been designed to tighten oversight of cross-border e-commerce, improve product safety and create fairer competition for European retailers.

The reform, proposed by the European Commission as part of its Customs Union overhaul, comes after a surge in small parcels shipped directly to EU consumers. According to the Commission, around 5.8 billion low-value consignments entered the EU in 2025, equivalent to roughly 12 million parcels every day. Approximately 90% of those shipments originated from China , with platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress accounting for a significant share of the volume.

Under the new framework, every imported parcel will require a customs declaration, including consignments valued below €150, which previously benefited from simplified procedures.

Online marketplaces also face a handling fee on direct-to-consumer shipments. The European Commission has proposed a €2 fee for parcels handled through the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) system and €3 for consignments processed outside that scheme.

The measure still requires approval by EU member states and the European Parliament, but customs reforms introducing stricter controls have begun taking effect from July. Reuters has reported that the proposed fee is intended to help national customs authorities manage the rapidly growing volume of imports.

Consumers may therefore face higher final prices as retailers pass on some of the additional administrative and customs costs.

EU officials argue that the existing system has struggled to cope with the explosive growth of ultra-low-cost online shopping.

The Council of the European Union and the European Commission say the reforms aim to reduce unfair competition for European businesses, strengthen customs enforcement and improve checks on products entering the single market. Authorities have repeatedly raised concerns about unsafe products, undervalued shipments and counterfeit goods entering through high-volume e-commerce channels.

The Commission estimates that the previous customs framework was designed for a far smaller volume of imports and no longer reflects today's digital retail market.

According to the  World Bank , it is important to pay taxes as "Taxation not only pays for public goods and services; it is also a key ingredient in the social contract between citizens and the economy."

Despite the "glaring" benefits, as of Tuesday, June 18, 2024, Trading Economics  reports  that three countries and territories offer the advantage of no income tax to their citizens and residents.

Here are three countries with no income tax:

Qatar

In Qatar, the tax system is based on the territorial principle. This means that individuals are subject to taxation in Qatar if they have earned income originating within the country, irrespective of their tax residency status. However, personal income from employment, such as salaries, wages, and various allowances, is not subject to income tax, explains PwC tax summaries.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has no income tax but VAT-registered businesses pay VAT at a standard rate of 15% which was introduced in 2021. "Raising VAT was a painful measure and I hate to hurt any Saudi citizen, but it is my duty to build Saudis a long-term sustainable future," the prince said in an interview aired on Saudi TV to mark the fifth anniversary of Vision 2030. Raising VAT to 15% is a temporary decision that will last one to five years and then it will go down to between 5% to 10%," Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a televised remark in 2021 as reported by  Reuters .

United Arab Emirates

In the UAE, individuals, investors, and corporations are exempt from income tax, except for oil companies and foreign bank branches. The country's longstanding free economy model permits the full repatriation of profits without restrictions. The UAE's substantial oil and natural gas reserves provide a significant portion of government revenue, reducing the need to tax personal incomes.

These tax havens attract people with the promise of keeping more of their hard-earned money, but how do these countries manage without the revenue from income taxes?

The secret lies in alternative  sources  of revenue. For instance, some countries are rich in natural resources like oil and gas, which can be heavily taxed at the corporate level. Others rely on tourism, imposing taxes on goods and services consumed by visitors, or on luxury items and real estate transactions.

China has the world's highest level of trust in media, according to the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer , with a media trust score of 81, ahead of Indonesia (76) and the United Arab Emirates (74). The findings underline a widening divide between developing and developed economies in public confidence in news institutions.

The annual survey, conducted by the Edelman Trust Institute, measures trust in four major institutions: government , business, media and NGOs. The media score reflects the percentage of respondents who said they trust media to "do what is right," based on a nine-point scale and reported as the share selecting the top four levels of trust. The 2026 edition surveyed 33,938 respondents across 28 countries between October and November 2025.

China retained its position as the highest-trusting market for media with 81 points, reinforcing a long-running trend in Edelman's surveys. Indonesia ranked second with 76, while the United Arab Emirates followed with 74.

Among African countries included in the survey, Kenya and Nigeria both scored 70, placing them among the world's most trusting populations when it comes to media. Thailand recorded 67, Saudi Arabia 66, and India 65, with every country on the list remaining above the global threshold Edelman classifies as "trust" rather than neutrality or distrust.

The 2026 report shows that developing markets generally report substantially higher institutional trust than developed economies. Edelman found that developing countries averaged a Trust Index score of 66, compared with 49 across developed countries.

The report argues that growing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and social fragmentation have encouraged people to place greater confidence in familiar domestic institutions, including national media. At the same time, respondents in many advanced economies expressed increasing scepticism toward institutions and information sources.

Edelman says trust remains one of the strongest predictors of whether citizens believe information, engage with public institutions and support businesses. The report also found that business continues to be viewed as the world's most trusted institution overall, while media trust varies significantly between countries depending on political, economic and social conditions.

Life at extreme altitude is not limited to remote mountain villages. Some of the world's highest permanent settlements are home to hundreds of thousands, and in some cases more than a million people , who have adapted to thin air, freezing nights and reduced oxygen levels.

Leading the list is La Rinconada in southeastern Peru, the world's highest permanent settlement at approximately 5,100 metres (16,732 feet) above sea level. Located near the Ananea gold mines in the Andes, the town grew rapidly because of informal gold mining despite lacking many basic public services. Encyclopaedia Britannica and scientific studies describe it as one of the harshest places on Earth to live, where oxygen levels are roughly half those at sea level.

Bolivia is home to three of the ten highest settlements on the list.

El Alto, at around 4,150 metres, is the world's highest major city and one of Bolivia's fastest-growing urban centres. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, it has grown into an economic hub linked directly to neighbouring La Paz through highways and one of the world's highest urban cable car systems.

Nearby Potosí, sitting at about 4,050 metres, was once among the richest cities in the world after vast silver deposits were discovered at Cerro Rico in the 16th century. During the Spanish Empire, its mines supplied enormous quantities of silver that helped finance Spain's global ambitions.

Although often regarded as Bolivia's capital, La Paz is the country's administrative capital and lies at around 3,650 to 3,870 metres, depending on the district. Government offices are located there, while Sucre remains Bolivia's constitutional capital.

Living above 2,500 metres presents significant physiological challenges. The World Economic Forum notes that lower oxygen levels reduce physical performance for newcomers, while long-term residents often develop genetic and biological adaptations that improve oxygen transport.

Research published in scientific journals and summarised by IFLScience shows that populations in the Andes, Tibetan Plateau and Ethiopian Highlands have evolved different adaptations over thousands of years. Tibetans, for example, have genetic traits that allow more efficient oxygen use without producing excessive red blood cells, while many Andean populations tend to have higher haemoglobin concentrations.

China's Lhasa, standing at approximately 3,650 metres, is the historic capital of Tibet and home to the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served for centuries as the residence of the Dalai Lamas.

Peru's Cusco, at roughly 3,400 metres, was the capital of the Inca Empire before the arrival of the Spanish and remains one of South America's most important historical cities.

Further north, Quito in Ecuador sits at around 2,850 metres on the slopes of the Andes. Its historic centre is one of the best-preserved colonial districts in Latin America and was among the first sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1978.

Bogotá, Colombia's capital, stands at approximately 2,640 metres, while Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, sits at around 2,450 metres and is often described as Africa's highest capital city. Asmara, the capital of Eritrea at 2,325 metres, is recognised by UNESCO for its exceptionally preserved Italian modernist architecture.

The family backgrounds of recent U.S. presidents tell a long history of immigration and interwoven European ancestry, with English, Irish, Scottish and German heritage appearing most frequently across the White House since the 20th century.

President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January 2025, traces his ancestry primarily to Germany through his paternal grandparents, Friedrich Trump and Elisabeth Christ, who emigrated from the Kingdom of Bavaria in the 1880s. On his mother's side, he descends from Scottish immigrants from the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

Joe Biden's documented ancestry is predominantly Irish and English, with additional French roots. Much of his paternal family originated in Counties Louth and Mayo in Ireland before emigrating to Pennsylvania during the 19th century.

Barack Obama has one of the most internationally diverse family backgrounds of any U.S. president. His father, Barack Obama Sr., was a Luo from Kenya , while his mother's ancestry includes English, Irish, Scottish, German, French, Swiss and Welsh forebears, as documented by professional genealogists and academic studies.

English ancestry remains the most common thread among modern U.S. presidents.

Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Harry Truman, Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Franklin D. Roosevelt all trace substantial portions of their ancestry to early English settlers who arrived during the colonial period.

Irish ancestry is also widespread. John F. Kennedy became the first Irish Catholic president in 1961, while Biden, Clinton and Reagan all have well-documented Irish roots.

Scottish ancestry appears repeatedly as well, reflecting migration from both Scotland and the Ulster Scots community that settled extensively across colonial America during the 18th century.

German heritage is another recurring feature, particularly among Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose family descended from German immigrants who arrived in Pennsylvania in the 18th century. Eisenhower also had Swiss ancestry through his maternal line.

Immigration shaped America's political leadership

Several presidents reflect America's broader immigration story.

Gerald Ford had English, Scottish and Polish ancestry. Richard Nixon combined English, German, Welsh and Ulster Scots heritage. George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush both descended from families with English, German, Dutch, Irish, French, Scottish and Swedish roots.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's ancestry included Dutch settlers whose family arrived in New Netherland during the 17th century, alongside English, French and Scottish lines.

These genealogical records demonstrate that while presidents have represented different political parties and generations, many share common ancestral origins rooted in successive waves of European migration to North America.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies nearly  4,000 species  as critically endangered, meaning they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. This list includes a diverse array of animals, from majestic mammals and elusive reptiles to unique birds and marine creatures.

Understanding the plight of these critically endangered animals is crucial for driving conservation efforts and ensuring that these species do not disappear forever.

Here are some of the world's most endangered animals and the challenges they face:

Javan rhino

The Javan rhino is one of the rarest large mammals on Earth, with only around 75 individuals left in the wild. These rhinos are confined to Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia, where they face threats from habitat loss and potential natural disasters.

Amur leopard

With fewer than 100 individuals remaining, the Amur leopard is critically endangered. Found in the forests of eastern Russia and northeastern China, these leopards suffer from habitat loss, poaching, and inbreeding due to their small population size.

Sunda Island tiger

The Sunda Island tiger, also known as the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica), is a critically endangered subspecies found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. This tiger is the smallest of all living tiger subspecies, distinguished by its darker fur and closely spaced black stripes with fewer than 600 individuals left in the wild. Habitat loss and poaching are the primary threats to their survival.

Tapanuli orangutan

The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) is one of the most critically endangered great apes in the world . Discovered as a distinct species in 2017, it is found only in the Batang Toru ecosystem in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The population is estimated to be fewer than 800 individuals, making it the rarest of the three orangutan species.

Mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. These magnificent primates inhabit the dense forests of the Virunga volcanic mountains in Central Africa, spanning Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Recent estimates show only about 1,000 mountain gorillas are left in the wild.

Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage match against Haiti has generated the biggest surge in Google searches worldwide since the tournament kicked off on June 11, according to Google Trends' global Rising Queries.

The match ranked first among football fixtures experiencing the fastest growth in search interest, ahead of Portugal versus Uzbekistan and France versus Iraq. Every fixture in the top 10 achieved Google's "Breakout" status, indicating search interest rose by more than 5,000% compared with the previous measurement period.

Google Trends' Rising Queries measures the fastest-growing searches rather than the highest total search volume. A "Breakout" label is assigned when search interest increases by more than 5,000%, highlighting topics experiencing exceptional spikes in public attention.

The rankings underscore the global appeal of traditional football powerhouses such as Brazil, Portugal and France, while also showing that matches involving emerging football nations can capture worldwide curiosity.

Brazil tops the list

Brazil's clash with Haiti led the rankings, reflecting intense international interest in one of football's most successful national teams.

Portugal featured twice in the top 10, with matches against Uzbekistan and DR Congo placing second and sixth, respectively. France's encounter with Iraq ranked third, while Algeria appeared twice through fixtures against Austria and Jordan.

The complete top 10 Rising Queries were:

According to Google Trends, these rankings reflect the fastest-growing searches globally since June 11 rather than the tournament's most-watched or highest-attended matches.

The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams competing across Canada, Mexico and the United States , making it the largest edition in the tournament's history. The increased number of participating nations has introduced new matchups, helping drive online interest beyond traditional football rivalries.

Indonesia has been ranked the world's friendliest country for local friendliness, according to the Expat Insider 2026 survey by InterNations, with Colombia and Mexico completing the top three, as expatriates highlighted warm welcomes and the ease of building relationships with residents.

The annual survey, one of the world's largest studies of expatriate experiences, asked thousands of people living abroad to rate various aspects of life in their host countries, including how friendly local people are, how easy it is to make local friends and whether expats feel welcome.

Indonesia claimed the top position in the Local Friendliness category, ahead of Colombia, Mexico, the Philippines and Brazil. Completing the top ten were Panama, Oman, Thailand, Kenya and Vietnam, reflecting strong performances across Southeast Asia, Latin America , the Middle East and parts of Africa.

According to InterNations, the Local Friendliness ranking measures expatriates' perceptions of how welcoming residents are toward foreigners and how comfortable newcomers feel interacting with local communities. The rankings are based on personal experiences rather than tourism reviews or public opinion polls.

Indonesia has consistently performed well in recent editions of Expat Insider. Respondents frequently cite the country's welcoming culture, community-oriented society and everyday hospitality as reasons they feel accepted. Many also report that locals are approachable and willing to help newcomers adjust to daily life.

Latin America also stood out in the 2026 results. Colombia ranked second, while Mexico and Brazil placed third and fifth, respectively. Panama finished sixth, reinforcing the region's reputation for openness and strong social connections between expatriates and residents.

Southeast Asia dominated the upper end of the rankings, with Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam all securing places in the top ten. InterNations has previously noted that countries in the region often receive high scores for friendliness, personal interactions and the ease with which expatriates integrate into local communities.

Outside Asia and Latin America, Oman ranked seventh and Kenya ninth. Oman has regularly been recognised by InterNations for its welcoming atmosphere and high quality of life for expatriates, while Kenya's appearance in the top ten highlights positive experiences reported by foreign residents living in East Africa.

InterNations conducts its Expat Insider survey annually, drawing on responses from thousands of expatriates representing numerous nationalities and destinations worldwide. The rankings evaluate countries across multiple dimensions, including quality of life, working abroad, personal finance, ease of settling in and local friendliness.

The Local Friendliness ranking focuses specifically on expatriates' day-to-day interactions with residents rather than broader measures such as safety, infrastructure or economic performance, making it a snapshot of where newcomers feel most welcomed by local communities.

Mexico remains the world's largest Spanish-speaking country by native speakers, with about 138.1 million people speaking Spanish as their first language, according to World Population Review population estimates.

The ranking highlights the global reach of Spanish, one of the world's most widely spoken languages. More than 500 million people speak Spanish as a native language, making it the second-most spoken native language globally after Mandarin Chinese, according to the Instituto Cervantes.

The United States ranks second with approximately 65.5 million Spanish speakers. Although English is the country's dominant language, decades of immigration from Latin America, particularly Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Central America, have made the U.S. home to one of the world's largest Spanish-speaking populations. Around 69.5% of Spanish speakers in the U.S. are native speakers, according to World Population Review.

Latin America accounts for eight of the world's ten largest Spanish-speaking populations.

After Mexico and the United States, Colombia ranks third with 53.1 million native Spanish speakers, followed by Spain with 48.9 million and Argentina with 47.5 million.

The remaining countries in the top ten are Peru (30.6 million), Venezuela (29.4 million), Chile (20.2 million), Ecuador (17.5 million) and Guatemala (17 million).

Spanish is the official language in 20 sovereign states across Europe and the Americas and is also one of the six official languages of the United Nations .

The United States is unique among the top-ranked countries because it has no federal official language, yet it hosts the world's second-largest Spanish-speaking population.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the country's Hispanic population has grown steadily over recent decades, driven by both immigration and natural population growth. Spanish is the most widely spoken language after English and is used extensively in education, media, business and public services.

Unlike most Latin American countries, however, a smaller share of the U.S. population speaks Spanish as a native language compared with countries where Spanish is the national language.

The Instituto Cervantes estimates that nearly 600 million people worldwide use Spanish, including native speakers, second-language speakers and learners.

Spanish is the official language of international organisations, including the United Nations, the European Union, the Organisation of American States and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). It is also one of the most studied foreign languages globally.

Population growth across Latin America, together with the continued expansion of Hispanic communities in the United States, is expected to sustain Spanish as one of the world's most influential global languages in the coming decades.

Europe has supplied the largest share of the 32 teams that have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with UEFA accounting for 13 nations, according to FIFA's latest qualification standings .

With qualification still underway for the tournament to be hosted by the United States , Canada and Mexico, 32 of the expanded 48 places have been filled. Europe leads with 13 qualified teams, followed by Africa (CAF) with nine, South America (CONMEBOL) with five, North, Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf) with three, and Asia (AFC) with two. The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) had yet to secure a place at the stage reflected in the graphic.

UEFA's 13 qualified nations represent 40.6% of the 32 teams that have booked their places.

Europe has historically dominated the FIFA World Cup, producing 12 of the 22 men's world champions and supplying the largest number of entrants under FIFA's qualification system.

The expanded 2026 tournament allocates 16 direct qualification places to UEFA, the highest of any confederation.

Africa had nine qualified teams, accounting for 28.1% of the confirmed field.

The continent received a record nine automatic qualification places for the expanded tournament, with an additional pathway available through the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

South America's CONMEBOL had five qualified teams, representing 15.6% of the confirmed participants. With only 10 member associations, the confederation continues to have one of the world's highest qualification rates.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions.

FIFA expanded the tournament to increase global representation, particularly for Africa, Asia and Concacaf. The final allocation includes 16 UEFA, 9 CAF, 8 AFC, 6 CONMEBOL, 6 Concacaf (including hosts), 1 OFC, and 2 places decided through the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

Qualification matches remain ongoing, with the remaining places to be decided before the tournament kicks off across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States in June 2026.

FIFA says the expanded format will see 104 matches played over a 39-day tournament, making it the largest World Cup in the competition's history .

A series of strong earthquakes struck multiple regions across the globe within 12 hours, with the strongest a magnitude 6.5 earthquake off the coast of the southern Philippines.

The USGS recorded 11 earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or higher during the period, affecting countries across Asia, Oceania, Central America and the Caribbean. The events ranged from magnitude 4.6 to 6.5, highlighting the concentration of seismic activity along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where tectonic plates frequently interact.

The largest event was a magnitude 6.5 earthquake that struck 34 kilometres west-southwest of Sarangani, Philippines, at a depth of 42 kilometres.

The quake occurred in a region that is among the world's most seismically active due to the interaction of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The USGS assigned the event a Green PAGER alert, indicating that widespread fatalities or major economic losses were unlikely.

The tremor came less than three weeks after a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Mindanao on June 8, underscoring the region's continued seismic activity.

Japan recorded two earthquakes exceeding magnitude 5 during the same period.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck near Yokoshiba at a depth of 43 kilometres, followed later by a magnitude 5.7 event near Oshino at 50.9 kilometres depth, according to the USGS.

Japan sits atop the convergence of four major tectonic plates and experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, making it one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries.

Elsewhere, the USGS recorded:

Most of these earthquakes occurred along active plate boundaries, particularly around the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped belt that accounts for roughly 90% of the world's earthquakes and about 75% of active volcanoes, according to the USGS.

Why earthquakes cluster along the Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire stretches around the Pacific Ocean through the Americas, East Asia and Oceania. Continuous movement of tectonic plates causes frequent earthquakes as plates collide, separate or slide past one another.

Countries such as Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand routinely experience significant seismic activity because they lie directly on these plate boundaries.

Virginia remains the birthplace of more U.S. presidents than any other state, producing eight commanders-in-chief, according to historical records from the National Archives, the White House Historical Association, and Encyclopaedia Britannica.

The state's unmatched contribution includes four of the nation's first five presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe, earning Virginia the nickname "Mother of Presidents." Also born in Virginia were William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson.

Virginia's prominence reflects its central role in the nation's founding. During the colonial period, it was the largest and most influential British colony in North America, producing many of the leaders who shaped the American Revolution and drafted the U.S. Constitution.

Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe each served during the republic's formative decades, helping establish the presidency, expand the nation's territory through the Louisiana Purchase, and define key constitutional principles.

Historians note that Virginia's political influence gradually declined after the early 19th century as population and economic power shifted westward.

Ohio ranks second with seven presidents, including Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G. Harding.

Ohio's rise reflected the country's westward expansion during the 19th century. By the late 1800s, it had become one of America's largest states by population and an industrial powerhouse, making it a crucial battleground in national politics .

The state's influence earned it the nickname "Mother of Presidents" during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it produced five presidents within just 28 years.

New York has produced five presidents: Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Donald Trump.

Massachusetts follows with four: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John F. Kennedy and George H. W. Bush, who was born in Milton before later establishing his political career in Texas.

Four other states have produced two presidents each: North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Vermont.

While birthplace is a notable historical distinction, historians emphasise that many presidents built their political careers elsewhere. Abraham Lincoln, for example, was born in Kentucky but became politically identified with Illinois, while Ronald Reagan was born in Illinois and rose to national prominence in California .

England generated more transfer revenue than any other football association between 2014 and 2023, earning €13.8 billion from player transfers, according to the latest CIES Football Observatory report, highlighting the Premier League's central role in the global transfer market.

The CIES Football Observatory's analysis of international transfer activity shows England comfortably leading the rankings ahead of Italy (€9.8 billion), France (€8.0 billion), Spain (€7.7 billion) and Germany (€7.0 billion).

The figures cover transfer revenues earned by clubs affiliated with each national football association over the ten years, reflecting both domestic and international player trading.

Although England recorded the highest overall transfer revenue, only 36.6% of its earnings came from international transfers, the lowest proportion among the top ten associations.

The data reflects the Premier League's enormous domestic transfer market, where clubs frequently buy and sell players within England for substantial fees. Financial regulations, broadcasting income and commercial revenues have enabled English clubs to spend more than their European counterparts, creating a highly active internal market.

According to Deloitte's Annual Review of Football Finance , Premier League clubs consistently generate the highest revenues of any football league worldwide, supporting record-breaking transfer activity.

By contrast, several football associations depend far more on exporting players abroad.

Portugal recorded €3.9 billion in transfer revenue, with 91.3% generated from international transfers, the highest share among the top ten. Portuguese clubs have long developed young talent before selling players to wealthier European leagues, particularly England, Spain, France and Germany.

The Netherlands (90.0%), Belgium (86.7%), Brazil (85.8%), and Argentina (82.6%) also earned the vast majority of their transfer income through overseas deals.

France generated €8.0 billion, with 73.4% coming from international transfers, reflecting Ligue 1's reputation as one of Europe's leading talent-producing leagues. French academies continue supplying players to elite clubs across Europe, particularly the Premier League.

Outside Europe, Brazil (€2.9 billion) ranked seventh, while Argentina (€1.8 billion) completed the top ten. Both South American nations remain among the world's most important exporters of football talent despite comparatively smaller domestic broadcasting revenues.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has projected that humanoid robots could become one of the largest industries in history , forecasting a global market worth as much as $250 trillion by 2040 if billions of robots are deployed worldwide.

Speaking about Tesla's Optimus programme, Musk said he believes there could eventually be around 10 billion humanoid robots in operation globally, with each unit priced between $20,000 and $25,000. Based on those figures, the market could reach approximately $250 trillion, dwarfing the current valuations of the world's largest technology companies.

The prediction comes as Tesla accelerates development of Optimus, a general-purpose humanoid robot first unveiled in 2021. The company has demonstrated successive generations of the robot performing tasks such as walking, carrying objects, sorting items and operating in controlled factory environments.

Tesla plans to begin wider deployment of Optimus within its own manufacturing facilities before expanding commercial availability. Musk has repeatedly described the robot as potentially more significant to Tesla's long-term future than its electric vehicle business.

The forecast aligns with growing interest across the robotics industry. Goldman Sachs estimates the global humanoid robot market could reach tens of billions of dollars over the next decade, driven by advances in artificial intelligence , declining hardware costs and labour shortages in manufacturing, logistics and elder care.

However, Musk's projection remains far more ambitious than most industry forecasts. Analysts note that reaching 10 billion robots would require production volumes comparable to or exceeding the world's human population , alongside breakthroughs in AI, battery technology, safety systems and manufacturing capacity.

The scale of the prediction becomes clearer when compared with today's corporate giants. According to CompaniesMarketCap data, a $250 trillion market would be worth roughly 52 times Nvidia's market value , 60 times Google's parent Alphabet, 93 times Microsoft, 100 times Amazon and nearly 180 times Tesla's current valuation.

Despite the challenges, investment in humanoid robotics is accelerating. Companies including Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, Unitree and Chinese manufacturers are competing to commercialise machines capable of performing repetitive and physically demanding tasks currently carried out by humans.

Whether Musk's $250 trillion forecast becomes reality remains uncertain, but industry analysts agree that humanoid robots are moving from science fiction toward commercial deployment, setting up what could become one of the defining technology races of the coming decades.

Lionel Messi is the leading scorer among active players in FIFA World Cup history with 18 goals, but Kylian Mbappé has narrowed the gap to just two goals, setting up a potential changing of the guard at football's biggest tournament.

According to FIFA World Cup records , Messi tops the list with 18 goals after extending his tally during the 2026 tournament. The Argentine captain surpassed former records during his World Cup career, which included lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022.

France forward Mbappé sits second among active players with 16 World Cup goals. Still only in his twenties, the French star has already established himself as one of the tournament's most prolific scorers, having played key roles in France's 2018 World Cup triumph and 2022 runner-up finish.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo remains third with 10 World Cup goals. While the five-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to add to his legendary career, he faces a significant gap to the two players ahead of him.

The numbers highlight a shift between generations. Messi and Ronaldo have dominated global football for nearly two decades, collecting multiple Ballon d'Or awards, league titles and international honours. However, Mbappé's rapid rise has positioned him as the most likely player to challenge Messi's World Cup scoring mark in the years ahead.

FIFA records show that World Cup goals remain among the sport's most valued achievements due to the tournament's four-year cycle and limited opportunities to score on football's biggest stage.

With the 2026 World Cup still unfolding, attention remains focused on whether Messi can further extend his lead, whether Mbappé can overtake him, or whether Ronaldo can produce another memorable chapter in one of football's greatest rivalries.

For now, Messi remains on top, but the race for World Cup scoring supremacy is far from over.

The United States remains the world's leading destination for international students, hosting more than 833,000 learners from abroad, while the United Kingdom holds second place with over 600,000, highlighting the continued dominance of English-speaking countries in global higher education.

Data compiled from UNESCO , national education agencies, and international rankings organisations show that the U.S., UK, Australia and Germany continue to attract hundreds of thousands of foreign students annually, benefiting from globally recognised universities, research opportunities and post-study employment pathways.

According to the figures, the United States hosts approximately 833,204 international students, ahead of the United Kingdom with 600,589. Australia ranks third with 378,439 students, narrowly ahead of Germany's 376,359. Russia, Canada, France, Türkiye, China and Japan complete the top ten.

The rankings reflect broader trends identified by UNESCO and QS World University Rankings, which consistently place American, British and Australian institutions among the world's most sought-after universities. Countries with strong research ecosystems, internationally recognised degrees and favourable visa policies continue to attract the largest share of globally mobile students.

International education has become a major economic sector. In countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, foreign students contribute billions of dollars annually through tuition fees, housing, transportation and consumer spending. Business Day and other economic analysts have noted that international students increasingly represent both an educational and economic asset, supporting universities and local economies alike.

Germany's strong position reflects its reputation for high-quality education and low or no tuition fees at many public universities. Meanwhile, Türkiye, China and Japan have expanded scholarship programmes and international partnerships as they seek to strengthen their roles as regional education hubs.

UNESCO estimates that the number of students pursuing education outside their home countries has grown significantly over the past two decades, driven by globalisation, rising demand for skilled labour and increasing international academic collaboration.

As competition for global talent intensifies, governments and universities are investing heavily in recruitment, research funding and student support services, making international education an increasingly important component of national economic and innovation strategies.

For now, the United States and the United Kingdom remain the world's leading destinations, but emerging education hubs across Europe and Asia are steadily reshaping the global student landscape.

FIFA's expanded 2026 World Cup is not only the largest tournament in the competition's history but also the most lucrative, with the winning nation set to receive $50 million in prize money, according to FIFA's official financial framework for the tournament.

The competition, hosted across the United States , Canada and Mexico, features a record 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions. The expanded format has significantly increased financial rewards, ensuring every participating nation receives a substantial payout regardless of performance.

Under FIFA's prize distribution model, the tournament champions will earn $50 million, while the runners-up will receive $33 million. The third-placed team will take home $29 million, and the fourth-placed side will collect $27 million.

Quarter-finalists are guaranteed $19 million each; teams reaching the Round of 16 will earn $15 million, while nations eliminated in the Round of 32 receive $11 million. Teams exiting in the first knockout round, known as the Round of 48, will receive $9 million.

In addition to performance-based prize money, FIFA has allocated $2.5 million in preparation funding to every qualified nation. This means all 48 participants are guaranteed at least $12.5 million from the tournament.

The increased payouts reflect FIFA's growing commercial revenues from broadcasting rights, sponsorships and global partnerships. The governing body has projected record revenues for the 2023-2026 cycle, driven largely by the first-ever 48-team men's World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly stated that the expanded tournament is designed to increase global participation while ensuring more nations benefit financially from football's biggest event.

For emerging football nations, the guaranteed payments can provide a significant boost to infrastructure development, youth programmes and national team operations. For smaller federations, a World Cup appearance can generate revenues that exceed several years of normal football income.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Prize Money

According to FIFA, the expanded financial structure ensures that all participating nations share in the economic benefits of the world's most-watched sporting event while maintaining substantial rewards for teams that advance deep into the tournament.

The United Kingdom has been led by six prime ministers since 2010, a period marked by Brexit, political upheaval, economic shocks, and rapidly changing leadership at Downing Street.

Data compiled from UK Government records shows former Conservative leader David Cameron remains the longest-serving British prime minister of the period, spending 2,255 days in office between May 2010 and July 2016. Cameron resigned following the Brexit referendum, triggering a decade of political change that reshaped British politics.

Since then, Britain has seen an unusually rapid succession of leaders. Theresa May served 1,106 days as she struggled to deliver Brexit, while Boris Johnson remained in office for 1,140 days before resigning amid political scandals and cabinet resignations.

Liz Truss recorded the shortest premiership in modern British history , lasting just 49 days in 2022 after financial markets reacted negatively to her government's economic plans. She was succeeded by Rishi Sunak, who served 619 days before Labour returned to power in the 2024 general election.

Keir Starmer entered Downing Street in July 2024 after leading Labour to a landslide election victory that ended 14 years of Conservative rule. His government pledged to restore stability and rebuild public trust after years of political turbulence.

According to reports published on June 22, 2026, Starmer announced his resignation , becoming the sixth British prime minister to leave office in just over a decade. His departure continues a period of leadership turnover rarely seen in modern British politics.

Political analysts say the rapid changes reflect the pressures created by Brexit, economic uncertainty, leadership challenges and growing voter dissatisfaction. Since Cameron's departure in 2016, every British prime minister has faced significant political crises that ultimately shortened their time in office.

While Britain remains one of the world's oldest parliamentary democracies, the frequent changes at the top have highlighted the challenges of maintaining long-term political stability in an increasingly fragmented political landscape.

British Prime Ministers Since 2010 (Days in Office)

As Britain prepares for another leadership transition, the next occupant of Number 10 Downing Street will become the country's seventh prime minister in roughly a decade, underscoring one of the most politically volatile periods in modern UK history.

Samsung retained its position as the world's largest smartphone vendor in the first quarter of 2026, narrowly edging Apple as global smartphone shipments declined amid weaker consumer demand and ongoing economic uncertainty, according to data from the IDC Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker .

Samsung shipped 62.4 million smartphones worldwide during the January-March period, giving it a slim lead over Apple, which shipped 61.8 million units. Together, the two companies accounted for more than 40% of all smartphones shipped globally during the quarter.

The overall smartphone market shipped 293.8 million devices, representing a 2.9% year-on-year decline, according to IDC figures.

Samsung's shipments increased 2.9% from a year earlier, supported by demand for its flagship Galaxy devices and mid-range smartphone portfolio.

Apple recorded stronger growth, with shipments rising 4.4% year-on-year, reflecting continued demand for the iPhone lineup across key markets, particularly in premium smartphone segments.

The close gap between the two companies underscores the increasingly competitive battle for leadership in the global smartphone industry.

China-based manufacturers experienced a more challenging quarter.

Xiaomi remained the third-largest smartphone vendor globally with 33.8 million shipments, though volumes fell 19.1% from a year earlier.

Oppo shipped 30.7 million devices, down 9.9%, while Vivo delivered 21.2 million units, a decline of 6.9%.

Market analysts have pointed to slowing consumer spending, longer device replacement cycles and intense competition as factors weighing on several Android manufacturers.

Germany and the United States sit atop football's all-time World Cup honours list when men's and women's FIFA World Cup titles are combined, underlining decades of dominance across both sides of the game.

According to FIFA records and Women's World Cup archives, Germany has won six FIFA World Cup titles — four men's crowns and two women's championships — while the United States has captured four Women's World Cup titles, the most by any nation in the women's game.

The combined rankings highlight a small group of countries that have consistently produced elite national teams, with Brazil , Italy, Argentina and France also featuring prominently among football's most successful nations.

Germany's men's team won the FIFA World Cup in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014, while Germany's women lifted the Women's World Cup in 2003 and 2007, becoming the first nation to win both the men's and women's global titles.

Germany's six combined titles place it among football's most successful countries across both competitions.

The United States owes its place among football's most successful nations largely to the achievements of the US Women's National Team.

The Americans won Women's World Cup titles in 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019, more than any other nation. The team also became the first to win back-to-back Women's World Cups since Germany's consecutive triumphs in 2003 and 2007.

The USWNT remains one of the most successful teams in international sport and continues to rank among the world's elite women's national sides.

Brazil also remains the most successful nation in the men's FIFA World Cup, having won a record five titles in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. However, the country's women's team has yet to win a Women's World Cup despite reaching the 2007 final.

Argentina, France and Uruguay have also strengthened their standing through success in the men's tournament, while Japan and Norway entered football history by winning Women's World Cup titles in 2011 and 1995, respectively.

FIFA World Cup history shows that when it comes to all-continent finals, Europe has overwhelmingly dominated the sport's biggest stag e.

Since the inaugural tournament in 1930, there have been 11 World Cup finals contested by teams from the same continent, with nine featuring two European nations and only two involving South American rivals, according to FIFA records.

The trend highlights Europe's sustained strength in international football, particularly since the latter half of the 20th century, as UEFA nations have regularly produced multiple title contenders capable of reaching the final.

The first all-European World Cup final took place in 1934, when host nation Italy defeated Czechoslovakia 2-1 after extra time in Rome. Four years later, Italy successfully defended its title with a 4-2 victory over Hungary.

Subsequent all-European finals came in:

Many of these matches became defining moments in football history , including England's only World Cup triumph in 1966 and Spain's maiden title in 2010.

South America has produced only two same-continent finals, both in the tournament's early decades.

The first World Cup final in 1930 saw Uruguay defeat Argentina 4-2 in Montevideo, while 1950 featured the famous Uruguay-Brazil showdown at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium, where Uruguay stunned the hosts 2-1 in what became known as the "Maracanazo."

Despite South America producing some of football's most successful nations, including Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, intercontinental finals have been far more common than all-CONMEBOL deciders.

Germany opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 7-1 win over Curaçao in Group E, matching the scoreline of their historic victory over Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals.

The result made Curaçao only the second team to lose 7-1 to Germany at a World Cup, while underlining the four-time champions' attacking strength as they began their quest for a fifth title.

For Curaçao, the match marked a difficult start to their first-ever World Cup appearance after a landmark qualification campaign. Despite the heav

The victory over Curaçao, meanwhile, came during the group stage of the expanded 2026 tournament. Although lacking the drama and stakes of a World Cup semi-final, the result highlighted Germany's attacking efficiency and reinforced their status as one of the tournament's strongest contenders.

Curaçao's appearance at the World Cup itself marked a historic achievement for the Caribbean nation, whose population is just over 150,000. Qualifying for the finals represented one of the greatest accomplishments in the country's football history , despite the difficult introduction against one of the sport's traditional giants.

Germany's emphatic victory leaves them well placed in Group E ahead of clashes with Ivory Coast and Ecuador, while Curaçao will seek a response as they chase their first points on football's biggest stage.

The scoreline also secured Germany's place in World Cup history as the only nation to record two 7-1 victories at the tournament.

A review of player birthplaces shows 98 World Cup players were born in France, more than any other country. The figure reflects not only France's renowned football development system but also the increasingly international nature of modern football, where players often represent nations linked to their family heritage rather than their place of birth.

The trend has been highlighted in reporting by The New York Times , which has documented how migration, dual nationality and diaspora communities have transformed the composition of national teams across major international tournaments.

The 10 most common birthplaces among players at the 2026 World Cup are:

Europe accounts for nine of the top ten birthplaces, highlighting the continent's continued dominance in player development and elite football infrastructure .

A global game with local roots

Many players born in France represent countries in Africa, the Caribbean and other regions due to FIFA eligibility rules, which allow athletes to play for nations connected through parents, grandparents or citizenship.

France's diverse population and extensive youth academy network have helped make the country one of football's most productive talent exporters. Similar patterns can be seen in the Netherlands, England, Belgium and Germany, where multicultural communities have contributed significantly to the international player pool.

India, the world's most populous country with more than 1.47 billion people, remains the largest nation never to qualify for a FIFA World Cup , highlighting one of international football's most striking contrasts between population size and sporting success.

Data compiled by Seasia Stats , based on global population estimates and FIFA qualification records, shows that several of the world's most populous countries have yet to make an appearance at football's premier tournament despite representing hundreds of millions of people.

India tops the list, followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and the Philippines, all nations with populations exceeding 100 million.

While countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Germany and France have built rich World Cup traditions, many heavily populated nations continue to struggle to reach the finals.

According to Seasia Stats, the ten most populous countries that have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup are:

Together, these nations account for more than 2.4 billion people , nearly one-third of the world's population.

The United States remains the world's largest travel and tourism economy by a considerable margin, generating an estimated $2.36 trillion in tourism-related economic activity, according to the latest World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact Research.

The ranking highlights the growing economic power of global tourism as international travel continues to recover and expand beyond pre-pandemic levels, with China firmly holding second place at $1.3 trillion, followed by Germany at $487.6 billion.

According to the WTTC, travel and tourism contributed a record $11.6 trillion to the global economy in 2025, accounting for 9.8% of global GDP and supporting approximately 366 million jobs worldwide, or roughly one in every nine jobs globally.

America Dominates Global Tourism Economy

The United States' tourism sector is worth nearly twice that of second-placed China and exceeds the combined tourism economies of several major European destinations.

WTTC data shows the world's ten largest tourism economies are:

The rankings reflect tourism's total contribution to national economies, including direct spending by visitors as well as indirect and induced economic effects across industries such as aviation, hospitality, retail, transportation and entertainment.l

Asia and Africa are expected to account for nearly 85% of all births worldwide in 2026, highlighting the growing demographic weight of the world's two most populous continents, according to United Nations population projections.

UN estimates indicate that approximately 64.9 million babies will be born in Asia in 2026, representing 49% of global births. Africa is projected to record 47.6 million births, or 35.9% of the worldwide total.

Combined, the two continents will account for 84.9% of all births globally, underscoring a long-term demographic shift that is increasingly concentrating population growth in developing regions.

The projections reflect contrasting demographic trends across the world. While birth rates remain relatively high in many African and South Asian countries, fertility levels have fallen sharply across Europe, East Asia and parts of North America.

Europe is expected to record around 6.1 million births in 2026, accounting for just 4.6% of the global total. Latin America and the Caribbean are projected to account for 9.3 million births, while North America is expected to record about 4 million births. Oceania's share is estimated at roughly 700,000 births.

The figures align with the UN's World Population Prospects, which projects that nearly all future global population growth will occur in Africa. At the same time, several countries in Europe and East Asia face shrinking populations and rapidly ageing societies.

The demographic transformation is already reshaping economic and political priorities. Governments across Africa are investing in education, healthcare and job creation to accommodate expanding young populations, while wealthier nations are increasingly confronting labour shortages and rising pension costs linked to lower birth rates.

India, now the world's most populous country, remains a major driver of global births alongside other populous Asian nations such as Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Across Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are expected to play an increasingly significant role in global population growth over the coming decades.

According to the United Nations , the world's population surpassed 8 billion in 2022 and is projected to continue growing for several more decades before stabilising later this century. Much of that growth will be determined by demographic trends unfolding in Asia and Africa.

Nearly half of all adults in Massachusetts now hold at least a bachelor's degree, cementing the state's position as America's most educated, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data analysed by Business Insider .

Massachusetts led the nation with 48.3% of residents aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, narrowly ahead of Colorado at 47.8%. Vermont, Maryland and New Jersey rounded out the top five, highlighting the continued dominance of the Northeast and highly skilled knowledge-economy states.

The findings come as educational attainment across the United States continues to rise, with the Census Bureau reporting growing shares of Americans earning university degrees, particularly among younger adults.

Based on the share of adults aged 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher, the top 10 states are:

Massachusetts' educational advantage is closely tied to its concentration of world-renowned universities, including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston University and Tufts University. The state also boasts the nation's highest share of adults with graduate or professional degrees at 22.6%.

Experts say highly educated populations often attract technology, healthcare, finance and biotechnology firms, creating a cycle in which talent and economic opportunity reinforce one another. Massachusetts consistently ranks among the strongest U.S. economies and highest-income states.

The Census Bureau's latest educational attainment data show that younger Americans are earning degrees at historically high rates. In 2024, 42.8% of Americans aged 25 to 39 held a bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 34.2% among those aged 55 and older.

Research consistently links higher educational attainment with stronger earnings, lower unemployment and greater economic mobility. States with large concentrations of degree holders also tend to attract high-value industries and investment.

Brazil remains football's biggest talent exporter, with more players competing abroad than any other nation, according to a new report from the CIES Football Observatory , highlighting the country's enduring influence on the global game.

The study found that 3,020 Brazilian footballers played in foreign leagues between 2020 and 2025, comfortably ahead of France (2,293) and Argentina (2,171). Together, the three nations account for a significant share of the world's internationally mobile football talent.

For decades, Brazil has been synonymous with football excellence, producing legends from Pelé and Zico to Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar. The latest figures suggest the country's talent pipeline remains unmatched, with Brazilian players appearing in leagues across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

According to CIES, Portugal remains the leading destination for Brazilian footballers, benefiting from shared language and historical ties. At the same time, Japan, the United States and several European leagues also attract large numbers of Brazilian players.

France ranked second, with the report noting the country recorded the largest increase in expatriate players during the period, adding 372 footballers abroad between 2020 and 2025. Argentina finished third, reinforcing South America's status as one of football's most important talent-producing regions.

England, Spain, Germany and Colombia also featured prominently in the top 10, while Nigeria was the highest-ranked African nation with 926 players competing overseas. Serbia and Croatia completed the list.

The CIES study examined player movements across 135 professional leagues worldwide, reflecting the increasingly global nature of modern football. Analysts say clubs are scouting talent more widely than ever, creating international pathways for players from emerging football markets.

The report also found strong growth in football migration from countries such as Nigeria, Colombia and France, underlining the growing demand for talent from Africa and South America .

Spain has emerged as the top choice among American adults to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a new Pew Research Center survey .

The survey found that 9% of U.S. adults believe Spain will lift the trophy when the World Cup is hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year. Defending champions Argentina and five-time winners Brazil followed closely behind at 8% each, while France and the United States were tied at 7%.

Spain's position at the top of the poll comes after a remarkable resurgence in international football. The Spanish men's team won UEFA Euro 2024, defeating England in the final and showcasing one of the youngest and most talented squads in world football.

With stars such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Nico Williams leading a new generation, Spain has become one of the bookmakers' favourites for the 2026 tournament.

Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar continues to resonate with fans, helping the South American champions secure second place in the survey. Brazil, despite not winning the World Cup since 2002, remains among the most respected teams globally due to its rich history and depth of talent.

France, finalists in both 2018 and 2022, also featured prominently, reflecting confidence in a squad led by some of the sport's biggest stars.

The United States received 7% support, matching France and highlighting growing optimism surrounding the host nation.

The 2026 tournament will mark the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across North America . U.S. Soccer hopes home advantage and increasing interest in the sport can help the national team make a deep run.

The United States remains the world's largest contributor to global financial secrecy, according to the Financial Secrecy Index 2025 published by the Tax Justice Network, highlighting ongoing concerns about hidden wealth, offshore finance, and transparency in the international financial system.

The index ranks jurisdictions based on their contribution to global financial secrecy, combining secrecy levels with the scale of financial services provided to non-residents. The latest report places the United States at the top with a Financial Secrecy Index (FSI) value of 2,018, well ahead of Switzerland and Singapore.

The Tax Justice Network found that the United States accounts for 25.54% of the global market for offshore financial services , giving it the largest influence on worldwide financial secrecy.

Analysts say the country's vast financial sector, combined with varying transparency requirements across states, continues to attract international wealth and corporate structures.

Switzerland, long associated with private banking secrecy, ranked second with an FSI value of 1,398, followed by Singapore (1,228) and Hong Kong (1,111).

Several of the world's biggest financial hubs featured prominently in the top 10, including Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan .

According to the Tax Justice Network, the rankings do not necessarily indicate illegal activity. Instead, they measure how laws, regulations and financial practices can enable assets and ownership structures to remain hidden from foreign authorities.

The organisation argues that greater transparency is essential for combating tax evasion, money laundering and illicit financial flows.

Financial secrecy has become an increasingly important issue for governments seeking to recover lost tax revenues and strengthen oversight of cross-border financial transactions.

International bodies such as the OECD, the International Monetary Fund, and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have pushed for greater information sharing and beneficial ownership disclosure in recent years.

Despite those efforts, the Tax Justice Network says major economies and financial centres still play a significant role in facilitating opaque financial arrangements.

India has overtaken China to become the world's most populous nation, marking a historic demographic shift that is already reshaping global economic growth, labour markets and geopolitical influence.

According to the United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 , India's population is projected to continue growing for several decades, while China's is expected to decline steadily as the effects of low birth rates and population ageing intensify.

The latest UN projections highlight a dramatic reversal in demographic fortunes between the two Asian giants, which together account for more than one-third of humanity.

UN estimates indicate that India's population has risen from approximately 201 million in 1800 to around 1.46 billion today , making it the world's largest country by population .

Under the UN's medium-fertility scenario, India's population is projected to reach roughly 1.68 billion by 2050, before gradually declining to around 1.51 billion by the end of the century.

The growth has been driven by improvements in healthcare, declining mortality rates and a relatively young population. India currently has one of the world's largest working-age populations, a demographic advantage economists often refer to as a "demographic dividend."

However, experts note that turning population growth into economic prosperity will depend on creating sufficient jobs, expanding education and improving infrastructure.

China's demographic story is moving in the opposite direction.

The UN estimates China's population grew from around 330 million in 1800 to a peak of more than 1.4 billion in recent decades. Yet falling fertility rates, rising living costs and longer life expectancy have contributed to a sustained population decline.

Under current projections, China's population is expected to fall from about 1.41 billion today to 1.26 billion by 2050, before shrinking further to approximately 633 million by 2100.

The decline reflects one of the most significant demographic transitions in modern history. China's fertility rate remains well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman despite policy efforts aimed at encouraging larger families.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is the most-watched World Cup in history, with an estimated 5 billion people engaging with the tournament across television, streaming platforms, social media and digital channels, according to FIFA's Global Engagement and Audience Report .

The record-breaking audience places Qatar 2022 ahead of previous editions in Russia, Brazil and South Africa, underscoring football's position as the world's most popular sport and highlighting the growing role of digital media in global sports consumption.

According to FIFA, approximately 5 billion people interacted with World Cup content during the tournament, while the final between Argentina and France achieved a global audience of around 1.42 billion viewers, making it the most-watched FIFA World Cup final on record.

The tournament's reach far exceeded previous editions:

FIFA reported that fans followed the competition through a mix of traditional broadcasting, streaming services, mobile platforms and social media channels, reflecting a major shift in how global audiences consume live sport.

Much of the tournament's appeal centred on Lionel Messi's quest for a first World Cup title. Argentina's dramatic victory over France in one of the most celebrated finals in football history generated unprecedented interest worldwide.

The match, decided on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw, became the tournament's defining moment and helped drive record viewership figures across multiple continents.

FIFA's report found that social media engagement surged during Qatar 2022, with 93.6 million posts, a cumulative reach of 262 billion, and nearly 6 billion social media engagements recorded during the competition.

The governing body has since expanded its digital strategy ahead of the 2026 World Cup, partnering with streaming platforms, creators and social media companies to attract younger audiences. FIFA believes future tournaments could surpass Qatar's already historic engagement levels.

Attention is now shifting to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature a record 48 teams and 104 matches, making it the largest World Cup ever staged.

Spain's iconic Sagrada Família is the world's tallest church, surpassing centuries-old European landmarks and reshaping the global ranking of religious architecture.

According to data compiled from Britannica , the basilica's planned central tower will reach 172.5 metres, placing it ahead of Germany's Ulm Minster (161.5m) and Côte d'Ivoire's Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (158m).

The milestone marks the latest chapter in a project that has been under construction for more than 140 years and remains one of the most recognisable symbols of Barcelona and modern religious architecture.

Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882. The basilica's central tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ, is expected to elevate the structure to 172.5 metres, making it the tallest church building ever constructed.

The Sagrada Família Foundation has stated that the final height was intentionally designed to remain slightly lower than Barcelona's Montjuïc hill, reflecting Gaudí's belief that human creations should not surpass God's natural work.

The project received a major boost following the completion of the Tower of the Virgin Mary in 2021 and continues toward its final stages, despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Europe dominates the rankings

Europe remains home to most of the world's tallest churches, highlighting the continent's centuries-long influence on Christian architecture.

The current top ten includes:

Germany alone accounts for three of the ten tallest churches on the list.

Although surpassed in height by several structures, St. Peter's Basilica remains one of Christianity's most important sites.

Located in Vatican City, the Renaissance masterpiece was designed by architects including Michelangelo and serves as the spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican News describes it as one of the most visited religious sites in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims annually.

After a decade dominated by legends such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, the French Open Roland-Garros is increasingly being shaped by a younger generation eager to leave its mark on the Paris clay.

The latest chapter came in 2026 when Germany's Alexander Zverev captured his maiden Roland-Garros title, while Russia's Mirra Andreeva, aged just 19, claimed her first Grand Slam crown. Their victories extended a period of transition that has transformed one of tennis' most prestigious tournaments.

Few players have dominated a Grand Slam like Rafael Nadal at Roland-Garros.

Between 2017 and 2022, Nadal won five French Open titles, adding to the legacy that earned him a record 14 crowns in Paris. His reign established Roland-Garros as one of the most remarkable success stories in sporting history .

The torch has since passed to fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who won back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. His 2025 triumph was particularly memorable, as he rallied from two sets down and saved three championship points to defeat Italy's Jannik Sinner in the longest French Open final on record.

Alcaraz's success has positioned him as the leading figure of the sport's next generation, drawing inevitable comparisons with Nadal while forging a rivalry with Sinner that many believe will define men's tennis for years to come.

While younger stars have emerged, Novak Djokovic remains a significant figure in Roland-Garros history.

The Serbian captured titles in 2016, 2021 and 2023, becoming one of the few players capable of interrupting Nadal's dominance on clay. His 2023 victory also helped cement his record-breaking Grand Slam legacy.

Together, Nadal, Djokovic and now Alcaraz have defined the men's competition over the past decade.

The women's draw has been shaped largely by Iga Świątek, whose dominance on clay has echoed Nadal's success.

The Polish star won Roland-Garros titles in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024, establishing herself as the leading force on the surface and one of the sport's most consistent performers. Her aggressive baseline game and movement have made her the player to beat in Paris for much of the decade.

Before Świątek's rise, champions included Garbiñe Muguruza, Jelena Ostapenko, Simona Halep and Ashleigh Barty, each contributing to a highly competitive era in women's tennis.

The last two editions have produced first-time champions.

In 2025, American star Coco Gauff defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win her first Roland-Garros title and become the first American woman to lift the trophy since Serena Williams in 2015.

A year later, Mirra Andreeva went one step further by becoming the youngest French Open women's champion in more than three decades. Her victory highlighted the arrival of another major talent capable of challenging for Grand Slam titles across all surfaces.

According to Mark Manson , a best-selling author and curator of literary lists, the title of the best-selling book of all time goes to none other than the Bible.

The Bible, with an estimated 5 billion copies sold, stands unmatched in its reach and influence. This sacred text of Christianity has been translated into numerous languages and distributed worldwide, making it a foundation of religious and cultural history .

While The Bible holds the top spot, several other books have also achieved remarkable sales figures including the Quran.

With approximately 3 billion copies sold, the Quran is the holy book of Islam and has a profound impact on the lives of Muslims globally.

Commonly known as the "Little Red Book," the collection of Mao Zedong's speeches and writings has also sold around 900 million copies worldwide.

The classic Spanish novel, "Don Quixote", written by Miguel de Cervantes is one of the most influential works of literature. It has sold about 500 million copies.

Another best-seller is the "Selected Articles of Chairman Mao" which has sold 450 million copies globally.

More than half of the world's population is concentrated in just seven countries, highlighting the extraordinary demographic weight carried by a handful of nations that increasingly shape the global economy, labour markets, food demand and geopolitical trends.

According to the United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 Revision , the seven most populous countries, India, China, the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Brazil, are home to approximately 52.6% of the global population, despite representing fewer than 4% of the world's sovereign states.

India remains the world's largest country by population, with roughly 1.47 billion people, accounting for about 18.4% of humanity. China follows closely with approximately 1.41 billion residents, representing around 17.5% of the global population.

The demographic milestone reflects a historic shift that began in 2023 when India overtook China as the world's most populous nation. While India's population is projected to continue growing for several decades, China's population has entered a period of long-term decline due to lower birth rates and an ageing population.

Together, the two Asian giants account for nearly 36% of all people on Earth, meaning more than one in every three people globally lives in either India or China.

After India and China, the United States ranks third with around 349 million people, followed by Indonesia with 287 million, Pakistan with 259 million, Nigeria with 242 million, and Brazil with 213 million.

These countries span four continents and represent a diverse mix of economic and demographic realities. The United States remains the world's largest developed-country population, while Indonesia is Southeast Asia's demographic powerhouse. Pakistan and Nigeria continue to experience rapid population growth, and Brazil remains Latin America's most populous nation.

Collectively, the seven nations are home to more than 4.2 billion people, out of a global population estimated at roughly 8.2 billion in 2024.

The United Nations projects that global population growth will continue, although at a slower pace than in previous decades. Much of the future increase is expected to come from countries in Africa and South Asia, particularly Nigeria, Pakistan and India.

At the same time, several countries, including China, Japan and many European nations, are facing ageing populations and declining birth rates, creating new economic and social challenges.

As governments grapple with issues ranging from food security and climate adaptation to employment and migration, demographic trends in these seven countries will remain central to understanding the future direction of the global population.

The annual ranking, published by the Institute for Quality of Life, evaluated 251 cities using 64 indicators across six categories: citizens, governance, environment, economy, health and mobility. The assessment measures the conditions that contribute to residents' well-being rather than relying solely on self-reported happiness.

Copenhagen secured first place with 6,954 points, followed by Helsinki, Geneva, Uppsala and Tokyo. Trondheim, Bern, Malmö, Munich and Aarhus completed the top ten.

European cities accounted for the overwhelming majority of the highest-ranked destinations, reflecting the region's strong performance in public services, healthcare, environmental quality and urban mobility. The Nordic region alone contributed six cities to the global top ten: Copenhagen, Helsinki, Uppsala, Trondheim, Malmö and Aarhus.

While several European and Asian cities performed strongly, several North American cities ranked near the bottom of the index.

According to the 2026 rankings, Guadalajara in Mexico placed last among the cities highlighted in the graphic, followed by Nashville, Dallas, Bucharest, Indianapolis, Tucson, Aguascalientes, Chicago, Kuching and Rabat. Five of the ten lowest-ranked cities were located in the United States .

The report suggests that lower scores in these cities were often linked to challenges such as car dependency, urban sprawl, limited public transport usage, environmental concerns and governance issues.

Dallas and Nashville were among the lowest-ranked American cities in the index, while San Francisco remained the only U.S. city to place within the global top 50.

The Happy City Index evaluates urban areas across six broad dimensions designed to capture everyday quality of life.

The Citizens category measures education , social inclusion, housing affordability and cultural opportunities. Governance examines transparency, digital public services and civic participation. The environment focuses on air quality, waste management, sanitation, and green mobility.

The economy assesses prosperity, employment opportunities and business activity. Health evaluates healthcare access, safety, well-being, green spaces and work-life balance. Mobility measures public transportation, connectivity and road safety.

Researchers analysed approximately 150,000 data points gathered by hundreds of contributors worldwide before compiling the final rankings.

Japan tops the world in estimated daily per-capita fermented food consumption, highlighting the enduring role of traditional diets in modern nutrition as scientists continue to explore the health benefits of fermented foods.

According to data compiled from Fermented Food Consumption Analysis, Public Health Nutrition (2024), PubMed Central , and other academic sources, the average person in Japan consumes approximately 360 grams of fermented foods daily, placing the country ahead of South Korea, Ethiopia and several Nordic nations.

Japan's leadership reflects the widespread use of fermented ingredients in everyday meals. Common staples include miso, soy sauce and katsuobushi, all of which are produced through fermentation processes that have been refined over generations.

South Korea ranks second with an estimated 290 grams per person daily, driven largely by the country's famous fermented dishes such as kimchi, doenjang and gochujang. Kimchi alone is consumed regularly by a majority of South Korean households and is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the national diet.

Indonesia rounds out Asia's representation in the top ten with approximately 175 grams per day, supported by traditional foods including tempeh, tape and oncom.

Outside Asia, Ethiopia stands out with an estimated daily consumption of 280–310 grams, reflecting the importance of fermented staples such as injera , the country's iconic sourdough flatbread, as well as traditional fermented beverages including tej and borde.

Northern Europe also performs strongly. Iceland ranks fourth at around 270 grams per day, while Finland and Denmark share fifth place with 260–270 grams daily.

In these countries, fermented dairy products play a central role. Foods such as skyr, viili, piimä and kefir have been consumed for centuries and remain popular components of everyday diets.

Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia all feature prominently in the ranking, reflecting the region's longstanding relationship with fermented milk products and preserved foods.

Bulgaria records approximately 230 grams daily, supported by its globally recognised yoghurt culture. Turkey follows with around 200 grams, where yoghurt, ayran and tarhana continue to be dietary staples.

Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine average about 190 grams, with foods such as ryazhenka, smetana and pickled vegetables remaining common household items.

Growing consumer interest in gut health has brought renewed attention to fermented foods. Research published in journals including Public Health Nutrition and studies indexed by PubMed Central suggest that fermented foods may contribute beneficial microorganisms and bioactive compounds that support digestive health and microbial diversity.

A widely cited Stanford University study found that diets rich in fermented foods were associated with increased microbiome diversity and reduced markers of inflammation in healthy adults.

Researchers caution, however, that the health impact of fermented foods can vary depending on the type of food, preparation methods and overall dietary patterns.

International travel remains out of reach for much of the world's population, with new data highlighting significant differences in overseas travel experience across major economies.

According to findings from the Pew Research Centre , India ranks among the countries with the highest share of people who have never left their home country, with 95% of respondents reporting they had never travelled abroad. Indonesia followed at 92%, while Nigeria stood at 90%.

The survey shows that large developing nations account for many of the highest percentages of citizens who have never crossed an international border.

After India, Indonesia and Nigeria, the ranking includes Brazil (87%), Mexico (79%), South Africa (77%), Kenya (72%) and Argentina (64%).

By contrast, wealthier countries reported substantially lower figures. In Japan, 34% of respondents said they had never travelled abroad, compared with 32% in Poland and 23% in the United States .

Researchers note that population size can play a major role. Countries such as India, Brazil and the United States offer vast domestic travel opportunities, reducing the necessity of international trips for many citizens.

Pew Research has consistently found that income levels strongly influence overseas travel patterns. International travel often requires significant spending on transportation , accommodation, visas and travel documents, making it less accessible for lower-income households.

Passport ownership also varies widely between countries. Government data show that only a minority of citizens in many developing nations hold valid passports, limiting opportunities for international travel even when interest exists.

In addition, visa restrictions continue to affect mobility. Citizens of some countries face more stringent entry requirements, higher application costs and longer approval processes than travellers from wealthier nations.

Experts say high percentages of citizens who have never travelled abroad do not necessarily indicate a lack of travel culture.

In countries with large territories and diverse landscapes, domestic tourism frequently serves as an alternative. India, for example, attracts hundreds of millions of domestic tourist visits annually, while Brazil, Mexico and the United States maintain extensive internal tourism markets.

Geography can also influence travel habits. Residents of smaller European countries often cross borders regularly for work, leisure or education, contributing to higher rates of international travel experience.

Despite the disparities, international tourism has grown significantly over recent decades. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism), global travel has recovered strongly following the pandemic-era downturn, with international arrivals approaching or surpassing pre-2020 levels in many regions.

Latvia's capital, Riga, has emerged as the European city with the highest proportion of women relative to men, according to demographic data compiled by Insider Monkey using statistics from Eurostat and national statistical agencies across Europe.

The ranking, based on the female-to-male ratio among urban populations, places Riga at the top with 126 women for every 100 men, followed by Porto in Portugal at 122.7% and Salamanca in Spain at 120.6%.

The findings offer a snapshot of broader demographic trends shaping European cities, including ageing populations, migration patterns, educational mobility and differences in life expectancy between men and women.

The list is heavily concentrated in Southern and Eastern Europe, with Portugal accounting for four cities in the top 15: Porto, Lisbon, Funchal and Braga.

Spain also features prominently through Salamanca, Madrid and Donostia-San Sebastián, while Central and Eastern European capitals such as Warsaw, Budapest, Bucharest and Bratislava rank among the cities with the largest gender imbalances.

According to Eurostat, women outnumber men in most European Union countries, largely because women live longer on average . Across the EU, female life expectancy exceeds male life expectancy by several years, creating increasingly female-majority populations in many urban areas.

Migration also plays a role. University centres such as Salamanca, Coimbra and Warsaw attract large numbers of female students and young professionals. At the same time, some regions experience outward migration of working-age men seeking employment opportunities elsewhere.

In cities such as Riga and Bucharest, demographic changes following decades of economic transformation and labour mobility have contributed to persistent gender imbalances.

Portugal's representation in the ranking reflects both demographic and social trends. The country has one of Europe's oldest populations, while urban centres continue attracting women pursuing higher education, healthcare careers and service-sector employment.

Cities such as Porto and Lisbon have also benefited from economic growth, tourism and international investment, drawing new residents while retaining strong female participation in the workforce.

The winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will receive a record $50 million prize , highlighting the unprecedented financial scale of the first-ever 48-team tournament to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The prize structure, illustrated in the latest FIFA financial breakdown , shows that even teams eliminated in the earliest knockout stage will earn millions of dollars. At the same time, every qualified nation is guaranteed a substantial financial reward simply for reaching the tournament.

Champions to receive $50 million

Under FIFA's official distribution model, the 2026 World Cup champions will take home $50 million, while the runners-up will receive $33 million. The third-placed team will earn $29 million, with fourth place worth $27 million.

Teams reaching the quarter-finals but failing to advance will each receive $19 million, while Round of 16 participants will earn $15 million. Nations eliminated in the new Round of 32 will receive $11 million, and teams exiting after the group phase will still collect $9 million.

The financial rewards represent a significant increase from previous World Cups, reflecting FIFA's ambition to make the 2026 edition the most commercially successful tournament in football history .

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, expanding from the traditional 32-team format used from 1998 through 2022. The tournament will be staged across host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, making it the largest World Cup ever organised.

FIFA projects the competition will generate record revenues through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, ticket sales and hospitality packages. Analysts estimate the governing body could generate around $13 billion in revenue during the current four-year cycle, nearly double the amount recorded in previous periods.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the 2026 World Cup as a landmark event not only for football but also for the sport's global economic growth, with a significant portion of tournament revenues earmarked for development programs worldwide.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured its second UEFA Champions League title after defeating Arsenal in the 2026 final, moving the French club into a select group of multiple European champions and updating the competition's all-time winners list.

According to UEFA records, Real Madrid remains the most successful club in Champions League history with 15 titles, far ahead of AC Milan's seven. Liverpool and Bayern Munich follow with six crowns each, while Barcelona has won five.

PSG's latest triumph lifts the club to two Champions League titles, placing it alongside historic European powers including Chelsea, Juventus, Porto, Benfica and Nottingham Forest. The victory marks another milestone in PSG's transformation from a dominant domestic force into a consistent contender on Europe's biggest stage.

The updated rankings highlight the enduring dominance of a handful of clubs. Real Madrid's record haul accounts for nearly one-quarter of all European Cup and Champions League titles awarded since the competition began in 1955. The Spanish giants have also won more finals than any other club.

England remains one of the competition's most successful nations, with clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Manchester City combining for multiple titles. Italy's AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus have likewise played a major role in shaping the tournament's history.

PSG's latest success is particularly significant for French football. Before the Paris club's emergence, Marseille's 1993 triumph stood as France's only European Cup victory. With two titles now to its name, PSG has become the country's most successful club in the competition.

UEFA says the Champions League is still the most prestigious club tournament in world football, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers globally each season. The competition's rich history, legendary finals and elite clubs continue to make lifting the trophy one of the sport's greatest achievements.

While children are recognised and celebrated worldwide, the date of Children’s Day changes significantly from country to country, reflecting different historical, cultural and political traditions.

According to the United Nations and UNICEF , the most widely recognised international observance is World Children’s Day on November 20, marking the anniversary of the UN's adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). The day is observed globally to promote children's rights, welfare and education.

However, many countries celebrate Children’s Day on their own national dates. A large group of nations, including China, Russia and several countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, observe the occasion on June 1 , a tradition linked to the International Children's Day first established after World War II.

In North America, the observance differs. The United States celebrates National Children's Day on the second Sunday in June, while Japan marks Children's Day on May 5 as part of its Golden Week holidays. Other countries, including Brazil, India and Australia, have adopted their own national dates through government declarations or cultural traditions.

UNICEF estimates that more than 2.2 billion children live around the world today, making child welfare, education and protection key priorities for governments and international organisations. Children's Day events often include school activities, community programmes and campaigns highlighting issues such as education access, health care, child labour and protection from violence.

Despite differing dates, the central message remains the same: recognising children's rights and investing in their future. The UN says ensuring every child has access to education, healthcare and a safe environment remains one of the most important global development goals.

According to WorldData, the global average erect penis length is roughly between 13 and 14 centimetres (5.1–5.5 inches), based on a combination of medical studies and population data.

Data compiled by WorldData.info and widely shared on social media places Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Congo and Ghana among countries with the highest reported average erect lengths, while Thailand, North Korea, Cambodia, Nepal and Myanmar appear at the lower end of the rankings.

A landmark review published in BJU International , which analysed measurements from more than 15,000 men, found average erect length to be around 13.1 cm (5.16 inches) globally. Researchers noted that self-reported measurements often produce inflated results compared with clinician-measured data.

WorldData also notes that some countries had relatively small sample sizes, making precise national averages difficult to verify.

The rankings show higher reported averages across parts of Africa and Latin America, while several countries in East and Southeast Asia appear lower on the list. Similar patterns have been highlighted by data compilations from World Population Review and Visual Capitalist.

However, researchers stress that genetics, environment, sampling methods and reporting differences can all influence results, making broad conclusions unreliable.

Medical specialists have repeatedly warned that public fascination with rankings often overshadows more important issues related to sexual health and body image.

Studies cited by WorldData and BJU International indicate that most men fall within a relatively narrow range around the global average, despite the attention given to extreme national rankings.

Health experts also say international comparisons should be interpreted carefully because methodologies vary significantly between studies.

Eurovision is set to make history in Asia , with Bangkok, Thailand, scheduled to host the first Eurovision Asia Song Contest on November 14, 2026, marking a major expansion of one of the world's most recognised music competition brands.

According to information shared by Eurovision Asia 2026 and visualised by Seasia Stats and World Visualized, nine countries have so far been confirmed for the inaugural event: Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal and South Korea.

Thailand will host the competition, placing Southeast Asia at the centre of a new regional music event inspired by the long-running Eurovision Song Contest in Europe.

The original Eurovision Song Contest, organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has been held annually since 1956 and has grown into one of the world's largest live entertainment events, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers globally.

The Asian edition aims to adapt the Eurovision format for the region, allowing participating countries to showcase original music while competing for continental recognition.

Industry observers say the contest could provide a major platform for emerging Asian artists and strengthen cultural exchange through music.

The list of confirmed participants is dominated by Southeast Asian nations, reflecting the region's vibrant music industries and large digital audiences.

South Korea's inclusion is expected to attract significant international attention given the global popularity of K-pop, while countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam bring rapidly growing music markets and strong online fan communities.

Analysts say the competition could help boost tourism, entertainment exports and regional collaboration.

The launch of Eurovision Asia comes as international music contests increasingly seek new audiences beyond traditional markets.

With Asia home to more than half of the world's population and some of its fastest-growing entertainment industries, organisers see significant potential for the format's expansion.

The Netherlands could win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a data-driven forecast by economist Joachim Klement of investment firm Panmure Liberum, which used economic and sporting indicators to model the tournament’s likely outcome.

The prediction, highlighted by SBS News and visualised by World Visualized , forecasts a final between the Netherlands and Portugal, with the Dutch emerging as champions.

Klement’s model combined factors including GDP, population size, climate conditions, FIFA ranking points, historical tournament performance, host nation advantage and statistical “luck” to estimate the strongest contenders for football’s biggest prize.

According to the projection, European teams are expected to dominate the latter stages of the tournament, with Spain, England, France and Portugal all reaching at least the semi-finals.

The model predicts the Netherlands will defeat Spain in the semi-finals, while Portugal overcomes England to secure a place in the final.

Argentina, the reigning world champions after their 2022 victory in Qatar, are projected to reach the quarter-finals before losing to Portugal.

Netherlands chasing first World Cup title

Despite reaching three previous finals in 1974, 1978 and 2010, the Netherlands have never won the FIFA World Cup.

Portugal, meanwhile, continues to pursue their first-ever World Cup trophy after recent success in European competitions, including the UEFA European Championship and Nations League.

Analysts say the forecast reflects the growing role of statistical modelling in sports, where economics and data science are increasingly influencing how tournaments are evaluated before a ball is even kicked.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States , Canada and Mexico, marking the first tournament hosted by three countries and the first expanded edition featuring 48 teams.

Eurovision songs are continuing to find massive audiences on Spotify long after the competition ends, with several tracks outperforming their official contest rankings through global streaming success.

Data compiled from Spotify and Eurovision showed Italy’s “Per Sempre Si” by Sal Da Vinci as the most-streamed Eurovision 2026 song on Spotify, generating more than 32.2 million streams despite finishing fifth in the contest.

Bulgaria’s winning entry, “Bangaranga” by Dara, ranked third on Spotify with 21.8 million streams. At the same time, Sweden’s “My System” by Felicia became the second most-streamed Eurovision track despite placing 20th in the competition.

Music analysts say Eurovision has evolved from a television competition into a global streaming phenomenon, with platforms such as Spotify helping songs gain international audiences far beyond Europe.

Several entries that performed modestly during the contest later gained viral popularity through TikTok, playlists and social media exposure.

Sweden, Finland and Denmark all placed strongly in Spotify rankings despite mixed Eurovision results, reflecting the growing disconnect between jury voting and digital audience behaviour.

Historically, Eurovision winners often dominated charts immediately after the contest, but streaming-era consumption patterns have changed how audiences engage with songs.

Industry experts say catchy hooks, replay value and social media trends now play a larger role in determining long-term popularity than final contest rankings alone.

Israel’s “Michelle” by Noam Bettan, which finished second at Eurovision, generated more than 11 million Spotify streams, while Germany’s “Fire” entered the top 10 streamed songs despite placing 23rd in the competition.

The Eurovision Song Contest remains one of the world ’s largest live music events, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers annually.

In recent years, the competition has produced internationally successful artists and viral hits that extend far beyond Europe, boosted by streaming services and global online fan communities.

China has emerged as the global leader in elevator speed technology, reflecting Asia’s dominance in high-rise construction and next-generation urban infrastructure.

According to data from the World Atlas , visualised by Seasia Stats and World Visualized, China operates the world’s fastest elevators with average speeds reaching approximately 20.5 metres per second.

Japan ranked second at around 18.0 m/s, followed by South Korea at 16.8 m/s, highlighting East Asia’s continued leadership in skyscraper engineering and vertical transportation systems.

The United Arab Emirates and Singapore also ranked among the world’s fastest, driven by rapid urban development and demand for ultra-tall buildings.

Engineers say faster elevators have become essential as cities compete to build taller and denser skyscrapers, particularly across Asia and the Middle East.

China’s rapid urbanisation and record-breaking tower construction have pushed companies to develop advanced elevator systems capable of transporting passengers hundreds of metres within seconds.

Some of the world’s fastest elevators are installed in supertall towers in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, where reducing travel time has become critical for commercial efficiency.

Asian countries accounted for most of the top-ranked positions, including China, Japan , South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Japan has long been recognised as a global leader in elevator safety and earthquake-resistant engineering, while South Korea continues investing heavily in smart building technology.

Meanwhile, Gulf states including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar ranked highly due to massive skyscraper projects in Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.

Ultra-fast elevators require sophisticated pressure control, aerodynamic design and advanced braking systems to ensure passenger comfort and safety.

Modern elevator systems increasingly use artificial intelligence and predictive maintenance technology to improve efficiency in large commercial buildings.