According to reports on Wednesday, an Oregon man named Devin Bost is suing the orthodontist who left his braces on for 11 years while his teeth rotted away. There is much we can learn from Bost's story, but for me it's a timely reminder that sometimes slow and steady isn't good enough. Speed matters. Keep that in mind while the timer ticks away on these 12 questions.

Question 1 of 12

Last Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon promised that the United Nations would not invade what location?

A Lubbock County, Texas, judge had warned of invasion. "Not even the United Nations would ever mess with Texas," said a spokesman.

Question 2 of 12

For the first time in 13 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics changed their stance on what controversial issue, offering stronger support for the practice?

In their report, released Monday, the organization cited studies linking male circumcision to lowered HIV transmission.

Question 3 of 12

Because of a June lockout and stalled negotiations, whose jobs will be filled by nonunion replacements next weekend for the first time since 2001?

Question 4 of 12

63-year-old Japanese engineer Jinichi Kawakami claimed, in interviews earlier this month, what unique distinction?

Kawakami is the 21st and final head of the Ban family, a Japanese ninja clan dating back to the 16th century.

Question 5 of 12

NBC News, which broke the story of Neil Armstrong's death last weekend, made what mistake in their initial online posting?

Question 6 of 12

According to Ann Romney's Tuesday convention speech, what was unusual about the dining-room table in the Romneys' first tiny basement apartment?

Question 7 of 12

Who was compared this week to "someone's drunken uncle at Christmas dinner"?

Question 8 of 12

Lawyer Charles Verhoeven revealed to the media last week that 26 percent of the components in an iPhone 4 have what in common?

Despite Apple and Samsung's long-running patent battle, many Apple devices rely heavily on Samsung parts.

Question 9 of 12

According to Rep. Paul Ryan's Republican National Convention speech Wednesday night, which pair of rock bands can we be sure is not on his iPod?

Ryan jokingly apologized to his running mate for having a playlist that "starts with AC/DC and ends with Zeppelin."

Question 10 of 12

Yahya Jammeh, president of the tiny African nation of Gambia, abruptly announced last week that his government would do what by mid-September?

Question 11 of 12

What did Boulder, Colo., researcher Walt Meier compare to "a giant Slushee" in the New York Times this week?

Only 30 percent of the Arctic Ocean is covered by ice right now, a record low since satellite imaging began.

Question 12 of 12

On Wednesday, French prosecutors opened an investigation into the death, almost a decade ago, of what man, after his widow and daughter filed a murder complaint?

Since Arafat's 2004 death, conspiracy theories have swirled in the Arab world over the cause of his stroke.

You got 8 out of 12 answers correct in 20 minutes 30 seconds.