Here is this week’s news quiz. Good luck!
1. On what charges was New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicted on last week?
Spoiler
Adams was indicted for five federal corruption charges. These include bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals. The incidents go back to 2014 when Adams served as Brooklyn Borough president. He has said he will not resign.
2. In reference to question #1, which nation is Adams accused of taking illegal benefits from?
Spoiler
Turkey. It is alleged by federal prosecutors that Adams took benefits from a Turkish official and in response pressured the New York City Fire Department to open a Turkish consular building without doing a fire inspection. It is also alleged that Adams accepted contributions from a number of people in the Turkish government for his 2021 mayoral campaign.
3. Last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $7 billion loan for which country?
Spoiler
Pakistan. It will receive $1 billion immediately and the rest of the money over the next three years. Pakistan has taken more than 20 loans from the IMF since 1958 and is the fifth-largest debtor nation to the IMF. In return for receiving the aid package, Pakistan has agreed to increase taxes on businesses and consumers. Pakistan also received a $3 billion bailout from the IMF in July 2023.
4. What were the terms of the ceasefire proposal that Israel rejected, despite calls from the U.S. and France?
Spoiler
The proposal called for a 21-day ceasefire to allow for negotiations between Israeli officials and Hezbollah, an Islamic militant organization in Lebanon. Israel launched coordinated air strikes against Hezbollah targets last week and some wonder if a ground invasion by Israeli military forces will follow. More than 600 people have been killed in the attacks. It is feared that if war escalates between the two sides that it could drag in Iran, which may also drag in the United States. The proposal was also backed by Saudi Arabia, Germany, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.
5. Who won the Sri Lankan presidential election?
Spoiler
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, also known as AKD. He was elected on September 21 and inaugurated on September 23. He has been a member of the Sri Lankan parliament since 2000 as part of the left-wing Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party. He campaigned on greater economic protections for the Sri Lankan working class and has said he wants a better deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that hems in some of the government’s flexibility with fiscal policy.
6. Which major adversary in Lebanon did Israel eliminate with an airstrike last week?
Spoiler
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the terrorist group Hezbollah. Israel took out Nasrallah and other Hezbollah leaders in a targeted airstrike in Beirut on Friday after it received intelligence about his location and how other leaders of the militant group would be meeting. The killing shocked the Lebanese political establishment and Iran, who is a major backer of Hezbollah. It is part of a more aggressive Israeli strategy since last October of killing prominent leaders of militant organizations, which it believes will enhance Israeli security.
7. In response to the killing of the individual in #6, what did Iran do?
Spoiler
On Tuesday, Iran launched about 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel. Like a previous Iranian attack in April, the U.S. worked with Israel on missile defenses to reduce the impact of the attack. Unlike that one, Iran opted for ballistic missiles instead of drones. Israel has vowed a stronger response to this attack, igniting fears of a wider regional conflict.
8. What was the name of the hurricane that dealt damage to the American Southeast last week?
Spoiler
Helene. The hurricane, a Category 4, cut a path of destruction from Tampa, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia to Asheville, North Carolina, bringing flooding and high winds that downed trees and power lines. At least 90 people were reported killed as of Sunday. Damage costs were estimated to be between $95 billion and $110 billion.
9. Which U.S. workers went on strike early yesterday?
Spoiler
U.S. dockworkers on the East Coast and Gulf Coast. The dockworkers are represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association and are striking for the first time since 1977. Workers are demanding a 60% wage increase and a halt to technology services that could eliminate jobs. The strike puts half of U.S. maritime import traffic at risk and could cost the U.S. economy up to $5 billion a day.
10. Which person officially took over as NATO Secretary-General this week?
Spoiler
Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He took over yesterday from Jens Stoltenberg. In his introductory press conference he said that his priorities would be continued aid to Ukraine, growing NATO’s defense spending, and strengthening existing partnerships within the alliance.
Adarsh Raghunathan
I am picking number 4 to talk about.