World Boston What in the World? Weekly Quiz – November 29-December 5, 2021
The World Health Organization (WHO) uses the Greek alphabet to name variants of the Covid-19 virus. The B.1.1.529 variant announced last week, which causes alarm due to its many mutations, has been given THIS name. [#WACquiz]
The Omicron variant of Covid-19, which is highly transmissible, has been discovered in Asia, Australia and Europe as of November 28th. Omicron was first identified in THIS country. [#WACquiz]
The President of Ukraine claimed a coup was planned against his government next week by Russians caught on tape but stopped short of blaming the Kremlin. WHO is President of Ukraine? [#WACquiz]
Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu signed a roadmap to improve military relations with THIS nation to include increased strategic military exercises and patrols. [#WACquiz]
The next Chancellor of Germany, the most influential nation in the European Union, is THIS former Mayor of Hamburg who worked to convince voters he was most like his predecessor, Angela Merkel. [#WACquiz] Photo: Frank Schwichtenberg, Creative Commons (CC)
Military and civilian leaders in THIS nation agree last week to reinstate Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok who was pushed out of office in a coup in October, two years after longtime autocrat Omar Hassan al-Bashir was deposed in a coup. [WACA WWNU]
Moscow’s buildup of ground forces near the border with Ukraine is an ominous sign of a possible invasion. The military takeover and annexation of THIS territory in 2014 was a sign of Russian designs on the country. [WACA WWNU]
After holding talks with top-level military officials on strengthening the armed forces, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “It is necessary to … improve the actual ability to win modern wars." Meanwhile 27 Chinese warplanes tested the Air Defense Zone of THIS nation, spurring alertment of fighters and missile batteries. [#WACquiz]
Soon to be the world’s newest republic THIS Caribbean nation is about to be fully independent from the British Commonwealth at transition ceremonies that include the visiting British heir apparent, Prince Charles. [#WACquiz]