Here this week’s news quiz! Good luck!

1. WYesterday the army of what African nation claims to have thwarted a coup plot?

Spoiler
Burkina Faso. The military government says that it thwarted a plan, allegedly hatched in the neighboring Ivory Coast, to overthrow Captain Ibrahim Traore, who leads the nation’s junta government. The nation’s government is on edge, arresting several military personnel last week for trying to “destabilize” the government.

2. When the next papal election takes place, where will it be held in the Vatican City

Spoiler
The Sistine Chapel. A conclave is held by the College of Cardinals to choose the new pope 15 to 20 days after the death of the previous one, who is voted by a secret ballot with a two-thirds super majority required for selection. When a round of voting does not reach a decision, ballots are burned and black smoke appears from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. When white smoke appears following the burning of ballots, a new pope has been chosen.

3. Why has President Donald Trump been critical of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in recent weeks?

Spoiler
Trump has been critical of Powell for not lowering interest rates, which he believes will slow down U.S. economic growth. Trump’s criticisms have been viewed as a threat to the Federal Reserve’s independence and created some fears of an inflationary bubble getting worse if interest rates were to be lowered for political purposes. Powell’s term expires in May 2026 after being appointed by Trump in 2018. Although Trump’s allies have raised the idea of firing Powell, such a move is deemed legally questionable.

4. The British government imposed a temporary ban on cheese and meat products from the EU to try to stop the spread of what disease?

Spoiler
Foot and mouth disease (FMD). It can cause blisters inside of an animal’s mouth and under their hooves, leading to lameness and feeding problems. In 2001, an outbreak of FMD in England caused the culling of millions of animals. FMD is not a threat to humans but it is seen as a problem for the UK’s agricultural sector.

5. Which major U.S. bureaucratic official was dismissed last week?

Spoiler
IRS Commissioner Gary Shapley. He was the IRS’ fourth chief officer this year. His dismissal came from a turf war inside of the Trump White House as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued that he was not consulted on Shapley’s appointment, which came on behalf of X CEO Elon Musk. Shapley was named just days ago to lead the agency, coming to prominence in conservative circles for highlighting issues with Hunter Biden’s taxes.

6. Protesters in Pakistan targeted which U.S.-based fast food company last week?

Spoiler
KFC. Protesters in Pakistan want a boycott of the company, which they say is a symbol of American imperialism and support for Israel. The Pakistani government noted that there were at least 20 attacks on KFCs in the country, producing a greater security presence.

7. What virus is Colombia declare a health emergency over last week?

Spoiler
Yellow fever. The Colombian government said that the virus was in “active circulation” and was urging citizens to get vaccinated. There have been 75 documented cases of yellow fever since September 2024 and 34 people have died of the illness. More than a third of the country’s departments have also noted at least one yellow fever case.

8. Why did the Democratic Republic of the Congo recently ban former President Joseph Kabila’s party?

Spoiler
Kabila’s party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) was banned because of its alleged links to the M23 rebel ground that has seized parts of Eastern Congo. The Congo’s interior ministry said that all the activities of the PPRD would be banned because of its “ambiguous attitude” to the occupation of the Congo’s sovereign territory. Kabila reportedly returned to the Congo after a two year stint in South Africa, residing in Goma, which M23 occupied in January.

9. On what grounds did the Supreme Court order the Trump administration to pause the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members last week?

Spoiler
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2, with justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissenting, that the Trump administration must be allow those who are detained to contest their cases in court before the administration deports them to El Salvador. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) brought forward the case on behalf of detainees in North Texas, who it said were not being given a proper hearing.

10. Which delivery company announced last week that it would “suspend high value deliveries” to U.S. customers due to President Trump’s tariff policy?

Spoiler
DHL Express. Deliveries over $800 will not reach their destinations because of what the company said was a “significant increase” in red tape at customs due to President Donald Trump’s new tariff policy. The BBC reported that previously “packages worth up to $2,500 could enter the US with minimal paperwork but due to tighter customs checks that came into force alongside Trump’s tariffs earlier this month, the threshold has been lowered.”