We are back once again for the weekly event that makes sure you read every single Guardian website story that features a cute animal as you know it is likely to crop up in the quiz at some point. You face 15 questions of varying levels of difficulty, topicality, seriousness and obscurity, and also a picture of Liz Truss again. There are no prizes, but do let us know how you get on in the comments. The Thursday quiz, No 146 1.Who is the new first minister of Northern Ireland? Northern Ireland"s first minister Aisling Reilly Emma Little-Pengelly Naomi Long Michelle O"Neill Reveal 2.The Oglala Sioux tribe have banned the Republican governor Kristi Noem from visiting one of the US’s largest reservations in which US state? Kristi Noem Texas South Dakota New Mexico Minnesota Reveal 3.Which Ukrainian-born woman has had to give back her beauty pageant title (not pictured) after it was revealed she was having an affair with a married man? Rosettes Miss South Korea Miss Poland Miss Japan Miss Hungary Reveal 4.One question about every country taking part in the Euro 2024 finals this summer. This week: future disappointed losing semi-finalists England. Which of these places is farthest north? Uefa logo York Blackpool Preston Leeds Reveal 5.Every fan of Sapphire & Steel knows "all irregularities will be handled by the forces controlling each dimension. Transuranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life". Diamond can be assigned. Some scientists have argued that diamond (not pictured) is NOT the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth. Which of these is a naturally occurring substance believed to be harder? Gems Zircate boron nitride Wurtzite boron nitride Flurtate boron nitride Ferallic hoggite nitride Reveal 6.What was the name of the first episode of Terry Nation"s gritty 1970s space drama Blake"s 7? Old TV Mission to Destiny Redemption Warlord The Way Back Reveal 7.It would have been Jules Verne"s birthday today. When was he born? Jules Verne book 1798 1828 1858 1888 Reveal 8.You"ve always wanted to pass GCSE media studies, right? Try this one. A survey asking people if they watch Doctor Who is an example of … Lego Tardis A quantitative survey A qualitative survey Secondary research The Thursday quiz studiously avoiding making all the questions be about its favourite things Reveal 9.OK, that is more than enough science fiction and fantasy for now. Instead, it is time for jazz club. Nice. What instrument is Charles Mingus best known for playing? Jazz Trumpet Drums Bass Kazoo Reveal 10.Thursday quiz favourite Taylor Swift has announced she will release her 11th studio album in April. What will it be called? Taylor Swift The Ghost Monument The Tortured Poets Department It Takes You Away Resolution Reveal 11.Playing nonstop since September 2001, avant-garde composition Organ²/ASLSP As Slow as Possible is set to run during a performance in a German church until the 2600s. It just had its first new note play since 2022, and people were very excited about it. Who composed it? Music John Cage Brian Eno Karlheinz Stockhausen Steve Reich Reveal 12.Kwasi Kwarteng, having put the Thursday quiz"s mortgage up during his chaotic stint as Liz Truss"s chancellor, has decided being an MP after the next election to try to put things right is far too much effort, and he is standing down. How long was he chancellor for? Kwasi Kwarteng 28 days 38 days 48 days 58 days Reveal 13.Thursday quiz favourite Liz Truss was also in the news this week after helping to launch the seemingly 1,057th splinter group of rightwing Tory MPs. What is the new group called? Liz Truss ConFront ForwardRight PopCons DingBats Reveal 14.This good girl was found as a stowaway in a shipping container by the US Coast Guard at the Port of Houston after they heard barking amid 10,000 containers. What have they called her? Container dog Taylor Lucky Connie Ron Reveal 15.This is Willow, the official dog of the Guardian Thursday quiz, relieved that Honshu the Japanese macaque, who was on the run in Scotland, was found safe and well. Which leftover food appeared to have lured him into Stephanie Bunyan"s garden? Willow, the official dog of the Guardian Thursday quiz Yorkshire pudding Bread and butter pudding Black pudding Rice pudding