World Events in 2025 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Indonesia

BRIC was formed in September 2006, after a meeting of the foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India and China on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. In 2010, South Africa was included as a member. Indonesia joined BRICS on January 6, as the tenth member. The other members are Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and UAE.

Answer: Nvidia

DeepSeek is a cost-efficient AI developed by Liang Wenfeng (born 1985), headquartered in Hangzhou, China. The new model R1 was developed for only US$5.6m, only a fraction of the cost compared to top Western models. The release of DeepSeek wiped out nearly $600 billion of Nvidia's market capitalization (about 17% of its stock price). Nvidia was the market leader in GPUs mainly used for AI and data center applications.

Answer: China increased tariffs on American imports

After a series of escalating tariffs imposed by the second Trump administration, China announced significant retaliatory measures in the escalating trade war with the U.S., which include tariffs on American agricultural and energy products and export controls on critical minerals.

February 18, 2025
:Putin and Trump officially announced to restore the diplomatic relationship between Russia and the USA.
February 17, 2025:
Indonesia was hit by multiple nationwide protests which was caused by legislative changes that expanded the military's involvement in civilian government roles.
February 28, 2025:
Ukrainian President Zelensky met Trump at the White House to get more support for the war against Russia. However, the high-profile meeting escalated into a heated argument in the Oval Office, resulting in rift in the relationship between the two countries.

Answer: Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte was the 16th Filipino president who served from 2016 to 2019. He was arrested by the Philippine National Police and Interpol at Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from a political rally in Hong Kong. Following his arrest, he was flown to The Hague on a chartered jet on the same day.

The crime against humanity of murder related to the "war on drugs" during his time as Mayor of Davao (2011-2016) and President of the Philippines.

Answer: Leo

133 cardinal electors selected Robert Francis Prevost (born 1955) to succeed Pope Francis, who had passed away on April 21, 2025. He became the first U.S. born citizen to serve as Pope (267th Pope of the Catholic Church). He assumed the name of Pope Leo XIV to honor Pope Leo XIII and his commitment to social justice and workers' rights. Prior to his election, Prevost was a member of the Order of Saint Augustine and served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He spent significant time as a missionary and bishop in Peru.

Answer: Nuclear sites

On June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, using more than 200 fighter jets to strike key nuclear sites in Iran. The strikes killed several Iranian military and scientific figures, including Hossein Salami, the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran responded the same day with Operation True Promise III, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem On June 22, 2025, the USA bombed three nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. On the following day, Iran responded by launching missiles at the American bases in Qatar and Iraq.

Answer: Thailand and Cambodia

The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is over disputed areas near ancient Khmer-Hindu temples, specifically Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Ta Kwai, and the Temple of Preah Vihear. Both nations exchanged fire with artillery, rockets and tanks. The Royal Thai Air Force sent F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian military installations. This was the first air attack against Cambodia since the 1980s. At least 39 people are killed and more than 100,000 displaced due to the conflicts.

Answer: Nepal

The mass protests primarily led by "Gen Z" youth erupted in Nepal sparked by a government ban on 26 social media platforms (including Facebook and X), and frustration over corruption and nepotism. The mounting pressure and the torching of the parliament building by protesters led to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on September 9, 2025, stating he wished to facilitate a "political solution" to the crisis. About 22 to 25 people were killed by violent clashes with the security force.

Answer: Japan

Sanae Takaichi (born 1961), protege of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, was elected as the first female Japanese prime minister. She is the 104th Japanese prime minister. She became the first female leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 4, 2025. In 2025, "Forbes" magazine ranked her as the third most powerful woman in the world and the most powerful woman in Asia.

Answer: Nigeria

The airstrikes were targeted camps in the Tangaza area of Sokoto State, near the border with Niger. American president Trump stated the strikes were aimed at "ISIS Terrorist Scum" who he claimed had been "viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians".

He has since warned of additional strikes if such violence persists. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the mission targets terrorists, nothing to do with religion.