Last newsquiz of 2024

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 21, ahead of George Mann on 19.5, the Rev Leon and Marion Fountayne on 19, John Penman on 17.5 and Robert Rea on 16.5. The top teams were the Barnard Castle Five O’Clock Club and the Fleet family who both scored a very impressive 22.5. Maura and Phil Parsons and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe scored 19.5 and Neil and Jo Benson 18.5. It has certainly been a busy news year. There were UK and US elections, including an assassination attempt, the Southport murders and subsequent riots, the regime change in Syria, the King battling cancer and not forgetting the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Then there were those we lost including John Prescott, Alex Salmond, Maggie Smith, Donald Sutherland and, shockingly, Liam Payne. Here is this week’s newsquiz, the last of 2024. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score. Have a happy New Year and may all your news in 2025 be good news. 

Today's front pages

1. In his Christmas speech, the King said: 'From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless __ and __ ‘ who had supported him and other members of his family and provided strength, care and comfort? What are the two missing words?
2. Commons leader Lucy Powell said the Government was likely to bring forward Labour's manifesto pledge to reduce what so it is included in the next parliamentary session?
3. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said all state school teachers in England should be given the right to do what, to stem a growing retention crisis?
4. At least five people died, and more than 200 others were injured, when a car ploughed into crowds in a Christmas market in which German town?
5. A Kremlin spokesman said that reports in Turkish media, that the British-born wife of deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad had done what, were not true?
6. Thirty-eight people were killed when an Azerbaijan Airlines flight carrying 67 people caught fire as it attempted to make an emergency landing in which country?
7. Nasa spacecraft the Parker Solar Probe made history on Christmas Eve by doing what?
8. Protests broke out over the burning of what in the main square of Suqaylabiyah in Syria, prompting calls for the new Islamist authorities to take steps to protect minorities?

9. Reform UK claimed it had overtaken 131,680 members, the number claimed by the Tories during the leadership election, with leader Nigel Farage claiming his party was ’now the real __’. What is the missing word?
10. Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to who, after he died on Boxing Day aged 60?
11. Ceremonies were held on Boxing Day in countries across Asia to remember the 20th anniversary of what?
12. How was 16-year-old actor Hudson Meek, who found fame in the 2017 film Baby Driver, killed?
13. Two women were killed and a teenage boy and a man seriously injured in a stabbing at a block of flats on Christmas Day in which English city?
14. An award given to actor Justin Baldoni for 'advocating on behalf of women' was rescinded after which actress accused him of sexual harassment?
15. Which chocolatier was dropped from the list of royal warrants for the first time in 170 years?
16. Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen, was arrested for allegedly doing what on a train in Brooklyn, New York?
17. How old was Manmohan Singh, one of India's longest-serving prime ministers, who died this week?
18. Which classic American novel will no longer be studied at GCSE in Wales from September because of concerns about racism?
19. Pub landlords were using ration cards for customers and special reserves, known as security stocks, were being plundered because of a shortage of what?
20. Convicted terrorist Khalid Baqais said he was taking pubs with what name to court after he claimed to be deeply offended by the signs outside?
21. Where were singers Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter, actor Richard E Grant and Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy seen together?
22. Liverpool were top of the Premier League on Christmas Day for the seventh time. How many of the previous six times did they go on to win the title?
23. What became the UK's Christmas number one for the second consecutive year, according to the Official Charts Company?
24. Which programme attracted an average of 12.3 million TV viewers - the largest Christmas Day audience in 16 years?
25. Actress Helen Worth left Coronation Street after 50 years of playing which character?

Answers here

Last newsquiz before Christmas

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 23, ahead of Robert Rea on 21.5, Martin John on 20 and the Rev Leon on 15.5. The top teams were Maura and Phil Parsons, the Barnard Castle FOC featuring Carole, Trevor, David, Gillian and Bill and the Broad Oak Boozers with Thom, George, Tim and Craig who all scored 19. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe scored 18.5 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 17. Here is the last quiz before Christmas. Why not pour yourself a nice mulled wine and test your knowledge of the week's events? Thanks to all of you who take part each week and have a lovely Christmas break (though not from keeping up with the news).

Today's front pages

1. At Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer said 'the taxpayer simply can't afford the burden of tens of billions of pounds of compensation' to be paid to who?

2. Alleged Chinese spy and confidant of Prince Andrew, who was named as Yang Tengbo, had met other senior figures in the UK, including which two former Prime Ministers? Half a point for each?
3. The £3.6billion takeover of which organisation by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky was given the go-ahead by the Government?
4. At the Old Bailey Urfan Sharif, 43, was sentenced to a minimum of how many years in prison for the murder of his ten-year-old daughter Sara?
5. Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq and her family members were accused of embezzling billions as part of a deal for a nuclear power plant in which country?
6. What is the name of the former Archbishop of Canterbury who quit as a Church of England priest after it was revealed he had advocated for an alleged child abuser to return to priesthood?
7. Which Labour grandee was expected to be named as the UK's next ambassador to the US?
8. It was announced that what will rise by 36 per cent in England and Wales over the next five years and by an average of £86 next year?

9. Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged councils to 'get on' with what as the Government announced how it will allocate £1.6billion to local authorities?
10. Russian general Lt Gen Igor Kirillov was killed when a bomb, hidden in what, exploded?
11. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he 'did talk about money' during a meeting with who at Donald Trump's Florida retreat?
12. How many men, including her husband, were found guilty at a court in Avignon, France, of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault offences against Gisele Pelicot?
13. Caroline Darian, the daughter of convicted rapist Dominique Pelicot, screamed at her father he would 'die alone like a__'. What is the missing word?
14. French President Emmanuel Macron visited which Indian Ocean archipelago after it was hit by a cyclone which is believed to have killed hundreds of people?
15. Only Fans model Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, was given a 13-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, for doing what outside a JD Wetherspoon pub in Clacton?
16. The founder of which iconic Cumbrian lorry firm died aged 95?
17. Nineteen-year-old driver Thomas Johnson was jailed for more than nine years for killing his three teenage passengers in a crash in Oxfordshire after admitting doing what at the wheel?
18. Isak Andic, 71, the billionaire founder of which fashion chain, died while exploring caves near Barcelona?

19. What is the name of the mock band that sings Freezing This Christmas which has hit No 1 downloads in the charts and the BBC has refused to play?
20. Food critic Grace Dent was announced as the new host of which TV programme?
21. Which radio presenter and TV personality was rescued by the RNLI on the Thames after saving a dog struggling in the water?
22. Which two Premier League teams sacked their managers after home defeats at the weekend? Half a point for each.
23. Olympic 800m gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year but who was second and third? Half a point for each name.
24. What reason did Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland give for not appearing on the forthcoming live tour?
25. Sir Paul McCartney was joined by which two special guests on stage at his concert in the O2 in London on Thursday? Half a point for each.

Answers here

It's time for the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 23, ahead of the Rev Leon on 20 and Robert Rea and Martin John on 19. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons also with 23. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe scored 21, the French Christmas market gang of Peter, Stacey, Amanda and Kevin 20.5, Our Peter and Jackie 18.5 and the Broad Oak Boozers 16.5. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

Wednesday's front pages

1. The leading group that overthrew the Assad regime in Syria is known by what three initials?
2. Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family fled to which city?
3. A Chinese businessman described as a 'close confidant' of the Duke of York, who lost an appeal against a decision to bar him from the UK on national security grounds, is known only by which letter and number? 
4. Following the guilty verdicts for Sara Sharif's father and stepmother, a video of a police interview was released in which the stepmother responds with what two words when asked if she cared for Sara?
5. NHS England warned of a 'tidal wave’ as the number of hospital beds in England occupied by patients with what had increased by 70 per cent in a week?
6. Nurses and teachers are threatening industrial action after the Government recommended a pay rise of what per cent for public sector workers which was described as ‘deeply offensive’ by the Royal College of Nursing?
7. The Government demanded 'immediate, mandatory' housing targets from councils as part of its plans to build how many houses by the next General Election?
8. Which city’s council settled historical equal pay claims which left it facing a £760million bill and means around 6,000 female staff will receive a payout? 
9. A report by the Women and Equalities committee said that women and girls were enduring years of pain because their reproductive conditions were being dismissed due to '__ __’. What are the two missing words?
10. Chris Weston, the chief executive of which water company, revealed pollution incidents were up 40 per cent, that eliminating them was ‘almost impossible’ and that the company needed £3billion to keep it afloat?
11. Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after a customer of which establishment recognised him in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
12. Which Premier League footballer is expected to be out for at least a year after breaking his leg when crashing his Ferrari in Epping?
13. The body of former England rugby international Tom Voyce was found after he was swept away by Storm Darragh in which English county?
14. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared at a court in Tel Aviv charged with three offences … fraud, breach of trust and which other?
15. In an interview with The Spectator, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said that lunch was 'for wimps' and that what weren't 'real food’?
16. US President-elect Donald Trump, first lady Jill Biden, the Prince of Wales and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy all attended what event?
17. A real-life ‘Succession’ plot ended with a Nevada court commissioner rejecting whose attempt to change a family trust and give control to his eldest son? 
18. In a civil law suit rapper Jay-Z was accused of raping a girl of what age after the MTV VMA awards in 2000?
19. Marcus Fakana, 18, of north London, was jailed for a year by a court in which city for having consensual sex with a 17-year-old girl?
20. Which Hollywood actor, who was 99 this week, was among thousands evacuated from a wildfire sweeping through Malibu in California?
21. The first three matches in the 2030 World Cup will be played in South America and the rest of the tournament hosted by which three countries? One point for all three countries, half a point for two.
22. After 149 shows across five continents, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour came to a close in which Canadian city?
23. Who was named Time Magazine person of the year for 2024?
24. Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, became the youngest ever world champion of what?
25. McFly’s Danny Jones won this year’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here but who was second and third? Half a point for each.

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Marion Fountayne with 22, just ahead of Janet Boyle on 20.5, Martin John and George Mann on 20, Nick Turner on 18.5 and Robert Rea on 18. The top teams were Maura and Phil Parsons and Sarah and Bruce Hayward with a score of 20. The Barnard Castle FOC with Our Peter, Jackie, Bill, Sue, Trevor and Carole scored 17.5, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 17, the Fleet family 16.5 and the Broad Oak Boozers 15.5. 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. 

Tuesday's front pages

1. Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlined six milestones in a speech at Pinewood studios. Which one of these was not included? a) Bringing immigration down to levels seen while Britain was an EU member b) Building 1.5 million homes in England c) Ending hospital backlogs with 92 per cent of patients waiting no longer than 18 months d) Putting police back on the beat with a named officer for every neighbourhood.

2. Prime Minister Keir Starmer joked that, if he kept going back to Pinewood Studios, he could be the next what?
3. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said stalking victims would get 'peace of mind' by being told what under new Government proposals?
4. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner pledged that dangerous cladding on all high-rise buildings in Government-funded schemes in England would be fixed by the end of what year?
5. A Downing Street spokesman said that what was a decision to be made ‘entirely' by the British Museum?
6. Which rail operator will be the first to be taken back into public ownership under the Government's nationalisation timetable?
7. Under-fire Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace hit back at allegations of historic misconduct, saying they came from a 'handful of middle-class women of a __ __.’ What are the two missing words?
8. Michel Barnier became the shortest-serving prime minister in modern French history, holding the position for how many months before resigning?
9. US President Joe Biden issued an official pardon for his son Hunter who was facing sentencing for tax charges and what other offence?
10. What three words were written in marker pen on the bullets used to kill Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, in New York?
11. Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s daughter, Lady Gabriella Kingston, told an inquest in Gloucestershire that an adverse reaction to what had led her husband to take his life?
12. Ahn Gwi-ryeong, spokesperson for the opposition Democratic party, went viral after being filmed doing what during protests over martial law in South Korea?

13. What collective name is being used for the four illnesses - flu, covid, novovirus and RSV - that the NHS fears will pile pressure on A&E units this winter? 

14. British investigators uncovered two money-laundering networks from which country that were helping criminal gangs hide billions of pounds in drugs money?
15. Journalists went on a 48-hour strike in protest at the proposed sale of which newspaper? 
16. Why was three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin banned from the sport for one year?
17. What was unveiled in two colours - London Blue and Miami Pink - at an event in Miami?
18. What is the name of the former world snooker champion who died aged 77?
19. Elton John told the audience at a gala performance of his new musical The Devil Wears Prada that he was unable to do what?
20. Who apologised for failing to declare to the BBC at least £145,000 of earnings from engagements outside of the corporation?
21. A van that contained 2,500 what was stolen from a business park near Ripon in North Yorkshire?
22. What did Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy decide not to wear and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi wear after adding a hand-written message?
23. The Office for National Statistics revealed the top choice for baby names in England and Wales in 2023. What was the top boy name and girl name? Half a point for each.
24. Which country qualified for next summer’s European Championship in Switzerland, the first major women’s tournament in their history, by beating Ireland 2-1?
25. Which I'm A Celebrity contestant was the third to be voted off and then snubbed an appearance on the spin-off show and took an early flight out of Australia?

Answers here