Adam wins the newsquiz champagne

Trainees from left: James Carey, Ruth Stainer, Sophia Stanford, Marti Stelling, Ciaran Foreman, Gethin Hicks, Adam Pogrund (with the champagne), Jordana Seal, Ayaat Yassin-Kassab, Jada Bas and Sophie Carlin

I said goodbye to 11 young journalists at the Mail this week. They had sessions with deputy head of video Olivia Bateman, head of audience strategy Nick Moar, head of social video Phil Harvey, history editor Harry Howard and senior journalists Ollie Gillman and Mark Duell. Digital editor Ailsa Leslie went through the why and how of subscriptions. The trainees covered a breaking news story, created banners, wrote personality profiles and prepared newslists for their placements. James Carey won a scratchcard for the best headline of the week. Marti Stelling became the second trainee to be published on the course with a travel piece on Oktoberfest. Read it here. 

Adam Pogrund became the third trainee to be published with a remarkable story about a woman who slept with 100 students and thee grandads during Nottingham freshers weeks. Read it here.

There are plenty more stories in the pipeline. On Wednesday the trainees had drinks with senior staff in the Greyhound and last night the took part in the office mini-golf. We finished the course, as always, with the newsquiz. The top scorer this week was Adam with 14.5, just ahead of Sophia Stanford on 14. Adam was the top scorer over the three-week course and collected a bottle of champagne. The trainees now head off to their placements at the Mail in Dublin and Glasgow, Metro, the Yorkshire Post, The Sheffield Star and the Press Association. They are a bright and likeable bunch who will undoubtedly do well. I wish them all the best of luck.  

The top solo scorer in last week’s online newsquiz was George Mann with 22, ahead of Robert Rea on 19.5, Janet Boyle and Chris Matthews on 19, the Rev Leon on 16 and Jordana Seal on 15. The top team were Maura and Phil Parsons with Mike and Jane Barringer who scored 21, just ahead of the Red Lion drinkers Nicky, Les and George Fleet and Broad Oak drinkers Tim and Thom who both scored 20. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on scored 19.5, Our Peter, Jackie, Trevor and Carole 19 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 18, Here is this week’s newsquiz.  Give it a go and see if you can beat Adam's score.

1. The Labour leadership lost a vote at the party’s conference after a motion, co-sponsored by Unite and the Communications Workers Union, called on ministers to do what?
2. In his Labour conference speech Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for the return of the sausages. What did he mean to say?
3. Keir Starmer finished his first conference speech as Prime Minister saying: 'We will stabilise our economy. Clear out the Tory __. Fix the foundations. And deliver the mandate of change.’ What is the missing word?
4. What is the name of the former Conservative Party chairwoman, Britain's first Muslim cabinet minister, who resigned from the party in the House of Lords, because it had moved to the 'far right’?
5. Who met Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the first time at a two-hour dinner and described him as ‘very nice’ and 'very popular’?
6. Allies including the US, UK and EU proposed an immediate ceasefire of how many days in Lebanon 'to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement’?
7. Britain announced it was moving 700 troops to where to be ready for an emergency evacuation of UK citizens from Lebanon?
8. From Tuesday it became illegal in the UK to own machetes and what kind of knives?
9. It was revealed that how many women went to the Metropolitan Police to accuse Mohammed Al Fayed of sex attacks between 2005 and 2023, while he was still alive?
10. Who was appointed editor of the Spectator magazine?
11. Police in Switzerland made arrests after a woman ended her life using what?
12. Where were people greeted with a webpage headlined 'We love you, Europe' and carrying information about terror attacks?
13. A British mother-of-five died from a Brazilian Bum Lift after treatment in a clinic in which UK city?
14. Two 12-year-old boys, found guilty of hacking a teenager to death with a machete in a Wolverhampton park, were ordered to be detained in secure accommodation until they were at least how old?
15. What is the name of New York City’s mayor who was charged with criminal offences, including bribery, wire fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations?
16. The world's longest-serving death row prisoner was acquitted after a court in which country ruled he wasn't behind a 1966 multiple murder?
17. Who said he might use his knighthood as an ‘extra sort of stick to beat the authorities over the head’?
18. Florida was hit with a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140mph. What was it called?
19. Which comedian announced 'I’m now at the end of life care - palliative care - and will be going into a hospice for the foreseeable’?
20. Model Naomi Campbell was banned from being a charity trustee after an investigation uncovered financial misconduct at her poverty relief charity which was called what?
21. Phillip Schofield will be making his TV comeback on a Channel 5 documentary Cast Away filmed on an island off which country?
22. Dame Maggie Smith, who died age 89, was well known for many roles including playing which character in the Harry Potter films?
23. A sinkhole caused by heavy flooding appeared on the pitch of which football club, forcing the postponement of their Carabao Cup third-round tie?
24. Actress Dame Judi Dench has taken on a new role to be the voice of what? 
25. Nick Knowles will take part in this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing despite injuring his arm and shoulder while doing what?

Answers here

Jordana gets published and wins quiz

The Mail trainees enjoyed a busy second week in Kensington. They looked in detail at MailOnline headlines, including a talk by global head of SEO Carly Steven. They wrote personality profiles, news stories and headlines and re-wrote wire copy into Mail style. The headline of the week award went to Ayaat Yassin-Kassab. Editor Emeritus Peter Wright gave guidance on the editor’s code, global head of compliance Paul Hutchinson went through dealing with complaints and they spent an afternoon with the Mail’s lawyers. The trainees pitched news stories to deputy news-editor Elly Blake, Femail stories to Bridie Pearson-Jones and travel stories to Ted Thornhill. They also had sessions with acting showbiz editor Rebecca Davison, global affairs reporter Chris Pleasance, managing editor Robyn Kelly and training manager Sue Ryan. Last year’s trainees talked about their experiences and took questions. Jordana Seal was the first trainee on the course to be published with a harrowing story about a woman, who was a victim of a paedophile father, explaining why she was furious that Huw Edwards escaped jail. Read it here. 

We finished the week as usual with the newsquiz, 25 questions about the week. The top scorer this week was Jordana with 15, narrowly ahead of Sophie Carlin on 14.5 and Ayaat on 14. The top solo scorer in last week's quiz was Robert Rea with 21, just ahead of George Mann on 20.5, Judith M on 20, the Rev Leon, Janet Boyle and Marion Fountayne on 19, Peter G on 17, James Carey on 16 and Adam Pogrund on 15.5. The top team was the Parsons household plus Mary Kane who scored 19.5, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 18 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 15.

1. The BBC reported that Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray received a pay rise after the election which means she is now paid more than the Prime Minister. How much does she earn in a year?
2. Downing Street said Parliament's standards watchdog will not investigate whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer broke rules by not declaring what?
3. Junior doctors in England accepted a Government’s offer of a pay rise over two years of what per cent, ending their long-running dispute?
4. Hezbollah blamed Israel after which two types of devices exploded and killed at least 30 people and injured thousands in Lebanon? Half point for each device.
5. Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards was given a six-month suspended sentence and put on the sex offenders’ register for how many years for accessing sex abuse images of children?
6. The chief magistrate in the sentencing of Huw Edwards told the former BBC presenter: 'You were perhaps the most recognised news reader/journalist in the UK. It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is __ __.’ What are the two missing words?
7. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 8 to 1 to hold interest rates at what per cent?
8. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Rome to discuss a ‘pragmatic’ approach to tackling migrant boats crossing the English Channel with his Italian counterpart. What is her name?
9. At least five women claimed to have been raped by billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed when they were working for which company?
10. Why was 58-year-old Ryan Routh in the headlines?
11. Who was denied bail while awaiting trial in a sex-trafficking case after prosecutors argued he was a 'serious flight risk’?
12. Traffic is to be banned from where under plans announced by London mayor Sadiq Khan?
13. The Liberal Democrats conference was held this week in which city?
14. Which brand, that became famous in the 1950s and 60s when parties were held in people’s houses, filed for bankruptcy and said it was looking for new owners?
15. The UK operator of which restaurant chain went into administration, putting 4,500 jobs at risk?
16. Jay Blades, presenter of which BBC television show, appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court charged with controlling or coercive behaviour?
17. What is the name of the rock band which cancelled the remaining 14 dates of their tour after the frontman punched the guitarist on stage?
18. Why did Heart Radio presenter Jamie Theakston say a big thank you to his listeners?
19. Who celebrated a milestone birthday at the weekend, saying 'I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40’?
20. Aston Villa returned to European football’s top club competition after an absence of how many years with a victory over Swiss champions Young Boys?
21. What was the first name of the original member of The Jackson 5 and brother of Michael Jackson, who died aged 70?
22. Which television show brought an end to RuPaul's Drag Race eight-year winning streak by collecting the Outstanding Reality Competition Program Award at the Emmys?
23. Radio 2 host Scott Mills and his husband Sam Vaughan were crowned the winning team in what?
24. Dorset Museum in Dorchester hosted a special private viewing to 65 of what type of people, who mooched around the gallery, champagne in hand?
25. A capybara called what escaped from Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford?

Answers here

James wins the newsquiz

I spent this week with 12 Mail trainees in Kensington. They had sessions with MailOnline publisher Danny Groom, editorial director Ben Bailey, Australian editor Felicity Hetherington, deputy news-editor Elly Blake, Femail editor Bridie Pearson-Jones, travel editor Ted Thornhill and Mary Omogbehin and Kyle Morgan from the managing editor’s office. The trainees analysed the news in detail, went through the stylebook and wrote intros and stories in style. The intro of the week was written by Ayaat Yassin-Kassab who won a scratch card. We finished the week, as always, with the newsquiz. The top scorer was James Carey with 17, ahead of Adam Pogrund on 15.5. The top online scorer in last week’s quiz was Janet Boyle with 20.5, ahead of Marion Fountayne on 19, George Mann on 18.5 and the Rev Leon on 17.5. The top teams were Our Peter and Jackie, Adam Batstone and the Tenby golfers and Maura Parsons with Alexandra and Libby who all scored 18, ahead of Waterworks drinkers Peter and Stacey on 16. Here is this week’s quiz. Give it a go and see if you can beat James's score.

Yesterday's front pages

1. The Government won the vote on the plan to restrict winter payments to pensioners with a majority of 128 - but how many Labour MPs did not vote?
2. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasising that plans to rebuild the NHS did not just mean more money, said: 'We have to fix the __ before we turn on the __.’ What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.
3. To the nearest 100, how many prisoners were set free on Tuesday as part of the Government’s early release programme?
4. Who was eliminated from the Tory leadership contest after receiving only 16 votes from colleagues?
5. As Keir Starmer met President Joe Biden in Washington, Vladimir Putin warned that what would put NATO 'at war' with Russia?
6. Russia revoked the accreditation of how many British diplomats who it accused of spying?
7. What is the name of the company founded by entrepreneur Charlie Mullins who put his £12million London penthouse on the market as he prepared to flee Britain for Spain ahead of a Labour tax raid?
8. Which former Republican US Vice-President said he would vote for Democrat Kamala Harris in the election, saying Donald Trump could ’never be trusted with power again’?
9. In the televised US presidential debate Donald Trump was stopped by the moderator after making a claim that Haitian immigrants were doing what?
10. Singer Taylor Swift endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris on Instagram and used what three words to sign off her message?
11. The bearskin caps worn by soldiers outside Buckingham Palace now cost how much each, according to figures revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request from Peta?
12. The video showing the Princess of Wales and her recovery from cancer was filmed in which English county?
13. What is the name of the piece of art worth £270,000, that was stolen from a London gallery by hooded thieves?
14. Sir Paul Marshall, a major investor in GB News, bought which magazine for £100million?
15. Why was American Jared Isaacman, 41, in the headlines?
16. Actor James Earl Jones, who died aged 93, was best known as the voice of which movie villain?
17. What was the name of the footballer who died age 86 who captained Liverpool 417 times in the 60s and 70s?
18. A bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with two corgis was unveiled to a mixed reception in which town ?
19. Rock musician Jon Bon Jovi helped to talk a distressed woman off the edge of a bridge in which American city?
20. The FA reportedly said it would not factor what into any decision as to whether Lee Carsley will be the next permanent head coach of England’s football team? 
21. England captain Harry Kane celebrated his 100th cap with two goals against Finland taking his tally to how many international goals?
22. Which programme won three trophies at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night?
23. Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl announced what in an Instagram post on Tuesday?
24. Team GB finished in what position in the Paralympics medal table?

Bonus: And for a bonus point, how many golds did they win?
25. King Charles couldn't contain his laughter as he was stormed by 'very healing' hugs from who at Buckingham Palace?

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was the Rev Leon with 22, just ahead of Janet Boyle on 21, Tony Smith on 20, George Mann on 19 and Judith M on 17. The top teams were Bruce and Sarah Hayward, Maura and Phil Parsons and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe who all scored 19, just ahead of Our Peter and Jackie on 18. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s news. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

Today's front pages

1. The chairman of the Grenfell Inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, said that the deaths of all the people in the fire were avoidable. How many people died?
2. The chairman of the Grenfell Inquiry read out a list of organisations to blame for the fire saying their responsibility was 'in most cases through incompetence but in some cases through __ and __,’ What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.
3. The Government announced that what would be immediately scrapped from Ofsted inspections of schools in England?
4. Former Cabinet minister Priti Patel was the first to be knocked out of the Conservative leadership contest, receiving how many votes from Tory MPs?

5. Conservative leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch said her party needed to 'stop acting' like what in order win back power?
6. Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly gave a speech at the Old War office in London, in which he said he would use his contacts and reputation to 'resurrect that incredibly important partnership’ with who?
7. After Oasis fans complained about how tickets for the band's reunion tour were advertised, the Government said it would look into the use of ‘__ pricing’. What is the missing word?
8. Oasis announced they would play concerts next summer at Manchester's Heaton Park, London's Wembley Stadium and in which other three cities? Half point for two, one point for all three.
9. Children and a pregnant woman were among how many people who died after a boat carrying migrants sank off the French coast?
10. Ministers were reported to be considering sending UK prisoners to which country in an attempt to tackle the jail overcrowding crisis?
11. What is the name of the EU's former chief Brexit negotiator who President Emmanuel Macron named as the new French Prime Minister?
12. The Crime Survey for England and Wales reported a massive rise in what crime with 78,000 incidents up to March 2024, more than double the 31,000 in the same period to March 2023?
13. Israel said it had recovered the bodies of how many hostages, found in a tunnel in southern Gaza?
14. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu posted a thread on social media describing the British Government’s decision to do what as ’shameful’?
15. An unmarked mass grave containing the remains of 145 stillborn infants, 128 young children and 29 adults was discovered in a cemetery in which English town?
16. Which country’s anti-immigration party, AfD, celebrated a 'historic success’, giving the Far Right its first win in a state parliament election since World War Two?
17. A 14-year-old boy appeared in court charged with murder after an 80-year-old dog walker was allegedly kicked to death in Franklin Park, near which English city?
18. Dominique Pélicot, 71, and 50 other men are on trial in the French city of Avignon charged with what?
19. How old is the suspect who was arrested after two teachers and two pupils were shot dead and nine other people were injured at a high school in Georgia?
20. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner was filmed dancing with DJ Fisher and which actress and presenter at a club in Ibiza?
21. Who was given a community order and £1,000 fine by Uxbridge magistrates for drunken and disorderly behaviour on a BA plane and threatening to knock a policeman’s teeth out?
22. Explorer and presenter Dwayne Fields, the first black Briton to reach the North Pole, succeeded Bear Grylls in what role?
23. Which guitarist posted on his website that he recently suffered a minor stroke, which left him unable to use his left arm?
24. According to 'a leaked PR proposal’ singer Taylor Swift and footballer Travis Kelce were planning to end their relationship on what date this month?
25. Which British athlete claimed her 19th Paralympic gold medal when she won the women’s cycling road race?

Answers here