Here is this week’s Extemp Central news quiz.
1. How did the Supreme Court recently rule in Federal Election Commission v. Ted Cruz?
Spoiler
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Senator Cruz could be reimbursed for 2018 campaign expenses using post-election donations because federal limits on how political campaigns can repay candidates who donate their own funds violates the First Amendment. John Roberts’ Supreme Court has struck down many federal campaign finance laws, with the only brightline drawn at laws that are meant to prevent corruption. Justice Elena Kagan in her dissent criticized the majority’s decision saying that the law, which placed a $250,000 limit on repaying personal loans, was intended to prevent corruption.
2. Why is Turkey making an objection to Finland and Sweden joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?
Spoiler
The Turkish government is objecting because of Finland and Sweden’s lack of action against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group that Turkey considers to be a terrorist organization. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan argued that both countries have failed to extradite persons accused of terrorism. According to NATO’s governing rules, all nations in the alliance must approve of new members joining, so Turkey could block both nation’s entry unless each side comes to terms or an understanding.
3. How many people died on American roads last year, the worst number in sixteen years?
Spoiler
43,000. The number was a 10.5% jump over 2020 numbers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is believed that the numbers are a result of risky driving behaviors, more speeding, and less frequent use of seat belts. Forty-four states saw more traffic deaths in 2021 than the previous year.
4. Why is Great Britain heading toward a trade war with the European Union (EU)?
Spoiler
Britain’s governing Conservative Party argues that the deal that it made with the European Union (EU) to complete Brexit is hurting the economy of Northern Ireland and hurting the ability for peace there. According to Britain’s trade agreement with the EU, Northern Ireland is subject to customs checks for goods like meat and eggs because Ireland remains part of the EU. Northern Ireland’s major unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party, is blocking a power-sharing deal because of the customs checks, which it argues are hurting the area’s economy.
5. What is “The Great Replacement Theory,” which was seen as the ideological motivation for the tragic shooting in Buffalo last week?
Spoiler
“The Great Replacement Theory” is a conspiracy theory circulation in white supremacist circles that argues that the government is intentionally bringing in non-white peoples to “replace” white voters and achieve a specific political agenda. The tragic shooting in Buffalo last week, which killed ten people and wounded three others, was done by a believer of the idea.
6. Which fast food chain is leaving Russia?
Spoiler
McDonald’s. The move is happening because of Russia’s war with Ukraine. McDonald’s will be closing 850 restaurants in Russia, costing 62,000 workers their jobs. According to the company, it is the first time that they have left a major market.
7. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized a booster shot for what age group?
Spoiler
Five to eleven. The recommendation applies to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. It is estimated that more than eight million of twenty-eight million children that fit that age group have received two COVID vaccine shots. That means that only 28% of American children in that age category have been vaccinated.
8. Which Latin American country is under a severe ransomware attack that is seeking to overthrow its government?
Spoiler
Costa Rica. The nation’s computer systems have been attacked by the Conti ransomware gang, a Russian-speaking outfit. The gang has demanded $20 million to unlock Costa Rica’s system and has said that it is working with people inside of the nation’s government.
9. Who is the new White House press secretary?
Spoiler
Karine Jean-Pierre. She is the first Black and gay woman to serve the role. Jean-Pierre replaces Jen Psaki, who is leaving the Biden administration, reportedly to take a job at MSNBC.
10. Who was recently appointed as France’s new prime minister?
Spoiler
Elisabeth Borne, who was labor minister in French President Emmanuel Macron’s last government. She is the second female prime minister in French history and the first in thirty years. Borne is a member of Macron’s Renaissance political party.