1. The European Council agreed to open accession negotiations with THESE countries, a decision Ursula von der Leyen called "strategic" and "a day that will remain engraved in the history" of the European Union.
A. Turkey and North Macedonia
B. Moldova and North Macedonia
C. Ukraine and Moldova
D. Ukraine and Albania
Correct Response: C. Ukraine and Moldova
https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/14/europe/eu-council-accession-talks-ukraine-intl/index.html
2. The lawyer for THIS leading Russian opposition figure said he had disappeared within the penal system. The Kremlin ignored requests for information and waved off Washington’s criticism of his treatment.
A. Vyacheslav Gimadi
B. Alexei Navalny
C. Kira Yarmysh
D. Dmitry Peskov
Correct Response: B. Alexei Navalny
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-alexei-navalny-missing-russia-opposition-jail-rcna129903
3. Authorities arrested seven people in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands over THESE charges of terrorism.
A. Suspicion of artificial intelligence espionage
B. Suspicion of planning attacks on Jewish institutions
C. Conspiracy to bomb COP28
D. Conspiracy to overthrow the German government
Correct Response: B. Suspicion of planning attacks on Jewish institutions
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/copenhagen-police-danish-intelligence-make-arrests-suspicion-preparations-attack-2023-12-14/
4. Washington will continue to urge Israeli restraint in the war in Gaza with the visit of THIS U.S. Secretary of Defense who is said will urge PM Netanyahu to scale back the attacks and move on to the next phase of the campaign.
A. Mark Milley
B. Lloyd Austin
C. John Kirby
D. Charles Brown
Correct Response: B. Lloyd Austin
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-gaza-death-toll-pressure-lloyd-austin-rcna130202
5. The trial of iconic publishing figure Jimmy Lai opened in THIS regional city. Lai ran the pro-democracy paper “Apple Daily” which was shut down in 2021 as a result of a draconian national security law. Lai, charged with “colluding with foreign forces,” faces life imprisonment.
A. Singapore
B. Taiwan
C. Hong Kong
D. Luzon
Correct Response: C. Hong Kong
https://www.reuters.com/world/britain-calls-jimmy-lais-release-hong-kong-trial-begins-2023-12-17/
6. Four of the largest global container ship companies announced a pause in sailings through the Red Sea and Suez Canal where 30% of global container traffic passes. The outbreak of anti-ship attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, has increased the danger of sailing through THIS global maritime chokepoint.
A. Strait of Hormuz
B. Malacca Strait
C. Bab el-Mandeb
D. Strait of Gibraltar
Correct Response: C. Bab el-Mandeb
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/15/shipping-giants-hapag-lloyd-and-maersk-pause-red-sea-travel.html
7. The year end, highly choreographed, marathon program "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin” included all of these comments from the Russian ruler except THIS one.
A. Peace will come to Ukraine “when we achieve our objectives.”
B. Moscow is talking with Washington about wrongfully detained journalist Gershkovich and former Marine Whelan.
C. Putin will meet with President Biden at the next G-20 meeting.
D. Russian forces are improving their positions “practically along the whole line of contact” in Ukraine.
Correct Response: C. Putin will meet with President Biden at the next G-20 meeting.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67718655
8. The European Union’s rules for unanimous decisions allowed THIS Putin leaning leader, experienced in extortion and blackmail of his EU partners, to kill a $52B aid lifeline to Ukraine.
A. Donald Tusk
B. Klaus Iohannis
C. Zuzana Čaputová
D. Victor Orban
Correct Response: D. Victor Orban
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/17/world/europe/hungary-ukraine-eu.html
9. The prospect of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was rejected in an interview with THIS Israeli official who said, “Absolutely, no,” in response to a question about a Palestinian state, just as President Biden had said, “You cannot say no Palestinian state,” to bring peace.
A. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen
B. Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely
C. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
D. Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog
Correct Response: B. Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-777902
10. The U.S. and China are in a “competitive relationship” when it comes to economic and military issues according to a recent statement by THIS U.S. Ambassador to China. He said the U.S. expects China to refrain from interference in next month’s presidential election in Taiwan.
A. Nicholas Burns
B. William Burns
C. William Hagerty
D. Antony Blinken
Correct Response: A. Nicholas Burns
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/12/17/2003810736
