"What in the World?" Weekly Quiz - Week of August 1, 2016

Despite recent terrorist attacks touching cities in this country that has already taken in over one million refugees and migrants, its leader vowed last week, “Today, as in the past, I am convinced that we can do it — to live up to our historic task, which is a historic test in the age of globalization.” What is that country?

Islamic State, losing territory and on the retreat in Iraq and Syria, has claimed credit for a surge in global attacks this summer, most of them in France and Germany, according to Reuters. An ISIL supporter called on so-called “lone wolves” to pledge allegiance to the ISIL leader and each would be a soldier of the caliphate. The ISIL leader is:

On Friday the UN Security Council extended for two weeks the Mission in the world’s youngest country, allowing time for its membership to consider options on adapting the operation’s mandate amid renewed violence there. The Mission is known by this acronym:

The opposition-run National Assembly defied President Nicolas Maduro's government and ratcheted up a conflict of powers last week in this country according to Reuters. With the OPEC member mired in economic crisis, Venezuela's opposition has become more militant in recent days, trying to replace Supreme Court judges it deems biased and protesting in the streets to demand a recall referendum against Maduro.

Racial tension in this Commonwealth nation have deteriorated to the point that leaders fear violence will erupt given the fact that the new government is relying on political support from parties that are responsible for the troubles. This country is:

During his visit last week to this former Nazi death camp, Pope Francis was said to be visibly moved by what he saw, according to Reuters. He said that cruelty did not end there, “It is still around today ... in many places in the world where there is war, the same things are happening."

Vladimir Putin continued a charm offensive – aimed at eastern and southern EU nations – to reduce European resolve for sanctions over Russia’s adventurism in Ukraine with a visit to Slovenia last week. The sanctions are based on Moscow making a genuine commitment to this agreement.

Among the troubles facing the opening of the 2016 Olympics in Rio this week are readiness of facilities, transportation, health worries (such as the Zika threat and contaminated water), crime, and political turmoil. The political issues were compounded by this year’s impeachment of Brazil’s first woman president. She is:

As speculation swirled that Russian hackers stole Democratic National Committee emails – that caused turmoil on day one of the national convention – the founder of the group that was leaking the emails declined to identify the source. He is:

The U.S. Air Force took a first step toward buying controversial new nuclear weapons last week, asking defense companies to submit bids to design and build cruise missiles and ICBMs, just as senators sought to stop Obama Administration moves to build a new family of nuclear weapons called: