The week in questions

Question 1

Which two countries announced a preliminary agreement to end their conflict, with a signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland?

1. Russia and Ukraine
2. Israel and Palestine
3. United States and Iran
4. China and Taiwan

Show the answer

United States and Iran

The United States and Iran announced a preliminary agreement to end their conflict, with a formal signing ceremony planned for June 19 in Switzerland.

Question 2

Which country's Prime Minister is expected to announce a social media ban for young teenagers this week?

1. Australia
2. United Kingdom
3. Canada
4. France

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United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a social media ban for young teenagers, aiming to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

Question 3

A large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on June 15, 2026, resulted in five rescuers being killed in which city, while also setting fire to a centuries-old religious site in Kyiv?

1. Lviv
2. Odesa
3. Kharkiv
4. Dnipro

Show the answer

Kharkiv

A large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on June 15, 2026, killed five rescuers in Kharkiv and wounded at least 13 people in Kyiv, where strikes also sparked a fire at the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Question 4

Which group of healthcare professionals in the UK began a four-day industrial action on Monday, June 15, 2026?

1. Nurses
2. Paramedics
3. Resident doctors
4. Consultants

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Resident doctors

Industrial action by resident doctors in the UK began on Monday, June 15, 2026, and is scheduled to last for four days.

Question 5

Which US-based AI company had its top models restricted from foreign access by the US administration, citing national security concerns?

1. OpenAI
2. Google DeepMind
3. Anthropic
4. NVIDIA

Show the answer

Anthropic

The US administration barred foreigners from accessing the top AI models developed by Anthropic, including Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5, due to national security concerns.

Question 6

What age group will be banned from using major social media platforms in the UK, according to a recent government announcement?

1. Under 13s
2. Under 14s
3. Under 16s
4. Under 18s

Show the answer

Under 16s

The UK government announced plans to ban children under 16 from using major social media platforms, with the measures expected to come into force in Spring 2027.

Question 7

Which vital oil route is expected to be "completely open" by Friday, June 19, following a preliminary peace agreement between the US and Iran?

1. Suez Canal
2. Strait of Malacca
3. Strait of Hormuz
4. Panama Canal

Show the answer

Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely open" by Friday, June 19, after a preliminary agreement was reached between the United States and Iran to end the West Asia war.

Question 8

What was the nationality of the captain charged by the UK's National Crime Agency for contravening sanctions after his Russian shadow fleet vessel was intercepted?

1. Russian
2. Cameroonian
3. Indian
4. Turkish

Show the answer

Indian

Ajay Pant, an Indian national, was charged by Britain's National Crime Agency on Monday for "directly or indirectly supplying or delivering by ship prohibited oil/oil products from Russia to a third country" after his vessel, the Smyrtos, was intercepted.

Question 9

Which streaming pioneer has Fox Corp. agreed to acquire in a deal valued at approximately $22 billion?

1. Netflix
2. Hulu
3. Roku
4. Peacock

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Roku

Fox Corp. has agreed to buy the streaming pioneer Roku in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $22 billion.

Question 10

According to a report by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, approximately how many preventable deaths occurred in NHS Accident and Emergency departments in England in 2025 due to delayed treatment?

1. Around 5,000
2. Around 10,000
3. Around 15,860
4. Around 20,000

Show the answer

Around 15,860

A report by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) found that approximately 15,860 patients died in 2025 in NHS Accident and Emergency departments who could have survived with timely treatment.

Question 11

Which country is set to host the signing of a deal between the US and Iran aimed at ending the Middle East war?

1. Austria
2. Switzerland
3. Qatar
4. France

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Switzerland

A deal between the US and Iran to end the Middle East war is scheduled to be signed at Switzerland's Burgenstock resort on Friday.

Question 12

A Russian frigate reportedly fired warning shots near which type of vessel in the English Channel this week?

1. A fishing trawler
2. A cargo ship
3. A British yacht
4. An oil tanker

Show the answer

A British yacht

A Russian frigate fired warning shots within 500 metres of a British yacht near the Isle of Wight amid heightened tensions.

Question 13

The UK government has announced a ban on social media use for which age group?

1. Under-13s
2. Under-16s
3. Under-18s
4. All users without parental consent

Show the answer

Under-16s

The UK is banning children under the age of 16 from using social media apps.

Question 14

Japan's central bank recently raised interest rates to their highest level since which year?

1. 2010
2. 2005
3. 1995
4. 1989

Show the answer

1995

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to a 31-year high, marking a significant shift from decades of ultra-low borrowing costs.

Question 15

What is the name of the new life-extending drug for women with hard-to-treat ovarian cancer that the NHS is rolling out?

1. Pembrolizumab
2. Mirvetuximab soravtansine
3. Olaparib
4. Bevacizumab

Show the answer

Mirvetuximab soravtansine

Hundreds of women with hard-to-treat ovarian cancer could benefit from the new, life-extending drug mirvetuximab soravtansine, the first new addition to NHS treatment in over 20 years.

Question 16

What significant agreement was signed between the United States and Iran on June 17, 2026?

1. A comprehensive nuclear disarmament treaty.
2. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
3. A new trade agreement lifting all sanctions.
4. A joint declaration on combating climate change.

Show the answer

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States and Iran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) on June 17, 2026, aimed at ending their nearly four-month war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Question 17

What new policy did the UK government propose regarding social media use for young people?

1. A mandatory digital literacy course for all teenagers.
2. A ban on social media access for individuals under 16 years old.
3. New taxes on social media companies for every underage user.
4. A voluntary opt-in system for parental monitoring of children's accounts.

Show the answer

A ban on social media access for individuals under 16 years old.

The UK government announced a proposed ban on social media for under-16s, alongside stricter feature restrictions, to address concerns about online safety and mental health.

Question 18

What was the reported UK inflation rate on June 17, 2026, according to recent figures?

1. 1.5%
2. 2.0%
3. 2.8%
4. 3.5%

Show the answer

2.8%

UK inflation held steady at 2.8% on June 17, 2026, which was below forecasts and eased pressure on the Bank of England.

Question 19

According to NHS England data published on June 11, 2026, approximately how many patients per day were treated in corridors or other inappropriate areas last month?

1. Less than 500
2. Around 1,000
3. Nearly 3,000
4. Over 5,000

Show the answer

Nearly 3,000

NHS England data published on June 11, 2026, revealed that hospitals in England cared for nearly 3,000 patients a day in corridors or other inappropriate treatment areas last month.

Question 20

Which UK broadcaster announced a deal to air Major League Cricket's 2026 season in the UK and Ireland?

1. BBC Sport
2. BT Sport
3. Sky Sports
4. Channel 4

Show the answer

Sky Sports

Sky Sports announced a deal on June 17, 2026, to broadcast Major League Cricket's fourth season live in the UK and Ireland, starting June 18.

Question 21

Who won the Makerfield by-election on June 19, 2026, positioning him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer?

1. Rob Kenyon
2. Andy Burnham
3. Josh Simons
4. Nigel Farage

Show the answer

Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a potential leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Question 22

What significant waterway reopened on June 19, 2026, after a US-Iran peace deal was signed, ending a 110-day blockade?

1. Suez Canal
2. Panama Canal
3. Strait of Hormuz
4. Strait of Gibraltar

Show the answer

Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz reopened for major shipowners after 110 days, following the signing of a US-Iran peace deal.

Question 23

Which major airline announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) on June 17, 2026, to accelerate its AI capabilities and transition to a fully cloud-based environment by 2028?

1. Delta Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Southwest Airlines
4. American Airlines

Show the answer

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to modernize its technology foundation and transition to a cloud-based, AI-enabled architecture by 2028.

Question 24

Researchers at Michigan State University developed a new wearable sensor platform called AdapSkin, which significantly improves gesture recognition accuracy for which demographic?

1. Athletes
2. Children
3. Older adults
4. Individuals with spinal cord injuries

Show the answer

Older adults

AdapSkin, a soft, flexible wearable sensor platform, was developed to improve how the body's electrical signals are captured, boosting gesture recognition accuracy in older adults from approximately 60% to over 97%.

Question 25

In their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match, which country did England defeat with a score of 4-2?

1. France
2. Germany
3. Croatia
4. Brazil

Show the answer

Croatia

England defeated Croatia 4-2 in their opening FIFA World Cup Group L match, with Harry Kane scoring twice.

Question 26

Where did US President Donald Trump sign the interim peace deal with Iran on June 18, 2026?

1. Washington D.C.
2. Geneva
3. Palace of Versailles
4. Doha

Show the answer

Palace of Versailles

US President Donald Trump signed the interim peace deal with Iran at the Palace of Versailles in France during the G7 summit.

Question 27

Which UK by-election, held on June 18, 2026, put significant pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership?

1. Rochdale
2. Hartlepool
3. Makerfield
4. Old Bexley and Sidcup

Show the answer

Makerfield

The Makerfield by-election on June 18, 2026, was widely seen as a test of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's authority and put significant pressure on his leadership.

Question 28

The UK government announced plans to ban social media use for children under what age?

1. 13
2. 14
3. 16
4. 18

Show the answer

16

The UK government announced plans to ban social media use for children under the age of 16, with mandatory age verification requirements.

Question 29

How many people were reported killed in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on June 19, 2026, before a ceasefire was agreed?

1. 25
2. 30
3. 47
4. 60

Show the answer

47

At least 47 people were killed and 97 others injured in intensive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on June 19, 2026, before Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire.

Question 30

What was the reported value of SpaceX's all-stock acquisition of AI software company Inosphere, announced on June 18, 2026?

1. $10 billion
2. $25 billion
3. $60 billion
4. $100 billion

Show the answer

$60 billion

SpaceX confirmed an all-stock agreement to buy Inosphere, the maker of the coding assistant Cursor, at an implied value of $60 billion.

Question 31

Who is expected to resign as UK Prime Minister on Monday, June 22, 2026?

1. Rishi Sunak
2. Boris Johnson
3. Keir Starmer
4. Andy Burnham

Show the answer

Keir Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to resign on Monday, June 22, 2026, and set out a timetable for his departure.

Question 32

In June 2026, which country is hosting technical talks between the US and Iran regarding a peace agreement?

1. Qatar
2. Pakistan
3. Switzerland
4. Turkey

Show the answer

Switzerland

Technical-level talks between the US and Iran are being held in Switzerland, under the framework of the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”.

Question 33

Which US tech company was ordered by the Trump administration to cut off foreign access to its advanced AI models, Mythos 5 and Claude Fable 5?

1. OpenAI
2. Google DeepMind
3. Anthropic
4. NVIDIA

Show the answer

Anthropic

The Trump administration ordered tech giant Anthropic to cut off foreign access to its powerful Mythos 5 and Claude Fable 5 AI models due to national security concerns.

Question 34

What was the UK government's public sector net borrowing in May 2026?

1. £17.9 billion
2. £23.3 billion
3. £46.3 billion
4. £11.7 billion

Show the answer

£23.3 billion

Public sector net borrowing in the UK reached £23.3 billion in May 2026, exceeding forecasts.

Question 35

What 'triple whammy' of pressures did NHS England warn about in mid-June 2026?

1. Flu season, staff shortages, and budget cuts
2. Doctors' strike, heatwave, and World Cup
3. Cyber-attack, extreme cold, and increased tourism
4. New virus outbreak, ambulance delays, and hospital closures

Show the answer

Doctors' strike, heatwave, and World Cup

NHS England urged the public to access care amid a 'triple whammy' of a doctors' strike, a heatwave, and the start of the football World Cup.