The week in questions

Question 1

Which country's fintech sector saw its funding drop to the lowest level in at least a decade during the first half of 2026?

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

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United Kingdom

Investment in UK financial technology firms fell to £1.8 billion (US$2.5 billion) in the first half of 2026, marking the lowest level since at least 2016.

Question 2

Which country's Prime Minister is visiting Ukraine on Monday, August 24, 2026, to announce support for domestic long-range missile production?

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

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United Kingdom

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is visiting Ukraine on Monday to co-chair a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing and will announce British support to help Kyiv improve its domestic production of long-range missiles.

Question 3

What significant event related to the UK Parliament's art collection was reported on Monday, August 24, 2026?

1. A new exhibition of parliamentary art was opened.
2. Several valuable pieces of parliamentary art were recovered after being stolen.
3. A list of 65 missing parliamentary works of art, including a photo of Disraeli, was found.
4. The Parliament announced a major new acquisition for its art collection.

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A list of 65 missing parliamentary works of art, including a photo of Disraeli, was found.

A Freedom of Information request found a list of 65 items from the publicly owned parliamentary art collection that have gone missing since 2024, including a photo of Disraeli.

Question 4

What is the current status of UK economic productivity, according to economists on Monday, August 24, 2026?

1. It is declining significantly.
2. It is stagnant, showing no change.
3. It is showing signs of sustained improvement.
4. It has reached an all-time high.

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It is showing signs of sustained improvement.

Economists stated on Monday that Britain's economic productivity is starting to show signs of sustained improvement, potentially ending a prolonged slump.

Question 5

Which country's Army chief is set to visit Tehran on Monday, August 24, 2026, to continue efforts for regional peace and security?

1. India
2. Pakistan
3. Turkey
4. Afghanistan

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Pakistan

Pakistan's Army chief Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday, August 24, 2026, to continue efforts to bring peace and security to the region.

Question 6

Which country did the US State Department remove from its State Sponsor of Terrorism list this week?

1. Iran
2. North Korea
3. Syria
4. Cuba

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Syria

The US State Department removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, fulfilling President Donald Trump's commitment to provide sanctions relief to the post-Assad government.

Question 7

What new health initiative is NHS England offering to women to help eliminate cervical cancer?

1. Free HPV vaccinations for all ages
2. Subsidized private cervical screenings
3. Free home testing kits for cervical cancer
4. Expanded access to colposcopy clinics

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Free home testing kits for cervical cancer

NHS England is set to offer women 'gamechanging' free home testing kits for cervical cancer, aiming to eliminate the cancer by 2040.

Question 8

What type of personalized treatment has been credited with stopping skin cancer from returning in patients during a trial?

1. Chemotherapy combined with radiation
2. A personalized vaccine combined with immunotherapy
3. Targeted therapy with gene editing
4. Cryotherapy and topical creams

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A personalized vaccine combined with immunotherapy

A personalized vaccine, given in conjunction with an immunotherapy drug, has been credited with stopping skin cancer (melanoma) from returning in patients during a trial.

Question 9

Which country is the UK helping to make long-range missiles by sharing classified technical information?

1. Poland
2. Ukraine
3. Estonia
4. Latvia

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Ukraine

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that the U.K. will help Ukraine make its own long-range missiles by sharing classified technical information for British components of the SCALP missile.

Question 10

What new daily diabetes pill, also aiding in weight loss, has launched in UK pharmacies?

1. Metformin XL
2. Foundayo
3. Glucophage SR
4. Ozempic Plus

Show the answer

Foundayo

A new daily diabetes pill called Foundayo, which also helps with weight loss, has launched in UK pharmacies and will be available on private prescription.

Question 11

Which country's former Prime Minister was recently charged with bribery over defense contracts?

1. Armenia
2. Georgia
3. Azerbaijan
4. Ukraine

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Georgia

Georgia's Prosecutor's Office has brought a new corruption charge against former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, accusing him of taking a 750,000-lari (£200,000) bribe as part of a scheme involving secret Defence Ministry procurements.

Question 12

What major cryptocurrency broke above $80,000 for the first time since May this week?

1. Ethereum
2. Bitcoin
3. Ripple
4. Litecoin

Show the answer

Bitcoin

Bitcoin climbed above $80,000 for the first time since mid-May, as optimism returned to the long-beaten-down cryptocurrency market.

Question 13

Which US city is currently battling fast-moving wildfires, leading to thousands of evacuations?

1. Los Angeles, California
2. Reno, Nevada
3. Portland, Oregon
4. Denver, Colorado

Show the answer

Reno, Nevada

Fast-moving wildfires are tearing through Reno, Nevada, with tens of thousands urged to escape.

Question 14

What did the US Supreme Court recently rule on that could impact upcoming elections?

1. Campaign finance reform
2. Voter ID laws
3. Restrictions on mail-in voting
4. Gerrymandering

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Restrictions on mail-in voting

The conservative majority on the Supreme Court lifted a block on an executive order aimed at restricting mail-in voting.

Question 15

Which country's Prime Minister stated they were forced to walk away from a 'bad deal' regarding escalating trade tariffs with the US?

1. Mexico
2. Canada
3. Japan
4. United Kingdom

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Canada

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Ottawa was forced to walk away from a 'bad deal' regarding escalating trade tariffs with the US.

Question 16

What significant medical first was achieved in the UK this week?

1. The first successful full-face transplant
2. The world's first AI-assisted brain surgery to remove a tumour
3. A new vaccine for all strains of the common cold
4. The first human trial of a teleportation device

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The world's first AI-assisted brain surgery to remove a tumour

London neurosurgeons successfully performed the world's first AI-assisted operation to remove a brain tumour.

Question 17

What new service has been launched in the UK to help residents monitor environmental factors?

1. A real-time flood warning system
2. An earthquake prediction network
3. An air quality alerts service
4. A national pollen count tracker

Show the answer

An air quality alerts service

People across the UK can now sign up for a new air quality alerts service, which provides up-to-date information on local pollution levels via SMS or email.

Question 18

What is the UK government planning to give the Bank of England a new objective for?

1. Increasing interest rates
2. Supporting innovation in digital currencies and payment systems
3. Reducing national debt
4. Regulating traditional banking institutions

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Supporting innovation in digital currencies and payment systems

The UK government is planning to give the Bank of England a new secondary objective focused on supporting innovation in digital currencies and payment systems.

Question 19

What is the current status of plug-in solar devices in the UK as of today, August 27, 2026?

1. They are still illegal due to safety concerns.
2. They require extensive and costly modifications to be legal.
3. They have become legal with new regulations coming into force.
4. Their legality is under review by Parliament.

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They have become legal with new regulations coming into force.

As of August 27, 2026, plug-in solar devices have become legal in the UK, with a new Statutory Instrument (SI 2026 No. 848) coming into force.

Question 20

What is Derbyshire Police investigating regarding England fast bowler Brydon Carse?

1. Allegations of match-fixing
2. Allegations of assault following a nightclub incident
3. A breach of contract with his club
4. Tax evasion charges

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Allegations of assault following a nightclub incident

Derbyshire Police are investigating allegations of assault following an incident involving England fast bowler Brydon Carse outside a Derby nightclub.

Question 21

Which natural disaster has left over 1,000 people missing along the Nepal-Tibet border this week?

1. Earthquake
2. Volcanic Eruption
3. Glacial Collapse and Flooding
4. Tsunami

Show the answer

Glacial Collapse and Flooding

A catastrophic glacial collapse and landslide triggered massive flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border, resulting in over 1,000 people reported missing and more than 150 confirmed dead.

Question 22

What major incident occurred at Islamabad's PIMS Hospital, leading to an investigation and the suspension of the health secretary?

1. A mass patient escape
2. A fire in the gynae ward
3. A structural collapse
4. A widespread food poisoning outbreak

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A fire in the gynae ward

A devastating fire in the gynae ward of Islamabad's Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) resulted in the deaths of at least 14 newborn babies. An investigation has been ordered, and the health secretary has been suspended.

Question 23

Which UK airports were affected by a cyberattack that exposed data of approximately 8.7 million customers?

1. Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City
2. Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands
3. Birmingham, Liverpool, and Leeds Bradford
4. Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen

Show the answer

Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands

Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands airports were hit by a cyberattack that exposed data of about 8.7 million customers.

Question 24

What did US President Donald Trump order to be renamed on Thursday, August 27, 2026?

1. The White House
2. The Statue of Liberty
3. Lake Ontario
4. The Grand Canyon

Show the answer

Lake Ontario

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' as part of an ongoing trade dispute with Canada.

Question 25

What is the UK government's new 'secondary objective' for the Bank of England, alongside maintaining financial stability?

1. To increase interest rates
2. To support innovation in payment systems and digital money
3. To regulate cryptocurrency markets entirely
4. To reduce national debt

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To support innovation in payment systems and digital money

The British government plans to give the Bank of England a new 'secondary objective' to support innovation in payment systems and digital money, such as stablecoins, while maintaining financial stability as its primary responsibility.

Question 26

Which three UK airports had customer data accessed in a cyberattack this week?

1. Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City
2. Manchester, Stansted, and East Midlands
3. Birmingham, Glasgow, and Edinburgh
4. Luton, Bristol, and Newcastle

Show the answer

Manchester, Stansted, and East Midlands

Customer data for Manchester, Stansted, and East Midlands airports was accessed in a cyberattack on August 28, 2026.

Question 27

What is the current situation in Nepal and Tibet following catastrophic flash floods?

1. All missing persons have been accounted for, and recovery efforts are complete.
2. Rescue efforts are ongoing with thousands still missing and a rising death toll.
3. The floods have receded completely, and rebuilding has begun.
4. International aid has been rejected, and local authorities are managing the situation without external help.

Show the answer

Rescue efforts are ongoing with thousands still missing and a rising death toll.

Rescuers in Nepal and China are still searching for thousands of people missing after deadly flash floods, with the death toll continuing to climb.

Question 28

What significant agreement did the US reportedly enter into with Venezuela this week?

1. A new trade agreement for agricultural products.
2. A deal to take control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's oil reserves.
3. A military alliance to counter regional threats.
4. An agreement to lift all existing sanctions against Venezuela.

Show the answer

A deal to take control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's oil reserves.

President Donald Trump announced that the US has entered an agreement with Venezuela to take control of 65 billion barrels of the South American country's oil reserves.

Question 29

What is the current state of business confidence in the UK, according to a recent report?

1. It has fallen to its lowest level in a decade due to economic uncertainty.
2. It remains unchanged, indicating a stagnant economic outlook.
3. It is at its highest level since the early days of the US-Iran war, driven by optimism about the economy.
4. It has slightly decreased but is expected to rebound by the end of the year.

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It is at its highest level since the early days of the US-Iran war, driven by optimism about the economy.

British businesses have reported the highest levels of confidence since the early days of the US-Iran war, fueled by optimism about the economy and prices.

Question 30

What major sporting event is expected to feature a highly anticipated rematch in September?

1. The Olympic Games in Paris.
2. The FIFA World Cup in North America.
3. The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao boxing rematch in Las Vegas.
4. The Wimbledon tennis championships.

Show the answer

The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao boxing rematch in Las Vegas.

The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao boxing rematch is set for September in Las Vegas, generating significant excitement among fans.

Question 31

Who is expected to become the next Prime Minister of the UK after Keir Starmer's resignation?

1. Kemi Badenoch
2. Andy Burnham
3. Zack Polanski
4. Harry Quilter-Pinner

Show the answer

Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham is expected to be crowned Labour's leader and automatically become the next Prime Minister after securing overwhelming support from the party's MPs and major trade unions following Keir Starmer's resignation.

Question 32

Which country's King Harald, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, passed away at the age of 89?

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

Show the answer

Norway

Norway's King Harald, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, died at the age of 89.

Question 33

What major sporting event saw Rory McIlroy become the first three-time winner of the FedEx Cup in 2022?

1. The Open Championship
2. Masters Tournament
3. PGA Championship
4. Tour Championship

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Tour Championship

Golfer Rory McIlroy won the Tour Championship and became the first three-time winner of the FedEx Cup in 2022.

Question 34

Which company announced its first-ever 2-nanometer processor, the M6 chip?

1. Nvidia
2. Intel
3. Apple
4. Qualcomm

Show the answer

Apple

Apple officially debuted the M6 chip, its first-ever 2-nanometer processor, featuring a 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.

Question 35

What is the UK government's new initiative regarding overseas carbon pricing schemes?

1. Introducing new tariffs on all imported goods
2. Releasing the first official list of qualifying overseas carbon pricing schemes for CBAM relief
3. Banning all carbon-intensive imports
4. Investing heavily in overseas carbon capture projects

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Releasing the first official list of qualifying overseas carbon pricing schemes for CBAM relief

The UK government has released the first official list of overseas carbon pricing schemes that qualify for carbon price relief under the country's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).