Weekly quiz questions: 8 March 2026

Ciao struggling pub quiz masters! Yes, the world is still on fire. But there's also been some genuinely brilliant sporting moments, a raccoon with questionable life choices, and LeBron doing LeBron things. Let's focus on the good stuff where we can.

The questions

1The US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, killing Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader. What was his name?

Answer:Ayatollah Ali Khamenei(click to reveal)

He had led Iran since 1989, making him the country's longest-serving Supreme Leader. The joint operation also killed several other senior military and government officials. Iran declared 40 days of national mourning.

2A US Navy submarine torpedoed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena on March 4, off the coast of which island nation?

Answer:Sri Lanka(click to reveal)

The frigate was returning from a fleet review in India when it was struck about 40 nautical miles off the southern coast. It was the first time a US submarine had sunk an enemy vessel with a torpedo since World War II.

3LeBron James broke a 39-year-old NBA record on March 5, surpassing which legendary player for the most career field goals?

Answer:Kareem Abdul-Jabbar(click to reveal)

He hit a turnaround jumper against the Denver Nuggets to reach 15,838 career field goals, passing Abdul-Jabbar's mark of 15,837 set back in 1989. It happened in his 23rd NBA season, because of course it did.

4The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympics took place on March 6 at a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre. In which Italian city?

Answer:Verona(click to reveal)

The Arena di Verona hosted the ceremony, which was themed "Life in Motion" and featured a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. The Games themselves are being held across Milan and Cortina, with a record 611 Para athletes competing.

5Which driver won the 2026 Formula 1 season-opener at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne?

Answer:George Russell(click to reveal)

He led a Mercedes 1-2 finish ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Home favourite Oscar Piastri had an afternoon to forget, crashing his McLaren on the formation lap before the race even started.

6Pixar's latest original animated film debuted at number one at the US box office this weekend with an $88 million global opening. What's it called?

Answer:Hoppers(click to reveal)

It's Pixar's biggest original opening since Coco back in 2017. Warner Bros.' "The Bride!" opened the same weekend and bombed spectacularly by comparison.

7Nepal held its first election since youth-led protests toppled the government last September, and the winner is heading for a landslide. Before entering politics, what was 35-year-old Balendra Shah's profession?

Answer:Rapper(click to reveal)

Known as Balen Shah, he first won the Kathmandu mayoralty in 2022 as an independent. His conscious rap about corruption became the soundtrack to last year's youth protests, and he's now crushed 74-year-old former PM K.P. Sharma Oli on his way to becoming prime minister.

8Which European country refused to let the US use its military bases for strikes on Iran, calling the attacks a violation of international law?

Answer:Spain(click to reveal)

Defence Minister Margarita Robles said "absolutely no assistance of any kind" had been provided from the Rota and Moron air bases in the south of the country. Fifteen US aircraft subsequently left. Trump threatened to cut off trade ties in response.

9On Sunday, Iran's Assembly of Experts named a new Supreme Leader to succeed the one killed in the strikes. What is his name?

Answer:Mojtaba Khamenei(click to reveal)

He's the son of the previous Supreme Leader and had long been considered a likely successor. The appointment came just nine days after his father's death.

10A raccoon made international headlines this week after breaking into a Virginia liquor store. How did police ultimately find it?

Answer:Passed out on the bathroom floor(click to reveal)

It had apparently sampled the merchandise, gone on what reporters described as a "drunken rampage" and knocked bottles off shelves, before retreating to the bathroom to sleep it off. The raccoon survived and was released back into the wild. Hero.

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A week of torpedoes, touchdowns, and tipsy wildlife. Use these at your next quiz night and we'll see you next Monday!