1) President Obama recently negotiated a deal with eleven Pacific Rim countries. How is the deal best described?
a) A free trade deal
If approved by Congress, the deal – the Trans Pacific Partnership – would, among other things, lower tariffs. Although China is not a signatory to the deal, the countries that are part of the deal account for forty percent of the world’s GDP. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/business/trans-pacific-partnership-trade-deal-is-reached.html
2) What man surprised many on Tuesday when he announced that he was no longer interested in becoming the next Speaker of the House?
c) Kevin McCarthy
McCarthy was the favorite for the job before his announcement. His decision may have been the result of criticism he received over comments he made about the Congressional investigation of Hillary Clinton. It could also have been the result of pressure from the conservative House Freedom caucus or the result of an alleged affair with a fellow member of the House, an affair which he (and she) deny. https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/08/us-usa-congress-republicans-mccarthy-idUSKCN0S227G20151008
3) Last week, President Obama announced what major change in Middle East policy?
c) An end to support for the moderate Syrian rebels
The United States had previously supported these rebels in their fight against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/10/world/middleeast/pentagon-program-islamic-state-syria.html?_r=0
4) What state put a temporary end to the use of the death penalty after it was discovered that the state used the wrong drug in a January execution?
d) Oklahoma
The state used potassium acetate instead of potassium chloride.
https://newsok.com/wrong-drug-used-for-january-execution-state-records-show/article/5452084
5) A suicide bomb killed 95 in what predominantly Muslim country?
b) Turkey
No group has yet claimed responsibility.
6) Last week, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to four non-governmental organizations from what country?
a) Tunisia
Tunisia is in the midst of transitioning from dictatorship to democracy.
https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-nobel-peace-prize-winner-20151009-story.html
7) Last week, Russia accidentally dropped four missiles on what country?
b) Iran
Russia has recently started dropping bombs in Syria and accidentally dropped bombs in Iran. Russia has also violated Turkish airspace when dropping the bombs.
https://newsok.com/wrong-drug-used-for-january-execution-state-records-show/article/5452084
8) American intelligence recently caught smugglers trying to sell nuclear material in what country?
d) Moldova
The seller claimed that the material could allow ISIS to make a dirty bomb.
9) Microsoft is coming out with its first laptop. What is it called?
a) Surface Book
The new laptop places Microsoft directly in conflict with Apple.
10) What country’s soccer team won the CONCACAF championship Saturday night?
b) Mexico
Mexico earned the championship and the right to play in the 2017 Confederations Cup with a 3-2 overtime win over the United States.
https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/10/11/mexico-united-states-concacaf-cup-three-thoughts