15 questions · Current events
The year 2026 opened with one thunderclap after another. On New Year's Day itself, Europe looked to Bulgaria, which became the 21st country to adopt the euro, while in the Alps, the Crans-Montana bar fire tragedy abruptly ended the festive mood. Just two days later the world held its breath: US forces struck Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro, setting off a chain of blockades and crises across the Caribbean. Denmark, meanwhile, launched Operation Arctic Endurance, bringing European allies to Greenland in response to Washington's annexation threats. There were quieter turning points too: after almost twenty years of talks, India and the EU finally signed their free trade agreement, the United States formally left the WHO, and with Sarah Mullally a woman led the Church of England for the first time in its history. Cyprus took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. And at the month's end, three million newly released pages of the Epstein files made headlines around the globe. This pack replays the month question by question: from world politics to the price tag on your monthly transit pass.
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Bulgaria
A few weeks later, Iliana Iotova also became the country's first female president.
💡 Did you know? Bulgaria waited almost 20 years after joining the EU in 2007 to adopt the euro.
Nicolás Maduro
Delcy Rodríguez was subsequently sworn in as acting president.
💡 Did you know? The ensuing oil blockade also hit Venezuela's ally Cuba hard.
Ciudad de la Paz
The name means "City of Peace"; it lies on the mainland, while Malabo is on an island.
💡 Did you know? Few countries have ever built a brand-new capital: Brazil did with Brasília.
Cyprus
The island took over from Denmark and handed over to Ireland on 1 July.
💡 Did you know? Cyprus had held the presidency once before, in the second half of 2012.
Greenland
Several European countries sent troops to the Arctic.
💡 Did you know? Greenland is the world's largest island and part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Uganda
Museveni has ruled the country since 1986.
💡 Did you know? Bobi Wine rose to fame as a musician before entering politics.
Spain
Nearly 300 people were injured.
💡 Did you know? Adamuz lies in Andalusia, near Córdoba.
WHO
The withdrawal had been initiated by President Trump the year before.
💡 Did you know? For decades, the US was the WHO's largest contributor.
India
Tariffs on a broad range of goods and services are being eliminated.
💡 Did you know? India is the most populous country in the world.
Sarah Mullally
She previously served as Bishop of London and as England's Chief Nursing Officer.
💡 Did you know? The office of Archbishop of Canterbury dates back to the year 597.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Coltan is found in the capacitors of almost every smartphone.
💡 Did you know? Eastern Congo supplies a large share of the world's coltan.
Kristin
15 people died and about 2,000 were injured.
💡 Did you know? European winter storms are named by national weather services.
Epstein files
The step-by-step release had already begun in 2025.
💡 Did you know? Jeffrey Epstein died in pre-trial detention in 2019.
Crans-Montana
More than 100 people were injured.
💡 Did you know? Crans-Montana is also known for hosting World Cup ski races.
Ran Gvili
This ended the hostage crisis after more than two years.
💡 Did you know? The crisis began with the 7 October 2023 attack.
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