Brazil recorded a $108 billion food trade surplus in 2024, more than three times that of its nearest competitor, the Netherlands, highlighting the South American country's position as a major supplier of agricultural products to the world.

According to figures presented from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's FAOSTAT database, Brazil's food exports exceeded its imports by $108 billion, excluding fish and fish products.

The Netherlands ranked second with a $30 billion surplus, followed by Spain at $26 billion, Australia at $25 billion and Thailand at $23 billion.

Argentina recorded $22 billion, while New Zealand posted $21 billion. Canada and Ukraine each registered $17 billion, followed by Poland at $16 billion.

Indonesia , Mexico, Italy, Türkiye and France completed the top 15, with surpluses ranging from $10 billion to $15 billion.

Brazil's lead reflects its large agricultural sector and strong international demand for products such as soybeans, meat, sugar and coffee.

FAOSTAT-based figures show that Brazil exported approximately $121.7 billion in food products in 2024 while importing $13.3 billion, producing a net surplus of $108.4 billion. The Netherlands recorded a surplus of $29.6 billion.

The FAO says global agricultural trade remains concentrated among a relatively small group of exporting countries, while growing demand for food and animal feed continues to shape international trade.

A major Microsoft outage triggered reports of service disruptions across 90 countries and territories on November 12–13, affecting workplace email, communications and other cloud-based services, according to an analysis by World Visualized.

The disruption affected Microsoft 365 services , including Outlook, Exchange Online, Teams and Copilot, leaving some users unable to access emails, calendars and other work applications.

World Visualized's analysis of documented local reports and institutional confirmations identified disruptions across North and South America , Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

The affected locations included the United States , Canada, Britain, India, Japan, Australia, Brazil and South Africa. Reports also covered territories such as Bermuda, Guam, Jersey, Guernsey and Réunion.

The findings highlight the geographical reach of the disruption, although reports from 90 locations do not mean that all Microsoft customers or services in those places were affected.

Microsoft said the outage was linked to server failures and heavy pressure on its remaining infrastructure . It found no evidence of malicious activity. Reuters reported that Outlook problems in the United States peaked at more than 130,000 user reports on November 12.

By November 13, Microsoft reported improvements across North America, Europe and parts of Asia-Pacific, although some users continued to experience delayed emails and intermittent access problems.

A major Microsoft outage disrupted email, workplace communications and government services across more than 70 countries and territories, leaving businesses and public institutions struggling to operate for nearly 24 hours.

The disruption began on Thursday, November 12 , and continued into Friday, affecting Microsoft 365 services including Outlook, Teams and Copilot. Users reported difficulties sending emails, accessing calendars and using some workplace applications.

According to outage-tracking website Downdetector, reports of Outlook problems in the United States peaked at more than 130,000 on Thursday. Disruptions were also reported across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, although the number of affected users remains unknown.

The outage affected government agencies in the United States, Britain, Japan and Australia. Some British healthcare providers experienced email problems, while airlines in India reported disruptions to customer-support services. Businesses also turned to phone calls and fax machines to keep operating.

Microsoft said the problem stemmed from a network capacity upgrade and a subsequent network change that left some servers unavailable. The company said it had found no evidence of a cyberattack.

By Friday, November 13, Microsoft reported broad improvements in service availability after addressing the underlying technical issue, although some customers continued to experience delayed emails and intermittent access problems.

The disruption has renewed concerns about the world's dependence on a small number of technology providers, particularly as governments, hospitals and businesses increasingly rely on cloud-based systems for everyday operations.

The UN General Assembly's Second Committee approved a draft resolution reaffirming Palestinian sovereignty over natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the rights of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan.

The resolution passed with 151 votes in favour , seven against and 11 abstentions, according to official UN meeting records.

The countries voting against were the United States, Israel, Colombia, Paraguay, Palau, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia. All European Union member states and Canada supported the resolution.

The measure calls on Israel to stop exploiting, damaging or depleting natural resources in the occupied territories. It also recognises the right of Palestinians to seek compensation for losses resulting from such activities.

The resolution further urges Israel to halt actions that damage the environment, including waste dumping and the destruction of water pipelines, sewage systems and electricity networks.

Israel rejected the resolution, arguing that it ignored Palestinian leadership failures and security concerns. The United States also criticised the measure as one-sided, saying it reflected institutional bias against Israel.

Palestinian representatives welcomed the vote as a reaffirmation of their people's rights to land and natural resources.

The draft also refers to the International Court of Justice's July 2024 advisory opinion, which found Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory unlawful.

The committee's approval is not the final General Assembly vote. The draft will proceed to the full Assembly for consideration. General Assembly resolutions are generally non-binding, but the result demonstrates broad international support for Palestinian resource rights.

Africa is separated from Europe and the Middle East by stretches of water so narrow that several countries on other continents can be seen with the naked eye on a clear day.

A geographical map highlights countries outside Africa that may be visible from parts of the continent, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

One of the clearest examples is the Strait of Gibraltar, where just 13 kilometres separate Morocco from mainland Spain at the narrowest point, according to NASA. From parts of northern Morocco, the Spanish coastline can be seen across the water .

The British territory of Gibraltar is also visible from Morocco under suitable weather conditions. Although Gibraltar is not an independent country, it forms part of the United Kingdom's overseas territories.

Italy offers another example. Its Mediterranean island of Pantelleria lies roughly 70 kilometres from Tunisia, close enough for elevated viewpoints to provide views across the sea when visibility is particularly good.

In northeastern Africa, Egypt's Sinai Peninsula overlooks the Gulf of Aqaba, where the coastlines of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel can be seen from certain locations. NASA identifies the gulf as a narrow waterway separating Sinai from the Arabian Peninsula.

These views depend on distance, elevation and atmospheric conditions. Mountains and elevated coastlines can remain visible even when lower-lying land is hidden beyond the horizon.

South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) has recorded its worst-ever election result , winning just 30.76% of the vote in the 2026 local government elections as opposition parties gained ground across major cities.

The ANC, which has dominated South African politics since the end of apartheid in 1994, saw its support fall nearly 15 percentage points from 45.59% in the 2021 municipal elections , according to final results the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced on November 8.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) finished second with 24.64%, up from 21.66% in 2021. Former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party came third with approximately 9.77%, marking a strong showing in its first municipal elections.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) secured 6.22%, down from 10.31%, while ActionSA increased its share to 5.67% from 2.33%.

The results reflect growing frustration with poor public services , including water shortages, electricity disruptions, deteriorating roads, and corruption allegations.

The ANC lost its position as the leading party in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, while the DA retained its majority in Cape Town. The MK Party emerged as the largest party in eThekwini, which includes Durban, with approximately 38% of the vote.

The outcome has left many municipalities without an outright majority, forcing parties into coalition negotiations to form local governments.

According to the IEC, 72 of South Africa's 213 municipalities produced outright majorities, while 127 councils were classified as hung. National voter turnout was approximately 52%, up from 45.9% in 2021.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described the outcome as catastrophic and acknowledged that the party needed to rebuild public trust.

The results mark another setback for the ANC, which lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 national elections after three decades of governing alone.

US chipmaker Nvidia was valued at approximately $4.5 trillion on November 6, 2026, putting its stock market valuation above the projected annual economic output of Japan , Britain, India and France, according to figures presented by World Visualized.

Nvidia's valuation highlights the extraordinary rise of the artificial intelligence industry, which has driven demand for the company's advanced chips used to train and operate AI systems.

The comparison, based on YCharts market data and the International Monetary Fund's October 2026 World Economic Outlook, places Nvidia ahead of several of the world's largest economies.

Japan's nominal gross domestic product (GDP) is projected at approximately $4.3 trillion in 2026, roughly the same as Britain's, while India's is estimated at $4.1 trillion and France's at $3.6 trillion.

Germany, with projected GDP of $5.5 trillion, remains above Nvidia's valuation. The United States and China are substantially larger, with projected economic output of $32.6 trillion and $21.5 trillion, respectively.

Nvidia's market value has fluctuated sharply. YCharts recorded a valuation of $4.507 trillion on November 6, falling to $4.078 trillion by November 10. That decline illustrates how quickly stock market valuations can change.

The comparison also measures two different things. Market capitalisation represents the value investors place on a company's outstanding shares at a particular moment. GDP measures the value of goods and services produced by an economy over a year.

Nvidia is therefore not economically larger than Japan or Britain simply because its stock market valuation exceeds their annual GDP.

Nevertheless, the figures show how investor expectations surrounding artificial intelligence have pushed Nvidia into a valuation range comparable with the annual output of major industrial economies.

Most European countries lie entirely within the continent, but several extend beyond its geographical boundaries, highlighting how geography, history and politics shape the definition of Europe.

France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are shown with smaller European shares because they have territories outside mainland Europe. The map estimates that 81% of France and 74% of the Netherlands lie within Europe, although those figures depend on how overseas territories are counted.

Russia stands out as the largest country spanning Europe and Asia. The map places just 23% of its territory in Europe, with the remaining landmass extending across northern Asia.

Despite occupying a smaller portion of Russia's territory, European Russia contains most of the country's population , including Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Denmark is another unusual case. The map assigns just 2% of its territory to Europe, apparently counting Greenland, the vast Arctic island that forms part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

The geographical boundary between Europe and Asia is generally drawn along the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea region and the Caucasus, although some sections remain disputed.

Countries such as Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan illustrate why continental classifications can be complicated. Their geographical positions and political ties do not always fit neatly into a single continental category.

The map also highlights the difference between geographical territory and political identity. Countries can be closely associated with Europe while holding substantial territory elsewhere.

Donald Trump's Republican Party lost control of both chambers of Congress in the 2026 US midterm elections , continuing a decades-long pattern in which presidents have struggled to maintain their party's grip on Washington.

Democrats won control of the House of Representatives and Senate in the November 3 midterm elections, dealing a major setback to President Donald Trump and giving the opposition greater power over his remaining two years in office.

The Associated Press projected Democratic control of the Senate on election night and the House early on November 4, following victories in several closely contested races.

The outcome follows a historical pattern stretching back more than 50 years. Since 1974, only two presidents have seen their parties emerge from midterm elections with majorities in both chambers of Congress: Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1978 and Republican George W. Bush in 2002.

Records compiled by the American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara, show that presidential parties have frequently lost congressional seats during midterm elections, even when they retained control of one chamber.

Carter's Democrats retained both chambers in 1978 despite losing seats. Bush's Republicans achieved a rarer result in 2002, gaining seats in both chambers while maintaining their majorities.

Other presidents faced significant setbacks. Bill Clinton's Democrats lost control of both chambers in 1994, while Barack Obama's party suffered heavy House losses in 2010.

Trump experienced a similar defeat during his first presidency in 2018, when Democrats captured the House, although Republicans retained the Senate.

In 2022, Joe Biden's Democrats retained the Senate but lost their House majority, despite performing better than many previous presidential parties in midterm elections.

The 2026 result gives Democrats the ability to block Republican legislation, scrutinise government spending and investigate the Trump administration. The new Congress will take office in January 2027.

Grand Theft Auto VI could face distribution restrictions in several Asian markets, including China and parts of the Middle East, as differences in national gaming regulations raise questions about where the highly anticipated title will be available.

Rockstar Games' upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI has attracted worldwide attention, but its availability may differ between countries because of local content regulations, licensing requirements and publisher decisions.

A map of Asia identifies Russia and Belarus as markets affected by publisher withdrawal, while China, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon and North Korea are marked as facing distribution restrictions.

The distinctions matter. Publisher withdrawal generally means a company has stopped officially selling or supporting its games in a particular market. Distribution restrictions, meanwhile, may arise from government approval requirements, content rules or other barriers to official sales.

China operates a strict approval system for video games, requiring publishers to obtain regulatory clearance before releasing titles commercially. Games containing certain forms of violence , gambling or politically sensitive material can face obstacles.

Russia presents a different situation. Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, suspended new sales in Russia and Belarus in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine .

However, the map's categories do not establish that GTA VI has been formally banned in every country shown. Some markets may simply lack an official distribution channel.

Rockstar's published pre-order list includes several Asian and Middle Eastern markets, including India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. China, Iran and North Korea are not included in that list.

Rockstar has scheduled GTA VI for November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Its latest support information also confirms that regional account and download-code restrictions can affect purchases.

The differences show how the release of a major video game can depend not only on global demand but also on local regulations and the publisher's distribution arrangements.

India has the world's largest Generation Z population , followed by China and Pakistan, highlighting the growing importance of young people in shaping economies, labour markets and consumer trends.

India is home to an estimated 331.5 million people born between 1997 and 2009, according to figures presented in an infographic based on the United Nations' World Population Prospects 2024.

China ranks second with 211.3 million, followed by Pakistan with 62.3 million and the United States with 60.3 million.

Nigeria has Africa's largest Gen Z population, at approximately 59.8 million, ahead of Indonesia's 58.5 million.

Bangladesh follows with 42 million, Brazil with 40 million, Ethiopia with 35.3 million and Mexico with 28.5 million.

Together, these ten countries account for approximately 929 million people in the age group, based on the infographic's figures.

The figures underline the importance of Asia, which accounts for six of the ten countries on the list. Africa is represented by Nigeria and Ethiopia, while Brazil and Mexico represent Latin America.

The UN's World Population Prospects 2024 projects continued population growth in India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Indonesia through at least 2054. China's population, by contrast, has already peaked and is expected to decline.

Democrats won strong support from young voters, women and racial minority groups in the 2026 US midterm elections, reversing some of the gains Republicans made during Donald Trump's 2024 presidential victory.

Democratic candidates received an estimated 56% of votes nationwide, compared with 43% for Republicans, according to preliminary figures presented in The New York Times' voter trends data.

The figures show that 70% of voters aged 18 to 29 backed Democrats, compared with 28% who supported Republicans. Democrats also led among voters aged 30 to 44, winning 62% against 36%.

Black voters showed the strongest Democratic preference, with 91% supporting the party and 8% backing Republicans. Democrats also won 69% of Hispanic voters and 70% of Asian voters, according to the infographic.

Women were another important source of Democratic support, favouring the party by 61% to 38%. Men were more evenly divided, with Democrats holding a narrow 51% to 48% lead.

White voters were the only racial group shown favouring Republicans overall, by 51% to 48%. The divide was particularly pronounced among white men, 56% of whom supported Republicans, compared with 43% for Democrats.

The Associated Press' nationwide voter survey broadly supports the trend, finding that around seven in 10 voters under 30 backed Democratic House candidates, while approximately nine in 10 Black voters supported the party.

The results mark a shift from 2024, when Trump made gains among younger, Black and Hispanic voters.

A July 2026 Pew Research Centre survey had already identified stronger Democratic support among younger voters, women and racial minority groups, although it measured voting intentions rather than actual ballots.

The AP Voter Poll also found that economic concerns and dissatisfaction with Trump's presidency influenced voting decisions. Around seven in 10 voters said Congress was not doing enough to check presidential power.

The findings underline the importance of age, gender and race in American voting patterns, while showing how voter preferences can change between presidential and congressional elections.

Spanish is spoken by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, but differences in pronunciation, vocabulary and speaking speed can make some regional accents harder to understand, even for native speakers.

A world map comparing Spanish accents places Mexico, Peru and Bolivia among the easier varieties to understand, while describing accents from Cuba, Venezuela, Panama and parts of southern Spain as particularly challenging.

Argentina, Uruguay and Honduras fall into the map's harder category, while Chile is singled out with the humorous question, "Is that even Spanish?"

The differences reflect the enormous variety of Spanish spoken across Latin America and Spain. Although speakers share the same language, pronunciation, local expressions and speech patterns can vary considerably between countries and even neighbouring regions.

For example, speakers in parts of the Caribbean commonly weaken or drop the s sound at the end of syllables, while Argentine and Uruguayan Spanish are known for their distinctive pronunciation of ll and y.

Chile also has its own informal vocabulary, shortened expressions and pronunciation patterns, which can make everyday conversations unfamiliar to people accustomed to other varieties of Spanish.

According to the Instituto Cervantes, Spanish had approximately 635 million potential speakers worldwide in 2025, including more than 520 million native speakers. Its global reach has produced a wide range of regional varieties.

Linguistic research confirms that pronunciation differs across Spanish-speaking regions, including how speakers pronounce consonants and shorten certain sounds. However, these differences do not establish that one national accent is objectively harder to understand than another.

Understanding an accent also depends on a listener's familiarity with it, exposure to regional vocabulary and experience speaking Spanish.

The map therefore offers a light-hearted comparison rather than a scientifically established ranking of Spanish accents.

Elon Musk has emerged as the biggest individual donor in the 2026 US midterm elections , contributing about $446 million to Republican-aligned groups as wealthy individuals and organisations pour billions into the race for control of Congress.

The 50 largest political donors and organisations contributed a combined $2.77 billion to the 2026 US midterm election s, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data analysed by Al Jazeera on October 27.

Republican-aligned contributors accounted for $1.67 billion, or about 60% of the total, compared with $832 million from Democratic-aligned donors. Another $264 million came from special-interest and bipartisan contributors.

Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, topped the ranking with $446 million. Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein, founders of shipping supplies company Uline, followed with $150 million, while Republican-aligned nonprofit One Nation contributed $133 million.

Other major Republican donors included Jeff and Janine Yass, who gave $110 million, and venture capitalists Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen, with $92.2 million.

On the Democratic side, billionaire investor George Soros and nonprofit Majority Forward each contributed $102 million. House Majority Forward followed with $93.7 million, while former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg gave $84.2 million.

Cryptocurrency companies also featured prominently. Coinbase contributed $57.8 million, while Ripple gave $49.6 million, reflecting the industry's growing involvement in American political fundraising.

The spending comes as Americans vote on November 3 to determine control of the House of Representatives and Senate.

Political advertising expenditure is projected to reach a record $11.6 billion during the election cycle, according to advertising analytics firm AdImpact, surpassing the 2024 presidential election cycle.

Much of the funding flows through super political action committees, known as super PACs, which can accept unlimited contributions but cannot coordinate their independent spending with candidates.

Unlike super PACs, some politically active nonprofit organisations are not required to disclose their original donors, raising concerns about transparency.

The figures highlight the growing influence of wealthy individuals, corporations and political organisations in US elections , although financial contributions do not necessarily translate into electoral victories.

Russia accounted for more than half of diesel and gasoil imports in five of its eight largest export markets between January 2025 and June 2026, highlighting the dependence of countries including Turkey, Ghana and Brazil on Russian fuel.

Russia supplied 87% of Turkey's diesel and gasoil imports during the period, followed by Tunisia at 76%, Brazil at 63%, Ghana at 61% and Senegal at 54%, according to the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) Institute's July 2026 Russian Oil Tracker.

The remaining three major markets were Morocco, where Russia accounted for 32% of imports, Egypt at 24% and Libya at 8%.

The eight countries received around 80% of Russia's diesel and gasoil exports during the 18 months, according to KSE.

The figures highlight the importance of Russian fuel supplies to several African economies, particularly Ghana, Tunisia and Senegal, where diesel is widely used in transport, industry and electricity generation.

However, Russian exports have faced growing disruption. Ukrainian strikes on refineries reduced production, while Moscow introduced restrictions on diesel and gasoil exports in July 2026 to protect domestic supplies.

KSE reported that Russia's oil product exports fell 13.1% in June to about 1.6 million barrels per day, the lowest level on record at the time. Exports fell further in July to 1.36 million barrels per day.

Energy analytics firm Kpler warned in July that Russia's diesel export restrictions could push prices higher, with Brazil expected to seek additional supplies from the United States .

Turkey also began diversifying its suppliers. Kpler data cited in an August report showed Russian diesel arrivals falling to around 80,000 barrels per day that month, compared with more than 200,000 barrels per day in earlier months of 2026.

For countries heavily dependent on Russian diesel, the disruptions have raised concerns about fuel costs and the need to secure alternative suppliers.

More than 100 years ago, the United States was already divided into major time zones, a system introduced to make railway travel easier and bring order to a country where towns once set their clocks by the Sun.

A historical map dated January 1, 1924, shows how the United States organised its time zones long before modern air travel , digital clocks and smartphones.

The mainland was divided into four main zones: Eastern, Central , Mountain and Pacific Standard Time. Each was one hour behind the next, reflecting the country's vast geographical size.

Eastern Standard Time was five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), while Central, Mountain and Pacific Standard Time were six, seven and eight hours behind, respectively.

The system emerged from the rapid expansion of American railways during the 19th century. Before standardisation, towns kept their own local time based on the Sun's position, creating confusion for railway operators and passengers.

On November 18, 1883, American and Canadian railways introduced four standard time zones to simplify timetables and improve coordination.

The US government formally adopted standard time under the Standard Time Act of 1918, giving the Interstate Commerce Commission authority to establish and adjust time-zone boundaries.

By 1924, the system was firmly established, although boundaries did not always follow state lines. Some states were divided between two zones, reflecting transport connections and local economic needs.

The historical map also shows Alaska and Hawaii using separate time standards. However, Hawaii was not yet a US state, and the territories' time arrangements differed from those used today.

The boundaries continued to change over the following decades. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established a more consistent national approach to daylight saving time, while responsibility for time-zone boundaries eventually passed to the US Department of Transportation.

Today, the department oversees nine official US time zones, including those covering territories outside the mainland.

The 1924 map illustrates how a system originally designed to solve railway scheduling problems became a lasting part of American life.

People can legally change their gender on official documents in many countries, but the process varies widely, with some governments allowing self-identification while others require medical approval or prohibit the change altogether.

Laws governing gender recognition differ sharply across the world , leaving transgender people facing different requirements depending on where they live.

According to ILGA World's legal database , updated in October 2026, 23 United Nations member states recognise legal gender changes based on self-identification. At least 21 countries require a medical diagnosis, while at least 17 require surgery or sterilisation.

Argentina was among the earliest countries to introduce a self-identification system. Its 2012 Gender Identity Law allows people to change their registered gender without undergoing surgery or obtaining a medical diagnosis.

Several European countries, including Spain, Germany, Denmark and Norway, also allow legal gender recognition based on self-determination, although age limits and administrative procedures differ.

Elsewhere, the process remains more restrictive. Some countries require medical assessments or surgical procedures before official documents can be amended.

In the United States, requirements vary by state and by document. State-issued birth certificates and driving licences follow different rules, while federal passports are governed separately. Australia also has different procedures across its states and territories.

Russia and Hungary are among countries where legal restrictions prevent gender-marker changes. Across parts of Africa and Asia, legal recognition remains unavailable or subject to significant medical and administrative requirements.

The rules are also changing. In 2026, Czechia removed surgical and hormonal treatment requirements from its legal gender recognition process, following court decisions .

The differences show how access to legal gender recognition remains uneven worldwide, with requirements shaped by national laws, court decisions and government policies.

Hawaii leads the latest ranking of America's happiest states , followed by New Jersey and Utah, according to a September 2026 study by personal finance company WalletHub.

Hawaii scored 69.53 out of 100, supported by high life satisfaction, relatively low depression rates and strong health outcomes. New Jersey followed with 67.09 points, while Utah ranked third with 66.45.

Idaho and Maryland completed the top five, followed by Nebraska, Connecticut, Minnesota, California and New Hampshire.

At the other end of the ranking, West Virginia finished last with 31.88 points. Louisiana ranked 49th, followed by Arkansas, Alaska and Kentucky.

The results highlight differences in well-being across the country, with several northeastern and western states performing strongly while parts of the South recorded lower scores.

WalletHub compared states using 30 indicators covering emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community conditions . These included depression rates, life expectancy, employment and leisure time.

Utah performed particularly well in working conditions and community life, ranking first in both categories. New Jersey led in emotional and physical well-being.

The findings suggest that happiness is shaped by more than income or location, with health, job satisfaction and social connections playing important roles.

More than four billion people live in just seven countries, according to population estimates published by DataReportal using figures from the United Nations.

India leads with approximately 1.48 billion people, followed by China with 1.41 billion. Together, the two Asian countries account for nearly 35% of the global population .

The United States ranks third with about 349 million people, followed by Indonesia with 288 million and Pakistan with 260 million.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, ranks sixth with approximately 243 million people, while Brazil completes the list with 213 million.

Combined, the seven countries account for roughly 51.2% of the world's population, according to the infographic.

DataReportal's Digital 2026 Global Overview Report, drawing on UN population estimates, puts the global population at approximately 8.25 billion in October 2025. It also shows that India has overtaken China as the world's most populous country.

Population trends differ across the seven countries. India, Pakistan and Nigeria continue to experience population growth, while China's population is declining.

DataReportal estimates that China's population fell by approximately 3.25 million over the 12 months to October 2025, while India's increased by nearly 12.9 million.

The figures highlight the uneven distribution of the world's population, with just seven countries home to more people than all other nations combined.

The United States remains one of the few countries that use Fahrenheit as the standard for everyday temperature measurements, while most of the world uses Celsius.

A world map comparing temperature scales shows a striking divide: the United States stands out in yellow for Fahrenheit, while almost every other country is marked in red for Celsius.

From Europe and Africa to Asia, South America and Australia, Celsius is the standard scale for weather forecasts and everyday temperature measurements.

The United States is the most prominent exception. Americans commonly use Fahrenheit for weather reports, household thermostats and cooking temperatures, although Celsius is also used in scientific and some technical settings.

Canada presents a contrast to its southern neighbour. Despite its close economic and geographical ties to the United States, Canada generally uses Celsius for weather forecasts.

The two scales use different reference points. Water freezes at 0°C and boils at approximately 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure. On the Fahrenheit scale, the equivalent temperatures are 32°F and 212°F, according to the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The widespread use of Celsius is linked to the international adoption of the metric system. The United States has retained customary measurements for many everyday activities, helping explain why Fahrenheit remains familiar to American households.

For scientific measurements, however, the International System of Units uses kelvin as its base unit of temperature , with Celsius also widely accepted for expressing temperatures.

The difference is largely one of convention rather than accuracy. Both scales measure the same physical quantity, but express it using different numbers.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have brought together some of the Muslim world's largest military forces under a joint defence agreement, with their combined strength estimated at nearly 1.4 million active personnel, more than 3,400 aircraft and 6,000 tanks.

The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026, pledging to treat an armed attack on any one of them as an attack on all three.

The agreement, signed in Saudi Arabia by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to strengthen regional security amid growing tensions in the Middle East .

Figures from the 2026 Global Firepower Index show that the three countries have approximately 1.39 million active military personnel, 3,415 aircraft, 815 fighter aircraft and 6,046 main battle tanks.

Pakistan contributes the largest number of active troops, with 660,000 personnel, followed by Türkiye with 481,000 and Saudi Arabia with 247,000.

Pakistan also leads in military aircraft, with 1,397, compared with Türkiye's 1,101 and Saudi Arabia's 917.

Türkiye has the largest naval fleet of the three, with 192 assets, followed by Pakistan's 120 and Saudi Arabia's 32. Together, their naval forces account for 344 assets.

Their estimated combined annual defence budgets total $124.4 billion, with Saudi Arabia contributing the largest share at $63.9 billion, followed by Türkiye at $51.4 billion and Pakistan at $9.1 billion.

The agreement also brings together different military strengths. Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state, Türkiye has NATO's second-largest military and an established defence industry, while Saudi Arabia provides substantial financial resources.

The pact covers military cooperation, intelligence sharing, training and defence technology . However, the combined figures represent the countries' national capabilities, not a single unified military force.

Türkiye's parliament is still considering the agreement. On October 27, its foreign affairs committee approved the pact, sending it to the full assembly for debate and a vote. Turkish officials have said the agreement is defensive and does not automatically authorise overseas troop deployments.

The agreement could deepen military cooperation among the three countries, although its practical impact will depend on parliamentary approval and how the governments implement their commitments.

Minecraft leads in the United States , Canada and Mexico, as well as several Central American countries. The game also appears to attract more searches in Chile, one of the few South American countries where it leads.

Roblox , meanwhile, dominates much of South America, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. It also leads in several Caribbean and Central American countries.

The contrast highlights differences in what internet users search for across the region, although it does not necessarily show which platform has more active players.

Minecraft, developed by Mojang Studios, allows players to build, explore and survive in worlds made of blocks. Roblox, meanwhile, is a platform where users can create, share and play games developed by other users.

Both have large international audiences, but their different features may appeal to different groups of players.

Google explains that its Trends data measures relative search interest rather than total searches or player numbers. Results are adjusted for each location and displayed on a scale of 0 to 100.

This means a country showing stronger interest in Roblox does not necessarily have more Roblox players than Minecraft players.

The map illustrates a broad regional split in online search behaviour, with Minecraft leading across much of North America and Roblox attracting greater search interest in most of South America .

Rockstar Games' highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI is set to launch on November 19, with a standard edition priced at $79.99, compared with $59.99 for its predecessor, GTA V, when it launched in 2013.

Despite the higher price, an analysis shared by Reddit user u/razewerz on r/dataisbeautiful suggests players will pay less in inflation-adjusted terms than they did for earlier instalments.

The comparison, featured by World Visualised, uses historical US launch prices adjusted to September 2026 dollars using the US Bureau of Labour Statistics' Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

According to the graphic, GTA III, released in 2001 for $49.99, would cost approximately $94.79 in September 2026 dollars. GTA: Vice City, released in 2002 at the same price, would cost $92.90, while GTA: San Andreas, released in 2004, would cost $88.23.

GTA IV, which launched in 2008 for $59.99, would cost about $94.09 today. GTA V's original $59.99 price would be equivalent to approximately $86.33.

That puts GTA VI's confirmed $79.99 price below all five earlier titles in the comparison after adjusting for inflation.

Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, confirmed the $79.99 price and November 19 release date in June. The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, with a $99.99 Ultimate Edition also available.

The figures highlight how inflation has changed the cost of video games over the past 25 years. Although GTA VI is $20 more expensive than GTA V was at launch, the earlier game's inflation-adjusted price is about $6 higher.

The latest US inflation data supports the need for such comparisons. Consumer prices rose 3.7% in the year to September 2026, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics.

The comparison suggests that GTA VI's higher sticker price does not necessarily make it the most expensive entry in the series when measured against the purchasing power of the dollar.

Argentina and Brazil have dominated South America's history in the Ballon d'Or, football's prestigious individual award, but their totals tell different stories.

According to the figures presented by The World in Maps, Argentine players have won 11 titles, compared with five for Brazil .

Messi accounts for eight of Argentina's victories , winning the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023. His record places him ahead of every other player in the award's history.

Brazil's five titles have come from three players. Ronaldo Nazário won twice, in 1997 and 2002, while Rivaldo claimed the award in 1999 and Ronaldinho in 2005. Kaká was Brazil's most recent winner, in 2007.

However, the infographic's total of 11 Argentine titles includes three awards won by Argentine-born players who represented European countries.

Alfredo Di Stéfano won twice, in 1957 and 1959, representing Spain, while Omar Sívori won in 1961 as an Italian international.

Under the official nationality-based records, Argentina has eight titles, all won by Messi, while Brazil has five.

The difference also reflects the award's history . Until 1995, only European players were eligible to win the Ballon d'Or. The rules were later expanded, allowing footballers from other continents to compete.

Brazil's Ronaldo became the country's first winner in 1997, two years after the eligibility change.

The latest men's award went to England's Harry Kane on October 26, 2026, leaving Argentina and Brazil's totals unchanged.

The Eurovision Song Contest has confirmed the running order for its inaugural Asian edition, bringing together 11 performers from across the region for a live music competition in Thailand's capital.

The event will take place at One Bangkok Forum on November 14, marking Eurovision's first major expansion beyond its traditional European competition.

Vietnamese singer Tóc Tiên will open the contest with EM TIÊN, followed by Cambodia's Monetrey performing I Let You Go and Laos' Thinla with BAE, according to the official Eurovision announcement on October 29.

Mongolia's Beck will perform Chamguigeer (Without You), followed by Bhutan's Nyendra with Lhayi Semo and the Philippines' CARMELLE with Sobra-Sobra.

Bangladesh's Beatmosphere will take the seventh position with Tumi Ele, before Thailand's MANG x DAOU perform Aroma.

South Korea's JUNHEE will take the stage with DEEP DIVE, followed by Nepal's Pratik Himal Rai performing Ananta Maya. Malaysia's Aina Abdul will close the show with Bluest Sky.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, announced the Asian expansion in March as part of celebrations marking the competition's 70th anniversary.

The organisers initially confirmed 10 participating countries before Mongolia joined the lineup, bringing the total to 11.

According to the EBU, the participating countries represent a combined population of more than 600 million people, giving the new competition the potential to reach a large regional audience.

The grand final is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. Bangkok time on November 14. Viewers will be able to watch through participating broadcasters and Eurovision's official YouTube channel, while online voting will be available free of charge.

The event will bring together established performers and emerging artists, giving the participating countries an opportunity to showcase their music to audiences across Asia and beyond.

Israel faces difficult coalition negotiations after its parliamentary election produced no clear winner, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's allies leading the vote but lacking enough seats to govern alone.

An October 29 election graphic showed Netanyahu's bloc projected to win 54 seats in the 120-member Knesset, compared with 48 for the main opposition and 18 for Arab-led parties.

However, later figures reported from Israel's Central Elections Committee put Netanyahu's bloc at 53 seats, the opposition at 48 and Arab-led parties at 19. A governing majority requires at least 61 seats.

Netanyahu's Likud remained the largest individual party , with 27 seats, while former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party emerged as the leading opposition party with 21 seats.

The results leave both camps dependent on negotiations with other parties, including Arab-led factions that could play an important role in determining the next government .

The election was Israel's first since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent wars. Voter turnout reached 77.7%, its highest level since 1999, according to the election committee.

The Arab-led Joint List and Ra'am won 19 seats combined in the later count, potentially giving them significant influence in coalition talks. However, political differences between the main blocs could make forming a government difficult.

Reuters reported that President Isaac Herzog will consult parliamentary parties after the official results are published on November 4 before selecting a candidate to form a government. If negotiations fail, Israel could face another election.

The outcome leaves Netanyahu's political future uncertain despite Likud's lead, with no party or alliance yet securing a clear path to power.

Spain and France are among the European countries whose clocks are furthest ahead of their geographical position, while Britain, Germany and much of central Europe follow time zones more closely aligned with their location.

Europe's time zones do not always match the position of countries on the globe, with political decisions and historical events helping determine what time people observe.

A map published by The World in Maps compares European countries' official time zones with their geographical location, showing Spain as one of the clearest examples of the mismatch.

Spain uses Central European Time (UTC+1) during winter, the same as Germany and Italy, despite much of mainland Spain lying west of the Greenwich meridian. Geographically, most of the country is closer to the UTC+0 time zone used by neighbouring Portugal.

France also follows UTC+1 in winter, although much of its territory lies closer to Greenwich. This means clocks in both countries run ahead of the time suggested by their longitude.

Spain moved its clocks for war d by one hour in March 1940 during World War II and retained Central European Time. France also adopted the system during the war. Historical records show that these changes were more complicated than the common claim that Spain simply changed its clocks to match Nazi Germany.

Elsewhere, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and several Central European countries are closer to the time zones suggested by their longitude. Britain and Portugal also follow UTC+0 in winter, although western Ireland and parts of Portugal are geographically better aligned with a later solar time.

The differences affect daily life. In western Spain, the Sun can reach its highest point well after 12 noon by the official clock, contributing to later sunrise and sunset times.

Most European countries also move their clocks forward by one hour during summer. Although the European Union proposed ending seasonal clock changes in 2018, member states have yet to reach an agreement, and the existing system remains in place in 2026.

The comparison shows that Europe's clocks reflect more than geography, with history and government decisions continuing to influence how countries measure time.

Wildfires have burned vast areas of forest and other vegetation across the world this year, with Russia recording 6.2 million hectares, Brazil 4.5 million and Canada 4.1 million as of October 15, according to figures compiled by World Visualized.

The United States followed with 3.6 million hectares , while Spain led the European countries featured in the graphic with approximately 301,000 hectares burned.

However, the figures come from different national and international monitoring systems, making direct comparisons difficult.

Canada's government reported on October 15 that more than 5,400 wildfires had burned approximately 4.5 million hectares nationwide, exceeding the 4.1 million hectares shown in the graphic. The fires forced more than 33,750 people to evacuate their homes, including over 8,800 people from First Nations communities.

Russia has also faced widespread fires, particularly in its remote forest regions. Its aerial forest protection agency, Avialesookhrana, reported continued firefighting operations in October, although its published updates do not independently confirm the infographic's cumulative 6.2-million-hectare figure.

In Europe, Spain accounted for a large share of the land burned in 2026. Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) showed that approximately 301,413 hectares had burned in Spain by October 21, representing about 43% of the European Union's total.

Across the EU, nearly 700,000 hectares had burned by late October, above the long-term average but below the record levels recorded in 2025. France, Italy, Portugal and Greece also experienced significant wildfire activity.

The fires have increased pressure on emergency services and threatened communities, infrastructure and wildlife habitats. Copernicus said Europe's unusually hot and dry summer created favourable conditions for fires to spread, including in areas where major wildfires have historically been less common.

The figures underline the scale of the 2026 wildfire season, although the final global picture will depend on updated national reports and consistent satellite-based estimates.

A historical map of Europe's time zones in the winter of 1938 shows a continent divided by national timekeeping rules, just months before World War II began in September 1939.

France, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Ireland were among the countries observing Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), while Germany, Italy, Poland and much of central Europe used GMT+1.

The Netherlands stood out . Instead of following either system, it observed a national time approximately 20 minutes ahead of GMT, a legacy of its earlier use of local astronomical time.

Farther east, Finland, Greece and Romania followed GMT+2, while parts of the Soviet Union used GMT+3 or other offsets.

One of the biggest changes came during World War II. Following Germany's invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940, the occupying authorities ordered Dutch clocks to move forward by one hour and 40 minutes, bringing the country into line with German summer time.

Belgium and France also adopted Central European Time during the war, and the Netherlands retained the system after liberation.

Today, most of continental western and central Europe uses Central European Time (UTC+1) in winter, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. The United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal remain on UTC+0, while much of eastern Europe uses UTC+2.

The 1938 map highlights how national decisions, geography and wartime events helped shape the time zones still used across Europe.

The proportion of Brazilians identifying as Roman Catholic fell to 56.7% in 2022, down from 65.1% in 2010, marking a major change in the religious landscape of the world's largest Catholic country.

Figures from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) show that Catholicism, which accounted for nearly the entire population in the country's earliest census records, has steadily lost ground over successive decades.

In 1872, about 99.7% of Brazilians identified as Catholic. By 1940, the share had fallen to around 95%, before dropping more sharply in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Evangelical Christianity has expanded over the same period. Its share rose from 21.6% in 2010 to 26.9% in 2022, making it Brazil's second-largest religious group.

The proportion of Brazilians reporting no religion also increased, from 7.9% to 9.3%.

The decline is also visible in absolute numbers. Brazil had approximately 100.2 million Catholics in 2022, down from 105.4 million in 2010. Over the same period, the evangelical population increased from 35 million to 47.4 million.

Catholicism nevertheless remained Brazil's largest religion, with its strongest regional presence in the Northeast, where 63.9% identified as Catholic. Evangelical Christianity had its highest regional share in the North, at 36.8%.

Other religious traditions also gained followers. The proportion identifying with Umbanda and Candomblé, religions with African roots, rose from 0.3% in 2010 to 1% in 2022.

The findings, released by IBGE in June 2025, illustrate how Brazil's religious identity has changed over 150 years, although Catholicism continues to account for more than half of the population covered by the latest figures.

Flávio Bolsonaro, the defeated candidate in Brazil's presidential election , arrived in the United States on Wednesday, October 28, after crossing into Argentina by road and taking a private flight through Ecuador, according to Reuters and Argentine immigration authorities.

Bolsonaro travelled with his wife and two daughters, crossing the Tancredo Neves International Bridge between Brazil and Argentina late on Tuesday.

Argentina's immigration department confirmed that the family entered the country at 10:50 p.m. local time using valid travel documents. About 40 minutes later, they boarded a private aircraft at Puerto Iguazú airport, bound for Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Flight-tracking data cited by Reuters showed the Gulfstream aircraft departing Puerto Iguazú shortly after midnight and landing in Guayaquil early Wednesday. It then continued to Opa-locka Executive Airport near Miami, where Reuters confirmed Bolsonaro's arrival.

The journey came after Brazil's Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to surrender his passports and prohibited him from leaving the country amid investigations into alleged financial crimes. Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing and had previously said he intended to comply with the order.

The senator lost Sunday's presidential runoff to Lula, who secured approximately 51.8% of valid votes against Bolsonaro's 48.2%. He has refused to concede defeat, although his Liberal Party has recognised the result.

US President Donald Trump said he would approve Bolsonaro's entry into the United States, while American officials confirmed that visas would be issued to his family.

The departure has raised questions about how Bolsonaro crossed the border despite the court restrictions and could increase diplomatic tensions between Brazil and the United States.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio's father, remains under house arrest following his conviction for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election.

At least 18 countries have been highlighted in a World Visualized compilation of emergency preparedness initiatives in 2026, reflecting growing efforts to protect populations against disasters and disruptions to essential services.

The measures range from public awareness campaigns and updated emergency guidance to civil defence planning and new security strategies.

In Europe, the Netherlands launched a new phase of its Denk vooruit (Think Ahead) campaign on October 12, encouraging households to prepare for at least 72 hours without electricity, running water or internet access.

The Dutch government said more than four in 10 residents had already taken steps to prepare for such disruptions, including assembling emergency kits or making arrangements with family and neighbours.

Finland has also strengthened its emergency systems. Its government announced plans to introduce FI-Alert, a mobile warning system designed to deliver faster, location-specific alerts during emergencies. Finnish authorities also recommend keeping enough food, water and essential supplies at home for at least three days.

The European Commission has expanded public awareness efforts through its We Act as One campaign, launched in September and running until December 2026.

The initiative covers Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania. It highlights cooperation between emergency responders and the European Union's role in preparing for and responding to disasters.

Outside Europe, Singapore has continued community emergency exercises covering threats beyond fires, including hazardous material incidents and natural disasters. Japan also maintains extensive disaster preparedness systems because of its exposure to earthquakes, tsunamis and severe weather.

The broader push comes amid growing concern about extreme weather, geopolitical tensions and threats to critical infrastructure .

The European Commission's Preparedness Union Strategy, adopted in March 2025, calls for stronger coordination between governments, businesses and citizens to respond to a wide range of emergencies.

On October 23, the Commission said the EU Civil Protection Mechanism had been activated more than 900 times since its establishment in 2001, helping countries respond to floods, wildfires, earthquakes and other disasters.

The initiatives show how governments are increasingly treating emergency preparedness as a shared responsibility, with households expected to manage basic needs while emergency services respond to major disruptions.

Lula strengthened his electoral performance in 5,318 Brazilian municipalities between the October 4 first round and the October 25 runoff, according to an analysis of election results presented by The World in Maps.

Only 122 municipalities moved towards his right-wing rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, the graphic showed.

The figures suggest Lula gained ground across approximately 98% of the municipalities included in the comparison, highlighting the scale of his recovery after finishing behind Bolsonaro in the first round.

The shift does not mean Lula won every municipality where his support increased. In many places, he simply narrowed Bolsonaro's lead or increased his own margin.

An analysis by Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, also based on Superior Electoral Court (TSE) data, found that Lula improved his margin against Bolsonaro in 5,385 municipalities, or 96.7% of the country's total. Bolsonaro gained ground in 185. The figures differ from those shown in the graphic, possibly because of differences in how local results were compared.

Among the largest shifts highlighted in the graphic were Campos dos Goytacazes and Belford Roxo in Rio de Janeiro state, where Lula's position improved by 9.8 and 8.6 percentage points, respectively. São Vicente in São Paulo state recorded an 8.4-point shift.

Lula's gains helped him secure 51.79% of valid votes in the runoff, compared with Bolsonaro's 48.21%, according to the TSE. He received 64.26 million votes against Bolsonaro's 59.83 million, reversing a first-round deficit of about 2.2 million votes.

The result secured Lula a fourth non-consecutive presidential term, although Bolsonaro has challenged the outcome and called for the election to be annulled.

The municipal figures illustrate how widespread changes in voting margins contributed to Lula's victory, even in areas where Bolsonaro remained the leading candidate.

Rebeca Grynspan, a former Costa Rican vice-president and head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), received nine favourable votes out of 15 in the October 16 informal ballot, according to Reuters.

However, she also received five negative votes, including two from permanent Security Council members, preventing her from securing the council's recommendation.

Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Argentina's Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency , each received eight favourable votes. Both also faced opposition from permanent members.

The vote marked an important stage in the selection process because it was the first to distinguish ballots cast by the five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — from those of the council's 10 elected members.

Under UN rules, a candidate needs at least nine votes in the Security Council without a veto from any permanent member before the General Assembly can appoint them.

The contest widened on October 21 when the United Arab Emirates nominated diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, a former ambassador to the UN. Her candidacy came after the latest informal ballot, meaning she was not included in those results.

Meanwhile, former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has emerged as a possible additional contender. The Wall Street Journal reported that officials in US President Donald Trump's administration had discussed supporting him as a potential joint candidate with Russia and China.

However, Orbán has not been formally nominated, and the reported proposal remains uncertain.

The next secretary-general will take office on January 1, 2027, succeeding Guterres after two five-year terms.

The selection comes as the UN faces major challenges, including ongoing conflicts , financial pressures and growing divisions among Security Council members.

Although Grynspan leads the reported informal voting, the opposition facing every candidate means the outcome remains unresolved.

Serbia's student-led opposition secured 140 seats in the country's 250-member parliament in Sunday's snap election, defeating the coalition of longtime leader Aleksandar Vučić, according to preliminary results released by the Republican Electoral Commission (RIK).

The Student List won 52.71% of votes counted , compared with 39.17% for Vučić's United Serbia coalition, which secured 104 seats. Four parties representing ethnic minorities shared the remaining six seats, according to the latest official count.

The result gives the student-backed movement more than the 126 seats needed for a parliamentary majority, opening the way for a change of government after years of dominance by Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party.

Vučić conceded defeat on Sunday as thousands of opposition supporters celebrated in Belgrade and other cities. Voter turnout was approximately 69%, reflecting strong public interest in the election.

The snap election followed nearly two years of student-led demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. The disaster fuelled public anger over alleged corruption, weak oversight and government accountability.

What began as university protests developed into a nationwide movement demanding political change. Student organisers mobilised voters across Serbia, including rural areas traditionally considered strongholds of Vučić's ruling party.

The movement's candidates include professionals and other public figures rather than the student organisers themselves, reflecting its attempt to build support beyond established opposition parties.

The election also marks a major political turning point for Serbia, where Vučić has been the dominant political figure for more than a decade.

However, the new parliamentary majority faces the challenge of turning its protest movement into a functioning government while addressing corruption, economic concerns and Serbia's relations with the European Union .

The official figures remain preliminary. A separate CeSID/Ipsos projection based on its complete polling sample gave the Student List 141 seats and Vučić's coalition 103, slightly different from the RIK count.

Serbia's student-led opposition secured 140 seats in the country's 250-member parliament in Sunday's snap election, defeating the coalition of longtime leader Aleksandar Vučić, according to preliminary results released by the Republican Electoral Commission (RIK).

The Student List won 52.71% of votes counted , compared with 39.17% for Vučić's United Serbia coalition, which secured 104 seats. Four parties representing ethnic minorities shared the remaining six seats, according to the latest official count.

The result gives the student-backed movement more than the 126 seats needed for a parliamentary majority, opening the way for a change of government after years of dominance by Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party.

Vučić conceded defeat on Sunday as thousands of opposition supporters celebrated in Belgrade and other cities. Voter turnout was approximately 69%, reflecting strong public interest in the election.

The snap election followed nearly two years of student-led demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people . The disaster fuelled public anger over alleged corruption, weak oversight and government accountability.

What began as university protests developed into a nationwide movement demanding political change. Student organisers mobilised voters across Serbia, including rural areas traditionally considered strongholds of Vučić's ruling party.

The movement's candidates include professionals and other public figures rather than the student organisers themselves, reflecting its attempt to build support beyond established opposition parties.

The election also marks a major political turning point for Serbia, where Vučić has been the dominant political figure for more than a decade.

However, the new parliamentary majority faces the challenge of turning its protest movement into a functioning government while addressing corruption, economic concerns and Serbia's relations with the European Union .

The official figures remain preliminary. A separate CeSID/Ipsos projection based on its complete polling sample gave the Student List 141 seats and Vučić's coalition 103, slightly different from the RIK count.

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva strengthened his support across nearly 97% of the country's municipalities between the first and second rounds of the 2026 presidential election , helping him overturn an early lead held by right-wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro.

An analysis of official election data by Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo found that Lula gained ground in 96.7% of municipalities, either increasing his lead or narrowing his deficit against Bolsonaro.

Lula turned around results in 211 municipalities that had voted for Bolsonaro in the first round, while only one municipality switched in Bolsonaro's favour. The gains included 76 municipalities in Minas Gerais and 32 in São Paulo.

The shift helped Lula secure 51.79% of valid votes in Sunday's runoff, compared with Bolsonaro's 48.21%, according to Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE).

Lula received 64.26 million votes against Bolsonaro's 59.83 million, winning by approximately 4.43 million votes. The result gave the Workers' Party leader an unprecedented fourth non-consecutive presidential term.

The electoral map showed Lula expanding his support beyond his traditional strongholds in northeastern Brazil . He won the most votes in 2,875 municipalities, compared with Bolsonaro's 2,695, while one municipality recorded a tie.

Minas Gerais proved particularly important, becoming the only state to switch from Bolsonaro in the first round to Lula in the runoff. Lula also improved his performance in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, despite Bolsonaro winning both states overall.

The results marked a historic comeback. Bolsonaro had led the first round with 47% of valid votes against Lula's 45.2%, but the incumbent reversed the national result in the October 25 runoff.

The figures highlight how changes in local voting patterns helped determine the outcome of Brazil's election, even in areas where Bolsonaro retained majority support.

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured 51.79% of valid votes in Sunday's presidential runoff, defeating right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who received 48.21%, according to final results from Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE).

Lula, 80, received 64,256,232 votes, while Bolsonaro received 59,826,041, winning by more than 4.4 million votes. The victory gives the Workers' Party leader an unprecedented fourth non-consecutive presidential term.

The result marked a major comeback for Lula, who had finished behind Bolsonaro in the first round on October 4. It was the first time since Brazil restored direct presidential elections in 1989 that a candidate trailing in the opening round went on to win the runoff.

The electoral map showed a sharp regional divide. Lula won 13 of Brazil's 26 states, including all nine in the Northeast, where his political support has traditionally been strongest. He also secured Minas Gerais, a key battleground state that Bolsonaro had won in the first round.

Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, won the remaining 13 states and the Federal District, performing strongly across southern Brazil and much of the Centre-West.

Lula's victory came despite concerns over living costs, public security and economic conditions. His campaign increased voter mobilisation between the two rounds, helping him overcome Bolsonaro's early lead.

However, Bolsonaro refused to concede defeat and called for the election results to be annulled after a last-minute judicial decision extended voting by two hours. The extension followed complaints about public transport problems and heavy rainfall in some areas.

Brazil's electoral authorities maintained that the extension did not change the outcome. More than 128 million voters participated in the runoff, with abstention falling to about 19.2%, down from 21.08% in the first round.

Lula is expected to begin his new term in January 2027, facing the challenge of governing a politically divided country while addressing economic pressures and relations with the United States.

Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan controlled vast territories across Europe, Africa and Asia in 1942, marking the height of Axis expansion during World War II before a series of Allied victories began reversing their gains.

The Axis powers reached their greatest combined territorial reach in 1942, when Germany dominated much of continental Europe, Japan controlled large parts of East and Southeast Asia, and Italy held territories around the Mediterranean and North Africa.

A historical map published by The World in Maps illustrates the extent of Axis control, highlighting territories occupied or administered by the three major powers under Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Japan's Emperor Hirohito.

Germany had conquered or occupied much of Europ e, including France, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and large areas of the Soviet Union. Its armies advanced towards Stalingrad and the Caucasus in 1942, seeking to weaken Soviet resistance and capture important oil resources.

Japan had expanded across the Pacific and Southeast Asia following its December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour. By mid-1942, Japanese forces had occupied the Philippines, Malaya, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies and Burma, while maintaining control over Korea, Taiwan and parts of China.

Italy, meanwhile, controlled Libya and occupied territories in the Balkans and parts of southern France. However, its earlier East African empire had largely collapsed by 1941 following British-led military campaigns.

Despite their extensive territorial gains, the Axis powers were already facing major setbacks by late 1942.

The United States defeated Japan's navy at the Battle of Midway in June 1942, weakening Japan's ability to expand across the Pacific. In October and November, British forces defeated German and Italian troops at El Alamein in Egypt, forcing them to retreat.

The Soviet Union also launched a counteroffensive at Stalingrad in November 1942, trapping a large German army that surrendered in February 1943. These defeats marked a major shift in the war.

By 1943, the Axis powers were losing territory across several fronts. Italy surrendered to the Allies that September; Germany was defeated in May 1945, and Japan surrendered in August 1945, bringing World War II to an end.

The map illustrates the scale of Axis expansion but simplifies the political situation. Some territories were directly occupied, while others were governed by Allied states or puppet administrations. The Axis powers also reached their territorial peaks at different times, meaning the map should not be read as an exact snapshot of a single date in late 1942.

Japan recorded 8.46 million vacant homes , 13.6% of its housing stock, according to a World Visualised ranking based on OECD housing data.

Cyprus followed with a vacancy rate of 12.5%, while Hungary recorded 12.3%. The United States and Brazil each had rates of 11.1%, although the US had the largest number of empty properties among the countries shown, at approximately 15.5 million.

Finland and Chile both recorded vacancy rates of 10.7%, followed by Slovenia at 10.5%, Australia at 9.8% and Ireland at 9.1%.

The figures highlight a housing problem: millions of properties remain unoccupied even as households struggle to find affordable accommodation.

Japan's large number of vacant homes is partly linked to its ageing population , declining population in rural communities and properties left behind after owners die or move away.

However, the ranking does not reflect a single year. The OECD Affordable Housing Database combines national housing statistics collected in different periods, making direct comparisons difficult.

The OECD also distinguishes between vacant homes and properties used seasonally or as holiday accommodation. Some countries include second homes in their vacancy figures, while others exclude them. This means a vacant property is not necessarily abandoned or available for permanent occupation.

The issue has gained attention as governments look for ways to ease housing shortages. In a 2026 report, the OECD said vacant dwellings accounted for at least 7% of housing stock in 21 countries with available data, although definitions varied.

The organisation said bringing unused properties back into use could help increase housing supply, particularly in areas facing shortages. However, high renovation costs, unsuitable locations and ownership restrictions can make some vacant homes difficult to return to the market.

The findings underline a growing challenge for housing policymakers: increasing the number of available homes does not always require new construction, but existing empty properties may not be located where people need them.

The political landscape across the Americas has undergone a significant transformation since 2023, with a growing number of countries now governed by right-leaning administrations after a period in which left-wing leaders dominated much of the hemisphere.

The shift is most visible in North America and parts of South America, where recent elections have brought conservative or centre-right governments to power. Political analysts say concerns over inflation, economic growth, crime, migration and public dissatisfaction with incumbents have helped fuel the trend.

The United States returned to a right-leaning administration following the 2024 presidential election, while Argentina's election of President Javier Milei in late 2023 marked one of the region's most significant political realignments. Milei's libertarian agenda represented a sharp break from the country's long tradition of Peronist politics.

Elsewhere, Ecuador, Paraguay and several Central American nations have also been led by governments generally considered centre-right or conservative. The result is a noticeably different political map from just a few years ago, when left-leaning governments held power across much of the hemisphere.

Despite the shift, the political picture remains mixed. Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Chile continue to be governed by left-leaning administrations, preserving the influence of progressive politics in some of the region's largest economies.

According to data from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and regional election authorities, economic challenges have remained a dominant issue across the Americas. Inflation spikes following the COVID-19 pandemic, slower growth and concerns over public security have influenced electoral outcomes in several countries.

Political scientists caution that the traditional left-right divide often oversimplifies Latin American politics, where leaders frequently combine policies from different ideological traditions. Nevertheless, election results since 2023 point to a broader trend of voters seeking alternatives to incumbent governments.

The changing political balance comes as countries across the hemisphere face major challenges, including economic competitiveness, migration pressures, organised crime and energy transition policies .

Truck drivers' protests across southern Italy have disrupted transport networks, supermarket deliveries and fuel supplies, although some drivers began lifting roadblocks on Thursday following talks with the government.

The demonstrations, which began last week over rising diesel prices and transport costs, have caused shortages of fresh food in Naples, Sicily, Calabria and Puglia. Retailers reported that fruit, vegetables, milk and meat were stranded in warehouses and delivery vehicles.

The disruption has also affected two airports in Calabria, where shortages of aviation fuel forced airlines to make alternative refuelling arrangements. Roadblocks caused long traffic queues near Naples and interrupted deliveries to businesses and essential services.

Protests also reached the northeastern city of Ravenna, where trucks and tractors gathered in the city centre. However, reports of shortages in Milan and Tuscany have not been independently established to the same extent as those in southern Italy.

Italy's government , led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has promised financial support for transport operators and farmers. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has also raised the possibility of limiting diesel prices to ease pressure on the industry.

By October 22, truck drivers in Sicily and Calabria had agreed to suspend several blockades, while some protesters in Gela continued their demonstrations, demanding concrete action on fuel costs.

The government has also offered police escorts for vehicles carrying essential supplies, including food and medicines, as authorities work to restore deliveries and prevent further shortages.

Despite signs of improvement, the protests have exposed the dependence of Italian supermarkets, businesses and public services on road transport, with continued disruption threatening supplies beyond the southern regions.

By Friday, October 23, the last remaining roadblocks in Campania had been removed, according to Italian news agency ANSA. Supermarkets were gradually restocking, although several petrol stations remained without fuel.

The government also approved an additional €106 million in tax credits for truck drivers, alongside support for farmers and the fishing industry.

Indonesia is battling its most severe forest and land fire crisis since 2015, with new satellite data showing that fires affected about 1.9 million hectares between January and September 2026.

The estimate, published by environmental monitoring group Nusantara Atlas on October 21, is 38% higher than the area recorded during the same period in 2019. More than half of this year's affected land was detected in September alone.

The latest findings challenge an infographic showing just 129,000 hectares burned as of October 15, 2026. That figure is substantially below independent satellite estimates and should not be presented as the confirmed national total.

Indonesia has experienced several major fire disasters over the past three decades. Fires in 1997–1998 affected an estimated 11.7 million hectares, while the 2015 crisis burned approximately 2.61 million hectares. Another severe season in 2019 affected about 1.65 million hectares, according to the historical figures shown in the infographic.

The current crisis has been intensified by El Niño conditions, which have brought hotter, drier weather and increased the risk of fires spreading through forests and peatlands.

Reuters reported on October 13 that President Prabowo Subianto had ordered additional firefighting resources as smoke spread across Indonesia and neighbouring countries. Health Ministry figures showed 277,075 cases of respiratory illness linked to the fires in seven Indonesian provinces by October 12.

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said on October 21 that firefighting operations were continuing across several provinces, particularly Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra. More than 71,000 personnel had been deployed in six priority provinces.

The situation showed signs of improvement by October 22, with Reuters reporting that high-confidence fire hotspots had fallen from more than 1,200 on October 14 to 565. However, authorities warned that uneven rainfall could allow fires to spread again.

Nusantara Atlas estimated that about 85,000 to 88,000 hectares of natural forest had been affected by September. Its wider 1.9-million-hectare estimate also includes agricultural land, grasslands and other vegetation. The organisation cautioned that land affected by fire does not necessarily mean all vegetation within it was destroyed.

With the rainy season delayed and fires continuing in several regions, Indonesia faces mounting pressure to contain the crisis and prevent further damage to its forests, public health and neighbouring countries.

Northern European capitals can receive fewer than six hours of daylight during the darkest part of winter, with Helsinki, Oslo and Reykjavik among the cities where residents experience particularly short days.

Europe's northern capitals experience some of the shortest winter days on the continent, as the Earth's tilt leaves northern regions receiving fewer hours of sunlight towards the end of December.

The infographic lists Helsinki at 5 hours and 48 minutes, Tallinn at 6 hours and 2 minutes, Reykjavik at 4 hours and 7 minutes, Oslo at 5 hours and 54 minutes, and Stockholm at 6 hours and 4 minutes.

However, the figures raise questions about the ranking's accuracy. Reykjavik has the shortest daylight duration among the five cities shown, while Helsinki's reported duration is also inconsistent with standard winter-solstice calculations.

The ranking therefore cannot be treated as a verified order without a common measurement date and consistent sunrise and sunset calculations.

Time and Date's calculations for the winter solstice on December 21, 2026, show that Helsinki will receive approximately 5 hours and 49 minutes of daylight, Tallinn 6 hours and 3 minutes, and Stockholm 6 hours and 5 minutes. These figures broadly support the infographic's estimates, although some differ slightly.

The sharp reduction in daylight is caused by the Earth's axial tilt. During the Northern Hemisphere's winter, the North Pole tilts away from the Sun, shortening the time the Sun remains above the horizon.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that sunrise and sunset calculations also account for atmospheric refraction, which makes the Sun appear above the horizon slightly earlier at sunrise and later at sunset.

Although daylight is limited, these capitals do not experience complete polar night. That phenomenon occurs farther north, where the Sun remains below the horizon for at least 24 hours.

The situation reverses towards June, when northern European cities enjoy much longer days as the Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the Sun.

People in Spain marry for the first time at nearly 40 on average, while those in Niger and Liberia do so at 21, according to World Population Review's 2026 ranking , highlighting a wide gap in marriage patterns worldwide.

Spain has the highest reported average age at first marriage at 39.8 years, followed by Chile at 38.6 and the Netherlands at 38.4. Argentina and Norway complete the top five, with averages of 37.8 and 37.6 years, respectively.

Brazil, Ireland, Uruguay, Saint Lucia and Sweden also feature among the 10 countries with the latest first marriages. In each, the reported average exceeds 35 years.

At the other end of the ranking, Niger and Liberia share the lowest average at 21 years. Tanzania follows at 21.4, São Tomé and Príncipe at 21.6, while Nepal, Laos and Kiribati each record 21.9 years.

Nigeria and the Central African Republic both have averages of 22 years, with Chad completing the 10 countries where people marry earliest at 22.2 years.

The figures reveal an 18.8-year difference between Spain and Niger, reflecting how the timing of marriage varies across regions.

According to World Population Review, later marriages are often associated with longer periods in education, career priorities and changing family patterns. Earlier marriages remain more common in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where social traditions and economic circumstances can influence when people marry.

However, the ranking does not represent marriages recorded in 2026 alone. World Population Review draws on data collected in different years, meaning some figures may not reflect the latest national trends.

For example, Eurostat's 2026 demographic report shows that in 2024, women in Spain married for the first time at an average age of 35.2 years. This illustrates why the ranking should be treated as a broad international comparison rather than a uniform snapshot of current marriage ages.

Control of the US Senate remains uncertain ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, with seven races rated toss-ups and Democrats holding narrow polling leads in several states traditionally favourable to Republicans.

An October 19 election forecast published by US Elections and The World in Maps, using Race to the White House averages, places 48 Senate seats in the Democratic column and 45 in the Republican column, leaving seven undecided.

The projections include seats not being contested this year and are not election results. A total of 35 Senate seats are up for election in 2026.

Seven states could decide Senate control

The forecast identifies Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska, Ohio and Texas as toss-ups.

In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola leads Republican Senator Dan Sullivan by 49.5% to 47.4%, according to the October 19 averages.

Texas also shows a narrow Democratic advantage, with James Talarico polling at 48.3% against Republican Ken Paxton's 46%.

In Iowa, Democrat Zach Wahls Turek is shown ahead of Republican Ashley Hinson by 46.1% to 45.7%.

The margins are small, however, and polling averages can change before election day.

Michigan and Minnesota lean Democratic

Democrats also lead in two closely watched Midwestern contests.

In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed is polling at 47.9%, compared with 44.9% for Republican Mike Rogers. Minnesota's Peggy Flanagan holds a wider advantage over Republican Michele Tafoya, leading 46.7% to 42.9%.

The forecast also shows tight races in Kansas and Nebraska. Democrat Adam Hamilton leads Republican Senator Roger Marshall by 46.2% to 45.5% in Kansas, while Republican Senator Pete Ricketts leads independent Dan Osborn by 46.5% to 45.6% in Nebraska.

These are polling estimates rather than confirmed voting intentions, and other polling averages show slightly different margins.

Democrats face a difficult path to a majority

Republicans currently control the Senate, meaning Democrats must gain enough seats to reach 51 for an outright majority. A 50–50 split would allow Republican Vice President JD Vance to cast tie-breaking votes.

Independent candidates could complicate the calculations, particularly in Nebraska, where Osborn is running without a major-party affiliation.

With two weeks remaining before election day, both parties are concentrating resources on competitive states. President Donald Trump campaigned in Kansas on October 19 to support Marshall, whose re-election contest has become unexpectedly competitive.

The October 19 map suggests that neither party has secured control. The outcome will depend on a small number of close races where even modest changes in voter support could alter the Senate's balance of power.

Protests have spread across several European countries, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets over rising living costs, expensive housing, low wages and declining public services.

Demonstrations have taken place in France, Belgium, Italy , Spain, Portugal, Albania and Greece, putting pressure on governments already facing economic and political challenges. Although the protests have different causes, many reflect growing frustration over household finances and government policies.

France has seen some of the largest demonstrations. More than 550,000 people joined protests on 17 October, according to figures reported by the Interior Ministry. What began in September as student protests over poor school conditions and education funding has grown into a wider movement demanding action on living costs and public services . Some demonstrations turned violent, with clashes between police and protesters and damage to buildings in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities.

In Belgium, police used tear gas and water cannon during demonstrations in Brussels, while protests also took place in Liège. Students have opposed rising education costs and reforms they fear could make higher education less accessible.

Italy has experienced protests over wages, employment, healthcare and housing, with clashes reported in Milan, Turin and Bologna. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Portugal and Spain have demanded action on rising rents and the shortage of affordable homes.

Greece became another focus of demonstrations on 21 October, when thousands of students and teachers marched to demand better education funding, improved school facilities and relief from rising living costs. Police estimated that about 10,000 people demonstrated in Athens and its suburbs.

Economic pressures have helped fuel the unrest. Eurostat figures show that consumer prices increased by 59% in France, 68% in Italy, 71% in Portugal and 78% in Spain between 2000 and 2026. Rising energy and housing costs have added to the pressure on households, particularly younger people struggling to afford accommodation.

The demonstrations are not part of one organised European movement, and most protesters have marched peacefully. However, the scale of the unrest highlights growing dissatisfaction with living standards and public services, presenting another challenge for European governments ahead of upcoming elections.

Fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz fell to zero in September and remained there in October 2026, according to vessel-tracking data from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and maritime intelligence provider AXSMarine, raising concerns about global food supplies.

The chart above shows how shipments through the vital waterway have collapsed since the conflict involving Iran began in late February, disrupting one of the world's most important routes for fertilizer exports.

The chart's shipment volume index stood at 2,960 in January and 2,531 in February before falling sharply to 1,064 in March.

It dropped further to 278 in April and 225 in May, briefly recovered to 343 in June, and then declined to 87 in July and 62 in August.

By September, the index had reached zero, where it remained in October.

The figures reflect shipments detected through vessel-tracking systems rather than all fertilizer exports from the Gulf region. They also represent an index, not actual tonnes of fertilizer shipped.

The disruption has raised concerns about fertilizer availability, particularly in countries that depend heavily on imports to support agricultural production.

On October 14, a senior United Nations official warned that failure to reach an agreement allowing fertilizer shipments through Hormuz within weeks could trigger a food security crisis in parts of Asia and Africa.

The UN has developed a mechanism to facilitate fertilizer shipments, but its implementation depends on an agreement between the United States and Iran.

UN Under-Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva said the arrangement could become operational within seven to 10 days of an agreement.

Global fertilizer trade adjusts to disruption

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is a major shipping route for fertilizer, energy and other commodities.

Although shipments through the strait have largely stopped, global fertilizer trade has not come to a complete halt.

The WTO reported in October that imports of nitrogen-based fertilizers worldwide were only 2.8% below recent averages, while imports of phosphate fertilizers were 2.2% higher, as buyers turned to alternative suppliers.

However, the prolonged disruption continues to create uncertainty for farmers, particularly in countries where planting seasons are approaching and fertilizer supplies are already under pressure.

Pakistan exported more salt to the United States by value than to any other country in 2024, while the United Arab Emirates purchased the largest quantity, according to trade figures attributed to the World Bank's World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) database and UN Comtrade.

The United States ranked first, importing $15.40 million worth of Pakistani salt, equivalent to 50.73 million kilograms.

The United Arab Emirates followed with $13.01 million in imports but purchased a much larger quantity of 85.92 million kilograms.

This difference shows that the value of salt exports does not always correspond to the quantity shipped. Prices can vary depending on the type, quality, processing and packaging of the product.

Afghanistan was Pakistan's third-largest market, importing $5.27 million worth of salt, followed by the United Kingdom at $4.92 million and China at $4.85 million.

Germany ranked sixth, purchasing $3.77 million worth of Pakistani salt, followed by Australia at $2.58 million.

Brazil , Malaysia and Canada completed the top 10, importing $2.11 million, $2.02 million and $1.61 million, respectively.

Together, these 10 markets accounted for approximately $55.5 million in reported export value and 293 million kilograms of salt.

Pakistan is known for its deposits of Himalayan pink salt, particularly those mined in Punjab's Salt Range, including the Khewra Salt Mine.

However, the trade figures cover salt products more broadly and should not be interpreted as exports of Himalayan pink salt alone.

Why Pakistan's salt trade matters

Salt is used in food production, chemical manufacturing and several industrial processes, making it an important commodity beyond household consumption.

Pakistan's export figures show how its salt industry serves both neighbouring countries and distant markets.

The 2024 figures provide a historical snapshot rather than a measure of current export performance. Changes in global demand, prices and shipping costs may have affected trade patterns since then.

More than 1,000 demonstrations, strikes, riots and other mass gatherings were reported worldwide in the seven days to October 19, 2026, highlighting widespread public frustration over living costs, government policies and political conditions.

Data from Delta Watchfloor recorded 1,072 protest-related events during the period, with activity reported across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia.

France experienced one of the week's largest protest mobilisations, with 110 marches drawing about 550,000 people, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.

Organisers, including trade unions and student groups, estimated participation at 800,000.

The demonstrations began amid anger over rising living costs, low wages and deteriorating public services, particularly education.

Although most participants marched peacefully, violence broke out in several cities, including Paris, Marseille and Lyon. Police used tear gas and water cannons during clashes, while shops and public buildings were damaged.

About 400 people were arrested nationwide, according to the Associated Press.

Protests extend across several continents

The unrest was not limited to France.

Reuters reported demonstrations in Belgium, Portugal and Italy on October 17, alongside further protests in Albania over corruption, employment and education.

Elsewhere, protest-monitoring platforms have tracked movements linked to economic hardship, government accountability and political disputes in countries including India, Argentina, Pakistan and Kenya.

The demonstrations reflect different national grievances rather than a single coordinated global movement.

Economic pressures and political demands fuel unrest

Rising prices, concerns about public services and dissatisfaction with political leaders have contributed to protests in several countries.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Global Protest Tracker has documented significant anti-government movements worldwide since 2017, showing how economic and political grievances can develop into sustained demonstrations.

However, the 1,072 events recorded by Delta Watchfloor should not be interpreted as 1,072 separate large-scale protest movements. Its figures include different types of reported gatherings and depend on available news coverage.

The latest data provides a snapshot of protest activity during one week, rather than proof that demonstrations have reached a record global level.