May 24 Weekly News Quiz: How did Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi meet his death?

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and other officials, died when their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of Iran’s northwest. The crash occurred as they returned from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on the border with Azerbaijan. The helicopter crash prompted an hours-long search-and-rescue operation, with footage showing the wreckage on a steep, wooded hillside.

Karim Khan is the current International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor. On May 20, 2024, he made headlines by issuing arrest warrants for key leaders of Israel and Hamas. He cited alleged war crimes committed during the Gaza conflict since Oct. 7, 2023, and subsequent escalations. This significant move drew mixed reactions worldwide. France and Belgium supported the ICC’s request, emphasizing the need for justice under international law. US President Joe Biden criticized the decision, calling it “outrageous” and disputing the implication of equivalence between Israel and Hamas.

New Caledonia is a French territory located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Specifically, it lies east of Australia and west of Fiji. Despite its idyllic location, New Caledonia has been in the news recently due to significant unrest. On May 15, 2024, France declared a state of emergency after violent protests triggered by new voting reforms that could potentially dilute the indigenous Kanak votes. These protests led to the deaths of five people and injuries to over 60 security personnel. Adding an international twist, France has accused Azerbaijan of meddling in the unrest, an allegation that Azerbaijan denies.

What does Azerbaijan have to do with it?

Azerbaijan invited separatists from various French territories, including New Caledonia, to a conference in Baku, leading to the creation of the “Baku Initiative Group,” which supports anti-colonial movements and independence struggles in French territories. France and Azerbaijan have strained relations due to France’s support for Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In the film “The Apprentice,” which premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Donald Trump is portrayed as mentored by Roy Cohn during his early days in New York’s real estate world. Sebastian Stan stars as Trump, while Jeremy Strong plays Roy Cohn. On May 21, 2024, after the film’s premiere, the Trump campaign announced plans to sue the filmmakers for malicious defamation, arguing that the film sensationalized falsehoods.

Who was Roy Cohn?

Before becoming a New York fixer, Cohn was Senator Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel assisting McCarthy’s investigations of “suspected communists.” He also played a prominent role in the 1951 espionage trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

Rudy Giuliani turned 80 on May 17, 2024, marking the occasion with a birthday celebration in Palm Beach, Florida. However, his festivities took an unexpected turn when he was served an indictment notice related to an alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona. The charges against him include conspiracy, fraud, and forgery. Despite the severity of these charges, Giuliani remained unfazed during his party, even after taunting Arizona authorities on social media before being served.

The popular US seafood restaurant chain Red Lobster is well-known for its all-you-can-eat ‘endless shrimp’ promotion. This offer allowed customers to indulge in unlimited shrimp dishes, making it a beloved event for seafood lovers. However, the promotion’s popularity also contributed to the company’s financial troubles. Customers took full advantage of the endless shrimp deal, which led to higher-than-expected costs. Combined with declining sales and rising operational expenses, these challenges ultimately resulted in Red Lobster filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 20, 2024. The company is now restructuring its debt and closing several underperforming locations to stabilize its business.

On May 5, 2024, French bakers in Suresnes, a suburb of Paris, reclaimed the world record for the longest baguette ever baked. Measuring 140.53 meters (461 feet), this impressive feat surpassed the previous record of 132.62 meters held by Italian bakers in Como. The event required 18 bakers to start the process at 3 a.m. and use a specially designed mobile oven. After baking, the baguette was celebrated by sharing slices with Nutella with the public and distributing portions to the homeless.

On May 17, 2024, the French Post Office released a unique scratch-and-sniff postage stamp to celebrate the baguette, an iconic symbol of French gastronomy. Unveiled a day earlier on the feast day of Saint Honoré, the patron saint of bakers, this unique stamp features a cartoon image of a baguette wrapped in a tricolor ribbon and costs €1.96. With an initial print run of 594,000 copies, the stamp uses innovative microcapsule technology to emit a delightful bakery scent when rubbed. The stamp also honors the baguette’s inclusion on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 2022.

The Blockout 2024 movement began on May 6, 2024, coinciding with the Met Gala and an Israeli attack on Rafah in Gaza. It started after influencer Haley Kalil posted a TikTok video using an audio clip from the film Marie Antoinette, which many found insensitive. TikTok user @ladyfromtheoutside responded by calling for a “digital guillotine,” urging people to block celebrities who did not speak out about the Gaza conflict. The movement aims to reduce these celebrities’ social media influence and revenue. It quickly gained momentum, targeting high-profile figures like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Selena Gomez.

Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest woman, was displeased with her portrayal in a portrait by Aboriginal artist Vincent Namatjira. The portrait was displayed at the National Gallery of Australia. The picture featured a distorted depiction of her features, including a double chin. Unhappy with this representation, Rinehart requested the gallery to remove the portrait. On May 16, 2024, the gallery refused her request, stating they welcomed public dialogue about their collections. This situation garnered significant public and media attention, often described as the “Streisand effect,” where attempts to suppress information only lead to increased publicity.

Scarlett Johansson’s frustration with OpenAI stems from their development of a ChatGPT voice feature that closely mimicked her voice. On May 20, 2024, Johansson publicly condemned this unauthorized use, describing it as shocking and a violation of her privacy. OpenAI, acknowledging the backlash, paused the feature to review its policies.

On Friday, May 17, 2024, CNN released security footage from March 5, 2016, showing Sean “Diddy” Combs physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. The video sparked widespread public backlash and led to Combs posting a video apology on Instagram and Facebook on May 19, 2024. In his apology, he took full responsibility for his actions and expressed disgust at his behavior. He also mentioned that he sought professional help through therapy and rehab. Cassie Ventura’s attorney criticized the apology, noting that Combs had previously denied the allegations until the video evidence surfaced.

“Megalopolis,” directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2024. This ambitious project, self-financed by Coppola to the tune of $120 million, blends a futuristic New York setting with elements of a Roman epic. The film stars Adam Driver as an architect named Cesar who envisions a utopian city. Dedicated to Coppola’s late wife, Eleanor, the film received mixed reviews.

Demi Moore’s performance in “The Substance” has garnered significant attention due to its provocative and daring nature. Premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, the film features Moore in a role that includes full-frontal nudity and graphic scenes. The film, co-starring Margaret Qualley, has sparked mixed reviews, with some praising its audacity and others criticizing its explicit content. On May 20, 2024, Moore discussed her decision to embrace such a role, emphasizing the importance of portraying complex characters and challenging herself as an actress.