Here is this week’s news quiz. Good luck!
1. Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin McHenry told his Republican colleagues that he would resign if what occurred?
Spoiler
If there was pressure to make him push legislation to the floor of the House of Representatives without that being authorized by a majority vote of the chamber. McHenry said he was unwilling to set a precedent that someone could act with the powers of the Speaker of the House without authorization.
2. By a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court allowed the Biden administration’s regulations on which firearm to go into effect?
Spoiler
“Ghost guns.” Ghost guns are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. Last year, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) reported that there were 20,000 suspected ghost guns reported to it. The Biden administration’s regulations bans unserialized kits to assemble guns that people could buy online and require federally licensed dealers and gunsmiths to take unserialized firearms and serialize them.
3. Which country recently tried to call a peace summit (and host it) to end the fighting between Israel and Hamas?
Spoiler
Egypt. Egyptian leaders called for an end to hostilities between the two sides but the summit was only attended by some Arab and European leaders. Those that did attend failed to agree on a joint statement about the conflict, underscoring the problems of settling the issues.
4. Which nationality is now the largest that is being apprehended for illegally crossing the U.S. border?
Spoiler
Venezuelans. This is the first time in the history of records kept that a nationality has displaced Mexican migrants. According to the Border Patrol, more than 54,000 Venezuelans were arrested entering the country from Mexico last month, which doubled the number from August. Those coming to the U.S. are leaving the political and economic dysfunction in Venezuela that has caused seven million people to leave.
5. What is the world’s most indebted oil company?
Spoiler
Pemex. It is Mexico’s state-owned oil company. Pemex possesses a debt of more than $100 billion, which is about 8% of Mexico’s GDP. Observers note that this issue is due to government taxes that have stifled the company’s investments and bad human resources decisions.
6. Which Republican dropped out of the Speaker of the House race on Tuesday after failing to be accepted by former President Donald Trump and his congressional allies?
Spoiler
Representative Tom Emmer of Minnesota. Emmer was selected by the GOP caucus after previous nominees Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan failed to get the requisite number of votes to become Speaker of the House. Some analysts thought some Democrats might vote “present” were Emmer to be put to a floor vote, giving him the ability to become the next Speaker. However, Emmer dropped out hours after being selected by the GOP conference because he would not have a unified backing of the Republican Party.
7. Why have more than 40 states recently sued Meta?
Spoiler
42 states are currently suing Meta, alleging that Facebook and Instagram platforms are addictive and aimed at kids and teenagers. The biparistan group of attorney generals demonstrates that Internet addiction and its affect on youth is becoming an issue that both political parties can agree on. A federal lawsuit from 33 states argues that Meta is violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal data from users under the age of 13 without parental consent.
8. Which two candidates made the runoff round of Argentina’s presidential election?
Spoiler
Argentina’s Minister of Economy Sergio Massa and far-right libertarian Javier Milei. Although some analysts thought Milei might win a majority in the first round, he came in second, earning 30.18% of the popular vote compared to Massa’s 36.33%. It sets up a matchup between two contrasting views of how to end Argentina’s economic woes as the nation has been battling a perpetual inflation problem.
9. Who has Venezuela’s opposition rallied behind to oppose President Nicholas Maduro in the next presidential election?
Spoiler
Maria Corina Machado. The opposition held its own primary of ten candidates in order to unite behind one candidate to oppose Maduro in next year’s presidential election. Maduro has been in office since 2013. Machado was a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly from 2011-2014 and was barred from office for 15 years for corruption, even though no evidence was provided for it. As part of the deal between Venezuela’s government and its opposition that was agreed to last week, Machado should be able to run for office but the Venezuelan government has not been clear if she would be allowed to or not. If Machado was barred from running, U.S. sanctions against Venezuela’s economy would likely be reimposed after November.
10. Which U.S. state is looking at foregoing more than $1 billion in federal education dollars?
Spoiler
Tennessee. The state is looking at refusing federal education funding because of disagreements with federal programs and mandates. At risk is $1.8 billion in funding, which accounts for 20% of Tennessee’s education budget. Critics argue that if Tennessee rejects funding that it would hurt low income students, those with disabilities, and English language learners.