Thursday 24 December 2015

Sorry, haven't we seen that before?

Football managers blaming the Press is not new. And neither is the counter-reaction from the newspapers. 
Here is today's Sun back page on Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal, bemoaning newspaper coverage.


And here is the Sunday Sun (not related) in Newcastle when Alan Pardew did something similar last season. Look familiar? 

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Revenge attack, hotel fire and Mary Bell


Thanks for the generous reaction to our Editorial Centre anniversary (see previous post). It led to a flurry of Hastings memories on Twitter. Northern Echo editor Peter Barron, who ran the news-editing course and was always the ideas man, suggests I should ask for your favourite Hastings story, publish a list, and offer a prize to the best. I'm up for that. So far we have:

Richard Bowyer  @Sightscreen @EchoPeterBarron @petersands55 Memory, I turned up at the hotel in Hastings for the Editors' Chair course and a car had smashed into the bar
@EchoPeterBarron @petersands55 It's great when the story comes to you! The bar stayed open, fortunately!
@Sightscreen @petersands55 Blimey! I remember that. It was a revenge attack because the barman was having an affair with the driver's wife.

There was also a fire at the hotel. The contingent from The Irish Times were in the bar (inevitably) and had to let the firemen in as they couldn't negotiate the revolving doors. They then set about giving firemen's lifts to the women in the restaurant. The course presented the IT chief sub, Pat McGoldrick, with a toy fire engine.

@petersands55 @house_writer Favourite memory. False fire alarm in Fawlty Towers, the Irish Times lads giving firemen's lifts to old ladies.

And at the same time as that was going on, the course hacks claimed to have tracked down Mary Bell, who killed two boys in Newcastle when she was 11.

Jim Falla  @argyllscricket  I remember that brochure! Will never forget Spring 98 - news ed course, hotel fire and Mary Bell week

And then there was the story that made the splash in the Evening Argus in Brighton. Peter's jacket went missing for half an hour when we changed conference rooms. It was found and his wallet was still there, so no worries. But someone had taken his credit card details and used the number to fax a booking for a luxury hotel. The first Peter knew of it was when he received a letter from The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne inviting him back for another stay – and a bill for almost £400. Peter insists: “I’ve never even been to Eastbourne in my life but I have run up a huge hotel bill there with a woman I have never met." The story is on Hold The Front Page hereIt sounds like there was nothing but mayhem ... but there were gentler memories too.

And playing bingo on Hastings pier with Hazel Dolan and winning a tin of Fray Bentos corned beef!
Ian Reeve  @IanReevebiz Great wk there in 1992. But Bob James not impressed with 'Screw scrams in snout scam' headline I wrote in exercise about a prison officer fleeing a tobacco fraud


So if you have any stories from those heady days, let me have them and I will add them to the list. And who knows, you might win a bottle of something special, a toy fire engine or even a Fray Bentos pie.





Tuesday 22 December 2015

20 years ago - the Editorial Centre was born

An early Editorial Centre brochure

It was exactly 20 years ago today … that my career changed forever. It was on December 22, 1995, that my wife Pam and I bought the Westminster Press Training Centre in Hastings and changed it into the Editorial Centre. I had worked for WP for 18 years. I started as a reporter on the Shields Weekly News in Tyneside and chief subbed the Evening Despatch before becoming editor of The Northern Echo. In 1993 I moved South for a central management role. Two years later the parent company, Pearson, was looking to sell. As it geared up for the sale, one of the casualties was going to be the pioneering but unprofitable training centre on the seafront in Hastings - the brainchild of Nick Herbert and Bob James. I offered to buy it and, to my astonishment, the company said Yes. 



By the time we signed on the dotted line we had secured enough contracts to guarantee our fledgling business would be profitable for at least its first two years. Those at the centre - Robin Thompson, Steve Nelson, Frank le Duc, Steve Gladwyn, Sarah Dixon, shorthand supremo Sylvia Bennett and Anne Scott included - all came with us and helped turn it into a success. The Editorial Centre thrived for nine years before we sold it to the Press Association in 2004. 


The Editorial Centre was based in the iconic Marine Court on Hastings seafront

I then helped PA absorb it into its own training company, buying the Trinity training centre in Newcastle along the way, before standing down in 2007. My new company, SMS, has continued to work hand in hand with PA ever since.
So that gamble 20 years ago was the start of a huge adventure and a career-change I could never have predicted. It has seen me work for almost every national and regional newspaper. It has led to jobs in India, China, America, Australia, Malta, the Channel Islands and Ireland and with companies from Nigeria, Saudi, Hungary and Russia. We have trained thousands of people, many now award-winning journalists and executives. Some have remained firm friends. We have redesigned 90 newspapers and produced live publications with our long-standing partner, designer Mike Brough, and met some amazing people. We owe a big thanks to many who have helped and guided us along the way. But I am particularly indebted to Shamus Donald, who was the human resources director of WP and who eased the deal through, negotiated an ongoing contract and made it as painless as possible. Without him, none of what happened later would have been possible. So, 20 year ago today - the Friday before Christmas - I went to a solicitors in Hastings, signed a document, which was faxed to Newspaper House in London, transferred a bundle of cash and then Pam and I threw a party. Tonight it is a less flamboyant affair. But we have opened a special bottle and will raise a glass to Shamus - and to all those we have met along the way. Cheers.

Friday 18 December 2015

Christmas cracker from The Times' subs


Here's a classic Christmas card from the sub-editors at The Times. 

The newsquiz is back - test yourself

For the last four weeks the newsquiz has come from Sydney where I was working with Daily Mail Australia trainees. Hardly surprisingly, it proved too difficult for the usual quizzers. I got back on Saturday though, so this week's newsquiz is back to its UK-centric best. As usual there are 20 questions with five bonuses - so 25 points to be won. Let me know how you get on.


Science fact and science fiction on the Mirror's front page (Questions 1 and 8)
1. Tim Peake, the European Space Agency’s first British astronaut, was launched into space on Soyuz capsule from which country?
Bonus: What rank does Tim Peake hold?
2. An Australian court ordered which UK brand to be taken off the shelves?
3. Many airlines, including BA, banned what from their planes?
4. Why was 15-year-old Nawaf Al-Tuwayan in the headlines?
5. Russian President Vladimir Putin said, there is a 'creeping Islamisation of Turkey' that would have who 'rolling in his grave’?
Bonus. Saudi Arabia has formed an alliance of how many Muslim nations to fight ISIS?
6. One of David Cameron’s demands at the EU summit in Brussels is to restrict EU migrants' access to in-work benefits such as tax credits for how many years?
7. With more than 15 million viewers, what was revealed as the most-watched UK TV show of the year so far?
8. Disney paid £24,000 to turn what into a lightsaber to mark the premiere of the film the Force Awakens?
Bonus: Carrie Fisher was accompanied by a French bulldog on the red carpet for the premiere of the film. What is the dog called?
Bonus: Where did Sian Welby make 12 references in 40 seconds to the Star Wars film?
9. What happened to Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy while campaigning in the city of Pontevedrahas?
10. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued alerts for most of England and Wales, warning that older people, asthma sufferers and those with breathing difficulties were at risk from what?
11. Who sang her partner's favourite song 'The Folks Who Live on the Hill’ at a funeral in County Cork?
12. Who did Russian President Vladimir Putin describe as 'a very flamboyant man, very talented’?
13. England were drawn in group B in the Euro 2016 draw along with Wales and which other two countries? Half a point each.
14. Who was released after serving only half of his prison sentence?
15. Former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks announced that he is suffering with cancer of what organ?
16. Centuries of deep coal mining in Britain will end with the closure of which North Yorkshire pit?
17. The Government announced it is to cut subsidies 
by 65 per cent to householders installing what?

18. Which company was ordered to pay £26million after it sent out inaccurate bills and failed to deal with complaints correctly?
19. How many of France’s regional governments did Marine Le Penn’s Front National take control of in the regional elections?
20. Why did Rita Orla apologise to Olly Murs after seeing X Factor footage?
Bonus: The X Factor finalists sang a cover of Forever Young. Who wrote it?


Answers here

Saturday 12 December 2015

Farewell and good luck to the Aussie trainees



Farewell to the Aussie trainees


I said goodbye to the Daily Mail Australia trainees this weekend. They had a busy final week with sessions by video editor Ian Perry, Showbiz editor Jade Watkins, Femail editor Andrea Magrath and deputy managing editor Scott Langham. They had some good stories published too. 


Hannah's report from Cronulla
Hannah Moore missed the Christmas party to go to a public meeting on the Cronulla riots and then spent today reporting and taking pictures on the anniversary protests - resulting in a joint byline on the splash and picture credits too. Well done Hannah.
Nic White brought in his third story of the course, on the 100th anniversary of Australia's first Nobel Prize winners. Read it here.
Holly Pascoe wrote a story about the Salvation Army giving lifts to young drunken girls after taxi drivers left them stranded. 


Aneeta's story 
Aneeta Bhole not only wrote a story about a house being smashed up by partygoers in Sydney but she also took the video. Watch it here. Alisha Buaya also wrote a Christmas story on the rise of the turducken in Australia which was published on Femail. Read it here


Farewell drinks at the Morrison
We had farewell drinks at The Morrison on Tuesday (thanks for the book of NT News headlines and the wine) and on Thursday we went to the office Christmas party at the Waterfront overlooking the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. There were fantastic views, a clever magician, an artist doing caricatures, a secret Santa, a stirring speech and flowing drinks. Thanks to editor Luke Mcilveen, news-editor Barclay Crawford and Lucy McGirr for the invitation and for making me feel very welcome over the last four weeks.
As always, we finished with the newsquiz. There were scratchcards for Alisha Buaya for writing the best headlines over the four weeks and Nic White for prolific storygathering. This week's quiz winner was Josh Hanrahan with 12 points. The overall winner, though, was Holly Pascoe who collected the Champagne. Well done Holly. The trainees are all heading over to the UK in the new year for placements on regional newspapers and to spend some time at MailOnline in London before heading back to Sydney in the spring. I wish them well.

Here's this week's quiz. See if you can beat Josh's 12 and let me know how you get on. Next week the newsquiz will return to its normal UK focus.


1.  Up to 80 students at Brunswick North West Primary School, in Melbourne's north, were laid low with which illness?

2. A 15-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were arrested on terrorist charges in Sydney’s South West as part of which ongoing operation?
3. The 15-year-old texted his co-accused saying ‘I am going to get to paradise through ________' What is the missing word?
4. Police raided the Sydney home of the Bitcoin founder. What is his name?
5. The AACTA awards took place in Sydney on Wednesday night. What does AACTA stand for? 
6. Who was honoured with the Longford Lyell lifetime achievement award?
7. What was the name of the rebel biker who shot Darren Wallace and then turned the gun on himself? 
8. The 'biker war' murder took place at a service station in which town?
9. Whose concert at the Allianz Stadium in Moore Park was hit by Wednesday’s thunderstorm?
10. Who was named Time Magazine’s person of the Year?
11. Who was the controversial runner-up?
12. Cindy Kimberly said: 'I so do not know how to deal with this.’ What was she talking about?
13. What have Kim and Kanye named their son?
14. Who became the face of the Cronulla riots ten years ago after inciting a crowd to get 'Lebs' off the beach?
15. A siege at which airport resulted in at least 50 people being killed this week?
16. U2 and the Eagles of Death Metal played together at which Paris venue?
17. What song did the two groups play together?
18. A public health investigation was launched into the outbreak of food poisoning at a popular Brisbane pub after 20 customers fell ill after eating chicken parmigiana. Name the pub.
19. Who said of her grandfather: 'At the moment we’re really just respecting his wishes because he hasn’t had anything to do with us for a long time and he decided his own path. That’s important, so good for him.’
20. Why was Sarah Haynes in the headlines?
21. Abdullah Elmir who had promised to cut off the hands of people who oppose ISIS is believed to have been killed in an airstrike. What was his nickname?
22. Harrison Ford was in Sydney for a fan event at the Opera House. What is the title of the latest Star Wars movie due for release in Australia next week?
23. It was the 100th anniversary of Australia’s first Nobel Prize winners. Name them. 
24. A warehouse worker lost his job at Market Gardeners Limited near Auckland, New Zealand, after his boss claimed he stole what from the works Christmas party?
25. Melbourne author Jo Hirst wrote a children's book after her young son came out as transgender and she struggled to find resources to help him. What is the book called?

Answers here.


Saturday 5 December 2015

A splash, a banner and Holly wins the quiz

Max Margan's splash 
The trainees for Daily Mail Australia have now finished their third week. Well done to Max Margan who got the splash for his story on a white-collar worker on $100K-a-year who shoots heroin every day. It is the first time a trainee has written the splash while on the course. 


Millie Thwaites and Brianne Tolj are briefed in the newsroom
Millie and Brianne's story 
Millie Thwaites also had a good week - getting the banner after doing Christmas shopping research with senior reporter Brianne Tolj on Thursday night. Nic White was also published during the week with a story he brought in about how a man, who lost nine of his family, is being overwhelmed by Australian hospitality. 


Nic White's story 
That is eight trainee stories published during the course so far - two each for Nic and Millie. They have also been working on wire stories, pitching travel features, coming up with forward planning ideas and writing obituaries. Yesterday they had an excellent session on the realities of the job with assistant news-editor Euan Black. As always we finished the week with the news quiz, Well done again to Holly Pascoe who, with 13.5 points, won for the second week in a row. She will take some catching for the overall prize next week. See if you can do better and let me know how you get on.  

1. What were the names of the two Australian tourists feared dead in their burnt-out van in Mexico? Half a point for each
2. Foreign minister Julie Bishop arranged for a private jet to collect her and her partner from a charity dinner in Perth, so she would be back to attend her 7am ministerial meetings. How much did the trip cost taxpayers?
3. What is the name of Bishop's partner?
4. Which online store has been criticised for its Black Friday slogan?
5. What was the store's Black Friday slogan that offended?
6. What did District Court Judge Gregory Farmer do to avoid a confrontation with Muslim extremist Milad bin Ahmad-Shah al-Ahmadzai?
7. Why did American R&B singer Chris Brown cancel his tour of Australia and New Zealand?
8. How many turtles did Canadian Kai Xu have taped to his lower body in an attempt to smuggle them from the USA back into Canada
9. What have Mark Zuckerberg and his wife called their baby daughter?
10. Hollywood star Mel Gibson is filming his new movie in Richmond. What is the film called?
11. What was the pseudonym used by the Australian white collar heroin user who holds down a $100K job?
12. According to 
Indonesian investigators, which part of the plane that led to an Air Asia flight crashing killing 162 people was faulty?

13. Which best-selling biscuit is at the centre of a supermarket price war?
14. At which arena did Oprah Winfrey start her Australian tour?
15. How many UK MPs voted in favour to bomb Syria?
16. Two doctors on-board an Emirates flight, that made an emergency landing in Perth, used what to help a woman who had gone into labour?

17. Why was former football agent Ricky Nixon arrested?
18. PM’s wife Lucy Turnbull is the new chief commissioner of which organisation?
19. Who faces being sent to jail before Christmas day after five Supreme Court judges upgraded a conviction to murder?
20. Why was Our Lady of Mercy Syriac Catholic Church, in Concord in Sydney's west, in the headlines?
21. Who said ‘I crave normalcy!’ after being named Billboard’s Woman Of The Year?
22. Former NSW police officer Amy Shaw has been in a battle for almost three-years with an insurance company for a payout for her permanent disability that does not allow her to work. Which insurance company?
23. 14 people died in a shoot out in which U.S. city
24. A man arrested after a tense seven-hour stand off with police in Ashcroft, west of Sydney was armed with a pipe bomb and how many guns?
25. Project host Waleed Aly played a guitar solo from a song by which well-known band at the Walkley journalism awards in Melbourne on Thursday evening?
26. What is the name of Aly’s band?

Answers here 

Saturday 28 November 2015

This week's newsquiz: Can you beat Holly's 15?

The Daily Mail Australia trainees have had another good week, including an excellent session with picture editor Yvette Kelly. They have been looking at Christmas stories, travel features and pictures. Well done to Nic White and Millie Thwaites who both had stories published on the website. You can read Nic's story here and Millie's here.


Meet the dog who thinks he's a cinema usher - Millie's story
That’s five trainees' stories published so far - and there will be more to follow. Alex Genova, one of the American trainees, was also published on the site this week, for a story she wrote during the course in August, on the 100th anniversary of Einstein’s theory of relativity. We finished the week, as usual, with the newsquiz. Well done to Holly Pascoe who clocked up an impressive 15 and won the Lotto scratch card.
Here’s this week’s quiz - 26 points to be won this week. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.


Schoolie season - Questions 21 and 22

1. What was the name of the New Zealand glacier where a helicopter crashed, killing seven people?
2. The Australian government has unveiled an updated version of the terrorism advisory system. It now has five tiers - 
i) not expected, ii) possible, iii) probable, iv) expected. What is the fifth tier?

3. What level is Australia currently on?
4. Police said a group of how many men and boys are being watched closely because they are capable of committing an act of terror, such as killing a member of the public?
5. Australia’s Grand Mufti has come under fire for calling on the Muslim community to recognise White Ribbon Day by referencing an ancient sermon that refers to women as what?
6. What did former minister Amanda Vanstone say about Bindi Irwin on Channel 9’s the Verdict that, according to other panelists, was mean and nasty?
7. Police, who were called to a house on Sydney’s North shore after neighbours heard a man shouting 'I'm going to kill you, you’re dead! Die die', found a dead what?
8. Army chaplains may have which slogan removed from hat badges as part of a push for greater diversity?
9. Despite having hiccups, Ethan Hall continued to sing the Australian national anthem. Which two Australian baseball teams were playing? Half a point for each
10. Name one of the five P&O cruise ships which formed a V-shape in Sydney Harbour this week.
11. Who won the Best International Act at the ARIAs for the fourth year running?
12. Who was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the ARIA awards?
13. At which venue were the ARIA Awards held?
14. Who did conservationists in New Zealand accuse of endangering a rare bird, the dotterel, while shooting a video?
15. Residents on the Gold Coast are being warned to be on high alert for what … which are expected to descend on residential areas following the fires?
16. Which Sydney Kings basketball player had beer poured over his head by someone in the crowd?
17. Two men were arrested trying to 'drill drug supply holes’ at Sydney Olympic stadium … before which music festival?
18. Filippo Silvestro is facing drug charges after he was allegedly caught with more than 150 ecstasy pills. Which TV programme did Silvestro take part in?
19. Why was Nathan Paterson in the headlines?
20. Australian journalist Sharri Markson was detained after breaking strict security protocol at a hospital in which country?
21. A teenager known as Schoolie Steve was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital after friends set light to which part of his body?
22. An 18-year-old schoolie was arrested at the southern coastal town of Goolwa after allegedly dismembering what?
23. What was the name of the turkey pardoned by Barack Obama at the annual turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House?
24. What secret did Meaghin McIntyre keep from her wedding guests when she married on the Sunshine Coast?
25. A Melbourne cleaner, claiming to be called Joe Carr, admitted his previous name was a hoax? What was the false name?
26. Two construction workers were crushed to death by falling concrete slab at a building site in which city?

Answers here

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Mail looking for trainee journalists


The Daily Mail group is once again recruiting trainee journalists. Since 2003 I have been training sub-editors for the paper and since 2007 I have been training reporters. Three years ago we started a course for online journalists. This year’s intake, apart from those destined for the MailOnline and the Daily Mail in London, included five trainees for DailyMail.com in New York and nine for Daily Mail Australia in Sydney. The Mail also took two trainees on to its Stephen Lawrence scholarship. Many graduates of the courses are now seniors at the Mail. 


Some of this year's trainees

The training is a real investment by DMGT. The successful applicants spend weeks training in the Mail’s London offices and are then placed at regional newspapers and agencies before returning to the Mail the following year. 
The training will begin in August and September 2016, so is suitable for those graduating this academic year. 
The deadline for applications is December 18 - but we would appreciate it if you could apply well before then. If you are interested, send a covering letter, your CV and three examples of your work to Sue Ryan at sue.ryan@dailymail.co.uk. There are vacancies for trainee reporters and subs (both news and sport) on the Mail and journalists (news and sport) for MailOnline. Details are on Gorkana and Hold The Front PageIf you are applying you might want to take a look at my advice on how to prepare for an interview. Good luck.

Saturday 21 November 2015

And the best front page tribute to Jonah Lomu

... goes to the Irish Examiner.


The newsquiz reflects a grim week

In a grim newsweek, here is this week's newsquiz. Last week's top individual scorers was Sophie Jamieson with 14 and the top team score was by the Batstones. Others in double figures included Chris Lennon 11 and Dan Williams 10. Let me know how you get on.

Grim front pages reflect a terrible week 
1. According to an Institute of Economics and Peace report on global terrorism which was the most brutal terrorist organisation in the world last year, killing 6,664 people? 
2. What is the name of the hotel in Mali where 27 hostages were murdered?
3. What was the name of the French police dog killed in the Paris siege?
4. In which area of Paris were three terrorists killed during a police raid?
5. What are the three Stay Safe things security chiefs in Britain have advised you should do if caught up in a Paris-style attack? 
6. How was Mohammed Emwazi better known to the media (and world)?
7. Who said:  'Christmas is approaching: There will be lights, parties, Christmas trees and nativity scenes... it's all a charade. The world continues to go to war. The world has not chosen a peaceful path.'?
8. Who abseiled down the Residential Outdoor Education Centre in Capel Curig, North Wales?
9. Who was banned from the Tory party for life after accusations of bullying, harassment and blackmail?
10. Announcing his retirement from international cricket, fast bowler Mitchell Johnson revealed that an incident forced him to change his aggressive style? What was it?
11. She lived in Ambleside Avenue, was once sentenced to 18 months in jail, 30 MPs, including Tony Benn, signed a Commons motion in her support and Julie Walters played her in a movie. Who is she?
12. World leaders have been attending the APEC summit in Manila? What does APEC stand for?
13. Which Californian singer was played loudly to disperse protestors at the APEC summit?
14. Warren Mitchell, who died this week, won a BAFTA for his character Alf Garnett in which TV series?
15. 
Two teenager boys were stabbed at a school in which London area?
16. In which city did Prince Charles celebrate his 67th birthday?

17. 
Eddie Jones was announced as England’s new rugby coach. How old is he?
18. Apple executive Jimmy Iovine, said women, without help, struggle to find what?
19. Who had a transplant in 2004 with a kidney donated by his close friend Grant Kereama?
20. Who quit I'm a Celebrity after only three days on 'health grounds'?
21. Why was nurse Amanda Bruce in the headlines?
22. What has seven-year-old Lily-Grace Hooper told she could not use at Hambrook Primary School in Winterbourne Down?
23. Which television series is making a comeback after 12 years?
24. The SNP has been accused of accepting cash 'bribes' after it was revealed it accepted a £10,000 donation from which organisation?
25. Singer Carly Simon confirmed that one of the verses in her classic song You're So Vain is about which actor?

Answers here

In a black void trying to reach the news story


Here's an interesting take on print v digital by, of all people, South Park studios. 

Friday 20 November 2015

Josh wins Australian newsquiz

This week I have been with the Daily Mail Australia trainees in Sydney. They had sessions with editor Luke Mcilveen, news-editor Barclay Crawford and former trainee Jen Smith, who is now a showbiz reporter. The trainees spent some of their time writing and pitching exclusive stories. Well done to Josh Hanrahan (story here), Steve Trask (story here) and Aneeta Bhole who all brought in stories that were published on the website ... the first of many bylines. As usual we finished with the newsquiz. Well done to Josh who was top scorer with a respectable 13.5 points out of 25. If you have been keeping up with the Australian and world news agenda, you might be able to do better. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.


Ice cream topped with bugs: Aneeta's story can be read here.
1. According to an Institute of Economics and Peace report on global terrorism which was the most brutal terrorist organisation in the world last year, killing 6,664 people? 
2. Who wrote non-Muslims want women to walk around 'exposed as a piece of sweet pastry... devoured by the eyes of men’?
3. What was the name of the French police dog killed in the Paris siege?
4. In which area of Paris were three terrorists killed during a police raid?
5. What are the three Stay Safe things security chiefs in Britain have advised you should do if caught up in a Paris-style attack? 
6. How was Mohammed Emwazi better known to the media (and world)?
7. What is the name of the woman who was convicted of terrorism offences at Sydney's Downing Centre Court on Monday?
8. A farmer and three of his employees died in a bush fire in which town in Western Australia?
9. The three farm workers who died in the farm fire all came from different countries. One was from Britain where were the other two from? (Half point for each)
10. Announcing his retirement from international cricket, fast bowler Mitchell Johnson revealed that an incident forced him to change his aggressive style? What was it?
11. Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke and his wife Kyly announced the birth of their daughter this week. What is she called?
12. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been attending the APEC summit in which city?
13. What does APEC stand for?
14. Which Californian singer was played loudly to disperse protestors at the APEC summit?
15. Where will Jess Dunbar, Matt Price, Louise Adams and Cyrus Villanueva be appearing?
16. In which city did Prince Charles celebrate his 67th birthday?

17. What is the full name of the award won by social media star and personal trainer Kayla Itsines this week?
18. A class action that could top $100 million has been launched in the Federal Court on behalf of the owners of what?
19. Jonah Lomu was suffering from which kidney disease?
20. In which year did Jonah Lomu have a kidney transplant donated by his close friend Grant Kereama?
21. Why was nurse Amanda Bruce in the headlines?
22. A 14-year-old boy pleaded guilty at Perth Children’s court to a number of sex attacks on women. What did he wear during the first attack?
23. Why was Kate Armstrong in the headlines this week?
24. Which brewery boss died aged 82 after serving 'the beer drinkers of Australia' for 50 years?
25. What rules did Bunnings Warehouses introduce after a five-year-old girl was hurt in one of their stores?

Answers here


  

Sunday 15 November 2015

Chilling front pages cover the Paris massacre


It was a sombre night in the newsrooms across the world. Here's a glance at what the mornings newspapers look like.
The Independent on Sunday adopts a simple under-stated design and asks the key question 'what happens next?'. 


I wonder, though, if it was tempted to lead with Peter Shrank's powerful and poignant cartoon.


The People goes for a compelling image - a single rose in a bullet hole with a card asking Au nom de quoi, in whose name?


The French paper Liberation printed a special edition which also goes for an understated, yet powerful floral tribute image.   
The Sunday Herald in Scotland uses the most graphic of images. It carries a justification underneath the picture that reads 'this is a disturbing image but we feel it must be shown to reflect the reality of terrorism'. Editor Neil Mackay also took to Twitter to reiterate the point. 'We thought long and hard about using this disturbing image. But it must be seen. This is the reality of terrorism.'


The American newspapers, including the New York Daily News, also used the image.


The Mail on Sunday also uses a harrowing picture from the scene - people hanging from the ledges outside the Bataclan to escape the killers. It also shows a picture of the covered body of one of the terrorists. I might have been tempted to dispense with the André Rieu CD blurb.


The same image is used by The Sunday Telegraph.



The Sunday Mirror and The Sunday Times choose to go with pictures of the victims - images that bring home the real human cost of the story. The Mirror's main picture is of Briton Nick Alexander who died in the concert hall.


The Mail on Sunday also has stories of some of the young people who were murdered.


The Sunday Post in Scotland tells the story of two Scottish women who hid in the cellar at the Bataclan while the killers slaughtered dozens of people only a few feet away.


Scotland on Sunday uses an image of shocked survivors in the aftermath of the shooting and headlines on the fact they were an act of war.




Sister papers the Sunday Express and Daily Star Sunday also use grieving pictures and bring the story closer to home with a report the SAS is on the streets, ringfencing UK terrorist targets. 



The Observer has a picture of a soldier guarding the Eiffel Tower and some detailed witness accounts.




Wales on Sunday changes its titlepiece colours to those of the French tricolour.



Here's a selection of Australian papers. In Sydney there were tears, French flags and a rendition of the Marseillaise and the Opera house was lit up in the colours of the tricolour. 


The German paper Bild simply goes with the word Krieg - War.


Zaman, a Turkish daily, uses the headline We condemn terror and set it in Turkish, French, English, Spanish, German, Russian and Arabic.





What happened on Friday was one of those rare stories that also leads off the sports pages. Here is a selection from the Mail on Sunday, the Independent on Sunday and The Sunday Telegraph.

There is a different perspective in some of the Arabic newspapers. This one from Iran has a chilling image of the ISIS flag at the top of the Eiffel Tower and a progression of events climbing the tower, starting with genocide in Syria and Iraq, moving on to the Russian airline crash, last week's bomb attacks in Beruit and finishing with Friday's events.


Thanks as always to  and @suttonnick.