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Meta has blocked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Facebook page and his campaign advertisements, with the move coming roughly two weeks before Brazil's election. The suspension of a sitting head of state's official campaign presence on a major platform is drawing attention and questions about how the decision was made and what impact it could have on the campaign's final stretch.

The Trump administration is preparing new sanctions against the International Criminal Court as part of an escalated effort to undermine the tribunal, according to the Wall Street Journal. The measures would target court officials and operations, intensifying a long-running dispute over the ICC's investigations involving the United States and its allies, including probes related to Israel. Critics say the move threatens international justice, while supporters back it as defending US sovereignty.

Several Democratic candidates are making Christian faith a prominent theme of their 2026 midterm campaigns, a strategy aimed at countering Republican dominance among religious voters. NPR reports the candidates are speaking openly about their beliefs on the campaign trail, hoping faith-forward messaging will broaden their appeal ahead of the elections.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can temporarily use its revamped federal voter eligibility database while legal challenges continue. The decision clears the way for federal officials to cross-check voter rolls against the new system in the interim. News outlets including AP News and NewsNation report the ruling as an interim measure, not a final resolution of the dispute over the database.

The Institute for the Study of War has published its latest Russian offensive campaign assessment, dated September 26, 2026. The think tank's daily reports track battlefield developments, Russian military activity, and Western policy responses in the war in Ukraine. The assessments are widely followed by policymakers, analysts, and journalists for their detailed mapping of front-line changes and Russian operational intentions.

Tigst Assefa's attempt at a world record at the Berlin Marathon fell apart when cramps forced her off record pace, with Guye Adola taking the men's victory in the German capital. Berlin has long been the stage for marathon world records, making the missed mark a notable talking point among distance running fans.

France's pharmacists' union is warning about an early resurgence of Covid-19 and is calling on the government to move forward the vaccination campaign scheduled for mid-October. Hospitals are already feeling the strain: emergency room visits are reported to have jumped 67% among adults and 16% among children. The union's appeal puts pressure on health authorities to speed up autumn booster plans as infections climb sooner than expected.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the surgical strikes presented a bold example of India's counter-terrorism policy. The remarks were carried by major Indian outlets including The Hindu and BusinessLine, underscoring the government's framing of the strikes as a defining moment in its national security approach and a signal of resolve against cross-border terrorism.

Pope Leo XIV criticized the legalization of medically assisted dying, calling it immoral and an example of "false compassion." He made the remarks during a Sunday visit to Lourdes, the Catholic shrine in France known for miraculous cures of the sick. The comments came as debates over assisted dying laws continue in several countries, drawing reactions from both supporters of the Church's stance and advocates of legal euthanasia.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly brought in Monks, the marketing group founded by former WPP chief Sir Martin Sorrell, to support his re-election campaign. The move signals a professional, high-profile communications push behind Infantino's bid to extend his leadership of world football's governing body.

An Iranian-linked influence operation has been discovered in Israel in the run-up to elections, according to reporting by The Jerusalem Post. The revelation is drawing attention to foreign meddling concerns during the campaign period, with observers likely to debate the operation's scale, its targets, and its potential impact on voters ahead of the vote.

Protesters demanding action on housing costs have set up a camp in central Madrid following a mass demonstration over Spain's housing crisis. The action comes as rents in major Spanish cities have surged, putting pressure on the government to respond. Demonstrators are calling for measures to rein in rental prices and expand affordable housing.

NBA training camps are set to open this week, with Media Day scheduled in most cities on Monday and the first practices following on Tuesday. The sessions mark the unofficial start of the new NBA season, giving teams their first full gatherings since the offseason and offering media and fans an early look at rosters, trades and expectations ahead of preseason play.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India's surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor stand as bold examples of the country's counter-terrorism policy. He framed the military operations as evidence of a decisive shift in how India responds to terrorist threats, underlining a doctrine of direct action against targets rather than purely diplomatic responses.

Lewis Hamilton says he is now chasing George Russell in the Formula 1 championship, while defending Ferrari's season despite a difficult campaign. The seven-time world champion, who moved from Mercedes to Ferrari, has endured an underwhelming first year with the Italian team, but insists the squad deserves credit and is keeping his focus on rivals higher up the standings.

The Cleveland Browns faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL matchup, with the league's official highlight package drawing heavy attention from fans. Viewers are reliving the key plays, touchdowns and turning points of the game, and the matchup is sparking discussion among football fans about both teams' form this season.

Attention is turning to the 2026 cycling world championships, with previews of the women's elite race already circulating. French-speaking media are focusing on Demi Vollering, highlighting that her potential title could have a partly French flavour, and outlets are listing the confirmed starters for the women's elite event ahead of the championships.

An Egypt national team player has followed Mohamed Salah in leaving the team's camp, according to Goal.com. No details were given on which player is involved or why the departures are happening. The news is drawing attention as Egypt's squad prepares for upcoming fixtures without two of its players.

The full list of winners and results from the 2026 UCI Road World Championships has been published, drawing attention from cycling fans following the sport's biggest annual event. The results roundup covers the elite, under-23 and junior races, showing who took the rainbow jersey in each category.

The road race at the Cycling World Championships is underway, drawing attention from cycling fans worldwide. The event brings together the sport's top riders competing for the world title and the rainbow jersey. Spectators and commentators are following the race closely, with discussions focusing on the course conditions, team tactics, and which riders are in contention for victory.

The Miami Heat have given veteran guard Dennis Smith Jr. a training camp invitation, according to the Miami Herald. The move gives the former first-round pick a chance to compete for a roster spot ahead of the new NBA season, as Miami looks to add depth to its backcourt.

Poland has won the 2026 Men's European Volleyball Championship, defeating France in a rematch of the Olympic gold-medal match. The victory also secured Poland a quota place for the LA28 Olympic Games. The result renews one of volleyball's fiercest rivalries, with Poland again getting the better of the French side that beat them for Olympic gold.

The campaign launches of the two main contenders for mayor of New Taipei City are drawing attention. The KMT has put forward Hammer Lee (李四川), a former deputy mayor of Taipei City, while the DPP is running Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧). Analysts note New Taipei is widely seen as a barometer of Taiwan's local elections, giving the contest national significance.