US Politics
The last government shutdown has been the longest in American history, having completed its 35th full day on Wednesday at midnight. During whose presidency was the second-longest shutdown?
Donald Trump
Trump administration escalated pressure on which Latin American country by ordering a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers?
Venezuela
Who is Benjamin Netanyahu?
The Prime Minister of Israel
Sri Lanka’s president said his country was facing the “largest and most challenging natural disaster in our history.” What was the disaster?
Typhoon
What country will be hosting the 2026 World Cup?
The United States
Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, addressed a gathering of top military leaders and announced new standards for the armed forces, including grooming rules, saying, “The era of rampant and ridiculous "blank" is done.” Fill in the blank.
"Shaving profiles"/"grooming standards"
Which nation’s former president, Luis Arce, was recently arrested in a corruption probe?
Bolivia
Who is the president of China?
Xi Jinping
What country's president was convicted on corruption and money laundering charges in 2017, linked to Operation Car Wash involving Petrobras, leading to a 12-year sentence and prison time in 2018, and then was cleared to run for presidency again in 2022?
Brazil (Lula)
In recent years, protein bar makers have been in an arms race to pack in more protein and fewer calories. What do federal dietary guidelines recommend as your daily protein intake?
About one gram per pound of bodyweight.
The United States minted its last pennies this week, ending the coin’s long decline into irrelevance. When was the U.S. penny first minted?
1793
Russia tested a new nuclear-powered weapon, called Poseidon, that it says is meant to do what?
Create a radioactive tsunami.
Which country’s prime minister resigned in October, becoming the third person to leave the post in less than a year?
France
What holiday was being celebrated when the Bondi Beach attack occurred?
Hanukkah
Smucker’s is suing Trader Joe’s, accusing the grocery store chain of copying its trademark premade peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches, called what?
Uncrustables
The Supreme Court this week appeared ready to make it easier for President Trump to fire independent government officials, despite laws meant to insulate them from political pressure. Which agency did the court appear to see as an exception?
Federal Reserve
Which countries were given an initial August 1, 2025 deadline to negotiate trade deals with the U.S. or face new tariffs?
Canada, Mexico, & the European Union
Javier Milei has five cloned dogs and is president of what Latin American country?
Argentina
The new mosquito-borne chikungunya virus has had an outbreak in which country?
China
Which Latin music superstar will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in February?
Bad Bunny
Four Republicans joined Democrats to force a House vote on what issue involving health care?
Extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies?
This African country has been in a civil war since 2023, causing the worlds largest displacement crisis, a widespread famine, and genocide. What country is it?
Sudan
This current president served in the KGB for 16 years as a foreign intelligence officer before getting involved in politics, who is this?
Vladimir Putin
What is the largest wildfire in California in 2025 so far called?
The Gifford Fire
The price of gold has gained more than 50 percent this year, and it hit a record this week by going above $4,000 per . Fill in the blank. (Hint: It’s the standard unit for pricing gold.)
Troy ounce
It’s troy ounce. The name comes from Troyes, France, a major medieval trading center. Investors, money managers and central banks have piled into gold this year. The precious metal is often seen as a haven during times of turmoil.