August 22, 2018

Weekly World News Update

Kofi Annan's Legacy; Europe's Risky Infrastructure; Merkel Meets Putin; Greece Exits Bailout; Venezuela's Currency Crisis; Key Elections in Paraguay and Brazil; Deadly Floods in India

Quote of the Week

"We are a global society, and I believe it is through open dialogue and the exchanging of ideas that we have a real opportunity to learn from one another."

-- First Lady Melania Trump, issuing a public statement Monday, in which she announced plans to travel to Africa without her husband in October.

Kofi Annan's Legacy

“Kofi Annan, Who Redefined the UN, Dies at 80” Alan Cowell -- New York Times, August 18, 2018

"Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Left a Legacy of a More Interventionist United Nations" Jason Daley -- Smithsonian.com, August 20, 2018

"Kofi Annan’s Unaccountable Legacy" Philip Gourevitch -- The New Yorker, August 18, 2018

“Kofi Annan, RIP” Frederic C. Hof -- Atlantic Council, August 20, 2018

“Italy’s Crumbling Infrastructure Under Scrutiny After Bridge Collapse” Lorenzo Tondo -- The Guardian, August 17, 2018

“Cut in Two, Genoa Finds Its Political Paralysis Now Eclipsed by Shock” Gaia Pianigiani, Elisabetta Povoledo, and Richard Perez-Peña-- The New York Times, August 16, 2018

“Audit Warns 840 Bridges May Be at Risk of Collapse in France” Editorial Board -- Al Jazeera, August 19, 2018

Not at All "Helsinki"

“Merkel and Putin Talk Syria, Ukraine, and Nord Steam 2 – But Meeting Ends with No Agreements” Colin Drury -- Independent, August 19, 2018

“Nord Stream 2: Is Germany ‘Captive’ to Russian Energy?” James McBride -- Council on Foreign Relations, August 16, 2018

“A Breakthrough in Berlin? Not So Fast.” Jörn Fleck -- Atlantic Council, August 17, 2018

Greek Bailout Ends for Better or Worse

“Greece Exits Bailouts, But Difficult Path Ahead” Eric Maurice and Damiano Bacci -- EU Observer, August 20, 2018

“Greek Bailout: IMF and Europeans Diverge on Lessons Learnt” Matthew Oxenford and Dr. Angelos Chryssogelos -- Chatham House, August 16, 2018

“Greece’s Bailout Is Ending But the Pain Is Far from Over” Liz Alderman -- The Irish Times, August 20, 2018

Hyperinflating Venezuela's Currency

“Venezuela’s Red Friday: Maduro’s Destructive Plan” Moises Rendon -- Center for Strategic & International Studies, August 21, 2018

“Venezuela’s ‘Desperate’ Currency Devaluation Won’t Save Its Economy from Collapse” Benjamin J. Cohen -- The Conversation, August 22, 2018

“Venezuelans Skeptical of Maduro’s Latest Measures to Salvage Economy” Kejal Vyas, Maolis Castro, and Juan Forero -- The Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2018

Paraguay's New President

“New Paraguayan President Abdo Benitez Sworn In” Editorial Board -- BBC, August 16, 2018

“New President Takes Over in Paraguay, Vows to Cut Poverty” Pedro Servin -- The Washington Post, August 15, 2018

“Paraguay’s New President: All Bark and No Bite?” Felipe Puerta -- Insight Crime, August 16, 2018

Controversial Vote Ahead in Brazil

“Brazil Readies for Contentious Presidential Campaign” David Wemer -- Atlantic Council, August 16, 2018

“Bots in Brazil: The Activity of Social Media Bots in Brazilian Elections” Andrew Allen -- Wilson Center, August 17, 2018

“Brazil Election: What to Expect from October’s Presidential Poll” Sam Cowie -- Al Jazeera, August 15, 2018

Catastrophic Floods in India

“Bodies Found as Floods Recede in India’s Kerala” Editorial Board -- Channel News Asia, August 20, 2018

“Officials Say Over 350 Dead, 800,000 Displaced in India Flood” Aijaz Rahi -- Time, August 19, 2018