The Week

Meta has blocked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Facebook page and his campaign advertisements, with the move coming roughly two weeks ahead of the election. The timing is drawing intense attention, as the platform's action against a sitting head of state's official campaign presence raises questions about what triggered the block and how it may affect his campaign's ability to reach voters in the final stretch.

Ukraine's defence ministry announced a week of long-range strikes on Russia's fuel and energy sector, saying six strategic oil refineries were hit, some up to 1,600 kilometres behind the front line. Kyiv described the targeted facilities as key suppliers of fuel to Russia's defence industry and framed the campaign as an answer to continued Russian attacks on Ukraine.

United States and Iranian officials are holding separate discussions with mediators in the latest diplomatic effort to bring an end to the war. Reuters reports the indirect contacts signal renewed urgency around a negotiated settlement. Details of the mediators' proposals and the two sides' positions have not been disclosed, but the parallel talks mark the most active diplomatic push in recent weeks.

World leaders are gathering in New York for the annual UN General Assembly, widely described as the biggest event in world diplomacy. The session, opening around September 22, 2026, brings heads of state together for speeches and sideline meetings. Commentators are focusing on what the week's addresses and diplomatic encounters will signal on conflicts and global cooperation.

The sixth and final day of the UN General Debate has ended, with the closing takeaway urging member states to convert the week's speeches into concrete action. As leaders wrapped up their addresses at the United Nations, attention turned from rhetoric to implementation of commitments on global challenges.

Gold prices recovered slightly after falling to a seven-week low, with traders closely watching developments in the Middle East and upcoming US economic data. Market participants are weighing geopolitical risk against expectations for US interest rate policy, which could influence demand for the safe-haven metal in the coming sessions.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will not take part in a major climate change case scheduled for next week, according to CNBC. The court is expected to hear arguments without him, which could affect the outcome if the justices divide closely. No reason for his recusal has been given in the report, and the case is being closely watched for its implications on climate regulation.

Hundreds of people marched through Milan, Italy, in support of Palestine and housing rights. Demonstrators chanted against forced evictions, war and genocide, linking the causes of a ceasefire in Gaza and affordable housing in a single protest. The march is the latest in a series of pro-Palestine demonstrations held in Italian and European cities in recent weeks.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature used the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week to advance its agenda on nature protection, ocean conservation and climate action. The organisation says the gatherings offered a key moment to push for stronger commitments linking biodiversity and climate policy ahead of upcoming global negotiations.

SpaceX is reportedly targeting an unusually rapid launch cadence for its Starship program, with three flights within roughly five weeks. The pace would mark a significant step up from previous testing, reflecting the company's push to iterate quickly on the vehicle and demonstrate reusability. Space enthusiasts are debating whether the schedule is realistic given past delays and regulatory review requirements.

A new project is scrutinising President Trump's changing statements on how long a conflict with Iran might last, highlighting his repeated claim that a resolution is 'about two weeks' away. The initiative catalogues the shifting timeline, drawing attention to questions over the administration's strategy and credibility on Iran.

President Trump has moved to cancel $100 million in federally appropriated education funding, acting against the will of Congress. The decision, reported by Education Week, is another instance of the administration withholding money that lawmakers had already approved. The move is likely to fuel criticism that the White House is overstepping its authority on federal spending and could prompt legal and political challenges from congressional Democrats.

The Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers faced off in a Week 3 matchup of the 2026 NFL season, with the league releasing the official game highlights. The matchup is drawing heavy attention from football fans, with millions engaging with the highlight footage as viewers catch up on the key plays from the game.

Bitcoin ETFs pulled in $2.4 billion in inflows while exchange holdings dropped by 35,800 BTC in a single week, tightening available supply. Market watchers say the combination of strong institutional demand and shrinking exchange reserves could add upward pressure on the price, with traders watching whether the supply squeeze continues into next week.

The New York Giants faced the Los Angeles Rams in a Week 2 matchup of the 2026 NFL season, and the league's official game highlights are drawing massive attention from fans. The clip has racked up over 3.2 million likes, indicating strong interest in how both teams performed early in the new season.

An anti-fur protest march took place during Milan Fashion Week, drawing attention amid the city's runway shows and reigniting debate over the use of real fur in luxury fashion. Demonstrators pushed designers and brands to abandon fur, while attendees and industry observers weighed the disruption against growing calls for ethical and sustainable practices in fashion.

The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys met in Rio de Janeiro during Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season, part of the league's push to stage regular-season games abroad. Highlights of the matchup have drawn massive attention, with fans discussing the plays, the international venue and how the growing Brazilian audience responded to the game.

Australia's four major banks are now unanimous in forecasting that the Reserve Bank of Australia will raise interest rates at its meeting next week. The shift in forecasts, reported by ABC News' finance desk, suggests markets and economists see an rate hike as near-certain, with borrowers bracing for higher mortgage repayments should the central bank act.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins met in a Week 3 game of the NFL 2026 season, with the league releasing official game highlights. The matchup is drawing heavy attention from football fans, generating well over a million engagements as viewers recap the key plays and results.

Yale School of the Environment has published five key takeaways from its experts' participation in Climate Week NYC, the annual gathering of governments, businesses and advocates held alongside the UN General Assembly. The summary distills what environmental scholars consider the most important developments and remaining challenges from this year's climate discussions in New York.

The Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos met in a Week 3 matchup of the 2026 NFL season, with the league publishing the full game highlights. The highlight reel is drawing heavy attention from football fans, driving discussion of the key plays, scores and standout performances from both teams in the early stages of the new season.

The Las Vegas Raiders faced the New Orleans Saints in a Week 3 matchup of the NFL 2026 season, and fans are watching and sharing the game highlights in large numbers. The clip is drawing heavy engagement as viewers catch up on the key plays, touchdowns and turning points from the contest between the two teams.

The New York Times has published its Week 3 NFL 'Wake-up Call', describing a weekend marked by desperation, injuries and several confusing results across the league. The roundup captures the mood three weeks into the season, with struggling teams under pressure and outcomes that have surprised fans and analysts alike.

Researchers say they have explained a space weather event dating back to the 1840s, according to an Ars Technica report. The finding addresses a long-standing puzzle about solar activity recorded nearly two centuries ago, and readers on Hacker News are sharing and discussing the story this week.