Here is this week’s news quiz. Good luck!
1. Last week Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire. What were some of the terms of the ceasefire?
Spoiler
The ceasefire, which took effect on Friday, called for a four-day halt in hostilities between the two sides, Hamas would release 50 hostages that it took from Israel, and Israel would release 150 Palestinian prisoners. The released of both sides were to be women and minors. Also, instead of releasing the hostages and prisoners at once, they would be released in waves during the ceasefire. Another term of the agreement is for Israel to allow more fuel and humanitarian aid into Gaza.
2. Which three countries played leading roles in negotiating the ceasefire agreement that is discussed in question #1?
Spoiler
The United States, Egypt, and Qatar. All three countries have existing interests with Israel and/or the Palestinian territories. The United States has tried to temper some of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza while Egypt and Qatar have expressed worry about a refugee crisis existing once Israel’s operations in Gaza are over.
3. As of today (Tuesday), Israel and Hamas have extended their ceasefire by how much time?
Spoiler
Two days. Israeli officials said they were open to keeping the ceasefire with Hamas going for up to 10 days if Hamas continued freeing up to 10 hostages per day. Some analysts hope that the pause could give greater momentum to a lasting solution to the ongoing war between the two sides. More hawkish Israelis, however, think that extending the ceasefire could make it more difficult for the country to resume its offensive operations, which are aimed at permanently crippling Hamas’ operations in the Gaza Strip.
4. Which political party won a plurality of the votes in the Dutch general election last week?
Spoiler
The far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), which is led by Geert Wilders. The snap election was called earlier this year because the Netherlands existing government could not come to an agreement on immigration policy. The PVV took 23.6% of the vote, winning close to 8% more than the runner-up GreenLeft-Labor alliance. While Wilders have talked about becoming prime minister, analysts question whether moderate centre-right parties will enter into coalition with him and there is a high likelihood that other political factions form a large alliance to oppose his entrance into government.
5. Which Spanish-language news network was criticized for its interview with former President Donald Trump last week?
Spoiler
Univision. The network hosted an interview with Trump to get his views on topics ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Liberal groups criticized the network for not challenging some of the former president’s claims, such as making Mexico pay for the border wall. They have also demanded that the network interview President Joe Biden, something that the network said it was working to do. Uproar over the piece demonstrates anxiety about Trump’s outreach to Latino voters who could tip important states such as Nevada in 2024.
6. It was announced last week that the U.S. thwarted a criminal plot on American soil that may have involved India. What was this plot about?
Spoiler
A U.S. official leaked to media organizations last week that U.S. officials prevented the killing of Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil and raised this issue with India that may have had knowledge of it. This follows a statement in September by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India may have had links to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in their country.
7. Which oil company is could face legal claims in Great Britain over its pollution of the Niger Delta?
Spoiler
Shell. A British court ruled last week that thousands of Nigerians can sue Shell for the pollution of water sources and damaging their way of life in the Niger Delta region. This is grounded in a claim of a right to a safe environment. Shell has defended itself in the past by claiming that leaks from its pipelines are because of theft and terrorism which it is not liable for.
8. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley recently won the endorsement of which influential donor?
Spoiler
Charles Koch. Koch’s group, Americans for Prosperity Action, will now throw its weight behind Haley’s candidacy as Koch opposes the renomination of Donald Trump as the Republican presidential candidate for a third consecutive election. The group has never backed a single candidate in its history but Koch declared that it was the best strategy to oppose a Trump candidacy.
9. Former President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that if he was elected in 2024 he would try to repeal what policy of former President Barack Obama?
Spoiler
The Affordable Care Act. Trump announced that he would look at “serious alternatives” to the policy even though Republicans during his previous term were not able to come up with a suitable replacement policy for the healthcare overhaul that passed Congress in 2010. However, Trump was successful in getting the individual mandate penalty eliminated. President Biden took to the airwaves to announce that Trump was seeking to remove healthcare for millions of Americans, setting up a fight over the issue for the 2024 campaign.
10. Which three groups are part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which is currently at war with Myanmar’s governing junta?
Spoiler
The Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army. The group was formed in 2019 and has come to oppose Myanmar’s junta, which overthrew a democratically elected government in 2021. Last month its offensive against Myanmar’s military was effective, displacing the regime from parts of Shan state along on the Chinese border. China supports the group because of its criticisms that Myanmar’s junta has allowed organized crime networks to flourish in border regions.
