Did You Follow the News This Week? Test Yourself With Our 2026 News Quiz

Did you follow the biggest stories of the week, or did a few major headlines pass you by?

The week of August 8–15, 2026, produced an extraordinary mix of international crises, natural disasters, politics, conflict, business and science. From a devastating earthquake in Colombia to escalating tensions in the Middle East and major developments involving Ukraine, there was no shortage of stories competing for readers’ attention.

A recent international news quiz published by Foreign Policy also challenged readers to test their knowledge of the week’s events, highlighting subjects including the Colombia earthquake, Lebanon and a solar eclipse.

So, how well were you paying attention?

Here is a 10-question quiz based on major developments reported this week. Try answering each question before checking the answers at the end.

Question 1: Which country was struck by a devastating earthquake this week?

A. Colombia
B. Chile
C. Peru
D. Ecuador

The correct answer is A. Colombia.

A powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10. The disaster caused extensive destruction and left hundreds dead or missing as rescue workers searched collapsed buildings. Reuters described it as Colombia’s strongest earthquake in more than a century.

The disaster became one of the defining stories of the week, with images of damaged buildings and rescue workers searching through rubble appearing around the world.

Question 2: What was one of the most emotional stories to emerge from the Colombia earthquake?

A. A missing aircraft was discovered
B. A woman was rescued after nearly 30 hours trapped beneath debris
C. A hospital was moved to another city
D. A new earthquake was predicted

The answer is B. A woman was rescued after nearly 30 hours trapped beneath debris.

Diana Marcela Troncoso survived for almost 30 hours beneath earthquake debris before firefighters reached her. During the rescue, she reportedly held onto a firefighter’s arm while medical personnel monitored her condition.

When she was finally brought out, people nearby chanted her name and applauded. Her survival became one of the most hopeful moments of a disaster that had otherwise produced enormous loss.

Question 3: Which major international conflict continued to dominate headlines this week?

A. Russia-Ukraine
B. India-China
C. Argentina-Brazil
D. Spain-Portugal

The answer is A. Russia-Ukraine.

The war between Russia and Ukraine continued to generate major international concern. This week, developments included fighting affecting grain shipments and diplomatic discussions about possible negotiations.

France, Germany and the United Kingdom were also reported to be working on their own format for Ukraine peace talks because European governments wanted to ensure Europe had a seat at the negotiating table.

The possibility of negotiations remains one of the most closely watched issues in international politics.

Question 4: What region remained at the center of major military tensions?

A. The Middle East
B. Southern Africa
C. Scandinavia
D. Central America

The correct answer is A. The Middle East.

The Middle East remained one of the most volatile regions in the world this week. Reports included continuing tensions involving Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump was also involved in efforts surrounding the Iran conflict and regional diplomacy. The situation remained fluid, with oil prices, shipping routes and international security all affected by the continuing instability.

Question 5: What happened in southern Lebanon?

A. A major earthquake struck
B. Israeli strikes killed people and wounded others
C. A new airport opened
D. A peace treaty was signed

The answer is B. Israeli strikes killed people and wounded others.

Lebanese authorities reported deadly Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. The attacks became another major development in the continuing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The situation is particularly significant because diplomatic efforts have been underway to prevent another large-scale escalation.

Question 6: What did the World Health Organization report about attacks on health care?

A. They had completely stopped
B. They were occurring more than four times a day on average in conflict zones
C. They were limited to one country
D. Hospitals had become safer worldwide

The answer is B. More than four attacks per day on average.

The World Health Organization reported that more than 900 attacks on health care had been documented during the first part of 2026, resulting in at least 900 deaths and more than 1,400 injuries. The affected areas included Ukraine, Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory, among others.

The figures highlight how armed conflicts can affect not only soldiers and civilians but also doctors, nurses, hospitals and emergency services.

Question 7: What natural event affected Mount Etna?

A. A volcanic eruption
B. A hurricane
C. A tsunami
D. A meteor impact

The correct answer is A. A volcanic eruption.

Mount Etna in Sicily experienced a recent eruption that disrupted travel, although operations at Catania airport later resumed after the alert level was downgraded.

Volcanic activity at Mount Etna regularly attracts international attention because it is one of Europe’s most active volcanoes.

Question 8: What happened to former Cambridge professor Jason Arday?

A. He won a major international award
B. He died at age 41
C. He became a government minister
D. He announced a new university

The answer is B. He died at age 41.

Jason Arday, a former Cambridge professor, died at the age of 41. His death was reported alongside other major developments in the international news cycle this week.

His death attracted attention because of his academic career and his relatively young age.

Question 9: What issue involving President Trump received attention in the United States?

A. Gasoline prices
B. A new space mission
C. A baseball championship
D. A new national park

The answer is A. Gasoline prices.

Trump defended rising gasoline prices and attributed them to the continuing situation involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is crucial to global energy markets, meaning disruptions there can have consequences far beyond the Middle East.

Energy prices remain an important issue because changes in fuel costs can affect transportation, food prices and household budgets.

Question 10: What does this week’s news demonstrate?

A. International events are closely connected
B. Nothing happening abroad affects other countries
C. Natural disasters no longer cause major damage
D. Politics has no effect on the economy

The best answer is A. International events are closely connected.

This week’s headlines demonstrate how events in one part of the world can quickly affect people elsewhere.

An earthquake can disrupt international aid operations. A war can affect global energy prices. Attacks on shipping routes can influence international trade. Political decisions can affect markets, diplomacy and security.

That is why keeping up with the news requires more than reading one headline.

So, How Did You Score?

9–10 correct: Excellent! You were paying close attention to the week’s biggest stories.

7–8 correct: Very good. You followed most of the major developments.

5–6 correct: Not bad. You caught some of the important headlines, but a few stories may have slipped past you.

3–4 correct: You may have been busy this week! There were certainly plenty of stories to keep track of.

0–2 correct: Don’t worry. The news cycle moves incredibly quickly, and there is always another chance to catch up.

Why News Quizzes Matter

A news quiz is more than a game. It can reveal how much information we actually remember after scrolling through dozens of headlines.

Modern readers encounter news constantly. Stories appear on phones, social media feeds, television screens and websites. But seeing a headline does not necessarily mean understanding the story.

This week’s events demonstrate why context matters.

The Colombia earthquake was not simply another natural-disaster headline. It involved rescue operations, missing people, destroyed infrastructure and an enormous humanitarian response.

The conflict-related headlines were similarly complicated. Understanding developments in Ukraine, Lebanon, Gaza and Iran requires following events over time rather than relying on one isolated social-media post.

And the story of Diana Marcela Troncoso demonstrates why individual human stories can sometimes become the most memorable part of a major disaster.

News can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of stories every day, and nobody can remember everything.

But taking a few minutes at the end of the week to ask, “What actually happened?”, can make a difference.

So, how did you do?

More importantly, how many of these stories would you have recognized without seeing the answer choices?

That may be the real test of how closely you followed the news this week.