Brazil leads the regional contingent with 14 competitors, the largest ever for the South American nation at a Winter Olympics, competing in five sports including alpine skiing, skeleton and bobsleigh. Argentina follows with around eight athletes in events such as alpine and cross-country skiing, luge and more. Mexico is also notable with several competitors, including figure skater Donovan Carrillo, who previously helped break a decades-long absence in Olympic figure skating finals and continues to be a focal point of Latin America’s winter sport narrative.

Smaller delegations from Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Uruguay and Puerto Rico round out the Latin American presence, each represented by one or two athletes in sports ranging from skeleton and cross-country skiing to alpine events. Colombia, for example, fields athletes in both cross-country skiing and skeleton, reflecting the broadening base of participation across the region.

For many of these competitors, reaching the Winter Olympics involves extensive preparation abroad, often training in snowy climates far from home while balancing limited local infrastructure and funding. Carrillo’s journey, training in Canada under elite coaching and returning as one of the region’s most visible competitors, illustrates both the challenges and aspirations of Latin American winter athletes.

The record delegation comes as the Games bring together more than 3,500 athletes from 93 nations, competing for medals in 16 disciplines, including figure skating, alpine skiing and luge. Latin America ’s expanded representation, although still modest compared with traditional winter sport powerhouses, reflects increasing ambition and investment in non-traditional sporting arenas.

While no Latin American competitor has yet won a Winter Olympic medal, the milestone of sending a record number of athletes in 2026 carries symbolic significance for the region. It highlights not only personal achievements but also the potential for broader development of winter sports culture across countries historically associated with warm climates. As the Milan-Cortina Games unfold, Latin American athletes continue to capture attention, fostering inspiration for future generations and signalling that ice and snow have a place in the region’s sporting story.

Organisers officially counted 1,837 participants, falling short of the current record of 1,941 people set in 2017 at Lake Epecuén. Although no Guinness adjudicators were present, the event followed internal counting protocols supported by photographic and audiovisual documentation. Festival organiser Griselda Cuello said the final number may have been higher, noting that some people entered the water without wristbands and could not be counted.

Beyond the record attempt, the festival featured live music , DJ performances and food stalls, drawing locals and tourists alike. Organised by La Escuelita Cultural Space and Public Library with support from the local government, the event highlighted Mar Chiquita as a unique natural attraction and reinforced Miramar de Ansenuza’s growing profile as a destination for community-driven tourism initiatives.

The display includes embroideries created by 200 artisans from all 32 federal entities, using a wide range of techniques such as cross stitch, drawn thread and pedal loom weaving. Each piece incorporates multiple colours and reflects both ancestral and contemporary textile traditions.

Every state contributed designs linked to local identity, from urban symbols like the Mexico City metro, axolotls and lucha libre masks, to animals regarded as sacred by indigenous communities in regions such as Nayarit.

Guinness World Records validated the exhibition as a first-of-its-kind achievement, confirming that it met all criteria before awarding the title. Organisers said the recognition gives the initiative international visibility, and authorities are considering preserving the entire collection as a single permanent installation at the cultural complex.

Caught off the coast of Oma in northern Japan, an area renowned for high-quality tuna, the fish quickly became a focal point of attention for both traders and diners. Restaurateurs say the high prices paid at the first auction of the year are driven not only by the quality of the catch, but also by prestige and the belief that securing the top lot brings good fortune — while also serving as a powerful draw for customers eager to sample the most talked-about tuna of the season.

Footage recorded this week shows shelves and tables throughout Valencia’s home filled with nativity displays of varying sizes, materials and styles. The scenes represent countries and regions including Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, Italy and Hungary, as well as broader cultural interpretations from Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East , highlighting the diversity of Christmas traditions beyond their European origins.

Valencia began building the collection in 1991, after the death of her father just days before Christmas Eve. What started as a way to preserve the spirit of the season during a period of personal loss gradually evolved into an annual event, with visitors coming to view the displays and engage with the different cultural expressions of the nativity story.

Encouraged by growing interest from both local and international visitors, Valencia now plans to seek global recognition for her collection. “I want to fill out the application, apply to the Guinness Records,” she said, explaining that visitors from Peru and abroad have told her they have not seen an entire house dedicated to such a wide range of nativity scenes and traditions.

Despite suffering a serious fall earlier this week, Valencia said she remains committed to continuing the tradition, which takes around two months each year to assemble. For her, the project has come to represent more than a seasonal display, reflecting a long-standing effort to share cultural diversity and keep a personal legacy alive through a universally recognised celebration.

“This initiative is about more than just swapping clothes,” Gomez told Viory. “We have the Atacama Desert clothed, not in bloom. This is a call to action against textile waste, which pollutes our environment . Through exchange, repair, and transformation, we’re creating new ways to connect, physically and emotionally,” she added.

Gomez referred to the alarming situation in the Atacama Desert, where an estimated 30,000 tonnes of discarded clothing and textile waste accumulate, a byproduct of the global fast fashion industry.

Guinness World Records adjudicator Natalia Ramirez praised the initiative, describing it as having “an extremely important social impact.”

“The organisers highlighted the issue of overconsumption and promoted circular fashion to extend the life of garments, an idea that resonates globally, not just in Chile,” Ramirez noted.

According to government data, Chileans consume an average of 32 kilograms of textiles per person annually, contributing to more than 572,000 tonnes of textile waste each year.

“Today, I set a new record by pulling a 700-ton ship, surpassing the previous Ukrainian record of 614 tons. Thanks to God and the people who stood by me,” Kabonga said after completing the attempt.

Guinness World Records officials were present to verify the achievement.

“Today, Captain Ashraf Kabonga pulled a ship, and then two ships weighing a total of 700 tons, using only his teeth,” said Guinness adjudicator Mohamed Elnakeeb. “He accomplished the feat in two attempts, setting a new world record that no one has ever achieved before,” he added.

This isn’t Kabonga’s first time making headlines for his superhuman strength. The Egyptian wrestler already holds records for pulling the heaviest locomotive, a 279-ton train, and a subway car.

Noting that, “The idea of painting with both my hand and foot at the same time started in 2019. I had a performance exactly a month later. When the idea came to me, I began asking people around me for their opinions, and they kept telling me it was impossible. They kept debating with me, saying that, scientifically, it's not possible to achieve muscular and mental coordination - that the brain can't make two decisions at once. They said it was nearly impossible,” he told Viory.

Bebaoui further noted that he pursued his vision through persistence and training. “I never believed it was impossible. When God inspired me with this idea, I felt I could achieve it. However, when I began practising, I encountered numerous challenges and sometimes felt overwhelmed.”

Videos from his performances show Bebaoui balancing on one leg while painting with his foot and hand simultaneously, creating two works of art in reverse. He has painted renowned world personalities including footballer Mohammed Salah.

Speaking on his future endeavours, the artist says his ambitions go beyond his current achievements. “My ambitions in the coming period are to apply to the Guinness World Records as the first artist in the world to paint with both his hand and foot at the same time - as if they were two completely different individuals, working in reverse, and within a record time. This is the approach I plan to take for my Guinness application. There will be a lot of diverse work, not just with the hand and foot - I will continue to develop myself further, and I won't stop at a certain stage. I hope to register this achievement in the Guinness World Records.”

It included short breaks for prayers, but Muizzu continued answering questions throughout.

The president responded to reporters and also took questions sent in by members of the public. His office said the long press session was held to mark World Press Freedom Day and to show support for journalists.

“He acknowledged the crucial role of the press in society and emphasised the importance of factual, balanced, and impartial reporting,” the president’s office told Agence France-Presse.

Around two dozen journalists attended the marathon briefing and were served food during the session.

Muizzu, 46, came to power in 2023.

According to his team, the nearly 15-hour press talk beats the previous record of 14 hours held by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky since 2019.

Before that, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had set a record with a press conference that lasted more than seven hours.

The Maldives government also used the event to highlight that the country had moved up two places in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. It now ranks 104 out of 180 countries globally.

The Maldives, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, is known for drawing attention to global issues in unusual ways.

In 2009, former president Mohamed Nasheed held the world’s first underwater cabinet meeting to warn about rising sea levels caused by climate change .

Weighing 55 tonnes and being four metres tall, the bell was made in southern Poland by the Jan Felczyński Bell Foundry and Rduch Bells & Clocks.

Cargo-partner packed the bell onto a truck using a crane and took it to a port in Gdańsk where it was prepared for sea transport from Poland to Brazil, around 10,000 kilometres

The bell was treated as special cargo because of its size. It was loaded onto a ship and placed across three strong platforms below deck to keep it safe.

Two smaller bells and construction parts also made the trip in separate containers, each container weighing around 20 to 22 tonnes.

The ship left Poland on 10 April 2025 and is heading to the Port of Santos in Brazil.

Following this, the bell will travel another 1,600 kilometres by road to Trindade, in central Brazil, a journey which will be managed by a local company, Windlog.

Stanisław Bochenek, who leads Cargo-partner in Poland, said, “This was a very important and special job. Moving something this big takes time, skill and teamwork. We’re proud to have done it.”

In Brazil, the bell will be placed in a new cathedral being built at the Sanctuary of God the Father All Eternal.

The bell will hang 30 metres above the ground inside a 100-metre-high tower.

The cathedral is expected to become the biggest in the world , with space for 12,000 people. The site already receives more than four million visitors every year.

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15-year-old Nigerian boy with autism breaks world record for largest canvas painting

Fifteen-year-old Nigerian artist Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke has entered the Guinness World Records for the largest solo canvas painting, spanning 12,303 square meters. It was unveiled on April 2 at Abuja’s Eagle Square, coinciding with World Autism Awareness Day. Read more here .

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“This is a celebration for children with autism all over the world. Many thought Kanyeyachukwu’s goal was impossible, but he has proven otherwise. This achievement showcases the incredible talents that children with autism possess,” said Tagbo-Okeke’s father during the ceremony.

Tagbo-Okeke, who is autistic, received the Guinness World Record certificate during a special event that brought together dignitaries, art enthusiasts, and advocates for autism awareness and inclusion.

The event was also attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who praised the young artist for his remarkable accomplishment.

“We are here to honor Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a young Nigerian prodigy, who has shown the world what is possible when passion meets hard work,” Musawa said. “By breaking this world record, Kanyeyachukwu has not only set a new benchmark in art but has also reminded us all that age is no barrier to greatness. This is not only his achievement; it is Nigeria’s,” he added.

Born in Anambra State, Nigeria, Kanye was diagnosed with autism at the age of four. Though he faced challenges with verbal communication early on, he discovered a powerful means of expression through art.

Tagbo-Okeke now joins an inspiring list of Nigerians who have made their mark in the Guinness World Records, including Gbenga Ezekiel, who set a new record for the most skips on one leg in one minute (278), surpassing his previous record of 265; Bayo Omoboriowo, who created the world’s largest photo book in 2021; and Hilda Baci, who broke the record for the longest cooking marathon in May 2023 — among many others.

China led the list of visitors, with 955,000 arrivals between January and February, followed by South Korea (885,000) and Taiwan (218,000). India also featured among the top 10 source markets, ranking ninth with 92,000 visitors.

Vietnam's growing appeal as a travel destination is drawing global attention. The country's diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and thriving food scene continue to attract travellers. The affordability of accommodation, transport, and dining has also positioned Vietnam as a budget-friendly destination.

Adventure tourism has become a major draw, with activities such as trekking, diving, and water sports gaining popularity.

With further tourism development plans underway, industry experts expect international arrivals to continue rising throughout the year.

Kiplimo, who is the reigning world cross-country champion, demonstrated his dominance early in the race, establishing a two-minute lead by the 10km mark, as reported by World Athletics .

His victory came amid strong competition, including his half-brother Victor Kiplangat, who finished second with a time of 43:19, and Marc Scott from the UK, who rounded out the podium in 43:21.

Kiplimo’s remarkable achievement at this event adds to an already impressive resume. Earlier this year, he won the NN Zevenheuvelenloop with a time of 41:05, equalling the previous course record.

He also crossed the 15 km mark during the 2021 Lisbon half marathon in 40:27 as part of a record-setting half marathon time of 57:32. This recent performance decisively marks him as the fastest in a standalone 15km race.

In the women’s race, Ethiopian athlete Mizan Alem made a strong debut by winning with a time of 46:51. Alem initially trailed behind the Netherlands’ Diane van Es, who led by nine seconds at the 2Km mark.

However, Alem's tactical approach allowed her to catch up and ultimately finish a full minute ahead of van Es, who clocked 47:52 for second place.

Enyish Mengie, also from Ethiopia, secured third with a time of 49:21. Alem’s winning time ranks among the fastest in the history of the event, with only predecessors like Letesenbet Gidey and Tirunesh Dibaba holding quicker times at the Zevenheuvelenloop.

The auction, held by Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire, saw the watch purchased by a private collector in the United States.

Sir Arthur Rostron, then captain of the RMS Carpathia , became a hero when he changed course to race to aid the Titanic after the passenger ship struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912.

Despite the Carpathia being over 50 miles away, Rostron and his crew managed to reach the scene two hours after the Titanic sank, saving more than 700 passengers.

The gold watch was presented to Captain Rostron by three women who had survived the disaster, including the widow of millionaire passenger John Jacob Astor. The other two women were also widows of wealthy businessmen who perished on the Titanic.

The timepiece carries a heartfelt inscription from the three women: "presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic April 15th 1912 Mrs John B Thayer, Mrs John Jacob Astor and Mrs George D Widener”.

According to the auction house, the watch was given to Rostron at a lunch at the Astor family's mansion in New York City, in recognition of his bravery and leadership during the rescue operation.

"It was presented principally in gratitude for Rostron’s bravery in saving those lives because, without Mr Rostron, those 700 people wouldn’t have made it," Aldridge was quoted by the BBC .

Typically, the mountain's snowcap begins to form around October 2, with last year's first snowfall detected on October 5.

This year, however, unusually warm weather has prevented any snowfall, with meteorologist Yutaka Katsuta from the Kofu Local Meteorological Office noting that this year’s record-setting date surpasses the previous latest snowfall date of October 26, which occurred in 1955 and again in 2016.

Katsuta attributed the delay to persistently high temperatures during the summer, which have lingered into September, inhibiting the arrival of the cold air necessary for snow formation. This summer was one of the hottest on record in Japan, aligning with global heatwaves exacerbated by climate change.

Mount Fuji typically remains snow-covered for most of the year, and during the July-September hiking season, it attracts over 220,000 visitors who often trek overnight to witness the sunrise from its 3,776-meter (12,388-foot) summit.

This year, however, visitor numbers have declined following the introduction of an entry fee and a cap on daily visitors aimed at managing overtourism.

The mountain, celebrated in countless artworks, including Hokusai's famous "Great Wave," last erupted approximately 300 years ago and continues to be a symbol of Japan's natural beauty and cultural heritage.

The discovery can potentially dispute the belief that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit first.

In June 1924, Irvine and Mallory embarked on an ambitious expedition to become the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest. They were last seen on June 8, 1924, about 800 feet below the summit.

For nearly a century, whether they succeeded in reaching the top has remained unanswered. The discovery of Irvine's foot could provide crucial evidence to solve this mystery.

The preserved boot, revealed by melting ice on a glacier, was found on the Central Rongbuk Glacier by the north face of Everest. The sock inside the boot had a name tag stitched with "A.C. Irvine," strongly suggesting that the remains belonged to Sandy Irvine.

This finding is significant because Irvine was believed to be carrying a camera with undeveloped film that could show whether he and Mallory reached the summit.

If the camera is found and the film is developed, it could provide photographic evidence that Irvine and Mallory were the first to summit Everest, 29 years before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's successful ascent in 1953.

For Irvine's descendants, the discovery has been profoundly emotional. Julie Summers, Irvine's great-niece, expressed her astonishment and relief upon hearing the news.

"I just froze.... We had all given up any hope any trace of him would be found," she told the BBC .

The family has provided a DNA sample to confirm the identity of the remains, and the climbing community eagerly awaits the results.

During their September descent from the Central Rongbuk Glacier on Everest's north face, the Chin's team of climbers discovered an oxygen bottle dated 1933. This bottle was linked to an Everest expedition that had found an item belonging to Irvine that same year.

Motivated by the possibility that Irvine's body might be nearby, the team searched the glacier for several days. Eventually, one of them spotted a boot popping out from the melting ice.

Peaks, especially Mount Everest, the highest in the world, have long been magnets for adventurers and mountaineers. Climbing Everest is considered the ultimate mountaineering challenge.

Interestingly, On October 9, 2024, Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old from Nepal, became the youngest climber to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, known as the “eight-thousanders."

Starting his high-altitude climbing journey at just 16, Sherpa completed this feat in only 740 days. His climbs included Nepal’s Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain, which he summited shortly after finishing his 10th-grade exams in September 2022.

Throughout his climbs, Sherpa was supported by his climbing partner, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa. Nima’s achievements also include being the youngest to summit peaks G1 and G2 in the Himalayas, Kashmir’s Nanga Parbat, and climbing both Mount Everest and Lhotse within 10 hours.

After reaching the summit of Shishapangma, Nima expressed his aim to challenge the stereotype of Sherpas as merely assistants to foreign climbers.

The term "Sherpa" commonly refers to mountain guides in the Everest region, but it identifies an ethnic group from the mountains of Nepal. Nima Rinji aims to inspire younger Sherpas to move beyond the stereotype of being just support climbers and to embrace their potential as elite athletes and adventurers.

"This summit is not just the culmination of my personal journey, but a tribute to every Sherpa who has ever dared to dream beyond the traditional boundaries set for us," he said . “Mountaineering is more than labour; it is a testament to our strength, resilience, and passion.”

Nima comes from a family renowned for their climbing background. His father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, founded Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s largest mountaineering company.

Rakesh Gurung, Director of Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering at Nepal’s Department of Tourism confirmed Nima's record-setting achievement.

For Saint Lucia, Julien Alfred won the country's first-ever medal by coming first in the women's 100m race and second in the women's 200m race.

Dominica did not miss out on this chance as Thea Lafond grabbed gold in the women's triple jump. The country's first-ever Olympic medal.

Despite his excellent record of 6.24m, Swedish vaulter, Armand Duplantis set a new record of 6.25m in the men's vault pole.

Arshad Nadeem, a Pakistani javelin thrower also made history by winning the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He set an Olympic record with a throw of 92.97m. This achievement marks him as the first individual Olympic champion from Pakistan.

Aleksandra Miroslaw, on the other hand, broke two records on the same day and won the first women's speed climbing competition at the Olympics for Poland.

The 34th Summer Olympics began on July 24, with the opening ceremony held on the River Seine on July 26.

The closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics will be held at Stade de France on August 11, 2024. Titled 'Records,' it will feature over a hundred performers, including acrobats, dancers, and circus artists.

This forms part of the country’s preparations towards the celebration of its 78th Independence Day.  

Upon reaching the Uhuru Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro , the climbers proudly unfurled a 7,800-square-foot Indian national flag, the largest ever displayed at the peak. 

The team, led by Group Captain Jai Kishan, included Divyang Shri Uday Kumar, who achieved the incredible feat of becoming the first amputee to climb the summit using crutches. The expedition, dubbed Mission Kanchanjanga National Park to Mt. Kilimanjaro (Mission K2K), aimed to set new records and inspire others, especially those with disabilities.

The journey began from the base camp, with the team reaching Kibu Hut at an altitude of 15,500 feet on August 7, 2024. There, they displayed the massive national flag using ropes, ground nets, and anchors.

The final ascent to Uhuru Peak began at 3:00 AM on August 8. The climbers braved harsh conditions, including loose scree, a steep 85-degree gradient, and the challenges of an alpine desert. After a gruelling 10-hour climb, the team successfully reached the summit at 1:00 PM, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), where they unfurled the enormous Indian flag.

Confirmation of his record-breaking feat came through a letter from Guinness World Records. A part of it read , “We are thrilled to inform you that your application for Youngest artist (male) has been successful and you are now the Guinness World Records Title Holder!"

Ace Liam's journey to the record began with his art exhibitions in Accra from January 18 to January 20, 2024.

Liam ended the reign of Dante Lamb, who had held the record since 2003 when he achieved it at the age of three.

Ace Liam's mother, Chantelle Eghan, expressed her gratitude to the people of Ghana for their support throughout her son's attempt. She said that Liam's artistic journey started at the young age of just six months.

Liam’s record contributes to Ghana's growing list of Guinness World Record titles, following closely on the heels of Abubakar Tahiru , a 29-year-old who recently claimed the record for the most trees hugged in an hour.

Onakoya, 29, surpassed the previous record of 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds, set in 2018 by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebo and Sjur Ferkingstad. Playing against Shawn Martinez, a US chess master, Onakoya adhered to strict guidelines mandating continuous play by two participants for the entire duration. The players were allowed only five minutes of break for every hour of gameplay.

Support for Onakoya's endeavour poured in both online and at the scene, with spectators entertained by African music as the marathon progressed. Despite the nature of the challenge, Onakoya emphasised that the record attempt was "for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education."

Meanwhile, the Guinness World Record has yet to publicly comment on Onakoya's achievement, as the organization is known to typically take several weeks to verify new records.

Tinubu congratulates Onakoya

However, Onakoya's accomplishment has already sent waves worldwide, drawing praise from notable figures such as Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement, Tinubu congratulated Onakoya for his extraordinary feat, hailing him as a symbol of Nigeria's resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity on the global stage. He commended Onakoya for leveraging his passion for chess to drive positive change, particularly in providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged African children .

He wrote, “I congratulate Tunde Onakoya on setting a new world chess record and sounding the gong of Nigeria's resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity at the square of global acclaim. I celebrate this Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for his rare feat, but especially for the reason driving this compelling demonstration of character, which is raising funds for African children to learn and find opportunity through chess.”

The previous record which was set just a month earlier by Leonid Ivanovic from Serbia, who, at 8 years of age but five months older than Kaushik, defeated 60-year-old Bulgarian grandmaster Milko Popchev at the Belgrade Open. Ivanovic became the first player under the age of nine to defeat a chess grandmaster.

"It felt really exciting and amazing, and I felt proud of my game and how I played, especially since I was worse at one point but managed to come back from that,” Ashwath is quoted by Chess.com .

Ashwath Kaushik is an Indian by birth hailing from Singapore, who already made a name for himself by becoming the World Under-8 Rapid Champion in 2022.

Ashwath's father said his son learned the rules of chess at the age of four. He is quoted by Chess.com to have said “It’s surreal as there isn’t really any sports tradition in our families. Every day is a new discovery, and we sometimes stumble in search of the right pathway for him.”

The young chess prodigy now joins a list of the youngest chess players to have achieved the feat of defeating a grandmaster before reaching the age of 10.