Current Events Week 8

Why was a photo of the Princess of Wales in the news last week?

• a. The princess admitted to altering the photo

• b. It showed the princess using a wheelchair to get around

• c. It showed her in a resort in France instead of in the UK

Answer explanation

The princess admitted to altering the photo - The Princess of Wales has apologised "for any confusion" after she said she edited a Mother's Day photograph of her and her children. The apology was posted on Kensington Palace social media after five agencies removed it over editing concerns. The Princess of Wales has been recovering from a “scheduled abdominal surgery”.

Which political party has suspended one of its MPs after allegations of migrant exploitation at a business owned by her husband?

• a. ACT

• b. National

• c. Green Party

Answer explanation

Green Party - A worker complained to the Employment Relation Authority about $25,000 in unpaid wages and holiday pay from E Cycles NZ - owned by MP Darleen Tana’s husband. It is also understood a second worker had also complained. Last week’s revelation comes in the same week former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman pleaded guilty to shoplifting.

A sudden loss of altitude on a flight from Sydney to Auckland caused 50 passengers and crew members to require medical attention. Which airline were the passengers flying with?

• a. Qantas

• b. LATAM

• c. Cathay Pacific

Answer explanation

LATAM - Passengers described the plane dropping suddenly, with people being thrown out of their seats. Some hit the top of the roof of the plane, and others were thrown down the aisles. An investigation into the incident has been launched. LATAM Airlines is a Chilean multinational airline based in Santiago.

The country of Denmark has announced that for the first time they will include women in...?

• a. Leadership positions in Denmark’s justice system

• b. Top roles in the church

• c. Compulsory enlistment into the armed forces (conscription)

Answer explanation

Compulsory enlistment into the armed forces (conscription) - Women in the Scandinavian country can already volunteer for military service. Now the government plans to introduce female conscription from 2026, making it only the third European nation to require women to serve in the armed forces. It also says the conscription service will be extended from four to 11 months for both men and women.

Talks are underway about a possible South Island-based National Rugby League (NRL) club. What name is it likely to have if plans do go ahead?

• a. The Haast Eagles

• b. The South Island Kea

• c. The South Island Maunga

Answer explanation

The South Island Kea - Talks are underway for the 'South Island Kea' to be included in an expanded premiership in the coming years. The team would be based in Christchurch, with the new multi-use Te Kaha Stadium set to be completed by April 2026.

The US House of Representatives have voted to pass a measure that could lead to the forced sale or ban of which video-sharing app?

• a. TikTok

• b. Instagram

• c. Youtube

Answer explanation

TikTok - If the legislation is passed by the Senate it will give TikTok’s owner, the Beijing-based ByteDance, half a year to sell the short-video platform or face a ban on the Apple and Google app stores and web-hosting services in the United States. The move reflects growing fears over China’s influence in the United States,

especially in an election year.

The UK government has announced they will ban foreign governments from owning UK...?

• a. Transport agencies

• b. Newspapers and magazines

• c. Energy Providers

Answer explanation

Newspapers and magazines - The announcement follows criticism of a proposed takeover of the Daily Telegraph and Spectator by a United Arab Emirates-backed investment firm. The government said the proposed legislation would "deliver additional protections for a free press”.

A fishing competition, described by the organisers as the world’s largest billfish competition, was held in Whitianga last weekend. Which of the following was NOT one of the prizes on offer?

• a. A helicopter

• b. A five-tonne digger

• c. A cash prize of $350,000

Answer explanation

A helicopter - The Kubota Billfish Classic, hosted by the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, is now in its fifth year and attracted 420 entries for this year’s event. Held in Whitianga between March 14 and 16, teams competed for a total of $1.8 million in prizes.

Why have residents of a Japanese city been warned against approaching a cat?

• a. They believe the cat has a serious contagious disease

• b. The cat is a large wild cat that has been attacking and injuring people

• c. They believe that the cat could be coated in toxic material

Answer explanation

They believe that the cat could be coated in toxic material - A search for a cat that is thought to have fallen into a vat of toxic material began after an employee at a Plating factory in Fukuyama, discovered a trail of yellowy-brown paw prints leading away from the vat. Skin contact with the chemicals contained in the vat can cause inflammation and inhaling it can lead to respiratory problems.

Statistics New Zealand have said the number of migrant arrivals went up last year by...?

• a. 12 percent

• b. 50 percent

• c. 91 percent

Answer explanation

91% - Annual net migration to New Zealand hit a record 133,800 in the past year (ending in January). It also said migrant departures were up 30 percent. The majority of immigration was by citizens of India, with a 51,000 arrival and citizens of the Philippines made up the second biggest proportion of arrivals with 36,500.