Here is this week’s Extemp Central news quiz.
1. A U.S. Army soldier was arrested in which nation last week?
Spoiler
Russia. The service member, Staff Sergeant Gordon Black, reportedly flew to Russia to see his girlfriend without getting clearance for travel from the Defense Department. Russia said that it arrested Black for “theft of personal property.” It is unclear if the charges have merit or if Russia is using it as an excuse to detain yet another American as geopolitical tensions return to Cold War levels.
2. Who won Panama’s presidential election?
Spoiler
Jose Raul Mulino, a former security minister. He won 34.3% of the vote, defeating lawyer Ricardo Lombana (24.8%) and former president Martin Torrijos (16%). Mulino stepped in to replace former president Ricardo Martinelli as a candidate after Martinelli’s sentence for money laundering was upheld by the courts. He promises to work to improve investment in Panama’s economy and also serve the interests of the poor.
3. What is the new U.S. unemployment rate?
Spoiler
3.9%. This is an increase from the previous month’s 3.8% rate. However, the nation’s jobless rate has remained below 4% for the last 27 months. Still, the growth in jobs slowed more than was expected and job openings declined.
4. Which Caribbean nation has seen some of its people recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine?
Spoiler
Cuba. It has been estimated that hundreds of Cubans have signed on to fight for Russia in Ukraine for higher pay. The BBC has reported that men who enlist in the Russian offensive there are making $2,000 per month, which is far more than most Cubans make in a country where the average monthly salary is $25.
5. Which Middle Eastern nation suspended all trade with Israel over its Gaza offensive last week?
Spoiler
Turkey. The Turkish government said that trade would be halted until more humanitarian assistance was allowed into Gaza “uninterrupted.” There is $7 billion of trade between the two countries, although there have been growing political tensions between them over the last few years.
6. Why was the vote for a new prime minister in the Solomon Islands significant for the region?
Spoiler
The election of Jeremiah Manele as prime minister matters because he is a pro-China candidate who wishes to align the islands with the priorities of Beijing. Manele succeeds Manasseh Sogavare, who was a critic of the West in the region. Sogavare decided to withdraw diplomatic recognition of Taiwan in 2019, following a Chinese strategy of isolating Taiwan’s recognition as an independent nation.
7. Last week Israel ordered the local branch of what news network to close?
Spoiler
Al Jazeera. The Israeli government ordered that Al Jazeera’s offices in the country were to close, confiscating its broadcasting equipment and blocking its websites. It is believed to be the first time that Israel has ever shut down a foreign news outlet. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that the broadcaster harmed Israeli security.
8. Which European leader said last week that they would be willing to send troops to Ukraine if Russian forces breached Ukraine’s front lines?
Spoiler
French President Emmanuel Macron. In an interview with the Economist, Macron said that he would be prepared to send troops to aid the Ukrainian government, warning other Western European nations that they were being complacent about the threat posed by Russia’s invasion of its neighbor. Macron also said that Europe could “die” because of the Russian threat. the remarks were interpreted as a potential escalation of the conflict if Russia does breakthrough Ukraine’s defenses as it would put NATO forces in direct conflict with Russia.
9. In a speech at a campaign fundraiser last week, President Biden referred to American allies as “xenophobic.” Who was he talking about and why?
Spoiler
Japan and India. Biden made the remark because he said that neither nation welcomes immigrants and that it was hurting their respective economies. Japan has long had strict immigration policies which are gradually loosening as the nation faces a demographic crunch. India recently passed a new citizenship law to fast-track naturalization for non-Muslims, the first time it has used a religious test for citizenship.
10. Which nation severed diplomatic ties with Israel last week?
Spoiler
Colombia. Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced last Wednesday that Colombia would sver its near-70 year relationship with Israel because of Israel’s operations in Gaza. Petro also referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “genocidal” head of government.