Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 22 just ahead of Marion Fountayne and Robert Rea on 21, Toby Brown and the Rev Leon on 20 and Kirsty Lewis on 17. The top team was Neil and Jo Benson on 22, ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons on 21, Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Our Peter, Jackie, Mark and Ali on 19, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 18 and Thom, Tim and Craig on 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. 

A selection of today's front pages

1. How many Labour MPs had the whip suspended for six months after voting against the Government on an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap?

2. Who was the first candidate to officially declare that they will be a contender for the Tory leadership?
3. The Home Office announced it was ending the use of what as part of an expected £7.7 billion of savings in asylum costs over the next ten years?
4. Eluned Morgan, 57, is to make history by becoming the first woman to hold which role?
5. Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi approached backers to finance a £600million bid to buy what?

6. How old is Vice-President Kamala Harris who became the Democrat's nominee for president, replacing 81-year-old Joe Biden?
7. Donald Trump reacted to Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race by issuing a statement on Truth Social which said: ‘__ Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - and never was!’ What is the missing word?
8. Vice-President Kamala Harris missed an address by who to Congress on Wednesday, choosing instead to give a speech at a sorority conference in Indianapolis?
9. In the BBC’s list of salaries for 2023-24 which presenter was third, behind Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball, with a salary of £475,000?
10. Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike promised to improve how it tests software after millions of PCs displayed what was known as ‘__ screens of death’. What is the missing word?
11. A police officer was suspended after footage on social media showed a man being kicked in the head and stamped on at which airport?
12. Six people, including two children, were killed in a crash on the A61 between which two Yorkshire towns? Half a point for each.
13. Figures released by the Department for Transport revealed that what had reached its highest level for 13 years?
14. In its cost of living report, the Competition and Markets Authority said last year people in the UK were overcharged £1.6 billion for what?

15. Lt Col Mark Teeton was stabbed near Brompton Barracks in which English county?
16. Just Stop Oil activists Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland were found guilty of criminal damage at Southwark Crown Court for throwing tomato soup on to which painting?

17. Why did Eurostar cancel a quarter its trains to Paris this weekend?
18. Ray Reardon, the six-time world snooker champion who died aged 91, was affectionately given what nickname for his widow’s peak hairline and prominent teeth?
19. Why did Britain's Charlotte Dujardin, a six-time Olympic dressage medallist, withdraw from the Paris Games?
20. Former marathon world champion Paula Radcliffe said she was 'very sorry’ and ‘mortified' for doing what?
21. Abdul ‘Duke' Fakir, the last surviving member of which pop group, died aged 88?
22. Who was charged with making malicious communications over tweets relating to broadcaster and footballer Eniola Aluko?

23. The first football match in the Paris Olympics was delayed by more than an hour following crowd trouble. Which two countries were taking part? Half a point for each.
24. John Mayall, who died aged 90, fronted which band that featured, over the years, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor and Peter Green?
25. Which actress criticised Donald Trump’s Vice-Presidential candidate, JD Vance, on instagram for calling Democrats a 'bunch of childless cat ladies with miserable lives’?

Answers here 

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Chay Quinn with 23, just ahead of George Mann on 22. The Rev Leon, Marion Fountayne and Janet Boyle all scored 21, Sally Duffin 18.5 and Robert Rea and Gavin Devine 18. The top team was the Cricketers drinkers including Our Peter, Jackie, Trev, Carole, Bill, Sue, Catherine and Carolyn with a score of 21. Maura and Phil Parsons and Red Lion drinkers Stacey and Peter both scored 19, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 18 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 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.

A selection of today's front pages

1. Former President Donald Trump was wounded while speaking at a rally in which Pennsylvania town?

2. What was the name of the 20-year-old who the FBI said had shot Donald Trump?
3. When Donald Trump was rushed off stage after the shooting he twice shouted ‘let me get my __’. What is the missing word?
4. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said her agents had not guarded the building, from where the shooter opened fire on Donald Trump, because it had what?
5. Supporters of Donald Trump wore what ‘as a sign of love’ at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee?
6. Donald Trump’s vice-presidential choice, JD Vance, said the UK, under Labour, could become the first what to get a nuclear weapon?
7. How many bills were outlined in the King’s Speech?
8. Which of these was NOT included in the King’s Speech a) renationalising the railways b) removing the right of hereditary peers to vote in the Lords c) introducing voting for 16 and 17-year-olds d) banning conversion therapy?
9. Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced pressure, including from the SNP which tabled an amendment to the King's Speech, calling for what to be scrapped?
10. An inquiry chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett found that what were 'labyrinthine in their complexity', 'outdated and lacked adaptability' and were 'virtually abandoned on the first encounter'?
11. What is the name of the cybersecurity company which was blamed for an IT outage that caused chaos for airlines, broadcasters, banks and supermarkets today (Friday)?
12. Who encouraged people to support a GoFundMe campaign so she could 'give her boy what he deserved'?

13. Roger Hallam, jailed for five years at Southwark Crown Court for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, is co-founder of which organisation?
14. Vaughan Gething quit as Welsh first minister after how many months in the job?
15. Hundreds of people took to the streets, torched a bus and overturned a police car in which English city?
16. The BBC announced it was to introduce what to Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals following complaints about two of its former dancers?
17. Police began a new search in Hertfordshire for the remains of Muriel McKay, who was murdered after being kidnapped 54 years ago when she was mistaken for whose wife?
18. Actor Alec Baldwin broke down in tears when a New Mexico judge dismissed the charge of __ manslaughter against him for a fatal shooting. What is the missing word?
19. Welwyn Garden City FC paid tribute to former player Juan Cifuentes who was found dead, alongside his business partner, in a burnt out car in which country?
20. What did James Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, do on the balcony at Lord’s to a cheering crowd after his final international game?
21. England’s women footballers qualified for next year’s Euros following a 0-0 draw with which country?
22. England men's manager Gareth Southgate resigned following England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euros final after how many games in charge?
23. Harry Kane was the joint top scorer in the Euros, along with five other players, with how many goals?
24. Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest male tennis player to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season. How old is he?
25. King Charles was presented with duck eggs, instead of the traditional dead birds, when he visited where?


Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s election newsquiz was George Mann with a personal best of 24, just ahead of Gavin Devine also with a PB of 23.5. Marion Fountayne and Janet Boyle scored 23, Liz Gerard and Sally Duffin 22, Robert Rea and Jo Wadsworth 21, the Rev Leon 20.5, Judith M 20, Nick Turner 19 and Ian McCulloch 16. The top team was Bruce and Sarah Hayward with Kennedy Paver and friends who scored 24, just ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons with 23. Our Peter, Jackie, Carole and Trevor scored 22 and Lucy Thorpe and Rachel Martin 19. Here's 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.

1. Labour swept to power in a landslide victory in the General Election, winning how many of the 650 seats?
2. Former Labour leader Ed Miliband was appointed to which Cabinet position?
3. Who is the new Home Secretary?
4. At his first Press conference since entering Number 10, Keir Starmer said what was 'dead and buried’?
5. What did Prime Minister Keir Starmer say was a 'much worse problem’ than he thought, had left him 'genuinely shocked’ and was 'almost beyond recklessness from the previous government’?
6. Who resigned his position in the shadow cabinet, saying: 'As a committed Conservative I will continue to support the party and help where I can as we rebuild from the very disappointing election result’?
7. Sam Carling, who won the North West Cambridgeshire seat for Labour, became the first ever MP to have been what?
8. Tory leadership contender Kemi Badenoch reportedly accused her potential rival, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, of having a 'very public’ what?
9. Joe Biden made two mistakes at the Nato summit where he called Kamala Harris 'Vice President __’ and introduced Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian leader, as 'President __’. What are the two missing names?
10. Which actor and prominent Democratic fundraiser called for Joe Biden to quit the US presidential race?
11. A mother and her two daughters were killed by a man with a crossbow in which Hertfordshire town?
12. Why did jockeys at Newmarket and Kempton Park wear black armbands?
13. What linked author Jeffrey Archer, former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and ex-Daily Telegraph owner Conrad Black this week?
14. What is the name of broad Left alliance that gained the most votes in France’s election on Sunday?
15. Regulator Ofwat said it wanted water firms to limit rises for households to an average of how much a year until 2030 in England and Wales?
16. Security guard Gavin Plumb was sentenced to life with a minimum term of how many years following his plot to kidnap and murder Holly Willoughby?
17. A manhunt was launched after two suitcases containing human remains were found where?
18. Royal Mail announced it would stop using what, after almost 200 years, by October?
19. What was the name of the actress, who died aged 75, who rose to fame in 1980 playing Jack Nicholson’s wife in The Shining and Olive Oyl in Popeye?
20. Seventy-seven whales died after being stranded on a beach on which islands?

21. The Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire unveiled what, with the help of primary school children, in Great Cambourne?

22. French cyclist Julien Bernard was fined 200 Swiss francs (£174) for 'unseemly or inappropriate behaviour' during the Tour de France time trial. What did he do?
23. Why did England fans serenade a German police officer before the Euro 2024 semi-final in Dortmund?
24. Which of these was NOT announced once England earned a place in the Euros final on Sunday a) the men’s singles final at Wimbledon to start two hours earlier b) comedian John Bishop’s gig in Wolverhampton to be rescheduled c) Tesco to close 1,800 Express shops early d) the evening session at the darts World Matchplay to be moved to an earlier time?
25. Who sent a message to the England team which said: ‘If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!’?

Answers here

Newsroom experience: Get it Covered

Any budding journalists wanting newsroom work experience should take a look at the Cover Media news agency. Cover produces visual-led human-interest stories for leading international publishers and broadcasters. Take a look at some of its work here or check out its X account on @covermedianews. It is now looking for smart interns with a flair for real-life feature writing. If you are an ambitious self-starter who is able to find stories, interview, get picture approval and write snappy copy then get in touch with its editorial director Ted Young on ted.young@covermg.com.

It's the election week newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Nick Turner, Sally Duffin and George Mann who all scored 21. Robert Rea scored 19 and the Rev Leon and Judith M both scored 18. The top team was Global’s Sunday subs including Amelia Cox, Tom Croadsell, Daniel Windle, Louise Gookey, Elizabeth Secker and John Stratford with 23. Tony and Christine Smith, Maura and Phil Parsons and Bruce and Sarah Hayward all scored 21, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 18 and Our Peter, Jackie, Carole and Trev 17. After a busy newsweek, dominated of course by the General Election, here is this week’s newsquiz. Why not take a break from the results and analysis, give the quiz a go and let me know your score.

Some of today's front pages

1. In his first speech as Prime Minister, as he arrived at Downing Street from Buckingham Palace, Keir Starmer said: 'We have changed the Labour Party, returned it to service - that is how we will govern. ___ first, party second.’ What is the missing word?

2. In his resignation speech as Prime Minister and Tory leader, who did Rishi Sunak describe as 'a decent, public spirited man who I respect’?

3. Which two parties had mixed fortunes - one going from 11 seats up to more than 70 and one down from 43 seats to nine, possibly ten? Half a point for each.
4. Which party quadrupled its representation in the Commons after taking one seat from Labour and two from the Conservatives?

5. Which of these former Cabinet ministers retained their seat in the election a) Penny Mordaunt b) Steve Barclay c) Gillian Keegan d) Grant Shapps?

6. Former Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe was elected as MP for Great Yarmouth representing which party?

7. Which high-profile candidate lost his Rochdale seat to Labour - and didn't even turn up to hear the result?

8. What linked these five constituencies - Finchley, Witney, Maidenhead, Uxbridge and South Ruislip and South West Norfolk?

9. Which Tory retained the Fareham and Waterlooville seat and said in a victory speech: 'I'm sorry that my party didn't listen to you. The Conservative Party has let you down. You, the great British people, voted for us over 14 years and we did not keep our promises’?

10. Who said: 'I want to place on record my enormous thanks to the people of Islington North for electing me for the 11th time’? 

11. After Rishi Sunak’s resignation speech, who did the bookies make favourite to replace him as Tory party leader, ahead of Tom Tugenhat and Priti Patel?

12. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey shouted 'do something you’ve never done before - vote Liberal Democrat’ while doing what on the campaign trail?

13. More than 90 constituencies raised concerns about what not arriving before yesterday’s General Election?

14. What did US President Joe Biden describe as a 'dangerous precedent’ and 'a terrible disservice' to Americans’?
15. A CBS News/YouGov poll indicated that 72 per cent of registered voters in America believed what about President Joe Biden - with 49 per cent saying the same of Donald Trump?

16. Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration National Rally won what per cent of the vote in France’s first round elections - which left President Emmanuel Macron’s party in third place?

17. Wandsworth prison guard Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, appeared at Uxbridge magistrates court after a video emerged of her apparently doing what?

18. What is the name of the hurricane that brought devastation and at least ten deaths to the Caribbean?

19. Figures from the Student Loan Company revealed that almost 1.8 million people in the UK owed more than how much in student debt?

20. England footballer Jude Bellingham faced a Uefa investigation after his equali­ser against Slovakia on Sunday for doing what?

21. What event at Glastonbury Festival was labelled ‘vile' and 'not funny' by the then Home Secretary, James Cleverly?

22. In the Grocer Gold Awards, Marks & Spencer’s lost its title as Britain's grocer of the year, for the first time in nearly two decades, to which supermarket?

23. Nine-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan is set to make history as the youngest person ever to represent England internationally at what?

24. Which two grand slam champions entered the Wimbledon mixed doubles as last-minute wildcards? Half a point for each name?

25. Which Hollywood actor, in a wheelchair, played guitar on Fix You with Coldplay at Glastonbury?

Answers here