Students, got a nose for the news? Join ST’s revamped current affairs quiz
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This year's What’s The News? interactive competition has been refreshed, reimagined and renamed as part of the year-long ST180 series of events.
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If you are a student who can tell the difference between Moo Deng and Flaco, or explain what is causing the price of eggs to skyrocket in the United States, The Straits Times wants you – to take part in a news quiz.
The champion team will win $4,000 cash, while the other three top teams will bring home $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000.
What’s The News? is an interactive competition organised by ST for students who are aged 15 and above from local secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education.
Although it is not the first time ST has hosted a news quiz, the version this year has been refreshed, reimagined and renamed as part of its year-long ST180 series of events to mark the newspaper’s 180th year.
The format promises to be more exciting.
In the preliminary round, from April 15 to 25, students test their current affairs knowledge in a 30-minute online quiz. There are six time slots in all.
The 16 schools with the highest scores will make it to the semi-final in May. At this stage of the competition, teams formed by each school must bring brains and brawn to duke it out in telematch-style games with a current affairs twist.
The four top teams from the semi-final will go on to the game show quiz final. More details on the semi-final and final will be released shortly.
ST editor Jaime Ho said the quiz is the anniversary event that excites him most.
“Nothing excites the newsroom more than having younger Singaporeans engaging with the news, to make sense of their impact on society, and how we can use this information to improve the world around us.
“We hope the quiz and its format will further engage our youth when it comes to local and global affairs, and get them to think more about how various issues affect us,” he said.
What’s The News? will be hosted by local stand-up comedian and actor Rishi Budhrani, whose routines revolve around the news and contemporary issues.
He will flag off the preliminary round at six schools with stage games involving current affairs.
He said: “Look, I have no doubt these are all smart kids who can ‘slay’ in their exams. But do they know what’s going on in Singapore and the world? I guess we will find out.”
The event is supported by the Ministry of Education, with the Central Narcotics Bureau as a partner.
Registration begins on Feb 20 and ends on March 20. Interested schools can go to str.sg/WTN25-reg
WTN25 - What's The News? logo byline: SPH credits: SPH source: SPH condition of use: SPH use ST News folder
What is What’s The News?
A current affairs competition for students between 15 and 19 who are enrolled in local schools and institutions. The quiz will be conducted online over six time slots; schools get to select their preferred slot.
Schools which have a question about the quiz can join the online Q&A at 2.30pm on Feb 27. Request the Microsoft Teams meeting link by sending an e-mail with your name and school name to secretariat@whatsthenews2025.com
Keen to host an assembly programme at your school in conjunction with the start of the quiz, or a travelling showcase at your school?
Indicate your interest via the registration form at str.sg/WTN25-reg
