Amid a heatwave here in the UK, the scorpion of knowledge, drawn by Anaïs Mims, once again scuttles out to challenge you to the Thursday news quiz. Fifteen questions on topical news, popular culture and general knowledge, with the excitement that “Derren Brown” and “Simone Biles” are joining us today for new regular rounds. There are no prizes, of course, but there may yet be a sting in the tail. Have fun! Allons-y!
The Thursday news quiz, No 249
- 1.A tourist’s request for a glass of tap water at a hotel restaurant has culminated in a top court ruling that being served water from the tap is not a consumer right. Where?
- 2.Which TV personality has demanded an apology for comments made by Reform UK's Makerfield byelection candidate, Robert Kenyon (pictured)?
- 3.Ferrari shares fell after it launched its first EV (not pictured), designed by whom?
- 4.Fans of which band are unhappy that there is going to be a licensed AI avatar of the group's late singer (not pictured)?
- 5.Christie's is auctioning a frankly gorgeous-looking medieval manuscript telling the story of King Arthur (not pictured, that is that guy who keeps standing to be an MP while cosplaying) and the Round Table and Merlin and all that jazz. Who is believed to have written it?
- 6.Here's Melvyn Bragg, he loves a flag. Which of these countries has a flag which can be described as red in the upper half with a gold frigatebird flying over a gold rising sun, and blue in the lower half with three horizontal wavy white stripes?
- 7.Where is an attempt by the government to reduce grocery prices being thwarted after it turns out cash registers can't calculate a sales tax of 0%?
- 8.Send Derren Brown today's collective noun. Use your psychic powers to let him know what is the collective noun for ponies?
- 9.The week's guest canine is this random snoot that the quiz master met in the pub at some point but can't remember the details. You know who else probably can't remember the details? The dog that injured a woman after it managed to trigger a loaded shotgun being stored in a van near a convenience store. Where?
- 10.Comedian Laura Clery (not pictured) revealed that she nearly died after getting trapped under what?
- 11.On the tiles with Simone Biles. If you were playing Scrabble with one of the most decorated gymnasts in history, and she played DEREK, how much would she score (assuming you would let her play a proper noun and it didn't touch any special squares)?
- 12.The Wuthering Heights director, Emerald Fennell (pictured), said it was 'unfortunate' that a scene showing Margot Robbie’s historically accurate what (not pictured) did not make the final cut?
- 13.The Thursday quiz fondly remembers Keith Chegwin, so here is Cheggers plays population! According to the 2026 CIA World Factbook, which of these countries has the largest population?
- 14.On this day with Brian May! And his badger! 28 May is the anniversary of the Spanish Armada setting sail to completely fail to invade England. The Thursday quiz imagines Queen's legendary guitarist wants you to tell him – and his badger – in which year …
- 15.And finally … unbelievably it is 10 years since a gorilla (pictured) was fatally shot after grabbing a three-year-old boy in his enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, sparking mass internet grief. And memes. What was the gorilla's name?
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 It Comes Creeping by Deadletter instead?