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The contest to choose the next United Nations secretary-general is under way, with the role increasingly framed as that of a 'mediator-in-chief' for a divided world. Commentators say the race highlights the crises the organisation faces, from wars to funding shortfalls, and the pressure on whoever succeeds António Guterres to restore the UN's diplomatic credibility.

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.

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.

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States pulled in a record $2.39 billion in net inflows in a single day, the largest figure since the products launched. Market analysts are now debating whether the surge reflects genuine, sustained investor demand for crypto exposure or a short-lived burst driven by a handful of large trades.

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.

'Avengers: Endgame' is leading a busy weekend at the North American box office in which four films were each tracking to earn more than $20 million. The crowded slate drew attention from industry watchers, with Deadline reporting that Endgame held the top spot despite strong competition from three other wide releases all opening or performing in the same range.

The Philadelphia Phillies are making their fourth attempt to clinch a National League wild card spot, sending Aaron Nola to the mound on just two days' rest. The unusual short turnaround underlines how badly the team wants to close out the playoff berth. Fans in Philadelphia and across baseball are following the game closely as the club tries to avoid another missed chance.

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.

Bitcoin is trading in the $85,000–87,000 range, with around $37 million in sell orders and $21.1 million in bids stacked around the zone. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have drawn roughly $2.6 billion in inflows, a figure traders point to as the main support keeping the price pinned near current levels despite repeated selling pressure.

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.

Former Gonzaga standout Drew Timme has agreed to a deal with a new NBA team ahead of training camp. The 6-foot-10 forward has been working to secure a regular roster spot after going undrafted in 2023, with stints in the G League and brief NBA appearances along the way. Fans of the program are watching to see whether this move turns into a lasting NBA opportunity.

MLB.com has published an updated overview of the current Major League Baseball playoff picture, laying out the postseason bracket and explaining how tiebreakers would be applied if teams finish level in the standings. As the regular season nears its end, the breakdown clarifies which teams currently hold wild-card spots and division leads, and what scenarios could change seeding in the final days.

The James Webb Space Telescope has detected a black hole hidden inside a dense cocoon of gas, according to a report by Gadget Review. The finding offers a rare glimpse of an object normally obscured from view and could shed light on how black holes grow in the early universe. Astronomers and space enthusiasts are sharing the discovery widely.

Two possible three-way ties could decide the National League Wild Card race, with tiebreaker scenarios now coming into focus as the baseball regular season nears its end. Coverage is laying out how the standings would shake out if teams finish level, a complication that could force additional tiebreaker games or formula-based determinations as playoff spots are finalized.

With the MLB regular season down to its final weekend, the playoff bracket has been updated, setting the field as division races and wild-card spots are decided. Fans and analysts are closely tracking seeding implications, potential matchups, and which teams will secure home-field advantage heading into the postseason.

The Arizona Diamondbacks extended their winning streak to six games with a victory over the San Diego Padres, staying one game back in the National League wild-card race with two games remaining. Ketel Marte led the offense with a first-pitch leadoff homer and drove in three runs. Japanese sports outlets are closely following whether Arizona can force a tie and reach the postseason.

Operário-PR host Ceará in a Brazil Serie B fixture with promotion implications on both sides. Ceará arrive with five players unavailable and one returning to the squad, forcing changes to their lineup. Operário, meanwhile, have climbed back into the G-6 and are fighting for a spot in the top flight. Coverage includes where to watch live, kickoff times and predicted lineups.

The MLB playoff race is tightening as teams battle for postseason spots, while the college football season continues and the NFL kicks off its new season. Adding an unusual twist, Pope Leo, the first American pope, has commented on baseball, drawing attention from sports fans. Sports commentators are covering all three storylines in one busy weekend of American sports.

Meta's Muse is drawing attention as an AI music offering, with commentary asking what it can do that Spotify's AI capabilities cannot. The comparison centers on how the two companies approach generative music and audio features, and what each brings to listeners and creators. Details of Muse's specific functions and Spotify's response are not yet spelled out, so the practical differences remain to be seen.