Welcome to the first Thursday news quiz of 2026. A brand new year, the opportunity for a clean slate, and yet somehow we present you with precisely the same old nonsense, served up with over-confidence and questionable judgment. Fifteen questions on topical news, pop culture and general knowledge await you, including the welcome return of the popular “Farther or nearer with Geordie Alan Shearer”. As always, there are no prizes, but we do like to hear how you got on in the comments. Allons-y!
The Thursday news quiz: No 229
Regular readers will note the absence this week of Willow. Sadly she has not been very well recently and so we have taken the decision to retire her from the role of official dog of the Guardian Thursday news quiz for the time being. Rest assured, she is being looked after and she remains truly the very best of miniature dachshunds.
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 Love Who You Love by Romy instead?
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jan/08/the-guardian-thursday-quiz-general-knowledge-topical-news-trivia-229
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