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

Q1: On January 3rd, the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military strike. Approximately how many years had Maduro been in power?

Ans: 12 years (also accept 13 years; he took power in April 2013) (source)

Q2: According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Maduro's personal guards and Venezuela's spy agency were largely staffed by nationals of which nation?

Ans: Cuba (source)

Q3: What is the name of the Venezuelan opposition leader who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025?

Ans: María Corina Machado (source)

Q4: A devastating fire broke out at a bar during New Year's Eve celebrations in which Swiss ski resort town?

Ans: Crans-Montana (the bar was called Le Constellation) (source)

Q5: Zohran 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?

Ans: $9 (source)

Q6: Mamdani is the first person of which religious faith to serve as New York City mayor?

Ans: Islam / Muslim (source)

Q7: Which two countries contested the final of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championship in Minnesota?

Ans: Czech Republic and Sweden (source)

Q8: Which Hollywood power couple were granted French citizenship on January 2nd due to their "contributions to France's international influence"?

Ans: George and Amal Clooney (source)

Q9: This new year, what was mixed into the confetti that fired into the air at Times Square in New York City?

Ans: Handwritten positive messages & hopes for the year (source)

Q10: China doesn't ring in the new year until February 17th. 2025 was the year of the Snake, but what animal will 2026 be?

Ans: Horse (Year of the Fire Horse) (source)

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