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