Five Things We Learned This Week

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Week of September 20–26, 2025

The past seven days brought wins on the pitch, hard lessons about infrastructure security, big sporting firsts and renewed climate focus. Below are five date-checked items from Saturday, September 20 to Friday, September 26, 2025, drawn from primary reporting so you can follow the facts and the context.

🏈 NFL to host regular-season games in Rio starting 2026

The NFL committed at least three regular-season games in Rio de Janeiro over a five-year span beginning in 2026, with the first expected at Maracanã Stadium. Why it matters: This is a major step in the NFL’s globalization strategy and signals serious investment in Brazil’s fan base.

🏟 Sold-out Twickenham cements the UK as a hub for women’s sport

The Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham drew more than 80,000 spectators, breaking attendance records and underlining the UK’s strength as a venue for top-tier women’s events. Why it matters: It shows that women’s sports can fill major stadiums and attract large audiences, changing the economics of media rights and sponsorship.

🖥 Cyberattack disrupts check-in systems at major European airports

A cyberattack on September 20 disrupted check-in and boarding systems at airports including Brussels, Berlin and London Heathrow, forcing manual processing and flight delays. Why it matters: The incident exposed vulnerabilities in travel infrastructure and the real costs of digital disruption in critical services.

🌍 New York prepares for a record Climate Week amid political headwinds

New York readied dozens of events, UN forums and activist actions for Climate Week starting late September, despite political tensions around environmental policy. Why it matters: Climate Week remains a key forum for mobilizing civic and corporate pressure on climate action and policy.

🚴 UCI Road World Championships held in Kigali, marking the first time in Africa

The UCI Road World Championships began on September 21 in Kigali, Rwanda, the first time the event was hosted on African soil and including new women’s U23 categories. Why it matters: Hosting the worlds in Africa reflects cycling’s geographic diversification and could accelerate development of talent and interest across the continent.

Closing thoughts: This week combined sporting milestones with urgent reminders about infrastructure resilience and the continuing centrality of climate diplomacy. Sport continues to expand its global footprint while attackers probe digital weak points and activists press for policy action. We will keep watching how these threads evolve and what they mean locally and globally.

Sources

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