Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann on 18.5, just ahead of Carson Black on 18, Miranda Crawford on 17.5 and Emma Gatrell on 16.5. The top team was Oli, Vic, George and Rex who scored 21, just ahead of the Barnard Castle FOC of Bill, Trev, Carole, Our Peter and Jackie on 20.5, the Smith family on 20 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 15. 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 how you get on.

Today's front pages

1. In his first Budget Chancellor John Healey said: 'I know that people look to Government at times like this, not to solve all their problems, but to give them a bit of __ __'. What is the missing phrase which he repeated throughout his speech?
2. In the Budget Chancellor John Healey said 20 million households in council tax bands A-D in England would receive a 'household energy payment’ of how much?
3. Chancellor John Healey announced that from January which businesses will pay an extra three per cent surcharge on profits, which will be 'time-limited’ to 15 months.
4. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said she was ‘amazed’ that Prime Minister Andy Burnham had the time to do what?
5. Who announced plans to strike on November 25 and 26, saying the Government had failed to offer any meaningful commitment to solving the long-running dispute?
6. King Charles’s Caribbean tour will end next week after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in which country?
7. How was a 60-year-old man killed in the Scottish town of Castle Douglas and a 20-year-old man killed in North London?
8. Which retail chain, that employs around 12,000 people and has 600 stores, has filed notice to appoint administrators?
9. What is the name of Google's parent company which suffered its worst-ever day on the US stock market, knocking around half a trillion dollars off its value?
10. At least 69 people were killed when a train travelling from Madrid to which city crashed into a stationary train?
11. Thomas Markle, the father of the Duchess of Sussex, was being investigated for possible sex offences in which country?
12. Luxury cruise ship MV Odyssey suspended its three-year round-the-world trip, in which country, due to rising fuel costs?
13. Singer Chris Brown was sentenced to how long in prison, suspended for a year, for hitting a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub?
14. What is the name of the cryptocurrency giant that suffered a $6.3billion (£4.7bn) hack of its digital assets?
15. Comedian Russell Brand told his rape and sexual assault trial that he couldn't persuade a single person to do what?
16. CCTV footage of a crew member using what to fend off a knifeman on a Doncaster to London King's Cross train was shown at Cambridge Crown Court?
17. Political activist Tommy Robinson was convicted at Southwark Crown Court of harassing two journalists from which newspaper?
18. Which country’s president won a fourth term in office despite losing the first round of voting?
19. Patrick Stewart, who died aged 86, played which character in more than 170 episodes of the Star Trek series and in four feature films?
20. Whose guitar was sold for £180,000 at auction?
21. Harry Kane collected the Ballon d'Or to become the fifth English footballer to collect the award. Who is the only English player to win it twice?
22. Footballer Alexia Putellas, who plays for which country, won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for a record-equalling third time?
23. Which League Two football team knocked Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup on penalties?
24. The NFL announced that who will perform at the Super Bowl half-time show in February?
25. James Acaster confessed to being a Celebrity Traitor after who pointed at him at the round table and accused him of murdering Ross Kemp in plain sight?

Answers here

Trainee Emma wins the newsquiz champagne

Trainee subs Ellen Morris, Emma Gatrell and Miranda Crawford, and their layout projects, with trainer Mike Brough (centre)

The Daily Mail’s trainee subs enjoyed their fourth and final week of training in Kensington before heading off to placements at the Daily Mail in Glasgow, The i Paper and Metro. They had feedback on their subbing projects from deputy chief sub Tom Belcher and associate managing editor and safety officer Tara Eude talked about well-being. The trainees spent three days creating pages on InDesign and Photoshop with Mike Brough. Last night we enjoyed farewell drinks at the Greyhound and today we wrapped up with the newsquiz. This week's winner was Miranda Crawford with 17.5, just ahead of Emma Gatrell on 16.5. Miranda won a scratchcard. The highest scorer over the four weeks was Emma who won a bottle of champagne. The trainees are a bright and likeable bunch who will undoubtedly do well. I wish them all the best of luck.

Trainee subs Miranda, Emma (with the newsquiz champagne), Ellen and Alfie

The top scorer in last week's newsquiz was George Mann with 20, ahead of Miranda Crawford, Katie Jenkins and Robert Rea on 19, Emma Gatrell on 18 and Alfie Sansom and Carson Black on 17. The top teams were Adam Batstone and the Spanish Golf Posse and Oli, Vic, George and Rex who both scored 20. The Jim Buttery celebration of life team including Danny, Thom, Tim, Craig, Nicola, Stacey and Taylor and the Barnard Castle FOC including Bill, Trev and Mike scored 19 and Maura and Phil Parsons 18. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and see if you can beat Miranda's score.  

Today's front pages

1. The Government approved plans to begin drilling in a North Sea gas field which has what name?
2. US President Donald Trump urged the UK to go full blast with its drilling in the North Sea and told it to ‘take down the costly and ridiculous’ what?
3. Governments and businesses around the world were scrambling to fix a security flaw in which programming language, that is used by the majority of websites?
4. UK inflation, pushed up by increases in petrol and diesel prices, hit its highest level in a year at what per cent?
5. Under the Government's Be Ready campaign which of these are not included in the checklist for households a) candles in case of power cuts b) three litres of drinking water per person per day c) a mix of coins and bank notes d) non-perishable food for three days.
6. Britain is being battered by the first two named-storms of the season this weekend. What are they called? Half a point for each.
7. The Covid-19 inquiry, led by Lady Hallett, said Government failures caused the virus to spread like what around care homes?
8. Barclays said it was cutting around how many staff, about five per cent of its global workforce, as it introduces more artificial intelligence into its work processes?
9. The Government announced it will introduce a code of practice before the end of the year which will protect people from excessive fees and 'rip-off’ charges by who?
10. Aspiring Reform UK MP Jason Powell was suspended from the party after saying 'you cannot be __ and British’. What is the missing word?
11. King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales laid wreaths at a memorial garden in Aberfan to mark the 60th anniversary of a coal waste tip collapsing and killing 28 adults and how many children?
12. In an address to the nation, after 1,800 people were arrested for violent protests, French President Emmanuel Macron said 'those who sought to bring down the __ will be held accountable’. What is the missing word?
13. Four soldiers were killed and another 39 people taken to hospital after a fire at a military base in which country?
14. What is the name of the Australian MP who had both legs amputated after being deliberately struck twice by a vehicle outside her office?
15. A 27-year-old woman was charged after a policeman was shot in the foot at a bus stop in which English city centre?
16. How was Catholic priest Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari killed during a livestreamed mass in Ecuador?
17. What is the name of the railway station that was voted the best in the UK and won the World Cup of Stations 2026?
18. Which comedian fought back against a mugger who tried to steal his credit card at a cash machine behind Sainsbury's in Islington, London?
19. According to the Office for National Statistics, more than a quarter of all divorces between opposite-sex couples in England and Wales happen after how many years of marriage?
20. Who said, in an interview with GQ magazine in New York: 'With everything else that’s going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile. That’s the key point’?
21. Reality TV star Kylie Jenner made her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show debut in California wearing what, which is valued at $50million (£37million)
22. Which Oscar-winning actress said: 'I can't be on stage. I can't do a play any more. I can't do a film any more. I can't read any more'?
23. Prince William made a surprise guest appearance on whose TV show?
24. England cricket captain Harry Brook hit a record number of runs against Sri Lanka in a One Day International game but still ended up on the losing side. How many runs did he score?
25. Which singer won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her second album This Music May Contain Hope?

Answers here

Fantastic opening for school-leavers at the i

If you are a school-leaver who is looking for a career in journalism then you need to take a look at The i Paper's Talent Scheme.
The paper is looking for two apprentices to take a diploma in journalism and gain experience in its newsroom in London.
This two-year programme, aimed at school and college leavers who would otherwise face barriers to a career in journalism, offers on-the-job training and a nationally recognised journalism qualification in partnership with the PA Media Academy.
After taking the PA course, the successful applicants will have a week’s training with me before joining the newsroom. 

The i Newspaper's 2025 apprentices Anjola Fashawe and Matthew Bailey

It is the third year the apprenticeship has run. One of the 2025 intake, Matthew Bailey, said: 'The apprenticeship has given me the skills and confidence to produce pieces of journalism that I am truly proud of, and that I never thought I would be writing so early in my career. The experience I have gained through my time on the different desks has been invaluable and this, alongside completing my journalism diploma, has supercharged my abilities as a journalist.’
Editor-in-chief, Oliver Duff, said: 'If you think you have what it takes, our apprentice scheme offers a proven pathway into journalism. We welcome applicants from all walks of life who share a passion for great storytelling – and who are motivated to succeed.’
If you are interested you can apply here. You will need to upload your CV, a cover letter and a 300-word article about stories or issues that you believe should be better highlighted in the media. You can also add a video in support of your application.
Candidates must have A-levels and/or a BTEC Level 3. Applications close on Monday December 20 and the scheme starts on February 15. Interviews will be held in early January. Please direct any questions to apprentices@theipaper.com.

More details are here.

Trainee Miranda wins the newsquiz

The Daily Mail trainee sub-editors had a lively third week in Kensington. They did features editing with Fiona Webster and backbenchers Richard Hall, David Feldstein and Angus Morrison gave tips about life on the subs desk. Consultant Clara Pappalettera covered well-being and safety. On Wednesday they had a legal day with global head of compliance Paul Hutchinson and the Mail’s legal team. The trainees also covered a breaking news story, created banners, wrote personality profiles and did subbing exercises with senior subs Katie Jenkins and Tom Belcher. As always, we finished the week with the newsquiz. This week’s winner, with a score of 19, was Miranda Crawford, just ahead of Emma Gatrell on 18 and Alfie Sansom on 17. Miranda collected a scratchcard.
The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were George Mann and Janet Boyle both on 22, ahead of Emma Gatrell on 21.5, Miranda Crawford on 18.5, Robert Rea on 18 and Alfie Sansom on 16.5. The top teams were Maura and Phil Parsons and the Broad Oak Boozers including Danny, Craig, Tim and George who both scored 23. The Barnard Castle FOC including Bill, Sue, Trevor, Carole, Our Peter, Jackie, Pauline and Mike scored 19 and Oli, Vic, George and Rex and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe both scored 18. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s news. Give it a go and see if you can beat Miranda’s score. 

Today's front pages

1. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that when he entered No 10 he was told that Moscow had interfered in what?
2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on a visit to the UK, said he felt betrayed by the US for speed restrictions imposed on what service, warning that people would be killed as a result?
3. Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, said in his annual speech that 'in 2026, MI5 is devoting more resource to countering state threats than during the __ __’. What are the two missing words?
4. Chancellor John Healey was reported to be planning to increase taxes on which sector in his Budget later this month?
5. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said that Chancellor John Healey faced having to find how many billions of pounds to avoid cuts to public spending while meeting defence promises in the Budget?
6. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said if his party won the election it would immediately deport how many asylum seekers and impose a five-year ban on people being granted asylum?
7. Russell Brand is appearing at Southwark Crown Court facing three charges of sexual assault, one of indecent assault and how many of rape?
8. The prosecution set out its case against Russell Brand at Southwark Crown Court. Which of these words did they not use to describe him? a) Ruthless b) Calculated c) Manipulative d) Cunning.
9. William Chapman, 24, was killed by a tiger at a wildlife park near which English town?
10. What did hackers target in hundreds of French supermarkets, causing tens of millions of euros in losses?
11. Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was jailed for how many years for a series of child sex offences, including one count of rape?
12. US President Donald Trump said it was time for which country to get a new leader?
13. In an exchange at Lewes Crown Court who angrily told the defence lawyer: 'I won't have anyone calling me a liar’?
14. A bystander killed a 16-year-old gunman who shot dead three children aged 5, 8 and 11 at an elementary school in which US state?
15. Which author, whose bestselling novels include Normal People and Conversations With Friends, has had her books withdrawn from sale in the UK because of her support for Palestine Action?
16. Pope Leo XIV underwent a 90-minute surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital after cancer was discovered in which part of his body?

17. Former gang boss Duane 'Keffe D’ Davis, 62, was jailed for 40 years for orchestrating whose murder?
18. Cyclist Matt Richardson was withdrawn from the Great Britain team for next week’s track world championships in which country after allegations of serious misconduct?
19. Actor RJ Mitte, who died aged 34, was best known for his role as the son of drug kingpin Walter White in which TV drama series?

20. What is the name of Tom Cruise's latest film which is expected to lose around $245millon (£185million), after its continuing poor performance at the box office?
21. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their first joint appearance since their return to the UK with three separate engagements in which city yesterday (Thursday)? 
22. Archaeologists discovered the world's oldest shipwreck, dated between 4,400 and 4,700 years old, off the coast of which country?
23. Manchester City supporters appeared in the Liverpool away end waving hundreds of what?
24. Delta Goodrem was forced to skip this week's Strictly Come Dancing after breaking what?
25. Which faithful was murdered face-to-face in Celebrity Traitors?

Answers here

Trainee Emma wins the newsquiz again

The Daily Mail trainee subs had a lively second week in Kensington. They drafted a page lead for the paper, edited a spread, submitted personality profiles, wrote animal picture captions and pitched stories to chief reporter Sam Greenhill. They had sessions with night editor Andy Gregory and joint heads of digital production Mike Hearn and Dan Bourke and senior sub-editor Kat Derbyshire. Katie Jenkins, Aimee Miller and Kristina Wemyss, all former trainees who now hold senior positions, talked about their journey. Features sub Tina Moran also set tasks and gave the trainees feedback. Trainees Miranda Crawford and Alfie Sansom won scratchcards for the best picture headlines. We finished the week as always with the newsquiz. The top scorer, for the second week, was Emma Gatrell with 21.5, ahead of Miranda on 18.5 and Alfie on 16.5. Emma also won a scratchcard. The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann on 23, ahead of Janet Boyle on 22, Robert Rea and Emma Gatrell on 19. The top team was the Broad Oak Boozers of Tim, Thom, Danny, Craig and George with 21. Oli, Vic, George and Rex; Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe and Alex and Leigh all scored 20. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s news. Why not give it a go and see if you can beat Emma’s score. 

Today's front pages

1. Sagal Abdi-Wali, who won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election for Labour, was a child refugee from which country?
2. In which city was the Conservative Party conference held?
3. Who made an appearance on stage at the Conservative Party conference and asked: ‘Why would anybody set up a business in this country right now'?
4. Despite newspaper headlines, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said she had not proposed building an iron dome but a __ Shield. What is the missing word?
5. In her conference speech, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said that the next Conservative government would legislate so nobody would ever do what?
6. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said that, if nobody won the next General Election, she would rather have another election than do what?
7. The High Court said that warrants used by Thames Valley Police to search whose homes were unlawful?
8. Which clothing company said it was investigating 'unauthorised activity' after customers received a hacking message on the app?
9. Which company announced that 2,500 employees could lose their jobs under an 'organisational review’ next year?
10. Wittington Investments Ltd, a company in which country, agreed to buy the 1,800 Boots stores across the UK and Ireland for £6.7billion?
11. It was revealed that Sainsbury’s had held talks with which other retailer to propose a potential multibillion-pound merger?
12. Twelve people were arrested during an anti-migrant protest that gathered near Haslar Marina in which town after reports that a boat carrying 149 people was due to arrive?
13. US Vice President JD Vance said that what were being removed from the UK out of an 'abundance of caution’?
14. Junior Royal Navy sailor Teddy Young appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court accused of what?
15. Two people from which country were arrested after breaching the perimeter fence near RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire?
16. Who was banned from entering Israel after his party's members adopted a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism?
17. Author and politician Jeffrey Archer died aged 86 on Monday, the day before his final novel was published. What is it called?
18. Which entertainer announced on social media that his 52-year-old wife had died, saying: 'My gorgeous bride of twenty years has gone to the Lord in Heaven’?
19. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, who killed 13 people in Texas, would be what?
20. According to organisers, tickets for Glastonbury Festival 2027 sold out in how many minutes?
21. England captain Harry Kane scored twice against the Czech Republic on his 125th game, meaning he is level with who at the top of the Three Lions' all-time appearance list?
22. What are the names of the Match of The Day presenters whose romance made the headlines this week? Half a point for each name.
23. Former England rugby league captain Kevin Sinfield said his late friend Rob Burrow would be ‘laughing' but 'enormously proud’ at what?
24. The Bank of England revealed that four creatures will feature on UK banknotes. Which of these is not included? a) the Atlantic puffin b) the buff-tailed bumblebee c) the red fox d) the European hedgehog e) the barn owl
25. Who was banished by the Round Table on Celebrity Traitors after she was spotted winking at traitor Richard E Grant?

Answers here

Trainee Emma wins the newsquiz

I spent this week with four Daily Mail trainee subs in Kensington. They edited stories, wrote intros and headlines, took articles from the Press Association’s wire and turned them into Mail stories and met the backbench in the newsroom. They had a welcome session with managing editor and editorial director Alex Bannister. Last year’s former trainees talked about their journey - and what to expect - and former trainee sub turned travel writer Erin Waks gave an insight into life in the newsroom. Ellen Morris and Alfie Sansom won scratchcards for the best intros of the week and Miranda Crawford for the best headline. We finished, as always, with the newsquiz - 25 questions about the week’s events. The top scorer was Emma Gatrell with 19 who also won a scratchcard. Well done, Emma. The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann on 23, ahead of Robert Rea on 18. The top team was Oli, Vic, George and Rex with 22.5, just ahead of Adam Batstone and the Mountain Men on 22 and the Barnard Castle FOC of Bill, Carole, Trevor, Jackie and Our Peter on 19.5. Nick Turner, Dave Robert, Lydia Turner and Georgina Harland; the King’s Head drinkers of Peter, Stacey and Kevin; Alex and Leigh and the Dubrovnik duo of Thom and Rosie all scored 18 and Phil and Maura Parsons scored 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz. Why not give it a go and see if you can beat Emma’s score. 

Today's front pages

1. Which city was the Labour Party conference held in?
2. The Government said the triple lock would become a double lock from 2030, meaning state pensions would increase annually by either by 2.5 per cent or by the rate of inflation - but no longer by what?
3. The longest ovation during Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s party conference speech was when he pledged to use this job to build the kind of Britain that who wanted to see?
4. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that, although it 'wouldn't be the right thing to do right now’, it was ‘possible' a future Labour election manifesto could promise what?
5. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was representing the UK at an emergency G7 video conference today (Friday) to discuss what, following US President Donald Trump's threat of a temporary export ban?
6. According to the latest forecast, household energy prices are set to soar in January, with a typical bill projected to jump to how much a year?
7. To the nearest hundred, how many prisoners were released early yesterday (Thursday), the first of 4,500, under new rules introduced to prevent overcrowding?
8. What is the name of the Gloucestershire airbase used by the US military where five men were held for questioning by counter-terror officers?
9. An independent Premier League commission found Manchester City guilty of how many of the 115 financial charges they faced?
10. A pilot flying from where to Israel attacked another pilot before being overpowered by passengers in what is feared to have been an attempted hijacking.
11. An Orange Order parade was blocked by nationalist protesters following a Court of Appeal ruling that permitted the march to pass through which Catholic road for the first time in 28 years?
12. Three teenagers, two boys and a girl, died when the car they were in ended up in which English river?
13. At least 27 people were shot dead in two mass shootings within hours of each other in which country?
14. Six people, including a Briton and four Americans, were killed in an explosion that destroyed a holiday rental property in which European city?
15. More than 2,000 people were arrested and at least 65 teaching staff injured in violent student protests in which country?
16. Dame Esther Rantzen, who died aged 86, hosted BBC consumer affairs show That's Life! for 21 years which led to her setting up which charity in 1986, to provide counselling services for young people?
17. Death row inmate Christa Pike was taken to hospital after an attempt to execute her by two lethal injections failed in which US state?
18. King Charles was reportedly blocked as he tried to check on the well-being of which long-time friend?
19. Who did the Duke and Duchess of Sussex describe as ‘extraordinarily reckless’?
20. Which company’s logo was given its biggest makeover in 30 years with its older woman, stirring a bowl of batter, replaced by a younger model?
21. Why did goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu refuse to play for the Republic of Ireland in their Nations League game on Sunday?
22. How was it decided whether the elite female and male races would take place on the Saturday or Sunday in next year's two-day London Marathon?
23. The Welsh football team ended a six-game winless run by coming from behind to beat which country in the Nations League?
24. Who controversially told other contestants that they were a Traitor in the first episode of the new series?
25. Who won artist of the year, best dance and best collaboration at the MTV Video Music Awards?

Answers here