1. Two months to the day after he staged a mutiny in Russia, THIS failed leader, his right-hand man, and eight other people died on a private plane that mysteriously crashed with no survivors.
A. Sergei Shoigu, Russian Defense Minister
B. Valery Gerasimov, Russian Chief of the General Staff
C. Yevgeny Prigozhin's, Wagner mercenary chief D. Alexey Navalny, Russian opposition leader
Correct Response: C. Yevgeny Prigozhin's, Wagner mercenary chief
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-mercenary-yevgeny-prigozhins-plane-appeared-fine-radar-until-last-30-2023-08-24/
2. Russia fulfilled its threat to place nuclear weapons in THIS regional ally as part of its challenge to NATO and its nearby neighbors. Meanwhile the State Department warned Americans to leave the country due to rising regional tensions.
A. Kaliningrad
B. Moldova
C. Crimea
D. Belarus
Correct Response: D. Belarus
https://www.gzeromedia.com/russian-nukes-move-into-natos-backyard
3. China announced a ban on fish imports from Japan due to THIS development.
A. Japanese ban on rice imports from China
B. Passage of legislation calling for nationalizing the disputed Senkaku islands
C. Imposition of export taxes on fish production
D. Release of treated radioactive water from a damaged nuclear plant
Correct Response: D. Release of treated radioactive water from a damaged nuclear plant
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3232340/fukushima-water-release-why-chinas-ban-japanese-seafood-could-backfire
4. In a push to reshuffle the world order, the BRICS bloc of developing nations agreed to admit THESE 6 countries aimed at leveling a global playing field they see as rigged against them.
A. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and UAE
B. Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Madagascar, Namibia, and Angola
C. Mexico, Philippines, Nigeria, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Argentina
D. Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, Nigeria, Egypt, and Vietnam
Correct Response: A. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and UAE
https://www.reuters.com/world/brics-poised-invite-new-members-join-bloc-sources-2023-08-24/
5. A new UAV, the Mohajer-10, was unveiled by President Raisi of THIS Middle East nation. The drone based on the American MQ-9 Reaper can stay aloft for 24 hours, with a range of 2,000 km at an altitude of 7,000 meters. The country has been providing Russia with drones to use for attacks in Ukraine.
A. Jordan
B. Syria
C. Qatar
D. Iran
Correct Response: D. Iran
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iran/2023/08/22/iran-unveils-long-range-drone-based-on-american-mq-9-reaper/
6. President Emmerson Mnangagwa of THIS country claimed victory in elections widely considered plagued by fraud that will keep his party in power, which it has held since the country, formerly called Southern Rhodesia, gained independence from the British.
A. South Africa
B. Zimbabwe
C. Tanzania
D. Botswana
Correct Response: B. Zimbabwe
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/world/africa/zimbabwe-election-mnangagwa-wins.html
7. An unmanned moon lander operated by THIS space agency and known as the Chandrayaan-3 made history by becoming the first to reach the lunar south pole. The country is the fourth to successfully soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon.
A. China National Space Administration (CNSA)
B. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
C. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
D. Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)
Correct Response: B. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/india-chandrayaan-3-landing-moon-south-pole-rcna101296
8. After 15 years of occupation of the separatist South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions, about 20 percent of THIS nation, Moscow has threatened to annex them.
A. Moldova
B. Georgia
C. Armenia
D. Azerbaijan
Correct Response: B. Georgia
https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-annex-georgia-breakaway-regions-south-ossetia-abkhazia-dmitry-medvedev/
9. A Russian court extended the pre-trial detention of Evan Gershkovich charged with espionage, who was in Moscow for THIS purpose.
A. Contractor on electronic equipment at the U.S. Embassy
B. Wall Street Journal correspondent
C. Business advisor from McKinsey global consultants
D. Freelance reporter provided Kremlin coverage for the BBC
Correct Response: B. Wall Street Journal correspondent
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12440087/Jailed-WSJ-reporter-Evan-Gershkovich-arrives-hearing-extending-detention.html
10. A series of thefts from THIS world-famous museum has shaken its reputation for the scrupulous care of artifacts which originated in other countries, such as the Rosetta Stone and Benin Bronzes.
A. The Louvre
B. The British Museum
C. The Rijksmuseum
D. The Prado
Correct Response: B. The British Museum
https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/08/21/stealing-from-museums-is-easier-than-you-might-think
