Time to tackle the newsquiz

There were some very high scores in last week's newsquiz. Jessica McKay, Chris Lennon and Ginger Elvis all scored 18. The top team was Tim Rowntree and his après skiers who scored 21, narrowly beating the Penman Partnership on 20 and the Batstone Collective on 19. Was it easier or are you all getting better? Here's this week's quiz - as usual there are 25 questions about the week's events. Let me know how you get on. And if you really like a challenge, the Australian version of the newsquiz is here.

The Guardian on Theresa and Donald (see Questions 1 and 2)

1. President Trump's press office sent out a memo about Theresa May’s White House meeting but spelled which word incorrectly three times?

2. Who, as the only Briton who President Trump follows on Twitter, wrote an open letter to Theresa May offering ten pieces of advice before her meeting at the White House?

3. Donald Trump pulled the US out of the TPP. What does TPP stand for?
4. What hashtag did former Mexican President Vicente Fox use in a tweet to Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer?
5. Donald Trump's chief strategist Stephen Bannon labelled the media the ‘______ party’. What is the missing word?
6. The British Government was accused of covering up the launch of unarmed Trident missile from a submarine off the coast of whch US state?

7. Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger said: 'By a majority of ____ to ____, the Supreme Court today rules that the government cannot trigger Article 50 without an act of Parliament authorising it to do so.' What are the missing two numbers?

8. The shadow early years minister quit after Jeremy Corbyn said he would force his front-bench team to vote in favour of triggering Brexit. What is her name?

9. Penguin announced it is printing more copies of which 68-year-old novel in response to a sudden surge of demand, which led to it briefly becoming the number one seller on Amazon?
10. How many Oscar nominations did the movie La La Land receive?
11. Who will play in the women’s final at the Australian open tennis championships tomorrow?
12. American TV icon Mary Tyler-Moore died this week. How old was she?
13. Which university was fined £400,000 after two students were nearly killed after they were given enough caffeine for 300 cups of coffee during a botched science experiment?
14. Why was Ryan Mason in the headlines?
15. Chase Carey became chairman of what?
16. Supermarket group Tesco has agreed to buy which wholesaler in a £3.7bn deal?
17. He went to Eton, did National Service as a trooper with the Royal Scots Greys, went to Cambridge and in 2001 he became Father of the House of Commons. Who is he?
18. Who was named best TV judge at the National Television Awards at the O2 on Wednesday night?
19. After winning a National Television Award and celebrating until the early hours, who drank a glass of red wine live on morning TV?

20. Michael Adebolajo, the Islamic extremist who murdered Lee Rigby, is seeking £20,000 in compensation for what?
21. Alexandra Shulman stood down as editor of what?
22. Why was burnt toast in the news?
23. Richard Madeley tweeted a photo of himself wearing what?
24. Which Hollywood actress was taken to hospital after been found screaming over her fence about the end of the world?

25. Which creature represents this year's Chinese New Year?

Answers here

Matilda wins the Aussie newsquiz Champagne

The trainees in Australia - Matilda (front centre) won the newsquiz Champagne 

After three weeks of training, I said goodbye to the Mail trainees in Sydney today. They had good sessions with Clementine Cuneo and Daniel Piotrowski, from the original content team; Ian Perry, video-editor, and page-editor Fiona Hargreaves. They also brought in and wrote stories for the Daily Mail Australia website. Lucy Gray and Elise Johnson went on the woman’s march in Sydney and took photos and videos which were published here. Matilda Rudd interviewed women called Isis who spoke of the abuse they suffer. Read it here. Matilda also helped Jacob Polychronis to carry out a taste test with bizarre Aussie sausages at Bondi Beach. It was a hat-trick of stories by Matilda whose story about starving bears last week was shared 52 times. Elise, Charlotte Beale and April Glover looked at Australia Day swimwear through the decades while Kirby, Harry Pettit and Charlotte Foster wrote a feature on the weird and whacky ways Australia Day is celebrated. On a more sombre note Lucy and Nkyala Afshariyan spoke to the family of a man who was killed during the Australia Day celebrations a year ago. Their story is here. 

Jacob and Matilda go sausage testing at Bondi

As always, we finished with the newsquiz - 25 questions about the week’s events. It was won this week by Kirby with 14.5. This meant that Matilda and Kirby were tied over the three weeks. We did a tie-break question and Matilda won, so she collected the Champagne. Kirby’s consolation was a lottery scratchcard. Others who collected scractchards were Nkyala and April for the best headlines of the week, Lucy for the highest scoring Brit in the quiz and Matilda for a hat-trick of stories published. The four British trainees now head back to England for further training and placements. The Australians will have further training with Adam Tinworth and Nick Enoch and then head over to the UK for placement at regional newspapers. 

The last three weeks has been a pleasure and I have enjoyed their company and their work. They are a bright bunch … I wish them all well.

Here is this week’s newsquiz. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.  

1. Donald Trump pulled the US out of the TPP. What does TPP stand for?
2. What hashtag did former Mexican President Vicente Fox use in a tweet to Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer?
3. President Donald Trump's chief strategist Stephen Bannon labelled the media the ‘______ party’. What is the missing word?
4. Who, as the only Briton who President Trump follows on Twitter, wrote an open letter to British PM Theresa May offering ten pieces of advice before her meeting at the White House?
5. Stunt man Johann Ofner was shot dead in the chest while filming a promo video for which band?
6. A Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey said Sydney has the second most expensive houses in the world. Which city was top of the list?
7. Who has replaced Mike Baird as Premier of NSW?
8. Why has Melbourne-based Caroline Arthur been in the news?
9. How many Oscar nominations did the movie La La Land received?
10. Who will play in the women’s final at the Australian open tennis championships tomorrow?
11. Why was Italian junior tennis player Maria Vittoria Viviani disqualified from the first round of the Australian Open?
12. He dedicated his life to pioneering stem cell research, using it to repair damaged spinal cords, including helping to restore mobility in a quadriplegic man. Who is he?
13. On which TV programme was Julian Assange appearing when he said: 'I am not a complete idiot’?
14. What was the name of the river where a plane crashed, killing two people, during Australia Day celebrations?
15. Who  responded to suggestions that the date of Australia Day should be changed by saying: 'I don't believe that the true Aboriginal gives a damn about it’?
16. Who performed without their iconic skivvies for the first time in 25 years at the Australia Day concert in Sydney?
17. Who wrote 'When you light up a candle you light up your neshama. And you light up the world’?
18. Police released images of eight teenagers they want to speak to over the alleged assault of two 14-year-old boys in a busy shopping centre toilet in which city?
19. American TV icon Mary Tyler-Moore died this week. How old was she
20. Why was 71-year-old Bernard 'Butch’ Gore in the headlines?
21. What happened to New Zealand Breakers' forward Akil Mitchell in a basketball game in Auckland?
22. Ferrari boss Herbert Appleroth sold his five-bedroom home on Sydney Wharf  - six years after Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio rejected it for rental - for how many Australian dollars?
23. What did Chris Hasson seemed say was a good story for his son Eden to tell on the first day of school?
24. The deadly white spot disease contaminating what has led to more than $25million losses for Queensland farmers?
25. Which creature represents this year's Chinese New Year?

Answers here

   

What the papers made of Trump's inauguration

It's fair to say the papers aren't giving new President Donald Trump a ringing endorsement this morning. 

Here's an early glimpse of the New York Daily News which captures the anger on all sides. There can be no doubt where the News stand though ... yesterday's paper simply told its readers to 'hope for the best'.

The National went for a clever front - great example of the photo and headline working together.

The Daily Mirror thinks there is more to it than Trump merely turning his back on the world. We are at war!

The Guardian also skies a powerful picture with perfect symmetry. 'From this moment on it's going to be America first,' says the headline. 

The Times goes for a classic, and stylish wrap, and is putting its faith in God to see us through.

The Independent's plea to God is just a little more desperate. 

The Daily Mail chooses to play it pretty straight.

The Daily Express opts for a John Lennon lyric ... although I'm pretty sure a Donald Trump regime is not what the late Beatle had in mind.

Meanwhile the Daily Star, unaccustomed as it is to leading on political stories, wheels out the headline for all occasions ... It's D-Day. 

The Western Mail uses a quote that sums it all up. 

The Sun, as it often does, ploughs its own furrow and goes with a Tom Daley exclusive, using its quirky Trump tale in the top right slot. 

And as an aside, this is how yesterday's two New York tabloids previewed the inauguration. Two different editorial position ... but almost identical front pages.

Thanks as always to @hendopolis and Tomorrow's Papers Today 

Time for this week's newsquiz ...

Last week's top newsquiz scorers were Damon Wake and Liz Gerard, both with 17. The top team was the Penman Partnership with 18. Well done to them. Here's this week's quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Let me know how you get on. If you are really keen there is an Australian newsquiz this week too.

The Mirror on Trump (Questions 3 to 8)

1. Foreign secretary Boris Johnson warned French president Francois Hollande not to 'administer  ______ _______ to anybody who chooses to escape, rather in the manner of some World War Two movie.’ What are the two missing words?
2. Which company announced it was preparing to move 1,000 staff from London to Paris when the UK leaves the EU?

3. What role will Jackie Evancho have at Donald Trump’s inauguration?

4. Which media company was accused of inciting violence against Donald Trump after it said an Obama appointee would take over if the President-elect was killed at his inauguration?

5. Donald Trump has suggested Woody Johnson will be the ambassador to the UK. Johnson owns which American football team?

6. The Obamas moved out of the White House to the affluent neighbourhood of Kalorama to allow their youngest daughter to finish high school. What is the youngest daughter’s name?

7. American Vice President-elect Mike Pence criticised Barack Obama’s decision to commute whistleblower Chelsea Manning’s prison sentence, saying: 'Private Manning is a traitor and should not have been turned into a _____’ What is the missing word?

8. The first UK interview with US President-elect Donald Trump was conducted by which Times journalist?
9. In which Australian City were four people killed and more than 20 injured by an erratic driver?
10. Why were the Waterloo and Westminster bridges closed?
11. Who will be the guest on Desert Island Disc’s 75th birthday anniversary?
12. According to the Advertising Standards Agency which company's television advert received the most complaints in 2016?
13. Whose brother appeared in court accused of pressing a gun to his girlfriend's head when drunk during a row at their home?

14. EasyJet sacked flight attendant Shannon Gleeson for eating what while on duty?

15. What happened to the Hotel Rigopiano?

16. The World Economic Forum is being held in Davos? In which country is it?

17. Eugene Cernan, who died aged 82, was the last man to do what?

18. Who did unknown wildcard Uzbeki Denis Istomin knock out of the Australian Open?
19. A 40-year old British man died while working on the Khalifa International Stadium in which country?

20. What is the latest rate of inflation in the UK … the highest for two-and-a-half years?

21. Yahya Jammeh refused to step down from power in which country?

22. Theresa May will appear in a spread in which magazine’s April edition?

23. Where is Cadbury’s Dairy Milk now produced?
24. She captained England between 1966 and 1978, was vice-president of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club and was made a life peer in 2011. Who is she?

25. Robert Willis praised the work of sculptors for capturing his mother's joy in a newly-unveiled bronze statue? Who was his mother?

Answers here

Matilda wins the Aussie newsquiz

The Mail's trainees in Sydney office

The trainees have enjoyed another productive week at the Daily Mail Australia offices in Sydney. They had sessions with picture editor Yvette Kelly, showbiz editor Jade Watkins and trainee Lucy Gray who talked about her experiences in the managing editor’s office. They spent a lot of the week finding and pitching stories ... and two were published. Well done Matilda Rudd whose story on skeletal bears in an Indonesian zoo got 52,000 shares. 

You can read it here. Well done too to April Glover who found and wrote this story about a woman hitting back at trolls after she fell off her motobility scooter. I am confident more stories will follow next week. 

As usual we finished with the newsquiz. Matilda topped a good week by winning a scratchcard for being top scorer with 13. She just beat Kirby Spencer on 12. Kirby also won a scratchcard for the best headline of the week. Here's this week's quiz. There are 25 questions about the week's events. Give it a go and let me know your score.

1. American Vice President-elect Mike Pence criticised Barack Obama’s decision to commute whistleblower Chelsea Manning’s prison sentence, saying: 'Private Manning is a traitor and should not have been turned into a _____’ What is the missing word?

2. Which media company was accused of inciting violence against Donald Trump after it said an Obama appointee would take over if the President-elect was killed at his inauguration?

3. Donald Trump has suggested Woody Johnson will be the ambassador to the UK. Johnson owns which American football team?

4. The Obamas moved out of the White House to the affluent neighbourhood of Kalorama to allow their youngest daughter to finish high school. What is the youngest daughter’s name?

5. Several people were killed and at least 20 were injured after a car ploughed into a Bourke Street Mall. The driver was earlier videoed doing burnouts in front of which Melbourne station?

6. Eugene Cernan, who died aged 82, was the last man to do what?

7. Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios was booed by fans at the Australian Open after losing to who?

8. ESPN's Doug Adler was accused of racism after comparing Venus Williams to what?

9. Whose brother appeared in court accused of pressing a gun to his girlfriend's head when drunk during a row at their home?
10. Why was Josh Cartwright in the headlines?

11. Michael Chamberlain's defence lawyer said there were two things on the 72-year-old's mind the day before he died of leukaemia. One was an apology from the Government. What was the other?

12. What was the name of the Adelaide strip club where Shannon Noll was arrested?

13. NSW Premier Mike Baird, who resigned this week, banned what sport before the government overruled the idea?
14. Mike Baird's resignation has prompted a by-election for which seat? 
15. More than $100,000 has been raised in a crowdfunding campaign in Australia to have what returned? 
16. What has Bega Cheese promised to bring back to Australia?
17. Pauli Pauli was injured in a seven-car crash north of Sydney. Which rugby league team does he play for?
18. EasyJet sacked flight attendant Shannon Gleeson for eating what while on duty?
19. Sydney lawyer Carl Harrap appeared in court in Manly accused of what offence?
20. What happened to the Hotel Rigopiano?

21. Which actor was fined $1,000 by Melbourne Magistrates Court for possessing the drug ice?

22. Australian mummy blogger Sophie Cachia, also known as the Young Mummy, live streamed the birth of her second baby but then said she had doubts about the name she had chosen. What was the baby's name?
23. A 47-year-old man was killed by a crocodile after attempting to walk over which flooded river crossing?

24. The World Economic Forum is being held in Davos? In which country is it?

25. Two tattooed streakers are facing a hefty $5,500 fine after being charged for invading what event?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s quiz was Damon Wake with 17. The Penmans were the top team, also with 17. Here’s this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give them a go and let me know your score.

Farewell to Graham Taylor: The Mail's back page (Question 12)

1. Name the ex-MI6 man who is in hiding over the Trump sex tape scandal

2. On what date will Donald Trump be sworn in as US president?

3. Who was named as the unpaid senior advisor to the President-elect?

4. What did President-elect Donald Trump call 'a failing pile of garbage’ during his news conference?
5. Michelle Obama was left teary-eyed after who serenaded her with a medley of his greatest hits, singing You'll Always Be First Lady In Our Minds?

6. Which honour did Barack Obama award his vice president Joe Biden?

7. The Environment Agency warned that coastal communities in four counties should be prepared for large waves and possible flooding. Name the counties. Half a point for three, one point for all four.

8. Mother Sarah Bryan says she has been subjected to ‘death threats’ and hate messages and is too frightened to leave her house after appearing on TV this week. What did she do to provoke such a reaction?
9. Home Secretary Amber Rudd had an embarrassing arrival at 10 Downing Street and had to be helped by an aide. What happened to her?

10. Who quit the Celebrity Big Brother house after one week?
11. Who resigned over the handling of a Renewable Heat Incentive scheme?

12. Former England football manager Graham Taylor, died age 72. He started his managerial career at Lincoln City and was then boss of two other teams before joining England. Name those teams. Half a point each.

13. What was the name of the US airport where a gunman shot dead five people?

14. Old Omar, Marceau the Gypsy and Broken Nose were all questioned about what?

15. What change did Fifa announce for the World Cup in 2026?
16. Why was tour guide Ethan Rond said to be a hero?
17. Which movie won the Best Motion Picture (Drama) at this year’s Golden Globes awards?
18. In her Golden Globes' acceptance speech, Meryl Steep took the opportunity to criticise Donald Trump. Which award did she receive?
19. Why was Hayden Cross in the headlines?
20. How many goals has Wayne Rooney scored for Manchester United to equal Sir Bobby Charlton’s record
21. What did Paris Jackson say made her want to vomit?

22. Peter Sarstedt, who died aged 75, had a number one hit with Where Do You Go To My Lovely in which year?

23. James Corden described Pierce Brosnan as a ‘bit f***ing rude’ after the famous actor pushed him at a concert by which band?

24. Former shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt quit to become director of what?

25. Prince William played a game of Who Am I while visiting Centrepoint. Who was the famous person he had to name?

Answers here

Try your hand at the Aussie newsquiz

I have had a good week with seven Daily Mail Australia trainees and four young UK MailOnline journalists in Sydney. They have enjoyed sessions by editor Luke McIlveen, news-editor Barclay Crawford, Femail editor Katherine Davison and Josh Hanrahan who was on the training scheme last year. On Wednesday night the trainees had drinks with the senior staff. This weekend they are finding stories to pitch to the newsdesk and Femail. As usual we finished the week with the newsquiz. Well done to Jacob Polychronis who scored 14.5, narrowly beating Kirby Spencer on 13. Here is the newsquiz -  25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.

Daily Mail Australia on Amber Sherlock's 'diva' moment
 (Question 25)

1. On what date will Donald Trump be sworn in as US president?
2. Who was named as the unpaid senior advisor to the President-elect?

3. What did President-elect Donald Trump call 'a failing pile of garbage’ during his news conference?
4. Michelle Obama was left teary-eyed after who serenaded her with a medley of his greatest hits, singing You'll Always Be First Lady In Our Minds?
5. Which honour did Barack Obama award to his vice president Joe Biden?

6. Why has there been an online backlash against Target stores?
7. Mother Sarah Bryan says she has been subjected to ‘death threats’ and hate messages and is too frightened to leave her house after appearing on UK TV this week. What did she do to provoke such a reaction? 

8. The lawyer for celebrity accountant Anthony Bell said his wife Kelly Landry was suffering from ‘celebrity_______’ What is the missing word?
9. What was the name of the Gold Coast Movie World rollercoaster on which 20 people were stranded?

10. Which former cricketer agreed to a 12-month apprehended domestic violence order taken out by police for his girlfriend Julie Singleton?

11. Sussan Ley, accused of billing taxpayers more than $13,000 to pilot two private flights, temporarily stepped down from which position?

12. Which airline cancelled all flights to and from Bali due to changes to Indonesian flight requirements?

13. Who sold her luxury Hunters Hill home for a reported sum of $20 million?

14. What did Fifa announce will change in the World Cup of 2026?

15. What was the name of the US airport where a gunman shot dead five people?
16. What did Paris Jackson say made her want to vomit?
17. Which movie won the Best Motion Picture (Drama) at this year’s Golden Globe awards?
18. In her Golden Globes' acceptance speech Meryl Steep took the opportunity to criticise Donald Trump. Which award did she receive?
19. Which famous mother-of-four said she was hoping to have another child, even though she is approaching her 50th birthday?

20. Why was tour guide Ethan Rond said to be a hero?

21. Robert Xie was found guilty of murdering five members of his wife’s family. When did the murders take place?

22. Who described AFL officials as 'thugs and 'bullies' with no 'moral compass’?

23. Old Omar, Marceau the Gypsy and Broken Nose were all questioned about what?

24. Why was 29-year-old mother of two Jess Lee Donker in the headlines?

25. Channel 9 News presenter Amber Sherlock had a disagreement with a reporter over the fact both were wearing white outfits. Name the reporter.

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

Last week’s top newsquiz solo scorers were Janet Boyle and Mike Lowe with 18. The top team was The Penmans with 18.5. Nick Martin with 17 also deserves an honourable mention. Here’s this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Let me know how you get on. 

The i reports on the Turkish nightclub killings (Question 2)

1. Who replaced Sir Ivan Rogers as ambassador to the European Union?

2. What was the name of the Istanbul nightclub where 39 people were shot dead?

3. Two young cousins died in a hit and run incident in which town?

4. Who is to close six restaurants after tough trading and the 'pressures and unknowns' following the Brexit vote?

5. Carole Vorderman is spearheading a campaign for a knighthood to be awarded to 95-year-old George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, who is the last surviving member of what?

6. Average rail fares went up by what per cent at the beginning of January?

7. Northern Ireland’s first minister Arlene Foster reacted to calls for her to stand down by saying: ‘A lot of it is personal, a lot of it, sadly, is __________’. What is the missing word?

8. Who Tweeted: 'Jeremy Corbyn continues to have my full support, he's a genuine, decent man fighting for a fairer Britain - media headlines distort facts!’

9. Alleged drug dealer Mohammed Yassey Yaqub was shot dead by police on which motorway?

10. Which was the first Premier League club to part company with its manager in 2017?

11. Who said she was ‘mortified' by a distastrous televised performance on New Year’s Eve?

12. The strongest earthquake to hit the UK in more than a decade, measuring 3.9 on the Richter Scale, led to a flurry of social media jokes about which town?

13. Who gave birth to a boy called Eissa?

14. Hawes parish council in North Yorkshire said it had discussed a ‘dreadfully rude and offensive' shop five times since 2013 and had received more than 20 complaints in the last year. What type of shop is it?

15. Ebbsfleet Academy in Kent sent 20 girls home because their skirt hems were more than how many centrimetres above the knee?

16. What did pranksters do to the famous Hollywood sign in LA?

17. Why was non-league footballer Alfie Barker sacked?

18. Nye Frankie Newman, 17, was killed where?

19. Why was Rebecca Deferia in the headlines?

20. Four supporters of which football club were given suspended prison sentences after being found guilty of pushing a black man off a Paris Metro train and chanting a racist song?

21. Which company’s share price fell by 15 per cent after announcing a 3.5 percent slump in high street pre-Christmas sales? 

22. The Bank of England admitted its dire warning of a downturn in the wake of the Brexit vote was a '____ ____ moment'. What are the two missing words?

23. According to Canadian research, what increases the chance of Alzheimer’s by 12 percent?

24. Mr Whoppitt returned to Lake Coniston to mark the 50th anniversary of Donald Campbell’s death while trying to break the water-speed record in his boat Bluebird. What is Mr Whoppitt?

25. The best selling debut album of 2016, with 111,650 copies sold, was by which artist?

Answers here