Monday, December 1, 2025

Thursday news quiz: errant flamingos, bottled messages and space nonsense | Life and style

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Once upon a time the Thursday quiz cared deeply about the changing of the seasons and the sanctity of November. Now, however, Christmas adverts are already everywhere, flamingos are on the loose, and people are questioning the moon landings again. It all feels too much. So why not distract yourself with our 15 questions about topical news and general knowledge. There are no prizes, but do let us know how you get on in the comments. Allons-y!

The Thursday news quiz, No 222

  1. 1.“It’s Christmas!” as Noddy Holder famously bellowed. At least it is already, according to John Lewis. What is the department store group’s soundtrack for the Christmas advert this year?

    John Lewis

  2. 2.Which South American country has severed diplomatic ties with Mexico after its former prime minister Betssy Chávez claimed asylum at a Mexican embassy?

    Mexico flag

  3. 3.Who has been confirmed to be playing Linda Eastman – known for a long time as Linda McCartney once she married Paul – in the possibly unnecessary Sam Mendes four-movie Beatles biopic extravaganza?

    The Beatles

  4. 4.Who has faced a backlash after her Halloween costume was a replica of Jackie Kennedy’s bloodstained pink suit in the aftermath of John F Kennedy’s assassination (which happened a little after this picture was taken)?

    John Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy

  5. 5.A light-hearted message in a bottle (not pictured, but just pretend he is singing it) washed up on Australia’s remote Wharton beach. Who was it from?

    Sting

  6. 6.Sean Duffy, Nasa’s chief boffin (the correct technical term), intervened on social media after who appeared to cast doubt on the Apollo mission moon landings?

    The moon

  7. 7.The Thursday quiz generally regards baseball as similar to cricket but somehow made even more boring. Who (not pictured, though he probably would claim to have done) won the World Series at the weekend?

    Donald Trump

  8. 8.This is Willow, the official dog of the Guardian Thursday quiz. She is concerned to hear that a flamingo has gone missing after escaping from a wildlife sanctuary in Cornwall. What is the flamingo’s name?

    Willow, the official dog of the Guardian Thursday quiz

  9. 9.This week’s guest canine is Mossy, whom the Thursday quiz met in a pub, seemingly at a point where it couldn’t focus. She knows a tiny spider thought to have vanished for ever from the UK has been rediscovered on a remote area of a nature reserve on the Isle of Wight. She wants to know what it is called.

    A dog called Mossy

  10. 10.Almost 120 cute flying foxes (not the ones in this picture) were sadly injured this week by a severe hailstorm. Where?

    Flying Foxes

  11. 11.The return of Karl-Heinz, with his opening lines, which almost rhymes. This week the Thursday quiz imagines the German soccer ace would like to know which gospel starts: ‘Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us’?

    Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

  12. 12.And now least or most with Liberace’s ghost. This week the Thursday quiz imagines the ghost of Liberace would like to know which of these Euro 2025 champions has the most caps for representing England?

    Liberace

  13. 13.There has been a right old hoo-ha about rehoming a massive crocodile (not pictured, this one is called Speckles) to a Sunshine Coast zoo from the far north Queensland waterhole where he used to live. Once caught by Steve Irwin, what is the crocodile’s name?

    Speckles the Crocodile

  14. 14.It is time for on this day with Brian May! And his badger! 6 November is the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s election as the 16th president of the US. The Thursday quiz imagines Queen’s legendary guitarist wants you to tell him – and his badger – which year that was.

    Brian May and Bill the Badger

  15. 15.It is Conchita Wurst’s birthday today. Happy birthday, Conchita. Rise like a Phoenix! What year did Conchita Wurst win the Eurovision song contest?

    Conchita Wurst

If you really do think there has been an egregious error in one of the questions or answers – and can show your working and are absolutely 100% positive you aren’t attempting to factcheck a joke – you can complain about it in the comments below. Why not watch Ain’t Quite Right by Still Blank instead?

Ain’t Quite Right by Still Blank



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