Current Events Term 4 Week 6

Who did Donald Trump announce as a leader of the new Department of Government Efficiency?

• Elon Musk

• Kanye West

• Hulk Hogan

Answer explanation

a. Elon Musk - Donald Trump is vowing to reduce wasteful federal spending by hiring two billionaires - Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy - to lead the initiative, which the president-elect is calling the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

True or False: there are no elephants at all living in New Zealand

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

True - Burma, the last of New Zealand’s zoo elephants, has been shipped from Auckland Zoo to Adelaide's Monarto Safari Park. The 42-year-old elephant's arrival at her new home marks the end of an era for Auckland Zoo, where she has been a star attraction since arriving in 1990.

King Charles III recently celebrated his latest birthday. How old is the King now?

• 72 years

• 76 years

• 81 years

Answer explanation

b. 76 years - The King was born on 14 November 1948. Like his late mother Elizabeth II, he celebrates two birthdays - 14 November is his actual one, while his "official" birthday falls on the second Saturday in June.

What changes to Auckland public transport started last week?

• Tag on and off technology that accepts credit cards, eftpos, Apple Pay and Google Pay

• Trains and buses are now free during peak times

• Public transport costs have been cut by 39%

Answer explanation

a. Tag on and off technology that accepts credit cards, eftpos, Apple Pay and Google Pay - The contactless payment capability is only for standard adult fares on trains, buses and ferries – not concession or discounted fares. Those who get student, youth, Gold Cards and other discounted fares will need to continue using their Hop card.

European authorities have busted a criminal ring of forgers who were creating and selling fake ...?

• Ancient coins

• Famous artworks

• Rare stamps

Answer explanation

b. Famous artworks - Italy’s culture ministry said the seizures in Italy, France, Spain and Belgium netted 2100 fake works attributed to more than 30 famed artists, including Andy Warhol, Banksy and Pablo Picasso.

Dairy giant Fonterra has confirmed the sale of its consumer business brands.

Which of the following is not a brand owned by Fonterra?

• Anchor

• Mainland

• Lewis Road Creamery

Answer explanation

c. Lewis Road Creamery - it is an independently owned brand.

The Fonterra sale will include consumer business brands Anchor, Mainland, Kāpiti, Anlene, Anmum, Fernleaf, Western Star, Perfect Italiano and others, which make a range of products, including butter, cheese, and infant formula.

Who has been on strike recently?

• Prison guards

• Ambulance workers

• Defence force workers

Answer explanation

c. Defence force workers - Defence Minister Judith Collins instructed the Chief of Defence to deploy the armed forces to stand in for the striking civilian staff who work for the Defence Force. The striking workers included air force fire fighting crews and security staff at military bases across the country.

A Christmas song that was originally recorded to raise money for charity 40 years ago, is getting a remix featuring vocals from Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora, and other well known artists. What is the name of the song?

• "White Christmas"

• "Do They Know It’s Christmas?"

• "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

Answer explanation

b. "Do They Know It’s Christmas?" - The song was originally recorded by the Band Aid supergroup of music stars assembled by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 to raise money to fight famine in Ethiopia.

Two other versions followed for its 20th and 30th anniversaries. The new remix will be a blend of voices from the other versions as well as some new voices.

The Italian tourist attraction Pompeii will limit the numbers of tourists to 20,000 a day. What type of attraction is Pompeii?

• It is an ancient stadium where plays and operas were performed

• It is an ancient prison

• It is an ancient city that was buried in an eruption

Answer explanation

c. It is an ancient city that was buried in an eruption - The Roman archaeological site of Pompeii will limit the number of daily visitors to the site to 20,000 a day after a steep rise in visitors. Pompeii, the ancient city buried in an eruption from nearby Mount Vesuvius in AD79, is one of the best-preserved Roman sites anywhere in the world.

Lynn Anderson was the CEO of a wild animal park that has featured in the news this year due to animal welfare concerns. She has recently quit the job.

What is the name of the park?

• Orana Park

• Paradise Valley Springs Park

• Marshalls Animal Park

Answer explanation

a. Orana Park - Lynn Anderson, the CEO of Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch is stepping down after 28 years leading the zoo. Orana Wildlife Park has been through many investigations this year after a whistleblower raised complaints about the zoo to the Christchurch City Council.