Friday, 27 June 2025

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 22, ahead of the Rev Leon on 20, George Mann on 19 and Robert Rea and Giles Borg on 18.
The top team was Tim Humphrey and Global’s Newsroom and Barnard Castle FOC including Carole, Trevor and Bill also with 22. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe with Peter and Heather Clifton scored 20 and Maura and Phil Parsons and the Broad Oak Boozers Tim, Thom and Craig scored 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and let me know your score. 
A range of today's front pages

1. The operation by America to send 125 military aircraft to target three nuclear sites in Iran was codenamed what?
2. American B-2 planes dropped GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators - known by what nickname - on Iran?
3. US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he was 'really unhappy’ that Israel and Iran had breached the ceasefire, adding: 'We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what __ __ they’re doing.’ What are the two missing words?
4. Western leaders, including US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, attented the Nato Summit in which European city?
5. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte referred to US President Donald Trump’s comments on Israel and Iran by saying that who had 'to sometimes use strong language’?
6. A National Security Strategy report said the British public must 'actively prepare’ for war where?
7. Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted the Government would stand firm on its welfare reforms saying: 'The additions to PIP each year are the equivalent of a city the size of Leicester. That is not a system that can be left unreformed.’ What does PIP stand for?
8. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner insisted at PMQs that, despite a potential rebellion by Labour backbenchers, the vote on welfare reforms would go-ahead on what day?
9. MPs in the Commons voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by a majority of how many votes?
10. The Reform leader of which English county council resigned, leaving his 18-year-old deputy, George Finch, in charge?
11. Five people were taken to hospital when a double decker bus full of students crashed into what in Eastleigh, Hampshire?
12. Who was left ’shattered and traumatised’ after being attacked by a gang as she was leaving a Waterstones in Piccadilly, London? 
13. Why was the village of Goult, near the south-eastern French city of Avignon, in this week’s headlines?
14. BBC newsreader Martine Croxall thanked supporters after she changed which phrase on her autocue during a news report.
15. Thomas Robinson, 55, was jailed for three and a half years after being found guilty at Stirling Crown Court of a fraud in which he earned £550,000 by selling what?
16. Marcus Monzo, 37, was sentenced at the Old Bailey after being found guilty of killing a 14-year-old schoolboy and injuring four others in London using what?
17. Briton Jacky Jhaj, 39, appeared in court charged in connection with a mock wedding with a nine-year-old bride at which venue?
18. A memorial for Queen Elizabeth II is to feature a bridge with a glass balustrade, inspired by the shape of what, in London’s St James's Park?
19. Amazon-founder Jeff Bezos and fiancee Lauren Sanchez shrugged off protests to go ahead with their wedding in which city?
20. Dame Anna Wintour, 75, announced she was is stepping down from what position after 37 years?
21. England cricketers chased down 371 to beat India by five wickets with who scoring 149 in the second innings?
22. Gareth Southgate became the seventh football manager to receive a knighthood. Name any three of the others. Bonus point if you name all six.
23. What two animals caused the evacuation of a wildlife park near Exeter after escaping from their enclosures?
24. Who posted a photo of her husband in hospital with his arm in a sling and a message that said: ‘Get well soon daddy’?
25. Singer Rod Stewart said he wished his billing at Glastonbury wasn’t called what, saying ‘it sounds like pipe and slippers’?

Answers here

Friday, 20 June 2025

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with an impressive 23, ahead of Janet Boyle and Marion Fountayne on 21, the Rev Leon on 18 and Robert Rea on 17. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with Alexandra, Libby and Will on 21, ahead of the Barnard Castle FOC including Bill, Trevor and Sarah on 18, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 17 and the Broad Oak Boozers Tim, Thom and Craig on 16. 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. 
Today's front pages

1. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the initial attack on Iran, saying he had acted to pre-empt a secret programme to build what?
2. Iran warned the US and which other two countries that their military bases and ships would be targeted if they helped block the Iranian missile and drone retaliation for Israel’s attack? Half a point for each?
3. US President Donald Trump made an early departure from the G7 summit in which country as he 'had to see to affairs at home as Israel's strikes on Iran continue’?
4. Iran responded to US President Donald Trump’s claim that the country had reached out to Washington by saying: 'No Iranian official has ever asked to __ at the gates of the White House.’ What is the missing word?
5. MPs were voting on the Assisted Dying Bill in the Commons today (Friday). What is the name of the MP who proposed the bill?
6. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had decided to hold a national inquiry into what after reading a report by Dame Louise Casey?
7. MPs voted, by a majority of 242, to stop women in England and Wales being prosecuted for doing what?
8. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced that energy bill discounts of how much will be extended to another 2.7 million households to help with fuel costs this winter?
9. Renewing her call to ban phones in schools, Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said giving children smartphones was the same as giving them what?
10. Blaise Metreweli is to become the first female to head up which organisation?
11. What is the name of the company which owns Air India, along with other brands such as Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea, which is under investigation following the crash which killed 270 people?
12. How was mother-of-four Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes in Devon killed?
13. A fire engulfed a 67-storey skyscraper in which city with 3,820 people being evacuated?
14. Pro-Palestine protesters broke into which RAF base and damaged two military planes? 
15. An Irish couple were awarded £300,000 in libel damages after they sued which ’toxic' gossip website, leading to the publisher’s identity being revealed?
16. A 59-year-old woman from Barnsley died from rabies after being ‘scratched' by a puppy while on holiday in which country?
17. Which sportswoman revealed she had been targeted by online abusers who sent death threats, explicit pictures, comments hoping she got cancer and threats to damage her grandmother’s grave?
18. Wincey Willis, whose death at 76 was announced, was the first woman to do what on ITV?
19. Who was charged by the Football Association for comments made about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in a video that was leaked on social media?
20. Kim Woodburn, who died aged 83, was best known for presenting which Channel 4 TV programme?
21. The highest temperature of the year so far, of how many degrees centigrade, was recorded at Kew Gardens, London, on Thursday?
22. Museum Palazzo Maffei, in Verona, called on people to 'respect art' after a couple were filmed breaking what?
23. The Princess of Wales pulled out of what event at the last minute?
24. Which rock frontman, who launched the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Royal Albert Hall concerts, said he felt 'very humbled’ and would celebrate with 'a bottle of plonk’ after being knighted?
25. At Soccer Aid, which raised £15 million for Unicef, who scored four goals to give the World XI a 5-4 victory over England?

Answers here

Friday, 13 June 2025

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 22, ahead of Tim Humphrey and the Rev Leon on 21, Janet Boyle on 20, Maura Parsons and Robert Rea on 19 and Ian McCulloch on 18. The top teams were Mary, Tim, Kevin, Mand and George and the FOC of Carole, Trevor, Our Peter, Jackie, Bill and Sue both with 21, ahead of Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 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. 

Today's front pages

1. A passenger plane heading to Gatwick from which Indian city crashed into a residential area killing 241 people on board?
2. British man Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who reportedly walked away from the wreckage of the Air India crash, was in what seat?
3. Protests in Downtown Los Angeles were against deportations being carried out by ICE. What does ICE stand for?
4. What is the position held by Gavin Newsom who accused US President Donald Trump of a 'brazen abuse of power' and 'of putting our people, our officers and even our National Guard, at risk'?
5. Protesters threw petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks at police during nights of disorder after an alleged sexual assault in which Northern Ireland town?
6. Israel launched an attack on Iran, in an operation with what name, that killed commanders, scientists and the head of the country's Revolutionary Guard?
7. In a U-turn on Government's policy, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said pensioners in England and Wales with an annual income of up to how much per year will now receive the winter fuel payment?
8. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said what was to be decriminalised next year, describing the 200-year-old law as 'cruel and outdated'?
9. In her spending review, Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised an extra 3 per cent a year for what, saying it amounted to an extra £29billion? 
10. The Government committed £14.2billion of investment to build what within ten years, creating 10,000 direct jobs?
11. A gunman shot ten people in a secondary school in which city, the second biggest in Austria?
12. The Prince of Wales described the challenge of protecting the world’s oceans in a speech, delivered in both English and French, at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in which country?
13. Which retail chain was expected to close dozens of stores after it was sold to the investment company Gordon Brothers for £1?
14. The BBC suspended which EastEnders actor after he used a disability slur to describe the people of Blackpool while filming Strictly Come Dancing?
15. Uriah Rennie, who died aged 65, was the Premier League's first what?
16. Former television presenter and doctor David Bull was named as chairman of what?
17. Author Frederick Forsyth, who died aged 86, published more than 25 books including which 1971 novel that became a film starring Edward Fox and a TV drama starring Eddie Redmayne?
18. Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, on a mission aiming to break the sea blockade of Gaza, was deported by Israel to which country?
19. Brian Wilson, who died aged 82, was the co-founder of the Beach Boys who had two No 1 singles in the UK in the 1960s with Do It Again and which other song?
20. The BBC said it was 'unacceptable' for David Walliams to do what during a recording of comedy panel show Would I Lie To You? 
21. Who 'unreservedly' apologised and took down a video she posted where she appeared to mimic Israel's supporters over the war in Gaza?
22. Billy Boston, 90, become the first ever player from which sport to receive a knighthood?
23. Carlos Alcaraz, who won tennis’s French Open, was only the third man to win a major final having survived what?
24. Tottenham Hotspur appointed Thomas Frank, who has been in charge of which club for seven years, as head coach?
25. Who did rocker Bruce Springsteen bring on to stage at Liverpool's Anfield stadium to play with him on his encore?

Answers here

Friday, 6 June 2025

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were the Rev Leon and Robert Rea both on 20, just ahead of George Mann, Janet Boyle, Marion Fountayne and Kirsty Lewis on 19 and Phil Lambell on 18. The top teams were the Hay Festival team of Phil and Maura Parsons, Sue Milton and Jane and Mike Barring with 22, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 21, Neil and Jo Benson on 20, King’s Head drinkers Peter, Stacey, Heather and Les on 18 and the FOC of Carole, Trevor, Peter, Jackie and Bill on 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and let me know your score. 

A selection of today's front pages

1. Prime Minister Keir Starmer set out the Government's defence strategy including building 12 what as part of the Aukus programme in partnership with Australia and the United States?
2. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the defence strategy in a speech at which 'legendary' location?
3. The Government announced changes on who will be able to claim free school meals in England from September 2026 and said the change would make how many more pupils eligible?
4. In a spectacular falling out, X-owner Elon Musk suggested that US President Donald Trump appeared in unreleased files related to who?
5. Zia Yusuf resigned from what role say it was no longer 'a good use of my time’?
6. Davy Russell became a Labour MSP after a surprise by-election victory in which constituency?
7. The Government announced that six water companies would be banned from doing what if they did not meet environmental standards, were not financially resilient or had been convicted of an offence?
8. What reached more than 1,100 for the first time this year on Saturday - a figure that Defence Secretary John Healey described as 'shocking'?
9. Attorney General Richard Hermer apologised for comparing Conservative and Reform calls to quit the European Convention of Human Rights to what?
10. Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams was awarded how much in damages, in euros, over a BBC story saying he had sanctioned the murder of a British agent? 
11. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said that builders would be required to fit what to the 'vast majority' of new build homes in England?
12. Ukraine said it completed its biggest long-range attack of the war with 117 drones used in an operation, known by what name, that struck '34 per cent of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers’?
13. US President Donald Trump announced a travel ban for 12 countries from Monday (June 9). Which one of these countries was not on his list? a) Libya b) Somalia c) Vietnam d) Sudan
14. France's interior ministry said that what event had led to two people being killed, 192 injured, 559 arrested, including 491 in Paris, and 264 vehicles set on fire?
15. Hamit Coskun, 50, was found guilty after doing what outside the Turkish consulate in London?
16. German police officers scoured more than 20 plots of land using underground radar equipment looking for what?
17. Mohamed Sabry Soliman was arrested in Boulder, Colorado, after injuring six people by throwing what at a pro-Israel demonstration?
18. Actress Loretta Swit, who died aged 87, won two Emmy awards for her role as Margaret __ __ Houlihan in the comedy TV series M*A*S*H. What is the missing nickname?
19. It was widely reported, after an exclusive by The Sun, that which 50-year-old will be awarded a knighthood next week as part of King Charles’s birthday celebrations?
20. Who made a video of himself confronting fare evaders on the London Underground which he said he hoped would 'shame people into action’?
21. After a deal with Shamrock Holdings who announced on her website: 'All the music I've ever made now belongs to me’?
22. The Duchess of Sussex posted a video on Instagram saying: 'Both of our children were a week past their due dates… so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn't work - there was only one thing left to do!’ What did she do?
23. What did Harry Moulding, 34, from Blackpool win?
24. Which programme swept the boards at the British Soap Awards collecting eight of the 14 awards, including Best British Soap?
25. In the series finale of Dr Who, Ncuti Gatwa regenerated into which actress?

Answers here