FIFA is looking at ending Russia’s blanket ban from international football, Sky News understands.

The decision could be taken during a FIFA Council meeting later today to allow Russian teams to play in the Under-17s World Cups if they qualify, sources say.

The ban has been in place since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022 in a move FIFA said was in “full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine”.

But FIFA is looking to ease the punishment based on how European football’s governing body last week relaxed its position on Russia.

UEFA decided to end its complete ban on Russian international teams competing to allow them to participate in the Under-17s Euros qualifying in the coming weeks – but without their national kit, flag or anthem.

European teams secure qualification for the Under-17s World Cups based on their performances at their continental UEFA events.

So FIFA is viewing the Under-17s European Championships as de facto qualifiers for the global level which provides a logic for them to readmit Russia.

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A FIFA decision would come too late for the men’s Under-17s World Cup in November but Russia could qualify for the women’s event next year.

But the decision to lift the complete ban on Russian teams has created divisions in Europe – with England threatening to boycott matches against them and Ukraine calling for the continent to back their opposition.

UEFA though is privately pointing to Ukraine’s government now allowing their athletes to compete against Russians competing as neutrals.

Russia have still been allowed to play international friendlies since February 2022 but have been barred from tournaments and qualifying competitions, which stopped them from trying to reach the 2022 men’s World Cup and 2023 women’s event.

FIFA’s media department did not respond to requests for comment over the last week on Russia.

Pope Francis has appealed to world leaders to address climate change before it’s too late, warning the planet is nearing a “point of no return”.

In a new document – Praise God – released ahead of the COP28 climate change conference next month, the pope highlighted the transition to renewable energy from fossil fuels was not progressing fast enough.

It combines science, diplomacy, and theology to advocate a change to clean energy.

The pontiff stressed on the “irreversible” damage under way to the planet and its people, adding that the world’s poor and most vulnerable were paying the highest price.

“We are now unable to halt the enormous damage we have caused. We barely have time to prevent even more tragic damage,” Pope Francis said.

The 86-year-old advocated for changes to the “irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model” which he claimed would have a long-term impact on the globe’s condition.

The text is an update to his landmark 2015 papal letter “Praise Be” – written before the start of the Paris climate conference as a prod to world leaders to act – and focusses on caring for the natural environment, people and underlining the relationship between God, humans, and Earth.

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The pontiff felt the update was necessary because responses to the emergency had “not been adequate” citing a “collapsing” world reaching “breaking point”.

In the 2015 Paris Agreement, leaders vowed to limit the rise of global temperatures to below 2C above pre-industrial times while pursuing means to limit the increase to 1.5C.

The pope lamented the target, claiming it would reach 3C soon, while citing numerous natural disasters and extreme weather globally.

“Even if we do not reach this point of no return, it is certain that the consequences would be disastrous and precipitous measures would have to be taken, at enormous cost and with grave and intolerable economic and social effects,” he said.

And he cited data showing that increased emissions and the corresponding rise in global temperatures have accelerated since the Industrial Revolution, and particularly in the last 50 years.

A series of pronounced heatwaves, floods and storms have enveloped the globe over the past year with thousands of deaths worldwide.

And supercomputer climate models have warned extreme global warming will likely wipe all mammals – including humans – off the face of the Earth in 250 million years, as temperatures could spiral to 70C (158F) leaving the planet barren.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi are investigating reports of cats being abandoned in the desert, with dozens said to have died.

Rescue groups and volunteers have shared images of pets dumped in remote parts of the desert, where temperatures can reach nearly 40C.

Described by the International Organisation for Animal Protection (OIPA) as “unimaginable and unacceptable suffering”, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) is now investigating.

“DMT immediately began investigations after receiving the report and will take all relevant administrative and legal measures available,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

The department added “all necessary measures” are being taken to identify any individuals and just how the incidents have come about, which “contradicts civilised morals and values”.

“DMT has also underscored that it values the sentiments of the public and communities and recognises the contributions of volunteers in responding to this incident.”

The public is encouraged to keep sharing details with the department.

Images shared on social media appear to show cats lying still in the sand, with dozens found, according to OIPA.

The charity says its rescuers have found about 60 dead pets in “different stages of decomposition”, with some on the sand and others just below the surface.

The group recently uncovered a “horrific scene” of more than 100 cats and some dogs “cruelly dumped in the desert”, they added.

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“Animals have died enduring unimaginable and unacceptable suffering,” the charity said.

“Another 87 cats and a dog were luckily found alive but in critical conditions. All very weak and dehydrated, they have been transferred to vet clinics for health care.”

To “worsen the cruelty”, OIPA claims almost all the cats they found had been microchipped and neutered – some as recently as two weeks ago, as stitches were still visible.

It’s not clear who dumped the cats.