First newsquiz of 2024

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 22 just ahead of George Mann on 21, Toby Brown and Jayme Bryla on 19 and Marion Fountayne on 18. The top teams were Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Maura and Phil Parsons with Alexandra and Will and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe who all scored 22. Jack Elsom and Monica Greep and Meike Leonard with Tom, David, Ben, Ivo and Jane both scored 20. Our Peter, Jackie, Sarah and Joe scored 17. Nobody got a bonus point for recognising the French resort of Le Grau Du Roi. Here is the first quiz of 2024. Give it a go and let me know your score.

Today's front pages

1. The epicentre of the earthquake that left at least 64 people dead was on which Japanese peninsula?

2. Five people working for which organisation were killed after their plane was hit by a Japan Airlines Airbus on the runway at Tokyo's Haneda airport?

3. Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said the Government would not hesitate to take 'direct action’ against which group to prevent attacks on ships?

4. The deputy political leader of Hamas, Saleh al-Arouri, was assassinated in which city?

5. More than 100 people were killed and 150 wounded after two explosions rocked a ceremony at a cemetery in which country?

6. In his new year's message, President Volodymyr Zelensky promised a sharp increase in the amount of weapons Ukraine produces next year with at least a million what being built?
7. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak indicated that he expected to call a General Election 'in the second half' of 2024 - but in what month is the latest an election can be called?

8. A petition calling for Paula Vennells to be stripped of her CBE passed 350,000 signatures following what?

9. What is the name of the Danish Queen who announced her surprise abdication in a new year TV address?
10. How were Kate Vokes, 54, and her son Archie, 22, killed?
11. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Britain and Ireland have the highest rate of consumption of what in the world?
12. A 15-year-old boy was arrested following the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Harry Pitman while waiting to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks on which London hill?
13. Father of two Liam Stych rescued a mother and her three-year-old child from a car that was submerged in water under a bridge in which city?
14. Camila Batmanghelidjh, who died aged 61, created which children’s charity, becoming one of the most powerful campaigners for disadvantaged youngsters?
15. TV presenter Kate Garraway announced that her husband Derek Draper had died after a battle with long covid. How old was he?

16. What connected Former US President Bill Clinton, singer Michael Jackson, magician David Copperfield and Pope John Paul II this week?

17. What was the name of the actress who played Mrs Banks in Mary Poppins and the title role in Miranda, in which she starred as a mermaid, who died aged 100?
18. Who was ‘at home’ after being freed on parole, nearly 11 years after murdering his girlfriend? 

19. Who defeated teenager Luke ’The Nuke' Littler to win his first darts World Championship title?
20. Nine-year-old Tony Hudgell became the youngest person to do what?
21. The husband of Tory peer Michelle Mone claimed his family was being treated 'like a __' to distract from Government ‘incompetence’. What is the missing word?
22. The earliest version of which cartoon couple were freed from copyright restrictions?

23. Which journalist saw his report on genocide caused by Pol Pot’s reign of terror in Cambodia take over half of the Daily Mirror, won an Emmy for the documentary Year Zero: The Silent Death of Cambodia, was banned from South Africa by the apartheid regime and witnessed the assassination of Robert Kennedy in Los Angeles?
24. Which football club sacked manager Wayne Rooney after just 83 days and 15 games in charge?
25. Which two teams were top of the English and Scottish Premier Leagues on the first day of 2024? Half a point for each? 

Answers here