Here is this week’s Extemp Central news quiz.  Good luck!

1. What crucial bridge suffered damage in Crimea over the weekend?

Spoiler
The Kerch Bridge. It connects Russia to Crimea, a territory that Russia annexed in 2014. The bridge was damaged by what Russia claims was a truck bomb, halting rail and road traffic. The Kerch Bridge is important for Russia to resupply its forces against Ukraine in the ongoing war between the two nations.

2. What did Russia do in response to the incident that was explained in question #1?

Spoiler
On Monday, Russia launched a wave of attacks on civilian targets in Ukrainian cities, killing at least 14 people and wounding 100. Russia argued that the attacks were meant to go after military and energy facilities, but the attacks hit a university and a playground in downtown Kiev, prompting outrage from the West.

3. What did President Biden do with regards to the drug marijuana last week?

Spoiler
President Biden issued an executive order that will clear people who were convicted of simple possession under federal law from 1992 through last year. It is expected that thousands will benefit from the order but state lawmakers will need to take action to expunge drug convictions on people’s criminal records if they were convicted in state courts. The Biden administration argued that the step was necessary because of the law’s disproportionate impact on African American and Latino communities.

4. Why did New York City recently declare a state of emergency?

Spoiler
New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently declared a state of emergency over thousands of migrants coming into the city from southern border states. Adams argued that the city’s housing and other forms of assistance cannot be sustained because of the influx. He added that New York City expects to spend $1 billion helping migrants.

5. Which international body recently urged the U.S. Federal Reserve not to raise interest rates?

Spoiler
The United Nations. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks that raising interest rates could create a global recession worse than the 2008 financial crisis. As an alternative, the UN suggested that the United States use price caps and windfall taxes on energy companies.

6. Why did Haiti recently appeal for help from the United Nations?

Spoiler
Haiti requested help from the UN to handle growing gang and protester activity that is paralyzing the country. In response, the UN is considering the deployment of a rapid action force to help Haiti’s National Police to remove the gang thread and protect the country’s infrastructure and disbursement of aid. Haiti is reeling from powerful gangs surrounding fuel stations and protesters blocking traffic in the capital of Port-au-Prince. The protesters want the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who ended fuel subsidies last month.

7. Who are the two major candidates in Nevada’s Senate race?

Spoiler
Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican candidate Adam Laxalt, who is a former state attorney general. The race is seen as the best chance for a Republican “flip” in the 2022 midterm cycle and polls have shown that Laxalt is ahead, although his lead is within polls margin of error. Recent Cortez Masto ads have targeted Laxalt on abortion, while Masto has spent time campaigning with former President Donald Trump.

8. This week North Korea admitted that its recent missile launches were meant to simulate what?

Spoiler
North Korea admitted that its recent set of missile launches was meant to simulate the use of tactical nuclear weapons to hit South Korea and American targets. North Korea’s state media also said that the tests were caused by recent naval drills that the United States conducted with South Korean forces. North Korea’s political leadership has always viewed those tests as a test-run for an invasion.

9. The U.S. recently warned what area to not be a safe haven for sanctioned individuals?

Spoiler
Hong Kong. The United States warned Hong Kong earlier this week that it should not provide a safe haven for individuals under U.S. and international sanctions lest it harm its status as a financial center. The State Department’s warning was caused by a yacht connected to Russian tycoon Alexey Mordashov docking in the city’s harbor last Wednesday.

10. Which French airliner and planemaker are on trial for manslaughter?

Spoiler
Air France and Airbus. The manslaughter trial involves the crash of Air France 447 in 2009, which took place off the coast of Brazil and killed all 228 people on board. Victims families allege that Airbus knew about problems with pitot tubs going back to 2002 and did not move to replace them until after the crash.