Jemma wins 'toughie' newsquiz

The MailOnline trainees pitched stories to assistant Femail editor Steph Linning and travel editor Ted Thornhill this week. Some have been written and are awaiting publication. The trainees also had sessions with senior journalists Mark Duell and Chris Pleasance and recent trainee Tim Stickings. There was a run through the editor’s code and IPSO with Editor Emeritus Peter Wright. They also took a brief cake break to celebrate John Bennett's birthday. John had another reason to celebrate ... he won the video headline of the week.

Piece of cake: Trainee John Bennett celebrates his birthday with the other trainees

We finished the week, as always, with the newsquiz. The trainees all reckoned it was a toughie and, for the first time this course, none of them reached double figures. The top scorer with 9.5 was Jemma Carr. 

Last week's top online scorer was Toby Brown with a score of 21, just ahead of Janet Boyle on 18. The top team was the Roberts family with 19. Here is this week's quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week's events. Give it a go and see if you think it's a tough one.  

Today's front pages

1. Which former Tory minister succeeded in getting the Commons to back his call for eight indicative votes on Brexit?

2. Three Government ministers resigned on Monday night so they could vote to give Parliament control over Brexit. Name any two of them. Half a point for each 

3. Which of the eight Brexit options that MPs voted for on Wednesday received 268 Yes votes, more than any of the others?

4. 160 MPs voted for No Deal in the eight options. How many voted against?

5. Writing in the Daily Mail, Jacob-Rees Mogg said he was willing to support Theresa May’s Brexit plan on one condition. What was the condition?

6. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told Theresa May to 'channel the spirit' of which Biblical character as he argued she should embrace a no-deal scenario?

7. The Independent Group of defecting MPs, under the interim leadership of Heidi Allen, registered as a full-blown political party called what?

8. Uri Geller wrote to Theresa May saying: 'I love you very much but I will not allow you to lead Britain into Brexit. As much as I admire you, I will stop you ____ from doing this and believe me I am capable of executing it.’ What is the missing word?

9. All charges against The Empire actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of arranging a fake racist and homophobic attack on himself, were dropped by a court in which US city?

10. What was the name of the cruise ship, carrying more than 1,300 passengers, that got into trouble in stormy seas off Norway?

11. Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti explained why Pope Francis discouraged people from kissing his ring, saying: 'The Holy Father told me that the motivation was very simple: ____’ What is the missing word?

12. A British Airways plane, which mistakenly flew passengers to Edinburgh instead of Düsseldorf, left from which airport?

13. Wow Air, which stopped all flights and stranded thousands of passengers, is an airline from which country?

14. Rockland County in New York state banned anyone under 18 from all public places if they did not have what?

15. England football manager Gareth Southgate said his players encountered ‘unacceptable’ racist abuse in their 5-1 win against which country?

16. Ranking Roger Charlery, who died age 56, was a vocalist with which 1980s band?

17. Florida Senator Rick Scott called for what to be cancelled, saying it 'provides unwarranted legitimacy to a dictatorship with a decades-long history of persecuting and imprisoning its defectors and repressing its people’? 

18. Following the report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller that neither Donald Trump nor his aides colluded with the Russians in the 2016 election, the president tweeted: 'No Collusion, No Obstruction, Complete and Total ____. Keep America Great!’ What is the missing word?

19. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given the full-time job of managing Manchester United this week after winning how many of his 19 games in charge as caretaker?

20. Both members of which Liverpool band died while travelling to a gig in California?

21. Which department store chain agreed a £200million refinancing deal which offered 'reassurance for employees, pension holders, suppliers and lenders’?

22. Labour peer and fertility specialist Prof Robert Winston called for all bikes to have what after he was kicked and abused for challenging a woman cycling on the pavement?

23. Who said of whom this week: 'She's going to hate me for this because she's all posh in her country house with her husband?’ Half a point for each name?

24. Which television series received 14 Bafta nominations?

25. Why was opera singer Anna Patalong asked to change the dress she wore during her Royal Albert Hall concert?

Answers here

Can you beat the trainees' newsquiz score?

The MailOnline trainees have enjoyed a busy week in Kensington. They had a day with the Mail’s lawyers and sessions with Natalie Glanvill and Ashlee Gagui from the managing editor’s office. They also pitched stories for publication to executive editor Ian Walker (watch this space). News-editor Marianna Partasides did a Q&A session and assistant Femail editor Steph Linning and travel editor Ted Thornhill talked through the stories they are looking for. They will return next week to hear the trainees’ pitches. Lisa Snell explained how video works and former trainee, now senior reporter, Rory Tingle offered some tips from the newsroom. We also caught up with Graham Dudman from News Associates.
The trainees wrote stories and headlines and Raven Saunt won picture headline of the week. We finished the week, as always, with the newsquiz. There was a three-way tie for top spot with Jemma Carr, Emily Webber and Amelia Wynne all scoring 14. Well done to them.
The top online team score in last week’s quiz was a post-Calcutta Cup effort featuring The Penmans with Neil and Amy Allen which delivered an impressive 19. The top solo scorer was Janet Boyle with 16. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and see if you can scorer higher than Jemma, Emily and Amelia’s 14.

More Mayhem: Thursday's front pages

1. If MPs pass Theresa May's Brexit deal next week then Britain can stay in the  EU until what date to pass the necessary laws?
2. Hugh Grant, Brian Cox, Annie Lennox, Jennifer Saunders and Andy Serkis were among three million people to sign what?
3. What is the name of the MP for Grantham and Stamford who resigned over his Brexit position from his Conservative association, which said it had been ‘betrayed' and called on him to quit as an MP?
4. Marchers on a two-week Brexit protest, supported by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, began in which city?
5. Ruling that Theresa May’s Brexit deal could not be voted on again, the Speaker John Bercow cited a convention dating back to what year?
6. The German firm Wepa said it had been storing an extra 600 tons of what to safeguard supplies in Britain, in case the UK leaves Europe without an agreement?
7. Referring to the Christchurch shooter, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: 'He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be ____.’ What is the missing word?
8. What was the name of the Australian senator who was hit with an egg after he blamed Muslim immigration for the mass shootings in Christchurch?
9. In which UK city were five mosques vandalised with sledgehammers?
10. A gunman killed three people on a tram in which European city?
11. What is the name of the cyclone that battered Mozambique killing hundreds of people?
12. Scotland suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat in their first Euro 2020 qualifier against Kazakhstan who are ranked at what number in world football?
13. The body of 21-year-old student Libby Squires was found in the estuary of which river?
14. During an inquest into the deaths of the 21 victims of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings, a convicted IRA bomber named four men he said were responsible. The bomber was referred to as Witness ___. What is the missing letter?
15. What is the name of the town where three teenagers died while queueing for a St Patrick’s Day disco?
16. Why was 21-year-old Australian Tayla Harris in the headlines?
17. Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price encouraged TV viewers to 'step back’ after a 'wake-up call’. What was the wake-up call she was referring to?
18. What is the name of the seven-metre tall bronze statue which will stand outside the Theatre Royal in Plymouth?
19. Actress Emilia Clark revealed that she almost died after suffering what during the filming of Game of Thrones?
20. Volvo announced it is to install sensors in all of its cars from next year to detect what?
21. The Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed it was 'urgently investigating’ after the judge at a Westminster court was heckled by supporters of defendant James Goddard. Goddard was facing charges of harassing who?
22. Sainsbury's and Asda offered to sell up to how many stores to address concerns raised by competition authorities over their merger?
23. Caroline Farrow, a Catholic commentator and broadcaster, was asked to attend a police interview in Surrey over tweets expressing her opinions on what?
24. Who was confirmed as BBC Newsnight’s lead presenter, giving the programme an all-female line-up for the first time?
25. Bride-to-be Rana Habeeb was killed when a roof collapsed in which television programme?

Answers here

Jemma and Emily win this week's newsquiz

The new MailOnline trainees had a good first week in Kensington. They had sessions with editor Danny Groom, executive editor Ian Walker and deputy SEO manager Rena Burton. The trainees also wrote headlines, intros and stories. The award for best headline of the week went to Raven Saunt and the best intro to Emily Webber. As usual we finished with the newsquiz. This week's top scorers were Emily and Jemma Carr on 15. Well done to both.
The top solo online scorer in last week's quiz was Gavin Devine with 18, ahead of Liz Gerard on 17. The top team was Bruce and Sarah Hayward with 18.5. Here's this week's quiz ... as usual 25 questions about the week's events. Give it a go and see if you can beat Jemma's score.

Brexit mayhem: Wednesday's front pages ... after the initial vote
rejecting the Prime Minister's deal

1. Theresa May's Brexit deal was defeated by what size majority in Parliament on Tuesday night?
2. The 'gang of four' rebel Cabinet members who defied Theresa May and helped stop a No Deal Brexit included Scottish Secretary David Mundell, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd and which two others? Half a point for each.
3. The Ministers used what codeword to help inflict a defeat on the Prime Minister and stop a No Deal Brexit in the Commons on Wednesday?
4. MPs backed the motion to delay Brexit to avoid a no-deal departure on March 29, meaning leaving the EU will now be delayed until what date at the earliest?
5. Comparing Theresa May and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox to Adam and Eve, Boris Johnson said: 'They have sewed an apron of ____ that does nothing to conceal the embarrassment and the indignity of the UK.’ What is the missing word?
6. Who said of Brexit this week: 'I gave the Prime Minister my ideas on how to negotiate it ... she didn’t listen to that and that’s fine. She’s got to do what she’s got to do'?
7. In his spring statement Chancellor Philip Hammond announced that ‘fossil fuel’ heating in new homes would be banned from what year?
8. Chancellor Philip Hammond also announced that he had ‘decided to fund the provision’ of what in secondary schools and colleges from September?
9. A 28-year-old Australian, who livestreamed himself attacking a mosque killing at least 49 people in Christchurch, identified himself online before the rampage by what name?
10. Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service announced that a former British paratrooper is to be charged in connection with the killings of civil rights demonstrators on Bloody Sunday in 1972. For legal reasons the soldier is being referred to by what letter?
11. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which crashed shortly after take-off on Sunday killing all 157 people onboard, was flying to which city?
12. Which is the only airline to have any Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 registered with the UK's Civil Aviation Authority?
13. Which company apologised to trainee accountant Emily O’Connor, 21, who was threatened with being thrown off a flight because she was wearing a crop top?
14. How many weeks was Paul Mitchell jailed for after running on the pitch and punching Jack Grealish in the Aston Villa versus Birmingham derby?
15. How did Bryony Frost, 23, make history this week?
16. British backpacker Catherine Shaw was found dead in a mountainous area of which country?
17. American actresses Lori Loughlin and her husband were accused of paying $500,000 in bribes to have their two daughters admitted into which university?
18. How did 30-year-old Tom Ballard die?
19. Why was 61-year-old Patricia Dowdy in the headlines?
20. Who issued a statement saying: 'We did not see – and still do not see – how this programme will help the search … and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, it could potentially hinder it’?
21. Which football club announced a compensation scheme for the victims of sexual abuse by one of its former coaches?
22. Which title did Prince Edward receive from the Queen to celebrate his 55th birthday?
23. Which breed of dog was crowned Best in Show at Crufts? 
24. Which two bands were announced on Friday as headliners at this year's Glastonbury alongside Stormzy, Kylie Minogue and Janet Jackson? Half a point for each.
25. What started with Beyonce’s Crazy In Love and finished with Survivor by Destiny’s Child?

Answers here

Been keeping up with the news? Here's the quiz

There were some first rate scores in last week's newsquiz with lots of you claiming personal bests and others saying it was easier than usual. Pick of the bunch was Gaby Mansell with a record-breaking 24. Toby Brown and Liz Gerard both scored 22, Damon Wake 21, Steve Silk 19.5 and Alan Geere 19. The best team score was the Roberts Family with 21. Bruce and Sarah Hayward scored 19, as did Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe. A special mention goes to Ian McCulloch who religiously posts his score - usually single figures - who celebrated a PB of 16. Here is this week's quiz, as usual 25 questions about the week's events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. It may be a bit trickier this week.

Today's front pages

1. What was the name of the 17-year-old girl who was stabbed to death in a park in east London?

2. A 17-year-old boy, Yousef Ghaleb Makki, was stabbed to death in Hale Barns, a village near which town?

3. Home Secretary Sayid Javid said knife crime should be treated ‘like a ____’. What is the missing word?

4. Who wrote an open letter to the Citizens of Europe saying: 'Never, since the Second World War, has Europe been as essential. Yet never has Europe been in so much danger?’

5. MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan said there would 'literally be rioting in the streets’ in her constituency if there was a second referendum on Brexit. Which town does she represent?

6. BMW warned that production of which car at Cowley in Oxfordshire may be at risk if there is a no-deal Brexit?

7. Paula Sherriff, the Labour MP for Dewsbury, was ticked off by the speaker for shouting what two words at Transport Secretary Chris Grayling?

8. Council tax bills in England will increase by an average of what per cent from April, according to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy?

9. Andrew Hill, 54, whose Hawker Hunter jet ploughed into the A27 in West Sussex, was cleared of how many counts of manslaughter at the Old Bailey?

10. The US ambassador to Britain, Woody Johnson, said the American process of using what to wash chicken was the same as that used by EU farmers to treat fruit and vegetables?

11. John Murphy was charged with assault after hitting Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn on the head with what during a visit to a north London mosque?

12. Northern Ireland secretary Karen Bradley faced calls to resign after saying those in the military and police who killed people during The Troubles were 'fulfilling their duty in a ____ and ____ way.’ What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.

13. Keith Flint, who died age 49, led the Prodigy to their first UK Number One single in 1996. What was it called?

14. Counter-terror police investigated packages containing explosives found at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and which London railway station?

15. Who was given a two-match touchline ban and fined £10,000 by the Football Association for confronting referee Mike Dean?
16. Crew and passengers were quarantined for four hours at Gatwick airport after a sickness outbreak on board a Virgin plane flying from where?

17. Luke Perry, best-known for his role in Beverly Hills, 90210, died after suffering a stroke. How old was he?

18. Ray Kelvin, chief executive of which fashion brand, agreed to resign over allegations of inappropriate behaviour?

19. Cycling champion Dr Rachel McKinnon said on Twitter: 'I guarantee that if we posted this photo and asked Do you think it's fair for this trans woman to compete in women's sport? a LOT of people would be screaming NO and calling her a man’. Who was the picture of?

20. Ralph and Jimmy Bulger lost a legal challenge at the High Court to overturn what?

21. Radio stations took Michael Jackson’s music from their playlists, a Simpsons' episode featuring the singer was pulled and a statue of him at a Manchester museum was removed after allegations were made in a documentary called what?

22. At least 23 people were killed when tornadoes struck which American state? 

23. How did Michael Prasek die in his backyard in the village of Zdechov in the Czech Republic?
24. Former BBC DJ Simon Mayo led the line-up on which classical music radio station which started this week?
25. According to Forbes who became the world's youngest self-made billionaire?

Answers here

Been keeping up with the news? Try the quiz

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, narrowly ahead of Bruce Hayward and Sarah and Jon Roberts and family both with 20. The Penmans scored an impressive 18 and Gavin Devine got 17.5. There is also a hat-tip to my Three Legs drinking pals Bryan, Heather, Peter and Stacey who scored 16. 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.

Tuesday's front pages

1. Prime Minister Theresa May told Parliament she wanted to reassure the House by making three commitments, including that there would be a second Meaningful Vote by what date 'at the latest’?

2. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responded to Theresa May’s statement by saying: 'The Prime Minister has become quite the expert at kicking' what?

3. What is the name of the MP who has been suspended from Labour after suggesting the party had 'given too much ground' to complaints of anti-Semitism?

4. George Eustice quit which Cabinet position over Theresa May's promise to allow MPs a vote on delaying Brexit if her deal is rejected?

5. Members of the newly formed Independent Group were photographed in which restaurant chain on Monday night?

6. Theresa May was videoed making an awkward shot after being challenged to a game of pool at the EU-Arab League summit by the prime minister of which country?

7. Actor Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga caused a stir with their intimate rendition of which song at the Oscars?
8. What won Best Motion Picture Of The Year at the Oscars?

9. Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, in a testimony to Congress, said: 'I know what Mr Trump is. He is a ____. He is a ____. He is a cheat.’ What are the two missing words? Half a point for each?

10. The second North Korea summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, which ended early and without a deal, was held in which city?

11. Sally Challen, who killed her husband with a hammer, won an appeal against her conviction with her lawyers arguing that she was a victim of ____ ___ which became a criminal offence in 2015. What are the two missing words?

12. Why was 77-year-old George Pell in the headlines?
13. Two fighter jets were shot down after India struck 'a militant camp' in Pakistan in retaliation for a suicide bombing that killed 40 troops in which disputed territory?

14. A Premier League manager was sacked on Sunday and another on Thursday. Name both clubs.

15. Which company apologised after announcing a price rise which breached Ofcom's cap, designed to make a service ‘affordable' for all consumers?
16. Jack Letts, 23, known as Jihadi Jack, who was captured in Syria, said he wanted to come home because he missed pasties, Dr Who and what else?

17. French sportswear retailer Decathlon scrapped plans to sell what following a public outcry and threats of a boycott?

18. Who posted $100,000 bail that allowed him to go free while awaiting trial on charges that he sexually abused four people, including three underage girls?

19. What did football pundit Chris Sutton described as a ‘mutiny’, Alan Shearer as an 'astonishing incident’ and Jose Mourinho as a 'complicated situation’? 

20. He was born in Berlin, had five wives including actress Mia Farrow, headed the London Symphony Orchestra for 11 years and won four Oscars. Who is he?

21. MP David Lammy questioned broadcaster Stacey Dooley's contribution to Comic Relief in Uganda by saying: 'The world does not need any more white ____.' What is the missing word?

22. Firefighters battled through the night to put out a large gorse fire on the highest peak of the hills in Edinburgh. What is it called?

23. The Met Office announced that the highest ever UK winter temperature of 21.2C was recorded at which London location?

24. The BBC has joined forces with ITV to launch a rival to US giant Netflix. What is it called?

25. A sinister internet character that apparently set youngsters ‘challenges' involving self-harm was dismissed as being a hoax. What is the character called?

Answers here