Here is your short answer Extemp Central news quiz for this week.  Good luck!

1.  What is the name of South America’s new political bloc that is led by Nestor Kirchner?

2.  Last week, this European nation had a successful parliamentary vote on banning the Islamic veil.

3.  This state’s homeschool system has come under attack for being too lax.

4.  Israel has alleged that this nation is shipping WMDs to Syria.

5.  This state has decided to furlough 100,000 state workers because of economic conditions.

6.  Joe Sestak is ahead of this Senator in Democratic primary polls released earlier in the week.

7.  This MDC politician could face the death penalty over terror charges in Zimbabwe.

8.  Elena Kagan, Barack Obama’s pick to replace John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court, served under this president as a legal advisor.

9.  Beningo Aquino III is trying to become president of this nation.

10.  Russia met with this Middle Eastern nation earlier in the week to discuss peace in the region.