Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 22, ahead of Robert Rea, Tony Smith and Hilary Scott on 19. Marion Fountayne, Jayme Bryla and Toby Brown all scored 18 and Johnny Jenkins scored 17. The top team was the Global Newsroom with Alicia Edwards, Chris Golds, Tim Humphrey and Simon English who scored an impressive 24, ahead of King’s Head drinkers Peter, Amanda, Kevin and George and Maura and Phil Parsons and Adam Batstone, Lucy Thorpe and the Deal Massive who all scored 20. Bruce and Sarah Hayward just made it on to the leaderboard with 15. 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 Rwanda Bill cleared Parliament, after eight hours of debate, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declaring the first flight would leave in how many weeks?
2. The Metropolitan Police apologised after an officer described an antisemitism campaigner as '__ Jewish' at a demonstration in London. What is the missing word?
3. Two men were charged in connection with a Channel boat crossing that led to the deaths of how many people, including a seven-year-old girl, on Tuesday?
4. The SNP now has a minority in the Scottish Parliament, with 63 of the 129 seats, after cancelling the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Green Party who hold how many seats?
5. JK Rowling tweeted that 'Karma is a __' as First Minister Humza Yousaf faced backing down on gender ID policies to gain support for his government. What is the missing word?
6. News presenter Huw Edwards resigned from the BBC with the corporation saying, after 40 years of service, the decision was made on what grounds?
7. Parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and co-defendant Christopher Berry appeared at Westminster Magistrates accused of what?
8. Military horses that ran five miles through London had been 'spooked' by what, according to the Household Cavalry?
9. US President Joe Biden signed a $95billion (£76billion) package for aid for Ukraine, Israel and which other country?
10. Shadow cabinet minister Louise Haigh announced that, if Labour wins the next election, one of its first major acts would be to do what within five years?
11. On BBC Question Time policing minister Chris Philp appeared to asked if Rwanda was different to which country? 
12. A 13-year-old girl was charged with attempted murder after three people - two teachers and a pupil - were taken to hospital with stab wounds at a school in which Welsh town?
13. Who was ordered by the High Court to pay £180,000 in libel damages to a drag artist and a charity boss after he referred to them as paedophiles on social media?
14. What three-word insult did Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner use to describe Rishi Sunak during Prime Minister’s Questions?
15. Notting Hill headteacher Andrew O’Neill introduced what in an attempt to tackle pupils’ addiction to smartphones?
16. What was the name of the former Labour minister, MP for Birkenhead for 40 years, who died aged 81?
17. Manchester United reached the FA Cup final by beating which Championship team on penalties?
18. A 7ft bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II, thought to be the first permanent memorial to the late monarch, was unveiled in which English county?
19. Which comedian said he had been 'outrageously shaded’ by Prince William after he referred to his ‘dad jokes’ during a school visit in the West Midlands?
20. What did runner Tom Gilbey stop and do at each mile of the London Marathon?
21. Whose autobiography was released in the UK with sections of text blacked out?
22. Manchester's Co-op Live arena, which will be the largest venue in the UK, postponed its opening sell-out shows, featuring who, as it is not ready?
23. The Spice Girls reunited for a rare performance featuring all five members to mark what occasion?
24. Nine-year-old Cooper Wallace from Chesterfield became a European champion impersonator of what at a competition in Belgium?
25. Which ITV show is to come to an end after 14 years after the lead actress announced she was quitting at the age of 78?

Answers here

It's newsquiz time ...

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 23, just ahead of Toby Brown and Johnny Jenkins on 22, Tony Smith and Janet Boyle on 20, Gavin Devine on 18 and Robert Rea on 17. The top team was the Global Newsroom including Amelia Cox, Steve Holden, Charlotte Lynch and Tim Humphrey on 24, ahead of Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 22, Maura and Phil Parsons on 19 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 16. 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.

1. How many people were stabbed to death at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction, Sydney?
2. The Israeli military said it, with the help of other countries, had intercepted more than how many missiles and drones launched from Iran?
3. Russian military deaths in the war with Ukraine topped what figure, according to research by the BBC’s Russian unit?
4. Which city’s police were ordered by the mayor to shut down a conference for right-wing politicians, including Nigel Farage and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban?
5. The Commons voted by 383 to 67 in favour of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to make it illegal for anyone born in which year or later to buy tobacco products?
6. Tory MP Mark Menzies was suspended after claims he made a late night call to ask for £5,000 as a matter of 'life and death' to pay off what kind of 'people'?
7. Lawyers representing more than 250 survivors of what announced they were taking legal action against MI5?
8. Inflation fell to 3.2 per cent, its lowest level in two-and-a-half years, driven by slowing prices but the cost of which of these did not fall a) pork b) crumpets c) petrol d) chocolate biscuits?
9. A report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health called for what to be made illegal in England and Northern Ireland, saying existing laws were 'unjust and dangerously vague’?
10. Who reacted to advice from Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron by saying: 'I want to make it clear - we will make our own decisions’?
11. Police released a statement on Peter Murrell, the husband of ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon, saying he had been 'charged in connection with the __ of funds from the Scottish National Party’. What is the missing word?
12. Former Prime Minister's Liz Truss's memoir, which she spent the week promoting, is called what?
13. After days of discussion, seven men and five women, including a sales professional, a software engineer, an English teacher and lawyers, were selected for what?
14. More than 14cm (5.6 inches) of rain - the most since records began - caused 'absolute carnage' in which city - with schools closed and flights suspended?
15. Coventry Building Society agreed to pay £780million for which bank? 
16. Lloyds Bank issued an 'urgent warning' after more than 600 of its customers were scammed while attempting to buy what?
17. A 17th Century stock exchange building in the centre of which European city was engulfed by fire with its iconic dragon spire falling into the street?
18. What was the name of the Italian fashion designer, who dressed stars including Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift and Zendaya, who died aged 83?
19. Who settled a privacy case against the publisher of the Sun, saying he could have faced a bill of up to £10million even if he had won?
20. Cricketer Derek Underwood, one of England's greatest spin bowlers, who died aged 78, was known by which nickname?
21. What is to be scrapped from the FA Cup from next season? 
22. How many teams does England have in the semi-finals of the Champions League and Europa League?
23. What did boutique gym boss Rachel Woolford, 28, win?
24. Which musical dominated the Olivier Awards, winning seven of its 11 nominations?
25. Hannah Waddingham was cheered by onlookers after she chided a photographer who appeared to ask her to do what as she arrived for the Olivier awards?

Answers here

Celebrating the regional Press

I had a really enjoyable day at the Regional Press Awards yesterday. The lunch at Quaglino’s in London was a reminder that, despite the hefty challenges our newsrooms face, there is still excellent work by first class and committed journalists out there. As chairman of the judges, alongside Alison Gow, I know that selecting the winners was the toughest of tasks. The quality of submissions was outstanding. So congratulations to all those shortlisted. A special mention has to go to the Belfast Telegraph which collected eight of the 21 awards, including large news brand. Sam McBride picked up three individual awards. Impressive.

The Belfast Telegraph's winning team

The full list of winners and nominations is here. Thanks to Haymarket, the judges, presenter Philip Collins and in particular to Tom Rossage who worked hard to make the day a big success. It was a bonus to meet up with old friends too, some who I had not seen for years. 

Golden oldies: Judges Cathy Duncan, Dave Nicholson, me, 

Neil Fowler, Terry Ramsey, Alan Geere and Michael Crozier

We inevitably continued the celebrations in the Chequers Tavern around the corner. A lovely way to round off a cracking day.

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Robert Rea with 20, ahead of George Mann on 19, Marion Fountayne and Toby Brown on 18 and Andy Reed on 17. The top team was Bruce and Sarah Hayward also on 20 ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 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. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said having dinner with who was 'entirely in line with precedent’?
2. Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh said that what incident would not change the organisation's demands in talks on a ceasefire deal?
3. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his vow to do what and declared: 'There is a date.’
4. The Cass Review said children had been let down by a lack of research and made 32 recommendations on how '__ services' for young people should operate. What is the missing word?
5. It was announced that what is to become a separate criminal offence in England and Wales, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying it would send the message that 'enough is enough'?
6. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised after being accused of ruining the credibility of what?
7. Former gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner reacted to the death of ex-NFL footballer OJ Simpson by posting what two-word message on social media?
8. Two political advisers, after keeping a secret for 50 years, revealed that which politician had an affair with a deputy Press secretary, 22 years younger than him?
9. Police charged a 25-year-old man with the murder of Kulsuma Akter, who was stabbed to death as she pushed her baby in a pram in which city?
10. In a witness statement to the Horizon IT inquiry, former sub-postmaster and campaigner Alan Bates said the Post Office was being run by 'little more than thugs in __' in 2010. What is the missing word?
11. New York Mayor Eric Adams told people to go about their normal day and that first responders were 'working to make sure the city is safe’ after what event?
12. Who declared, in a 20-page document, that sex change operations and surrogacy were 'grave threats to human dignity'?
13. The Arizona Supreme Court reinstated a law from 1864 that bans what, with offences punishable by two to five years in prison?
14. Who said his three eldest children were 'fine' after they were taken to hospital following a three-car crash in Germany.
15. Government minister Kevin Hollinrake called for an investigation into allegations that factories in China were mass-producing fake what for export?
16. Who delivered a list of recommendations about Parkinson's to Downing Street and said the disease 'makes you wish you hadn't been born'?
17. Everton were fined a further two points for a second breach of Premier League financial rules meaning they have been deducted how many points in total this season?
18. Who took part in the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Monday for the first time?
19. The president of the Paris 2024 Olympics said the triathlon could be delayed, or the swimming leg cancelled, for what reason?
20. World Athletics announced Olympic gold medal winners would be paid for the first time at the Paris games. How much, in dollars, will a gold medalist be given?
21. Joe Kinnear, who died aged 77, managed clubs including Wimbledon and Newcastle United after a playing career which saw him make 258 appearances for which team?
22. A total eclipse of the Sun could be seen by people in which three countries?
23. Who did Dorset council apologise to after their vehicles were given parking tickets?
24. A new version of which game, designed to be more collaborative and less 'intimidating', is to be launched?
25. Why was Russ Cook, known as the Hardest Geezer, in the headlines?

Answers here  

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were George Mann and Robert Rea who both scored 22, just ahead of Toby Brown on 21, Janet Boyle on 20, Tony Smith on 18 and Nick Turner on 16. The top teams were Neil and Jo Benson with Easter guests and Maura and Phil Parsons who scored 20. Bruce and Sarah Hayward, Broad Oak boozers Thom, Rosie, Tim and Adam Batstone, Lucy Thorpe and daughter Meg scored 19 and Sam Lawley and Ed Holt 18. 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 today's front pages

1. Seven aid workers, including three Britons, working for which charity were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza?
2. Who called for a ceasefire in Gaza telling an audience of tens of thousands that: 'Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts’?
3. What did Tory MP William Wragg apologise for, saying he had 'hurt people by being weak’?
4. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson resigned as leader of which political party after being charged with sexual offences?
5. According to analysis of NHS data by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, more than how many patients a week were believed to be dying unnecessarily, due to long waits in A&E in England?
6. From Monday, what increased from £10.42 to £11.44?
7. Who announced they had ended their pay dispute with the Government after accepting a deal that means some will receive a 20 per cent increase? 
8. What was introduced this week that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a 'positive and exciting moment’ but which Labour said was ‘a total mess’?
9. Police Scotland said they would not be arresting who, under new hate crime laws, for listing sex offenders who described themselves as transgender on X?
10. British judges have been told by the Sentencing Council, to consider handing out more lenient sentences to who?
11. How did Edward Courage, the heir to Courage Brewery, reportedly save the lives of two brothers in the Swiss Alps?
12. The UK Health Security Agency said one person had died and dozens more were ill after a 'superbug' outbreak linked to contamination found in what?
13. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake in which country killed at least nine people and injured more than 800?
14. Billionaire Joe Lewis, whose family owns which football club, was fined $5million by a New York judge for insider trading?
15. A knifeman held people hostage for nine hours at the Cafe Petticoat nightclub in which European country?
16. Journalist Pouria Zeraati, 36, who was stabbed outside his home in west London, is a TV presenter covering which country?
17. How did 27-year-old actor Chance Perdomo, known for his roles in the Netflix horror series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and the BBC drama Killed by My Debt, die?
18. Oxford rower Leonard Jenkins, talking about the defeat to Cambridge in the annual boat race, said: 'It would be a lot nicer if there wasn't as much __ in the water’. What is the missing word?
19. How old was the boy arrested for killing a child and seriously wounding two others in a shooting at a school in Finland?
20. What is the storm called, named by Met Éireann, which is expected to bring gales to the UK this weekend?

21. Adidas banned football fans from buying German football kits customised with what number because of its resemblance to a Nazi SS symbol?
22. Why did BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan refuse to value an ivory disc engraved with the name of a person and a ship?
23. Bass guitarist Chris Cross, who died aged 71, was credited with co-writing Ultravox’s biggest chart hit which reached No 2 in 1981. What was it called?
24. Which building is to be opened to the public for the first time – for £100 a ticket and an extra £50 for afternoon tea?
25. Who was named the most iconic video game character of all time to mark the 20th Bafta Games Awards?

Answers here

The Good Friday newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle on 20, ahead of George Mann and Robert Rea on 18 and Toby Brown on 15. The top team was the Bournemouth Golfers featuring Adam Batstone, Julian Diamond and David Kohn on 20. Broad Oak drinkers Peter, Stacey, Amanda, Kevin and George scored 19, Maura and Phil Parson 18, Bruce and Sarah Hayward 17 and Neil and Jo Benson 16. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not butter yourself a hot-cross bun (with cheese of course), pour yourself a glass of wine, give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of yesterday's front pages

1. The Princess of Wales released a video telling the world she had cancer and saying: 'My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of __ chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.’ What is the missing word?
2. What is the name of the Moscow concert hall where terrorists killed at least 137 people?
3. Russia charged how many men, who seemed to have been beaten up when they appeared in court, with committing an act of terrorism?
4. What was the name of the Baltimore bridge that collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship?
5. The UN security council voted to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza - but which was the only country to abstain?
6. After China was blamed for a campaign of global cyber attacks, ministers were accused of a muted response with the SNP's defence spokesman saying Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden had 'turned up at a gunfight' with what?
7. High Court judges ruled that the US must give assurances that who has freedom of speech protections and will not receive the death penalty before he can be extradited?
8. Which company was branded ‘uninvestable’ by shareholders who pulled out of plans to invest £500million, leaving it at risk of an emergency Government takeover?
9. Simon Harris became the new leader of Fine Gael, paving the way for him to become Ireland's youngest taoiseach. How old is he?
10. Forty-five people were killed, with an eight-year-old being the only survivor, in a bus crash in which country?
11. A convoy of more than 100 what were used in a protest outside Parliament on Monday?
12. Dave Calhoun will leave his position as chief executive of which company at the end of the year as it faces growing concerns over its safety record?
13. According to British Social Attitudes research, just 24 per cent of people across England, Scotland and Wales, the fewest on record, are satisfied with what?
14. Sean Combs's houses in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by federal agents as he faces accusations of sexual abuse. How is he better known?
15. Which fast food chain announced it was closing nearly a tenth of its outlets, 43 of its 450, as they were ‘underperforming’?
16. George Gilbey, who died after a fall at work near Southend, featured in eight series of which television programme?
17. Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years by a New York court for defrauding customers and investors of his now-bankrupt firm FTX which dealt in what?
18. Two men were found guilty of murdering Cody Fisher, who played football for which academy side, on the dancefloor of a nightclub on Boxing Day in 2022?
19. Rowers taking part in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race were told not to enter the Thames, to cover cuts and to wear footwear after high levels of what were found in the river?
20. Why was 40-year-old Jasmin Paris from Midlothian in the headlines?
21. Which company asked a US police department to stop using its product to hide the faces of suspects on social media?
22. Wales missed out on qualification for Euro 2024 after a penalty defeat to which team?
23. Award-winning actress Olivia Colman, commenting on gender pay disparity, said that if she was called what, she would be earning a lot more money?
24. Whose trousers were censored by North Korea's state TV channel, reportedly because denim is seen as a 'symbol of American imperialism’?
25. It was announced that Ernie, who has worked every day at Warwick Castle for 30 years, will be retiring to the Yorkshire Dales. What is Ernie?

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Tony Smith and Chay Quinn with scores of 23, ahead of Toby Brown on 21, George Mann, Philip Leftwich and Janet Boyle on 20, Jayme Bryla on 18 and Robert Rea on 16. The top team was the Global Newsroom Drive Team (Lucinda Horsley, Amelia Cox, Tim Humphrey, Alicia Edwards and Alice Young) with another maximum score of 25. Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Neil and Jo Benson scored 20, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe scored 18, as did Red Lion drinkers Stacey, Kevin and George, with a guest appearance by landlord Gary, and Broad Oak boozers Thom, Tim, Craig and Rosie scored 16. 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. 

Today's front pages

1. The rate of inflation fell to what per cent, its lowest level in almost two and a half years?
2. Allies of Rishi Sunak were critical of which senior Tory who failed to deny being lined up as a potential unity candidate to replace the Prime Minister?
3. An official report recommended the Government apologised and paid compensation to women supported by the Waspi campaign. What does Waspi stand for?
4. Vladimir Putin claimed his fifth term as president after winning what per cent of the vote, according to the Kremlin?
5. Which prime minister announced his resignation for 'personal and political' reasons, saying he was 'not the best person for the job any more’?
6. Three London Clinic workers were reported to have been suspended over claims they did what?
7. The US justice department filed a landmark lawsuit against which company accusing it of illegally limiting competitors and consumer options?
8. Head of MI6 Sir Richard Moore and Cabinet secretary Sir Simon Case resigned from which club over its refusal to accept women members?
9. Vaughan Gething, who became Wales's first minister and the first black leader of a national government in Europe, was born in which country?
10. IT worker Luke D’Wit, who killed an Essex couple and rewrote their will, was jailed for a minimum of 37 years. What did he use to poison them?

11. Ofcom ruled that GB News broke broadcasting regulations in five episodes of programmes hosted by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Philip Davies and which other Tory MP?
12. Nicholas Hawkes, 39, became the first person in England to be sentenced for what when he was jailed for 66 weeks at Southend Crown Court?
13. On Wednesday which retailer became the fourth to report IT outages after McDonald’s, Tesco and Sainsbury's?
14. According to the World Happiness Report, Finland remained the happiest country for a seventh year in a row while Britain fell one place to what position?
15. What ‘playful update’ did Nike add to the England football team's new home kit, which got some fans and former players hot under the collar?
16. Supermarket Iceland upset traditionalists and Christians by replacing the cross on its hot cross buns with what?
17. A metal detectorist found England’s 'largest ever' gold nugget worth more than £30,000 on farmland in which English county?
18. Islington Council said it was installing CCTV cameras and looking at other ways to protect what, saying: 'We very much want it to stay’?
19. Steve Harley, who died aged 73, reached No 1 in the UK in 1975 singing which song with Cockney Rebel?
20. Tesco lost a court appeal in a row with Lidl over the use of a what?
21. Nottingham Forest dropped into the relegation zone of the Premier League after being deducted how many points for a breach of financial rules?
22. Dame Laura Kenny, who announced her retirement from cycling, is Britain's most successful female Olympian having won how many gold medals?
23. An error by a shop owner on the Orkney island of Sanday left him with 720 what instead of the 80 that he meant to order?
24. Joni Mitchell, Garth Brooks, Annie Lennox and Metallica played tributes to which duo who collected the Gershwin Prize for their contribution to music in Washington? Half a point for each name.
25. A video went viral of Ed Sheeran singing in what language at a concert on Saturday as part of his Asia and Europe Tour?

Answers here

Test your knowledge with the newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Robert Rea and George Mann both on 22, ahead of Toby Brown on 20 and Marion Fountayne and Nick Turner on 18. The top team was Amelia Cox and the Global Newsroom with another maximum score of 25. The Broad Oak drinkers Peter, Stacey, Nicky, Les, Kevin and Amanda scored 22, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 21 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 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 today's front pages

1. What was the name of the Conservative donor who reportedly said MP Diane Abbott 'should be shot’?
2. Veteran MP Diane Abbott was ignored by the Speaker during the PMQs debate about racist comments, in which she was a central character, despite standing up to speak how many times?
3. Former Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson became the first-ever MP for which political party?
4. The Communities Secretary Michael Gove unveiled a new definition of what?
5. Defence sources accused Russia of a 'wildly irresponsible' act of electronic warfare for allegedly jamming the satellite signal on an RAF aircraft carrying who back from Poland?
6. US President Joe Biden and predecessor Donald Trump won their parties’ nominations meaning what will happen in November’s presidential election for the first time since 1956?
7. Apologising for the doctored image of her children, the Princess of Wales said: 'Like many __ __, I do occasionally experiment with editing.’ What are the missing two words?
8. NHS England announced that children will no longer routinely be prescribed what?
9. The Office for National Statistics announced that what items had been included in the basket of goods used to calculate inflation, for the first time since 1992, because of a 'resurgence of popularity’?
10. Thirty-four bodies were removed from the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, following reports of 'concern for care of the deceased’, in which city?
11. The headteacher at Redbridge Community School in Southampton wrote a letter to parents apologising for what?
12. According to the Office for National Statistics, a fifth of adults aged 16 to 64 in the UK were what? 
13. A ship, carrying almost 200 tonnes of aid, finally set sail for Gaza from which country?
14. Who revealed he had been sexually abused at the age of 11 by a predatory assistant matron, who he describes as a 'voracious paedophile’, at his boarding school?
15. Jonathan Wade, of National Highways, told people to avoid what by finding 'something to do at home – decorate the bathroom or something, or play in the garden’?
16. Who launched a brand called American Riviera Orchard for home, food, garden and lifestyle goods?
17. The second day of the Cheltenham Festival, previously known as Ladies Day, was renamed what?
18. England's James Anderson became the first pace bowler to take how many Test wickets?
19. Which singers called Louis Walsh 'spiteful and disrespectful' after he described them as ‘vile’ to his Celebrity Big Brother housemates’?
20. Where did three-year-old Viking triumph on Sunday?
21. Who raised almost £1million for Red Nose Day by attempting to cycle from London to Hull in five days?
22. Which Canadian singer will play the coveted 'legend slot' on Sunday afternoon at this year’s Glastonbury?
23. Former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan was voted the Weakest Link on the TV quiz after saying the White Cliffs of Dover were made from what?
24. Who explained why he did not read out the names of all ten best picture nominees at the Oscars, saying the show's producers made the decision?
25. Barbie, last year's highest grossing film, received just one award at the Oscars? What was it for?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with a score of 22, just ahead of Janet Boyle 21, Marion Fountayne, Toby Brown, Johnny Jenkins and Jayme Bryla all on 19 and Robert Rea on 18. The top team was the Red Lion drinkers Peter, Stacey, Kevin and Amanda on 22, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 21, Bruce and Sarah Hayward, Neil and Jo Benson and Broad Oak drinkers Thom, Clare, Tim, Taylor and Kev on 19 and Maura and Phil Parsons 16. 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. 

Different front page approaches to Wednesday's Budget

1. In his Budget Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a cut in National Insurance by how much in the pound, matching a previous cut in January?

2. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said he planned an extra tax on what in October 2026 as a deterrent? 
3. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Budget was 'the last desperate act of a party that has failed' and branded Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak as 'the __ __ of decline’. What are the two missing words?
4. Labour peer Peter Mandelson, discussing the importance of presentation in politics, said that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer needed to do what?
5. Science Secretary Michelle Donelan faced calls to resign after taxpayers paid how much to cover damages given to an academic who she had falsely accused of supporting Hamas?
6. Who announced she had taken the 'difficult decision’ to stand down, after 27 years as Maidenhead MP, at the next election?
7. Government commissioner Robin Simcox said that London had become a 'no-go zone' for who?
8. A seven-year investigation found that an Army spy, with what codename, who operated at the heart of the IRA during the Troubles probably cost more lives than he saved?
9. Who quit GB News after media regulator Ofcom said that broadcasting rules had been broken? 
10. Nikki Haley quit her presidential campaign, making Donald Trump the last Republican in the race, after the Super Tuesday results saw her win a single state. What was it?
11. Which country officially became the 32nd member of Nato at a ceremony in Washington?
12. Who said it fully accepted a report that concluded its £100million fund to address historical links to slavery was 'too small’ and should be £1billion?
13. Which company was fined €1.8billion (£1.5billion) by the EU for breaking competition laws over music streaming?
14. France became the first country in the world to include the right to what in its constitution?
15. A major fire near a stadium resulted in which football club postponing their Championship match against Preston North End?
16. Which country declared a state of emergency after thousands of inmates escaped prison and armed gang leaders threatened civil war if the Prime Minister did not resign?
17. Weapons handler Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who loaded a gun for actor Alec Baldwin before it killed a cinematographer on the set of which film, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter?
18. The theme from Terminator 2 and Frank Sinatra’s My Way were played at whose funeral?
19. Which company reached an agreement to buy Virgin Money in a £2.9billion deal?
20. Which organisation, founded in the City of London Tavern in Bishopsgate on March 4 1824, celebrated its bicentenary and calculated it had saved 146,277 lives?
21. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty discussed how they shared loading the dishwasher, putting out the rubbish and doing the cooking, in an exclusive video interview for which magazine?
22. Dave Rowntree, the drummer from which Britpop band, was selected as the Labour candidate for Mid Sussex?
23. What happened to 71-year-old grandmother Anne Hughes in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, that was caught on CCTV and viewed by millions?

24.The shirt worn by Colin Firth during the TV adaptation of which novel was sold at auction for £20,000 in London?
25. Singer/songwriter Raye made history at the Brit Awards by winning how many awards?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was David Banks with an impressive PB of 24, ahead of Janet Boyle on 22, Toby Brown, Andy Reed and George Mann on 20 and Robert Rea on 18. The top team was Tom Croasdell and the Global Newsroom who, for the third time, scored a maximum 25. The Plough drinkers scored 23, Bruce and Sarah Hayward 20 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 18. Here is this week's newsquiz. 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 yesterday's front pages

1. George Galloway won the Rochdale by-election, with a majority of 5,697, standing for which party?

2. In his victory speech after winning the Rochdale by-election, George Galloway said: ‘Keir Starmer - this is for __.’ What is the missing word?

3. Tory MP Lee Anderson had the party whip withdrawn for saying: 'I don't actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they've got control of __’. What is the missing name? 

4. The Home Office announced a £31million package that included improving the safety of who?
5. Home Secretary James Cleverly asked who to stop what they were doing as they had 'made their point’ and were 'not really saying anything new’?

6. Why did Downing Street criticise a West End production of Slave Play, describing it as 'wrong and divisive’?

7. The Resolution Foundation reported that what was on the rise among young people - with 34 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 affected?

8. Thousands of people from which industry gathered outside the Welsh Parliament to protest against the Government's proposed subsidy plans?

9. Donald Trump took a step closer to the Republican presidential nomination after a 20-point margin win against Nikki Haley in which state, where she served as governor?
10. President Volodymyr Zelensky said how many Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the Russian invasion?

11. The minimum fine for parents taking children out of school without permission will rise across England from September from £60 to how much per parent?

12. Which retailer announced plans to cut around 1,500 jobs as part of an attempt to save around £1billion a year?
13. Which sporting executive was ­exonerated of any wrongdoing by an ­independent investigation into allegations of ­inappropriate beha­viour made by a female ­member of staff?

14. An independent inquiry said that police services required a 'radical overhaul' to its recruitment process 'to stop another __ __ operating in plain sight’. What is the missing name?
15. Prince William unexpectedly pulled out of a memorial service for who, where he had been due to give a reading, because of a 'personal matter’?
16. Iain Packer was given the second longest sentence in Scottish legal history for the murder of Emma Caldwell almost 20 years ago. He was sentenced to life, serving at least how many years?
17. Hundreds of people are to be moved out of their council homes in which city after the properties were found to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC)?

18. Welsh singer Charlotte Church denied being antisemitic after leading a choir in a rendition of what song?

19. TV chef Dave Myers, who died aged 66, was one half of which duo with co-star Si King?
20. The 'discriminatory term' Hottentots led to which film being reclassified from a U to a PG?

21. Which European footballer said he was 'sad, shocked and heartbroken' after being banned from football for four years for a doping offence?

22. Who postponed her Las Vegas residency due to illness?
23. Everton's penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules was reduced from ten points to how many after an appeal?
24. The Royal Mint added which pop star to its Music Legends series, with the issue of three collectible coins?
25. Where will Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Fern Britton and Levi Roots reportedly be next week?

Answers here 

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were George Mann and Janet Boyle with 21.5, narrowly ahead of Robert Rea and Liz Gerard on 21. Toby Brown scored 20.5, Nick Turner 19 and Jon Ball 17. The top team was Tony and Christine Smith with an impressive 24, just ahead of Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Maura and Phil Parsons on 23, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 21, Neil and Jo Benson and Jack Elsom and Monica Greep on 20.5 and Gavin Devine and his Ypres Castle friends 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. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle faced calls to resign for breaking with parliamentary convention by doing what?
2. Britain's top immigration officer David Neal was sacked after claiming the UK Border Force failed to check hundreds of private jets arriving at which UK airport?
3. Lord David Cameron was the first Foreign Secretary in 30 years to visit where?
4. A row erupted between former Post Office chairman Henry Staunton and the Government after he said in a Sunday Times interview that he had been told to do what by a top civil servant?
5. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, talking about new guidance for headteachers, said: 'You go to school, you go to learn, you go to create those friendships, you go to speak to people and socialise and you go to get educated – you don’t go to sit on your __ __.’ What are the two missing words?
6. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps saw what go ‘plop’?
7. The Foreign Office froze the assets of six Russians and banned them from travelling to the UK. Where did they work?
8. The Home Office said it was 'pleased' with which Court of Appeal ruling, saying: 'Our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK and we will robustly defend any decision made in doing so’?
9. NHS England announced the introduction of __ rule under which patients will be granted the right to obtain an urgent second opinion about their care. What is the missing name?
10. Three children, aged nine months, three and seven, were found dead at a suburban semi-detached house in which city?
11. American firm Intuitive Machines became the first private company to land a spacecraft on the Moon. What was the craft called?
12. The Equality and Human Rights Commission said that what symptoms should be considered a disability and employers face being sued if they do not make 'reasonable adjustments'?
13. At least four people died and more were missing after a massive fire ripped through apartment blocks in which European city?
14. Which London building is set to become a hotel after it was sold to MCR Hotels for £275million?
15. Police said they were investigating after a Star of David necklace on whose statue, in Camden Market, London, was covered with a sticker of a Palestinian flag?
16. Footballer Dani Alves, who played 126 times for Brazil, was sentenced to four years and six months for raping a woman in a nightclub in which city?
17. Which former Olympic champion said he was 'optimistic, positive and surrounded by love' after revealing he was diagnosed with cancer?
18. Actor Michael J.Fox, who was diagnosed with what condition when he was 29, made a surprise appearance at the Baftas to present the best film award?
19. John Savident, known for playing butcher Fred Elliott in which TV series, died aged 86?
20. Roy Hodgson, who left Crystal Palace days after falling ill during a training session, was the oldest ever manager in the Premier League. How old is he?
21. What was the name of the former dancing professional on Strictly Come Dancing, who partnered Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden, who died aged 44?
22. The V&A museum in London is looking to recruit an adviser to give the insights into memorabilia related to who?
23. To the nearest million how much did Richard and Debbie Nuttall from Colne, Lancashire, win in the EuroMillions jackpot?
24. A study by Chemnitz University in Germany found there were 546 words in the English language which mean what?
25. According to research by Perspectus Global what was voted the UK's favourite sweet?

Answers here 

It's newsquiz time!

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Chay Quinn and Johnny Jenkins both with a score of 23, ahead of George Mann on 21.5, Janet Boyle on 20.5, Jon Brady on 20 and Robert Rea on 16. The top team was Alicia Edwards and the Global Newsroom with a maximum score of 25, ahead of Red Lion drinkers Stacey, Peter, Kevin, Amanda, George, Nicky and Les on 23. Jack Elsom and Monica Greep scored 22, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 20, Maura and Phil Parsons 18.5 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 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. 

Today's front pages

1. The swing from the Conservatives to Labour in which constituency’s by-election was the second biggest in any post-war election, overturning a majority of 18,000?
2. What is the name of the Rochdale by-election candidate who the Labour Party will no longer support because of his comments about Israel?
3. After the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'Having spent years in the slow lane, Rishi Sunak has now put our economy into reverse. This is Rishi’s __ and it is the British people who will pay the price.’ What is the missing word?
4. Despite the first monthly fall in food prices in more than two years, inflation remained unchanged in January at what per cent?
5. What is the name of the small border town in Gaza, where around 1.5 million civilians are living, which came under heavy Israeli air strikes?
6. Police were called to which Tory backbencher’s home after dozens of people, some holding Palestinian flags, were filmed gathering outside and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza?
7. Three people who wore and displayed images of what were found guilty of a terror offence and given a 12-month conditional discharge at Westminister magistrates court?
8. US presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would 'encourage' Russia to attack any Nato member that failed to do what?
9. Where was mother-of-two and radio DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan killed?
10. DJ Steve Wright, who presented programmes for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades, died 'unexpectedly’. How old was he?
11. In a controversial revamp Harry and Meghan's website Archewell now automatically redirects people to __.com. What is the missing word?

12. In an interview with Good Morning America, Prince Harry said he had considered becoming what, adding ‘the thought has crossed my mind but not a high priority right now’?
13. The Times reported that the Home Office had a budget of about £30,000 to pay influencers on TikTok to do what?
14. According to the British Retail Consortium what hit a record high last year with 16.7 million incidents recorded?
15. Names for London's six Overground lines were revealed. They are the Mildmay line, the Weaver line, the Suffragette line, the Liberty line and which two others? Half a point for each.
16. Cosmetics chain The Body Shop, which collapsed into administration putting more than 2,200 jobs at risk, was founded in 1976 by which environmental campaigner?
17. Piran Ditta Khan, 75, appeared in court charged with murdering PC Sharon Beshenivsky in 2005 when she had responded to a robbery at a travel agents in which city?
18. Retailers, including Sainsbury’s, warned that Britain could face shortages of what due to supply issues caused by Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea?
19. More than 100 people were told by a clinic, at Guy's Hospital in London, that what may have been damaged?
20. The High Court ruled which university had contributed to the death of a 20-year-old student who took her own life while suffering from a mental health condition?
21. What was watched by 123.4 million people in the US, making it the most viewed broadcast since the 1969 moon landing?
22. Which country won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title for the third time?

23. Sir Paul McCartney was reunited with what after 51 years?

24. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean appropriately announced their retirement from skating on a visit to which city?
25. Which presenters were unveiled as the new hosts of ITV’s This Morning, replacing Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Half a point for each name.

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 22.5, ahead of Robert Rea and Toby Brown on 20, Meg Byrom on 19.5 and Emily Cooper on 17.

The top teams were Bruce and Sarah Hayward, Maura and Phil Parsons and Red Lion drinkers Peter and Stacey all on 20. Also on the leaderboard were Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe with 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. 

Today's front pages

1. After his cancer diagnosis King Charles was driven from Clarence House to Buckingham Palace where he was flown by helicopter to where?

2. The day after visiting his cancer-stricken father in London, the Duke of Sussex gave a speech and presented awards at a ceremony in Las Vegas for which sport?

3. Rishi Sunak declined to apologise after listing a 'number of Labour U-turns' at Prime Minister’s Questions and accusing Keir Starmer of changing his position on defining what?
4. Liz Truss and Jacob Rees-Mogg were among politicians who launched a new political movement to 'rally right-wing Tory MPs ahead of a General Election'. What is the group called?
5. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was accused of taking a 'depraved’ £1,000 bet with who over whether deportation flights to Rwanda will take off before the election?
6. Labour leader Keir Starmer said he had no choice but to ditch his party's green investment pledge of how much a year?
7. America fired more than 125 'precision munitions' from long-range bombers at which two countries, warning they could be just 'the beginning' of its response? Half a point for each.
8. The Government announced a bonus of how much to dentists who set up practices in areas with poor access to NHS care?
9. Hundreds of people queued up outside St Pauls Dental Practice, which enrolled 1,500 people in two days, in which city?
10. Russian leader Vladimir Putin gave an interview with which American broadcaster, his first with the Western media since the invasion of Ukraine?
11. US President Joe Biden, responding to a report that said his memory had 'significant limitations', inadvertently referred to Egyptian leader Abdul Fattah al-Sisi as the president of which country?
12. Who will remain in prison after losing a Parole Board bid for freedom with the panel saying he continued to show a 'lack of victim empathy'?
13. Rapper Ashley Warren was arrested after the death of 68-year-old grandmother Esther Martin in his house in Essex. How did she die?
14. Which singer's lawyers issued a cease-and-desist letter to 21-year-old Florida student Jack Sweeney?
15. Which airline started weighing passengers at departure gates?
16. Jonnie Irwin, who died aged 50, was best known for presenting Channel 4's A Place In The Sun and which BBC programme?
17. Ian Lavender, who died aged 77, was best known for playing Private Pike in the comedy Dad’s Army but was also Derek Harkinson in which BBC series?
18. What was the name of the Wales and Lions fly-half, nicknamed 'the King' after a victorious tour of New Zealand in 1971, who died aged 79?
19. The Premier League said it had ruled out being part of an International Football Association Board pilot scheme to introduce what?
20. F1 Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who is facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour, is married to which singer? 
21. TV presenter Kate Garraway said that being called what, by an Amazon deliveryman, 'took my breath away'?
22. What happened to US rapper Killer Mike after he won three categories at the Grammys?
23. Taylor Swift has now won the most number of Album Of The Year awards at the Grammys, moving ahead of Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and Paul Simon. How many has she won?

24. Fifa announced that the 2026 football World Cup final will be held on July 19 in which American state?
25. An image of what animal, taken by British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani, won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award?

Answers here

Meg wins the newsquiz wine

Meg, with the wine, and Emily

I have spent the last week with two bright Daily Mail trainees in London. They wrote stories, pitched to the newsdesk and to Femail and gained an understanding of Mail style. As usual we finished with the newsquiz. The winner, who collected a bottle of Picpoul, was Meg Bryom with 19.5 points, narrowly beating Emily Cooper. They now head back to the newsrooms in London and Glasgow and I wish them well. 

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 23, ahead of Giles Borg on 21, Tom Savage on 20, Toby Brown on 19 and Robert Rea on 16.
The top team was Amelia Cox and the Global newsroom with a maximum score of 25. Well done to them. The Queen’s Head drinkers Kevin, Mandy, Peter, Stacey, Nicky, Les and Simon scored 23, Jack Elsom and Monica Greep scored 20, Thom, Tim and Craig and Neil and Jo Benson scored 19.5, Maura and Phil Parsons 19 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 17. Here is this week’s score. See if you can beat Meg’s score.

Today's front pages

1. The identity of the two underage killers of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey was lifted at Manchester Crown Court. What are their names? Half a point for each.
2. The International Monetary Fund advised Chancellor Jeremy Hunt against doing what in his spring budget?
3. In a controversial speech Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: ’We should be starting to set out what a __ __ would look like - what it would comprise, how it would work.’ What are the two missing words?
4. What is the name of the Conservative MP who announced he would not contest the next election, saying: 'There comes a point when the threats to your personal safety become too much’?
5. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the Government would take ’strong action’ to ban what?
6. A tearful Nicola Sturgeon told the Covid Inquiry that a large part of her wished she had not been what when the pandemic struck?
7. Politician Michelle O'Neill looks set to become the first ever what?
8. The Office for National Statistics projected that the UK population will be how many million in two years time?
9. Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, 35, was on the run after a 'targeted’ chemical attack on a mother and her two daughters in which London suburb? 
10. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was given two prison sentences in two days. The first was for ten years. How long was the second?
11. Civil servants were told at workshops that looking at their phones or doing what could be interpreted as micro-aggression?
12. A 30-year-old man, who was shot dead by police after breaking into a South London house, was carrying a knife, sword, hatchet and which other weapon?
13. A 44-year-old man was charged with murder and five others were detained after the fatal stabbings of two boys aged 15 and 16 in which city?
14. King Charles was discharged on Monday, after treatment for an enlarged prostate, having spent how many nights in the London Clinic private hospital?
15. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed that he did not eat anything for how many hours at the start of each week?
16. Tech billionaire Elon Musk claimed his Neuralink company has successfully done what?
17. Who claimed that he was a target at the BBC because of professional jealously and that he was 'a second-generation immigrant of non-white, working-class roots’?
18. Who became the first football team from the sixth tier to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup since 1978?
19. Footballer Marcus Rashford was dropped from Manchester United’s FA Cup tie after going on a two-day bender in which city?
20. The Metropolitan police apologised after a volunteer officer was filmed telling 20-year-old Harmonie London to stop doing what?
21. Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton announced he will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season and join which rival team?
22. What was shot with a tranquilliser dart while feeding off a bird table and returned to the Highland wildlife park where it lives?
23. Who auctioned off 120 of his guitars and amps raising over £8million - some for charity? 
24. Who was announced as Paul O’Grady's replacement on the TV series For the Love of Dogs?
25. Harry Clark collected £95,000 for being a good what?

Answers here

Daily Mail looking for trainees

Last year I celebrated my 20th year running the Daily Mail's editorial training scheme. There have been more than 500 trainees in London, New York and Sydney ... many who are now senior executives on the papers and online. The details are here. And today we start all over again. We are looking for budding journalists who want to work for Britain's most successful newspaper group. The details are on Hold The Front Page here. Get your application in and I might see you in September.