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The contest to select the next United Nations secretary-general is under way, with candidates being scrutinised for their ability to act as the world's 'mediator-in-chief'. Commentators say the race highlights the severe crises facing the organisation, from wars to diplomatic gridlock, and raises questions about whether the UN can still play a central role in resolving global conflicts.

A US visa dispute has intensified scrutiny of Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's legitimacy as the country's de facto leader, a Sudan expert says, according to The National. The row comes as Sudan's civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces continues to displace millions and deepen a humanitarian crisis.

Major League Baseball's regular season reaches its final day, with playoff seeding, division titles, and wild card spots still to be decided across multiple races. Fans and analysts are weighing which teams will clinch berths and how the outcomes will shape the postseason bracket heading into October.

The Wall Street Journal looks at how investors might spot the turning point when the AI-driven stock rally begins to deflate. The piece weighs signals that historically mark the end of speculative booms, as markets debate whether AI-related valuations have run ahead of actual earnings and productivity gains.

Bitcoin rose to $84,508.13 after briefly dropping below the $84,000 level, recovering roughly in step with a 1% gain in the total cryptocurrency market capitalisation. Traders attribute the rebound to continued institutional buying of spot Bitcoin ETFs, which has remained a key source of demand even as prices fluctuate around the $84,000 mark.

The final days of the MLB regular season are deciding playoff brackets and seeding, with the Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Houston Astros all fighting for spots. Fans are tracking live standings updates as wild-card races and division outcomes remain unresolved heading into the postseason.

MLB's playoff race is in its final stretch, with fans tracking live standings across every division. Attention is on the wild card chases and the division tiebreakers that could decide seeding in the postseason bracket. As teams fight for the last spots, every game carries weight, and outlets are running live updates on how the bracket would look if the season ended today.

The Philadelphia Phillies' grip on a playoff berth is under scrutiny after a recent slump allowed the surging Arizona Diamondbacks back into the National League wild-card race. Analysts note the once-comfortable lead has turned messy, with fans and sports media debating whether Philadelphia could still blow its postseason spot in the season's final stretch.

England are taking on world champions Spain in a UEFA Nations League match at Wembley, a fixture drawing global interest. Thomas Tuchel has started Manchester City keeper James Trafford ahead of Jordan Pickford, sparking debate over England's number one spot. Lamine Yamal capitalised on a City player's error, and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says his side's success is driven by hunger to improve.

The Philadelphia Phillies head into the last day of the MLB regular season at risk of one of the most remarkable collapses in recent playoff-race history. Once comfortably positioned, the team's late-season slide has left their postseason fate hanging on the final games, and sports outlets are framing it as an almost unthinkable choke as fans watch the standings closely.

England defeated world champions Spain 3-2 at Wembley Stadium in a Nations League match in London. The win over the reigning world champions is being highlighted as a significant result for the England side, coming in front of a home crowd and in one of European football's top international competitions.

A shooting at an ICE facility in Austin has drawn attention to how immigration enforcement is changing under the Trump administration. Local coverage links the incident to broader policy shifts, including expanded detention and deportation operations. The attack has intensified debate over the safety of immigration officers and the consequences of harder-line enforcement rhetoric and practice.

The AL West division title and the final National League wild card spot are the key remaining prizes in the 2026 MLB playoff race, according to FOX Sports. With the postseason approaching, the latest standings leave both battles unresolved, keeping several teams' October hopes alive and making the final stretch of the regular season decisive for clubs chasing a playoff berth.

EUobserver reports that a Chinese company best known for smart sex toys supplied components or technology used in Russian weapons systems deployed against Ukraine. The investigation highlights a blind spot in EU sanctions enforcement, as dual-use electronics routed through third countries and intermediary firms continue to reach Russia despite restrictions.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC are hosting D.C. United in a Major League Soccer match at BC Place, with playoff implications on the line. Vancouver enter Matchday 28 knowing a result could secure their postseason spot, while Eastern Conference side D.C. United visit as part of the BC Soccer Youth & Family Match presented by REMAX. The game is being broadcast on Apple TV.

The latest Halloween sequel, which moved away from John Carpenter's original creative approach, has reached the number one spot at the global box office. The film's debut has drawn attention from horror fans and critics, with discussion focused on whether its break from the franchise's roots helped or hurt it, and on its strong commercial performance despite divided reviews.

Breaking Bad has taken the number one spot on a new ranking of the 100 best TV shows of all time. The Vince Gilligan-created crime drama, which ran from 2008 to 2013 and starred Bryan Cranston as Walter White, beat out long-running classics and newer prestige series for the top position. The list is sparking debate among viewers about whether the show deserves the crown.

UiTM Holdings is under scrutiny by Malaysia's anti-corruption agency, the MACC, over a payment of RM42 million linked to a solar project. The payment is being questioned as part of the agency's examination of the deal. Further details about the project, those involved, or the status of the investigation have not yet been made public.

Evgeni Semenenko won the men's event at the ISU Challenger Series Nepela Memorial 2026, holding onto his lead after the free skate to take the title. Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov finished third, missing out on the top spot in Bratislava. The result gives Semenenko an early-season international victory as the figure skating season builds toward major championships.

The Charlotte Hornets have waived a point guard who once recorded 23 assists in a single NBA game. The move frees up a roster spot for the franchise as it reshapes its backcourt. The player's single-game assist total remains one of the more notable individual performances by a recent Hornet, making the decision a talking point among NBA fans.