Last newsquiz of the year

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Marion Fountayne and Robert Rae on 19, ahead of George Mann and Damon Wake on 18.5. The top team was Simon, Sue and Will Cole on 22.5, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe and Marguerite Turner and family on 21.5, Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 20.5 and the Parsons Family on 20. It has certainly been a momentous year. Three Prime Ministers, the death of the Queen and a new King, war in Europe, a winter of discontent, the cost of living crisis and England’s lionesses winning the Euros were just a few of the headlines. Have a happy new year and let’s hope 2023 brings more good news stories than bleak ones. Here is the last newsquiz of the year. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

Today's front pages

1. Two men and a woman were arrested in connection with the murder of 26-year-old Elle Edwards who was shot at which Merseyside pub on Christmas Eve?
2. Cody Fisher, 23, who was stabbed to death on the dance floor of the Crane nightclub in Birmingham, played football for which Southern League Premier Division Central football team?
3. A winter storm swept across America killing at least 65 people with which city bearing the brunt, with almost 40 deaths, including a 22-year-old woman who was trapped in her car for 18 hours?
4. Why was Edson Arantes do Nascimento in the headlines?
5. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was criticised for asking a homeless man at a soup kitchen if he did what?
6. What is the name of the new General Secretary of the TUC, succeeding Francis O’Grady, who said that workers were ready to strike until summer with unions co-ordinating strikes on the same day?
7. A four-year-old boy died on Christmas Eve in a swimming pool at which holiday resort village in Wiltshire?
8. The US, Japan, Italy, Spain and Malaysia all reintroduced Covid testing on visitors from which country?
9. Which former MP revealed how she was left 'totally mashed up’ and spent ten days in hospital with a broken hip after an accident with a runaway dog?
10. Who paid tribute to 'all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need’?
11. Which country summoned the Ukrainian ambassador, claiming it had shot down a Ukrainian air defence missile in its territory?
12. Which of these did fashionista Vivienne Westwood, who died aged 81, not do in her life? a) go to jail for holding an 'indecent exhibition’ at her London shop named Sex b) receive her OBE while wearing no knickers c) drive a tank to then Prime Minister David Cameron’s home to protest about fracking d) appear on the cover of Tatler magazine dressed as Margaret Thatcher?
13. Which comedian died aged 85 - almost nine years to the day after the death of his long term comic partner John Fortune?
14. Ten people, reported missing after an avalanche in which country, were founded alive but with four of them injured?
15. What did patients registered with a medical practice near Doncaster receive from their GP instead of a message wishing them a merry Christmas?
16. What did Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe say made her joyful and ecstatic in 2016 when she was in an Iranian prison?
17. At least 19 people were killed in a fire that swept through a hotel-casino in which country?
18. Which influencer and former Big Brother contestant was detained in Romania as part of a human trafficking and rape investigation after an online spat with climate activist Greta Thunberg?
19. Which footballer became the fastest ever to score 20 Premier League goals - doing it in 14 games and breaking the previous record by seven matches?
20. Prince Andrew advised royal watchers after the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham to avoid cold feet by doing what?
21. Which singer pulled out of a New Year's Eve concert in Poland after being made aware of issues 'that do not align with the communities I support’?
22. The president of the Louisa May Alcott Society, who wrote Little Women, claimed the author was what?
23. Aldi apologised to customers for pushing and shoving in queues which meant people were unable to buy what which had sold out after being promoted by social media influencers KSI and Logan Paul?
24. South African cricketer Anrich Nortje was knocked over by what during the Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground?
25. What became the fastest film to make $1billion (£831million) at the global box office this year … just two weeks after it was released?

Answers here

The pre-Christmas newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 20.5, narrowly ahead of Robert Rea on 20, George Mann and Marguerite Turner on 18 and Gavin Devine on 17. The top scoring team was Neil and Jo Benson with their Christmas visitors on 21, ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons on 20, Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 18 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 16.5. 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. Good luck and have a cracking Christmas one and all.

A selection of today's front pages

1. Health Secretary Steve Barclay enraged union leaders and healthcare workers by writing, in a Daily Telegraph article, that they 'have made a conscious choice to __ __ on patients’. What are the two missing words?
2. What is the name of the union, that includes staff at passport control, which is holding eight days of strikes over pay, pensions and job security?
3. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said that rail fares in England would be capped at a level below inflation 'to help reduce the impact on passengers’ but would still rise by up to what percent from March?
4. The Scottish government hailed a 'historic day' after MSPs approved plans to make it easier and less intrusive for individuals to do what?
5. What did Prime Minister Rishi Sunak say was 'common sense’ but shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper say was 'unworkable, unethical, extremely expensive’?
6. Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted Russia was not to blame for the war with Ukraine, blaming instead 'the policy of __ countries’. What is the missing word?
7. England only took one award away from the Qatar World Cup - what was it?
8. French striker Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot at the World Cup after scoring how many goals?
9. Fifa said it was investigating how which celebrity chef gained 'undue access’ to the pitch at the end of the World Cup final?
10. A probation officer was reportedly sacked for gross misconduct after erroneously categorising Damien Bendall as 'medium risk' rather than 'high risk’ leaving him free to commit how many murders?
11. The Press regulator IPSO received more than 20,000 complaints about Jeremy Clarkson’s column in The Sun in which he said he hated the Duchess of Sussex on 'a cellular level' and not like he hated which two other women? Half a point for each.
12. Singer Terry Hall, who died aged 63, was the frontman with The Specials and then had three top ten hits with which band?
13. Why was 97-year-old Irmgard Furchner given a two-year suspended prison sentence?
14. A 69-year-old man was arrested after two people were shot dead and four others were wounded in which European city? 
15. After a poll that voted for him to stand down, who said: 'I will resign as CEO as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job’?
16. French serial killer Charles Sobhraj, who was freed from prison in Nepal, was known by what nickname which became the title of a BBC and Netflix series about his life?

17. Which of the three surviving players from England's World Cup winning team of 1966 died aged 83 this week? 
18. Martin Duffy, who died aged 55, started out with 1980s indie group Felt and went on to play keyboards for which two other bands? Half a point for each.
19. Lioness Beth Mead won the BBC’s Sports Personality Of The Year but who came second?
20. Which family's real estate company was convicted of tax crimes at a New York court?
21. Rehan Ahmed, 18, became the youngest person to do what?
22. Which singer was offered a cameo on Coronation Street - 'perhaps singing karaoke with Ken Barlow and Rita Sullivan' - after revealing he was a fan of the ITV soap?
23. Charity fundraiser Wilfred Webster just missed out on £101,050 after he was revealed to be what?
24. What is the name of the wildlife cameraman and CBBC presenter who won Strictly Come Dancing’s glitterball?
25. In a message for the Together at Christmas carol service, who said the Queen 'held Christmas close to her heart' and 'leaves with us an incredible legacy’?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Marguerite Turner with 20, narrowly ahead of George Mann on 19.5, Gavin Devine on 18.5 and Robert Rea and Jayme Bryla both on 18. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with Will on 21.5, ahead of the Three Legs drinkers Peter, Stacey, Nicky and Les on 20, Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 18 and Neil and Jo Benson on 17.5. 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 today's front pages

1. What is the name of the park in Kingshurst, near Solihull, were four children fell through an icy lake and died?
2. In the trailer for the second part of the Netflix series Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex said: 'I wasn't being thrown to the ___, I was being fed to the ___.’ What is the missing word?
3. Thirty-one people were rescued by a fishing boat but how many were confirmed to have died, when the rescue operation ended on Thursday, after a migrant dinghy started sinking in ice-cold waters between Kent and France?
4. Announcing plans in the Commons to deal with asylum seekers, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said a dedicated unit of 400 specialists would be set up to handle claims from which country?
5. What is the name of the Royal College of Nursing’s general secretary who met Health Secretary Steve Barclay before yesterday’s strike and said: 'I expressed my deep disappointment at the belligerence – they have closed their books and walked away’?
6. According to the Office for National Statistics inflation rate dropped to what per cent in November, down from 11.1 per cent in October?
7. At least eight people were killed in an explosion at block of flats in which town?
8. A 14-year-old boy was killed in which French city during clashes between France and Morocco fans following the World Cup semi-final?
9. A major incident was declared on which island after heavy ice and snow brought down electricity lines to nearly 4,000 homes?
10. Labour's Andrew Western secured 70 per cent of the vote, and declared the British people are giving up on the Conservatives, at the by-election in which constituency?
11. Abu Agila Masud made his first appearance at the US federal court on Monday accused of playing a key role in what 34 years ago?
12. The White House ordered the release of 13,173 files on what historic event?

13. A woman and two children died after they were found with serious injuries in a flat in which English town?
14. Who was airlifted to hospital after a high-speed crash at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey?
15.  Two people were hurt when what exploded in the lobby of the Radisson Blu hotel in Berlin?

16. What is the name of the reality TV contestant who was found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court of disclosing a private sexual film after a video of him having sex with a woman was published on OnlyFans?
17. Four people were injured after a crush at a concert by Afrobeats singer Asake at which venue? 

18. Actress Ruth Madoc, who died aged 79, played Gladys Pugh in which TV series from 1981 to 1988?
19. Who are the top two scorers in the World Cup so far, with five goals each, who will compete for the Golden Boot in the Argentina versus France final on Sunday? Half a point for each.
20. Harry Kane scored a penalty against France in the World Cup quarter final - equalling Wayne Rooney’s record as England’s top scorer of all time with how many goals?
21. Where did former Beatles Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney celebrate the documentary premiere of If These Walls Could Sing?
22. British photographer Rhiannon Adam was among eight artists picked by a Japanese billionaire to take a trip to where?
23. What did England footballers Kyle Walker and John Stones arrange to bring home from Qatar?
24. People were warned to stay away from what creature, nicknamed Thor, that was found resting on a Hampshire beach at Calshot?
25. Which actor announced he had been dropped from a movie role he had played three times, saying: 'After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October … this news isn't the easiest, but that's life’?

Answers here

Daily Mail looking for New York trainees

The DailyMail.com journalism training scheme in New York is back. I last ran the course in America in 2017 with eight first-rate young journalists who have gone on to great things. The scheme was put on hold during the pandemic and it was then decided to run last year’s course in London so that the American trainees could spend time in the Derry Street office.

But now the Mail is inviting applications for a course leading to a full-time journalist's job which will begin in New York in July. We are looking for young journalists with broad interests who want to cover national and international news at a fast pace for a global audience.

The New York class of 2017

DailyMail.com is part of MailOnline - the world’s largest English-language newspaper website reaching over 225 million unique monthly visitors globally, with 75 million coming from the United States. The successful applicants will probably have a degree and will have shown a commitment to journalism by writing for their student newspaper/website and gained work experience in newsrooms.

After the month’s training with me the trainees will join the New York newsroom and work alongside experienced editors producing daily stories. After two years there may be an opportunity to work in the Mail's London or Sydney offices. The starting salary is $50,000 a year. The positions are advertised here or you can send a covering letter, your resume and the three best examples of your work to sue.ryan@dailymail.co.uk by Friday, January 20. Interviews will be held in February and the training will begin in New York on July 24. 

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 21.5, ahead of Stuart Bagnall and George Mann on 19, Robert Rea on 17.5 and Tom Haynes on 16. The top teams were Neil and Jo Benson on 23, Maura and Phil Parsons on 22, Three Leg drinkers Les and Stacey and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 20 and Adam and Lucy Thorpe on 17. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week's events. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

Harry and Meghan dominate today's front pages

1. In the Netflix series Harry & Meghan, Prince Harry said of the royal family: 'There is a huge level of ___ ___. The thing with ___ ___, it is actually no one's fault. But once it has been pointed out, or identified within yourself you then need to make it right.’ What is the missing two-word phrase?
2. In the Netflix series Harry & Meghan, Prince Harry said that he was really proud that his son and daughter were what?
3. Border staff voted to strike in December at six airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and which two others? Half a point for each.
4. Which one of these is not scheduled to be on strike on Christmas Eve a) Border Force staff b) driving examiners c) ambulance workers d) rail workers?
5. The Royal College of Nursing's general secretary said it was a 'new low’ for Conservative party chairman, Nadhim Zahawi, to use what 'as a justification for a real-terms pay cut for nurses’?
6. Fifteen children are believed to have died from invasive Strep A bacteria which can cause strep throat, impetigo and which fever?
7. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove gave the go-ahead for a coal mine to be opened in which county - the first in the UK for 30 years?
8. American Anne Sacoolas was sentenced, via video link at the Old Bailey, to how many months in prison, suspended for a year, for the death of motorcyclist Harry Dunn?
9. Who announced he would be standing down as the MP for West Suffolk saying he had 'discovered a whole new world of possibilities which I am excited to explore’?
10. Sir Keir Starmer said he would do what in his first term if Labour was elected in order to 'restore trust in politics’?
11. Stephen Flynn, 34, was elected to which position, defeating Alison Thewliss by 26 votes to 17?
12. Which bank was fined £107.8million for 'serious and persistent gaps' in its anti-money laundering methods which opened the door to 'financial crime’?
13. Iran’s Attorney General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri said what had 'been shut down from where they were set up?’
14. Which celebrity failed in their bid to become Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Sheffield Central. coming second with 175 votes?
15. George 'Johnny' Johnson, who died aged 101, was the last surviving member of what?
16. A 28-year-old man was charged with a public order offence after an egg was thrown at King Charles outside which town hall?
17. Actress Kirstie Alley, who died aged 71, played Rebecca Howe in 148 episodes of which TV series, winning an Emmy and a Golden Globe?
18. Scotsman Donnie McKinnon was killed and his friend Peter Jackson was injured in a shooting at a bar on which Caribbean island?
19. Singer Celine Dion told her fans on Instagram that she was cancelling her European tour because she had been 'diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called the ___ ___ syndrome, which affects one in a million people’. What are the missing two words?
20. The US exchanged arms dealer Viktor Bout, held in an American prison for 12 years, for which American who had been sent to a Russian penal colony last month for possessing cannabis?
21. Why did footballer Raheem Sterling miss England’s victory against Senegal on Sunday?
22. What milestone did Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi reach in the World Cup last 16 tie against Australia?
23. What was the most searched word globally on Google in 2022?
24. Who called time on his three-year 'delicious experience’ saying 'I am cheerfully passing the baguette on to someone else’?
25. Wednesday was World ___ ___ Day, which was set up in 2012 to support Save the Children. What are the two missing words?

Answers here

First newsquiz of the month

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Robert Rea and George Mann who both scored 22, ahead of Rob Lawrence on 20.5, Toby Brown on 20, Jayme Bryla on 19, Marguerite Turner on 18.5, and Stuart Bagnall and Damon Wake on 18. The top teams were the Le Touquet Light Brigade of Les, Nicky, Kevin, Mandy, Peter and Stacey and Maura and Phil Parsons who both scored 20, just ahead of Joe Everton, Sarah Cockerill and Our Peter on 19, Neil and Jo Benson on 18.5, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 17 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 16. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week's events. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. What is the name of Prince William’s godmother, and former lady-in-waiting to the Queen, who resigned from the royal household after she was accused of racism?
2. Labour won the first by-election to be held since Boris Johnson left Downing Street, with an increased majority of nearly 11,000, in which constituency?
3. Speaking at a conference in London, Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukraine’s president, claimed Russia was using what as a weapon of war?
4. Which politician announced he was quitting his position, saying: 'After more than five years in the role, now is the right time for fresh leadership.’
5. Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said the building of what would be allowed 'where communities are in favour of it’ ... effectively ending an eight-year ban?
6. Sajid Javid, who announced he was to stand down as an MP at the next General Election, held which two Cabinet positions in Boris Johnson’s Government? Half a point for each.
7. The BBC said it was 'extremely concerned' about the treatment of Ed Lawrence, who was arrested and handcuffed and 'beaten and kicked by the police while working as an accredited journalist’. What was he covering?
8. Which bank said it would close 114 branches in the UK from April?
9. Former Scottish rugby international Doddie Weir, who died aged 52, raised millions of pounds after being diagnosed with which disease six years ago?
10. Belgium’s Roberto Martinez became the second manager to leave his job after his team failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup. Which country’s manager was the first?
11. For the first time in a census of England and Wales fewer than half of the population described themselves as what?
12. A vaccine programme was stepped up, and infected people in migrant processing centres were isolated, after a large increase in cases of which disease?
13. A powerful landslide tore across which Italian island killing at least one person with others missing?
14. The World Health Organisation announced a name change for which virus after complaints of racist and stigmatising language?
15. Who was banned from Twitter after sharing an image that showed a Nazi swastika inside a Star of David?
16. Fashion-house Balenciaga was criticised, leading its ambassador Kim Kardashian to make a statement, over a photoshoot showing child models posing with what?
17. A trailer for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix documentary was released, coinciding with a visit to America by the Prince and Princess of Wales who were promoting which environmental prize?
18. How did French woman Stephanie Frappart make history on Thursday?
19. Singer Irene Cara, who died aged 63, had two UK top ten hits including a No 1 in the early 1980s. Name them. Half a point for each.
20. Before she married Fleetwood Mac’s bassist, musician Christine McVie, who died aged 79, was in blues band Chicken Shack and was called what?
21. Which musician apologised for using a machine to autograph ‘hand-signed’ books blaming 'vertigo and the pandemic’?
22. What was named the word of 2022 by dictionary Merriam-Webster after a 1,740 per cent surge in searches for it on its website?
23. Who was the first headline performer announced for next year’s Glastonbury Festival, set to appear on the Pyramid stage on Sunday June 25?
24. Which artist had the UK's most-streamed song of 2022 according to Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer?
25. After coming fourth in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, Mike Tindall launched a range of what to raise money for Cure Parkinson's?

Answers here