Daisy's newsquiz hat-trick

The Mail trainee sub-editors have finished the third week of their training. They had sessions with senior sub Tina Moran, night-editor Andy Gregory and executive chief sub Rich Hall. Deputy chief sub Tom Belcher set them some practical subbing tasks. Some of last year’s trainees, Oliver Jervis, Karla Hallett, Zoe Glascow and Amelia Perry told what to expect in the first year and Kristina Wemyss talked through her journey. The trainees covered a breaking story in real time, filed their personality profiles and put together the copy and pictures for the layouts they will be doing next week. We finished the week, as always, with the newsquiz. This week’s highest scorer for the third week in a row was Daisy Outram with 17.5.
The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were the Rev Leon and Tim Humphrey with 23, just ahead of Robert Rea, Tim (still totally unremarkable) and George Mann all on 22. Daisy Outram scored 20.5 and Giorgia Ambo 20.
The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with 23, just ahead of the FOC wedding party including Our Peter, Jackie, Bill, Sue, Trevor, Carole and bridegroom Jordan on 22.5. The Smith Posse scored 20, the French gang of Danny, Sam and Thom 19 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 18.5. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and see if you can beat Daisy's score. 

Today's front pages

1. Where were 160 guests wined and dined on Wednesday at a banquet to fete US President Donald Trump's unprecedented second state visit to the UK?
2. Who was not a guest at the banquet held in US President Donald Trump’s honour? a) Media mogul Rupert Murdoch b) London Mayor Sadiq Khan c) Apple boss Tim Cook d) OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
3. During their joint Press conference at Chequers, US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood behind lecterns that had what three words written on the front?
4. US President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Keir Starmer that what were a ‘disaster’ and a ‘very expensive joke’?
5. The helicopter carrying US President Donald Trump was re-routed to which airport due to a technical issue?
6. The Home Office successfully appealed against a High Court decision to temporarily block the deportation of a man, of what nationality, to France under the Government’s 'one in, one out’ scheme?
7. An estimated 110,000 to 150,000 people attended a London rally on Saturday that was organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson? What name was given to the rally?
8. Speaking by video link to the London rally, Elon Musk criticised 'uncontrolled migration’, saying: 'Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you __.’ What is the missing word?
9. What is the name of the shadow work and pensions minister who became the first sitting Conservative MP to defect to Reform UK?
10. Paul Ovenden, a senior aide to the Prime Minister, resigned for offensive and sexual text messages in which he recounted a conversation about who?
11. What is the name of the secure messaging platform which MI6 is launching on the dark web to recruit spies?
12. Which company extended its shutdown on car production, until at least next Wednesday, as it grappled with the aftermath of a cyber-attack?
13. Which company announced plans to invest a record £22billion in the UK?
14. A former paratrooper, known only as Soldier _, is on trial at Belfast Crown Court accused of murdering two men during Bloody Sunday in 1972. What is the missing letter?
15. Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance, was released from prison in which country?
16. Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were each jailed for how many years for the gross negligence manslaughter of their newborn daughter?
17. The Duchess of Kent was the first senior British royal since the 17th century to be given what kind of funeral?

18. Ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana accused Jeremy Corbyn of overseeing a '__ __ club' which was locking women out of the founding of a new left-wing party. What are the two missing words?

19. US broadcaster ABC pulled late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off air indefinitely over comments he made about what?
20. Boxer Ricky Hatton, who was found dead at his home in Manchester, won how many of his 48 professional bouts during a 15-year career?
21. Hollywood actor Robert Redford died this week at what age?
22. Which one of these films did Robert Redford, who died this week, not appear in: a) The Great Gatsby b) The Sting c) Captain America: The Winter Soldier d) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly?
23. Which world championship event, held on the Scottish island of Easdale, was rocked by a cheating scandal, after several competitors were disqualified for tampering?
24. The Royal Mint released a special 50p to celebrate the 90th anniversary of what?
25. Owen Cooper, 15, became the youngest-ever male Emmy winner for his role in which Netflix mini-series?

Answers here

Daisy wins the newsquiz again

The Daily Mail trainee subs had a busy second week in Kensington. Their challenges included pitching stories to chief reporter Sam Greenhill, creating a page lead from raw copy, writing picture stories and beating the Tube strike. Daisy Outram won a scratchcard for the best picture headline of the week. The trainees had sessions with the lawyers on contempt, libel, privacy and copyright and spent yesterday afternoon going through the Editor’s Code with Editor Emeritus Peter Wright. They also had sessions with head of production Joel Cooper and director of news content Neville Dean. Today they built a spread on a breaking story with senior sub and trainer Tina Moran and were given tips on what to expect on the subs desk by last year’s trainees Emily Bell, Tom Burton and Myriam Page. We finished the week, as always, with the newsquiz. The top scorer for the second week was Daisy with 20.5, narrowly ahead of Giorgia Ambo on 20. The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Robert Rea with 22, just ahead of Tim Humphrey, the Rev Leon and Tim (still totally unremarkable) all on 21. George Mann, Daisy Outram, Janet Boyle and Marion Fountayne scored 20, Giorgia Ambo, Nick Turner and Sami Quadri 18 and Maura Parsons 16. The top team was the FOC of Our Peter, Bill, Trev and Jordan who scored 22, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 19. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and see if you can beat Daisy’s score. 

Today's front pages

1. Lord Peter Mandelson was sacked as UK ambassador to Washington over his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, including writing a note that said: 'Wherever he is in the world, he remains my __ __’. What are the two missing words?

2. The White House said a drawing of what, in a birthday book given to Jeffrey Epstein, was not authentic, adding that President Donald Trump 'did not draw this picture and he did not sign it’. 

3. Activist and Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk was shot dead by a sniper at a university rally in which American state?

4. Which two MPs made it to the final round of Labour's deputy leadership contest? Half a point for each.

5. In the Cabinet reshuffle, following deputy PM Angela Rayner’s resignation, Yvette Cooper moved from Home Secretary to what role?

6. The Metropolitan Police said how many people were arrested at a demonstration against the ban on the group Palestine Action in London on Saturday?

7. Israel carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in which city?

8. Which country claimed to have shot down Russian drones in its airspace?

9. Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, wore a purple jumpsuit on stage at the Reform Party conference and sang a song she had written. What was it called?

10. Prince Harry attended the WellChild charity awards in London and was filmed taking part in a play fight using what?

11. Who did Prince Harry say was ‘great’?

12. League tables rating the performance of NHS trusts in England were published for the first time, with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in which town at the bottom?

13. A mural by Banksy, of a judge hitting a protester lying on the ground, appeared on the side of which London building?

14. Which European country appointed its fifth prime minister in two years?
15. The succession battle at Rupert Murdoch’s media empire ended with who securing control of the organisation that includes Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The Times and The Sun?

16. Fugitive father Tom Phillips, who had been on the run with his three children for four years, was shot dead by police in which country?

17. A 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of CS gas and causing a public nuisance following the partial evacuation of where on Monday night?

18. Which singer said she was a recovering alcoholic adding: 'It’s a family illness. The gene is there’?

19. Why was London-born Carlo Acutis, who died of leukaemia in 2006 aged 15, in the headlines?

20. Great North Run organisers apologised for this year's medal featuring which river instead of the Tyne?

21. What reason did broadcaster RTÉ give for saying Ireland may not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest?

22. Which Premier League football club abruptly sacked their manager and appointed a replacement within 13 hours?

23. Which Ipswich Town supporter said he would no longer be able to go to games as he was swapping Suffolk for the States?

24. Which cat, who starred in a 1970s show that was voted the favourite UK children's programme of all time, is to appear in a new film scheduled for 2027?

25. Gary Lineker, formerly of Match of the Day, won the best presenter award at the National Television Awards meaning Ant and Dec failed to collect the prize for the first time in how many years?

Answers here

Trainee Daisy wins the newsquiz

I have just finished a busy and enjoyable first week with four Daily Mail trainee sub-editors. They studied Mail style, edited stories and wrote intros and headlines. The best headline of the week award went to Daisy Outram who also won the best intro. She collected two scratchcards. The trainees had sessions with managing editor Alex Bannister and Ailsa Leslie explained how Mail+ works. We finished as usual with the newsquiz. The winner with a score of 20 was Daisy, just ahead of Giorgia Ambro on 18. Daisy collected her third scratchcard of the week.

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Tim (still totally unremarkable) with 22, ahead of Janet Boyle and Tim Humphrey on 20, George Mann on 19, Nick Turner and Daisy Outram on 18 and the Rev Leon on 16. The top team was the Smith Posse with 22, ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons on 20, and Bill and Coo and the Reddish gang of Our Peter, Jackie, Sarah and Joe on 19. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and see if you can beat Daisy's score. 

Angela Rayner dominates today's front pages

1. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned after having reportedly underpaid stamp duty on her flat in Hove by how much?
2. In her resignation letter, Deputy PM Angela Rayner wrote: 'I must also consider the significant toll that the ongoing pressure of the __ is taking on my family. While I rightly expect proper scrutiny on me and my life, my family did not choose to have their private lives interrogated and exposed so publicly.’ What is the missing word?
3. What is the name of the conveyancing company which accused Deputy PM Angela Rayner of making them a scapegoat for her tax issues?

4. Which former Conservative minister said: 'The Tory Party is dead. Its members now need to think the unthinkable and look to the future.’
5. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, giving evidence to a US congressional committee in Washington, compared the UK to which country?
6. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Government was planning a new law in England to stop anyone under 16 from buying what?
7. Zack Polanski, a hypnotherapist who claimed women could increase breast size with their minds, was elected to what role?
8. The UK secured a £10billion deal to supply which country’s navy with at least five new warships?
9. How many people were killed in a funicular crash in Lisbon, Portugal?
10. All British citizens could be issued with what under plans being considered by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to tackle illegal immigration?
11. At a Beijing military parade Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un were caught on a hot mic discussing how people could live to what age?
12. Russian President Vladimir Putin, was seen holding hands with who as they walked to a regional security summit in China?
13. Earthquakes across the south-east of which country killed more that 2,200 people according to its government?
14. Lord Charles Brockett, who appeared in the 2004 series of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, was charged with what offence at Westminster magistrates court?
15. What was the name of the former Conservative MP, who quit after allegations of sexual misconduct and drug taking, who was found dead at his home?

16. The Duchess of Kent, who was the oldest surviving member of the royal family, died at Kensington Palace. How old was she?
17. Where was Graham Linehan, the writer of TV’s Father Ted, arrested over social media posts on transgender issues?

18. In a speech in Aberdeen who said: 'We are going to get all our oil and gas out of the North Sea’?
19. Who did the Italian Prime Minister describe as a symbol of the best of Italy, actress Julia Roberts says was ‘a true friend. A legend’ and journalist Dame Anna Wintour, say 'understood power and attitude and elegance’?
20. What was the name of the British heavyweight boxer, who went the distance with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, who died aged 75?
21. Footballer Alexander Isak became the most expensive player ever in Premier League history when he signed for Liverpool from Newcastle United for how much?
22. Which Premier League club's executive chairman stepped down after almost 25 years at the helm?
23. Why was Piotr Szczerek, the chief executive of a Polish paving company, in the headlines? 
24. Chloe Malle, 39, was appointed to which role?
25. Singer and Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof said it would be an ‘enormous privilege’ to serve as what?

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 20, ahead of Robert Rea on 19 and the Rev Leon on 18. The top team was Tim Humphrey and the GlobalsNewsroom who, once again, scored a maximum 25. The Greek FOC scored 17 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 16. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the last seven days. Why not give it a go and let me know your score.

Today's front pages

1. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner was in the headlines for buying an £800,000 seaside apartment where?
2. The Foreign Office in London summoned Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, as a 'direct response' to what?
3. Nigel Farage set out a plan for the mass deportation of up to how many asylum seekers if Reform were to be elected?
4. What did Conservative member of the Scottish Parliament, Graham Simpson, say was 'an enormous wrench’?
5. After a meeting between US President Donald Trump and the president of South Korea, photographs of what went viral with millions of views across X, TikTok and Facebook?
6. Who was released from prison and claimed she had been 'Sir Keir Starmer's political prisoner’?
7. A vaccine against which disease will be made available to babies aged between 12 and 18 months on the NHS in England next year?
8. Ghislaine Maxwell told US officials from jail that what alleged incident was 'mind-blowingly not conceivable’?
9. Three people died after a helicopter crash-landed where?
10. Which bank apologised after customers were unable to access online banking or use its app?
11. According to the FBI, a shooting at a Minneapolis school that left two children dead and 18 others injured was being investigated as a hate crime targeting which group of people?
12. Which company is being sued over the death of a 16-year-old American boy, with his parents claiming it encouraged him to take his own life?
13. Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said he ‘made no apology’ for raising the bonus for workers who intercept passengers with oversized cabin luggage to how much per bag?
14. Which TV presenter said you can be 'pro immigration and against illegal routes’ in response to a social media backlash following his views on the UK’s immigration policies?
15. Which four-time Tour de France winner was airlifted to hospital after being injured in a crash in southern France?
16. Funeral director Amie Upton was banned from working with hospitals in Leeds after a mother discovered what?
17. A tour bus, returning to New York City from where, crashed killing five people and injuring many others?
18. A time-capsule buried by Diana, Princess of Wales, at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1991, was opened and included a CD by which artist?
19. Actor Noel Clarke lost his libel case against which newspaper for printing allegations of sexual misconduct?
20. The pilot of a hot air balloon was praised for landing safely in a street filled with cars, telegraph poles, wires and houses in which town?
21. Scientists discovered the skeleton of a dinosaur with metre-long spikes sticking out from its neck in which country?
22. Which singer announced on Instagram she had to rearrange or cancel all upcoming tour dates in the UK, Europe and America as she will be having a second breast cancer operation?
23. Why did two goals by Iliman Ndiaye mean he will have a place in Everton FC’s history?
24. Manchester United suffered an embarrassing defeat to which team in the Carabao Cup second round?
25. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Instagram saying: 'Your __ teacher and your __ teacher are getting married.’ What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.

Answers here

Wilko wins the US newsquiz

The usual UK newsquiz is here

Trainees Jensen Bird, Eliot Force, newsquiz winner Wilko Martinez-cachero with 

the champagne, Anna Wright and Jack Toledo

I said farewell to the five Daily Mail trainees in New York yesterday. They had a good final week with sessions by US editor Katie Davies, executive editor Mike Brear, consumer editor Daniel Jones and head of audience Rory Benson. In-house counsel Beth Lobel went through the legal pitfalls and video editor Kate Gill gave the trainees detailed feedback on their pitches. Mail journalist Meike Leonard, visting from London, popped in to say hello. The trainees also covered a live breaking story, prepared newslists for their return to the newsroom, submitted edited obits to the database and went through a final checklist. They added five stories to the three already published. Wilko Martinez-cachero wrote a story for Femail about how people who fell in love with an AI chatbot were left heartbroken when its personality changed overnight. Read it here.

Jensen Bird wrote a story about a New Yorker who explores some of the world’s most exotic places in just 24 hours. Read it here.

Anna Wright also wrote for Femail on the outlandish outfits she saw at the Stockholm fashion festival in the summer. Read it here.    

Anna also spoke to specialists about the worrying rise in babies dying from syphillis. Her report is here. 

Eliot Force also wrote a story for health on the surprising news that red wine and dark chocolate can help you live longer. Read it here.

The trainees have written more stories, many scheduled to be published at the weekend. On Thursday evening they had drinks with some of the senior staff at Phebe’s Tavern. We finished, as always with, the newsquiz ... 25 questions about the week. Wilko was the top scorer this week with a score of 17 and won the champagne for having the top score over the three weeks. Here is this week’s newsquiz (thanks again to Hugh Dougherty for contributing some of the questions). Why not give it a go and see if you can beat Wilko’s score. 

Farewell drinks at Phebe's

1. At the meeting in the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky handed President Donald Trump a letter from who which he asked to be delivered to whom? Half a point for each.

2. Following the meeting in the White House, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had spoken to Vladimir Putin for how many minutes to arrange talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky?
3. Which of these were not at the White House this week a) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer b) French President Emmanuel Macron c) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk d) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
4. Speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump said: 'I've ended six wars … all of these deals I made without even the mention of the word __.’ What is the missing word?
5. Which former Trump adviser had his Maryland home raided by FBI agents as part of a national security investigation?
6. Elon Musk backtracked on plans to launch what? 
7. President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that he would lead a ‘movement' to get rid of what, claiming they led to voter fraud?
8. The State Department said it had revoked more than how many international student visas because of violations of US law and overstays?
9. What did President Trump order to happen to the US-Mexico border wall?
10. Phil Murphy, the governor of which state, declared a State of Emergency as Storm Erin approached, warning people to prepare for 'life-threatening rip currents... at all ocean beaches’?
11. How many seats are Republicans expected to gain in the House of Representatives due to the Texas’ redistricting?
12. What disturbed influencers Nina Unrated and Patrick Blackwood while they were recording their meal at a restaurant in Houston?
13. Who is suing political commentator Candace Owens, branding her a liar who 'knew very well that she was spreading false information’?
14. Brian Cornell, the CEO of which retailer, announced he was stepping down after 11 years as the company faces slumping sales and a backlash to its retreat on DEI?
15. Social media star Frank Caprio, who died aged 88, was known as the ‘nicest __ in the world’. What is the missing word?
16. The union representing flight attendants from which airline said it would defy a back-to-work order despite a legal ruling that its strike is 'unlawful’?
17. Which nationwide chain sparked outrage with a new logo?
18. An aide to New York mayor Eric Adams used cash in a what to allegedly attempt to bribe a reporter?
19. Which retired athlete announced she was using GLP-1s for weight loss?
20. What is the full new name for MSNBC?
21. In America, taking part in what activity fell by 40 per cent between 2003 and 2023?
22. Which artist declined to submit his album for a Grammy award?
23. Singer Joe Jonas boasted of joining the mile-high club, saying that he did what immediately afterwards?  
24. Where would you now find skibidi, tradwife and a mouse-jiggler?
25. Which 21-year-old actress announced on Instagram that: 'This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption’?

Answers here 

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with a score of 23. Tim (still totally unremarkable) and Robert Rea scored 22, George Mann 21, the Rev Leon 19, Andy Cave 18 and Marion Fountayne 17.  The top team was Tim Humphrey and the GlobalsNewsroom with a maximum 25. The Greek FOC made up of Our Peter, Jackie, Sue and Bill scored 19, as did Maura and Phil Parsons. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe and Victoria Bischoff and Chris Jelley both scored 18. Quite a few regular quizzers thought it was a toughie and didn’t make the leaderboard. 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.

Today's front pages

1. At the meeting in the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky handed US President Donald Trump a letter from who which he asked to be delivered to whom? Half a point for each.

2. Following the meeting in the White House, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had spoken to Vladimir Putin for how many minutes to arrange talks between the Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky?

3. Which of these were not at the White House this week? a) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer b) French President Emmanuel Macron c) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk d) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

4. Speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump said: 'I've ended six wars … all of these deals I made without even the mention of the word __’ What is the missing word?

5. What is the name of the Epping hotel which has temporarily been stopped from housing migrants?

6. The price of air fares and food were blamed for inflation reaching what per cent ... its highest level since January last year? 
7. A fundraising page was set up by a group in Wythall, Worcestershire, saying it needed help to cover every street in the village with 'our beautiful’ what?
8. Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth, 52, was suspended from the party and has been charged with what?
9. Former priest Chris Brain, 68, who was found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women, was head of an evangelical movement based in Sheffield that went by what name?
10. Two people were arrested after Shazad Khan, 41, was stabbed to death in Wembley, London, while working as a what? 

11. Which one of these is NOT true about this year’s GCSE results? a) The North-East was the worst performing area b) Boys received more top grades than girls c) Northern Ireland was the best-performing area for top grades d) English and Maths had the highest failure rates in a decade.

12. Almost £600million was wiped off the market value of which High Street retailer after it cut financial forecasts when it revealed profits at its Northern American division had been overstated by £30million?

13. Why will there be no horse racing in Britain on September 10?

14. The Met warned of heavy winds, rain and 'very large waves' as the tail end of Hurricane __, which has battered America, headed to the UK. What is the missing name?

15. Which English actor, who played arch-villain General Zod in the original Superman films, died aged 87?

16. Which brewery’s beers, including Punk IPA, have been discontinued by almost 2,000 pubs across Britain, according to pub industry data?

17. Novelist Sally Rooney, who wrote Normal People, said she would donate earnings from her books and BBC adaptations to what?

18. The M20 in Kent was closed after what fell on to it from a bridge, leaving a man seriously injured?

19. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara for which band, appeared in court accused of displaying a Palestine/Hezbollah flag?

20. The BBC pulled a documentary called Coming Home about whose life, hours before it was due to be broadcast on Monday?

21. Which entertainer said on his website that online scam artists were targeting his fans and warned 'there could well be criminal intent’?

22. Which footballer became the first ever to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year three times?

23. Which Premier League footballer accused his club of breaking promises and betraying his trust, saying their relationship 'could not continue’?

24. Where would you now find skibidi, tradwife and a mouse-jiggler?

25. Costumes, furniture and the family car that were used in which popular ITV series are to be sold at auction for Together for Short Lives, a charity supporting children with life-limiting conditions?

Answers here

Wilko and Jack win the US newsquiz

The usual UK newsquiz is here

The five Daily Mail trainees in New York had a busy second week. They enjoyed sessions on bringing in exclusives with executive editor Candace Truro, were shown how Mail+ works by editors Victoria Bischoff and Henry Jones and how to live blog by Katrina Schollenberger. Kelly Laco zoomed in from DC to explain how politics is covered, Matt London and Laura Collins talked through opinion and features, Kate Gill set a video task and Nick Enoch gave a brief introduction to the Content Creator system. Former trainees including Wills Robinson, Germania Rodriguez, Kayla Brantley, Karen Ruiz, Elena Salvoni, Emma Richter, Martha Williams, Sara McGiff and Lauren Acton-Taylor popped in to say hello, talked about their journeys and gave tips. The trainees also pitched stories to head of news Jimmy McCloskey, Femail editor Raven Saunt and health editor Alex Lardieri. 

Trainee Eliot Force was published with a story about the creator of the meme that Lizzo used to poke fun at Sydney Sweeney. Read it here.

Jack Toledo was also published, for the second time on the course, with a story about a Texan man stuck in a septic tank for 12 hours in sweltering heat. Read it here. 

There were some first class ideas and more stories are in the pipeline. Watch this space. The trainees also spent the week taking copy from the wire and turning it into a complete Mail story, writing headlines and previews, creating a banner for a breaking story and putting together a personality profile. The preview headline of the week was won by Anna Wright, who collected a scratchcard. We finished the week, as usual, with the newsquiz. Thanks to Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty for an enjoyable catch-up over a pint where he contributed some questions. This week’s joint winners with 15.5 were Wilko Martinez-Cachero and Jack who both collected a scratchcard. Here is the quiz. Why not give it a go and see if you can beat Jack and Wilko's score.

1. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in which city today (Friday)?
2. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived at the meeting between Trump and Putin wearing a t-shirt with what written on it? 
3. After greeting each other Trump and Putin got into Trump's fortified vehicle known as what?
4. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at a press conference in Berlin, said: 'I told President Trump and all our European allies that Putin is ….’ What is the missing word?
5. Melania Trump's lawyer threatened to sue Hunter Biden for $1billion unless he 'immediately retract the false, defamatory, disparaging and inflammatory statement made about Mrs Trump.’ What was the statement?
6. President Donald Trump’s takeover of Washington DC meant how many National Guard troops arrived in the city this week?
7. Sean Dunn was fired from his job in the Department of Justice after being charged with throwing what at a federal officer in DC?
8. What is the name of the California Governor who threatened to redraw his state's electoral map to benefit the Democrats in the 2026 Midterm Election? 
9. Two people were killed and ten injured in an explosion on Monday morning in what kind of building in the Pittsburgh area?
10. A man shot dead a police officer and fired 500 bullets on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in which city?
11. Who said his start up company would sue Apple for favoring AI competitors in its App Store in what he called 'a breach of antitrust regulations’?
12. Who posted a grainy picture on Instagram with the caption: 'My husband and his girlfriend holding hands’?
13. Five journalists working for which news outlet were killed in a targeted Israeli strike near Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital?
14. MAGA supporter Laura Loomer called who a 'lying fake Christian whore’?
15. Who posted a message on Instagram, mourning the death of his 78-year-old mother, saying: 'After a long fight with Lewy Body Dementia, she passed away today, surrounded by so many of us who loved her — her kids, grandkids and my dad’?
16. Which actor was stopped and searched by police who didn't recognize him in Ibiza?
17. Which deformed animals with tentacles growing from their faces have been spotted in Colorado, Minnesota and Nebraska?
18. Who reportedly turned down a Kennedy Center Award from President Donald Trump due to 'scheduling conflicts’?
19. Whose ex-husband compared their failed relationship to Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe and said of her, that she 'don’t cook, don’t clean, and don’t really seem like motherly’?
20. A missing Texas man was found after being trapped underground for 12 hours in what?
21. Fallen reality star Kate Gosselin said she had returned to her job as what because of financial difficulties?
22. What is back on the menu at the $350-a-dinner Manhattan restaurant Eleven Madison Park, which was profiled on the Netflix show Seven Days Out?
23. What is the name of the storm, the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2025 season, that is forecast to bring dangerous surf and coastal flooding to millions, from the Carolinas to New England?

24. What is the name of Taylor Swift's 12th album which she announced on boyfriend Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast ?
25. Who renewed their wedding vows in Westchester County, New York?

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was the Rev Leon with 21, ahead of George Mann on 18, Tim (still totally unremarkable), Jayme Bryla and Robert Rea on 17 and Damon Wake on 16. The top team was Tim Humphrey and the Globalsnewsroom with 23. The Barnard Castle FOC including Our Peter, Jackie, Trev, Carole and Bill with guests Christine and Carolyn scored 21, Phebe’s gang in New York 18, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 17 and Maura and Phil Parsons 16. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and let me know your score.

Today's front pages

1. US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were due to meet in which city today (Friday)?
2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at press conference in Berlin, said: 'I told President Trump and all our European allies that Putin is ….’ What is the missing word?
3. Home Office data showed that the number of migrants to cross the Channel in small boats since Labour came to power had surpassed what milestone figure?
4. Which of these is not true about Saturday's demonstration in London in support of Palestine Action? a) There were more than 530 people arrested b) More than a quarter of those arrested were aged 60-69 c) The number of arrests was the most by the Met on a single day in ten years d) Supporting Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison
5. Why did Foreign Secretary David Lammy refer himself to the Environment Agency?
6. Figures showed violent attacks against which workers in England had risen from 2,122 in 2019 to 4,054 in 2024 – a 91 per cent increase?
7. Paul Doyle, 53, sobbed in court as he faced 31 charges related to what?
8. England’s regional divide was illustrated this week with London having the most people, 32.1 per cent, who had achieved what and the North-East having the least with only 22.9 per cent?
9. Which popular High Street store with 278 shops in the UK went into administration, putting 2,150 jobs at risk?
10. Aimee Betro from Wisconsin was jailed after Birmingham Crown Court heard she had flown into the UK having been hired as what?
11. Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, was charged with the attempted murder of how many prison officers?
12. Two boys aged 14 and 15 and a 16-year-old girl were jointly charged with murder after a man was hit with a bottle and stones where?

13. The King and Queen led a two-minute silence at a service in Staffordshire to commemorate 80 years since what? 

14. A road safety strategy expected to be introduced in the autumn plans to introduce compulsory what for 70-year-old drivers?
15. Whose memoir, called Frankly, which included the highs and lows of her time in office and challenges that had a serious impact on her mental health, has been published?
16. Which TV presenter appeared via video link at Telford Magistrates' Court and was charged with two counts of rape?
17. The BBC apologised and edited a segment of Radio 4’s Thought for the Day after what word was used to describe Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick?
18. Biddy Baxter, who died aged 92, was the pioneering editor of which children’s TV programme for 1965 to 1988?
19. What caused a French nuclear station to close down after they got into the cooling system?
20. Former Apprentice contestant Thomas ‘Bosh’ Skinner spent Tuesday night with who after an exchange on X where he said he had been invited for 'a BBQ and beers’?
21. Strictly Come Dancing announced it will feature model Ellie Goldstein, 23, its first contestant with what condition?
22. Crystal Palace beat Liverpool to win what trophy for the first time in their history?
23. Ten-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, from London, became the youngest person to earn a woman international master title in what?
24. What is the name of Taylor Swift's 12th album which she announced on boyfriend Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast?
25. Who renewed their wedding vows in Westchester County, New York?

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