June 7 Weekly News Quiz: Which three nations are led by Jewish heads of state?

Jewish heads of state currently lead Israel, Ukraine, and Mexico. Isaac Herzog has been the President of Israel since July 7, 2021; Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been Ukraine’s President since May 20, 2019, has become an international symbol of resilience; and Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo was elected Mexico’s President on June 2, 2024. She is the first Jewish person and the first woman to hold this office in the country.

Fun Facts: Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, has also revealed his Jewish heritage. During a speech at a Chabad synagogue in Florida, Milei shared that his grandfather discovered shortly before he died that his mother was Jewish. This revelation means Milei himself is Jewish by heritage. While Milei grew up Catholic, he expressed a deep connection to Jewish values and has shown significant support for Israel; Laurentino “Nito” Cortizo Cohen was elected President of Panama in 2019. While his mother was Jewish, Cortizo defines himself as a devout Roman Catholic. Russia and France have Prime Ministers of Jewish descent, but they’re not considered heads of their states.

Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, became the first US president convicted of felony crimes. This historic verdict was delivered in Manhattan, New York, on May 30, 2024. Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

Donald Trump attempted to ban TikTok during his presidency in 2020 due to concerns over its Chinese ownership and potential national security risks. Legal challenges halted the ban. In an ironic twist, Trump’s campaign joined TikTok on May 8, 2024, quickly gaining 3 million followers as part of his strategy to appeal to younger voters in his 2024 presidential run.

“2000 Mules,” a documentary by Dinesh D’Souza, falsely claimed widespread voter fraud occurred during the 2020 US presidential election. The film was heavily criticized and eventually retracted by Salem Media in June 2024 following a defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit highlighted the film’s baseless allegations and the harm caused to individuals like Mark Andrews, who was wrongly accused – and cleared – of illegal activities.

In November 2023, a fake documentary series titled “Olympics Has Fallen” surfaced, using AI to generate Tom Cruise’s voice without his permission. This disinformation campaign targeted the International Olympic Committee (IOC), alleging widespread corruption within the organization. The series was distributed on Telegram, a platform where it could reach a large audience despite being removed from YouTube.

The African National Congress (ANC) is a major political party in South Africa. The ANC stands for the African National Congress. It was founded in 1912 and has been a significant force in South African politics, especially noted for its role in the anti-apartheid movement. The ANC has led South Africa since apartheid ended in 1994 until June 1, 2024, when elections saw it lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years.

Rupert Murdoch, the 93-year-old media mogul, has been married four times and is now married for the fifth time. His previous marriages include Patricia Booker, Anna Maria Torv, Wendi Deng, and Jerry Hall. He announced his engagement to 67-year-old Elena Zhukova in March 2024, and the wedding occurred on June 2, 2024, at his California vineyard.

The iconic Swedish pop group ABBA, consisting of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, received the Royal Order of Vasa, one of Sweden’s highest honors. This prestigious honor was bestowed upon them on May 31, 2024, at the royal palace in Stockholm. King Carl XVI Gustaf presented the award to recognize the band’s significant contributions to music and culture over the past fifty years.

Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, the second-eldest daughter of Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has filed a petition to change her name to “Shiloh Nouvel Jolie.” Shiloh has decided to drop “Pitt” from her name. The petition was submitted on May 27, 2024, at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The change comes amid an ongoing legal battle between her parents.

The series “Eric” stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a father searching for his missing son. The inspiration behind the series comes from various stories of missing children. The show premiered on Netflix in 2024. It is a fictional narrative set in a world where the protagonist’s imaginary friend, Eric, helps him cope with his grief. Creator Abi Morgan said she was haunted by stories of missing children, which influenced the series.

The Poozeum, which opened in Williams, Arizona, houses the world’s largest collection of fossilized feces, known as coprolites. Curated by George Frandsen, the collection has earned a Guinness World Record and includes over 1,200 pieces from around the world. The museum offers a unique experience, showcasing the significance of coprolites in studying ancient ecosystems and diets.