Foreign Agents Bill Leads to Protests in Georgia; Surprise Visit by UN Chief in Ukraine;

Estonian Elections; International Women's Day

Over the last many years, WACA has been proud to share a weekly publication of world news updates enjoyed by Council members and friends across the country, including by many Academic WorldQuest participants in preparation for the national competition. As we prepare for this year's national competition in late April, we wanted to be sure you knew that we'll be ending the publication of the Weekly World News Update with the March 29 edition. Recent editions of the Update will still be used for this year's competition, and we're excited to circle back in the months ahead with plans for Academic WorldQuest in 2024 and beyond.

In the meantime, we invite you to check out these and other news digest publications to stay informed about global affairs and a wide range of international issues and topics:

• Reuters Weekend Briefing
• Council on Foreign Relations Daily Brief
• Daily Chatter
• ABC World News This Week podcast

A New Law Leads to Violent Protests in Georgia

“‘Foreign Agents’ Law: Why Are Protests Taking Place in Georgia?” Al Jazeera – March 8, 2023

“Protests Erupt as Georgian Parliament Passes Draft Foreign Agents Bill” Katharina Krebs, Caitlin Hu, Vasco Cotovio & Tara John, CNN – March 8, 2023

“Georgia: ‘Foreign Agents’ Bill Tramples on Rights” Human Rights Watch – March 7, 2023

Russia-Ukraine War: Surprise Visit from UN Chief

“FLASHPOINT UKRAINE: UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres on an Unannounced Visit to Ukraine” Lori Lundin, Voices of America – March 7, 2023

“Ukraine and UN Chief Call For Black Sea Grain Deal Extension” RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty – March 8, 2023

“Ukraine, Russia Exchange Scores of POWs as UN Chief Heads to Kyiv” France 24 – March 7, 2023

Big Win for Estonian Government in Recent Election

“Party of Estonian PM, Strong Ukraine Backer, Gains Big Win” Jari Tanner, Associated Press – March 5, 2023

“Five Takeaways From the Estonian Elections, Where Security Trumped Inflation by a Landslide” Marie Jourdain, Atlantic Council – March 6, 2023

“Estonia Election Analysis: Why the Liberals Won, the Far-Right Lost, and Other Key Takeaways” David MacDougall, Euronews – March 7, 2023

“Why Estonia Election Results Are a Blow to Putin” David Brennan, Newsweek – March 6, 2023

International Women's Day

“World Marks International Women’s Day With Art, Protests” PBS News – March 8, 2023

“Women’s Day Rallies Seek Equality, Focus on Iran, Afghanistan” Raju Gopalakrishnan & Raissa Kasolowsky, Reuters – March 8, 2023

“On International Women’s Day, Afghan Women Blast the Taliban and Say the World Has ‘Neglected Us Completely’” Sami Yousafzai, CBS News – March 8, 2023