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Weekly Wrap-Up: 9/11 Tributes, AfD Victory, and a New World Map
Written by Fin Bird
Edited by Annika Lilja
Image from Pixabay
In North America…Tributes Held for Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of 9/11
The United States observed the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on Friday, with memorial services at Ground Zero in New York, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Bipartisan leaders joined with victims’ families to honour the nearly 3,000 lives lost in 2001. Speaking at the Pentagon, President Trump said, ‘we will never ever forget.’
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In South America…Institutional Turmoil Shakes Brazil’s Judiciary
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has been plunged into a deep institutional crisis following public clashes between its top justices. The conflict escalated amid a sprawling federal corruption investigation into collapsed financial institutions, prompting rival justices to demand suspensions and unauthorized probes against each other. With presidential elections approaching and political divides intensifying, such an unprecedented rift risks eroding the public trust in Brazil’s democratic institutions.
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In Europe…Right-Wing AfD Party Makes Historic Gains in Germany
Germany’s political establishment is grappling with historic electoral breakthroughs by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) following contentious state parliamentary elections. Capitalising upon voter discontent over economic stagnation and immigration policy, the AfD secured substantial legislative gains across eastern states. Mainstream centrist parties have reiterated their commitment to maintaining a strict political firewall (‘Brandmauer’), even as mounting pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz leaves their long-term counter-strategy in doubt.
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In Africa…UN Report Details Transnational Supply Lines Fueling Sudanese Civil War
A landmark United Nations investigation revealed that foreign networks across multiple continents have systematically supplied arms, advanced drone systems, and mercenary contractors to warring factions in Sudan. The findings arrive as human rights agencies report worsening humanitarian catastrophes, widespread famine, and atrocities against civilians in Darfur. The UN Security Council has faced renewed calls from international humanitarian organizations to expand and enforce strict arms embargoes in an effort to curb the escalating conflict.
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In Asia…BRICS Nations Meet in Delhi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will welcome leaders from 11 BRICS nations - including China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, the UAE, and Iran - for talks this weekend on a wide range of issues. Hosted at Bharat Mandapam, the 18th annual summit will focus on expanding local-currency trade settlements, reforming global multilateral institutions, and securing critical energy supply chains. Discussions are also expected to address rising regional security tensions.
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And in Other News…the UN Votes to Adopt New World Map
The United Nations General Assembly has voted in favour of the “Correct the Map” resolution, sponsored by Togo and backed by African Union members, to adopt a new world map which more accurately represents the true size of Africa. The resolution was passed with the support of 164 nations, with only the United States voting against. The current world map, the Mercator map, had come under increasing criticism for distorting landmasses: it depicts Greenland as similar in size to Africa, which is actually 14 times larger.
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