The week in questions

Question 1

Which major airline has agreed in principle to a £5.5 billion takeover bid from a US investment firm?

1. Ryanair
2. Wizz Air
3. easyJet
4. British Airways

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easyJet

British budget airline easyJet has agreed in principle to a sweetened takeover bid from US investment firm Castlelake, valuing the carrier at up to £5.5 billion.

Question 2

What significant event is taking place in Tehran today, July 6, 2026?

1. A major economic summit
2. The funeral procession of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
3. A national election
4. A large-scale military parade

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The funeral procession of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Massive crowds are expected on Monday, July 6, 2026, for the funeral procession of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

Question 3

Which two countries are conducting a joint naval exercise, as reported on July 6, 2026?

1. United States and South Korea
2. China and Russia
3. India and Japan
4. France and Germany

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China and Russia

China and Russia are conducting a joint naval exercise, as reported in today's top stories.

Question 4

What new measures are being introduced in the UK to prevent foreign money from influencing elections?

1. Increased taxes on foreign businesses
2. A new timebound cap on large political donations from recent overseas movers
3. Stricter visa requirements for foreign nationals
4. Limits on foreign ownership of media outlets

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A new timebound cap on large political donations from recent overseas movers

New safeguards to stop foreign money influencing UK elections include a timebound cap on large political donations from people who have recently moved to the UK.

Question 5

What is the main focus of Andy Burnham's economic and devolution plans, unveiled today as he is the frontrunner for UK Prime Minister?

1. Increasing national defense spending
2. Devolving power to regions and local communities
3. Privatizing more public services
4. Reducing immigration

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Devolving power to regions and local communities

Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to become the UK's next prime minister, will use his speech to make devolving power to regions and local communities his flagship proposal.

Question 6

Which organization's Secretary-General demanded that members present "clear, concrete and credible plans" to reach defense spending targets at its annual summit in Ankara?

1. United Nations
2. European Union
3. NATO
4. African Union

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NATO

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte demanded that members put forward "clear, concrete and credible plans" to reach the organization's defense spending targets at its annual summit in Ankara.

Question 7

What type of rapid diagnostic tests are being made available on the NHS in England and Wales for endometriosis?

1. Blood tests and urine tests
2. Saliva and gut sensor-based tests
3. Imaging scans and biopsies
4. Genetic tests and hormone level tests

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Saliva and gut sensor-based tests

Rapid endometriosis tests, specifically saliva and gut sensor-based tests, are being made available on the NHS in England and Wales.

Question 8

Which country's President and Singapore's Prime Minister agreed to keep the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait open for international shipping?

1. Malaysia
2. Indonesia
3. Vietnam
4. Philippines

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Indonesia

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong agreed to keep the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait open for international shipping under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Question 9

What is the current weather alert issued for parts of the UK, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C for an extended period?

1. Yellow flood warning
2. Red storm alert
3. Amber heat-health alert
4. Green wind advisory

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Amber heat-health alert

Amber heat-health alerts have been issued for parts of the UK, with temperatures potentially exceeding 30C for 10 consecutive days.

Question 10

Which British royal's privacy invasion lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail is reaching its climax today?

1. King Charles III
2. Prince William
3. Prince Harry
4. Princess Anne

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Prince Harry

Prince Harry's longtime battle with the British tabloids reaches its climax today, as a judge in London's High Court will rule on his privacy invasion lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail.

Question 11

Which UK political figure resigned from his parliamentary seat this week, triggering a by-election?

1. Keir Starmer
2. Andy Burnham
3. Nigel Farage
4. Lisa Nandy

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Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, resigned from his Clacton-on-Sea parliamentary seat on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and announced he would run again in the triggered by-election.

Question 12

What major tech company is expected to post a 19-fold jump in profits, driven by AI memory chip demand?

1. Apple
2. Samsung Electronics
3. Google
4. Microsoft

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Samsung Electronics

South Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics expects to post a 19-fold jump in its profits, driven by global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) memory chips.

Question 13

What is the UK's ranking globally for the number of 'unicorn' businesses (start-ups worth over $1 billion)?

1. First
2. Second
3. Third
4. Fourth

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Third

The UK has recorded the third-highest number of 'unicorn' businesses in the world, with only the United States and China having more.

Question 14

Which European body has delayed a new pre-authorized travel program until 2027 due to technical glitches?

1. European Parliament
2. European Commission
3. European Union
4. Schengen Area Council

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European Union

The European Union has delayed its new pre-authorized travel program, Etias, until 2027 due to a 'chaotic' rollout of its electronic border-check system and technical glitches.

Question 15

What major sporting event saw Norway eliminate five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 16?

1. Copa América
2. UEFA European Championship
3. FIFA World Cup
4. Olympic Games Football Tournament

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FIFA World Cup

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match, eliminating the five-time champions.

Question 16

Which country's foreign secretary warned that AI could become the 'greatest security challenge of the next decade'?

1. United States
2. United Kingdom
3. China
4. Germany

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United Kingdom

The UK's Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, warned that AI may become the 'greatest security challenge of the next decade' and urged global cooperation to address the risks.

Question 17

What major sporting event is currently underway, where the USMNT recently lost to Belgium?

1. Olympic Games
2. Cricket World Cup
3. FIFA World Cup
4. Wimbledon

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FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is currently underway, and the USMNT recently lost to Belgium with a score of 4-1.

Question 18

What is the UK's NEST pension scheme committing £200m to, in partnership with Schroders Capital?

1. Real estate development
2. High-growth venture capital companies
3. Government bonds
4. Renewable energy projects

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High-growth venture capital companies

NEST has committed £200m to high-growth companies through a dedicated venture capital sleeve with Schroders Capital.

Question 19

Which strait has seen renewed missile attacks on commercial ships, threatening to unravel a recent agreement?

1. Strait of Malacca
2. Strait of Gibraltar
3. Strait of Hormuz
4. Bering Strait

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Strait of Hormuz

Iran's military fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to unravel a memorandum of understanding signed less than three weeks ago.

Question 20

What weather phenomenon is affecting London and Southeast England this week, with temperatures reaching up to 34°C?

1. Heavy snowfall
2. Widespread fog
3. Intense heatwave
4. Severe thunderstorms

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Intense heatwave

London and Southeast England are experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach highs of 34°C.

Question 21

Who is expected to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?

1. Keir Starmer
2. Al Carns
3. Andy Burnham
4. Nigel Farage

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Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham is on track to become Britain's next prime minister, as he is the only Labour Member of Parliament to publicly declare himself a candidate to succeed Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last month.

Question 22

What is the current status of the conflict between the United States and Iran?

1. A new ceasefire has been declared.
2. The conflict has ended with a peace treaty.
3. The US and Iran have traded new strikes, raising fears of a return to all-out war.
4. The UN has successfully mediated a de-escalation.

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The US and Iran have traded new strikes, raising fears of a return to all-out war.

The United States and Iran have traded new strikes, with the US launching a third straight day of strikes and Iran threatening retaliation, fueling fears of a return to all-out war.

Question 23

Which company announced the acquisition of Czech-based TESCAN, an electron microscopy business, on July 10, 2026?

1. L'Oréal
2. Danfoss
3. Shimadzu
4. Fi

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Shimadzu

Shimadzu Corporation completed the acquisition of all shares of Glass HoldCo s.r.o., which indirectly holds all shares of TESCAN GROUP, a.s., making TESCAN a wholly owned subsidiary.

Question 24

What significant health-related recognition did UConn John Dempsey Hospital receive for the 10th consecutive year?

1. Cancer Treatment Excellence Award
2. Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
3. Diabetes Care Innovator Award
4. Pediatric Care Leader Award

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Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award

UConn John Dempsey Hospital has been recognized by the American Heart Association with its Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for the 10th consecutive year.

Question 25

Which country's Ministry of Economic Affairs announced plans to help over 20,000 companies adopt AI technology by 2028?

1. South Korea
2. Japan
3. Taiwan
4. China

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Taiwan

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs expects to help more than 20,000 companies adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technology by 2028.

Question 26

Which former UK minister, known for her socially conservative views, was found dead this week, prompting a murder investigation?

1. Margaret Beckett
2. Theresa May
3. Ann Widdecombe
4. Jacqui Smith

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Ann Widdecombe

Former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe died at 78, and her death is now the subject of a murder investigation.

Question 27

What major sporting event saw Spain defeat Belgium to advance to the semi-finals this week?

1. Olympic Games
2. Wimbledon
3. FIFA World Cup 2026
4. Rugby World Cup

Show the answer

FIFA World Cup 2026

Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in a World Cup quarterfinal on Friday, July 10, 2026, with Mikel Merino scoring the winning goal, sending them to the semi-finals against France.

Question 28

Which country successfully landed a reusable rocket for the first time, marking a breakthrough in its space program?

1. United States
2. Russia
3. China
4. Japan

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United States

The United States, specifically SpaceX, was the first to successfully land an orbital-class reusable rocket in December 2015. China achieved its first successful landing of a reusable rocket in July 2026.

Question 29

What is the current status of the ceasefire between the US and Iran, as of July 10-11, 2026?

1. It has been extended indefinitely.
2. It is holding despite minor skirmishes.
3. It has crumbled, with renewed military confrontation.
4. Both sides are negotiating a new, stronger agreement.

Show the answer

It has crumbled, with renewed military confrontation.

The ceasefire between the US and Iran has crumbled, with renewed military confrontation, including Iranian attacks on shipping and US retaliatory strikes.

Question 30

Which German car manufacturer announced a major industrial shake-up that unions fear could lead to significant job cuts?

1. BMW
2. Mercedes-Benz
3. Volkswagen
4. Audi

Show the answer

Volkswagen

Volkswagen announced a major industrial shake-up on Thursday night, which unions fear could lead to up to 100,000 job cuts and factory closures in Germany.

Question 31

Which former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman passed away this week at the age of 78?

1. Margaret Thatcher
2. Theresa May
3. Ann Widdecombe
4. Jacqui Smith

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Ann Widdecombe

Former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe died this week at 78 years old.

Question 32

Which Labour politician is widely expected to become the next UK Prime Minister?

1. Keir Starmer
2. David Miliband
3. Andy Burnham
4. Yvette Cooper

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Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham is near certain to become the next UK Prime Minister, with over 80% of the parliamentary Labour Party nominating him.

Question 33

What major international event saw London descend into chaos after Morocco's exit?

1. Olympic Games
2. Rugby World Cup
3. FIFA World Cup
4. Wimbledon

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FIFA World Cup

London experienced disorder after Morocco's exit from the FIFA World Cup, with fans clashing with police.

Question 34

Which country is experiencing widespread flooding due to torrential monsoon rains?

1. China
2. India
3. Bangladesh
4. Vietnam

Show the answer

India

Torrential monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding across India, disrupting daily life and damaging infrastructure.

Question 35

What significant development occurred regarding the US F110 jet engine sale to Türkiye?

1. The sale was blocked by Congress
2. The sale moved forward as Congress declined to block it
3. Türkiye cancelled the order
4. The US imposed new sanctions on Türkiye

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The sale moved forward as Congress declined to block it

The US F110 jet engine sale to Türkiye moved forward as the American Congress' 15-day review period expired without a blocking resolution.