If any of my journalist friends, contacts and those I have trained over the years fancy an adventure, there are opportunities coming up for some great positions abroad. If you have a few years reporting under your belt, are prepared to work shifts, still have the energy and enthusiasm for finding and writing stories and are looking for pastures new, then drop me an email. There are opportunities for specialists and news-editors too. I am on petersandssms@gmail.com.
Thursday, 31 March 2022
Friday, 25 March 2022
Elena wins the newsquiz with 19 points
The MailOnline trainees had another fascinating week in Kensington. They had sessions with acting showbusiness editor Rebecca Davison, senior reporter Mark Duell, travel editor Ted Thornhill, deputy Femail editor Steph Linning and executive news-editor Marianna Partasides. They were briefed on writing a personality profile, examined the Mail’s approach to pictures and wrote headlines on photo stories. The award for the best headlines went to Elena Salvoni and Eirian Prosser. They also had a legal session with assistant managing editor Paul Hutchinson and pitched stories to head of exclusives Dan Sanderson and head of sport Steven Fletcher.
Trainee Summer Goodkind found a story about a Russian protester being fined for holding a sign that displayed only asterisks. Read it here.
Eirian Prosser wrote a story about Oxford’s mayor, whose council tells people to ’take the train not the plane’ coming under fire for flying to a climate conference in France. Read it here.
Alice Giddings found and wrote a story on cannabis worth £1.3million been grown in a snooker hall. Read it here. They are the first bylines of many.
We finished the week, as always, with the newsquiz. This week’s winner was Elena Salvoni with 19 points, ahead of Brooke Davies on 16.5 and Rachel Muir on 16. In last week's quiz the solo leaderboard saw Janet Boyle and Stuart Bagnall at the top with 21, followed by trainees Rachel on 20 and Elena on 18. Robert Rea and Toby Brown scored 16.5 and Marguerite Turner 16.
The top team was The Roberts Family with 21. A consortium of big-hitters Adam Batstone, Lucy Thorpe, Phil and Maura Parsons and David Kohn scored 19.5 and Three Legs drinkers Peter and Stacey 19. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and see if you can beat Elena’s score.
We finished the week, as always, with the newsquiz. This week’s winner was Elena Salvoni with 19 points, ahead of Brooke Davies on 16.5 and Rachel Muir on 16. In last week's quiz the solo leaderboard saw Janet Boyle and Stuart Bagnall at the top with 21, followed by trainees Rachel on 20 and Elena on 18. Robert Rea and Toby Brown scored 16.5 and Marguerite Turner 16.
The top team was The Roberts Family with 21. A consortium of big-hitters Adam Batstone, Lucy Thorpe, Phil and Maura Parsons and David Kohn scored 19.5 and Three Legs drinkers Peter and Stacey 19. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and see if you can beat Elena’s score.
Today's front pages
1. In his Spring Statement Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the duty on fuel would be reduced by how much per litre for a year?
2. During the Spring Statement Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: 'Statistics published this morning show that inflation in February was ___’. What exact per cent did he give?
3. Reacting to the Spring Statement, Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies think-tank, said: ‘Mr Sunak has proved to be something of a fiscal ___.’ What is the missing word?
4. The Office for Budget Responsibility said living standards were expected to drop by 2.2 per cent this year the largest fall in a financial year since what decade?
5. Ukraine's former president Petro Poroshenko asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to not compare what to his country's fight against Russia?
6. Pro-Kremlin tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda reported that almost how many Russian troops had been killed in the war in Ukraine — before deleting the numbers from its site?
7. Downing Street said that the Russian state was responsible for hoax video calls from someone pretending to be the Ukrainian prime minister to which two Cabinet ministers? Half a point for each.
8. Russia's space agency rejected claims, that three Russian cosmonauts boarding the International Space Station were supporting Ukraine, and issued a statement saying ‘sometimes ___ is just ___’. What is the missing word?
9. Why was Oxfordshire food project The Chippy Larder in the headlines?
10. Iryna, a children's doctor, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, showed the footage of the basement where pregnant women and new mothers were evacuated when she took over whose Instagram stories account?
11. The Old Bailey heard that Ali Harbi Ali, who is accused of murdering former MP Sir David Amess, had researched other MPs and had carried reconnaissance trips including six different visits to whose home?
12. Six people were killed and 40 people were injured after a car drove into a crowd of carnival-goers preparing for a traditional parade on Sunday in which country?
13. The Conservative Party spring conference was held in which town last weekend?
14. At a news conference in Westminster, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, speaking for the first time since her return from Iran asked: 'How many Foreign Secretaries does it take for someone to come home?’ What was the answer?
15. Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed calls by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps for the boss of P&O to step down after his ‘brazen’ law breaking. What is his name?
16. How many people were killed when a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737 crashed into a mountain on Monday?
17. The prime minister of which country said it planned to pursue its 'true ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country’?
18. Free range eggs are no longer available to be sold in supermarkets, because of avian flu, and Defra said they must now be marketed as ‘___eggs’. What is the missing word?
19. Who celebrated a 'symbolic wedding’ with his bride Marta Fascina, 32, an MP in the Forza Italia party?
20. American computer scientist Stephen Wilhite, who died age 75, invented which internet file format in 1987?
21. The secret to 71-year-old Princess Anne's vitality, according to her daughter Zara, is that she always carries which fruit - with more vitamin C than an orange plus a large dose of vitamin K - in her handbag?
22. Who announced she was quitting at the age of 25 saying she was 'absolutely spent’ and physically had 'nothing more to give'?
23. European champions Italy will not be at the World Cup in Qatar after losing to which country?
24. What did 30-year-old Harpreet Kaur, the owner of a dessert parlour business called Oh So Yum, win?
25. The Concert for Ukraine, featuring Ed Sheeran, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Camila Cabello, Manic Street Preachers, Snow Patrol and Emeli Sandé, will be broadcast live on Tuesday from which city?
Answers here
Friday, 18 March 2022
Trainee Rachel wins the newsquiz
I have really enjoyed working with 11 MailOnline trainees in Kensington this week. They had sessions with editor-in-chief Danny Groom, history correspondent Harry Howard and training manager Sue Ryan. We covered style, intros, headlines and Natalie Johnson gave them guidance on SEO. Head of exclusives Dan Sanderson spoke to them about the types of stories MailOnline is interested in and where to find them. The trainees will each be pitching three story ideas to him next week. The winner of the best intro of the week was Arthur Parashar and the winner of the best headline was Alice Giddings. We finished the week, as always, with the newsquiz. The winner with 20 points was Rachel Muir, ahead of Elena Salvoni on 18.
Last week’s newsquiz seemed to be a tough one with scores below average. The top solo scorer was Jayme Bryla with 18, just ahead of Marion Fountayne, Phil Marsden and Robert Rea on 17, Gavin Devine scored 16, and Toby Brown 15. The top team was the Roberts Family with 22.5. Phil, Maura and Will Parsons scored 21, Bruce and Sarah Hayward 18 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 16.5. Here is this week’s newsquiz. Can you beat Rachel's score of 20? Give it a go and let me know how you get on.
1. People in the UK, who open their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, will get how much a month under the Government’s 'cash for accommodation’ scheme?
2. In a televised rant, Russian President Vladimir Putin described critics of the war as ’scum’ and said the Kremlin would ’spit them out like a ___ that flew into their mouths’. What is the missing word?
3. The Prime Ministers of which three European countries met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv after travelling by train? Half a point for two. Point for all three.
4. Why were Brent Renaud, Pierre Zakrzewski and Oleksandra Kuvshynova in the headlines?
5. What did US President Joe Biden call Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which led to the Kremlin saying that it believed 'such rhetoric to be unacceptable and unforgivable on the part of the head of a state, whose bombs have killed hundreds of thousands of people around the world’?
6. Journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who denounced the war on Ukraine on live TV was fined how much by a Russian court?
7. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was pictured at which city’s airport - the first time he had been seen in public since he was sanctioned by the Government over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
8. The release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, after years of detention in Iran, came after the UK settled a 1970s debt of how much?
9. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori were reunited with their families at which UK airport?
10. A Government spokesman said Britain would raise human rights issues after Saudi Arabia executed how many people on Saturday?
11. P&O Ferries sacked how many employees over Zoom, saying its survival was dependent on 'making swift and significant changes’ after making a £100million loss?
12. What was the name of the P&O ferry captained by Eugene Favier who lifted the gangway to prevent security guards or police coming on board?
13. A 7.3 earthquake hit which country cutting power to two million homes and prompting a tsunami advisory?
14. Interest rates increased for the third time in four months to what per cent - their highest level since March 2020?
15. Which Hollywood star, who won the best actor Oscar in 1986 for playing a prisoner in Kiss of the Spider Woman, died age 71?
16. Seven-time F1 world champion driver Lewis Hamilton announced he was changing his name to include his mother's surname. What is it?
17. Who was filmed trying to fix potholes in Harlow, Essex, claiming 'no-one can be bothered to do it’?
18. Actor Peter Bowles, who died at the age of 85, was perhaps best known for playing Richard DeVere in which BBC sitcom?
19. Who was suspended from Instagram for 24 hours for violating the platform's policies on hate speech and bullying?
20. Items removed from the inflation basket, used to measure the cost of living, included coal, single doughnuts, the road atlas, the dictionary, laminate flooring and which clothing that has been in there since 1947?
21. Prince Harry was accused of snubbing the Queen after he announced he will not be attending the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial on March 29 but is still planning to visit which European country in April?
22. TV personality Georgia Toffolo (Toff) claimed it was beginner's luck when she won £37,500 at Cheltenham races. How much was her original stake?
Last week’s newsquiz seemed to be a tough one with scores below average. The top solo scorer was Jayme Bryla with 18, just ahead of Marion Fountayne, Phil Marsden and Robert Rea on 17, Gavin Devine scored 16, and Toby Brown 15. The top team was the Roberts Family with 22.5. Phil, Maura and Will Parsons scored 21, Bruce and Sarah Hayward 18 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 16.5. Here is this week’s newsquiz. Can you beat Rachel's score of 20? Give it a go and let me know how you get on.
Today's front pages
1. People in the UK, who open their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, will get how much a month under the Government’s 'cash for accommodation’ scheme?
2. In a televised rant, Russian President Vladimir Putin described critics of the war as ’scum’ and said the Kremlin would ’spit them out like a ___ that flew into their mouths’. What is the missing word?
3. The Prime Ministers of which three European countries met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv after travelling by train? Half a point for two. Point for all three.
4. Why were Brent Renaud, Pierre Zakrzewski and Oleksandra Kuvshynova in the headlines?
5. What did US President Joe Biden call Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which led to the Kremlin saying that it believed 'such rhetoric to be unacceptable and unforgivable on the part of the head of a state, whose bombs have killed hundreds of thousands of people around the world’?
6. Journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who denounced the war on Ukraine on live TV was fined how much by a Russian court?
7. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was pictured at which city’s airport - the first time he had been seen in public since he was sanctioned by the Government over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
8. The release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, after years of detention in Iran, came after the UK settled a 1970s debt of how much?
9. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori were reunited with their families at which UK airport?
10. A Government spokesman said Britain would raise human rights issues after Saudi Arabia executed how many people on Saturday?
11. P&O Ferries sacked how many employees over Zoom, saying its survival was dependent on 'making swift and significant changes’ after making a £100million loss?
12. What was the name of the P&O ferry captained by Eugene Favier who lifted the gangway to prevent security guards or police coming on board?
13. A 7.3 earthquake hit which country cutting power to two million homes and prompting a tsunami advisory?
14. Interest rates increased for the third time in four months to what per cent - their highest level since March 2020?
15. Which Hollywood star, who won the best actor Oscar in 1986 for playing a prisoner in Kiss of the Spider Woman, died age 71?
16. Seven-time F1 world champion driver Lewis Hamilton announced he was changing his name to include his mother's surname. What is it?
17. Who was filmed trying to fix potholes in Harlow, Essex, claiming 'no-one can be bothered to do it’?
18. Actor Peter Bowles, who died at the age of 85, was perhaps best known for playing Richard DeVere in which BBC sitcom?
19. Who was suspended from Instagram for 24 hours for violating the platform's policies on hate speech and bullying?
20. Items removed from the inflation basket, used to measure the cost of living, included coal, single doughnuts, the road atlas, the dictionary, laminate flooring and which clothing that has been in there since 1947?
21. Prince Harry was accused of snubbing the Queen after he announced he will not be attending the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial on March 29 but is still planning to visit which European country in April?
22. TV personality Georgia Toffolo (Toff) claimed it was beginner's luck when she won £37,500 at Cheltenham races. How much was her original stake?
23. Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo became professional football's all-time leading scorer with 807 goals after a hat trick against which team?
24. Actress Emma Watson presented an award at the BAFTAs where she appeared to make a dig at JK Rowling, by saying she was 'here for all the ___’. What is the missing word?
25. The best film award at the BAFTAs went to what movie which also picked up the best director award for Jane Campion?
24. Actress Emma Watson presented an award at the BAFTAs where she appeared to make a dig at JK Rowling, by saying she was 'here for all the ___’. What is the missing word?
25. The best film award at the BAFTAs went to what movie which also picked up the best director award for Jane Campion?
Answers here
Friday, 11 March 2022
It's newsquiz time ...
The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Robert Rea with 21. Others on the leaderboard were Janet Boyle 20.5, Marguerite Turner and Marion Fountayne 20 and Gavin Devine 19 and Jayme Bryla 16.5. The top team was the Three Legs drinkers Peter, Stacey, Nicky and Les with 22, ahead of Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 21 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe and Phil and Maura Parsons 19.5. Here’s this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and let me know your score.
1. Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky became the first foreign leader to address the Commons and referenced Winston Churchill when he said: 'We will fight in the ___, in the ___, on the shores, in the streets.'? What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.
2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called a Russian air strike on what building in Mariupol a 'war crime’?
3. Under sanctions imposed by the Government which one of these can Chelsea FC still do: a) Sell tickets to home or away fans b) Agree new transfers or contracts c) Receive TV broadcasting revenues d) Sell merchandise at the stadium or online?
4. Tory MP Roger Gale, speaking in the Commons, said Home Secretary Priti Patel should resign because of an 'untruth’ when she claimed that what had been established?
5. Which country’s offer to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets was rejected as 'not tenable' by America?
6. McDonald's joined the list of firms who stopped trading in Russia saying it was temporarily closing how many restaurants in the country?
7. A video of a young girl called Amelia singing which song while she hunkered down in a bomb shelter in Kyiv went viral?
8. Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak faced a lengthy ban for wearing what while on the podium at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha?
9. Why did photos of Lesia Ivashchenko and Valerii Filimonov make the headlines?
10. Which British sportsman pledged to donate his prize-money earnings for the rest of the year to help children affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
11. In her first meeting at Windsor Castle, since falling ill with Covid, the Queen posed in front of blue and yellow flowers, the colours of Ukraine, as she greeted which world leader?
12. What was former secretary Kate Emms referring to when she said: 'Stress, anxiety and loss of confidence sent me home on sick leave and affected how I saw myself and how I felt I was seen by family, friends and colleagues’?
A selection of today's front pages
1. Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky became the first foreign leader to address the Commons and referenced Winston Churchill when he said: 'We will fight in the ___, in the ___, on the shores, in the streets.'? What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.
2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called a Russian air strike on what building in Mariupol a 'war crime’?
3. Under sanctions imposed by the Government which one of these can Chelsea FC still do: a) Sell tickets to home or away fans b) Agree new transfers or contracts c) Receive TV broadcasting revenues d) Sell merchandise at the stadium or online?
4. Tory MP Roger Gale, speaking in the Commons, said Home Secretary Priti Patel should resign because of an 'untruth’ when she claimed that what had been established?
5. Which country’s offer to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets was rejected as 'not tenable' by America?
6. McDonald's joined the list of firms who stopped trading in Russia saying it was temporarily closing how many restaurants in the country?
7. A video of a young girl called Amelia singing which song while she hunkered down in a bomb shelter in Kyiv went viral?
8. Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak faced a lengthy ban for wearing what while on the podium at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha?
9. Why did photos of Lesia Ivashchenko and Valerii Filimonov make the headlines?
10. Which British sportsman pledged to donate his prize-money earnings for the rest of the year to help children affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
11. In her first meeting at Windsor Castle, since falling ill with Covid, the Queen posed in front of blue and yellow flowers, the colours of Ukraine, as she greeted which world leader?
12. What was former secretary Kate Emms referring to when she said: 'Stress, anxiety and loss of confidence sent me home on sick leave and affected how I saw myself and how I felt I was seen by family, friends and colleagues’?
13. Which musician was found guilty of assaulting the mother of his children by Wimbledon magistrates?
14. The wreck of explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship, which sank in Antarctica in 1915, was found at the bottom of the Weddell Sea? What is the ship’s name?
15. Which Lancashire-born actress, best known for playing nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the sit-com Open All Hours, died aged 82?
16. Two people were arrested and then released after a three-month-old girl was killed in a dog attack at the Ostler’s Plantation beauty spot in which county?
14. The wreck of explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship, which sank in Antarctica in 1915, was found at the bottom of the Weddell Sea? What is the ship’s name?
15. Which Lancashire-born actress, best known for playing nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the sit-com Open All Hours, died aged 82?
16. Two people were arrested and then released after a three-month-old girl was killed in a dog attack at the Ostler’s Plantation beauty spot in which county?
17. A 28-year-old man died after falling about 1,000ft down an icy slope at Red Burn on which mountain?
18. Which country raised the minimum age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 'in a bid to protect minors from rape and sexual abuse’?
19. One of the UK's largest courier firms, Hermes, announced it will be changing its name to what?
18. Which country raised the minimum age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 'in a bid to protect minors from rape and sexual abuse’?
19. One of the UK's largest courier firms, Hermes, announced it will be changing its name to what?
20. Why did Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel criticise the club's fans during their 4-0 win at Burnley?
21. Who shared photos on Instagram of cricketer Shane Warne, who died aged 52, along with the message: ‘I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved Lionheart’?
22. Irish truck driver Desmond Wisley was charged with dangerous driving and criminal damage after doing what?
21. Who shared photos on Instagram of cricketer Shane Warne, who died aged 52, along with the message: ‘I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved Lionheart’?
22. Irish truck driver Desmond Wisley was charged with dangerous driving and criminal damage after doing what?
23. Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon apologised, on International Women's Day, to an estimated 4,000 people who were executed from 1563 to 1736 after they had been accused of what?
24. Ed Sheeran was accused by songwriters Sami Chokri and Ross O'Donoghue's of copying parts of which song from their number Oh Why?
25. One of the UK's most-followed singers on TikTok, with 12 million followers, will perform his song Space Man at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Turin. Who is he?
25. One of the UK's most-followed singers on TikTok, with 12 million followers, will perform his song Space Man at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Turin. Who is he?
Answers here
Friday, 4 March 2022
Have a crack at the newsquiz
The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Tony Smith and Jayme Bryla both with 23. Marguerite Turner scored 22, Marion Fountayne and Gavin Devine 21, Robert Rea 20, Toby Brown and Stuart Bagnall 19, Rob Lawrence 18 and Andrew McFarlane 17.5. A special mention goes to Peter Cockerill who does the quiz each week and scored a personal best of 13. Good progress. The top team was the Roberts Family who, not for the first time, clocked up the maximum 25. The Three Legs drinkers Peter, Stacey and Les scored 22.5, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 21 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 20.5. It has certainly been another momentous news week. 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 your score.
1. A week after the invasion began, Russia captured its first major city in Ukraine - a regional capital of 300,000 people on the Black Sea. What is the city’s name?
A selection of today's front pages
1. A week after the invasion began, Russia captured its first major city in Ukraine - a regional capital of 300,000 people on the Black Sea. What is the city’s name?
2. Russia and Belarus were among five countries who voted against the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine. Name the other three. Half point for two, one point for all three.
3. Which European leader, after a 90-minute phone call with Vladimir Putin, said Russia wanted to seize all of Ukraine and that 'worse is to come'?
4. Thirteen Ukrainian border guards stationed on which remote island in the Black Sea, who told a Russian warship 'go f**k yourself’, were believed to have been killed but were later discovered to be captured?
5. Vladimir Putin put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert after comments by Nato representatives including which UK minister?
6. Russian forces seized Zaporizhzhia which is Europe’s largest what?
7. More than 400 Russian mercenaries, known by which name, are said to be operating in Kyiv with orders from the Kremlin to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government?
8. Russia said it will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to appeal against which two decisions? Half a point for each.
9. Ukranian Sergiy Stakhovsky, who left his wife and children in Hungary, to fight against the Russian invasion of his home country is best known as what?
10. The UK, US, EU and Canada banned Russian banks’ access to Swift, which caused the Russian rouble to fall by almost 30 per cent against the US dollar. What does Swift stand for?
11. Russian Roman Abramovich announced he was selling Chelsea football club and setting up a charitable foundation with proceeds from the sale being donated to what cause?
12. Which company said its adverts would no longer appear around news bulletins on the Ukrainian conflict?
13. London commuters faced chaos with strikes over jobs, pensions and conditions by members of the RMT. What does RMT stand for?
14. What did 59-year-old nurse Paulette Hamilton win?
15. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority announced that MPs will receive a pay rise of how much this year, from April 1, increasing their salary to £84,144?
16. Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, in the Diary of a CEO podcast, insisted that he did not break Covid rules but did break ___ when he kissed his aide in his ministerial office. What is the missing word?
17. Which airline’s website and app went down for hours, causing flights to be cancelled and leaving passengers stuck on planes after landing?
18. Which Conservative MP, sacked from the cabinet in last September's reshuffle, is to receive a knighthood?
19. Jet2 became the first major airline to drop what?
20. Britain’s richest woman Denise Coates, the billionaire founder of which firm, took a £170million pay cut as the company’s growth stalled?
3. Which European leader, after a 90-minute phone call with Vladimir Putin, said Russia wanted to seize all of Ukraine and that 'worse is to come'?
4. Thirteen Ukrainian border guards stationed on which remote island in the Black Sea, who told a Russian warship 'go f**k yourself’, were believed to have been killed but were later discovered to be captured?
5. Vladimir Putin put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert after comments by Nato representatives including which UK minister?
6. Russian forces seized Zaporizhzhia which is Europe’s largest what?
7. More than 400 Russian mercenaries, known by which name, are said to be operating in Kyiv with orders from the Kremlin to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government?
8. Russia said it will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to appeal against which two decisions? Half a point for each.
9. Ukranian Sergiy Stakhovsky, who left his wife and children in Hungary, to fight against the Russian invasion of his home country is best known as what?
10. The UK, US, EU and Canada banned Russian banks’ access to Swift, which caused the Russian rouble to fall by almost 30 per cent against the US dollar. What does Swift stand for?
11. Russian Roman Abramovich announced he was selling Chelsea football club and setting up a charitable foundation with proceeds from the sale being donated to what cause?
12. Which company said its adverts would no longer appear around news bulletins on the Ukrainian conflict?
13. London commuters faced chaos with strikes over jobs, pensions and conditions by members of the RMT. What does RMT stand for?
14. What did 59-year-old nurse Paulette Hamilton win?
15. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority announced that MPs will receive a pay rise of how much this year, from April 1, increasing their salary to £84,144?
16. Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, in the Diary of a CEO podcast, insisted that he did not break Covid rules but did break ___ when he kissed his aide in his ministerial office. What is the missing word?
17. Which airline’s website and app went down for hours, causing flights to be cancelled and leaving passengers stuck on planes after landing?
18. Which Conservative MP, sacked from the cabinet in last September's reshuffle, is to receive a knighthood?
19. Jet2 became the first major airline to drop what?
20. Britain’s richest woman Denise Coates, the billionaire founder of which firm, took a £170million pay cut as the company’s growth stalled?
21. Which town, in an honour bestowed by the Queen, became England's 52nd city?
22. Which cricketer, who held the world record with 355 dismissals at the time of his retirement and made 96 Test appearances for Australia, died aged 74?
23. How many penalties were scored in the Carabao Cup final shootout between Liverpool and Chelsea?
22. Which cricketer, who held the world record with 355 dismissals at the time of his retirement and made 96 Test appearances for Australia, died aged 74?
23. How many penalties were scored in the Carabao Cup final shootout between Liverpool and Chelsea?
24. John Lewis announced it was ditching which slogan, after almost a century, saying it no longer 'fit with how customers shop today as more purchases are made online’?
25. Who will be taking to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in June days after his 80th birthday?
25. Who will be taking to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in June days after his 80th birthday?
Answers here
Saturday, 26 February 2022
Tributes to ex-editor David Kernek
Echo old boys: David Kernek (Flintham) second right with, from left, Peter Barron, ex-editor; Nick Herbert, former editorial director of Westminster Press; ex-editor Allan Prosser; Ted Young, now Metro editor; former deputy editor Chris Lloyd and me.
I was saddened to learn of the death of my former colleague David Kernek (formerly Flintham) this week. David was deputy editor of The Northern Echo in the early 80s when I was subbing and night-editing. He was always the calm head when things got heated (as they often did) and the best leader writer I ever worked with. He went on to edit the Bath Evening Chronicle, the Brighton Evening Argus, the Yorkshire Evening Press and then succeeded me at the Echo in 1993. I always enjoyed his company and his world-weary humour. The last time I saw him was when ex-Echo editors got together in London six years ago to mark the end of Peter Barron's tenure. David's story is a remarkable one - the son of an Austrian refugee who fled the holocaust. Read more here from Peter Barron and Allan Prosser.
Friday, 25 February 2022
Have a crack at the newsquiz
Last week’s newsquiz proved to be a toughie with average scores much lower than usual. The top solo scorers were Robert Rea, Janet Boyle and Toby Brown with 20 ahead of Marguerite Turner on 18.5. The top team was the Roberts Family with 20, ahead of Maureen and Phil Parsons on 19 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 18. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and let me know your score.
Today's front pages
1. President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia recognised the territorial claims of which two proxy states in east Ukraine? Half a point for each.
2. In response to the invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Boris Johnson initially announced in the Commons that the UK was sanctioning three 'very high net worth individuals’ and how many Russian banks?
3. What is the name of the gas pipe line project that Germany halted in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine?
4. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the possibility of 'another ecological disaster’ after Russian military forces seized control of which site?
5. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Manchester United were under pressure to end their £40million agreement with which sponsor?
4. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the possibility of 'another ecological disaster’ after Russian military forces seized control of which site?
5. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Manchester United were under pressure to end their £40million agreement with which sponsor?
6. Labour MP Chris Bryant told MPs the Government should seize whose £152million London home as documents indicated he had been linked to 'malign activity’?
7. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine the 2022 Champions League final was moved from St Petersburg to which city?
7. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine the 2022 Champions League final was moved from St Petersburg to which city?
8. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told military officials: 'Unfortunately we’ve got a busy adversary now in Putin, who has gone full ___’. What is the missing word?
9. Under the Government’s ‘living with Covid’ strategy which of these were not introduced on Thursday? a) Those who test positive no longer need to self-isolate b) The end of free symptomatic and asymptomatic tests c) Fully-vaccinated people in close contact with Covid don't need to test for seven days d) £500 self-isolation support payment for those on low incomes ended.
10. Following Storm Franklin, properties were evacuated, trains cancelled and danger-to-life warnings were issued for Bewdley and Ironbridge as which river broke its banks?
9. Under the Government’s ‘living with Covid’ strategy which of these were not introduced on Thursday? a) Those who test positive no longer need to self-isolate b) The end of free symptomatic and asymptomatic tests c) Fully-vaccinated people in close contact with Covid don't need to test for seven days d) £500 self-isolation support payment for those on low incomes ended.
10. Following Storm Franklin, properties were evacuated, trains cancelled and danger-to-life warnings were issued for Bewdley and Ironbridge as which river broke its banks?
11. A 27-year-old gunman died in Amsterdam after taking hostages and demanding €200million in cryptocurrency at which company’s store?
12. Which country was the runaway leader in the Winter Olympic table with 37 medals, including 16 golds?
13. Who captained Team GB women's curling team to Britain’s only gold medal in the winter Olympics?
14. Under Government plans, students who don’t have two A-levels at grade E or GCSEs in which two subjects would not qualify for a student loan in England? Half a point for each.
15. A letter sent to maternity units by NHS England’s chief midwife instructed them to abandon targets aimed at limiting the number of what?
16. Which footballer's mother was punched in a brawl after the Amir Khan versus Kell Brook fight at Manchester's AO Arena?
17. Which charity was blocked from appointing a CEO on a six-figure salary worth 'a tenth' of the entire first year's annual income?
18. Amrit Magar, 35, was given a five-year restraining order by Bromley magistrates after turning up three times at whose home?
19. Actress Anna Karen, who died in a house fire, found fame for her role as Olive in which TV sitcom in the 1970s?
20. Who paid tribute to her son by singing Whitney Houston's The Greatest Love Of All at a candlelit vigil in Acton, London?
21. Gary Brooker, who died aged 76, was the lead singer of rock band Procol Harum who were at number 1 for six weeks in 1967 with which song?
22. US actress Sally Kellerman, who died aged 84, earned Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her role as Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan in which 1970s film?
23. Jon Sopel and which other journalist announced they were leaving the BBC to launch a podcast and host a radio show together on LBC?
24. The Duchess of Cambridge went down a slide at a playlab run by who in Copenhagen?
12. Which country was the runaway leader in the Winter Olympic table with 37 medals, including 16 golds?
13. Who captained Team GB women's curling team to Britain’s only gold medal in the winter Olympics?
14. Under Government plans, students who don’t have two A-levels at grade E or GCSEs in which two subjects would not qualify for a student loan in England? Half a point for each.
15. A letter sent to maternity units by NHS England’s chief midwife instructed them to abandon targets aimed at limiting the number of what?
16. Which footballer's mother was punched in a brawl after the Amir Khan versus Kell Brook fight at Manchester's AO Arena?
17. Which charity was blocked from appointing a CEO on a six-figure salary worth 'a tenth' of the entire first year's annual income?
18. Amrit Magar, 35, was given a five-year restraining order by Bromley magistrates after turning up three times at whose home?
19. Actress Anna Karen, who died in a house fire, found fame for her role as Olive in which TV sitcom in the 1970s?
20. Who paid tribute to her son by singing Whitney Houston's The Greatest Love Of All at a candlelit vigil in Acton, London?
21. Gary Brooker, who died aged 76, was the lead singer of rock band Procol Harum who were at number 1 for six weeks in 1967 with which song?
22. US actress Sally Kellerman, who died aged 84, earned Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her role as Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan in which 1970s film?
23. Jon Sopel and which other journalist announced they were leaving the BBC to launch a podcast and host a radio show together on LBC?
24. The Duchess of Cambridge went down a slide at a playlab run by who in Copenhagen?
25. Which singer was the first act to be confirmed for the Queen’s Platinum Party at the Palace on June 4?
Answers here
Friday, 18 February 2022
Sheltering from the storm? Here's the newsquiz
The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Liz Gerard with 22, just ahead of Rob Lawrence on 21, Marguerite Turner 20, Ginger Elvis and Tony Smith 19.5, Robert Rea 19, Toby Brown 18.5 and Stuart Bagnall 17.5. The best team was The Roberts Family with 20, ahead of Bruce and Sarah Hayward 19.5, Three Legs drinkers Peter, Stacey, Les, Nicky, Alice and Ben 18 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and let me know your score.
Storm Eunice dominates today's front pages
1. Before Storm Eunice hit, The Met office issued rare red warnings for which two areas of the UK? Half a point for each.
2. The highest gust ever recorded, provisionally, in England hit the Needles on the Isle of Wight during Storm Eunice. What speed was it?
3. During Storm Eunice, the Environment Agency told people that what was 'probably the most stupid thing you can do’?
4. Huge gusts from Storm Eunice ripped which London building’s roof 'to pieces’ with large holes appearing and part of it falling in the Thames?
5. According to Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Russia has massed up to how many troops on or near the Ukrainian border?
6. Nato's secretary general Jens Stoltenberg described the Russia/Ukraine stand-off as the most serious security crisis in Europe since the end of the Cold War adding: 'I regret to say it's the new ___ in Europe.’ What is the missing word?
7. The Metropolitan Police said it was to investigate claims Prince Charles's charity, The Prince's Foundation, offered an honour to a citizen of which country?
8. Rachael Maskell, who called for Prince Andrew to relinquish his Duke title after agreeing to settle the civil sex assault claim against him, is MP for where?
9. The Queen met the incoming Defence Services Secretary Major General Eldon Millar and his predecessor Rear Admiral James Macleod at Windsor Castle and greeted them by saying: 'Well, as you can see, I can’t ___.’ What is the missing word?
10. A public inquiry heard the testimonies of people who had been wrongly charged in the Horizon IT scandal and was told that the Post Office prosecuted how many employees between 2000 and 2014?
11. A newborn baby died at Luton and Dunstable Hospital after catching which disease following the first outbreak in the UK since 2009?
12. A Facebook post from Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg said who would become the company's president of global affairs?
13. A 35-year-old British swimmer was killed in the first fatal shark attack in which city since 1963?
14. Why was the Two More Years bar in Hackney Wick, London, in the headlines?
15. Two leaders of what protest movement were arrested in Canada hours after police told them that they had to move from the centre of Ottawa?
16. Authorities in New Zealand played songs by which American singer on a loop in an attempt to deter anti-vaccine protesters camped outside the parliament building?
17. Headteacher Rachel Tomlinson of Barrowford Primary School, near Nelson, in Lancashire, upset some parent by banning what?
18. Why was Air Marshal Andrew Turner, one of the RAF’s most senior commanders, suspended from duty?
19. Why did energy company Northern Powergrid thank 74 customers in the north of England?
20. Concerns that Team GB might leave the Winter Olympics without a medal ended when a victory over the United States in what sport guaranteed at least a silver?
21. Olympic Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, 15, argued her positive drugs test was due to contamination with medicine belonging to who?
22. Which football team became World Club Champions after beating Brazilian side Palmeiras 2-1 in Abu Dhabi?
23. Which of these acts did not perform at Sunday's hip-hop-themed Super Bowl half time show? a) Dr Dre b) Eminem c) Drake d) 50 Cent?
24. Which football club is looking for a six-year-old fan called Joe who wrote to say he could not afford to attend matches but included 20p, 5p and 1p coins, which he asked to be given to forward Harry McKirdy?
25. Former Neighbours actress and singer Natalie Imbruglia won ITV’s Masked Singer and Welsh singer Charlotte Church was runner-up. What costumes did they wear? Half a point for each.
Answers here
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