SEPTEMBER 20 QUIZ
1) This man faced a number of protests while in Britain this week. What man?
a) Pope Benedict XVI
The protestors included abuse victims, pro-choice women, atheists, and advocates for the ordination of female clergy. https://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/09/18/pope-faces-biggest-protest-britain-visit-street-cleaners-held/
2) This week, what celestial body will make its closest approach to earth since 1963?
b) Jupiter
The closest approach will be Monday night. Jupiter will be in the east around dusk and directly overhead at midnight. https://www.wtop.com/?nid=220&sid=2055750
3) What hurricane smashed into the Gulf Coast of Mexico this week?
b) Karl
Two were killed in a mudslide caused by Karl. The Mexican oil industry appeared to be unaffected. https://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N17205611.htm
4) Later this week, President Obama intends to seek Congressional approval to sell arms to what country?
a) Saudi Arabia
The arms are intended to help Saudi Arabia counterbalance the growing power of Iran in the region. The sale could become the largest arms sale in U.S. history.
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/18/world/18arms.html?_r=1&ref=thom_shanker
5) President Obama recently named Harvard professor Elizabeth Warren to do what?
a) Create the new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
The appointment has been described a “poke in the eye” to the financial community because of Professor Warren’s pro-consumer leanings.
6) Tens of thousands of what animal have recently come ashore in Northwest Alaska?
d) Walruses
This trend is attributed to the melting of sea ice in the Arctic Sea. https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2010-09-13-sea-ice-walrus_N.htm
7) Tea Party favorite Christine O’ Donnell won the Republican primary for Senate Tuesday in what state?
a) Delaware
O’ Donnell defeated mainstream Republican Mike Castle who had the backing of most of the Republican Party establishment. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/us/politics/15elect.html?ref=jeff_zeleny
8) The United States recently renewed drone airstrikes in what country?
a) Pakistan
The strikes are aimed at the militant group Haqqani that is based in Pakistan but which is fighting NATO forces in Afghanistan. https://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/0908/Pakistan-drone-attack-aimed-at-Haqqani-network-kills-at-least-six
9) This number hit a record high in 2009 according to a recent announcement by the Census Bureau. What number?
a) The number of Americans in poverty
The overall poverty rate climbed to 14.3 percent. https://www.latimes.com/sns-ap-us-census-poverty,0,3926446.story
10) The Senate recently approved a bill spending $30 billion on what?
b) Aid to small businesses
The bill includes tax breaks and loans and includes incentives to banks that lend to small businesses. All Senate Democrats voted in favor with only two Republicans voting yes. Republicans liken the bill to the 2008 bailout of the financial industry. https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/14/national/w005137D65.DTL
11) What company announced last week that it is entering the space tourism business?
a) Boeing
Flights could begin as early as 2015. https://news.travel.aol.com/2010/09/15/boeing-reaches-deal-for-out-of-this-world-travel/