Time for the last newsquiz of 2018...

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 19, just ahead of Toby Brown on 17. The top team score was 20 by the Penmans and by Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe. It has been quiet over Christmas but still busy enough for 25 news questions. I trust you took some time off from the partying to keep up on top of it all. Here’s the chance to test yourselves. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.

The Boxing Day papers

1. Who warned that a no-deal Brexit, the loss of access to European intelligence agencies’ databases and agreements on arrest and extradition could put the British public at risk?

2. Who mocked Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's position on Brexit in a biblical-style series of Twitter posts called 'The Visitation of The Corbynites’?

3. Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown died this week. How old was he?

4. Ashdown acquired the nickname Paddy because of his Irish accent at school. What was his real first name?
5. A tsunami engulfed the coastal towns on which two Indonesian islands leaving at least 430 dead and more than 150 missing? Half a point for each.

6. A 4.8-magnitude earthquake injured at least 28 people on which island?

7. Why were 47-year-old Paul Gait and 54-year-old Elaine Kirk in the headlines?

8. According to the Office for National Statistics almost 600 people living where died in England and Wales last year - a rise of 24 per cent over five years?

9. Japan faced condemnation after confirming it will resume what for the first time in more than 30 years?
10. Three British tourists were killed in which country after a Land Cruiser plunged off a bridge?

11. The fee for plastic carrier bags in England will be doubled to what figure under plans set out by the environment department? 

12. An additional £10million has been allocated by the Government to ensure the number of prisons with what will rise to 50 by March 2020?

13. Who released a three-minute video in which he went into character and railed against damaging ‘headlines' while vowing that the full truth will soon come out?
14. The Queen gave her Christmas speech in front of an item that was bought by Queen Victoria in 1856 but caused a reaction on the internet? What was it? 
15.  The Pope said in his Christmas Day address: 'My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for ____. ____ among individuals of every nation and culture. ____ among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another. ____ among persons of different religions.’ What is the missing word?

16. What was the most complained about television programme of 2018 according to Ofcom?
17. In a Christmas Eve call Donald Trump asked seven-year-old Collman Lloyd: 'Are you still a believer in Santa? Because at 7, it’s ____, right?’ What is the missing word?

18. Cabinet papers, released by the National Archives, revealed that Margaret Thatcher discussed diving with the England World Cup squad at a reception in 1990 and told them: 'Our players did not immediately seek the Oscar for best actor for impersonating the death scene from ___ ___’ What is the missing play?
19. Which high street retailer collapsed into administration for the second time in six years, putting more than 2,200 jobs at 125 UK stores at risk?

20. A majority stake of 50.01 per cent in which UK airport is to be sold to French operator Vinci for £2.9billion?

21. Royal Mail withdrew a stamp marking what event after it was pointed out it used a picture from a completely different place?

22. A Carmelite nun who presented television programmes including Odyssey, Sister Wendy's Grand Tour and Sister Wendy's Story of Painting died age 88. What was her surname?

23. Premier League Champions Manchester City lost both of their games on either side of Christmas. Which teams beat them? Half a point for each.

24. Plans being considered by Public Health England include restricting main meals in restaurants to 951 calories, sandwiches to 550 and all convenience meals to 544. Under the proposals, what would be restricted to 1,040 calories?
25. Who confirmed she had married Australian actor and her long-standing partner Liam Hemsworth?

Answers here