March 29 News Quiz: Who Are the IS-K?

IS-K refers to the Islamic State of Khorasan Province, a Central Asian affiliate of the broader Islamic State group. Named after a historical region covering parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, IS-K has been notorious for its ruthless attacks and extremist activities. The group grabbed headlines again with a tragic attack on a Moscow concert hall on March 22, 2024, claiming over 130 lives. Despite their defeat in Iraq and Syria, IS-K’s claim of responsibility for this devastating event underscores their persistent threat.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, located in Baltimore, Maryland, spanning the Patapsco River, experienced a devastating collapse on March 26, 2024, when a cargo ship, the Dali, lost power and collided with one of the bridge’s pillars. This incident led to the tragic presumed loss of six construction workers and created significant logistical challenges, affecting both vehicular and maritime traffic in a crucial economic and transportation hub.

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp, which operates the social media platform Truth Social, began trading under the ticker symbol “DJT” on Nasdaq in late March 2024. This event marked a significant moment for the company, showcasing a volatile first day with shares initially surging and then stabilizing, closing up by approximately 16%. Despite investors’ optimism, the company’s valuation raised eyebrows among experts, who questioned its sustainability based on its financial performance and user base.

Holi – often called the festival of colors – is a celebration that marks the onset of spring. This festival is celebrated widely in India and Nepal, as well as by the Hindu diaspora. It is renowned for its vibrant display of colors as participants smear each other with colored powders. It signifies the triumph of good over evil, commemorating the divine love of Krishna and Radha, and fosters a sense of community and new beginnings. Unlike Diwali, the festival of lights, or Navratri, a nine-night festival of dance and worship, Holi is uniquely characterized by its colorful, playful, and inclusive festivities, as observed in March 2024 across various global locations.

The Barkley Marathons isn’t your run-of-the-mill Sunday morning jog—it’s a behemoth of a race that stretches roughly 100 miles through Tennessee’s Frozen Head State Park. Inspired by a convict’s escape saga, this race is so tough that it makes a regular marathon look like a walk in the park. Jasmin Paris, a 40-year-old British runner and veterinarian, etched her name in the annals of endurance racing by becoming the first woman to finish this monstrous race. She crossed the finish line with a mere 99 seconds to spare before the 60-hour cutoff in March 2024.

In a surprising twist, Japan is taking a bold step away from its post-war pacifist policies by joining forces with the UK and Italy in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). Initiated in December 2022, this partnership is developing a fancy new fighter jet, set to soar by 2035. Why the change of heart? Japan is gearing up for regional tensions, particularly those that don’t come with an invitation. This move allows Japan to export these advanced jets, subject to intense scrutiny. Each sale requires a nod from the Japanese Cabinet, ensuring jets only fly to friendly skies where peace reigns.

Senegal has ushered in its youngest president yet, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a 44-year-old former tax inspector who swapped crunching numbers for running a country. His election in March 2024 marked a significant pivot in Senegal’s political landscape. Faye, stepping into office on April 2, 2024, is not just setting records for his age; he’s also promising transparency, anti-corruption measures, and a fresh approach to managing the nation’s resources.

Krispy Kreme is a renowned doughnut chain known for its wide variety of glazed, filled, and frosted doughnuts. In March 2024, it made headlines by announcing a partnership with McDonald’s, aiming to sell its doughnuts at McDonald’s locations across the United States. The plan is to start the rollout in the second half of 2024 and achieve nationwide availability by the end of 2026. This collaboration is expected to significantly increase Krispy Kreme’s points of access and presence in the US market.

Rebel Wilson and Sacha Baron Cohen came together in the 2016 spy action comedy “The Brothers Grimsby.” While the film might not have aimed for the Oscars, it certainly left a mark, especially in Wilson’s memoir, “Rebel Rising,” set to hit the shelves in April 2024. The memoir promises a chapter that has stirred quite the Hollywood tea, with Wilson accusing Cohen, known for his roles as Ali G and Borat, of being the “a**hole” she endured during filming. This revelation has sparked a volley of denials from Cohen’s camp, claiming Wilson’s assertions are “demonstrably false.”

“Alien: Romulus” finds its eerie place in the chilling chasm between the original “Alien” movie, which introduced us to the horrors of space in 1979, and its action-packed sequel, “Aliens,” which ramped up the adrenaline in 1986. Directed by the master of suspense, Fede Álvarez, the film is set to reconnect us with the claustrophobic terror of encountering Xenomorphs in space’s unforgiving void. While Ridley Scott and James Cameron, the original maestros behind the series, nod in approval, Álvarez steers this interstellar nightmare with a fresh cast but the same old fear.

The most notable alteration Netflix introduced in its adaptation of Liu Cixin’s “3 Body Problem” is the expansion of the setting from a predominantly Chinese backdrop to a more international stage. While the original narrative unfolds within China’s intricate socio-political and cultural fabric, starting with the Cultural Revolution to futuristic sci-fi scenarios, the series opts for an even broader canvas. This change, featured in the series released in March 2024, ignited mixed reactions, especially among Chinese audiences and those familiar with the original work.