The week in questions

Question 1

What is the UK government's announced funding for zero-emission vehicle technology?

1. £50 million
2. £100 million
3. £130 million
4. £200 million

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£130 million

The UK government announced nearly £130 million in funding for zero-emission vehicle technologies, with almost £65 million in public money and the rest provided by the industry.

Question 2

Which country's Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has vowed to crack down on 'subscription traps' and misleading discounts?

1. Canada
2. Australia
3. United Kingdom
4. New Zealand

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United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to crack down on hard-to-cancel subscriptions and fake discounts as part of measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

Question 3

What record did the UK break in 2026 regarding temperatures?

1. Most rainfall in a summer
2. Highest single temperature ever recorded
3. Most days with temperatures above 30°C
4. Longest heatwave duration

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Most days with temperatures above 30°C

The United Kingdom has recorded 35 days with temperatures above 30°C in 2026, breaking the previous record of 34 days set in 1995.

Question 4

Which country's army ground forces commander warned the US against ground intervention, stating any American troops entering would be 'cut off'?

1. Russia
2. China
3. Iran
4. North Korea

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Iran

Iran's army ground forces commander, Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, issued a stern warning to Washington, saying any US ground intervention would face swift, decisive action and that any American troops entering Iran would be 'cut off'.

Question 5

What is the name of the new head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council?

1. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr
2. Abbas Araghchi
3. Mohsen Rezaei
4. Ali Jahanshahi

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Mohsen Rezaei

Mohsen Rezaei has been named head of Iran's highest national security body, the Supreme National Security Council, following the resignation of Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr.

Question 6

What did Meta release on August 10, 2026, described as a compact open-weight AI model for agentic tasks?

1. Muse Spark 1.0
2. Muse Glimmer
3. Meta AI Agent X
4. Horizon Workrooms AI

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Muse Glimmer

On August 10, 2026, Meta released Muse Glimmer, a compact open-weight AI model built for agentic tasks that can run on a Mac or PC with a single graphics card.

Question 7

Which UK political party's leader, Nigel Farage, is running in a special election in Clacton, facing an opponent dressed as a dustbin?

1. Labour Party
2. Conservative Party
3. Reform UK
4. Liberal Democrats

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Reform UK

Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration party Reform UK, is running in a special election in Clacton, where his main opponent is a man dressed as a dustbin.

Question 8

What percentage of England is currently in drought, according to a government announcement on Monday?

1. Less than 50%
2. Approximately 60%
3. Over 70%
4. Around 85%

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Over 70%

Almost three-quarters, or 71.3%, of England is now in drought, as announced by the British government on Monday.

Question 9

What did US President Donald Trump demand from Iran as part of any peace negotiations, in response to Iran's conditions for a deal?

1. An end to sanctions
2. Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
3. Conflict compensation
4. Military disarmament

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Conflict compensation

US President Donald Trump stated on August 10, 2026, that he would seek conflict compensation from Iran as part of any peace negotiations, citing attacks and killings stretching back decades allegedly backed or perpetrated by Tehran.

Question 10

Which city experienced multiple blasts shortly after midnight on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, after authorities warned of approaching missiles?

1. Moscow
2. Kyiv
3. Warsaw
4. Minsk

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Kyiv

A series of blasts were heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, shortly after midnight local time on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, following warnings of several approaching missiles.

Question 11

Which country was hit by a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake this week, resulting in over 180 deaths and thousands injured?

1. Peru
2. Chile
3. Colombia
4. Ecuador

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Colombia

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, killing at least 181 people and injuring thousands across several cities.

Question 12

What is the Met Office forecasting for the UK this summer, potentially making it a record-breaking season?

1. Wettest on record
2. Coolest on record
3. Hottest on record
4. Mildest on record

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Hottest on record

The Met Office has stated that Summer 2026 is on course to be the UK's hottest on record.

Question 13

Which major sporting event's first trophy of the new European season is being contested today, August 12, 2026?

1. UEFA Champions League Final
2. FIFA Club World Cup Final
3. UEFA Super Cup
4. Copa América Final

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UEFA Super Cup

The UEFA Super Cup, between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, is being played today, August 12, 2026, in Salzburg, marking the first trophy of the new European soccer season.

Question 14

What significant change did President Donald Trump issue an executive order about regarding childhood vaccinations?

1. Increasing the number of recommended vaccines
2. Reducing the number of recommended vaccines
3. Making all childhood vaccines optional
4. Mandating new vaccines for all children

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Reducing the number of recommended vaccines

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday, August 10, reducing the number of childhood vaccinations from 18 to 11.

Question 15

What is the estimated economic cost of UK heatwaves in lost output so far this year, according to a recent analysis?

1. £1 billion
2. £2.2 billion
3. £4.4 billion
4. £10 billion

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£4.4 billion

Analysis suggests that UK heatwaves may have cost the economy £4.4 billion in lost output so far this year.

Question 16

Which UK politician is currently facing a by-election in Clacton, which has been described as a 'stunt' by mainstream parties?

1. Boris Johnson
2. Nigel Farage
3. Keir Starmer
4. Rishi Sunak

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Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, triggered a by-election in Clacton, which mainstream parties have boycotted and denounced as a stunt.

Question 17

What is the current status of US credit card debt, as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York?

1. It decreased to $1.0 trillion.
2. It remained stable at $1.15 trillion.
3. It climbed to $1.26 trillion.
4. It dropped significantly to $900 billion.

Show the answer

It climbed to $1.26 trillion.

Americans' credit card debt climbed to $1.26 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit.

Question 18

Which country's Ministry of Health is expanding its partnership with Vitamin Angels to strengthen a nationwide Vitamin A campaign?

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

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Indonesia

Vitamin Angels has expanded its partnership with the Ministry of Health of Indonesia to strengthen the country's national vitamin A supplementation program.

Question 19

What major astronomical event was observed across parts of Europe, including the UK and Spain, on August 12, 2026?

1. A lunar eclipse
2. A meteor shower
3. A total solar eclipse
4. A supermoon

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A total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse was witnessed by tens of millions across western Europe, with enthusiasts gathering along the path of totality in Spain, the UK, and Iceland.

Question 20

Which company announced its first operating profit of $559 million in Q2 2026, two years ahead of schedule?

1. OpenAI
2. Google
3. Anthropic
4. Microsoft

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Anthropic

Anthropic reported its first operating profit of $559 million in Q2 2026, with $10.9 billion in revenue, two years ahead of its internal projections.

Question 21

Which country's parliament voted to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 14 this week?

1. Norway
2. Sweden
3. Denmark
4. Finland

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Sweden

The Swedish parliament voted on Thursday to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 14.

Question 22

What is the approximate number of children who have been wrongly identified and detained as adults under the UK-France migration deal, according to a Guardian report?

1. Under 50
2. Around 70
3. Nearly 100
4. Over 150

Show the answer

Nearly 100

Nearly 100 children have been wrongly identified and detained as adults under the UK-France migration deal.

Question 23

Which country's President visited a disputed island chain near Japan, drawing criticism from Tokyo?

1. China
2. Russia
3. South Korea
4. North Korea

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Russia

Japanese Prime Minister criticized President Putin's trip to the disputed Kuril Islands chain in the Pacific, calling it unacceptable.

Question 24

What was the reported increase in global goods trade in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025?

1. 5.5 percent
2. 8.0 percent
3. 10.5 percent
4. 12.5 percent

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12.5 percent

Global goods trade reached approximately USD 13.7 trillion in the first half of 2026, up 12.5 percent from the same period in 2025.

Question 25

Which European country has begun completely shutting down its sole nuclear power station due to record low water levels on the River Danube?

1. Bulgaria
2. Hungary
3. Romania
4. Serbia

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Romania

Romania has begun completely shutting down its sole nuclear power station after water levels on the river Danube fell to a record low.

Question 26

Which political figure recently regained their parliamentary seat in a special election boycotted by major parties?

1. Keir Starmer
2. Andy Burnham
3. Nigel Farage
4. Count Binface

Show the answer

Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, regained his seat in Parliament on Friday, August 14, 2026, in a special election for Clacton that was boycotted by mainstream parties.

Question 27

What major financial milestone did the FTSE 100 achieve in January 2026?

1. Reached 9,000 points
2. Rose above 10,000 points
3. Experienced a significant drop
4. Merged with another index

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Rose above 10,000 points

The FTSE 100 rose above 10,000 points for the first time in its history in January 2026.

Question 28

Which country's Constitutional Council recently overturned a social media ban for children under 15?

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

Show the answer

France

France's Constitutional Council struck down a social media ban for children under 15, citing a disproportionate infringement on freedom of expression.

Question 29

What is the current situation regarding the Strait of Hormuz, according to recent reports?

1. It is fully open for international shipping.
2. The US has declared it international territory.
3. Iran asserts control and has enforced a blockade.
4. A new peace deal has secured its neutrality.

Show the answer

Iran asserts control and has enforced a blockade.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened and closed only under Iran's command, and the blockade will continue until the US accepts defeat.

Question 30

Which British cyclist tragically died at the Volta a Portugal race?

1. Mark Cavendish
2. Geraint Thomas
3. Finlay Tarling
4. Chris Froome

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Finlay Tarling

British cyclist Finlay Tarling was killed in a crash during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal race.

Question 31

Which UK political figure won the Clacton by-election this week?

1. Nigel Farage
2. Andy Burnham
3. Keir Starmer
4. Count Binface

Show the answer

Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage won the Clacton by-election on Friday, August 14, 2026, a contest he triggered himself amid a scandal over a £5 million gift.

Question 32

What natural disaster has led to hundreds of arrests in France and evacuations in Croatia this week?

1. Floods
2. Earthquakes
3. Wildfires
4. Volcanic Eruptions

Show the answer

Wildfires

Hundreds of people have been arrested on suspicion of arson in France as wildfires rage across Europe, also leading to evacuations in Croatia.

Question 33

What is the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warning about regarding healthcare services across England?

1. A new flu pandemic
2. A significant impact due to extreme heat
3. A shortage of medical supplies
4. An increase in winter-related illnesses

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A significant impact due to extreme heat

The UKHSA has updated heat health alerts across England, indicating a 'significant impact is likely across health and social care' due to the ongoing extreme heat.

Question 34

Which country's central bank is under pressure due to rising living costs and wage pressures, leading to speculation about faster monetary policy tightening?

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

Show the answer

Japan

The Bank of Japan remains under pressure due to rising living costs and wage pressures, with higher CPI inflation readings sparking speculation about faster monetary policy tightening.

Question 35

What is the current status of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which has been on an extended deployment due to the war against Iran?

1. It has returned to its home port.
2. It is undergoing maintenance in the Mediterranean.
3. It is being replaced by the USS George Washington.
4. It has been decommissioned.

Show the answer

It is being replaced by the USS George Washington.

The United States is sending the aircraft carrier the USS George Washington to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been on an extended deployment due to the war against Iran.