It's newsquiz time ...

There were some excellent scores in last week’s newsquiz. Top of the solo leaderboard were Nick Turner and Toby Brown, both with 23, just ahead of Robert Rea, Tony Smith, Janet Boyle and Liz Gerard on 22, Jayme Bryla and Gavin Devine on 21 and Marguerite Turner and Stuart Bagnall who both scored 20. The top team was the Roberts Family with 24. Maura and Phil Parsons scored 23, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe and the Broad Oak drinkers Peter, Stacey, Nicky and Les scored  22, Bruce and Sarah Hayward 21 and Team Swindle 19. Here is this week's quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the last seven days. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. Downing Street admitted Prime Minister Boris Johnson attended a party in the cabinet room at No 10 Downing Street with up to 30 people to celebrate his birthday on what date?
2. Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns defended the Prime Minister saying: ‘As far as I can see, he was in a sense, ambushed with a ___.' What is the missing word?
3. Scotland Yard told the Cabinet Office that in Sue Gray’s report there should be ' ___ reference' to lockdown breaches it is investigating as potentially criminal. What is the missing word?
4. Which comedian's spoof version of the Sue Gray report was mistaken for a 'serious leak' which reportedly left ministers 'running around panicking'?
5. Labour accused Foreign Secretary Liz Truss of spending 'disgusting amounts of public money' on her own 'vanity and comfort' by doing what?
6. What is the name of the Tory minister who quit at the despatch box in the House of Lords over the Government's ‘lamentable track record’ on Covid loans fraud?
7. Evidence published by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee appeared to contradict Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s repeated denials that he had personally intervened to help do what last August?
8. Which of these covid rules were not relaxed in England yesterday (Thursday)?
a) Wearing masks in shops b) Showing covid passes to get into nightclubs c) Compulsory covid tests for fully-vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK d) Wearing face coverings in school corridors

9. Russia issued a written list of its concerns about related security issues including a demand that Ukraine would never be allowed to become what?
10. Documents from the Duke of York's lawyers, setting out his defence against allegations made by Virgnia Giuffre, concluded with: 'Prince Andrew hereby demands a ___ ___ ___ on all causes of action asserted in the Complaint.’ What are the three missing words?
11. At least eight people were killed and 38 injured in a crush outside an Africa Cup of Nations football match between Cameroon and which other team?
12. The Office for National Statistics said that, for the first time ever, more than half of 30-year-old women in England and Wales were what?
13. Which European city declared Tuesday a holiday, with public offices closed and all private business, except for supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations, ordered to shut, due to a severe snowstorm?
14. Stephen Fry described him as 'a glorious, gorgeous, hilarious and gifted writer’ and BBC director general Tim Davie said: 'If you heard or saw a great sketch, there was always a good chance (he) was behind it.' Who were they talking about?
15. Thousands of people signed up in support of a driver who was arrested on suspicion of murder after he ran down a man who was stabbing his former partner to death in a street in which London district?
16. Former England boss Roy Hodgson became which football club’s third manager of the season?
17. Jonathan Chew, 24, sang 'West Ham 'til I die' and vaped in court as he was jailed for eight weeks for harassing who?
18. Rafael Nadal is one win away from what record number of Grand Slam men's titles after beating Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the Australian Open semi-finals?
19. An 84-year-old man, who was pulled over by police near Tesco in Nottingham, admitted to driving for how many years without a licence?
20. According to English Heritage which town saw its 'best ever' year for tourists in 2021 - probably due to its brief period in the political limelight?

21. The Duchess of Cambridge is reported to be taking over Prince Harry’s role as patron of which sport?
22. Who postponed a series of concerts in Dallas, Texas, after testing positive for Covid-19 a week after restarting his farewell tour?
23. Disney said it was 'taking a different approach' to which movie after actor Peter Dinklage called it a 'backward' film that reinforced stereotypes?
24. Who apologised 'unreservedly and unconditionally' to singer Taylor Swift, saying 'the last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting'?
25. Spotify is to remove which musician's songs after a row over 'vaccine misinformation' by podcaster Joe Rogan?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Jayme Bryla with 22, just ahead of Marguerite Turner on 21. Others on the leaderboard were Stuart Bagnall 19.5, Liz Gerard and Toby Brown 19, Gavin Devine and Robert Rea 18.5, Andrea Clark 18, Dominic Hurst 17, Tony Smith 16 and Jem Condliffe, who recorded his highest ever score, on 15.5. The team leaderboard was Simon, Sue and Will Cole 22, Maura and Phil Parsons 20, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 19.5, the Roberts family 19, Three Legs drinkers Peter and Stacey and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the last seven days. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a series of policy announcements that were dubbed ‘Operation ___ ___’ aimed at keeping his backbenchers on side. What are the two missing words?
2. Christian Wakeford became the first Tory MP, since Quentin Davies in 2007, to do what?
3. Which Tory MP urged his colleagues to report Government ministers, whips and advisers to the Speaker, and even the police, for what he claimed was attempted blackmail of those opposing Prime Minister Boris Johnson?
4. How many letters need to be submitted to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady to trigger a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister?
5. Veteran Tory David Davis told Prime Minister Boris Johnson: 'I will remind him of a quotation altogether too familiar to him of Leo Amery to ___ ___: You have sat there too long for all the good you have done, in the name of God, go!’ What is the missing politician’s name?
6. The plot by Tory MPs looking to oust Boris Johnson is reportedly known as the 'pork pie putsch' because one of the alleged rebels, Alicia Kearns, serves which constituency?
7. On a visit to a hospital in north London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that who had told him that the Downing Street lockdown garden party 'was something that was against the rules’?
8. The Office for National Statistics said inflation in Britain had increased by more than expected to what per cent - its highest rate in 30 years?
9. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said the BBC licence fee of how much would be frozen until 2024 after which it will be scrapped?
10. Which country was hit by an 'unprecedented disaster’ when a volcanic eruption at sea triggered a tsunami?

11. Russell Bishop, who died in prison, was serving 36 years for the murder of two nine-year-old girls in Brighton in 1986 and was known as the ___ ___ ___ ___ killer. What are the missing four words?
12. The Duke of Sussex is seeking a judicial review against the Home Office’s refusal to allow him to do what?
13. Former protection officer Paul Page told ITV documentary, Ghislaine, Prince Andrew And The Paedophile, that the Duke of York sketched out a plan showing staff how what should be positioned every night?
14. Malik Faisal Akram, 44, who was shot dead after a stand-off with police after taking hostages at a synagogue in Texas, lived in which English town?
15. Around 30 elite British troops were sent to which country to oversee training on new anti-tank weapons provided by the UK?
16. In an attempt to tackle the backlog of crown court cases, magistrates in England and Wales will be able to hand out jail terms of how long – double the current maximum?
17. Which company announced that most customers will see bills rise by more than nine per cent from the end of March?
18. Following his deportation from Australia, Novak Djokovic was told he may not be allowed to defend which title after the country ruled that all athletes will have to be vaccinated to compete in sporting events?
19. A 40-year-old Frenchman was arrested for the manslaughter of a five-year-old British girl after she died while doing what?
20. Staff working at 30 firms across the UK are to do what over the next six months as part of an experimental pilot?
21. An investigation by a team, including an ex-FBI agent, identified Arnold van den Bergh as the person who betrayed who to save to his own family’?

22. The singer whose real name was Marvin Lee Aday, who died age 74, had the sixth best-selling album of all time. Give his stage name and the album title. Half a point for each.
23. GB News announced it would play which song every day, from last Tuesday, at 5.59am?
24. A tearful Adele posted on instagram to say 'I'm so sorry, but my show ain't ready’ and announced she was postponing 24 concerts due to be held at which famous venue?
25. Shama Amin quit what due to her crippling arthritis?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

I have spent this week at the i newspaper looking after their trainees. They have been writing intros and stories in i style, going through the style book, developing agency articles and pitching ideas to the editorial director. We finished, as always, with the newsquiz. Well done to Layton Ryan-Parson who picked up a scratchcard for the top score. In last week’s newsquiz the top solo scorer was Janet Boyle with 22, ahead of Jayme Bryla and Andrea Clark who scored 20, Marion Fountayne and Robert Rea on 18 and Marguerite Turner and Gavin Devine 16. The top team were the Plough drinkers (Peter, Stacey, Bryan and Heather) who scored a whopping 24. They were ahead of Liz Gerard’s team on 22 and Maura and Phil Parsons on 21. The Smiths, Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe all scored 19. 

Today's front pages

1. At Prime Minister’s Question Time Boris Johnson apologised for a 'bring your own booze' party held in the 10 Downing Street garden during lockdown last year but told MPs he 'believed implicitly’ it was what?
2. What date in May 2020 was the Bring Your Own Booze garden party at 10 Downing Street?
3. At Prime Minister’s Question Time, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said of Boris Johnson: 'There we have it. After months of deceit and deception, the ___ ___ of a man who has run out of road’. What are the two missing words?
4. What is the name of the principal private secretary who sent an email to Downing Street staff saying 'it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the 10 garden this evening. Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze’?
5. What reason did Prime Minister Boris Johnson give for cancelling a trip to a Lancashire vaccination centre yesterday (Thursday) the day after he admitted attending a boozy No10 gathering during the first Covid lockdown?
6. Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg labelled which senior Conservative a 'lightweight figure’ after he had called on Boris Johnson to quit over the Number 10 party row?
7. Boris Johnson's former press chief James Slack, who 'apologised unreservedly' for holding a leaving do in Downing Street hours before the Queen sat alone at Prince Philip's funeral, is now deputy editor of which publication?
8. Buckingham Palace announced the Queen's decision to cast Prince Andrew out of the royal fold in a statement which said: 'With The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal ___ have been returned to The Queen.’ What is the missing word?
9. Prince Andrew became the fifth royal in 26 years to either lose or drop the HRH title. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan lost the title in 2020 but who were the two others? Half a point for each.
10. Why was lawyer Christine Lee in the headlines?
11. Tennis player Novak Djokovic told Australian authorities he had not travelled in the 14 days before his arrival despite social media posts showing he had been in which country?
12. Who announced he was leaving 'the most challenging’ time of his professional career and returning to the University of Nottingham?
13. Jack Dromey, the MP for Birmingham Erdington since 2010, who died at the age of 73 was married to which politician?
14. At least 19 people, including nine children, died after a fire in an apartment building in which city?
15. Sidney Poitier, who died aged 94, was the first black actor to win an Oscar for which 1964 film?
16. The High Court ruled that the Government's use of a 'VIP lane' to do what was unlawful?
17. Why did OVO Energy advise customers to cuddle a pet and eat porridge?
18. Who was admitted to hospital after tweeting that she was lost and hated herself following the death of her son?

19. Handyman David Bennett, 57, from Baltimore, became the first person in the world to receive what?
20. Waitrose will start selling Sunions next week, which are being billed as ‘gamechangers’ that have taken more than 30 years to perfect. What is the special quality of Sunions? 
21. Marks & Spencer renamed which sweets after a disability campaigner claimed they could offend those with dwarfism?
22. Personal trainer Fitzroy Gaynes, 64, sued the London health club Third Space, where he worked, for age discrimination - because they refused to do what?
23. Ronnie Spector, who died aged 78, was the lead singer of which 1960s girl group who had hits with Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking in the Rain?
24. Britain's longest married couple, Ron and Joyce Bond, aged 102 and 100, from Milton Keynes celebrated what wedding anniversary?
25. Danny Dyer announced he was leaving his role as Queen Vic landlord in BBC soap opera EastEnders. What is his character’s name?

Answers here

Mail looking for trainee reporters and subs

Last year's Mail trainees

In September and October I trained 17 young journalists who were beginning their career at the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and London’s Evening Standard. They included reporters, news subs and three were on a Stephen Lawrence scholarship. We were fortunate that we were able to do the training in the Kensington offices, rather than online. Most of the trainees then went on a five-month placement, working for the Mail in Dublin, the Evening Standard, Metro and the i newspaper. Others went straight to the newsroom. There has been impressive work and plenty of bylines. Now the Mail is recruiting for next year’s scheme. It is looking for reporters, a digital fashion journalist, news subs and sports subs. If you are committed to becoming a journalist and want to work for Britain's most successful newspaper group, you can apply for the sub's scheme here and the reporter's scheme here. Good luck.

Have a crack at the newsquiz

There were clearly some bleary eyes doing last week’s newsquiz at New Year as the scores were well below average. The top solo scorers were Toby Brown and Tony Smith with 19, ahead of Gavin Devine and Robert Rea on 17 and Marguerite Turner on 16. The top teams were Bruce and Sarah Hayward with 20. Maura and Phil Parsons scored 19, Team Swindle 18 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz, the first of 2022. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. At a Press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the 'fantastic' effort to get Britain boosted and added: 'Together with the Plan B measures that we introduced before Christmas, we have a chance to ___ out this Omicron wave without shutting down our country once again.’ What is the missing word?
2. In an interview with Le Parisien, French president Emmanuel Macron caused a stir by using a vulgar term, saying he wanted to 'emmerder les non-vaccinés’. What does emmerder mean?
3. Former Labour defence secretary Geoff Hoon claimed he was told by Downing Street in 2003 to burn a memo from the Attorney General that cast doubt on what?
4. Who told Boris Johnson: 'I've heard on the grapevine there might be a vacancy for Prime Minister soon, so maybe I should show aspiration’?
5. Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer wrote to the trial judge, after the guilty verdicts, to say that what revelation meant there were 'incontrovertible grounds' for a new trial?
6. Prince Andrew was reported to be trying to sell what for £17million to help foot the bill for his spiralling legal costs?
7. What did Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić describe as 'harassment’ which needed to be 'brought to an end immediately'?
8. More than 900,000 people signed a petition this week calling for what not to happen?
9. Sage Willoughby, Rhian Graham, Milo Ponsford and Jake Skuse were cleared of what?
10. Which company became the first ever to hit a stock market valuation of $3trillion (£2.2trillion)?
11. Alan Gosling, a 79-year-old grandfather living in Devon, was revealed as the UK’s first what?
12. What did Pope Francis say was 'a denial of fatherhood and motherhood and diminishes us, takes away our humanity’?
13. Justice Secretary Dominic Raab announced that, as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, taking photos of women doing what in public without consent would be made a crime in England and Wales?
14. The Mail On Sunday is to pay the Duchess of Sussex how much in damages after losing its appeal in a privacy row over a letter sent to her father?
15. A 49-year-old man appeared in court on charges, including arson, after a fire totally destroyed the lower chamber of which country’s parliament building?
16. Tobias Weller, 11, became the youngest person ever to receive what?
17. The winner of eight Emmys, including the Lifetime Achievement Daytime award, and three American Comedy Awards, died age 99. Who is she?
18. The president of which country ordered security forces to 'fire without warning' after he claimed '20,000 bandits' were involved in anti-government protests?19. Army officer Preet Chandi, 32, became the first woman of colour to do what?

20. Which classic smartphone was turned off this week after 22 years?
21. A judge in California dismissed a lawsuit by Spencer Elden, 30, who alleged sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse against who?
22. Up-and-coming artist Rhed, who has showed his work in London galleries since 2018, was revealed to be the son of who? Half a point for each name.
23. Actress Maureen Lipman questioned the credentials of Helen Mirren to play which figure in a forthcoming film?
24. What is the nickname of Peter Wright who won the darts world championship for the second time in three years?
25. Heather Small, the first celebrity to be voted off ITV’s The Masked Singer, was dressed as what?

Answers here