The Week of August 23, 2026 by CoenM

Description


Instructions

Answer the questions below to the best of your ability without using outside resources. Outside references include (but certainly are not limited to) searching for an answer on the internet, looking at maps, using a calculator, or asking a friend (or foe) if they know the answer. Basically, you are relying on your brain (and maybe a pencil and paper).

For each correct answer, you will receive 15 points. You must also mark 5 questions as "money" questions. For each money question that you answer correctly, you will receive bonus points equal to the percent of players who answered incorrectly. (That is, if 25% of players got a question right, its money bonus would be worth 75 points.) You still don't get any points for a wrong answer, though, so try to select the hardest questions you think you have answered correctly. (Note: You can't use outside resources to help pick your money questions either.)

This quiz is closed for grading, and you can no longer submit answers. When the author has finished grading, the results will be published on this page.

Questions

Question 1

The FDA approved the drug Rasonque for the treatment of what TYPE OF CANCER, whose typically late diagnosis gives it a high mortality rate? The drug, which shuts off the KRAS gene mutation involved in 90 percent of cases, doubled survival time for participants in a late-stage clinical trial.

pancreatic cancer

Question 2

Donald Trump announced a deal with what SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRY that would see the US take an interest in its oil fields, potentially securing 65 billion barrels of reserves?

Venezuela

Question 3

A federal judge in California ruled that the Trump Administration could not deport students who are critical of what COUNTRY? The judge cited First and Fifth Amendment concerns, as well the 2025 case of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil.

Israel

Question 4

What alleged MASTERMIND of the 9/11 attacks on the US was given a 2028 trial date for his role in those attacks? He has been in US custody since his 2003 capture in Pakistan.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Question 5

What PARENT COMPANY of Facebook and Instagram agreed to a $17.1 billion settlement of lawsuits claiming that its platforms harm child and teen users? The company also agreed to additional safeguards, including time limits and restrictions on automatic notifications.

Meta

Question 6

John Ratcliffe, the head of what US INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, made an unexpected trip to Russia, reported to warn the country not to attack NATO members? Intelligence suggested Russia was considering an attack to test NATO and divert attention away from its stalemate in Ukraine.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Question 7

At a speech given at the Federal Reserve's annual conference in Jackson Hole, what FED CHAIR said that inflation continued to remain higher than the bank's target, suggesting a potential future interest rate hike?

Kevin Warsh

Question 8

Voters in what COUNTRY rejected resuming accession talks with the EU? More than 82 percent of the country's 270,000 eligible voters cast a ballot, with fishing rights being a leading concern for No voters.

Iceland

Question 9

Mexico resumed exporting live cattle to the US, nearly a year after it stopped due to the reemergence of what PARASITE in US cattle? The US also approved the emergency use of ivermectin to contain the spread of the parasite.

screwworm

Question 10

Your HallR Memorial Mini-Theme of the Week: In a Flash. Nearly 800 people were confirmed dead and up to 3000 are still missing after flash flooding on rivers along the border between Tibet and what COUNTRY? The event appears to have been sparked by a glacier collapse.

Nepal

Question 11

At least 15 hikers were missing after flash floods tore through remote areas of what NATIONAL PARK, including Phantom Ranch and areas around Bright Angel Campground? Over 60 people were airlifted out, as the areas are generally not accessible by wheeled vehicles.

Grand Canyon

Question 12

Your HallR Memorial Mini-Theme of the Week: -80-. What MUSICIAN AND PHILANTHROPIST, known for everything from the song "9 to 5" to her eponymous theme park to the Imagination Library that donated over 300 million books to children, passed away at 80?

Dolly Parton