Quizzing The News: Volume 3
An “interactive” recap of what happened between October 19 to October 25
Questions
This is another turbulent week of news from Israel and Gaza, but which of these headlines is misconstructed and false?
A. US advises Israel to kickstart Gaza invasion
B. UN relief operation in Gaza could shut down within hours
C. Israel-Hamas War U.N. Secretary-General Calls for Cease-Fire as Israel Intensifies Airstrikes
D. UN secretary general ‘shocked’ by ‘misrepresentations’ of his statement on Gaza as row with Israel escalates
This week, many Chinese and US leaders have met or engaged with one another, which of the following has not happened yet?
A. Chinese President Xi Jinping & California Governor Gavin Newsom
B. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi & US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
C. Chinese President Xi Jinping & US President Joe Biden
D. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi & US Secretary Of State Anthony Blinken
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee announced his 2023 Policy Address, which included a HK$20K incentive for every newborn, halving buyers’ stamp duty for non-residents to 7.5%, and ensuring Article 23 is enacted by next year among many other policies. But how long did Lee speak in his address?
A. 1 hour and 34 minutes
B. 2 hours and 45 minutes
C. 3 hours and 22 minutes
D. 4 hours and 7 minutes
Which high-level Chinese official was not removed or ousted this week?
A. Li Shangfu
B. Qin Gang
C. Liu Kun
D. Li Keqiang
In Japan, a landmark ruling ruled which action was deemed unconstitutional?
A. Assisted suicide
B. Mandatory sterilization of people officially changing gender
C. Conversion therapy
D. Marijuana legalization
It is a big week in technology news, which one of these headlines is from this week?
A. China’s new cyber safety rules to protect minors put burden on internet and tech firms, authorities and schools
B. Meta sued by 42 attorneys general alleging Facebook, Instagram features are addictive and target kids
C. Instagram apologises after inserting 'terrorist' into some Palestinian profiles
D. All of the above
Missing Headline: US state senator says ______ into Hong Kong was ‘honest mistake’
A. Travelling and not bringing any money
B. Bringing marijuana
C. Carrying gun
D. Not knowing the discount benefits for tourists
Which country’s leader joined thousands of women on strike?
A. Iceland
B. Finland
C. Poland
D. Switzerland
This week, what surprising fact did we know about the moon?
A. It’s darker
B. It’s further
C. It’s younger
D. It’s older
Which late-night show is ending over its proposed coverage of issues such as China and AI?
A. Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
B. The Problem With Jon Stewart
C. Real Time With Bill Maher
D. Late Night With Seth Myers
Answers
A
Like many countries, the US has encouraged Israel NOT to engage in a ground war in Gaza. The international community has in varied degrees called for a ceasefire in Gaza or at least a humanitarian pause to let in aid to the South, which has seen hospitals forced to close down due to the lack of fuel and civilian death counts piling up. The US, as an influential state, has raised concerns about the lack of clear objectives and strategy to help dissuade Israel from continuing its planned incursion. However, Netanyahu’s wartime government can ignore all international pleas and calls, which is why what has happened this week and the weeks to come is a serious test to Biden and the US influence in the conflict.
C
This week, President Xi and other high-level Chinese officials met California Governor Gavin Newsom, who visited Hong Kong and HKU before traveling to mainland China, a move that has garnered bipartisan criticism in the US. While Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met US diplomatic officials as well as US President Joe Biden. This garnered more hope for both the US and China’s leaders to meet in November, with President Xi saying China will cooperate with the US. At last, a worthy collaboration before the world burns!
C
The entire speech lasted for nearly three and a half hours, the longest-ever Policy Address in the city’s history. The answer in B was the second-longest-ever Policy Address, also announced by Lee in 2022. It was so tedious that cameras took photos of legislators yawning and bored during the speech. But at least it was not as embarrassing as the 2020 Policy Address with photographers taking pictures of a lawmaker ordering crabs worth HK$9600 and other legislators taking a nap during the two-and-a-half-hour speech!
D
Li Keqiang was the former premier who left his job voluntarily earlier this year after President Xi replaced him with Li Qiang, a loyal ally of the Chinese President. Li died of a heart attack on Friday, he was 68 years old. As for the three other options, the three were removed from their posts on Tuesday night as reported by state media. There was no formal explanation as to why former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and Foreign Minister Qin Gang were sacked from their posts, but it does not stop rumors of affairs or collusion from flying around social media.
B
The country’s top court has ruled in favor of trans rights, ruling a legal clause requiring people to undergo sterilization surgery if they want to legally change their gender is unconstitutional. While in Hong Kong, the courts continued their LGBT rights defending legal streak by ruling in favor of same-sex couples’ equal inheritance rights following a government appeal.
D
Yes, all three headlines happened in the time span of this week. With Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, in incredibly awkward trouble. Well, at least it’s better than seeing the user numbers for the metaverse!
C
In hilarious news for Hong Kongers, the State Senator from Washington Jeff Wilson was arrested last Saturday on suspicion of possessing a gun without any license. Sir, this is not OK Corral, or anywhere in the United States. A country that has just witnessed one of the deadliest mass shootings of the year in Maine that left at least 18 dead and more injured.
A
As part of a campaign pushing for greater gender equality in the country, Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir joined thousands of women on strike for a day. This marks the seventh time women in the country have gone on strike in the name of gender equality, an issue the WEF says will take 131 years to eliminate the global gender gap.
D
Researchers discovered after investigating a moon rock brought back from Apollo 17 that the moon is actually older than scientists expected, at least 4.46 billion years old. The recent science news makes the moon the greatest impression to age appearance gap in human memory, take that, Hollywood actors who have gone through cosmetic surgery! Also, another fun fact, the moon is 1cm further away from Earth every year, and in the distant future, it will be far enough to escape the orbit it has with Earth!
B
Sadly, the Apple TV show is ending after two seasons due to editorial agreements with the company. According to reports, Apple TV executives have issues with Stewart covering topics like AI and China, probably due to its fear of bad coverage and the company’s involvement in these two issues. They thought Stewart would cower, but since this is the comedian who was involved in forcing the US government to pass the PACT act despite years of resistance, he walked out with his dignity intact.