This week's news quiz. Mehreen's 16 to beat

Eyes down for the quiz ... the Telegraph trainees in Liverpool today

The Daily Telegraph trainees have had a particularly busy week. Apart from a couple of days with me in Howden they have had sessions with Paul Francis on Freedom of Information and Martin Stephens on visual journalism. They took a law exam yesterday and today they visited the offices of the Liverpool Post and Echo with Tony Johnston, head of PA Training. As always we finished the week with the news quiz, just to ensure that they continue to forensically read the papers. This week's winner is Mehreen Khan with 16 out of 24. This means, over the six weeks of the course, Mehreen is 12 points ahead of second placed Raz Akkoc. It's the final quiz next week so Mehreen is clear favourite to pick up the end of course prize. See if you can do better than 16. There are 20 questions, with four bonus points, so a possible 24. 
   

China George (Q5) Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

1. The Scotland Yard inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is called Operation ___________. What is the missing word? 

2. Prime Minister David Cameron suggested customers should switch suppliers after British Gas announced it was putting up prices. The company is putting its gas up by 8.4 pc on November 23 and raising its electricity rates by what percentage? 

Bonus, the Energy Sectetary said there were a range of suppliers offering better deals than British Gas. Who is the Energy Secretary? 

3. 1970s' characters the Clangers, created by Oliver Postgate, are to return to television screens in a new series. What colour planet do the Clangers live on?

4. What was Plymouth lollipopman Bob Slade doing with children that led to him quitting his job.

5. In his trade visit to Beijing Chancellor George Osborne claimed, wrongly, that 160 million Chinese people are regularly watching what?

6. Roy Hodgson steered England to the World Cup finals in Brazil and then found himself in a row over a joke about a monkey … and a what? 

Bonus, England's qualification means that four former World Cup winning countries from Europe have booked a place in Brazil. Who are the only former World Champions from Europe that are not yet there? 

7. A street stall in New York was offering spray art for sale at $60 a piece. The pictures were actually by steet artist Banksy and were worth thousands. How many paying customers did the stall have?

8. Why was Angela Ahrendts in the headlines?

9. Eleanor Catton became the youngest winner of the Man Booker prize with her novel The Luminaries. How old is she?

Bonus, prior to Catton's success who was the youngest Booker prizewinner?

10. Pensioners with more than how much money in savings should be regarded as 'quite wealthy' according to care minister Norman Lamb?

11. Sir Anthony Hopkins described whose performances as 'the best acting I have seen - ever'?

12. British newspapers are not the only ones having a tough time from their Government. President Cristina Kirchner has been accused by editors of introducing a draconian law to control the media. In which country?

Bonus, The International Herald Tribune changed its name this week. To what?

13. In a her memoirs, graphic artist Chrisann Brennan says her former lover believed he was a Second World War fighter pilot in a previous life. Who was she writing about?

14. The Independent Police Complaints Commission accused which police force of a cover-up in the so-called Plebgate dispute involving former chief whip Andrew Mitchell? 

15. Nice has told doctors not to always blame patients if they are obese. What is the full name of Nice.

16. Why was Wimbledon champion Andy Murray almost late to Buckingham Place to receive his OBE?

17. Oxford scientist Professor Brian Sykes claims to have uncovered evidence that what exists?

18. An inquest into the deaths of six British soldiers, killed by a roadside bomb in Afhanistan, is being held at the Coroner's Court in which city?

19. Labour's new shadow women's minister has found herself irritated by a story about a topless photo shoot she did when she was a teenager. Who is she?

20. The sales of what have doubled in the last 12 months to 550,000?

Answers here.

Mail recruiting online journalists and print subs

I have only just said goodbye to the Daily Mail trainee journalists and already the paper is recruiting again. It is looking for trainees to go to MailOnline and also for sub-editors to work on the paper. The successful applicants will spend three weeks in February training at PA's Yorkshire HQ in Howden and one-week at the Mail's London office in Derry Street. They will then be placed at regional newspapers and agencies before returning to the Mail in London later in the year. The training begins in February so this intake is not suitable for those graduating in 2014. The Mail will also be recruiting trainee reporters and sub-editors for courses starting in September. These opportunities will be advertised next month ... watch this space. The deadline for applications for the February course is November 15. If you are interested, send a covering letter, your CV and six examples of your work to Sue Ryan. Her email address is sue.ryan@dailymail.co.uk.
If you are applying you might want to take a look at my advice on how to prepare for an interview. More details are on Hold The Front Page. Good luck.

Whacky headlines and bills of the week

With all the dog-eat-stuff dominating the media this week here are some more obscure headlines you might have missed.

This one, from the Irish Independent, has a bit of everything. The use of the word 'innocent' makes it special. After all, had the cow been guilty, the story just wouldn't be the same.

It is a clear winner of the whacky headline of the week, although this one from the Mirror is certainly a contender.

Meanwhile the Worksop Guardian makes another contribution to the growing list of headlines based on song titles. There are more of these here, here and here.

There were a couple of good bills doing the rounds this week too. This one from the News & Star in certainly Carlisle caught the eye. All is explained here.

And finally, let's finish with some good news from the Kent Messenger. 

Why politicians need media training

Some of my friends and colleagues, including George Dearsley, Andy Drinkwater and Frank Wintle, run 'handling the media courses'. They teach politicians, chief execs and others in the public eye how to deal with the ruthless questioning by media terriers such as Jeremy Paxman and John Humphrys. They show them what to expect, how to do their research and what not to do and say. It is an interesting way to make a living … but is it really necessary? Well, watch this amazing video here and draw your own conclusions. Enjoy. 

Tom wins Champagne in final news quiz

Saying farewell to Howden. Mail trainees (left to right): Steph Linning, Rachael Day, Tom Leece, Samantha Sharman, Jenny Ryan (speaker), Lizzie Palmer, Lottie Young (speaker), Matt Lambert, Holly Stevenson and Emma Craig

The Daily Mail subbing trainees finish their four-week training stint at the Manor in Howden today and are heading off to their placements. They are going to Mail Plus, the Scottish Daily Mail, the Evening Standard, the Manchester Evening News, the Hull Daily Mail and the Western Morning News. We had an intensive final week with visits by Sue Ryan, Mike Watson, Andy Gregory from Mail Plus and senior subs Jenny Ryan and Lottie Young. It was great to see Lottie, who was a trainee on the course only two years ago, back in Howden in a senior capacity. 

Daily Telegraph trainees (from left) Mehreen Khan, Raz Akkoc, Darshan Sanghrajka (trainer), Laurence Dodds, Camilla Turner, Oliver Duggan and Greg Walton

The Daily Telegraph trainees had sessions with Paul Bradshaw, Darshan Sanghrajka and me. They have gone to Newcastle Crown Court today, so we did the news quiz slightly early. The overall winner this week was the Mail's Holly Stevenson with 18 followed closely by Steph Linning with 17. The overall course winner for the Mail, though, was Tom Leece with an average score of just over 15 for the four weeks. 

Tom celebrates with the Champagne

Tom was presented with a bottle of vintage Champagne. The highest scoring Telegraph trainee this week was Oliver Duggan with 13. See if you can beat Holly's impressive score. There are 22 questions, with three bonus questions, so a possible score of 25.

1. All 120,000 Glastonbury festival tickets were sold out in 87 minutes. How much did each ticket cost?
2. How much in expenses did former defence secretary Liam Fox claim for driving 0.6 miles in his constituency?
3. In the Cabinet reshuffle Don Foster became the new Liberal Democrat Chief Whip. Who did he replace? Bonus Fiona-Natasha Syms tweeted about the sacking of her ex-husband as chief whip. She wrote: "He was utterly gracious and took it like a man, I am ______ _______." What are the missing two words?
4. Why was Janet Yellen in the headlines?
5. According to the Environment Secretary, the reason that the badger cull was behind schedule was that the badgers had 'moved the goalposts'. Who is the Environment Secretary?
6. According to Business Secretary Vince Cable, by the midnight deadline on Tuesday, how many individual applications had there been for Royal Mail shares?
7. The rape of Anna Bates in Downton Abbey caused the Countess of Carnarvon to say she would like to watch 'nice things' on television. The Countess owns the castle where Downton is set. What is it called?
Bonus name the actor who played the valet who perpetrated the rape?
8. Students at which university where entertained in their accommodation by rapper Coolio who cooked peach crumble and sang Gangsta Rap for them.
9. On what date will the Christening of Prince George be held?
Bonus the Royal Mint is striking nine coins to celebrate the Christening. The most expensive, the gold Kilo coin, will set you back £50,000. But what is the cost of the cheapest?
10. Newcastle-born Peter Higgs and Francois Englert from Belgium shared the Nobel prize for what?
11. Harry Redknapp's autobiography Always Managing was ghost written by which journalist?
12. The production of which car will end in 2015 as it has fallen foul of European laws on fuel emissions?
13. Instead of promising 'to do my duty to God', the Scouts will in future be able to choose to uphold what?
14. The cost of producing what rose by 33 per cent in the past year?
15. Author Victoria Hislop expressed anger over which label?
16. There have been many backgrounders on Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger written this week, including information about his musical ability. Which two instruments does he play? Half point for each.
17. At which airport did Easyjet leave 29 passengers at the boarding gate?
18. What is the name of the think-tank that persuaded EDL leader Tommy Robinson to quit his post?
19. The IMF has forecast that Britain's economy will increase at what rate this year?
20. Great grandfather John Wildey, who has no pilot's experience, landed a plane at which airport?
21. Paul McCartney was in the news for sacking his staff on the Mull of Kintyre and for releasing his 16th solo album, which is titled New. How old is Paul McCartney?
22. According to researchers writing in Chemistry World, who examined 57 drinks, which drink is the most effective hangover cure?

Answers here.

This week's news quiz: Tom's 15.5 to beat

Daily Mail subbing trainees with editor Neil Hodgkinson on their trip to the Hull Daily Mail yesterday. Left to right: Samantha Sharman, Rachael Day, Matt Lambert, Steph Linning, Emma Craig, Tom Leece. Holly Stevenson and 
Lizzie Palmer

The Daily Mail trainee subs have finished their third week at PA's Howden HQ. Just one more to go. They spent the week with trainers Mike Watson and Tony Johnston, had a session with Martin Stephens of Press Association Photos and a day with Tim Ross from the Mail's legal team. Yesterday they visited the Hull Daily Mail offices to see the workings of a regional newspaper production department first hand. The Daily Telegraph trainees are in their fourth week and have another three to go. They had a week looking at legal issues with David Banks and video and online with Mark Batey and Chris Gregory. This afternoon, as usual, both groups got together for the news quiz.
This week's overall winner was Tom Leece from the Mail with 15.5. The Telegraph's top scorer was Mehreen Khan with 13.5. They thought it was slightly harder than last week. See if you agree.
There are 20 questions with three bonuses, so a possible 23 points.   

1. The author Tom Clancy died this week. His first novel was described by Ronald Reagan as 'the perfect yarn'. What was it called?

2. Who wrote the original Daily Mail article about Ralph Miliband, headlined The Man who hated Britain, which led to Ed Miliband's demand for a right of reply?  

Bonus, in which country was Ralph Miliband born?

3. Racing presenter John McCririck is claiming he was axed by Channel 4 because of his age. How old is he?

4. Boris Johnson told the Tory party conference it was time to cut the 'yellow Lib Dem ______ from around our necks.' What is the missing word? 

First bonus, the phrase 'finish the job' or 'finishing the job' was used how many times in David Cameron's conference speech? 

Second bonus, on the final day of the conference Samantha Cameron wore a sleeveless blue teal pencil dress from Asos. According to both the Mail and the Telegraph how much did it cost?

5. Yahya Jammeh is president of which country?

6. A Lottery ticket goes up from £1 to £2 tomorrow. What is the new prize money for matching three balls?

7. A survey by travel website Skyscanner revealed that 90 per cent of airline passengers believe what should be banned on short haul flights?

8. Helen Fielding has revealed that, in her third Bridget Jones book, Mark Darcy has been killed off and Bridget is a 51-year-old widow. What is the book called?
9. Which Olympic Gold medal winner intends to a stand as a Tory MEP candidate?

10. What is to be introduced to Canterbury Cathedral for the first time in more than 900 years. 

11. John Boehner was in the headlines this week? Who is he?

12. Hundreds of African migrants drowned after a boat capsized near a tiny island near Sicily. What is the island called?

13. Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock was escorted from his seat after over-celebrating at a football match at which ground?

14. Which company's pre-tax profits fell by 24 per cent to £1.39 billion?

15. Amanda Hutton was convicted of the manslaughter of her son by starving him to death. At which court?

16. Mia Farrow hit the headlines with the suggestion that her son Ronan was fathered by Frank Sinatra. Mia Farrow has been married twice, once to Sinatra, but who was her other husband?

17. Which illegal online drug website has been closed down by the FBI?

18. Plans have been revealed to rebuild Crystal Palace. The original building was destroyed in a fire in which year? 

19. Who has landed a new job with Paddle 8 Auction House?

20. Why was Christopher Seale in trouble?

Answers here.

Cotswold Life: The dogging issue

Here is a nice wholesome cover for next month's Cotswold Life magazine. As always it's a professional job by a team that understands its readers. True to form the front is all Pam Ayres, TV vets, Masterchef winners and Bath shopping. This one's a bit special though - it's a Pets edition. The photo is a belter. And inevitably there are some teasing coverlines - the Chihuahua that came down the chimney, how to understand what's in your dog's head, why working dogs are an essential part of the Cotswolds and ... wait for it ... Clare Mackintosh gets dressed for dogging. Really? I suggested to editor Mike Lowe that he 'sneaked that one in' and he replied 'I don't know what you mean'. All of which goes to prove that you can take the boy out of newspapers but ...

Walter Greenwood: the journalist's legal guide

Walter Greenwood had a huge influence on many generations of journalists. He changed the face of journalism training, was instrumental in the careers of Andrew Marr, James Naughtie, Lionel Barber, Sally Magnusson and Michael Gove and he co-edited Essential Law for Journalists for 30 years. I met Walter a few times and always found him professional, charming and great company. But others knew him far better. So I asked my colleague Tony Johnston to pay tribute to Walter. 

Walter accepts the Journalists' Charity Special Award from Amy Williams and John Humphrys at the Press Awards in 2010

Encyclopaedic knowledge, a love of law and a sharp wit

By Tony Johnston

Tributes have been pouring in from across the world to Walter Greenwood, who helped so many journalists cope with the perils of media law. Walter, who died on Sunday at the age of 87 after a 12-month battle with ill health, had an encyclopaedic knowledge of every statute that can impact on what we publish. Editors and newsdesks would turn to him at all times of day and night, looking for guidance to help them get their stories into print safely.
He helped found the Thomson Regional Newspapers training centre in Newcastle, which I now manage for the Press Association.
He continued to take a close interest in each course, setting exams and teaching Scots Law until last year when he was struck down by serious illness.
He was once asked what his childhood ambitions had been – a career in law or a newsroom? Growing up in Dewsbury, he had only one ambition, was his reply. And that was to get out of Dewsbury.
He joined his local newspaper, the Dewsbury Reporter, at the age of 16.
Two years later, called up for National Service, he hoped to join the RAF and was disappointed to be randomly selected to work as a Bevin Boy. He spent three and a half years in the mines, after which he had no hesitation in returning to his beloved newsroom.
Pat Hagan, law tutor in Newcastle, recalls how his love of work was legendary.
She said: “Holidays would not have been complete without it. His choice of holiday destination was dictated not by the weather or the tourist attractions; it was determined by the availability of his morning copy of The Times and a fax machine, to deal with the law queries that would surely come. And they invariably did.
“Walter had a phenomenal memory, recalling not only every particular of media law, but which page of his beloved Essential Law spelt it out to the rest of us. Asked how it was that he could remember it all in such minute detail, he would concede that when it came to the law, he could usually remember what he needed to; it was in trying to remember what he had had for breakfast that he sometimes faltered. 
“This was not necessarily true. 
“During a long hospital stay just before Christmas, a framed holiday snap of him had been placed on his bedside table. It had been taken more than 30 years ago. Anyone remarking on how dapper and contented he looked would be told the photograph had been taken after a rather long and enjoyable lunch. And what had he had for lunch? Sea bass, was the reply.
As Pat explained, his wit, self-deprecating humour and love of the law persisted through even his final illness.
Encouraged by physiotherapists to exercise his limbs as well as his mind, he gleefully recounted how one hapless young woman had challenged him to construct a sentence of 30 words. And had he been able to manage it? He certainly had; he had “provided a short introduction to the law of libel”. 
Pat said: “Walter took great delight in sharing his legal expertise with trainee reporters – a delight that extended to the point where he appeared to relish the prospect of marking exam scripts, no matter how high the pile or how tight the deadline. Settling himself at a desk at Press Association Training after one particularly tough exam, he produced a light lunch of fresh fruit from his briefcase and proceeded to get down to work. All he needed now was a small glass of red wine and he would be complete, he quipped. A small glass of red wine was quickly secured. 
“And there he stayed until the task was complete, sipping his wine, confounded by yet another trainee who appeared unable to grasp the difference between defamation and contempt. He would make a note of it and resolve to have a quiet word when the time was right.”
Walter is survived by his wife Doreen. They would have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on October 23.

Other tributes to Walter include the following:

The Evening Chronicle, Newcastle
The Guardian
The Daily Telegraph
The BBC
Sky 
The Prolific North
Hold The Front Page
The Press Gazette