1) What American government agency has been accused of spying on over 35 different world leaders over the last decade?
c) National Security Agency (NSA)
The allegations are based on confidential documents released to the press by whistleblower Edward Snowden.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/24/nsa-surveillance-world-leaders-calls
2) According to White House officials, the healthcare.gov website will be working smoothly by what date?
b) November 30
The White House has brought in outside consultants from the private sector to fix the website’s glitches.
3) The White House recently changed the date by which individuals must purchase health insurance through a government health exchange before being penalized what is the new date?
b) February 15 2014
Before the change, individuals could have been penalized if they had not purchased health insurance by mid-February.
4) Republicans in Congress are calling for the resignation of which of President Obama’s cabinet members?
a) Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius
Republicans are criticizing her because of the problems associated with healthcare.gov.
5) According to a recent statement by a former Bush administration official, why did the United States attack Iraq in 2003?
d) Because the administration wanted to “kick someone’s ass.”
The quote is found in the new book Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House by Peter Baker and is from an anonymous source. Over 4,000 American servicemen and over 1,000,000 Iraqis lost their lives during the war.
6) According to the most recent report, what is the current unemployment rate in America?
b) 7.2%
The economy gained 148,000 jobs in September, fewer than expected. The release of the report was delayed by the government shutdown.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-economy-created-148000-jobs-in-september-2013-10-22
7) Women in this country drove cars last weekend, in defiance of a long standing informal ban against female drivers. What country?
d) Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prevents women from driving.
8) What country recently became the first country in Southeast Asia to adopt sharia law into its criminal code?
d) Brunei
Punishments under the new law will include stoning, flogging and amputation, but the code will only apply to the country’s Muslims.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/22/brunei-sharia-law-islamic-flogging-stoning
9) According to a recent survey, what percentage of Americans favors legalizing marijuana?
d) 58%
Gallup has been asking this question since 1969 and this is the first time a majority of Americans has favored legalization.
https://www.gallup.com/poll/165539/first-time-americans-favor-legalizing-marijuana.aspx
10) Musician Lou Reed passed away last week at the age of 71. What influential band did Reed form in the 1960s?
b) The Velvet Underground
Reed may be best known for his solo effort Walk on the Wild Side.
https://theweek.com/article/index/251768/music-legend-lou-reed-dies-at-71