Last newsquiz of 2023

The top scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Nick Turner and George Mann both with 21, ahead of Toby Brown and Marion Fountayne on 20, Janet Boyle on 19.5, Robert Rea on 19 and Gavin Devine on 17. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with Alexandra who scored 23 just ahead of Simon, Sue and Will Cole on 22. Others on the leaderboard were the Waterworks squad of Pete, Stacey and Franki who scored 20, the same score as Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe, and Jack Elsom and Monica Greep and Bruce and Sarah Hayward. Our Peter, Jackie, Sam and Anna scored 17. Here is the last newsquiz of 2023. Give it a go and let me know your score. I have put the quiz together a little later today as I was visiting the place photographed below. A bonus point if you can tell me where it is. Have a happy New Year and may all your news in 2024 be good news. 

1. In his Christmas Day speech, King Charles said: 'At a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we can also do all in our power to __ each other’. What is the missing word?
2. Which religious figure is to be knighted by King Charles for his 'personal service' to the Crown?
3. Who attended the Royal family's Christmas church service at Sandringham for the first time in more than 30 years?
4. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced he will set out a spring budget on what date in March?
5. Figures showed that visitors to where in England paid £146 million for car parking, up from £96.7 million the year before?
6. More than 100 flood alerts were issued for parts of the UK and police in Scotland declared a 'major incident' as a storm with what name hit the country?
7. Former European Commission president Jacques Delors, who died aged 98, is remembered in the UK for which famous three-word front page headline published in The Sun in 1990?
8. Turkish President Erdogan compared Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to which historical figure?
9. Six fire engines, a drone, and a rope rescue team were called to a 'fire' at Blackpool Tower that turned out to be what?
10. Which state became the second, after Colorado, to rule that Donald Trump cannot run for president next year?
11. The Government announced that people will soon be able to buy what by the pint?
12. Released state papers showed that former prime minister Tony Blair backed proposals for Wimbledon FC to move to which city?
13. Two men were arrested on suspicion of theft after the removal of what from a junction in Peckham, south-east London?
14. What was the name of the Australian chef, known the godfather of avocado toast and the king of breakfast, who died aged 54?
15. Jewellery and watches worth £1million were reported stolen from which Premier League footballer’s house in Cheshire?
16. South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, 48, who was found dead in his car gained worldwide fame following the release of which Oscar-winning film?
17. A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after a car hit a crowd of people outside a property in which city?
18. British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreed to buy a 25 per cent stake in which football club for more than £1billion?
19. Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan was charged with trespassing where?

20. Henry Sandon, who died on Christmas Day aged 95, was an expert on which BBC TV programme?
21. Sam Allison became the first black person in 15 years to do what?
22. A bronze 21-foot statue of which singer was unveiled in her hometown of Barranquilla?
23. ITV announced that Holly Willoughby will return to television to present what show with Stephen Mulhern in January?
24. Actor Chris Gascoyne left Coronation Street after playing which character for 23 years?
25. Despite a campaign supporting Fairytale of New York, in tribute to Pogues singer Shane MacGowan, what song was the UK’s Christmas No 1?

Answers here

Try the Christmas-week newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Amelia Cox with 21, ahead of Marion Fountayne on 20, George Mann and Robert Rea on 19, Andy Reed on 18, Jayme Bryla on 17, Toby Brown on 16 and Gavin Devine on 15. The top team was the Queen’s Head squad Pete, Stacey, Nicky and Les with an impressive 24. Also on the leaderboard were Maura and Phil Parsons and Tom Savage with his ma on 21, Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 20, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 17.5 and Jack Elsom and Monica Greep on 17. Thanks to those of you who take part in the quiz each week. It started as a way of ensuring my journalism trainees were keeping up to date with the news and then it grew online. We haven’t missed a week since 2014. I hope you enjoy it and that it helps keep you sharp on a Friday night/Saturday morning. Have a great Christmas but keep an eye on what's going on. We will be here as usual next Friday. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. I look forward to receiving your scores.

A selection of today's front pages

1. The Hamas health ministry in Gaza said more than how many people had been killed since Israel began its retaliatory operation on October 7?
2. What is the name of the university in Prague where a 24-year-old student shot dead at least 14 people and injured another 25?
3. A junior doctors' strike, from Wednesday to Saturday, is part of a long-running dispute with the BMA demanding a pay rise of what per cent?
4. What did Prime Minister Rishi Sunak say the Government was taking 'incredibly seriously’, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer say was a 'shocking disgrace from top to bottom’ and led Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf to call for the 'undemocratic' House of Lords to be scrapped?
5. Peter Bone, suspended as an MP over bullying and sexual misconduct claims, lost his seat after being removed by constituents in a recall petition, meaning a by-election will be held in which constituency next year?
6. The Government published its long-delayed guidance for England’s schools on what?
7. The Department for Education announced that secondary school pupils will be able to take a GCSE in what language from 2025?

8. The Office for National Statistics announced that the latest inflation figure for the UK is what per cent, making it the lowest for more than two years?
9. The Nuffield Trust think tank said which service had been cut back so much it was at the most perilous position in its 75-year history in England?
10. Oil giant BP announced it would pause what because of the 'deteriorating security situation’?
11. A judge at Manchester Crown Court ruled that the two teenagers who killed 16-year-old Brianna Ghey could be named … but not until when?
12. Christmas travel plans were disrupted as a storm named what battered the northern half of the UK?
13. After the High Court ruled that Prince Harry was the victim of phone hacking by Mirror Group Newspapers and awarded him £140,600 in damages, who reacted by saying the royal wouldn't know the truth if it 'slapped him around his California tanned face’?
14. Which US state’s Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump could not run for president next year in the state because he had engaged in an insurrection over the US Capitol riot?
15. Who was ordered by a Washington DC court to pay $148.1million to two election workers after falsely accusing them of trying to steal the election in Georgia?
16. North Yorkshire businessman Colin Armstrong, 78, was rescued four days after being kidnapped by 15 armed men in which country?
17. Why was Bournemouth’s home fixture against Luton Town in the Premier League abandoned?

18. British teenager Alex Batty, who was missing for six years, was back in the care of his grandmother in which English town?

19. Broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, 83, revealed she has joined what organisation?
20. Premier League side Nottingham Forest sacked manager Steve Cooper and replaced him with who?

21. Lioness goalkeeper Mary Earps was voted BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year but who was second and third? Half a point for each name.
22. The BBC axed which show, blaming inflation and dwindling ratings, which had been running for more than 50 years?
23. Why was 16-year-old Luke ’The Nuke’ Littler in the headlines?
24. A row erupted after 20-year-old Eve Gilles became the first contestant with what to win the 100-year-old Miss France contest?
25. During the final of Strictly Come Dancing, Olly Alexander announced he would be doing what next year?

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 21, ahead of Janet Boyle with 19.5, Robert Rea and Jayme Bryla with 17 and Toby Brown and Gavin Devine with 15. The top team was Bruce and Sarah Hayward also with 21. Trev, Carole, Peter and Jackie scored 18 and Maura and Phil Parsons 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. 

A selection of Wednesday's front pages

1. The Government saw off a revolt against its Rwanda safety bill with a majority of how many votes?
2. What is the name of the chairman of the Conservative ERG group which called on the Government to withdraw the Rwanda deportation bill and return with one that 'doesn't have all these holes in it’?
3. At the Covid Inquiry Rishi Sunak, when asked about No 10 officials referring to the Treasury as the ‘pro-__ squad’, said: 'I do not think it is a fair characterisation of the incredibly hard-working people that I was lucky to be supported by’. What is the missing word?
4. The Bank of England held interest rates at what per cent for the third time in a row?
5. Who announced he was standing down, saying: 'When I stood for the leadership, I said that, if elected, I would serve for five years. Exactly five years have passed since I was confirmed as first minister in 2018’?
6. At Cop28 all countries agreed, for the first time, on the need to 'transition away from __ __ in energy systems’. What are the two missing words?
7. Which retailer removed an advertising campaign from its website and social media channels after criticism that it resembled images of destruction in Gaza?
8. BBC presenter Gary Lineker reacted to being told to 'stick to football' by posting four pictures with a caption that read 'a tad rich coming from someone who can't even stick to one name'. The pictures were of Michael Green, Sebastian Fox, Corinne Stockheath and who else?
9. Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, was suspended from Parliament for how many days for reportedly offering to lobby ministers on behalf of the gambling industry?
10. The Refugee Council called for an independent review into what, saying that it was 'tragically not surprising'?
11. Divers searched a river in a park in which city looking for missing mother-of-three Gaynor Lord?
12. The High Court ordered Prince Harry to pay which newspaper more than £48,000 after he lost his attempt to strike out part of the paper's defence in a libel case?
13. Alex Batty, who disappeared in Spain aged 11, was found six years later near which French city?
14. Which EU country blocked €50billion in aid for Ukraine?
15. All professional football in Turkey was suspended after what happened?
16. Why did Northampton Town's DJ Matty apologise to fans after the game against Portsmouth?
17. Ryan O’Neal, who died aged 81, became a household name in which 1970 film, co-starring with Ali MacGraw and earning Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor?
18. Which company apologised after a video emerged of a security guard soaking a homeless man’s belongings with a water from a mop bucket in London?
19. What was the name of the British actress, who had starring roles in 1960s films including Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and Alfie, who died aged 87?
20. Nurse Catherine Hudson, who gave patients sedatives to keep them 'quiet and compliant' and make her life easier at a hospital in which town, was jailed for more than seven years?
21. Tesco recalled its Finest Apple & Cranberry Stuffing Mix (130g), with a best before date of September 2024 due to the 'possible presence' of what?
22. On Saturday December 23, 40-year-old Rebecca Welch will become the first woman to do what?
23. According to BabyCentre, what name retained its position as the most popular baby girl's name of 2023?
24. Barbie and Oppenheimer led the film nominations at the Golden Globe Awards but which drama led the TV list with nine nominations?
25. Made in Chelsea’s Sam Thompson was crowned King of the Jungle in I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here - but who came second?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

There were some higher than average scores in last week’s newsquiz. The top solo scorer was Robert Rea with 22.5, just ahead of Tom Savage, George Mann and Toby Brown on 22, Damon Wake on 21, Marion Fountayne, Nick Turner and Liz Gerard on 20 and Johnny Jenkins on 17. The top team was Jack Elsom and Monica Greep with a massive 24, just ahead of the Boulogne boozers Pete, Stacey, Amanda and Kevin on 23. Others on the leaderboard were Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe, Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Neil and Jo Benson on 22, Maura and Phil Parsons on 21.5 and Thom and Tim on 21. 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. 

Some of today's front pages

1. Robert Jenrick resigned as Immigration minister, telling PM Rishi Sunak that what was 'a triumph of hope over experience’?

2. Home Secretary James Cleverly unveiled plans to increase the minimum salary, for skilled workers from overseas who could be granted a visa, from £26,200 to what amount?
3. Former Prime Minister told the Covid Inquiry that he regretted suggesting what was 'bollocks' in a handwritten note?
4. At the Covid Inquiry former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was interrupted by four women, who were ordered to leave, holding pieces of paper that spelled out the message: 'The dead can't hear __ __.’ What are the missing two words?
5. Boris Johnson wore a hat showing his support for which football team as he arrived to give evidence to the Covid Inquiry?
6. Labour leader Keir Starmer was criticised for a Daily Telegraph article in which he named Margaret Thatcher, and which other two former PMs, as examples of how politicians can effect meaningful change? Half a point for each.
7. The Government announced that what will rise from £159 to £169.50 - an increase of 6.6 per cent? .
8. What is the name of the US Secretary of State who met Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron in Washington and then issued a warning to Israel to put a 'premium on civilian protection’?
9. Passengers were trapped for four hours and plunged into darkness on trains heading to and from which London railway station after damage to overhead cables?
10. A German nurse was stabbed to death and two other people, including a British man, were injured near which European landmark?
11. Which former teacher, who died aged 79, served as a Member of the European Parliament for 15 years, was minister of state for Europe and Africa in Gordon Brown’s government and became a life peer?
12. Prince Harry lost his legal challenge at the High Court in a bid to be allowed to do what?
13. At least 22 people died after a volcanic eruption on Mount Marapi in which country?
14. Writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who died aged 65, appeared in which TV drama series as Jeremiah ‘Jimmy' Jesus, between 2013 and 2022?
15. Who was named Time Magazine's person of the year as someone who had 'found a way to transcend borders and be a source of light’?
16. Oslo's mayor Anne Lindboe said she was looking at ways of reducing the carbon footprint of what?

17. Golf's governing bodies announced changes to ball specifications which will shorten the distance professional golfers can propel tee shots by approximately how many yards?
18. Who became the oldest player to win the UK Snooker Championship, two days before he celebrated his 48th birthday?
19. The Lionesses failed to qualify for the Women’s Nations League and the Olympics despite a win over Scotland by what score?
20. Actress Brigit Forsyth, who died aged 83, made her name as Bob’s long suffering wife Thelma in which BBC television series?
21. Anchor Maryam Moshiri apologised for doing what at the start of a BBC news bulletin at noon on Wednesday?
22. Which word, slang for 'style, charm or attractiveness’ was named Word of the Year by Oxford University Press, publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary?
23. Why was faded Union Flag bunting, metal pedestrian barriers and old ring-binders in the headlines? 
24. Which former footballer was criticised for saying that women 'shouldn't be talking with any kind of authority in the men's game’?
25. Who was the first person to be evicted from this year’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here?

Answers here

Newspapers: The ever-changing image

The use of images in the media has changed colossally. Forty years ago newspapers were using a small selection of black and white photos, taken only by professional photographers. Today everyone with a mobile, that’s around 6.8billion people, is a photographer and videographer with instant access to publishing. Publishers can find pictures and videos of anything. Births, marriages, deaths, bomb blasts, altercations, crashes, celebrities, events, sport, sex, pranks … are all out there to be gathered. When I was editing a paper we might use 40 pictures in an issue. Today MailOnline can use 100 on a single story. I counted an astonishing 1,104 pictures and 74 videos on the UK home page. In my latest article for InPublishing I talk to MailOnline editorial director Ben Bailey, Metro editor Deborah Arthurs, Evening Standard editor Dylan Jones and photography consultant Ian Day about the changes, their impact and what happens next. Read it here.

Time to tackle the newsquiz ...

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Chay Quinn with an amazing 24, ahead of Marguerite Turner on 22, Marion Fountayne, Toby Brown, George Mann and Janet Boyle on 21, Robert Rea, Liz Gerard and Jayme Bryla on 20 and Gavin Devine on 16. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with 22, ahead of Queen’s Head drinkers Pete and Stacey on 21, Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Neil and Jo Benson on 20 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 18. 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. 

Tributes to Terry Venables dominated

Monday's front pages 

1. A book by biographer Omid Scobie was pulled from the shelves in which country after a 'translation error' included the names of two royal family members who allegedly raised questions about Prince Archie's skin colour?

2. What is Omid Scobie's book called?
3. After Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with the Greek PM, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said at PMQs: 'Never mind the British Museum, it's the Prime Minister who has obviously lost his __’. What is the missing word?
4. World leaders are meeting at Cop28 which is being held where?
5. Ahead of the Cop28 summit, which country insisted that coal, which it depends on for almost three-quarters of its electricity generation, will remain its main source of energy for years to come?
6. Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Covid Inquiry that what would have cut deaths in the first Covid wave by 90 per cent?
7. Former Cabinet minister Sajid Javid told the Covid Inquiry he felt Boris Johnson was 'not in charge' and that who was 'running the Government’ during the pandemic?
8. Two teenagers appeared at Manchester Crown Court accused of stabbing 16-year-old Brianna Ghey how many times in a 'sustained and violent attack' in a park near Warrington?
9. The family and friends of Israeli-Irish girl Emily Hand celebrated what birthday after she was released from captivity in Gaza?

10. The UK detected its first ever human case of H1N2, a strain of what disease, after a patient was tested by a GP in North Yorkshire?
11. Which English city's council issued a Section 114 notice, in effect declaring itself bankrupt?
12. Staff at Caversham Primary School told an inquest that there was a 'direct link' between head teacher Ruth Perry’s ‘deterioration' and ‘death’ and what?
13. How old was former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who played a polarising role in US foreign policy during the Cold War, who died this week?
14. Forty-one labourers were rescued after 17 days trapped in a collapsed tunnel under which mountain range?
15. Ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair said 'I never met anyone who didn't like him’, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said he did 'the right thing for the country at a time of extraordinary turmoil’ and Boris Johnson described him as a ’towering figure’. Who were they talking about?
16. Which one of these football teams did Terry Venables, who died aged 80, not manage - Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur,
Chelsea, England or Australia?
17. Who used an appearance at Westminster to urge MPs to do more to meet the target of ending HIV transmissions in England by 2030?
18. Actor Dean Sullivan, who died aged 68, was best known for his portrayal of Jimmy Corkhill in which television series between 1986 and 2003?
19. The Government stepped in to potentially block a loan repayment that would have allowed a UAE-backed group to take control of which UK newspaper?
20. England rugby captain Owen Farrell made himself unavailable for the 2024 Six Nations ‘in order to prioritise' what?
21. Author Paul Lynch won the Booker prize for his fifth novel Prophet Song about the rise of a fascist regime in which city?
22. What is the name of the pub that made a £700 Christmas advert that racked up millions of views on social media and was shown on national TV?
23. Name the two I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here contestants who quit the show for medical reasons this week? Half a point for each.
24. Ladbrokes slashed the odds on what song to be No 1 at Christmas to 1/4?
25. Who said goodbye to Edinburgh as they prepared to return home to China after 12 years?

Answers here

Deadline extended in Regional Press Awards

There is no doubt that regional newspapers are facing difficult times at the moment. But their survival is crucial. As I have written so many times before, covering local democracy, shining lights in dark corners, exposing the corrupt, campaigning for local causes, fighting injustices and a lot more will all be threatened without a vibrant regional Press. That is why I am delighted to be joining Alison Gow as chair of the judges in the Regional Press Awards. We had a meeting last week and agreed to extend the deadline - so you now have until midnight on Thursday (November 30) to get your entries in. We have added three categories this year – Opinion Writer, Crime & Investigation Reporter and Best Live Coverage – making 21 awards. The full list is below. So if you are working in the local and regional Press, get your entries in and let's celebrate the great work that still goes on up and down the country. And I look forward to catching up with you at the awards lunch next April. Entry detail are here. 

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Cathryn Nicholl Award
Crime & Investigation Reporter of the Year
Designer of the Year
Feature Writer of the Year
Opinion Writer of the Year
Photographer of the Year
Reporter of the Year (Daily)
Reporter of the Year (Weekly)
Specialist Journalist of the Year
Sports Journalist of the Year
Young Journalist of the Year

TEAM AWARDS

Best Live Coverage
Campaign of the Year
Digital Initiative of the Year
Front Page of the Year
News Website of the Year
Reporting Communities Award
Scoop of the Year
Supplement of the Year

ORGANISATION AWARDS

News Brand of the Year (Small)
News Brand of the Year (Large)

   

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Toby Brown with a personal best of 23. Others on the leaderboard were Marion Fountayne with 21, Thomas Godfrey with 20, George Mann and Robert Rea with 19 and Gavin Devine, Andy Reed and Jayme Bryla with 16. The top teams were the Broad Oak drinkers Pete, Stacey, Nicky and Les and Maura and Phil Parsons both with 21. They were ahead of Neil and Jo Benson and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 19 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 18. 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. In his Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that what would be cut from 12 per cent to ten per cent from January 6, affecting 27 million people?
2. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that the state pension would increase by what per cent from April, in line with average earnings?
3. Former chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance told the Covid inquiry that scientific and medical advisers were not told about what scheme until it was announced by then Chancellor Rishi Sunak?
4. Notes from Sir Patrick Vallance's diary, which was handed over to the Covid inquiry, said 'watching PM get his head around stats is awful' and added: 'PM is clearly __'. What is the missing word?
5. Who told the Covid inquiry that his family were threatened with 'having their throats cut' during the pandemic and that he was asked by police to leave his house over safety concerns?
6. Home Secretary James Cleverly denied describing which Northern town as a 'shithole'?
7. Why did Shrewsbury Town Council postpone its Christmas lights switch-on?
8. Thirty-four people were arrested and a police officer was seriously injured during a riot following a knife attack in which city?
9. Lorries carrying medical supplies made their way into Gaza from Egypt after a four-day pause in fighting, mediated by which country, was agreed by Israel and Hamas? 

10. Four men received minimum jail sentences of more than 41 years for the murder of 28-year-old Ashley Dale in her home in which city?
11. Firms including Apple, Disney, IBM and Comcast paused adverts on X (formerly Twitter) after it was accused of what?
12. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health warned doctors to be on high alert for what disease as vaccine rates among young children dipped to a ten-year low?
13. Staff at which company, that created ChatGPT, called on the board to resign after the dismissal of former boss and co-founder Sam Altman?
14. Who is to be released from prison on parole in January, nearly 11 years after he murdered his girlfriend?
15. Former TV pundit Javier Milei, who wielded a chainsaw to illustrate his plans to cut down the size of the state, was elected president of which country?
16. What is the name of the leader of the anti-Islam Party for Freedom which became the largest party in the Dutch parliament?
17. R&B singer Cassie accused who of sex trafficking and assault in a lawsuit filed in a New York court?
18. Why did Taylor Swift postpone a concert in Brazil on Saturday night?
19. Who agreed to pay a fine of €7million (£6.1million) in a deal with Spanish tax authorities to avoid a trial?

20. What is the name of the TV presenter, who fronted Posh Frocks And New Trousers, Razzmatazz and appeared on I'm A Celebrity, who died aged 64, four months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour?
21. Researchers in California claimed to have discovered why some people get a headache after what?
22. Why will non-league football team Horsham play in the second round of the FA cup despite losing their first round game 3-0?
23. Australia won the Cricket World Cup by six wickets after a Travis Head century took them to victory over which country?
24. According to a poll by Perspectus Global which word, used to describe something extremely good or impressive, was voted the most irritating in modern culture?

25. The King presented members of which South Korean K-pop group with honorary MBEs at Buckingham Palace?

Answers here

It's time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Liz Gerard and Andy Reed both on 22. Others on the leaderboard were Giles Borg on 21, George Mann on 20.5, Janet Boyle on 20, Toby Brown on 19.5, Robert Rea on 19, Jo Wadsworth and Chay Quinn on 18, Claire@Savy on 16.5, Gavin Devine on 16 and Ed Mortimer on 15.5. The top scoring team was Meike Leonard, Pieter Snepvangers and Sam Lawley on 21.5, ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons on 19.5, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe and Neil and Jo Benson on 19, Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 18.5 and Jack Elsom and Monica Greep 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.

Tuesday's Cabinet reshuffle front pages

1. In a letter responding to her sacking as Home Secretary, which of these did Suella Braverman not say about Rishi Sunak? a) He failed to deliver on every single key policy b) He needed to resign and call a General Election c) He opted for wishful thinking as a comfort blanket to avoid hard choices d) He was uncertain, weak and lacking in leadership. 
2. David Cameron’s appointment as Foreign Secretary was celebrated by which country, saying it had the 'potential to breathe new life' into its relationship with the UK?
3. Lord Cameron’s first trip abroad as Foreign Secretary was to which country?

4. In the Cabinet reshuffle, who replaced Steve Barclay as Health Secretary?
5. Esther McVey made a return to the Cabinet, as a minister without portfolio, with Downing Street sources saying she would be Rishi Sunak's '__ __ tsar'? What are the two missing words?
6. Sir Keir Starmer suffered a rebellion over his position on the Israel-Gaza war, with how many Labour MPs voting for an immediate ceasefire?
7. How many judges at the Supreme Court upheld a Court of Appeal ruling that the Government's Rwanda asylum policy was unlawful?

8. Former deputy prime minister Damian Green compared Suella Braverman's five-point proposal to get the Rwanda flights off the ground to the behaviour of who?
9. Inflation fell to what per cent in October, its lowest level for two years?
10. Health Secretary Michael Matheson made a statement to the Scottish Parliament in which he blamed what on his sons?
11. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said doing what was 'unfortunate' and 'inflammatory in certain ways' but it was not illegal?
12. Which county's police force apologised for 'failing' 23-year-old Gracie Spinks, who was stabbed to death by a former colleague?
13. What was the name of the eight-month old baby at the centre of a legal battle who died after her life support was turned off at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham?
14. Six people, including three children, died in a house fire in which London borough?
15. Two children of what age were charged with murder after a man was stabbed to death in Wolverhampton?
16. Why was the town of Grindavik being evacuated?
17. Everton FC said it was shocked and disappointed to have been deducted how many points for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules?
18. At what occasion did Russell Watson sing How Great Thou Art at Manchester Cathedral on Monday?
19. King Charles celebrated his 75th birthday with the launch of a project to help people facing what?
20. Why were people living in the Italian seaside town of Ladispoli told to not leave their homes on Saturday?
21. Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris, the co-founders of which company, are to receive £144million each after agreeing to sell their business to Mars?
22. What was director Ridley Scott's three-word message for those pointing out factual inaccuracies in his new film Napoleon?
23. Who raised more than £4million for Children in Need by running and walking 115 miles from Leicester to Bolton over four days?
24. Where will politician Nigel Farage, This Morning presenter Josie Gibson and Britney Spears's sister Jamie Lynne be meeting this weekend?
25. According to Samsung research what is the most popular song that Brits play when dusting and vacuuming?

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with a score of 22, just ahead of Marion Fountayne, Toby Brown and Janet Boyle on 21. Others on the leaderboard were Robert Rea, Johnny Jenkins and Gavin Devine on 20 and Jack Surfleet on 18. The top teams were Jack Elsom and Monica Green and Maura and Phil Parsons on 20, just ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 19.5 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 19. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s news stories. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. There were calls for Home Secretary Suella Braverman to be sacked after Downing Street said it had not cleared an article, published in which newspaper, that accused the Met police of bias?
2. Which Cabinet minister said of Suella Braverman’s comments about police bias, that they 'are not words that I myself would have used’?
3. During a debate on the King's Speech, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer warned Rishi Sunak that without a serious what he could not be a serious Prime Minister?

4. Prince Charles delivered the first King’s Speech in more than 70 years as he outlined how many laws that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants get through Parliament before the next election?
5. Reacting to the pro-Palestinian marches planned for the weekend, the founder of the English Defence League Tommy Robinson posted a video calling for a gathering where on Saturday 'to show that British people aren’t happy’?
6. Home Secretary Suella Braverman was criticised after saying: ‘We cannot allow our streets to be taken over by rows of tents occupied by people, many of them from abroad, living on the streets as a__ __. What are the two missing words?
7. The White House said Israel had agreed to enforce humanitarian pauses in fighting for how long every day to allow Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate?

8. Which two former prime ministers visited Israel, saying they were there to express solidarity with the Netanyahu government? Half a point for each.
9. United Nations secretary general António Guterres said: 'We must act now to find a way out of this brutal, awful, agonising dead end of destruction. Gaza is becoming a __ for children.’ What is the missing word?
10. Lord Sedwill, who was Cabinet Secretary until the autumn of 2020, told the Covid inquiry that he had left then Prime Minster Boris Johnson 'under no doubt’ that who should be replaced?
11. Former Tory Party chairman Jake Berry sent a letter to police exposing an alleged cover-up of what offence committed by an MP?
12. In her book, The Plot: The Political Assassination of Boris Johnson, former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries revealed that a Tory known as Dr No cut up what and nailed it to a former girlfriend’s family's front door? 
13. A 14-year-old was charged with murder after a 15-year-old boy died in a stabbing near a school in which city?
14. British Steel announced a £1.25 billion plan to replace two blast furnaces in which town - threatening up to 2,000 jobs?
15. Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested after smashing the glass on the Rokeby Venus painting at the National Gallery in London, which had previously been targeted by which campaign group?
16. Two men pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court to health and safety offences after 11 customers were left with spinal injuries while doing what?
17. Who left her weekly BBC Radio Wales show, saying she would 'not be silenced' by the corporation’s new social media guidelines?
18. Disney was criticised for recreating what in London for a TV drama?
19. Arkansas military veteran Aaron James became the first person in the world to have what transplanted?
20. Which retailer reported better-than-expected results for the first half of the year - with pre-tax profits rising 56 per cent to £326million?
21. What is the name of the newspaper company, owners of the Mirror, Express, Star and more than 200 regional titles, which announced plans to cut 450 jobs?
22. The drug anastrozole was licensed by the NHS regulatory agency after trials showed it could reduce the incidence of what by almost 50 per cent?
23. Nestle announced it had made the 'difficult decision' to scrap what confectionary bar after 64 years due to low sales?
24. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that British women topped the list as the world’s biggest what?
25. Britain’s loneliest sheep, rescued by farmers after being stranded on a beach in Scotland for two years, was given what name?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 21.5, just ahead of George Mann on 20, Marguerite Turner on 18, Jayme Bryla on 17.5 and Toby Brown on 17. The top team was Bruce and Sarah Hayward with 17.5, ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons on 17 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 16.5. It was clearly a tougher week with a lot of quiz regulars posting below average scores. 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. The Covid inquiry heard that former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance had written that Boris Johnson was obsessed with older people accepting what? 

2. At the Covid inquiry, who described the Cabinet Office as a 'bomb site' and a 'dumpster fire', with many officials in the wrong job?

3. The Covid inquiry heard that former Health Secretary Matt Hancock told officials that he – rather than the medical profession – 'should ultimately decide what’?

4. What six-word phrase did Palestinian supporters chant in London, was described by Home Secretary Suella Braverman as an 'expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased’ and led to Labour MP Andy McDonald being suspended?

5. Speaking after a Cobra meeting, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said of the London pro-Palestine protests: 'To my mind there is only one way to describe those marches: They are __ marches’? What is the missing word?
6. A mob shouting antisemitic slogans stormed an airport in which Russian republic, hunting for people arriving from Tel Aviv?

7. An activist tossed dozens of what, painted in the colours of the Palestine flag, into a Birmingham McDonald’s?

8. What is the name of the crossing between Gaza and Egypt that opened for the first time in more than three weeks to allow the evacuation of injured Palestinians and foreign passport holders?

9. A video of a window being blown-in was caught on a baby monitor, hailstones 'bigger than golf balls' hit locals and dozens of people were evacuated to hotels when Storm Ciarán brought 104mph winds to which island?

10. How old was Matthew Perry, best known for playing Chandler Bing in Friends, who was found dead in a hot tub at his LA home? 

11. What name was given to the declaration signed by 28 governments, including the UK, US and China, on the first day of the AI safety summit?

12. In a discussion with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at the end of the AI safety summit, tech billionaire Elon Musk predicted: 'There will come a point where no __ is needed.' What is the missing word?

13. Police investigated the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson, who died after a 'freak accident', while playing for which team?

14. Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced that plans to do what had been withdrawn because they failed to meet the required standards?

15. Former leadership candidate Ash Regan quit the SNP to become the first ever MSP for which party?

16. The Colombian government said the father of which Premier League footballer had been kidnapped by left-wing rebels?

17. Marks & Spencer apologised after a clip from its Christmas advert was criticised for showing burning paper hats resembling what?

18. Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales, who kissed a player following the Women's World Cup final, was banned from all football-related activities for how many years by Fifa?

19. Who withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, saying 'this is not my time’?

20. King Charles acknowledged the 'abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against’ the people of which country in their struggle for independence?

21. Yorkshire Cricket Club agreed to sell its ground, Headingley, for £23million to who?

22. In a video posted on X, formerly Twitter, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: 'I am excited to say that I am shortly going to be joining you on __ __’ What are the missing words?
23. In the Rugby World Cup, All Blacks captain Sam Cane became the first player to do what?

24. Lionel Messi won the men's Ballon d'Or, for the best footballer in the world for 2022-23, meaning he has collected the award for a record number of times. How many?

25. The Beatles song Now And Then was released with the help of AI and audio tech pioneered by which film director?

Answers here

Celebrating 20 years of Mail training

It is 20 years since the Daily Mail graduate training scheme began. Early in 2003 Pat Pilton, who I had worked with at the Daily Mirror where he was managing editor, asked if I thought it was possible to take trainees straight from university and turn them into national newspaper sub-editors. Pat was working for the Press Association and had been asked by Associated Newspapers to look at setting up a subbing scheme. I, of course, said I would give it a go.

We ran the first course at PA’s Bishop’s Manor offices in Howden in Yorkshire. Pat and I were joined by PA’s chief sub Mike Watson and we spent four weeks with six bright-eyed youngsters, teaching them Mail style and the craft of sub-editing. 

At the time many senior journalists were sceptical that it could work but we delivered some first-class subs, who have gone on to be big players. In 2008 it was decided to roll out the scheme for reporters and Sue Ryan was brought in to recruit and manage it.

The scheme then came in-house and was run at Northcliffe House in London instead of at the PA offices. The MailOnline scheme began in London in 2013 and was launched in New York and Sydney two years later. 

In 2016 a scholarship was started to provide opportunities for talented students from diverse backgrounds. There have been 13 journalists who have passed through the programme.

The Mail's scheme is the largest run by any national newspaper. The training has been delivered by me for 20 years and, along the way, I have been supported by other trainers including Mike Brough, Fiona Webster, Amy Iggulden, Lara King, Jennifer Ryan, Phil Swift, Andy Drinkwater, Robin Thompson, David Williams and Adam Tinworth.

Nick Enoch delivers the Content Creator system training for the onliners and many of the Mail’s senior journalists and lawyers contribute sessions.   

There have been more than 500 trainees who have graduated from the scheme since it started – 283 for the London papers, 143 for MailOnline in London, 44 for DailyMail.com in New York and 29 for Daily Mail Australia in Sydney. 

Some of those we have trained have inevitably moved on and are editors, broadcasters and well-known writers on other publications. But many of those who started on the scheme are now in senior positions at Associated Newspapers including the editorial director of MailOnline, the group digital editor, the head of production, the Femail magazine editor, the digital head of sport and the assistant editor (politics) in New York. Training manager Sue Ryan, who looks after the recruitment and oversees the programme, says: 'The scheme has an outstanding reputation, attracting huge numbers of highly talented students every year. I love seeing their enthusiasm.' 

I have to say I have enjoyed every minute, met some amazing people, watched brilliant careers grow and been supported all the way by the Mail’s management, editors, journalists, admin staff and IT team. A big thanks to them all … there are too many to mention but they know who they are. 

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Jayme Bryla and Toby Brown both with 20.5. They were just ahead of George Mann on 20, Thomas Godfrey on 19.5, Johnny Jenkins on 18, Robert Rea on 17.5 and Marguerite Turner on 17. The top team was Bruce and Sarah Hayward with 21, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 18.5 and Playden Oast drinkers Pete, Stacey, Les, Thom and Amanda on 18. 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. Government ministers and the Metropolitan police appeared to be at odds over whether the use of which word was an incitement to violence?
2. Israel called for the resignation of who, saying he had lost 'all morality and impartiality'?
3. Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, was photographed making what 'remarkable gesture'?
4. Which country's queen condemned Western media coverage of the war in Israel and Gaza, saying there is a 'glaring double standard' in how it covers attacks on Palestinian and Jewish communities’?
5. Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan cancelled a visit to Israel and said Hamas was not a terrorist organisation but a '__ group'. What is the missing word?
6. Tory MP Crispin Blunt, who had the party whip suspended, was arrested in connection with allegations of what two offences? Half a point for each.
7. What is the name of the small US city in Maine where a gunman shot dead 18 people?
8. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a speech that he was generally 'optimistic' about the potential of what to transform people's lives for the better?
9. A Just Stop Oil activist was arrested after spraying orange paint over what at London's Natural History Museum?
10. Retailers, including John Lewis, Tesco and the Co-op, agreed to pay almost £800,000 over two years to fund Project Pegasus to tackle what?
11. A report by the NHS ombudsman warned that what is still killing too many patients due to the same hospital failings that happened a decade ago?
12. One person died and four are missing after a British cargo ship called what sank following a collision in the North Sea?
13. An off-duty pilot was accused of trying to shut down the engines of a plane from which airline during a flight?
14. Police received a complaint after a girl was arrested in Leeds for saying a female officer looked like what?
15. Which country’s prime minister joined tens of thousands of women on a one-day strike in protest at the gender pay gap and gender-based violence?
16. Bobby Charlton's death at 86 means there is only one member of England's 1966 World Cup winning team still alive. Name him.

17. US actor Richard Roundtree, who died aged 81, was best known for the ground-breaking portrayal of which black detective in the 1970s?
18. Bill Kenwright, the chairman of Everton Football Club, played Gordon Clegg in which television programme?
19. Lewis Hamilton was disqualified, losing his second-place at the US Grand Prix, after what part of his Mercedes failed an inspection? 
20. Why have Remembrance poppies, which went on sale yesterday (Thurs), been redesigned?
21. The Grevin Museum in Paris made what change to a waxwork of wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson after he complained about it?
22. How old was Bobi, the world's oldest dog, who died at his home in Portugal?

23. England’s cricketers’ World Cup hopes hang by a thread after their third defeat. Which country beat them by eight wickets this week?
24. What is the name of the actress who expressed her 'deepest regret’ at having to leave Strictly Come Dancing, adding that she 'did not come to this decision easily or lightly’?
25. Paul McCartney said he had used artificial intelligence to create 'the final Beatles record’. What is the song’s name?

Answers here

Time to enter the Regional Press Awards

Liverpool Echo editor Maria Breslin and her team after receiving the Large News Brand of the Year prize from presenter Zoe Lyons (right) in March.

I am delighted to be once again chairing the judges, alongside Alison Gow, in the Regional Press Awards. Last year it was a joy to see the standard of entries. It confirmed that, despite the challenges, the regional media is alive, kicking, innovative and still making a big difference. The closing date for entries, November 9, is fast approaching ... so let’s be hearing from you soon. Details are here. Look forward to catching up with familiar faces at the awards lunch in the spring.

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Ed Holt with 23, ahead of George Mann, Luke Power and Robert Rea on 21, Janet Boyle, Olivia Christie and Pieter Snepvengers on 20 and Jack Elsom on 19. Other regulars scored well below average. The top team was Neil and Jo Benson on 20, just ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons on 19 and Adam Batstone, David Kohn and the Spanish golfers and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 18. 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 was the name of the hospital in Gaza where hundreds of people were killed in an explosion?
2. US President Joe Biden, talking to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the attack on the hospital in Gaza, said: 'Based on what I have seen, it appears as though it was done by the other __, not you.’ What is the missing word?
3. Speaking in the Commons for the first time since the outbreak of war, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said how many Britons were dead after the assault by Hamas?
4. Which two-word phrase, borrowed from Sir Winston Churchill, was used by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Rishi Sunak in speeches during the PM’s visit to the Middle East?
5. After visiting Israel, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak travelled to which country and urged it to use its influence to support stability in the Middle East?
6. In a by-election, Labour overturned which Tory politician’s majority of 24,664 to win Mid-Bedfordshire, a seat the Conservatives had held for more than 90 years?
7. Labour candidate Sarah Edwards defeated Tory rival Andrew Cooper by a majority of 1,316 votes to win which constituency?
8. What did defeated by-election candidates, Festus Akinbusoye and Andrew Cooper, both do that broke with tradition?
9. Angus Council ordered residents in which Scottish town to evacuate their homes after a red weather warning for storm Babet?
10. Which MP was stripped of the Conservative party whip after he was found to have bullied and harassed a member of staff and exposed his genitals?
11. The covid inquiry heard that Rishi Sunak, then Chancellor, was referred to by what name over his Eat Out To Help Out policy by one of his top scientific advisers?
12. The Euro 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden was abandoned at half-time after what happened?
13. Berkshire couple David and Celia Barlow, who were on honeymoon, were shot dead on a safari in a national park in which country?
14. Former drug dealer Aine Davis, 39, who appeared by video link at the Old Bailey to plead guilty to funding terrorism, is suspected of being the fourth member of a kidnap gang know by what name?
15. Humza Yousaf, in his first conference speech as Scottish National party leader, announced that what would be frozen in Scotland next year?
16. Amazon announced it will start using what in the UK by the end of 2024?
17. Actress Haydyn Gwynn, who died aged 66, made her name in the 1990s when she starred as Alex Pates in what Channel 4 comedy, which earned her a Bafta nomination?
18. The Government said it was to scrap rules, inherited from the EU, and change the legal definition of what drink?
19. Cartoonist Steve Bell was sacked by which newspaper after a cartoon lampooning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was spiked?
20. Who revealed in her memoir, The Woman in Me, that she had an abortion while dating Justin Timberlake?
21. The BBC announced that who will be standing down after the next election after 30 years as Newsnight’s lead presenter?
22. Paul O’Grady’s husband told a memorial gathering that the TV star used what secret code for having a spliff?
23. Spain's 1-0 win over Norway meant that which country’s football team qualified for Euro 24?
24. Five sports will be added to the Los Angeles olympics including flag football, lacrosse, baseball/softball and which two others? Half a point for each.
25. The BBC announced a daytime series will end after 23 years and Channel 4 said a daytime programme would air for the last time in December after three years. Name both. Half a point for each.

Answers here