Welcome to the weekly world briefing, a new Tuesday feature to help you stay up to date with major happenings around the globe. Come across something you think should be added to the next briefing? Send it to us on Twitter.
North & Central America
President Trump rejected the idea of globalism and underlined his “America First” approach in his speech to the UN General Assembly Tuesday. On Monday, France, Germany, and Britain joined Russia, China, and Iran in recommitting to the Iran nuclear accord, and on Tuesday French President Emmanuel Macron said countries should refuse to sign trade deals with those who do not comply with the Paris climate accord.
Is poverty inevitable? That’s the question the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is asking in its Goalkeeper’s Report, a report charting progress toward global goals. The report warns that rapid population growth in the world’s poorest countries could slow or reverse efforts so far to fight poverty.
Under new rules, the Trump administration said immigrants who legally use public benefits could be denied green cards. Millions of immigrants rely on public benefits like Section 8 housing vouchers, food assistance, and low-cost prescription drugs. Now, they could be forced to choose between financial aid for necessary services, or seeking a green card to live and work legally in the U.S.
Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, will face questioning from an outside counsel this Thursday in place of Republican senators. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley announced that an outside lawyer will take the place of all 11 Republican senators on the committee in an attempt to take politics out of the hearing. However, Democrats have criticized the fact that Republicans will not share the identity of the counsel until the day of the hearing. Meanwhile, a second accuser has come forward and Ford continues to push for a full FBI investigation.
South America
Thousands are fleeing economic hardship in Venezuela for neighboring Colombia. Most often, this journey is completed by foot. This video follows migrants through the grueling journey across South America.
#EleNao (NotHim) is trending in Brazil as prominent Brazilian women attempt to counter the candidacy of controversial presidential nominee Jair Bolsonaro. After being stabbed in early September, Bolsonaro has risen to 28% in polls, and could likely cause a runoff in the October 7th elections. The candidate has made disparaging remarks against women, black people, and the LGBT community, including once telling a congresswoman, “I wouldn’t rape you because you don’t deserve it.” However, his supporters say that his surprising statements are taken out of context, and instead focus on his proposals which include tax cuts and looser gun laws.
Europe
A shipwreck from the height of the Portuguese-Asian spice trade was discovered this week in what one specialist called the “discovery of the decade.” Spices, ceramics, and cannons were found in the Portuguese ship. Some of the ceramics came from as far away as China. Learn more about the Portuguese spice trade on Curiosity’s Weekend World of History video here.
Italy has declared a new law that allows for the deportation of migrants who are accused of serious crimes. The new law will make it easier to deport migrants who were previously protected by a lengthy appeals process. In addition, the last private rescue ship operating in the Mediterranean has had its registration revoked. When it docks, it must remove its Panamanian flag and apply for registration elsewhere. In 2018, over 1700 migrants have died while crossing the Mediterranean.
Middle East
Russia will deliver an S-300 missile defence system to Syria within the next two weeks. The upgraded system is being installed in response to an accident last week in which Syrian forces shot down a Russian plane during an Israeli airstrike. The S-300 will be able to track Russian aircraft. Russia blames Israel for creating confusion with last week’s unexpected strike, but Israel is warning Russia of giving advanced weapons systems to “irresponsible actors.”
Israel is calling for a demolition of the neighborhood of Khan al-Ahmar to make way for new Jewish-only units. The new units would further limit Palestinians’ access to housing in Jerusalem. This map outlines past and current borders, and how the new development would affect them.
The Yemeni government has called for the arrest of an ex-official who was an early objector to the Saudi-Emirati military coalition in Yemen. Ali bin Salem al-Huraizy allegedly intensified tensions between Yemeni tribes and the coalition by stating that Saudi Arabia was occupying al-Mahra, which is a key province for development and trade. Huraizy has stated that Yemen’s “legitimate government is being held hostage by the coalition.”
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch issued a report this week accusing Yemeni Houthi rebels of war crimes including torturing prisoners. Terrible conditions have been described in Houthi detention camps. Last month, UN officials stated that all sides may be guilty of war crimes.
Central & South Asia
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is the new president-elect of the Maldives after Sunday’s election. Current President Abdulla Yameen conceded and will step down, a relief for many who thought he might not accept the outcome.
India and Pakistan are missing out on almost $35 billion in trade potential, according to the World Bank. Due to restrictive trade agreements and political tensions, the two nations are only trading at 6% of their $37 billion trade potential. High tariffs throughout South Asia translate to very low inter-regional trade. This article from the Times of India details more of the World Bank report.
East & Southeast Asia
Hong Kong’s independence party has been banned under the Societies Ordinance, which legalizes banning groups on the basis of national security. Hong Kong police authorities stated that though the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party (HKNP) has not used any violence, they are a “real threat to national security.” China has never banned a political party before, but President Xi Jinping has been cracking down harder on the freedoms of Hong Kong’s citizens over the last few years. Human Rights Watch has condemned the ban.
An Indonesian teenager survived 49 days at sea. He was working as a lamp keeper on a floating fish trap when heavy winds sent him and his fishing hut to sea. He was rescued off the coast of Guam.
Africa
Treating an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was complicated this week when rebel forces attacked the city of Beni, killing 18. Since the attack, vaccinations and tracing at-risk people have been suspended. One hundred people have died so far in this latest Ebola outbreak.
Liberians are protesting the disappearance of $104 million that was shipped to the country in November 2017 and August 2018. The World Bank dollars would account for 5% of the country’s total GDP. Recently elected President George Weah is urging patience as the issue is sorted out. Liberia has experienced a civil war and a catastrophic Ebola outbreak in the last fifteen years.
Other
Using modified genes, scientists have killed a whole population of mosquitos carrying malaria in a lab. This could be a game changer for malaria worldwide.
As leaders from around the world come together to speak at the UN General Assembly this week, we think it’s important to understand what exactly the UN does. This New York Times piece gives a quick overview of the UN’s history, functions, and challenges.
