Time for the last newsquiz of 2018...

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 19, just ahead of Toby Brown on 17. The top team score was 20 by the Penmans and by Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe. It has been quiet over Christmas but still busy enough for 25 news questions. I trust you took some time off from the partying to keep up on top of it all. Here’s the chance to test yourselves. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.

The Boxing Day papers

1. Who warned that a no-deal Brexit, the loss of access to European intelligence agencies’ databases and agreements on arrest and extradition could put the British public at risk?

2. Who mocked Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's position on Brexit in a biblical-style series of Twitter posts called 'The Visitation of The Corbynites’?

3. Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown died this week. How old was he?

4. Ashdown acquired the nickname Paddy because of his Irish accent at school. What was his real first name?
5. A tsunami engulfed the coastal towns on which two Indonesian islands leaving at least 430 dead and more than 150 missing? Half a point for each.

6. A 4.8-magnitude earthquake injured at least 28 people on which island?

7. Why were 47-year-old Paul Gait and 54-year-old Elaine Kirk in the headlines?

8. According to the Office for National Statistics almost 600 people living where died in England and Wales last year - a rise of 24 per cent over five years?

9. Japan faced condemnation after confirming it will resume what for the first time in more than 30 years?
10. Three British tourists were killed in which country after a Land Cruiser plunged off a bridge?

11. The fee for plastic carrier bags in England will be doubled to what figure under plans set out by the environment department? 

12. An additional £10million has been allocated by the Government to ensure the number of prisons with what will rise to 50 by March 2020?

13. Who released a three-minute video in which he went into character and railed against damaging ‘headlines' while vowing that the full truth will soon come out?
14. The Queen gave her Christmas speech in front of an item that was bought by Queen Victoria in 1856 but caused a reaction on the internet? What was it? 
15.  The Pope said in his Christmas Day address: 'My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for ____. ____ among individuals of every nation and culture. ____ among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another. ____ among persons of different religions.’ What is the missing word?

16. What was the most complained about television programme of 2018 according to Ofcom?
17. In a Christmas Eve call Donald Trump asked seven-year-old Collman Lloyd: 'Are you still a believer in Santa? Because at 7, it’s ____, right?’ What is the missing word?

18. Cabinet papers, released by the National Archives, revealed that Margaret Thatcher discussed diving with the England World Cup squad at a reception in 1990 and told them: 'Our players did not immediately seek the Oscar for best actor for impersonating the death scene from ___ ___’ What is the missing play?
19. Which high street retailer collapsed into administration for the second time in six years, putting more than 2,200 jobs at 125 UK stores at risk?

20. A majority stake of 50.01 per cent in which UK airport is to be sold to French operator Vinci for £2.9billion?

21. Royal Mail withdrew a stamp marking what event after it was pointed out it used a picture from a completely different place?

22. A Carmelite nun who presented television programmes including Odyssey, Sister Wendy's Grand Tour and Sister Wendy's Story of Painting died age 88. What was her surname?

23. Premier League Champions Manchester City lost both of their games on either side of Christmas. Which teams beat them? Half a point for each.

24. Plans being considered by Public Health England include restricting main meals in restaurants to 951 calories, sandwiches to 550 and all convenience meals to 544. Under the proposals, what would be restricted to 1,040 calories?
25. Who confirmed she had married Australian actor and her long-standing partner Liam Hemsworth?

Answers here

Last newsquiz before Christmas

The top solo scorer in last week's newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 20. The top team was Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe with 21. Ginger Elvis did well too with a score of 18. Here's this week's quiz. I intended to give it more of a festive  feel - but it wasn't that kind of week. Anyway, take a break from the parties and last minute shopping and give it a go. Let me know how you get on. Thanks for taking part and posting your scores this year. Have a great festive break and let's hope all the news stories are good ones.

Drone chaos at Gatwick: Some of today's front pages

1. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, explaining the Government’s reaction to drones shutting down Gatwick, said it wasn’t possible to do something 'haphazardly in a built-up area around an airport’? What is the something?

2. After the drone disruption at Gatwick the first plane to take off at 6.33am today (Friday) was a Norwegian Airways plane taking families to which destination?

3. European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker clarified that he used which word to refer to the 'overall state of the debate in Britain’ and not to Theresa May in person?

4. Which Cabinet minister appeared to break ranks by saying: 'I don’t want a people’s vote, or a referendum in general, but if parliament absolutely failed to reach a consensus, I could see there would be a plausible argument for it’?

5. Defence secretary Gavin Williamson said there would be how many troops 'held at readiness, including regulars and reserves, in order to support any Government department on any contingencies they may need’ after Brexit?
6. During a Commons exchange over Brexit Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames told Ian Blackford, the leader of the SNP at Westminster, to go back to where?

7. Making a statement to Parliament insisting he did not call the Prime Minister a stupid woman, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: 'I referred to those who I believe were seeking to turn a debate about the national crisis facing our country into a ____ as stupid people’. What is the missing word?

8. Labour MP Fiona Onasanya, who was found guilty of perverting the course of justice by lying to police about speeding, is MP for which constituency? 

9. US Republican senator Lindsey Graham said it was 'a stain on the honour of the United States’ and Marco Rubio, another Republican, said it was 'a major blunder'. What were they referring to?

10. Which London-based workers are to go on strike over Christmas for the first time in 55 years in a dispute about pensions?

11. A blaze killed frogs, fish, snakes and small birds in the Monsoon Forest area of which zoo?

12. F1 champion Lewis Hamilton apologised to his home-town Stevenage, saying he chose the wrong word. What was the word?

13. Who won Team of the Year and the Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year awards?

14. In an interview with Good Morning Britain, who said: 'I've apologised 100 times - I don't feel that's worthy of being shunned or ghosted, that's ridiculous’?
15. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was criticised by environmentalists for his £5million deal with which company?
16. Which online fashion retailer’s shares fell nearly 40 per cent after it warned of weak profits following ‘unprecedented discounting’ which hit its trading in November?

17. Robbie Williams, Oprah Winfrey and Kate Hudson were revealed as brand ambassadors for which organisation?

18. Who is to become the first cricketer in more than a decade to be knighted?

19. A 16,000-ton Russian cargo ship with 18 crew ran aground on a beach in which British town?

20. The Queen sent 'prayers and good wishes’ to the people of which town that held a service of commemoration and wreath laying today (Friday)? 

21. NHS England is making £300,000 available to fund dozens of what in areas including Soho, Exeter, Bristol, Oxford, Hereford, Norwich, Blackpool and Southampton over the festive period?

22. Who left the Lowry Hotel after staying for 825 days and running up a bill of more than £500,000?

23. Why was self-employed builder Andrew Clark, of Boston in Lincolnshire, in the headlines?

24. Strictly Come Dancing only finished on Sunday but one person has already said they have signed up for next year. Who?

25. Poacher David Berry was ordered by a court in Missouri to do what once a month as part of his sentence for illegally killing hundreds of deer?

Answers here

Been keeping up with the news ... try the quiz

There were some high scores in last week's newsquiz. Toby Brown scored a 'storming' 22 - a personal best. On any other week Simon O'Neill with 20 would have been a worthy winner. The top teams were The Penmans with 19.5 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe with 18. Others worth a mention include Damon Wake on 18.5, Gavin Devine 18, Liz Gerard 18, Steve Silk 17.5, Hannah Tomes 16, Philip Hutchinson-May 15 and Matt Piper 15. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

Thursday's front pages are dominated by
Theresa May winning the vote of no confidence  

1. Theresa May won the vote of no confidence by what majority?

2. What is the name of the 1922 Committee chairman who read out the vote of no confidence result?

3. Why was Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle escorted off the Parliamentary estate?

4. Tory MP Nadine Dorries said: 'The Prime Minister is in a bunker, she's starring in her own episode of ____, and we all know how that story ends.’ What is the missing film title?

5. Who, in a speech in Dublin, said: 'Whether you are a Remainer or Leaver, no one can welcome chaos. The clock must be stopped without delay. We need the most precious commodity of all - time’?

6. European spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud said that British holidaymakers will be charged how many euros for a three-year visa if there is no Brexit deal?
7. Which fashion chain warned it could slip to a full-year loss of up to £4million saying ‘we believe that uncertainty surrounding Brexit is a significant factor‘?

8. A high-speed train crashed and hit a pedestrian overpass at a station killing nine people and injuring 40 in which city?

9. Why was 29-year-old Chérif Chekatt in the headlines?

10. Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former lawyer, was sentenced to how many years in prison for crimes including lying to Congress and illegal payments to silence two women?

11. British couple Susan and Roger Clarke, 70 and 72, were arrested in Portugal on what charge?

12. Speaking about Raheem Sterling's racist abuse at Chelsea, ex-footballer John Barnes said invisible what were thrown at black players every day?

13. Harry Redknapp became the oldest ever winner of I’m A Celebrity. How old is he?

14. Sondra Locke, who died age 74, co-starred in six films with her one-time partner but later sued him for fraud? Who is he?

15. Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch announced that what would end in 2019?

16. Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were ordered to pay $5million in a copyright case over the song Blurred Lines that Marvin Gaye's family claimed copied which 1977 hit?

17. New Zealand's justice minister said which company could face prosecution for sending a mass email which included the name of the man accused of murdering backpacker Grace Millane?

18. A video went viral of a man running and jumping two-footed on a tent containing two homeless people in a shop doorway in which city?

19. Who said she was 'thrilled and not a little daunted' to be stepping into the shoes of one of her heroes?

20. What was been launched by Walkers Crisps after it was targeted by protesters? 

21. What group of people were named as Time Magazine’s Person Of The Year?

22. Why will westbound routes into Wales across the Severn Bridges be closed for the next three nights?

23. Police in London investigated a break-in at the £10million St John's Wood home of which musician?

24. Stars including Emily Blunt and Colin Firth graced what colour carpet at the premier of Mary Poppins Returns at the Royal Albert Hall?

25. A BBC project to replace and expand the external set of which television programme is £27million over budget?

Answers here

Give this week's newsquiz a go ...

The top scorer in last week's newsquiz was Liz Gerard with a hugely impressive 21. Toby Brown scored 19, the same score as The Penmans who were the top team. Here's this week's quiz - as usual 25 questions about the last seven days. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

Thursday's front pages

1. After a vote of 311 votes to 293 the Government, for the first time in modern history, was found to be what?

2. Chancellor Philip Hammond told MPs: 'This deal is the best deal to exit the EU that is available or that is going to be available. The idea that there is an option of renegotiating at the 11th hour is simply a ____.’ What is the missing word?

3. Sam Gyimah, who quit the government over Brexit, held which ministerial position?

4. Which county council, in a 17-page report, warned that a no-deal Brexit could cause gridlock on the roads, rubbish not being collected, children unable to take exams, rubbish piling up and bodies piling up in morgues?

5. Two former UKIP leaders, Nigel Farage and Paul Nuttall, quit the party this week giving as one of their reasons the appointment of who as a party adviser? 

6. MP Boris Johnson apologised to parliament over the late declaration of how much in outside earnings?

7. America’s 41st president George H.W. Bush’s state funeral was held at Washington National Cathedral. What does the H and W stand for? Half a point for each?

8. The French government abandoned the fuel tax rise that led to more than three weeks of violence. What name was given to the protesters?

9. The Remote Gambling Association which includes most major bookies has agreed to stop TV adverts during what?

10. It was announced that a senior non-executive director will lead a 'professional and impartial' investigation into allegations that which company’s founder and chief executive forced hugs and kisses on staff?
11. David Attenborough told the UN climate change summit in which country that the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon?

12. O2 and its mobile network equipment supplier issued a joint apology to the millions of customers hit by disruption to its data services. What is the name of the supplier?
13. Who told students at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, London, that she had a little bit of imposter syndrome ’that never goes away'?

14. The chief financial officer of which telecoms giant was arrested in Vancouver over suspected violation of sanctions? 

15. Croatian footballer Luka Modric won the Ballon D’Or, for being voted the world’s best footballer. Four Premier League players were named in the top ten. Name any two of them. Half a point for each. 

16. French DJ Martin Solveig apologised to women's Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg for asking her if she knew how to do what?
17. New York police found British couple John Drennan and Daniella Anthony through Twitter and returned what to them?
18. Former Peterborough United FC owner Peter Boizot, who died age 89, founded which restaurant chain?

19. Why was 29-year-old Susie Goddall in the headlines?
20. Two former directors of which company were formally cleared at Southwark Crown Court of fraud and false accounting in relation to a £250million overstatement of profits?

21. Pete Shelley, who died age 63, was the singer in which band?

22. Nick Knowles’s appearance on I’m A Celebrity led to him reaching The Official Big Top 40 and No 1 in iTunes with which song?

23. Comedian Kevin Hart announced he was stepping down from what after posting an apology for homophobic comments and tweets?

24. Which Christmas song was banned from a Cleveland radio station in America, which cited #MeToo and said the lyrics felt 'manipulative and wrong’?

25. Animal rights campaigner Peta has offered guidelines for stopping using animal-hate phrases. One of its suggestions was to replace the phrase 'bringing home the bacon' with 'bringing home the ____'? What is the missing word?

Answers here

Old hacks tackle the newsquiz

Old hacks reunion: Pat Pilton, Mike Watson, Phil Swift 

and me at Wright Brothers in Soho yesterday.

 They only got six questions wrong. Can you do better?

The best individual scorer in last week's newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 19. The top team were the drinkers in the Three Legs (Peter and Stacey Gunthorp, Les and Nicky Castell and Bryan Booth) with a best-ever 21. This week I was at a milestone birthday lunch at Wright Brothers in Soho for Pat Pilton, former managing editor of the Daily Mirror. We were joined by other Fleet Street stalwarts Mike Watson and Phil Swift. A real old codgers' reunion. Inevitably we did the quiz (helped by Catherine Evans) and they scored 15 out of 21 (I hadn't written all 25 questions at that point). Here's the complete quiz - as usual 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

Today's front pages

1. In an 88-page document, the Bank of England said a disorderly Brexit could lead to house prices falling by what per cent?
2. The Commons vote on the Brexit withdrawal agreement will be held on what date?
3. How many minutes did it take the European Union leaders in Brussels on Sunday to endorse the proposals for their future relationship with Britain?
4. Who did Brexiteer Jacob-Rees Mogg describe as a failed ‘second-tier Canadian politician’?
5. The leaders from the world’s 20 biggest economies converged on which city today (Friday) for the G20 Summit?

6. Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle used a debate in the Commons to announce he is what?

7. Home Secretary Sajid Javid told MPs he was considering doing what to cope with the surge in migrants from northern France - even though it might encourage more to cross the Channel?
8. Why did Daniela Tejada tweet: ‘I’ve been brought back to life’?
9. A video went viral of a 15-year-old Syrian boy who was beaten up and 'waterboarded' on a school field in which town?
10. Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott said what was potentially very dangerous and 'shouldn't be legal for anyone'?
11. England cricketers completed only the third whitewash away from home in their history - and the first in Asia - by beating which team?
12. Norwegian Magnus Carlsen has retained his world championship title, beating US opponent Fabiano Caruana, at what?
13. Which company partly blamed the UK heatwave last summer for an annual pre-tax loss of £53million?

14. California said it was considering taking legal action against Donald Trump’s administration after government agents used what at the US-Mexico border?

15. A photo shared by footballer’s wife Rebekah Vardy has been praised by a charity for reminding women to do what?

16. The Rail Delivery Group announced that UK rail fares will rise by what per cent from January 2?

17. She gave the v sign to Lord King in the House of Lords and, at 90, became the oldest ever panellist on BBC1's Have I Got News For You. Who was she?
18. Sammy Woodhouse called for a change in the law to stop what?
19. Spice Girl Mel B’s tell-all book about her marriage to film producer Stephen Belafonte is called what?

20. What is the name given to the storm - a 'double-vortex super-tempest’ - which had most of the UK under yellow weather warnings this week?
21. What is the name of the NASA lander that touched down on Mars this week?
22. Harold Leslie Smith, who served as a pilot in the Second World War and campaigned to raise awareness of the refugee crisis, died age 95. He described himself as the world’s oldest what?

23. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will face no action for his celebration after an injury-time winner over Young Boys in the Champions League? What did he do?.
24. According to research by property website Rightmove which Essex town is the happiest place to live in the UK?
25. A giant steer standing 6ft 4in to his shoulders and weighing 220-stone was all over the media this week. What is his name?

Answers here

Been paying attention? Here's the newsquiz

There were some impressive scores in last week's newsquiz. The Penmans were the top team with a career high 22. Toby Brown, Liz Gerard and Simon O'Neill were the best individual players, each scoring 20, narrowly ahead of Janet Boyle on 19, Dave Bromage on 18.5 and Damon Wake on 18. It was either a little easier or everyone is paying more attention. Here is this week's quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week's events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on.

Thursday's front pages

1. What is the name of Theresa May’s third Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union?

2. After fewer ‘no-confidence’ letters than anticipated were sent to the 1922 committee, Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg admitted he had always admired which fictional character?

3. Which EU country accused the UK of ‘treachery', acting 'under the cover of darkness’ and threatened to ‘stop the clock’ on the Brexit negotiations?

4. The Food and Drink Federation told Environment Secretary Michael Gove that what could become unavailable within a fortnight if there is a no-deal Brexit?

5. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, speaking on Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, said what was 'an option for the future’ but 'not an option for today’?
6. Which television programme had to hastily rearrange its schedule after Theresa May pulled out of a live interview at the last-minute?

7. SNP MP Hannah Bardell said she would not apologise to the Speaker for doing what?

8. The co-founder of online gambling firm Bet365 Denise Coates was revealed as the UK's best-paid boss in 2017. How much in total did she receive?

9. What will Wales and France’s rugby players wear this weekend to 'show support to former captain Gareth Thomas’ who was the victim of a homophobic attack in Cardiff?

10. A suicide bombing at a wedding hall in which city killed at least 55 people?

11. Which retailer announced it was to cut 7,500 office jobs worldwide, including 350 in the UK, to focus on its online operation and city centre stores?

12. According to an audit by the Gambling Commission how many youngsters age 11 to 16 have a gambling problem in the UK?

13. Why was 53-year-old Ray Weatherall from Kent in the headlines?

14. Who made an emotional denial on social media, saying he was crying his eyes out, after being charged with sexually assaulting a woman on a train from York to Durham?

15. What is the name of the newspaper group, owners of the i, The Scotsman and the Yorkshire Post, that went into administration on Saturday?

16. Matthew Hedges, 31, who was jailed for life in the United Arab Emirates for spying, is studying for a PhD at which university?

17. Which international football manager left his job this week after winning only one game - a friendly - in 2018?

18. The newsreader who introduced the first BBC TV news bulletin broadcast in July 1954 died age 93. What was his name?

19. A London council has removed a plaque from a bench in Wanstead High Street which read 'In Loving Memory of ____ ____, 1937-2006.’ Who was the plaque dedicated to?

20. The board of which company voted to sack its chairman, Carlos Ghosn, after his arrest for alleged financial misconduct? 

21. American John Allen Chau was killed by a volley of arrows soon after landing on which Indian island?

22. A 1,000ft-high glass skyscraper, which features outside gondolas, is set to become London's second tallest structure after The Shard? What is its nickname?

23. Animal rights group Peta is urging which Dorset village to change its name as it 'promotes sheep cruelty’?

24. Who denied being married to Jake Hester despite her Wikipedia page claiming she wed him in 2015?

25. Broadcaster Piers Morgan had an online spat with which pop group after accusing them of using sex to sell records?

Answers here

The newsquiz: 25 questions about the week

The top solo online scorer in last week's newsquiz was Toby Brown with an impressive 19. The top team was the Penmans with 20. Other high scores included Tom Savage, Janet Boyle and the Adam Batstone with Lucy Thorpe who all scored 17. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual, it is 25 questions about the week's events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

May day: Thursday's front pages

1. Exactly how many pages was the EU withdrawal agreement document that was unveiled this week?

2. Two Cabinet ministers Dominic Raab and Esther McVey quit over the EU withdrawal agreement. Raab resigned as Brexit Secretary but what was McVey’s position?

3. By Friday morning at least 20 MPs had submitted letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister to the backbench 1922 Committee. How many letters are needed to trigger a vote of no confidence?

4. Asked whether she would be able to 'deliver the runs' for Britain, Theresa May said she would dig in and fight like one of her sporting heroes. Who was she talking about?  

5. Who announced he would not resign from the Cabinet saying: 'I think it’s absolutely vital that we focus on getting the right deal in the future, and making sure that in the areas that matter so much to the British people, we can get a good outcome’?     

6. Backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg reacted to the draft deal over Brexit, before the Cabinet agreement, by saying: ‘____ ____ have gone up all over Whitehall. It is a betrayal of the Union’? What are the two missing words?
7. Who became the 18th minister to quit under Theresa May’s premiership when he resigned as Minister for Transport?

8. Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said that ‘the Government has listened’ and will now implement what in April next year?

9. Susanna Dinnage, global president of Discovery's Animal Planet, was appointed as chief executive of what?
10. What is the name of the Lib Dem peer who faced a three-year Parliamentary suspension after an investigation found he offered a woman 'corrupt inducements' for sex?

11. Giant portraits of soldiers who died in World War One were etched across UK beaches to mark 100 years since the war ended. Who conceived the idea?

12. US President Donald Trump tweeted that there was no reason for the fires that swept through California 'except that ____ ____ is so poor.’  What are the two missing words?
13. The death toll around which incinerated northern Californian town rose to almost 60, making it the deadliest wildfire in the state's history?
14. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was talking to Pakistan over a Christian woman whose acquittal on blasphemy charges has put her life in danger. What is her name?

15. Title-winning manager Claudia Ranieri returned to the English top flight with which club?
16. A Neo-Nazi couple who named their child after Adolf Hitler were found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court of belonging to which banned terrorist organisation?
17. Donald Trump’s frosty meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron was followed up by a tweet by the US President saying that the French were starting to do what in Paris before the US came along?

18. A 58-year-old British tourist from Aylesbury died while on holiday in Morocco after being bitten by what?
19. What historic act did Frank-Walter Steinmeier undertake?
20. The first of many superheroes created by Stan Lee, who died age 95, were astronauts who gained super powers after being bombarded with cosmic rays. What were they called?

21. What weapon was used to kill mother-of-five Sana Muhammad at her home in Ilford?
22. England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney played in the 3-0 victory over the USA, meaning he has earned how many caps?

23. A pearl and diamond pendant was sold for $36m (£28m) at Sotheby's auction house in Geneva. Which historical figure did the pearl once belong to?

24. Why did ITV introduce piano versions of the theme tunes of The Chase, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and This Morning?

25. Where will entertainer John Barrowman, ex-football manager Harry Redknapp and Chaser Ann Hegerty be next week?

Answers here

Telegraph Lizzie wins newsquiz champagne

Trainees Mason Boycott-Owen, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Lizzie Roberts, Yolanthe Fawehinmi, Verity Bowman and Tony Diver at the Telegraph's office today with PA Training MD Mark Wray

I had a very enjoyable four days with The Daily Telegraph trainees this week. They were at the Society of Editors’ conference in Manchester on Monday. Then, on their last of eight weeks at the Press Association's headquarters in Howden, East Yorkshire, they put together an excellent 20-minute interactive presentation. They presented it to the Telegraph's executives, including editor Chris Evans and emeritus editor and Society of Editors' president Ian MacGregor, in London today. It was first class - well done to them. 
Before the presentation they did the newsquiz. Lizzie Roberts was top scorer with 12.5, a lower than average score as they were working 15 hours a day on their projects. It meant she was the overall winner, in a tightly fought competition over the eight-weeks, finishing narrowly ahead of Tony Diver and Mason Boycott-Owen. Lizzie was presented with a bottle of champagne by PA managing director Mark Wray.
The trainees now embark on the second stage of their training at PA, The Telegraph and at placements on regional newspapers. They are a bright and likeable bunch who will undoubtedly go far. I wish them well.
The top online scorer in last week's newsquiz was Tom Savage with 18.5, narrowly ahead of Gavin Devine on 18 and Janet Boyle on 17.5. The top teams were the Penmans on 15.5 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe with 15.
Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and see if you can beat Lizzie’s score.

Today's Telegraph

1. Who said that he ‘hadn’t quite understood the full extent’ of how much the choice of goods in UK stores was dependent on one or two very specific trade routes?
2. What did Theresa May describe as 'utterly unacceptable’, Home Secretary Sajid Javid as 'disgusting, shameful, behaviour’ and broadcaster Piers Morgan as ‘unbelievable’?
3. Following the stabbings in London this week, Mayor Sadiq Khan said efforts to reduce violent crimes could take up to how many years?
4. Nancy Pelosi, minority leader of the US House of Representatives, said what action was a blatant attempt by Donald Trump to undermine the investigation into Russian involvement in the election?
5. What is the name of the CNN reporter who was suspended from the White House after a heated Press conference exchange with President Donald Trump?
6. In an interview to mark his 70th birthday, Prince Charles said 'If it's ____ to worry about the inner cities as I did 40 years ago, then if that's ____ I'm proud of it.' What is the missing word?
7. What is the name of the bar and grill in Thousand Oaks, California, where 12 people including, a police officer, were shot?
8. A knife-wielding terrorist was shot dead by police after crashing a car, setting it on fire and stabbing three shoppers in which city?
9. Eight children were hurt on a fairground inflatable slide at a fireworks display in which town?
10. The Bangkok funeral for Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was scheduled to last for how many days?
11. Chief executive Jeff Fairburn was asked to leave his job after his £75million bonus payout was seen as a ‘distraction’ that damaged which firm’s reputation?
12. What has more women than ever before, including the youngest in its history and its first two Muslims?
13. An inquest heard that a 69-year-old man died at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, after a pioneering operation using what went badly wrong?
14. Which company announced its intention to close its Dundee plant by mid 2020 with the loss of all 845 jobs?
15. Why was 98-year-old Peter Gouldstone in the headlines?
16. The centenary of whose death was marked on Sunday with the sounding of a bugle at his graveside in Ors, northern France?
17. Ross Edgley became the first person to do what?
18. Which company’s Christmas advert has been banned for being too political for TV?
19. According to NHS Digital, one in 20 prescriptions written by GPs is to treat what condition, costing the NHS in England more than £1billion a year?
20. The reunited Spice Girls announced concerts to be held in six stadiums next June, finishing at Wembley. In which stadium does the tour begin?
21. Tickets to see Michelle Obama talk about her upcoming book at London's Southbank Centre on December 3 have been offered for re-sale for hundreds of times their face value. What is the name of her book?
22. England football manager Gareth Southgate faced criticism for recalling record goalscorer Wayne Rooney to the squad to face which team next week?
23. Which hyphenated word has been named Collins Dictionary’s word of the year for 2018?
24. Dutchman Emile Ratelband has launched a legal battle to change what about himself?
25. Birmingham University student Harriet Ellis said she had received marriage offers after a video clip of her doing what went viral?

Answers here

Here's the newsquiz - Lizzie's 15 to beat

The Budget front pages (Questions 1 to 3)

The Daily Telegraph trainees took a visit to the Newcastle Chronicle and Journal this week and also spent a couple of days looking at long-form writing and features with Fiona Webster. I spent today with them, looking at their projects and other topics. We finished the week as always with the newsquiz - 25 questions about the week's events. It was a tight finish with Lizzie Roberts winning this week with 15, just ahead of Mason Boycott-Owen and Tony Diver on 14. In last last week's quiz there were some very high scores. The Penmans scored a massive 22.5, which is probably the best team score ever. The top solo scorer was Liz Gerard on 21 and Janet Boyle on 20. Other notable scores were Toby Brown with 18 and Gavin Devine and Jamie Johnson on 17. The Batstones  were the second highest scoring team with 18.5. Here's this week's quiz. See if you can do better than Lizzie's 15. 

The Telegraph's Budget front pages

1. In his Budget Chancellor Philip Hammond confirmed how many extra billion pounds for the NHS over the next five years?
2. The Chancellor also announced that the personal allowance threshold, the rate at which people start paying income tax at 20 per cent, was to rise from £11,850 to what amount in April?
3. Chancellor Philip Hammond told MPs in his Budget speech that  ‘____ is coming to an end, but ____ will remain’. What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.
4. Tracey Crouch resigned from which position in the Government?
5. What is the name of the chair of the National Police Chiefs who said this week that, while recording complaints of misogynist abuse might be desirable, police did not have the time or resources?
6. The owner of Leicester City Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter crash after the team’s game on Saturday, was the founder of which travel retail group?
7. What was the name of the pilot who apparently prevented the Leicester City helicopter from landing on the stadium or houses, averting casualties on the ground?
8. What is the name of the Pittsburgh synagogue where gunman Robert Bowers shot dead 11 people?
9. The editor of Waitrose Food magazine, William Sitwell, resigned with immediate effect after suggesting a series on killing who?
10. German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced she would step down as head of her party later this year and retire from public life after serving out her term as chancellor in 2021. What is the name of her party?
11. A Boeing 737 with 188 people on board which crashed after taking off from the Indonesian capital Jakarta was owned by which low-cost airline?
12. Police are investigating the case of Suzy Lamplugh who disappeared after going to show a man identified by what name around a property in Fulham in 1986?
13. Essex villagers were upset after a pro-Trump campaign advertisement used a picture of their streets to warn voters that 'this is what America could look like if they did not back the President’. What is the name of the seaside village?
14. Lewis Hamilton won his fifth Formula One championship with a fourth-place finish at which country’s Grand Prix?
15. Following the announcement that he is being investigated by the National Crime Agency for alleged offences committed at the referendum, leave-campaigner Arron Banks tweeted a picture of himself in Bermuda accompanied by which two words?
16. The cases of Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley were said to be instrumental in which change in the law?
17. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex went head-to-head in what sporting competition with schoolchildren in Auckland, New Zealand?
18. James ‘Whitey' Bulger, the Boston gangster, was murdered in prison in West Virginia. How old was he? 
19. Four members of a grooming gang were jailed for 36 years, taking the total sentences to 257 years for the 20 gang members. What town did they operate in?
20. Which city suffered its worst flooding since December 2008?
21. The chief executive of which company told staff this week: 'I understand the anger and disappointment that many of you feel. I feel it as well, and I am fully committed to making progress on an issue that has persisted for far too long in our society’?
22. A Rotherham-based research scientist said this week that doing what had been 'the coolest thing that I have done in my life’?
23. Pilot Katsutoshi Jitsukawa was remanded in custody after pleading guilty to being ten times over the drink-fly limit as he boarded a plane at which airport?
24. Ex-footballer Rio Ferdinand proposed to reality TV star girlfriend Kate Wright on top of a tower in which city?
25. The Royal Society for Public Health ranked the healthiest and unhealthiest high streets in the UK. Which town did it say was the unhealthiest and which city was the healthiest? Half a point for each.

Answers here

Newsquiz: Can you do better than Lizzie's 16?

Philip Green dominates today's front pages

The Daily Telegraph editorial trainees finished their sixth week of training today. This week they did digital storytelling tools with Andy Drinkwater and podcasting with Christine Garrington and Suchandrika Chakrabarti. Today they have been looking at project work with Mark Wray. They finished, as usual, with the newsquiz. The top scorer this week was Lizzie Roberts with 16, just ahead of Tony Diver on 15. In last week’s newsquiz nobody online could match Telegraph trainee Mason Boycott-Owen’s score of 17. Those coming close were Janet Boyle on 16.5, Adam Batstone, Lucy Thorpe and Meg on 16 and Gavin Devine on 15.5. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give them an go and see if you can do better than Lizzie's 16. 

Today's Daily Telegraph

1. Prime Minister Theresa May told Parliament on Monday that a divorce deal with the EU is what per cent complete?

2. An anonymous Conservative MP faced cross-party condemnation after saying Prime Minister Theresa May should bring her own what to a backbencher 1922 committee meeting?

3. Prime Minister Theresa May survived a confrontation with her party at the 1922 committee, after which Brexiteer Michael Fabricant said the atmosphere was 'not a lion's den but a ____ ____’. What are the missing two words?
4. Sir Jeremy Heywood stepped down from which position, saying it was with 'great sadness' that he was retiring on medical advice?

5. Three Court of Appeal judges granted an injunction to stop which newspaper publishing details of harassment claims against a leading businessman?

6. Sir Philip Green was later identified in Parliament as the businessman at the centre of the harassment claims. Who identified him?

7. A suspect package, similar to those sent to high-profile critics of Donald Trump, was found at Tribeca Enterprises - including a grill and film production company - in Manhattan. Who were they addressed to?

8. Which two companies were fined millions of euros by Italian authorities over 'planned obsolescence’ of their products? Half a point for each.

9. Which High Street company announced the closure of 50 stores, putting up to 4,000 jobs at risk, after a £500million annual loss?

10. What was US President Donald Trump describing when he said 'the cover-up was the worst in the history of cover-ups’?

11. Which city said it would report the ‘unacceptable' racial abuse of a black woman on a Ryanair flight as a possible hate crime?

12. Who gave a speech saying: ’When girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but also for those around them’?

13. Which country has been accused of locking away around one million Muslim people in prison camps?

14. A study by the Institute of Cancer Research suggested that thousands of patients with what cancer could have their lives extended thanks to a ‘monumental’ breakthrough?

15. Which company revealed it will build electric cars in Singapore, launching them in 2021?

16. Who announced on Twitter 'that I am proud to have become a Muslim’ and said she had been give a new name, Shuhada Davitt?

17. One of the founders of which fashion brand, known for provocative ad campaigns and colorful knitwear, died age 77?

18. Which Premier League football team won twice this week to record 11 consecutive victories in all competitions for the first time since 2007?

19. A study by the Environment Agency Austria estimated that more than 50 percent of the world population might have what in their body?

20.Why was Great Tew in Oxfordshire in the headlines?

21. What is the name of the Egyptian-American actor who plays Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in new biopic Bohemian Rhapsody? 

22. Why was 56-year-old Alain Robert arrested in London?

23. Why has American TV presenter Larysa Switlyk been in the news?

24. Who said this week: 'Radio 2 has been a quite wonderful experience – my happiest in radio I think – but new adventures beckon and I cannot wait to get started’?
25. Actor David Schwimmer posted a spoof video of himself carrying beer cans in a New York supermarket after police issued a theft appeal for a lookalike who really did steal beer in which UK town?

Answers here