Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

The Guardian - UK

Lifestyle

Martin Belam

Thursday news quiz: catchphrases, crowds, coups and catastrophes

Anaïs Mims Liberace Liz Truss Sylvester Stallone Lisbon Portugal Italy Rome

The scorpion of knowledge has some questions for you. — The scorpion of knowledge has some questions for you. Illustration: Anaïs Mims/The Guardian

It is time for the Thursday news quiz. The scorpion of knowledge, delightfully illustrated by Anaïs Mims, has 15 questions for you. They are designed to lull you into a false sense of security before delivering a very small but memorable sting. Or an in-joke punchline you’ve seen 1,057 times already. One or the other. There are no prizes, but we enjoy hearing how you got on in the comments. Allons-y!

The Thursday news quiz, No 235

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

US military restricts troops from leaving the base in Okinawa after Marine is arrested in a killing

US military restricts troops from leaving the base in Okinawa after Marine is arrested in a killing

The U.S. military in Okinawa, Japan, is pausing all operations for two days after a Marine was arrested on suspicion of killing a local woman

The Independent UK

These Minnesota Parents Were Censored at a Public Meeting for Saying School Employees' Job Titles

These Minnesota Parents Were Censored at a Public Meeting for Saying School Employees' Job Titles

"You can't talk about the superintendent," a Foley Public School Board official told Blake and Katy DeMarais when they tried to advocate for their disabled and nonverbal son.

Riot police clash with student protesters as France engulfed by mass school protests

Riot police clash with student protesters as France engulfed by mass school protests

Tear gas and water cannon deployed as hundreds of the thousands took to the streets in cities across the country to protest poor education conditions

The Independent UK

Election deniers stoke Trump-driven ballot security fears before midterms

Election deniers stoke Trump-driven ballot security fears before midterms

Former and current officials who bolstered claims of voter fraud in 2020 make fresh allegations of vulnerabilities

The Guardian - US

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Lawyers for ex-Olympian cleared in Reflecting Pool case call for government watchdog investigations

Lawyers for ex-Olympian cleared in Reflecting Pool case call for government watchdog investigations

Lawyers for a former Olympian whom the Justice Department charged with intentionally damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, only to abruptly drop the case after determining that he was not responsible, are urging two different government watchdogs to examine what they say was a flawed investigation and prosecution

The Independent UK

Measles is spreading across the US – and officials can’t agree on the death toll

Measles is spreading across the US – and officials can’t agree on the death toll

New York has just declared a state of emergency as measles cases continue to rise. So far this year, the US has recorded 3,887 cases of measles, the highest annual total since 1991. That is about 70% more cases than were recorded during the whole of 2025.

The Conversation

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

US military restricts troops from leaving the base in Okinawa after Marine is arrested in a killing

US military restricts troops from leaving the base in Okinawa after Marine is arrested in a killing

The U.S. military in Okinawa, Japan, is pausing all operations for two days after a Marine was arrested on suspicion of killing a local woman

The Independent UK

These Minnesota Parents Were Censored at a Public Meeting for Saying School Employees' Job Titles

These Minnesota Parents Were Censored at a Public Meeting for Saying School Employees' Job Titles

"You can't talk about the superintendent," a Foley Public School Board official told Blake and Katy DeMarais when they tried to advocate for their disabled and nonverbal son.

Riot police clash with student protesters as France engulfed by mass school protests

Riot police clash with student protesters as France engulfed by mass school protests

Tear gas and water cannon deployed as hundreds of the thousands took to the streets in cities across the country to protest poor education conditions

The Independent UK

Election deniers stoke Trump-driven ballot security fears before midterms

Election deniers stoke Trump-driven ballot security fears before midterms

Former and current officials who bolstered claims of voter fraud in 2020 make fresh allegations of vulnerabilities

The Guardian - US

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Lawyers for ex-Olympian cleared in Reflecting Pool case call for government watchdog investigations

Lawyers for ex-Olympian cleared in Reflecting Pool case call for government watchdog investigations

Lawyers for a former Olympian whom the Justice Department charged with intentionally damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, only to abruptly drop the case after determining that he was not responsible, are urging two different government watchdogs to examine what they say was a flawed investigation and prosecution

The Independent UK

Measles is spreading across the US – and officials can’t agree on the death toll

Measles is spreading across the US – and officials can’t agree on the death toll

New York has just declared a state of emergency as measles cases continue to rise. So far this year, the US has recorded 3,887 cases of measles, the highest annual total since 1991. That is about 70% more cases than were recorded during the whole of 2025.

The Conversation

Our Picks

Gen Z's new American Dream: Skip the mortgage, book the flight

Young Americans are trading square footage, new cars and even moving out for plane tickets, even as airfares jump more than 20%.

Megan Fox Tagged 'Unrecognisable' in Letterboxd Video as Fans Defend Her Against Meaningless Comments

A Letterboxd video featuring Megan Fox and Karyn Kusama prompted online debate about Fox's appearance, with fans challenging unsupported speculation about cosmetic procedures or health

International Business Times UK

US Schools Record Nearly 12,000 Book Bans, the Highest Ever in a Single Year, as 'Jane Eyre' and 'Lessons in Chemistry' Join the List

PEN America reports nearly 12,000 book-ban instances in US schools, a record total, as Texas overtakes Florida and AI tools enter the removal process.

International Business Times UK

Alice Zaslavsky’s shortcut beetroot baked risotto – recipe

An unconventional technique makes this vibrant rice – finished with dill fronds – a lower-touch dinner for weeknights

The Guardian - AU

Does your sleep tracker get it right? A Pittsburgh neuroscientist weighs in

On a typical night, I go to bed wearing a tracking watch on one wrist and another type of tracker on the other wrist. Then I compare their sleep findings while I drink my morning coffee.

The Conversation

There's A Reason Taxi Cabs Are Almost Always Yellow

Yellow taxis are easy to spot in traffic, but the color's history goes far beyond simple visibility.

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play