Are you optimistic about developments in Ukraine? Take our Week to Week news quiz and see that there are many other things to worry about now.
Here are some random but real hints: whatever floats their boat; leaking private conversations is his own secret service's job; we can track them using Google Maps; and nobody has done this more than he has. Answers are below the quiz.
1. Who has authorized military cooperation with the U.S. against ISIS in Iraq?
a. Russian President Vladimir Putin
b. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff
c. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei
d. China's National People's Congress
2. What did France say it would let Russia have if there was a ceasefire and political settlement in Ukraine?
a. A state visit
b. 14 Russian diplomats being held hostage in the Élysée Palace
c. A warship
d. It can host the 2018 European handball championship
3. Why is Moscow mad at Europe?
a. It says Europe is trying to tap the phones of its leaders
b. It wants them to join Moscow in a pact to divide Ukraine, but the EU refuses
c. The European Commission president let it be known that Russian President Vladimir Putin had told him that "If I wanted to, I could take Kiev in two weeks"
d. The Kremlin has launched a campaign against "cultural pollution" from Western European movies and television programs
4. What plan did NATO announce in response to Russia's interference in Ukraine?
a. An invitation to Russia to join NATO
b. Deployment of 4,000 NATO troops as peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine
c. Creation of a new rapid-reaction force that could be deployed to NATO allies along Russia's border
d. A naval blockade of Crimea's ports
5. What milestone was reached by Detroit this week?
a. It celebrated its 200th birthday
b. Its mayor became the third consecutive mayor to be jailed
c. It became a sister city to the rebel-held Ukrainian city of Donetsk
d. Its bankruptcy trial began, making it the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S.history
6. How did Vice President Joe Biden threaten ISIS?
a. "We will follow them to the gates of hell until they are brought to justice. Because hell is where they will reside."
b. "You only have to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down."
c. "You terrorists are like mad bulls, you see red everywhere! What on earth has come over you, to heap on us such treachery as is unworthy of a great nation?"
d. "God created war so that Americans would learn geography."
7. What do Wisconsin and Indiana have in common this week?
a. Their residents root for the Packers
b. They tie for last place in job creation in the country
c. They tie for first place in job creation in the country
d. Their anti-gay marriage laws were struck down by a federal court of appeals
8. Where did Tesla Motors choose to build its new $5 billion factory to produce electric cars?
a. Silicon Valley, California
b. Nevada
c. Manitowoc, Wisconsin
d. West Virginia
9. What American company found its business banned across Germany this week?
a. Google
b. Uber
c. Burger King
d. GM
10. What did California Governor Jerry Brown say to people who wanted more than the one gubernatorial debate he just completed?
a. People who wanted more "could play this one over and over"
b. He will debate Republican Neel Kashkari again "when Neel grows up"
c. "I will meet him in a box, I will meet him in a house, ... I will meet him here and there. I will meet him anywhere!"
d. After this debate, "I never want to debate anyone ever again"
BONUS. Comedian Joan Rivers died Wednesday. Which of the following is not a quote of hers?
a. "The first time I see a jogger smiling, I'll consider it."
b. "I wish I had a twin, so I could know what I'd look like without plastic surgery."
c. "Grandchildren can be so ... annoying. How many times can you go, 'And the cow goes moo and the pig goes oink'? It's like talking to a supermodel."
d. "If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"
Want the live news quiz experience? Join us Tuesday, September 16 in Silicon Valley for our next live Week to Week political roundtable with a news quiz and a social hour at The Commonwealth Club of California. Panelists include Dr. Larry Gerston, Carla Marinucci, and Josh Richman.
ANSWERS:
1) c.
2) c.
3) c.
4) c.
5) d.
6) a.
7) d.
8) b.
9) b.
10) a.
BONUS) d (this quote is actually by President Abraham Lincoln).
Explanations of the hints: whatever floats their boat: France is withholding delivery of a warship ordered by the Russian military; leaking private conversations is his own secret service's job: Russia waged propaganda battles with the West in the past few years by releasing secretly recorded phone conversations of Western diplomats; we can track them using Google Maps: just Google "gates of hell, ISIS" and see if it will give you directions; and nobody has done this more than he has: it's the last of four California gubernatorial races for Jerry Brown, and one in which he is the heavy favorite to win.