Weekly quiz questions: 5th January 2026

Happy New Year, quizmanics! I hope you had a great start to the year! 2026 has kicked off with a lot of both good and tragic news. Between a US military operation in Venezuela, a tragic fire in the Swiss Alps, and New York City swearing in its youngest mayor in a century, this week there is a lot to reflect on. Let's get into it.

This Week's Questions

1On January 3rd, the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military strike. Approximately how many years had Maduro been in power?

Answer:12 years (also accept 13 years; he took power in April 2013) (source)(click to reveal)

2According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Maduro's personal guards and Venezuela's spy agency were largely staffed by nationals of which nation?

Answer:Cuba (source)(click to reveal)

3What is the name of the Venezuelan opposition leader who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025?

Answer:María Corina Machado (source)(click to reveal)

4A devastating fire broke out at a bar during New Year's Eve celebrations in which Swiss ski resort town?

Answer:Crans-Montana (the bar was called Le Constellation) (source)(click to reveal)

5Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City's new mayor on January 1st. Before the public ceremony, he had to pay a fee to the city clerk to make it official. How much was this fee?

Answer:$9 (source)(click to reveal)

6Mamdani is the first person of which religious faith to serve as New York City mayor?

Answer:Islam / Muslim (source)(click to reveal)

7Which two countries contested the final of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championship in Minnesota?

Answer:Czech Republic and Sweden (source)(click to reveal)

8Which Hollywood power couple were granted French citizenship on January 2nd due to their "contributions to France's international influence"?

Answer:George and Amal Clooney (source)(click to reveal)

9This new year, what was mixed into the confetti that fired into the air at Times Square in New York City?

Answer:Handwritten positive messages & hopes for the year (source)(click to reveal)

10China doesn't ring in the new year until February 17th. 2025 was the year of the Snake, but what animal will 2026 be?

Answer:Horse (Year of the Fire Horse) (source)(click to reveal)

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Quite a start to the year. Stay safe out there, and we'll see you next week with more questions.