Current Events T2 W3 2025

Which two countries have escalated their long-standing conflict by using drone attacks on each other's military targets for the first time?

• a. India and Pakistan

• b. China and Nepal

• c. North Korea and South Korea

Answer explanation

a. India and Pakistan - The conflict between India and Pakistan dates back to 1947, when both nations gained independence and soon clashed over the region of Kashmir.

Last week, the crisis deepened as both sides launched drone attacks, marking a significant escalation in their decades-long territorial and political dispute.

What new rule has the National Party proposed for social media use in New Zealand?

• a. Removing posts that receive more than 50 complaints

• b. Banning anonymous accounts across all platforms

• c. Banning social media use for those under the age of 16

Answer explanation

c. Banning social media use for those under the age of 16 - The National Party has proposed a ban on social media for under-16s, including mandatory age verification, following a similar move in Australia.

The proposal has prompted debate in New Zealand, with ACT calling instead for a full inquiry into the harms of social media and the best ways to manage them.

More than two million people attended a concert last week by which pop star, making it the biggest show of her career?

• a. Lady Gaga

• b. Beyoncé

• c. Taylor Swift

Answer explanation

a. Lady Gaga - Over two million fans gathered on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro for a free Lady Gaga concert, organised by the city to help revive the local economy.

The concert, part of her tour for the new album Mayhem, went ahead under heavy security after authorities foiled a bomb plot days before the event, helping ensure the safety of what became her largest-ever performance.

Why have people been protesting across New Zealand in recent days?

• a. In protest against a rise in fuel prices

• b. To oppose changes to the pay equity legislation

• c. To support a nationwide teacher strike

Answer explanation

b. To oppose changes to the pay equity legislation - Protests erupted across the country after the government passed changes to pay equity laws under urgency, requiring dozens of existing claims to be restarted. Pay equity means workers in femaledominated jobs should be paid the same as those doing work of equal value in male-dominated roles.

Which country's prime minister told Donald Trump that his country is 'not for sale - ever', during their meeting last week?

• a. Ukraine

• b. Mexico

• c. Canada

Answer explanation

c. Canada - During his first visit to Washington, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly rejected Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada could become the 51st US state, saying "Canada is not for sale – ever."

In response, Trump said "never say never".

Zhao Xintong made history last week by becoming the first Chinese player to win what?

• a. A tennis grand slam title

• b. The World Snooker Championship

• c. A Formula One title

Answer explanation

b. The World Snooker Championship - Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker 18-12 against three-time champion Mark Williams, becoming the first Chinese player to lift the prestigious title. He entered as an amateur after a 20 month ban for match-fixing and had to battle through four qualifying rounds before winning at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Last week, a Kenyan court sentenced two Belgian teenagers and two other men for attempting to smuggle thousands of what type of creatures?

• a. Sea horses

• b. Queen ants

• c. Tree frogs

Answer explanation

b. Queen ants - The smugglers were found with thousands of giant African harvester ants, a species highly sought after by exotic pet collectors. Each queen ant can be worth up to NZ$350, making the total haul potentially valued at over NZ$2 million.

Why was Olympic gold medallist Lisa Carrington in the news last week?

• a. She joined the ownership group of a women’s basketball team

• b. She announced her retirement from sport

• c. She became a coach for the national kayaking team

Answer explanation

a. She joined the ownership group of a women’s basketball team - Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand’s most successful Olympian, made headlines by joining the ownership group of Kāhu, a women’s basketball team. Carrington says she’s excited to support women’s sport and contribute her leadership experience to the team’s success.

India threatened legal action last week over the planned auction of which ancient relics by a UK auction house?

• a. Gems that are linked to the Buddha

• b. Crown Jewels that were stolen 100 years ago

• c. Remains of the Rosetta Stone

Answer explanation

a. Gems that are linked to the Buddha - The Piprahwa gems, believed to have been buried with the remains of the Buddha over 2,000 years ago, were set to be auctioned by Sotheby's in Hong Kong.

India objected, arguing the sale violated international laws and disrespected religious and cultural heritage, leading Sotheby’s to postpone the auction.

What visual signal does the Catholic Church use to show whether a new pope has been chosen during the conclave?

• b. Flags are flown above the Vatican

• b. Smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney

• c. Bells are rung from the Vatican tower

Answer explanation

b. Smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney - The Catholic Church uses smoke signals from a special chimney on the Sistine Chapel to communicate the outcome of each round of voting.

Black smoke means no decision has been made, while white smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen.