Places in the News Quiz, Winter 2002

Economic indicators in the winter of 2002 indicated that Europe's largest economy officially remained in recession. That country is:: Germany has Europe's largest economy. As the first quarter of 2002 got underway, Germany remained in an economic slump.

A major volcanic eruption devastated part of what country in January 2002?: Mt. Nyiragongo destroyed about 40% of the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in January 2002, leaving tens of thousands homeless.

In February 2002, which former national leader was on trial in The Hague for war crimes?: Former Yugoslavian president Slobodan Milosevic was on trial for genocide in 2002. Although indicted for war crimes, Karadzic remained at large. Former Rwandan Prime Minister Kambanda was convicted of genocide in Dec. 2001, by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and was serving a jail sentence in Mali.

In what nation did a former movie star become the chief minister of a state government in March 2002?: Former movie queen Jayalalitha Jayaram was sworn in as chief minister of India's Tamil Nadu state in March 2002.

The kidnapping of a presidential candidate in 2002 sparked outrage in what country?: The kidnapping of Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt in February 2002, by FARC, a leftist guerrilla group, has been widely denounced both in Colombia and around the world. Brazil, especially S?o Paulo, has also been plagued by political kidnappings.

Leaders of what nation signed a cease-fire with rebels in April 2002, six weeks after the death of a prominent rebel leader?: Angolan leaders signed a cease-fire agreement with UNITA rebels in April 2002, ending nearly 27 years of civil war. The action followed the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi, who was killed in Feb. 2002.

What affected Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the winter of 2002?: Authorities estimated that by February 2002, 10% of the workforce of the state of Rio de Janeiro had become infected with dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitoes. The epidemic had killed 17 people.

A drive-through McDonald's Restaurant for snowmobile riders opened in February 2002 in what country?: The 6,000 registered snowmobile users in the town of Pitea, Sweden, which is 80 miles south of the Artic Circle, can now enjoy a quick hamburger without going into the restaurant.

Economic crisis pushed which nation to the verge collapse in early 2002?: Argentina's economic crisis prompted rioting and panic, following the devaluation of the peso in January 2002.

In February 2002, U.S. president George Bush made a three-nation trip, visiting:: President Bush arrived in Tokyo, Japan on February 17, 2002, for a six-day visit to Japan, South Korea, and China.