Oct. 13 News Quiz: Where’s the Al-Aqsa Mosque?

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem. This mosque has stood for centuries and has been a focal point in the longstanding and deeply rooted conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, involving a large-scale surprise terror attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians, were named Al-Aqsa Floods by the Gazan forces committing the atrocities. 1,400 Israelis were murdered by Hamas terrorists in their homes and at a music festival massacre, resulting in the evacuation of 1.1 million Gazans as the IDF retaliated.

A kibbutz is, traditionally, a collective community in Israel based on agriculture and known for its communal living ethos. The kibbutz concept aimed to create a society where all members contribute according to their ability and receive according to their needs, though most, if not all, kibbutzim are privatized today. The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel brought global attention to the Kibbutzim Kfar Aza, Be’eri, Re’im, and other locations in southern Israel, where a brutal attack by Hamas militants resulted in a horrifying massacre of some 1,300 civilians in their homes, including children, with about 200 civilians kidnapped by the ISIS-inspired organization.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a regulatory framework within the European Union. It mandates digital platforms, like Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), to mitigate risks to public security and civic discourse, especially by tackling online illegal content. Three days after the Hamas terror attack on Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton told Musk that his platform was “being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU.” Non-compliance with the act could result in a fine of 6% of X’s revenues or a total blackout in the EU. The UK technology secretary, Michelle Donelan, also echoed similar concerns, urging social media platforms to act against violent content.

Narges Mohammadi, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, is imprisoned in Iran. Her relentless pursuit of human rights and unyielding criticism of the Iranian regime has earned her international acclaim and authorities’ wrath. Mohammadi is often likened to Nelson Mandela for her unwavering resistance and activism even behind bars.

On Oct. 8, 2023, at the Chicago Marathon, Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum made history by becoming the first to run a marathon in less than 2 hours and 1 minute. He crossed the finish line with an astonishing 2 hours and 35 seconds. This achievement was particularly impressive, considering it was only the third competitive marathon of his career. His record-breaking performance was a personal victory and a moment of national pride as he continued the legacy of his fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, the previous record holder. On Feb. 11, 2024, Kiptum, 24,  died in a road accident alongside his coach in western Kenya.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, aims to establish a mega-constellation of more than 3,200 satellites to provide internet service across the globe. The initiative, which launched its first two prototype satellites using United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket, is set to rival SpaceX’s Starlink service, which has already deployed over 5,000 satellites since 2019. Amazon, investing $10 billion, plans to launch its service by the end of 2024, contributing to the expanding frontier of space-based internet services.

Red Dye 3 has been in the spotlight due to California’s recent legislative moves. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Oct. 7, 2023, banning four food additives, including Red Dye 3, due to safety concerns. This dye is commonly found in snacks and candies, such as Skittles. Due to potential health risks, it has been subject to scrutiny and bans in different regions, like the European Union. The new law doesn’t ban candies but restricts certain additives, forcing companies to adjust their formulations by 2027.

Fun Fact: The bill was misleadingly dubbed a “Skittles ban” due to a previous version that would have banned titanium dioxide, a chemical found in Skittles in the US. However, this proposal was removed from the final bill. Despite this, the nickname caused misinformation on social media, falsely claiming Skittles were prohibited in California. But guess where to find titanium dioxide-free Skittles? The answer is Europe, where the European Commission banned titanium dioxide in 2022.

The costumes and sets of ‘Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction’ were designed by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. This Danish period film, directed by Academy Award, Golden Globe, and two-time Palme d’Or winner Bille August, was released on Netflix on Sept. 14, 2023. Based on the novella Ehrengard by Danish Karen Blixen, the film tells the tale of a respected member of high society in the idyllic village of Babenhausen.

The correct answer is “Nada Más Que Decir,” (AKA Nada) meaning “Nothing More to Say.” This Argentine TV series marked Robert De Niro’s small-screen debut. In this series, De Niro plays an American writer who visits his friend Manuel, a food critic, in Buenos Aires. The series premiered on Oct. 11, 2023, on Star+ in Latin America, Hulu in the US, and Disney+ in Europe.

Dr. Frasier Crane, portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, became a household name through the sitcom “Cheers,” which aired its first episode in 1982. Set in a Boston bar, “Cheers” was where Frasier, a psychiatrist, often shared his woes and wisdom with a lively bunch of regulars. The character later received a spinoff show, “Frasier.” Two decades after “Frasier” concluded, Dr. Frasier Crane returned to the screen, navigating through new adventures in a reboot of the iconic show, airing on Paramount+ starting Oct. 12, 2023.

Fun fact: Bebe Neuwirth and Peri Gilpin return to “Frasier” as Lilith and Roz. David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves, who played Niles and Daphne, respectively, declined to return for the reboot.

Researchers observing female European common frogs found these Oscar-worthy performances. Led by Dr. Carolin Dittrich, a postdoctoral researcher with a keen eye for amphibious antics, the research showed that a third of these female frogs exhibit a behavior known as “tonic immobility” or, in simpler terms, they “play dead.” This peculiar behavior was brought into the limelight in a study published in October 2023. However, Dr. Dittrich found references to such behaviors in texts over 250 years old.