Trainee Maddy wins the newsquiz

I have been working with nine MailOnline trainees in London this week. They had sessions with editor Danny Groom, associate editor Dan Sanderson, global news-editor John Sturgis, deputy showbusiness editor Rebecca Davison, senior reporter Mark Duell, travel editor Ted Thornhill and training manager Sue Ryan. The trainees wrote stories, headlines and intros and researched ideas for publication. The best intro and headline of the week awards went to Gina Kalsi. I was very impressed that they all made it on time every day, despite the rail strike. Some walked for two hours, got up at 5am and one took a train home to Birmingham to collect her car so she could make an early morning drive back to London. Troopers all of them. As usual we ended the week with the newsquiz. The top scorer was Maddy Ross with 17.5, ahead of Liv Jones on 14. 

Today's front pages

The top online scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Marguerite Turner with 22, ahead of Enid Shelmerdine on 21, Stuart Bagnall 20.5, Robert Rea 20, Liz Gerard 19, Jayme Bryla and Chay Quinn 18, Toby Brown 16.5 and Hilary Scott 15.
The top team was the Cornwall Collective of Adam Batstone, Lucy Thorpe, Phil and Maura Parsons and David Kohn with 22, just ahead of Team Swindle on 21.5 and the Three Legs drinkers Peter, Stacey and LA guest Melinda on 21, Neil and Jo Benson 19.5 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 17. Here is this week’s score. Give it a go and see if you can beat Maddy’s score.

1. Two hours after the Tiverton & Honiton and Wakefield by-election results were announced, Oliver Dowden resigned from what position in the Conservative Party?
2. What is the name of the Liberal Democrat MP who overturned a 24,000-plus Tory majority to be elected in the Tiverton & Honiton by-election?
3. What did Prime Minister Boris Johnson do at 6am in Rwanda after hearing the by-election results and before receiving Oliver Dowden’s resignation?
4. Labour MPs, including Rebecca Long-Bailey, Rachael Maskell, Ian Byrne and Beth Winter, ignored their leader’s advice and joined the RMT picket line at which station?
5. Piers Morgan, said RMT leader Mick Lynch's Facebook profile picture suggested he aligned himself with an 'evil, criminal, terrorist mastermind’. Who did Lynch use as his profile picture?
6. Unite members voted by 94.7 per cent and GMB members by 95 per cent at which company in favour of industrial action during the summer?
7. The head of the Kremlin’s security council threatened which country with 'serious consequences' after its railway refused to allow some Russian goods to cross through?
8. An earthquake killed at least 1,000 people and injured 1,500 in which country?
9. According to the UK Health Security Agency, traces of what virus have been found in sewage samples in London which are ‘likely’ to be transmitting within the community?
10. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital on Monday for what 10 Downing Street said was a minor and routine operation on his what?
11. The way Metropolitan Police handled the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor in East London, who were murdered by which serial killer, is to be reinvestigated by the police watchdog?
12. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the decision to drop works by which two writers from the GCSE curriculum was ‘cultural vandalism’? Half a point for each.
13. Olympic synchronised swimmer Anita Alvarez came within seconds of death when she fainted in the pool during the 2022 World Championships in which city?
14. Who said this week that she didn't 'feel she had ever been happy' but that she 'finally feels free' after years of living a 'secret’ life?
15. One of the UK's biggest suppliers of what food was fined more than £1.5million at Truro Crown Court after admitting killing fish, pollution and odour charges?
16. Who said: 'I can’t tell you how proud I am of my sport for doing the science, asking the athletes/coaches and standing up for fair sport for females’?
17. Golfer Matt Fitzpatrick, 27, who became only the third Englishman since 1924 to win the US Open, is from which city?
18. Research from Brazil, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that people unable to do what for ten seconds were 84 per cent more likely to die early?
19. Who announced his resignation, saying: 'I am sad that we cannot continue this journey together because I believe that this extraordinary group will make the country proud’?
20. Police in Belfast interviewed comedian Joe Lycett after a complaint was made about a joke which featured which animal?
21. What species of freshwater fish, believed to be the world’s largest and weighing 661lb, was caught by a fisherman in Cambodia?
22. Who claimed that his ‘darkish skin’ meant that he had 'pretty much racist abuse’ when he was a schoolboy?
23. Kate Bush said that 'the whole world’s gone’ as her 1985 song topped the UK charts. What is the song called?
24. Stormzy received an honorary degree from which university for 'outstanding achievement in the field of higher education, philanthropy and widening participation’?
25. The youngest and oldest ever headliners at Glastonbury will take to the Pyramid Stage on consecutive nights this weekend. Name them. Half a point for each.

Answers here

It's newsquiz time

Last week’s top solo scorer in the newsquiz was Stuart Bagnall with 22, ahead of Tom Savage and Toby Brown with 21.5, Robert Rea 21, Liz Gerard 20, Marguerite Turner 19.5 and Jayme Bryla 16.5. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons 20.5, ahead of Neil and Jo Benson on 20, Marc Beyeler’s team 19.5, Bruce and Sarah Hayward 19, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe, 18.5 and Jess Devonport and Nicholas Collins 18. Here is this week’s newsquiz. 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. Originally 130 migrants were to be flown to Rwanda but, after legal challenges, how many were actually on the plane before the flight was abandoned?
2. Prince Charles reportedly criticised the Government’s decision to deport migrants to Rwanda, using what word to describe the policy?
3. The aborted flight, due to take migrants to Rwanda, was meant to take off from a military airport in which county?
4. Three Conservative MPs asked Home Secretray Priti Patel, in the Commons, about the prospect of the UK withdrawing from what?
5. The Bank of England predicted that inflation will soar to ___ per cent this autumn as UK interest rates increased to ___ per cent, pushing them to the highest level in 13 years? What are the two missing figures. Half a point for each.
6. Prime Minister Boris Johnson triggered a fresh dispute with the European Union after the Government unveiled plans to override what section of the Brexit deal?
7. Government ethics adviser Lord Geidt, in his resignation letter, said he had been asked for advice on an issue which would amount to a deliberate breach of the ministerial code and said: 'This request has placed me in an impossible and ___ position.’ What is the missing word?
8. The leaders of which three countries vowed to support Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union on a visit to Kyiv? Half a point for two, full point for three.
9. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said of the invasion of Ukraine: 'We declared a special military operation because we had absolutely no other way of explaining to the West that dragging Ukraine into Nato was a ___ ___.’ What are the two missing words?
10. Former US president Donald Trump said who was not involved in looking at election results and 'had long since checked out’ after the hearing examining the insurrection at the Capitol Hill in January 2021?
11. Father and son Roger and Bradley Stockton were among five people to be killed where?
12. Demonstrators carrying banners against ‘war crimes' marched near Windsor Castle protesting against who receiving a knighthood?
13. Gatwick Airport announced it would limit the number of daily take-offs and landings to how many in August – 10 per cent below its pre-pandemic maximum?
14. Journalists Clive Myrie, Orla Guerin, Nick Robinson and Nick Beake and UK editors John Witherow Chris Evans, Katharine Viner and Ted Verity were all included on what list?
15. The World Health Organisation said it would rename what disease to avoid discrimination and stigmatisation?
16. Home Secretary Priti Patel signed an order to extradite who to the US to face espionage charges and a possible 175-year jail sentence?
17. Which 90-year-old cosmetics company filed for bankruptcy in the US, saying supply chain disruptions had driven up the cost of raw materials for its products?
18. Which former Welsh rugby captain, who motivated his team before an England game with a speech about the English taking 'our coal, our steel and buying homes they only live in for a fortnight a year’, died aged 73?
19. Which English town’s residents voted, by 93 per cent, to restrict the sale of second homes - arguing that local families had been priced out of the housing market?
20. Prince Andrew was forced to remain out of public view after a 'family decision' to exclude him from which traditional procession at Windsor Castle?
21. Freight entrepreneur Hilary Devey who died aged 65, was a panellist on which TV show?
22. The Sydney Morning Herald denied outing which actress as gay?
23. England footballers suffered their biggest home defeat in 94 years to which team?
24. Which band cancelled a performance at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam after its singer tested positive for Covid-19?
25. New York’s Court of Appeals ruled that Happy, an animal which has been at the Bronx Zoo since the 1970s, cannot legally be considered a person. What type of animal is Happy?

Answers here

Exposure: An insight into how the media works

At the end of last year I was contacted by a former trainee, Felicity Cowie, who I had not seen since the mid-90s when she was on the Editorial Centre journalism course in Hastings. 

At the time she was a reporter for the Kent Messenger Group but soon moved into broadcasting, mainly for the BBC. Twelve years ago she set up her own company, the Media Relations Coach, which helps business leaders work with the media. 

Felicity contacted me out of the blue because she was writing a book. Her aim was to offer business leaders an insight into the way journalism really works.

She wanted to explain, with clarity and using her experience on both sides of the fence, what journalists are looking for, how to pitch attention-grabbing stories and to help businesses benefit from 'powerful exposure’.

She wondered if I would be prepared to contribute, to offer an insight into how journalists think and what stories interest them - and those that don’t. I was more than happy to help and wrote a Q&A for chapter five.

Today Felicity’s book, Exposure, is published. If you are running a business it is a must-read - insider secrets, a practical toolkit and wise advice on how to get your company noticed.

And if you are a journalist it is also worth a read, and not just for chapter five, as it offers a reverse insight into the world of PR. Exposure is available in paperback at £14.99 or on Kindle. The details are here.

It's newsquiz time

Last week’s newsquiz was clearly a bit tougher with most people scoring below average scores. One notable exception was Marguerite Turner who bucked the trend with an impressive 22.5. Others on the leaderboard were Janet Boyle with 19.5, Robert Rea 19, Gavin Devine 17.5, Jayme Bryla 17, Liz Gerard and Stuart Bagnall 15. The top team was the Three Legs drinkers Peter, Stacey and Nicky with 21, ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons on 18, Neil and Jo Benson and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 17.5, Team Swindle 15.5 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 15. A special mention goes to my old Northern Echo colleague Phil Lambell who scored 12 out of 18, believing the first seven questions (on the Jubilee) should be part of a different quiz! 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. 

A selection of today's front pages

1. How many Tory MPs voted for and against keeping Boris Johnson as Prime Minister? Half a point for each.
2. Former Tory leader Lord (William) Hague said Prime Minister Boris Johnson, following the vote on his future, faced the political equivalent of trying to drive along the M1 with what?
3. Which Government adviser said of the events held in Downing Street during the pandemic: 'I think it was really important at all stages that everyone stuck to the rules, there's no question about that. It only worked when people stuck to them - and it's very disappointing that wasn't the case’?
4. After the confidence vote, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘I think it’s a ___ result, a ___ result and what it means is that as a Government we can move on and focus on the stuff that really matters to people.’ What are the two missing words. Half a point for each.
5. While having tea with Paddington Bear, to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, what did the Queen produce from her handbag?
6. Which actor voiced Paddington Bear during the afternoon tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace?
7. At the Jubilee concert, Prince Charles paid tribute to the Queen by saying: 'Your Majesty,___ , You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, have been there for us, for these 70 years. What is the missing word?

8. Thousands of rail workers are to stage strike action on what three dates this month in a dispute over pay and jobs?
9. Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove announced what plan in order to fulfil 'an important desire of the human heart’?
10. What did Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemn as a 'sham judgement with absolutely no legitimacy’ by an unrecognised court?
11. Why did the RAC motoring group describe Wednesday as 'a truly dark day’?

12. Cineworld cancelled all UK screenings of what film after protests outside cinemas and 120,000 people signing a petition demanding it be pulled?
13. Bruce Kent, who has died aged 92, was the general secretary, chair and vice president of which protest group?

14. Why was Jim Fitton, 66, jailed for 15 years in Iraq?
15. Alex Davies, 27, described in court as a Nazi, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years at the Old Bailey for being a member of which banned fascist group?
16. Why did Gatwick airport apologise to Victoria Brignell after she arrived on a BA flight from Malta?
17. An independent report by ex-charity boss Javed Khan recommended that the age at which people can buy what in England should be raised year by year, so that eventually it will never be sold?
18. Wales qualified for the 2022 World Cup for the first time in 64 years by beating which team?
19. A ‘cruel rampage’ by a 29-year-old man in a car on a busy street in which European city left one person dead and 31 injured?

20. A vigil was held in London for journalist Dom Philips after he and a colleague went missing in which country?
21. What was Prince William (the Duke of Cambridge) doing when he was spotted wearing a red vest and baseball cap in London this week?
22. What milestone did Harry Kane reach in England’s 1-1 draw with Germany in the UEFA Nations League?
23. Whose 30-year career as a BBC presenter will come to an end after this year's Wimbledon coverage?

24. Jason Alexander was arrested when he crashed whose wedding in California?
25. What did Axel Blake win?

Answers here

It's time to tackle the newsquiz

There were some good scores and plenty of personal bests in last week’s newsquiz. The top solo scorers were Marion Fountayne and Marguerite Turner with 22. Six people, Liz Gerard, Janet Boyle, Robert Rea, Stuart Bagnall, Toby Brown and Hannah Tomes, scored 21. Ed Mortimer and Ian Watt scored 20, Rob Lawrence 18, Jayme Bryla 17, Patrick Phelvin 16 and Jem Condliffe and Peter Cockerill 15. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with 24, ahead of Bruce and Sarah Hayward 23, Tony Smith and Mrs S and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 21, Neil and Jo Benson 20 and Thom and Rosie 16. Here is this week’s newsquiz. 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. How many beacons were lit across the UK and in the capitals of the 54 Commonwealth countries in a tribute to the Queen’s 70 years on the throne?

2. In her Jubilee message the Queen said: 'I continue to be inspired by the ___ shown to me and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years.’ What is the missing word?
3. The Palace announced that the Queen would not attend today's (Friday) Jubilee service at St Paul's Cathedral after experiencing what while watching Thursday's parade at Buckingham Palace?
4. In the Queen’s Jubilee honours which two people were made Companions of Honour, which is limited to 65 people at a time, for services to literature and illustration? Half a point for each.
5. What reason did Buckingham Palace give for Prince Andrew not attending the Queen's Jubilee thanksgiving service at St Paul’s?
6. Who said that the Duke of York was 'seeking to make amends’, adding that: 'Forgiveness really does matter. I think we have become a very, very unforgiving society?’
7. Twenty-five supporters of which protest group, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, disrupted the trooping the colour parade in the Mall because of 'the crown’s inaction on the climate emergency and their continued support for meat, fishing, and dairy’?

8. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner received what from police as part of an inquiry into alleged Covid rule-breaking?
9. What is the name of the former Conservative Attorney General, who was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, who called on Boris Johnson to resign as Prime Minister saying the lockdown parties had done 'lasting damage' to the party?

10. French authorities blamed late arrivals and what else for the chaotic scenes outside the Stade de France before the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid?
11. A jury found Amber Heard had defamed ex-husband Johnny Depp and awarded him $350,000 in punitive damages and how much in compensation?
12. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his address to the nation on Wednesday, said that how many children have been killed so far in the war?
13. Which company apologised for disruption to its holidays and said that 'due to ongoing challenges' nearly 200 flights, mainly from Manchester Airport, would be cancelled between this week and 30 June?
14. Andy Prendergast, national secretary of the GMB union, advised holidaymakers who were hoping to fly to do what to have a better chance of taking off on time?
15. The Government announced it is to consult on how to change the law to revive what, 'to capitalise on freedoms after leaving the European Union’?
16. West Ham footballer Kurt Zouma was ordered to carry out how many hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to kicking and slapping his cat?
17. Sports Direct owner Frasers Group bought which online fashion retailer for £20million after it collapsed into administration?
18. Jockey Lester Piggott, who died aged 86, was the record-holder for the most Derby wins. How many?
19. A man was arrested at the Louvre Museum in Paris after he smeared a glass screen encasing the Mona Lisa with what?
20. The UK Health Security Agency advised anyone with Monkeypox to use what for eight weeks after an infection?
21. Which football team returned to the Premier League after a 23-year absence?
22. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announced that where had been named the UK's City of Culture for 2025?
23. Johnny Depp appeared on stage with which rock guitarist at Sheffield City Hall and London’s Albert Hall, playing songs by Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Marvin Gaye?
24. Who made history by becoming the first coach to win a fourth Champions League title?
25. Tasha Ghouri, 23, was announced as the first deaf contestant on which TV show?

Answers here