The newsquiz: 25 questions about the week

The top scorer in last week's newsquiz was Tom Savage with 19.5. It was a particularly impressive total as the quiz was clearly a toughie with the scores being well below average. Gavin Devine with 16 was the only other solo player to come close. The top team was the staff at Wright Bothers in London with 16, narrowly ahead of Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 15.5. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the last seven days. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

The Sundays report on Saturday's vote (Question 3)

1. Thirty-nine people who were found dead in a container in Essex were initially believed by police to be what nationality?

2. The refrigerated container used to smuggle 39 people into the UK crossed the channel between which two ports? Half a point for each.

3. When the Commons sat on Saturday former Tory minister Oliver Letwin’s amendment, saying Parliament would withhold approval of the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s withdrawl deal, was passed by what majority? 

4. What did Prime Minister Boris Johnson not do that led shadow chancellor John McDonnell to say he was behaving 'like a spoilt brat' and ex Tory Anna Soubry to accuse him of acting like a 'truculent child'?

5. Some MPs were unhappy at being given just three days to digest the Government’s Withdrawal Agreement Bill document which is, not including the 124 pages of explanatory notes, how many pages?

6. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that if MPs 'genuinely want more time to study this excellent deal, they can have it - but they have to agree to a General Election’ on what date?

7. Which political leader saw his party's representation in the House of Commons reduced from 177 to 157 seats, 13 short of a majority?

8. The Government said what could be given to electric cars so drivers can benefit from incentives such as free parking or access to clean air zones?
9. Legislation passed by MPs at Westminster means that something has been decriminalised and something else is to be legalised in Northern Ireland. What are the two somethings. Half a point for each. 

10. Prince Harry, speaking on an ITV documentary aired on Sunday, said of Prince William: ‘We’ll always be brothers and we’re certainly on ___ ___ at the moment.' What are the two missing words?

11. England and Wales are both playing their Rugby World Cup semi-finals this weekend at a 72,000-seat stadium in which Japanese city?
12. The Office for National Statistics said the population of the UK would pass what figure by 2031?

13. Why was Belgian Paralympian Marieke Vervoort, who won gold and silver at London 2012 and two medals at Rio 2016, in the headlines?

14. The Government lifted a ban on direct flights between the UK and which airport following improvements in security?

15. Why does Haringey Borough's FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie with Yeovil Town have to be replayed?

16. The NHS announced that the drug Orkambi is to be made available to people with which disease within a month?

17. The chair of the Business Select Committee, Rachel Reeves, this week said that: 'Everyone we’ve seen from ___ ___have blamed everybody apart from themselves’. What are the two missing words?

18. According to research by the University of Glasgow, which group of people are three and a half times more likely to suffer from dementia?

19. Hundreds of tourists took part in the final climb of which sacred landmark before it permanently closed today (Friday)?

20. Charlie Chandler, 21, appeared in court accused of murdering two teenagers who were stabbed to death at a house party on Saturday night in which town?

21. Lonely Planet's Best In Travel 2020 book named England as the second best country for holidays next year but which country came top?

22. Who broke her leg in two places while tackling an inflatable assault course on holiday with her family?

23. How did Sian Massey-Ellis, 33, fulfil her dream on Thursday night?

24. Christina Koch and Jessica Meir became the first women to do what?

25. Who is to ‘star’ in Walkers Crisps Christmas advert for a reported fee of £9million?

Answers here  

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Dora Allday with an impressive 22. There were other good scores too including Becca McAuley on 21, Gavin Devine, Janet Boyle, Liz Gerard all on 20, Ed Mortimer on 19, Toby Brown 18 and Dave Bromage 17. The top scoring team was Bruce and Sarah Hayward with 21, just ahead of Rob and Nicola Lawrence on 20. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe scored 17. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.

Today's front pages

1. On Thurday Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: 'We’ve got a great new deal that takes back control – now parliament should get Brexit done on Saturday so we can move on to other priorities’. He then listed four priorities - cost of living, the NHS and which two others. Half a point for each.
2. The deputy leader of which party predicted a 'massive vote' against the Withdrawal Agreement tomorrow (Saturday), accusing Boris Johnson of being 'too eager by far to get a deal at any cost’?
3. At an EU summit press conference European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker said that which group of UK people had been ‘right’ all along?
4. What did the Queen not do - for only the third time in her reign - when she delivered her speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Monday?
5. Which MP quit the Labour Party after 55 years - 22 as an MP - citing 'the threat that a Jeremy Corbyn premiership could pose to the country’?
6. Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan told parliament that plans to introduce an age verification system for what had been abandoned?
7. Commuters dragged an Extinction Rebellion protester from the roof of a tube train at which London Underground station?
8. A climate change protestor arrested in London while holding a sign that said ‘I'm locally sourced & environmentally friendly’ was dressed as what?
9. More than 100 MPs, led by Labour’s Chris Elmore, have written to Barclay’s Bank’s chief executive urging him to reverse what decision?
10. According to Turkish officials what did President Recep Tayyip Erdogan do with a letter from US President Donald Trump which urged him not to 'be a fool' over Syria?
11. Who did the family of Harry Dunn, the 19-year-old killed in a crash involving an American diplomat’s wife, describe as being stiff, cold, unpleasant and rude during a meeting about their son’s death?
12. Football fans were arrested over the racial abuse of black England players during a Euro 2020 qualifying match in which city?
13. British paedophile Richard Huckle died after being strangled and stabbed with a makeshift weapon, probably a toothbrush, in which prison?
14. Sainsbury’s announced it would not be selling what in any of its 2,300 branches this year?

15. Prince Harry appeared to shed a tear as he delivered an emotional speech at which awards in London?
16. How old is Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge who became the first person to complete a marathon in under two hours?
17. The Booker prize judges broke the rules and jointly awarded the prize to which two writers? Half a point for each name.
18. Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne was cleared of sexually assaulting a woman on a train by a jury at which crown court?
19. Why was 93-year-old widow Margaret Ford in the headlines?
20. Who was named Guildford Phoenix ice hockey team’s man of the match after saving the crucial shot in a shootout to give his team victory?
21. Leah Bracknell, who died age 55, played which character in Emmerdale for 16 years?
22. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge played which game with children taking part in the British Council's DOSTI (friendship) programme in Lahore?
23. What was 62-year-old Shay Bradley’s dying wish that went viral this week?
24. When Simon Byford found a wallet in North London he contacted the owner by paying into his bank account, leaving a small message each time. How much did he spend?
25. Australian Reg Watson, who died aged 93, was a pioneer of what type of TV programmes?

Answers here

It's newsquiz time: 25 questions about the week

Becca McAuley continued her run of form, which saw her win the Champagne for being the top news-quizzing trainee two weeks ago, by coming top in last week’s newsquiz with a personal best of 21. She was narrowly ahead of Toby Brown on 20. Other good scorers were Dominic Hurst 18.5, Liz Gerard 18 and Lydia Willgress 17. Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe were the top teams with 18. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week's events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.

Today's front pages

1. What happened at the outbreak of war in 1939, during the Suez crisis in 1956 and after the invasion of the Falklands in 1982 … and is set to happen again next week?

2. EU president Donald Tusk this week tweeted: 'Boris Johnson, what’s at stake is not winning some stupid ___ ___. At stake is the future of Europe and the UK as well as the security and interests of our people.’ What are the two missing words?

3. What is the name of the Grade II listed 19th Century country house on the Wirral in Merseyside where Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar?

4. Former Conservative MP Heidi Allen became the seventh MP this year to do what?

5. A Leave.EU poster of German chancellor Angela Merkel with the words 'we didn’t win two world wars to be pushed around by a ___' was condemned by MPs and deleted. What is the missing word?

6. US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri confirmed to ITV's Good Morning Britain that she had what 'codename' for Boris Johnson on her phone?

7. Paralympian James Brown climbed on top of a British Airways plane at which airport as part of the Extinction Rebellion protest?

8. Who told a crowd at Extinction Rebellion’s London demonstrations that he backed their methods and was proud to call himself an 'uncooperative crusty’?

9. US President Donald Trump threatened which country that if it does anything ’off limits’ he would 'destroy and obliterate' its economy?

10. Whose report into Scotland Yard’s handling of the VIP paedophile scandal, published in full for the first time this week, identified 43 separate mistakes by the police?

11. Outgoing chief medical officer Sally Davies called for a ban on all eating and drinking, except for water and for medical conditions, to be banned where?

12. Why was 42-year-old Anne Sacoolas in the headlines?

13. What is the name of the super typhoon that caused England's Rugby World Cup game with France to be called off?

14. An eco-friendly council estate in which UK city was said to be 'the future of council housing' after winning the prestigious Stirling Prize by the Royal Institute Of British Architects?

15. What was the real first name of legendary rock drummer Ginger Baker who died this week age 80?

16. A gunman killed a man and woman, threw a grenade into a Jewish cemetery and left explosives near a synagogue in which German city?

17. The prime minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, was awarded what?

18. What was found dead in the River Thames near the Dartford Crossing after being hit by a ship?

19. Technology company Dyson scrapped a project to build what because they were not 'commercially viable’?
20. The five-year-old daughter of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been living with grandparents in Tehran and visiting her mother in prison, flew to the UK so she can start school. What is her name?

21. In the WAG row over leaked Instagram posts, Rebekah Vardy, when asked if she had argued with Coleen Rooney, said: 'That would be like arguing with a ___. You can tell it that you are right and it is wrong, but it's still going to shit in your hair.’ What is the missing word?

22. Who pledged to fund the tuition fees and living costs of two black students at Cambridge University each year?

23. Prince George was photographed punching the air as he watched Aston Villa beat which football team 5-1?

24. Elton John revealed his brush with death, his stormy relationship with his mother and his drug-use in his official autobiography which has what title?

25. Steps singer Ian ‘H' Watkins and Matt Evers are to become the first what?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Elly Rewcastle with an impressive 21, ahead of Toby Brown on 19, Becca McAuley 17, Sian Bahia 16.5 and Gavin Devine 16. The top team was the Roberts Family with 19, narrowly ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 18. Heather and Pete Clifton and the Three Legs Drinkers both scored 17. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

Today's front pages

1. The Government confirmed plans to prorogue Parliament next Tuesday and hold a Queen's Speech on what date?

2. In his speech to the Tory Party conference Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘The sad truth is that voters have more say over ___ ___ ___ than they do over this House of Commons.’ What are the missing three words?

3. Chancellor Sajid Javid announced an increase in the National Living Wage for all workers over 21 to what amount by 2024?

4. Home Secretary Priti Patel vowed to end what ‘once and for all’ after the UK leaves the EU?

5. Who stood in for Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn at this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions? Half a point for each.

6. What is the name of the journalist whose first column for The Sunday Times alleged that Boris Johnson had squeezed her inner thigh 20 years ago?

7. Who announced his resignation at a Letters Live event before reading a 1982 letter, describing Boris Johnson as ‘disgracefully cavalier’, which was sent to Johnson’s father Stanley by Eton teacher Martin Hammond?

8. Hong Kong's government used legislation called the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to ban what at public gatherings?

9. Julie Delve, 61, and Karen Glynn, 63, lost their landmark legal fight against the Government at the High Court on Thursday. What were they campaigning for?

10. Which company announced around 75 head office roles, including that of managing director Rob Collins, are being cut as it scraps separate management teams to save around £100million?

11. Scotland became the first country in the UK, and the 58th in the world, to ban what?
12. The Duchess of Sussex is suing which newspaper over its publication of a private letter she sent to her father Thomas Markle?

13. The US is to impose $7.5billion of tariffs on exports from the EU, including Scotch whisky, French wine and cheese, in retaliation for subsidies given to which company?

14. Which former schoolfriend of John Lennon and comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, who had a 45-year career with ITN, Channel Four and the BBC, died age 77?

15. Why was 45-year-old Mickaël Harpon in the headlines?

16. A major incident was declared near the village of Laxey where flooding, caused by Hurricane Lorenzo, washed away cars and trapped people in houses. Where is Laxey?

17. Who admonished the BBC and presenter Gabby Logan following their criticism of empty stadiums at the World Athletics Championships in Doha?

18. Shares in which retailer crashed by 38 per cent after it went into its first half-year loss in more than 20 years citing 'very difficult trading conditions’ including unseasonable spring weather?

19. Four people were arrested after Extinction Rebellion activists tried to spray fake blood - a liquid coloured with what juice - at the Treasury in Westminster from a fire engine?

20. A Banksy painting called Devolved Parliament which features what was sold for £9.9million at Sotheby's in London?

21. Dina Asher-Smith became the first British female athlete to win a world championship title in what event?

22. The Advertising Standards Authority ruled that a tweet was irresponsible. The tweet said: 'Dear people of Scotland. We're selling ___ all weekend. Have fun. Love BK. #justsaying'. What is the missing word?

23. Which actor's former assistant is suing him for £9.7million, accusing him of 'years of gender discrimination and harassment’?

24. What did supermodel Gigi Hadid do at the Chanel show during Paris Fashion Week that made her go viral with some posts describing her as a superhero?

25. Former Towie star Kate Wright became Mrs who?

Answers here