Here is this week’s Extemp Central news quiz. Good luck!
1. Which three political parties are likely going to be part of Germany’s next coalition government?
Spoiler
The Social Democrats, the Green Party, and the Free Democrats. In Germany’s elections the Social Democrats are projected to have won 206 seats (ten more than outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats), the Greens 118, and the Free Democrats 92. Based on the party’s colors, this is referred to as a “traffic light” coalition. The Social Democrats have not led a governing coalition since 2005. Negotiations to solidify a governing agreement between the three parties will be needed and a sticking point might be the market-oriented Free Democrats demanding the nation’s finance portfolio.
2. Singer R. Kelly was convicted of what charges this week?
Spoiler
Kelly was convictd Monday of racketeering and violating the Mann Act, which makes it illegal to transport anyone across state lines for “immoral purposes.” The sex trafficking case has the potential to send Kelly to prison for life.
3. What is the “One China” policy?
Spoiler
The policy recognizes that there is only one government of China, which is currently the People’s Republic of China rather than the island of Taiwan. The U.S. adopted the policy in 1979 when President Jimmy Carter established formal relations with China and closed America’s embassy in Taiwan. However, the U.S. does not accept what is called the “One China principle” where China insists that Taiwan is part of China and should be reunified with it in the future, through military force if necessary.
4. Which two states will have gubernatorial elections this November?
Spoiler
Virginia and New Jersey. These elections will take place on November 2. Democratic candidates are favored in each race, although Republicans might have an outside chance of winning in Virginia as polls show it to be close. Political pundits typically use the off-year elections to gauge the prospects of each party for the following year’s midterm elections. In 2009, Republicans won both states elections and that was a prelude to successes in the 2010 midterms. The same scenario played out for Democrats in the 2017 elections in each state, which led to a favorable midterm election for Democratic candidates in 2018.
5. What is the debt ceiling?
Spoiler
Also referred to as the debt limit, the debt ceiling is the total amount of money that the U.S. federal government is authorized by Congress to borrow in order to fund programs and meet its financial obligations. Extempers should realize that raising the debt ceiling does not mean that Congress is allowing for new spending. Instead, raising it just means that the U.S. needs to borrow more to pay for existing obligations. Debated during the Obama presidency, the debt ceiling is back under debate as Senate Republicans are arguing that they will not vote for raise it by October 18. Not doing so would mean that the U.S. defaults on some of its debts and that could have negative economic consequences.
6. Serbians blocked borders crossings with which country this week?
Spoiler
Kosovo. NATO troops increased patrols near Kosovo’s border crossings after local Serbs blocked them in response to Kosovo’s decision to ban cars with Serbian license plates from entering. Kosovo’s government is now requiring all drivers from Serbia to use temporary printed registration details, which it says are retaliation for Serbia treating Kosovo drivers similarly since 2008, when Kosovo declared independence from Serbia.
7. It was revealed this week that the Biden administration is look to recreate this program, which a federal judge struck down earlier this year.
Spoiler
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Introduced by President Barack Obama in 2012 via a memo from the Department of Homeland Security, the program aimed to shield hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants that came to the U.S. as minors from deportation. A federal judge ruled earlier this year that the Obama administration overstepped its authority when creating the program, but the Biden team is looking to recreate the effort via administrative regulation.
8. Courts ruled this week that a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in New York City for these workers was constitutional.
Spoiler
Teachers. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in Manhattan, ruled that the mandate was constitutional. The decision could have a large impact nationally as New York City is the nation’s largest school district with 148,000 employees and could inspire similar measures elsewhere.
9. Why did Haiti recently decide to delay new elections until 2022?
Spoiler
Haitian leader Ariel Henry says that elections will be delayed until 2022 because of administrative irregularities. Elections were supposed to take place in September but issues concerning gang violence, the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July, an earthquake last month, and a migrant crisis are complicating issues. But the biggest issue, according to Henry, is that the Electoral Council, who is supposed to run the nation’s elections, was not prepared to hold a poll for new leadership. The nation’s entire Electoral Council has now been fired, clearing the way for new elections next year.
10. Which two countries are in a credential dispute with the United Nations?
Spoiler
Afghanistan and Myanmar. Both nations have experienced military takeovers this year and there are disputes over who should represent the country’s at the United Nations. For example, the Taliban wish to have their representative, Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, speak for them, but Afghanistan is currently represented by Ghulam M. Isaczai, a figure in Afghanistan’s republican government. Myanmar has a similar problem where its military junta wants to have its representative speak for the country instead of Kyaw Moe Tun, who served Myanmar’s old democratic government. The UN is expected to make new credential decisions in November.