What in the World?
What in the World?
Test yourself on the week of April 19: Another Signal group chat surfaces, Catholics mourn Pope Francis, and the International Monetary Fund releases global growth figures.
A support technician falls as a humanoid robot crashes while running in the Beijing E-Town Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing on April 19. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Did you spend the week hiding inside to escape the avalanche of pollen—and use that time to keep up with global headlines—as spring settles in across the Northern Hemisphere? Find out with our international news quiz!
Have feedback? Email [email protected] to let me know your thoughts.
Did you spend the week hiding inside to escape the avalanche of pollen—and use that time to keep up with global headlines—as spring settles in across the Northern Hemisphere? Find out with our international news quiz!
1. For what alleged reason was former Congolese President Joseph Kabila accused of high treason on Saturday?
Plotting a coup against President Felix Tshisekedi
Selling state secrets to Chinese spies
Forming ties to the Nduma Defense of Congo rebel group
Maintaining ties to the M23 rebel group
The Congolese government also suspended Kabila’s political party and seized his assets, FP’s Nosmot Gbadamosi writes in Africa Brief.
2. On Sunday, the New York Times reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had shared detailed war plans in a second Signal group chat that included which of the following people?
His wife
His son
His sister-in-law
His father
The Signalgate scandal has led many Democrats in Congress to call for Hegseth’s resignation or firing, FP’s John Haltiwanger and Rishi Iyengar write in Situation Report.
3. Pope Francis, the Catholic Church’s first Latin American leader, died on Monday. How old was he?
76
81
88
93
Throughout his tenure, Francis was known as a champion of the poor and a progressive leader who sought to reshape the church’s priorities, Christopher White writes.
4. On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund announced its prediction that global economic growth would slow to what rate this year?
2.3 percent
2.8 percent
3.6 percent
4.2 percent
The slowdown is largely a result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs. To restore global trust in the United States, future administrations will need to take steps to regain its reputation for stability, FP columnist Stephen M. Walt argues.
5. Which group claimed responsibility for an attack that killed at least 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday?
The Islamic State
Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front
National Liberation Front of Tripura
The Resistance Front
The militants likely sought to refute the Indian government’s narrative that it has restored normalcy and stability to Kashmir, FP’s Michael Kugelman writes in South Asia Brief.
6. According to the Israeli military, a Houthi missile launch on Wednesday was the first of its kind to do what?
Strike military facilities near Tel Aviv
Reach Israel’s northern region
Breach the Iron Dome undetected
Strike an Israeli naval vessel in the Mediterranean Sea
The attack triggered sirens in Haifa, Krayot, and other areas west of the Sea of Galilee, FP’s Alexandra Sharp writes in World Brief.
7. China announced upgraded diplomatic ties with which country on Thursday?
Kenya
Nigeria
Brazil
Saudi Arabia
As the U.S.-China trade war shows little sign of abating, countries are feeling the pressure to pick a side, FP’s James Palmer writes in China Brief.
8. Which U.S. official met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday?
Vice President J.D. Vance
Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff
Russia and Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg
As negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine continue, Moscow is pushing its border lines with Estonia in the Narva River, FP columnist Elisabeth Braw wrote last week.
9. Twenty-one humanoid robots competed in a half-marathon in Beijing on Saturday. What was the winning robot’s time?
One hour, 22 minutes, 30 seconds
One hour, 37 minutes, 10 seconds
Two hours, 19 minutes, 56 seconds
Two hours, 40 minutes, 42 seconds
The robot runners were separated from human competitors and competed under special conditions, including battery-swap pit stops, The Associated Press reports.
10. Which U.S. food chain announced on Monday that it would open its first location in Mexico early next year?
Taco Bell
Del Taco
Chipotle
Qdoba
Chipotle is partnering with Alsea SAB, a company that has brought other U.S. restaurant chains such as the Cheesecake Factory and Starbucks to Mexico, Quartz reports.
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Drew Gorman is a deputy copy editor at Foreign Policy.
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