Shorthand: Is it still needed in the newsroom?

A journalism student was struggling with shorthand and asked me how imperative it was to secure a job. Her tutors had told her it was optional but she was worried she wouldn’t get hired without it. I have my own views but decided to asked 20 newspaper editors how important shorthand was for their staff. I also asked them what were the crucial qualities they looked for when recruiting. Read what they said in my article for InPublishing magazine. 

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Penny Dawson with 23, ahead of Janet Boyle on 21, Marion Fountayne, Robert Rea, George Mann and Martin John on 20, the Rev Leon on 19, Nick Turner on 18, Chris Simmonds on 16 and Ian McCulloch on 15. The top team was the Isghgl ski gang, including Trevor and Carole, with 23, ahead of the Cotswold walkers including Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe, who scored 22. Sarah, Dan, Malcolm, Edie, Bill and Sue scored 21.5, the Broad Oak Boozers of Danny, Tim, Craig, George and Thom, the King’s Head team of Heather, Peter, Nicky and Les and the Penmans all scored 21. Maura and Phil Parsons scored 20 and Our Peter and Jackie 17. 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.

Today's front page

1. Prime Minister Keir Starmer handed what to US President Donald Trump when they met at the Oval Office?
2. US President Donald Trump, wrapping up his meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: 'What a beautiful __. I would have been president 20 years ago if I had that __.’ What is the missing word?
3. Who met US President Donald Trump in Washington and told him that he was right to re-establish a relationship with Russia's Vladimir Putin?

4. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would cut what to fund an increase in defence spending to 2.5 per cent of national income by 2027?
5. The energy regulator, Ofgem, said the cap on gas and electricity charges would rise by how much, in pounds, from April?
6. Amanda Pritchard stepped down as chief executive of what, following weeks of criticism from MPs and suggestions that she lacked drive?
7. Mike Amesbury, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, was initially sentenced to how many weeks in prison for punching a man to the ground? 
8. Which company announced a step back from it green strategy and said it would increase oil and gas investments by about 20 per cent to $10billion?
9. Actor Gene Hackman was found dead with his wife at their home in which New Mexican city?
10. Gene Hackman, who died aged 95, won a best actor Oscar in 1971 for his role as Popeye Doyle in which film?
11. The conservative CDU/CSU alliance won the German elections but which party came second with 20.8 per cent of the votes?
12. A man was charged after a three-year-old girl was hit and killed by a van which struck a tram and mounted a pavement in which city?
13. An unknown illness, first discovered in three children who ate a bat, has killed more than 50 people in which country?
14. A young American woman was taken into custody on suspicion of homicide after she reportedly did what on a trip to Paris?
15. The body of murdered Scottish businessman Campbell Scott, 58, was found dumped in a pineapple sack in a forest in which country?
16. Who landed in Florida after a travel ban was lifted and said: 'We've yet to be convicted of any crimes in our lives ever. We have no criminal record anywhere on the planet ever’?
17. The BBC apologised after it 'missed opportunities that might have led to action' following claims of 'bullying and misogynistic behaviour' against which former radio presenter?
18. Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who died aged 39, rose to fame as the younger sister of the lead character in which 1990s TV programme? 
19. More than 1,000 musicians - including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn and Kate Bush - released a silent album called Is This What We Want? as a protest over what?
20. Video footage of thieves stealing what from Blenheim Palace was shown to jurors at Oxford Crown Court?
21. Which Grammy-award winning singer, best known for Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, died aged 88?
22. Where did bearded belly dancers, a gold statue of Donald Trump and the president of the US and Prime Minister of Israel enjoying drinks on sunbeds, appear this week?
23. England cricketers were dumped out of the Champions Trophy in Lahore in an eight-run defeat by which country?
24. Which singer is set to head to space as part of an all-female mission on the next launch of Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin rocket?
25. Which cartoon character is set to to have another sibling as it was announced his mother is pregnant?

Answers here

 

Have a crack at the newsquiz

Last week’s newsquiz was clearly a tough one. Many regular quizzers, who usually easily make the leaderboard, failed to score more than 15. Submitted scores even included some single figures. The top solo scorer was George Mann with 19, ahead of the Rev Leon and Martin John on 17. The only team to make the leader board was the Barnard Castle Five O’clock Club of Our Peter, Jackie, Trevor and Carole who scored 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz which, I think, might be a little less testing. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and let me know your score. 

A selection of today's front pages

1. What word did US President Donald Trump use to describe Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, adding he had done a ’terrible job'?
2. European and other world leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, held an emergency summit in which city to try to forge a response to Donald Trump's divisive plan to end the war in Ukraine?
3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to ensure that Hamas 'pays the full price’ for what 'cruel and evil' violation of the ceasefire deal?
4. What did Elon Musk wield on stage at a conservative conference as he boasted about slashing government spending?
5. The rate of inflation in the UK rose from 2.5 per cent to what, its highest level in ten months?

6. Which company won a High Court battle to secure a £3billion rescue loan, staving off the prospect of coming under temporary Government control?
7. A plane which crashed and skidded along the runway before flipping upside down at Toronto airport was operated by which airline?
8. Pope Francis, 88, was diagnosed with what in both lungs?
9. Why did British tennis player Emma Raducanu approach the umpire’s chair in tears at the Dubai Tennis Championships?
10. British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman were charged with espionage in which country while on a round-the-world motorbike trip?
11. Raneem's Law was launched in five pilot areas - West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside. What is Raneem’s Law?
12. Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales was found guilty of sexually assaulting footballer Jenni Hermoso by kissing her and was ordered to pay a fine of how many euros a day for 18 months?
13. At an inquest into the death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, the coroner ruled she died by suicide and said what had played 'more than a minimal contributory part in her death’?
14. Which celebrity couple’s £3.5million Essex mansion was broken into by four masked men?
15. What is the name of the political journalist and Press secretary to former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson who died aged 97?
16. Polish woman Julia Wandelt, who claims to be who, was arrested after landing in Britain at Bristol Airport?
17. American influencer Ashley St Clair, 26, announced that she had given birth to whose thirteenth child?
18. A man suspected of shooting dead a 43-year-old woman at a pub in Kent on Valentine’s Day is believed to have killed himself by doing what?
19. Why were 30 homes evacuated in the Surrey village of Godstone? 

20. Rick Buckler, who died aged 69, was the drummer with which punk/new wave band in the 1970s and 80s?
21. Which country’s tourism slogan Everyone Must Go was ridiculed with critics likening it to a clearance sale, a marketing campaign for the apocalypse and a desperate plea for access to the lavatory?
22. The creative control of which film franchise was given to Amazon MGM Studios after the long-serving producers announced they were stepping down?
23. Which movie won four BAFTAs including the coveted awards for best film and outstanding British film?
24. Which two British clubs lost in the play-offs and failed to make it to the last 16 in the Champions League? Half a point for each?
25. Theatre actress Samantha Barks won this year’s Masked Singer while dressed as what creature?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Martin John with a very impressive 24. He was just ahead of George Mann and Robert Rea on 23. Janet Boyle scored 22, Johnny Penman 21, Nick Turner, Hilary Scott and the Rev Leon 20, Chris Simmonds 19 and Ian McCulloch 17. The top team was the Wiltshire Walking Wanderers, including Maura and Phil Parsons and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe who scored 23. The Hong Kong gang of Peter, Stacey and Kevin scored 22 and Bill and Sue in Barbados and the Barnard Castle FOC of Peter, Jackie, Trevor and Carole scored 21. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and let me know your score. 

A selection of Thursday's front pages

1. US President Donald Trump had talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine and said that he expected to meet him in which country?
2. What was the name of the WhatsApp group, containing offensive and abusive messages, that led to Andrew Gwynne being sacked as a minister and others, including Burnley MP Oliver Ryan, being suspended by the Labour party?
3. The Government released video footage and said that nearly how many refused asylum seekers, criminals and other immigration offenders had been returned to their home countries since the General Election? 
4. An amendment to the assisted dying bill would mean cases would no longer have to be signed off by who?
5. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the prospect of what was 'for the birds’?
6. President Donald Trump ordered a 25 per cent import tax on what products entering the US?
7. US President Donald Trump met who in Washington on Thursday, saying ‘we've had a wonderful relationship’ and announcing an oil and gas deal?
8. US President Donald Trump said he would not deport Prince Harry adding: 'He's got enough problems with his wife. She's __.’ What is the missing word?
9. The Duke of Sussex called on competitors to overcome a 'moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world' as he opened the Invictus Games in which city?
10. Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi was freed from Gaza on Saturday to be given what devastating news?
11. Turkish Cypriot businessman and former fugitive Asil Nadir, who died aged 83, was chief executive of which clothing company?
12. What type of car was driven into a Munich crowd in a suspected terrorist attack that injured 30 people?
13. Former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt warned that what could be used in a 'Bin Laden scenario' or by 'rogue states to harm innocent people’?
14. Where did the Princess of Wales meet mothers and babies in a unit run by the charity Action for Children, which she represents?
15. British couple Andrew and Dawn Searle were found dead in their home in which country?
16. A pilot died after a private jet, owned by which band’s lead singer, crashed into another plane at an airport in Arizona?
17. Charles Hanson, who appeared at Derby Crown Court on assault and coercive behaviour charges, has appeared on which BBC television programme since 2002 as an adviser to contestants?
18. Twelve people were wounded when a grenade was thrown into a bar in which French city?
19. A 20-year-old woman was arrested after an 87-year-old grandmother died following an 'act of senseless violence' at a train station in which city?
20. Cosmetic dentist Dr Jana Denzel quit which TV show after he was accused of using racist language?
21. Comedian Peter Kay was criticised for his handling of hecklers at a Manchester gig, including referring to a woman as looking like which soap opera actress? 
22. James Garnor resigned from his post as a parish councillor in Whittlebury, Northamptonshire, after he was accused of trying to do what?
23. Which non-Premier League team knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup to set up a fifth round tie against Manchester City?
24. Which team won this year's Super Bowl with a 40-22 victory over defending champions the Kansas City Chiefs?
25. Singer Robbie Williams revealed he paid £20,000 for what at auction?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 22, just ahead of Robert Rea on 20, the Rev Leon on 17, Johnny Penman on 18 and Ian McCulloch on 15. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with 20. Here is this week’s newsquiz. as usual there are 25 questions about the week. Why not give it a go and let me know your score. 

Today's front pages

1. Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a joint briefing with Mark Rutte in Brussels, where they spoke about defence spending and establishing an ‘ambitious' UK-EU partnership. What position does Mark Rutte hold?
2. Prime Minister Keir Starmer denied breaking lockdown rules by employing someone to be his what at Labour headquarters during Covid?
3. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed she was considering actor Idris Elba's call to ban kitchen knives with what?
4. The Bank of England halved its growth forecast for the year as it cut interest rates to what per cent - the lowest level for more than 18 months?
5. US President Donald Trump proposed taking ownership of where, saying it could become 'the Riviera of the Middle East’?
6. US President Donald Trump announced sweeping 25 per cent tariffs, later postponed, on which two countries? Half a point for each.
7. A panel of 14 medical experts submitted a report saying it believed that who was innocent?
8. Which pharmaceutical company cancelled plans for a £450million manufacturing plant in Liverpool, blaming a cut in Government funding? 
9. Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, who died aged 80, made the headlines in 1999 when he did what?
10. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney was forced to deny plans to ban what, following recommendations by an independent report?
11. Tourists and locals fled which island after it was hit by thousands of ‘intense’ tremors?
12. Eleven people, including the gunman, were killed in a shooting at an education centre in which country?
13. A medical transport plane crashed in which US city, killing all six people on board and one other person on the ground?

14. Who revealed that his charitable foundation had spent more than $100billion in its efforts to combat preventable diseases and reduce poverty?
15. Margaret Miles-Bramwell, who died aged 76, was the founder of which health organisation?
16. A teenage boy and his nine-year-old sister were killed in Basildon while doing what?
17. Which television personality was accused of 'sexually inappropriate behaviour' over 12 year with dozens of people detailing experiences described as 'unacceptable, distressing and horrendous’?
18. A 15-year-old boy was charged with the murder of Harvey Willgoose, 15, who was stabbed at a school in which English city?
19. What did fans of basketball team Toronto Raptors and hockey team the Ottawa Senators boo before their games this week? 
20. Actor Bryan Murphy, who died aged 92, starred in a 1970s sitcom called George and __. What is the missing name?
21. After 20 years, 426 appearances, 138 goals, Marcus Rashford left Manchester United to join which club on loan?
22. Why did the landlady of the Gedling Inn in Nottinghamshire find herself £1,500 out of pocket at the weekend?
23. Kanye West’s wife Bianca Censori will reportedly not face legal action for doing what at the Grammy’s?
24. After losing out on four previous occasions, who finally won the Grammy Award for album of the year?
25. The semi-finals of the Carabao cup were completed this week meaning which two teams will appear in the final in March? Half a point for each?

Answers here