Thursday news quiz: AI mishaps, fan fury and a tiny baby hippo | Life and style

Welcome to the last Thursday news quiz of the year; A little festive tradition that includes the news, a handful of jokes, and the knowledge that there are 1,057 wiseguys out there trying to find something to examine. And it is a complete edition with 20 questions. Thank you for testing throughout the year, for your comments, corrections and good-natured quibbles, and most importantly for the kind messages hundreds of you have sent to the exam administrator. 2025™ Maundy Thursday Exam RangeHe was on leave while he was sick. It really meant a lot. allons-y! The Thursday quiz will be back in the new year and I wish you a Merry Christmas, a wonderful holiday season and all the best for 2026. Sign up for First Edition to get the year's Thursday quiz-style quiz in your inbox on Christmas Day. Thursday news quiz, No 2281.Thursday exam was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of director Rob Reiner. What was the name of the album Spinal Tap tried to promote during their ill-fated US tour in the original movie?Uncover2.In which country did the chief organizer of a notoriously grueling university entrance exam resign after people said it was too difficult?Uncover3.Southern Cross Austereo radio station this week explores what the rollout of AI-powered newsletters has led to…Uncover4.AI's naughty step this week also includes McDonald's, which was forced to pull an AI-generated ad in which country after backlash?Uncover5.Which band finally gave Fatboy Slim permission to use a sample of their song in the remix of The Rockafeller Skank, 25 years after its production?Uncover6.Protesters interrupted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a hearing on Capitol Hill last week, reminding her of which quote from which movie?Uncover7.The heroic raccoon (not pictured, a good boy) who burst into a liquor store, smashed bottles and passed out drunk in the bathroom, had at least two other thefts, a local government official said. In which state of the USA?Uncover8.A DoorDasher in Indiana was arrested on suspicion of adding what extra ingredient to deliveries?Uncover9.During which player's visit did fans in India riot because they felt inadequate?Uncover10.Here is Karl-Heinz, with his almost rhyming opening lines. The quiz on Thursday this week imagines the German football star wanting to know which Shakespeare play begins 'In fair Verona, where we set our stage, two households, both alike in dignity'?Uncover11.Which arts venue in London will close its doors for a year for a multimillion-pound refurbishment?Uncover12.Which game came out on top with nine awards at the Game Awards 2025 in Los Angeles?Uncover13.What utterly trivial things did Sunderland do in the Tyne-Wear derby at the weekend to entertain the Thursday test?Uncover14.It's time for today with Brian May! And his badger! December 18 is the anniversary of the first NFL playoff game. The Thursday quiz imagines Queen's legendary guitarist asking you to tell him and his badger which teams are competing.Uncover15.Which pop star took 11th place in the UK charts with the re-release of her Christmas album, beating Abba, Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Elton John and Queen?Uncover16.One of these people did NOT make the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist. Which one?Uncover17.Speaking of the BBC (not pictured), Donald Trump (not pictured) is trying to sue the company for something like a billion dollars. In which US state (not pictured)?Uncover18.The three-week-old baby pygmy hippo at Duisburg Zoo that went viral is about the same size as a lettuce (not pictured). What is its name?Uncover19.This week's guest dog is Luna, dressed for Christmas. He wants to know in which Winter Olympics discipline Lindsey Vonn, 41, made a spectacular comeback from retirement.Uncover20.And the final Guardian Thursday news quiz question of 2025: How much would you rate this photo of Willow, the official dog of the Guardian Thursday quiz?UncoverIf you really think that there is a serious mistake in one of the questions or answers, and you can show your work and you are absolutely 100% sure that you are not trying to fact-check a joke, you can complain about it in the comments below. Why don't you watch? Thank God it's not Christmas Sparks instead?Thank God It's Not Christmas From Sparks