Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 23, ahead of Totally Unremarkable Tim on 22, Janet Boyle on 20.5, Robert Rea on 19.5 and the Rev Leon and Jayme Bryla on 16. The top team was Our Peter, Jackie, Sarah, Joe and Anna and Tim Humphrys and son who both scored 22, ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons on 21, Bill, Carole, Lisa and Trevor on 17.5, the Penmans (without Daisy) on 16.5, and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 15.5. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s news. Why not give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. Heathrow announced it would be closed today (Friday) due to a fire in what?
2. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall unveiled changes to the benefits system, aimed at saving how many billions of pounds a year by the end of the decade?

3. Under the proposed changes to the welfare system it will be harder to claim a disability benefit called PIP. What do the initials stand for?

4. The Bank of England warned economic and global trade uncertainty had 'intensified' as it held interest rates at what per cent?
5. What was the name of the nightclub in North Macedonia where 59 people were killed in a fire?

6. One thing that was agreed during Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s call this week was their two countries would resume playing what?

7. The US launched air strikes on rebels in which country, with President Donald Trump citing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea as the reason?

8. A report revealed that repairing what in England and Wales would cost £17billion – and take 12 years?

9. Nicholas Prosper, 19, who murdered his family and planned to stage the deadliest school shooting in history was jailed for a minimum of how many years?
10. There were protests in America including a Molotov cocktail attack in Las Vegas, swastikas spray-painted in San Diego and fires in Colorado and Massachusetts? What were the targets?

11. Which bank announced the closure of 95 branches across the UK, putting 750 jobs at risk?

12. Three people died and two became unwell following an outbreak of what infection linked to a chocolate dessert supplied to NHS hospitals?
13. Which company said its chief executive, David Stever, was being removed by its parent company, Unilever, in a dispute over his political activism including criticising US President Donald Trump?

14. Which sportsman said he feared young men were spending too much time gaming, gambling and watching pornography - and they needed better role models?

15. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were celebrating what this week?
16. The family of The Vivienne revealed the drag star died from a cardiac arrest caused by the effects of taking what drug?
17. Formula One legend Eddie Jordan died aged 76 at his home in which city after losing his battle with cancer?

18. Actress Amanda Mealing, who was banned from driving after testing positive for drugs after a crash in Lincolnshire, played Connie Beauchamp in which two BBC dramas. Half a point for each.
19. Prince William visited which country to show his support for troops based there who are providing a deterrent to Russian aggression?

20. Despite their government 'repeatedly called for clemency’ China executed four people from which country for drugs crimes?

21. Tributes were paid to John ‘Paddy' Hemingway, who died aged 105, who was the last surviving what?

22. Who wore a green baseball cap with the slogan 'Make Ireland Great Again’ and announced he wanted to be the country’s next president?

23. Which tennis player claimed the biggest title of his career with a win in the Indian Wells final and moved up to seventh place in the world rankings?

24. France won rugby’s Six Nations, pipping England by one point, but which country finished bottom losing all five games?

25. Newcastle United beat Liverpool at Wembley to win the Caraboa Cup - their first domestic trophy in how many years?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with a score of 22, ahead of Janet Boyle on 21, Robert Rea on 20 and the Rev Leon on 18. The top team was the Barnard Castle FOC of Bill, Carole, Sue and Trev with 23, ahead of Mary, Tim and George on 22, Jackie, Peter and Sarah on 21, the Penmans including Daisy on 20, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 19.5 and Maura and Phil Parsons on 19. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s news. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

A selection of yesterday's front pages

1. What were the names of the oil tanker and cargo ship that collided in the North Sea and burst into flames? Half a point for each.
2. Police questioned the captain of the container ship which crashed into a US oil tanker and revealed he was from which country?
3. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said that in getting rid of NHS England the Government was 'abolishing the biggest __ in the world’. What is the missing word?
4. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said which households would get discounts in their energy bills of up to £2,500 over ten years, equivalent to £250 a year?
5. Who did Reform leader Nigel Farage suspend, accusing him of being 'out to cause maximum damage’ to the party?
6. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had many questions about a US-proposed ceasefire with Ukraine that would last for how long?
7. US President Donald Trump threatened a 200 per cent tariff on what from European Union countries, in the latest threat of escalation in the global trade war?
8. Who won the race to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada's prime minister and immediately vowed to also win the trade war with US President Donald Trump?
9. Which politician announced she was standing down after 26 years saying: 'I have known in my heart for a while that the time is right for me to embrace different opportunities in a new chapter of my life’?
10. In a personal statement, read out to Cambridge Crown court, BBC racing commentator John Hunt said Hell would roll out what for the man who killed his wife and two of his daughters?
11. Three people from which country were found guilty of spying for Russia, in what police described as 'one of the largest' foreign intelligence operations in the UK?
12. The Democratic party, which favours a gradual approach to independence, won a surprise general election victory with around 30 per cent of the vote on which island?
13. Nationwide, the UK's largest building society, announced that it would be giving eligible customers a bonus of how much each?
14. Daniel Day, 29, of Westcliff-on-Sea was charged with causing a public nuisance and trespassing after climbing what and waving a Palestinian flag?
15. Researchers said that children should avoid what drinks which contain glycerol, which can make them very ill, until they are at least eight years old?
16. Manchester United announced plans to build a 100,000-capacity stadium close to Old Trafford which, they estimated, will cost how much?
17. Prime Minister Keir Starmer asked the Home Office to review its action after Adrian and Joanne Fenton from Essex were fined £1,500 for doing what?
18. More than 300 hostages were freed from a passenger train which was seized by militants who killed 21 civilians and four military people in which country?
19. Which former England footballer had a heart scare during a flight from Las Vegas which was diverted to Canada, where he was taken to hospital?
20. Which veteran sportsman said he was ‘embarrassed' by filing for bankruptcy after failing to reach agreement over tax avoidance? 
21. Australia said it was reviewing the visa of Sam Jones, a US influencer, after she briefly snatched a baby what from its distressed mother?
22. What breed of dog was Miuccia, from Venice in Italy, who was named best in show at Crufts?
23. Stargazers in the UK woke up to a lunar eclipse, known as a __ moon,  before dawn today (Friday). What is the missing word?
24. Thomas Tuchel selected his first squad as England manager for two World Cup qualifying games at Wembley against Albania and which other team this month?
25. What did actor Sam Aston, who plays Chesney Brown in Coronation Street, win at the weekend?

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were the Rev Leon and Janet Boyle with 21, ahead of Marion Fountayne, Robert Rea and George Mann on 20.
The top teams were Maura and Phil Parsons, the Penmans and Bill and Sue who all scored 20 ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 18 and Our Peter and Jackie on 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of Thursday's front pages

1. In a heated exchange, US President Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he was ‘gambling' with what?
2. On his visit to the Oval Office Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was asked by a White House correspondent why he wasn’t doing what?
3. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, addressing US President Donald Trump over proposed 25 per cent tariffs, said: 'Even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very __ thing to do.’ What is the missing word?
4. Which country's High Commissioner to the UK was fired after he questioned Donald Trump's grasp of history?
5. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reflecting on his time in office, said what three-word slogan was 'too stark’ and that he regretted using it because it was 'too binary’?
6. Minister Jess Phillips MP marked International Women's Day by reading out the names of which 85 women in the Commons?
7. The former mayor of which city, along with others, was charged with bribery and misconduct over council contracts?
8. A ten-year-old girl died after she was hit by a car while doing what in Kendal, Cumbria?

9. Two people were killed and five seriously injured after a car drove into a crowd in which German city?
10. Which food retailer, which has more than 2,600 shops across the UK, announced sales topping £2billion – up 11.3 per cent from 2023 - with a £20million bonus to be shared among staff?
11. Figures released this week showed that women now outnumber men in the UK in which profession?
12. A study of global data published in The Lancet projected that more than half of all adults and a third of children, teenagers and young adults around the world will be what by 2050?
13. PhD student Zhenhao Zou was found guilty of 11 charges of what offence by a jury at Inner London Crown Court?
14. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has called for what to be outlawed in England as it 'undoubtedly harms children's health’?
15. Politicians, protesting about corruption, lit flares and discharged teargas during the opening day of the spring session of parliament in which country?

16. Why were Eurostar trains between London and Paris cancelled today (Friday)? 

17. Carl Dean, who died aged 82, was married to who for more than 60 years?
18. Two men were charged after a statue of which character was cut in half and stolen from a bench in Newbury? 
19. Six-year-old Freddie Osborne made the headlines when he became the youngest ever what?
20. What is the name of the Duchess of Sussex’s new Netflix series which highlights her passion for cooking, gardening and hosting?
21. Ofcom received more than 800 complaints over the Brit Awards, mostly relating to whose raunchy performance in red lingerie and suspenders?
22. Which film was the big winner at the Oscars, collecting five awards including best actress for Mikey Madison, and a record-breaking four prizes for its director Sean Baker?
23. The line-up for Glastonbury Festival was revealed with the headline act on Friday being The 1975, Sunday night being Olivia Rodrigo and which veteran rocker on the Saturday?
24. What is the name of the three piece girl-band who will represent the UK at this year's Eurovision song contest?

25. Who unveiled his music playlist, including songs by Bob Marley, Kylie Minogue and Grace Jones, which he described as the soundtrack to his life?

Answers here

Shorthand: Is it still needed in the newsroom?

A journalism student was struggling with shorthand and asked me how imperative it was to secure a job. Her tutors had told her it was optional but she was worried she wouldn’t get hired without it. I have my own views but decided to asked 20 newspaper editors how important shorthand was for their staff. I also asked them what were the crucial qualities they looked for when recruiting. Read what they said in my article for InPublishing magazine. 

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Penny Dawson with 23, ahead of Janet Boyle on 21, Marion Fountayne, Robert Rea, George Mann and Martin John on 20, the Rev Leon on 19, Nick Turner on 18, Chris Simmonds on 16 and Ian McCulloch on 15. The top team was the Isghgl ski gang, including Trevor and Carole, with 23, ahead of the Cotswold walkers including Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe, who scored 22. Sarah, Dan, Malcolm, Edie, Bill and Sue scored 21.5, the Broad Oak Boozers of Danny, Tim, Craig, George and Thom, the King’s Head team of Heather, Peter, Nicky and Les and the Penmans all scored 21. Maura and Phil Parsons scored 20 and Our Peter and Jackie 17. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual, there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score.

Today's front page

1. Prime Minister Keir Starmer handed what to US President Donald Trump when they met at the Oval Office?
2. US President Donald Trump, wrapping up his meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: 'What a beautiful __. I would have been president 20 years ago if I had that __.’ What is the missing word?
3. Who met US President Donald Trump in Washington and told him that he was right to re-establish a relationship with Russia's Vladimir Putin?

4. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would cut what to fund an increase in defence spending to 2.5 per cent of national income by 2027?
5. The energy regulator, Ofgem, said the cap on gas and electricity charges would rise by how much, in pounds, from April?
6. Amanda Pritchard stepped down as chief executive of what, following weeks of criticism from MPs and suggestions that she lacked drive?
7. Mike Amesbury, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, was initially sentenced to how many weeks in prison for punching a man to the ground? 
8. Which company announced a step back from it green strategy and said it would increase oil and gas investments by about 20 per cent to $10billion?
9. Actor Gene Hackman was found dead with his wife at their home in which New Mexican city?
10. Gene Hackman, who died aged 95, won a best actor Oscar in 1971 for his role as Popeye Doyle in which film?
11. The conservative CDU/CSU alliance won the German elections but which party came second with 20.8 per cent of the votes?
12. A man was charged after a three-year-old girl was hit and killed by a van which struck a tram and mounted a pavement in which city?
13. An unknown illness, first discovered in three children who ate a bat, has killed more than 50 people in which country?
14. A young American woman was taken into custody on suspicion of homicide after she reportedly did what on a trip to Paris?
15. The body of murdered Scottish businessman Campbell Scott, 58, was found dumped in a pineapple sack in a forest in which country?
16. Who landed in Florida after a travel ban was lifted and said: 'We've yet to be convicted of any crimes in our lives ever. We have no criminal record anywhere on the planet ever’?
17. The BBC apologised after it 'missed opportunities that might have led to action' following claims of 'bullying and misogynistic behaviour' against which former radio presenter?
18. Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who died aged 39, rose to fame as the younger sister of the lead character in which 1990s TV programme? 
19. More than 1,000 musicians - including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn and Kate Bush - released a silent album called Is This What We Want? as a protest over what?
20. Video footage of thieves stealing what from Blenheim Palace was shown to jurors at Oxford Crown Court?
21. Which Grammy-award winning singer, best known for Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, died aged 88?
22. Where did bearded belly dancers, a gold statue of Donald Trump and the president of the US and Prime Minister of Israel enjoying drinks on sunbeds, appear this week?
23. England cricketers were dumped out of the Champions Trophy in Lahore in an eight-run defeat by which country?
24. Which singer is set to head to space as part of an all-female mission on the next launch of Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin rocket?
25. Which cartoon character is set to to have another sibling as it was announced his mother is pregnant?

Answers here

 

Have a crack at the newsquiz

Last week’s newsquiz was clearly a tough one. Many regular quizzers, who usually easily make the leaderboard, failed to score more than 15. Submitted scores even included some single figures. The top solo scorer was George Mann with 19, ahead of the Rev Leon and Martin John on 17. The only team to make the leader board was the Barnard Castle Five O’clock Club of Our Peter, Jackie, Trevor and Carole who scored 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz which, I think, might be a little less testing. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and let me know your score. 

A selection of today's front pages

1. What word did US President Donald Trump use to describe Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, adding he had done a ’terrible job'?
2. European and other world leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, held an emergency summit in which city to try to forge a response to Donald Trump's divisive plan to end the war in Ukraine?
3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to ensure that Hamas 'pays the full price’ for what 'cruel and evil' violation of the ceasefire deal?
4. What did Elon Musk wield on stage at a conservative conference as he boasted about slashing government spending?
5. The rate of inflation in the UK rose from 2.5 per cent to what, its highest level in ten months?

6. Which company won a High Court battle to secure a £3billion rescue loan, staving off the prospect of coming under temporary Government control?
7. A plane which crashed and skidded along the runway before flipping upside down at Toronto airport was operated by which airline?
8. Pope Francis, 88, was diagnosed with what in both lungs?
9. Why did British tennis player Emma Raducanu approach the umpire’s chair in tears at the Dubai Tennis Championships?
10. British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman were charged with espionage in which country while on a round-the-world motorbike trip?
11. Raneem's Law was launched in five pilot areas - West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside. What is Raneem’s Law?
12. Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales was found guilty of sexually assaulting footballer Jenni Hermoso by kissing her and was ordered to pay a fine of how many euros a day for 18 months?
13. At an inquest into the death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, the coroner ruled she died by suicide and said what had played 'more than a minimal contributory part in her death’?
14. Which celebrity couple’s £3.5million Essex mansion was broken into by four masked men?
15. What is the name of the political journalist and Press secretary to former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson who died aged 97?
16. Polish woman Julia Wandelt, who claims to be who, was arrested after landing in Britain at Bristol Airport?
17. American influencer Ashley St Clair, 26, announced that she had given birth to whose thirteenth child?
18. A man suspected of shooting dead a 43-year-old woman at a pub in Kent on Valentine’s Day is believed to have killed himself by doing what?
19. Why were 30 homes evacuated in the Surrey village of Godstone? 

20. Rick Buckler, who died aged 69, was the drummer with which punk/new wave band in the 1970s and 80s?
21. Which country’s tourism slogan Everyone Must Go was ridiculed with critics likening it to a clearance sale, a marketing campaign for the apocalypse and a desperate plea for access to the lavatory?
22. The creative control of which film franchise was given to Amazon MGM Studios after the long-serving producers announced they were stepping down?
23. Which movie won four BAFTAs including the coveted awards for best film and outstanding British film?
24. Which two British clubs lost in the play-offs and failed to make it to the last 16 in the Champions League? Half a point for each?
25. Theatre actress Samantha Barks won this year’s Masked Singer while dressed as what creature?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Martin John with a very impressive 24. He was just ahead of George Mann and Robert Rea on 23. Janet Boyle scored 22, Johnny Penman 21, Nick Turner, Hilary Scott and the Rev Leon 20, Chris Simmonds 19 and Ian McCulloch 17. The top team was the Wiltshire Walking Wanderers, including Maura and Phil Parsons and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe who scored 23. The Hong Kong gang of Peter, Stacey and Kevin scored 22 and Bill and Sue in Barbados and the Barnard Castle FOC of Peter, Jackie, Trevor and Carole scored 21. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and let me know your score. 

A selection of Thursday's front pages

1. US President Donald Trump had talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine and said that he expected to meet him in which country?
2. What was the name of the WhatsApp group, containing offensive and abusive messages, that led to Andrew Gwynne being sacked as a minister and others, including Burnley MP Oliver Ryan, being suspended by the Labour party?
3. The Government released video footage and said that nearly how many refused asylum seekers, criminals and other immigration offenders had been returned to their home countries since the General Election? 
4. An amendment to the assisted dying bill would mean cases would no longer have to be signed off by who?
5. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the prospect of what was 'for the birds’?
6. President Donald Trump ordered a 25 per cent import tax on what products entering the US?
7. US President Donald Trump met who in Washington on Thursday, saying ‘we've had a wonderful relationship’ and announcing an oil and gas deal?
8. US President Donald Trump said he would not deport Prince Harry adding: 'He's got enough problems with his wife. She's __.’ What is the missing word?
9. The Duke of Sussex called on competitors to overcome a 'moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world' as he opened the Invictus Games in which city?
10. Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi was freed from Gaza on Saturday to be given what devastating news?
11. Turkish Cypriot businessman and former fugitive Asil Nadir, who died aged 83, was chief executive of which clothing company?
12. What type of car was driven into a Munich crowd in a suspected terrorist attack that injured 30 people?
13. Former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt warned that what could be used in a 'Bin Laden scenario' or by 'rogue states to harm innocent people’?
14. Where did the Princess of Wales meet mothers and babies in a unit run by the charity Action for Children, which she represents?
15. British couple Andrew and Dawn Searle were found dead in their home in which country?
16. A pilot died after a private jet, owned by which band’s lead singer, crashed into another plane at an airport in Arizona?
17. Charles Hanson, who appeared at Derby Crown Court on assault and coercive behaviour charges, has appeared on which BBC television programme since 2002 as an adviser to contestants?
18. Twelve people were wounded when a grenade was thrown into a bar in which French city?
19. A 20-year-old woman was arrested after an 87-year-old grandmother died following an 'act of senseless violence' at a train station in which city?
20. Cosmetic dentist Dr Jana Denzel quit which TV show after he was accused of using racist language?
21. Comedian Peter Kay was criticised for his handling of hecklers at a Manchester gig, including referring to a woman as looking like which soap opera actress? 
22. James Garnor resigned from his post as a parish councillor in Whittlebury, Northamptonshire, after he was accused of trying to do what?
23. Which non-Premier League team knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup to set up a fifth round tie against Manchester City?
24. Which team won this year's Super Bowl with a 40-22 victory over defending champions the Kansas City Chiefs?
25. Singer Robbie Williams revealed he paid £20,000 for what at auction?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 22, just ahead of Robert Rea on 20, the Rev Leon on 17, Johnny Penman on 18 and Ian McCulloch on 15. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with 20. Here is this week’s newsquiz. as usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and let me know your score. 

Today's front pages

1. Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a joint briefing with Mark Rutte in Brussels, where they spoke about defence spending and establishing an ‘ambitious' UK-EU partnership. What position does Mark Rutte hold?
2. Prime Minister Keir Starmer denied breaking lockdown rules by employing someone to be his what at Labour headquarters during Covid?
3. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed she was considering actor Idris Elba's call to ban kitchen knives with what?
4. The Bank of England halved its growth forecast for the year as it cut interest rates to what per cent - the lowest level for more than 18 months?
5. US President Donald Trump proposed taking ownership of where, saying it could become 'the Riviera of the Middle East’?
6. US President Donald Trump announced sweeping 25 per cent tariffs, later postponed, on which two countries? Half a point for each.
7. A panel of 14 medical experts submitted a report saying it believed that who was innocent?
8. Which pharmaceutical company cancelled plans for a £450million manufacturing plant in Liverpool, blaming a cut in Government funding? 
9. Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, who died aged 80, made the headlines in 1999 when he did what?
10. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney was forced to deny plans to ban what, following recommendations by an independent report?
11. Tourists and locals fled which island after it was hit by thousands of ‘intense’ tremors?
12. Eleven people, including the gunman, were killed in a shooting at an education centre in which country?
13. A medical transport plane crashed in which US city, killing all six people on board and one other person on the ground?

14. Who revealed that his charitable foundation had spent more than $100billion in its efforts to combat preventable diseases and reduce poverty?
15. Margaret Miles-Bramwell, who died aged 76, was the founder of which health organisation?
16. A teenage boy and his nine-year-old sister were killed in Basildon while doing what?
17. Which television personality was accused of 'sexually inappropriate behaviour' over 12 year with dozens of people detailing experiences described as 'unacceptable, distressing and horrendous’?
18. A 15-year-old boy was charged with the murder of Harvey Willgoose, 15, who was stabbed at a school in which English city?
19. What did fans of basketball team Toronto Raptors and hockey team the Ottawa Senators boo before their games this week? 
20. Actor Bryan Murphy, who died aged 92, starred in a 1970s sitcom called George and __. What is the missing name?
21. After 20 years, 426 appearances, 138 goals, Marcus Rashford left Manchester United to join which club on loan?
22. Why did the landlady of the Gedling Inn in Nottinghamshire find herself £1,500 out of pocket at the weekend?
23. Kanye West’s wife Bianca Censori will reportedly not face legal action for doing what at the Grammy’s?
24. After losing out on four previous occasions, who finally won the Grammy Award for album of the year?
25. The semi-finals of the Carabao cup were completed this week meaning which two teams will appear in the final in March? Half a point for each?

Answers here