December 9, 2020

Weekly World News Update

U.S.-China Reset?; Shifting U.S. Policy and Troop Withdrawal; Venezuela's Contest Elections; Another Brexit Crunch Time; and Rohingya Displaced to Remote Island

Quotes of the Week "It's the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the new year, after being on my own for most of the year." -- 90-year-old British grandmother, Margaret Keenan, in an interview Tuesday, after becoming the world's first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine.

U.S.-China Reset?

"China Open to Reset in Relations with U.S. as Washington Announces Fresh Sanctions Over Hong Kong" Ben Westcott -- CNN, December 8, 2020 “U.S. Sanctions on China’s CNOOC May Backfire” Mark Valencia -- Asia Times, December 7, 2020     “Chinese Exports Hit Record High Despite Donald Trump's Trade War” Tom O’Connor -- Newsweek, December 7, 2020    "In Rare Unanimity, Biden Could Double Down on Trump’s Uighur Sanctions" Pierfilippo Natta -- Foreign Policy, December 8, 2020

Shifting U.S. Policy and Troop Withdrawal

“Trump’s Arab Allies Are Already Testing Biden” Ishaan Tharoor -- Washington Post, December 8, 2020  “There Is Only One Way Out of Afghanistan" Barnett R. Rubin -- Foreign Affairs, December 9, 2020 “The U.S. Is Rushing to the Exit in Afghanistan. The Taliban Is Filling the Gaps” David Cloud; Stefanie Glinski -- Los Angeles Times, December 7, 2020   “Trump’s Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Somalia, Briefly Explained” Zeeshan Aleem -- Vox, December 5, 2020

Venezuela’s Contested Elections

“‘Maduro's Grip on the System is Now Total.' Venezuela's Opposition Faces Uncertain Future After Parliamentary Elections” Ciara Nugent -- Time, December 7, 2020     “Venezuelans Are Being Asked to Vote Twice in a Week in Two Conflicting Polls” Stefano Pozzebon -- CNN, December 7, 2020     “Legislative Election Leaves Venezuela in Political Standoff” Scott Smith -- Associated Press, December 7, 2020    “U.S., EU Say They Do Not Recognize Venezuela Parliamentary Vote” Vivian Sequera, Deisy Buitrago -- Reuters, December 6, 2020

Another Brexit Crunch Time

“Brexit Negotiators ‘Very Gloomy’ Over Trade Deal, With Talks on ‘Knife’s Edge.’ Again” William Booth; Michael Birnbaum -- Washington Post, December 7, 2020   “The Cost of a No-Deal Brexit” Kristie Pladson -- Deutsche Welle, December 7, 2020   “Brexit: Compromise Appears Off the Menu for Johnson's Brussels Dinner Date” Jon Craig -- Sky News, December 9, 2020   “Brexit: UK and EU Reach Deal on Northern Ireland Border Checks” BBC, December 8, 2020

Rohingya Displaced to Remote Island

“Bangladesh Begins to Relocate Rohingya Refugees to Flood-Prone Island” Laignee Barron -- Time, December 3, 2020    “Transfer of Rohingya Refugees to Bay of Bengal Island ‘Must be Voluntary” UN News – December 7, 2020