The week in questions

Question 1

Which UK political party is holding its annual conference in Liverpool this week, with its leader pledging a "new age of industrialisation"?

1. Conservative Party
2. Labour Party
3. Liberal Democrats
4. Green Party

Show the answer

Labour Party

The Labour Party is holding its annual conference in Liverpool, where Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged a 'new age of industrialisation' for Britain.

Question 2

What major international event is taking place in New York, where German and Russian foreign ministers held rare talks?

1. G20 Summit
2. World Economic Forum
3. United Nations General Assembly
4. NATO Summit

Show the answer

United Nations General Assembly

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, held talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Question 3

Five men were arrested near which UK air base on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses?

1. RAF Lakenheath
2. RAF Brize Norton
3. RAF Fairford
4. RAF Mildenhall

Show the answer

RAF Fairford

British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses.

Question 4

What is the Bill Gates Foundation pledging $400 million towards in education?

1. New school buildings
2. Teacher training programs
3. AI-powered tutoring systems
4. Student scholarships

Show the answer

AI-powered tutoring systems

The Bill Gates Foundation is earmarking $400 million of a $1 billion pledge towards AI-powered tutoring systems for schools.

Question 5

Which company is presenting topline results today from its DAYBREAK pivotal Phase 3 study for wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

1. Pfizer
2. Novartis
3. Kodiak Sciences
4. Roche

Show the answer

Kodiak Sciences

Kodiak Sciences is presenting topline results today from its DAYBREAK pivotal Phase 3 study of Zenkuda and KSI-501 in patients with wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Question 6

Which country's finance minister is visiting Qatar from September 27-29, 2026, to attend the 11th Annual Meeting of the AIIB Board of Governors?

1. China
2. India
3. Russia
4. Japan

Show the answer

India

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on an official visit to Qatar from September 27-29, 2026, to participate in the 11th Annual Meeting of the AIIB Board of Governors in Doha.

Question 7

What major financial verdict was announced against Manchester City on September 27, 2026?

1. Found guilty of 50 charges by UEFA
2. Found guilty on 114 of 115 charges by the Premier League
3. Fined £100 million for FFP breaches
4. Relegated from the Premier League

Show the answer

Found guilty on 114 of 115 charges by the Premier League

Manchester City have been found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League over alleged financial-rule breaches.

Question 8

What new feature has Apple expanded in its latest iOS update, according to news from September 27, 2026?

1. Enhanced battery life optimization
2. Expanded 'Apple Intelligence' features
3. New customizable lock screen widgets
4. Improved facial recognition security

Show the answer

Expanded 'Apple Intelligence' features

Apple has released the newest version of its mobile operating system, bringing expanded 'Apple Intelligence' features to the latest iPhone models.

Question 9

What significant event occurred near a US air base in Gloucestershire, UK, on September 27, 2026?

1. A new aircraft model was unveiled
2. Five men were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses
3. A large-scale military exercise took place
4. The base was officially closed down

Show the answer

Five men were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses

Five men were arrested in Britain on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses after suspicious vehicles were reported near an air base used by the US military in Gloucestershire.

Question 10

What is the European Commission 'carefully assessing' from the Baltic states, according to news from September 27, 2026?

1. A request for economic aid packages
2. A proposal for new trade agreements
3. A request for €500 million in drone defenses
4. A joint initiative for cultural exchange

Show the answer

A request for €500 million in drone defenses

The European Commission is 'carefully assessing' a request from the Baltic states for 500 million euros to strengthen defenses against drones.

Question 11

Who is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, according to recent news?

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

Show the answer

Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham delivered his first Labour conference speech as the party leader and UK prime minister, promising to put the country on a new path.

Question 12

What major AI development was reported this week regarding SpaceX?

1. OpenAI paused training of its most powerful models
2. Nvidia released a new AI safety platform
3. SpaceX Starship reached orbit for the first time
4. US President Trump signed a Super Intelligence safety accord

Show the answer

SpaceX Starship reached orbit for the first time

SpaceX's Starship reached orbit for the first time, as reported in AI and Tech News on September 29, 2026.

Question 13

Which country's Prime Minister stated that Brexit has done 'more harm than good'?

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

Show the answer

United Kingdom

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that Brexit has done more harm than good and that the UK needs to decide on a long-term relationship with the EU.

Question 14

What percentage of the disease burden in the Americas could be averted, according to a PAHO report?

1. Under 20%
2. Around 30%
3. Nearly 40%
4. Over 50%

Show the answer

Nearly 40%

A report by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) found that nearly 40% of the total disease burden in the Americas could be avoided through more effective prevention, timely diagnosis and treatment, and stronger health systems.

Question 15

What did US President Donald Trump sign with leading technology executives this week?

1. A new trade agreement
2. A climate change accord
3. A Super Intelligence safety accord
4. A cybersecurity defense pact

Show the answer

A Super Intelligence safety accord

US President Donald Trump signed a joint commitment with leading technology executives to establish safeguards around advanced artificial intelligence systems, posting the 'White House Accord on Super Intelligence' to his Truth Social platform.

Question 16

Which UK government agency issued an unprecedented alert on Wednesday, October 1, 2026, warning that a Chinese organization was funding academic research for espionage purposes?

1. GCHQ
2. MI6
3. MI5
4. National Cyber Security Centre

Show the answer

MI5

Britain's MI5 spy agency issued an unprecedented alert on Wednesday to warn that a Chinese organization, the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), was involved in funding academic research into topics such as AI on behalf of Beijing's state security service.

Question 17

What significant change to household electricity bills came into effect in the UK on October 1, 2026?

1. A 5% increase in VAT
2. Removal of VAT
3. A new 'green energy' surcharge
4. A fixed monthly energy tariff

Show the answer

Removal of VAT

From October 1, 2026, VAT was removed from household electricity bills, a move announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July to help combat rising energy costs.

Question 18

What did British Prime Minister Andy Burnham state there were 'strong indications' of regarding a security incident at a UK airbase this week?

1. Russian cyber-attack involvement
2. Domestic extremist group activity
3. Iranian involvement
4. North Korean espionage

Show the answer

Iranian involvement

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated on Wednesday that there were 'strong indications' Iran was involved in suspicious activity at a U.K. airbase that triggered a major security incident this weekend.

Question 19

What major technology company is launching a satellite carrying its AI chips into low Earth orbit on October 1, 2026, as part of its Project Suncatcher initiative?

1. Microsoft
2. Amazon
3. Google
4. Apple

Show the answer

Google

Google is launching a satellite carrying its TPU AI chips into low Earth orbit on October 1, 2026, as the first hardware test for its Project Suncatcher plan to build space-based AI data centers.

Question 20

What new duty came into effect in the UK on October 1, 2026, aimed at reducing the appeal of certain products, especially to young people?

1. Sugar Tax on soft drinks
2. Plastic Bag Levy increase
3. Vaping Products Duty
4. Alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing

Show the answer

Vaping Products Duty

A new Vaping Products Duty (VPD) came into force in the UK on October 1, 2026, charged at £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, to reduce the affordability and appeal of vaping.

Question 21

Which country's Prime Minister stated there are "strong indications" of Iranian involvement in a security incident at a UK airbase this week?

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

Show the answer

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated there are 'strong indications' Iran played a part in a security incident at RAF Fairford, a base used by the U.S. military.

Question 22

What new measure did the UK government announce to help families with the cost of living, effective October 2, 2026?

1. A reduction in fuel duty
2. Scrapping child seating fees on airlines
3. Increased child benefits
4. A cap on energy prices

Show the answer

Scrapping child seating fees on airlines

The UK government announced that airlines will be required to seat children under the age of 14 with a parent or accompanying adult free of charge, effective October 2, 2026.

Question 23

Which country's military announced the creation of a new four-star command dedicated to the rapid adoption of 'killer robots' and other autonomous weapons?

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

Show the answer

United States

The Pentagon announced a new four-star military command, AutoWARCOM, dedicated to the rapid adoption of killer robots and other autonomous weapons.

Question 24

What is the US urging its European allies to release immediately to help lower global diesel prices?

1. Strategic oil reserves
2. Strategic natural gas reserves
3. Strategic diesel reserves
4. Strategic gasoline reserves

Show the answer

Strategic diesel reserves

The US urged its European allies, particularly France and Germany, to release strategic diesel reserves immediately to help lower global diesel prices.

Question 25

Which airline launched new nonstop service to Barranquilla, Colombia, expanding its Colombian network to four destinations?

1. American Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. JetBlue
4. United Airlines

Show the answer

JetBlue

JetBlue launched new nonstop service to Barranquilla, Colombia, from Fort Lauderdale, expanding its Colombian network to four destinations.

Question 26

Which country's foreign minister is visiting Arizona to strengthen economic ties, particularly in the semiconductor industry?

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

Show the answer

Taiwan

Taiwan's foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, is scheduled to visit Arizona to meet with local officials and semiconductor companies, aiming to deepen economic ties with the U.S.

Question 27

What is the primary concern regarding DeepNude AI in 2026?

1. Its high cost of use
2. Its limited accessibility
3. Its potential for misuse and privacy violations
4. Its slow processing speed

Show the answer

Its potential for misuse and privacy violations

DeepNude AI, by 2026, is part of a larger deepfake ecosystem, and its primary concerns revolve around privacy, consent, and the potential for misuse, including harassment and scams.

Question 28

What was the total value of global merger and acquisition (M&A) activities in the third quarter of 2026?

1. Over $2 trillion
2. $1.5 trillion
3. $993 billion
4. $500 billion

Show the answer

$993 billion

Global merger and acquisition (M&A) activities in the third quarter of 2026 totaled $993 billion, a 41% decrease compared to the previous quarter.

Question 29

What action did the G7 countries agree upon to address global energy supply concerns?

1. Increase oil production
2. Impose new tariffs on energy imports
3. Release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil
4. Invest in renewable energy projects

Show the answer

Release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil

The Group of Seven (G7) countries agreed to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil to ease global energy supply concerns.

Question 30

What is the current status of HIV research funding, according to infectious disease experts?

1. Funding has significantly increased, accelerating research.
2. Funding delays are threatening clinical trial infrastructure and staff retention.
3. New private investments have fully covered research needs.
4. International collaborations have eliminated funding concerns.

Show the answer

Funding delays are threatening clinical trial infrastructure and staff retention.

Infectious disease experts have warned that delays in the funding renewal process for National Institutes of Health-supported HIV clinical trial networks could disrupt ongoing research, lead to experienced staff leaving the field, and erode research infrastructure.

Question 31

Where did Defence Secretary Wes Streeting state that the UK must significantly increase its military spending?

1. At a meeting of defence ministers from the Joint Expeditionary Force in Keflavik
2. At a NATO summit in Brussels
3. During a parliamentary debate in Westminster
4. In an interview with the BBC

Show the answer

At a meeting of defence ministers from the Joint Expeditionary Force in Keflavik

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stated this following a meeting of defence ministers from the Joint Expeditionary Force in Keflavik.

Question 32

How many people attended the memorial service in East Acton where a man was fatally shot?

1. 40 to 50 individuals
2. Around 100 individuals
3. Over 200 individuals
4. Fewer than 20 individuals

Show the answer

40 to 50 individuals

The event was attended by 40 to 50 individuals, including children.

Question 33

Which network are iPhone 18 Pro Max owners using who have lost cellular service?

1. AT&T
2. Verizon
3. T-Mobile
4. Sprint

Show the answer

AT&T

Cellular service has been lost by a 'small number' of iPhone 18 Pro Max owners using the AT&T network.

Question 34

How far will Saturn be from Earth on October 4, 2026?

1. About 1.26 billion kilometres
2. About 126 million kilometres
3. About 12.6 billion kilometres
4. About 1.26 trillion kilometres

Show the answer

About 1.26 billion kilometres

The planet will be about 1.26 billion kilometres from Earth.

Question 35

What was the average cost of diesel across the UK on Friday, coinciding with an increase in EV sales?

1. £2 per litre
2. £1.50 per litre
3. £1.75 per litre
4. £2.25 per litre

Show the answer

£2 per litre

The average cost of diesel across the UK reached £2 per litre on Friday.