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

Have a crack at this week's newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Rod Ardehali with an impressive 23. Others on the leaderboard were Stuart Bagnall with 21.5, Robert Rea and Liz Gerard 21, Janet Boyle 20, Jayme Bryla 18.5, Toby Brown 18 and Gavin Devine 17.5. The top team was Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe with 21, just ahead of Phil and Maura Parsons on 20, The Roberts Family, Bruce and Sarah Hayward and The Smiths all scored 19 and Team Swindle 17.5. Here is this week's quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

A selection of today's front pages

1. The Metropolitan Police said detectives investigating allegations of Covid breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall would be sending formal questionnaires to more than how many people?
2. A Downing Street adviser said Prime Minister Boris Johnson was determined to stay in No 10, adding: 'He’s making very clear that they’ll have to send a ___ division to get him out of there.’ What is the missing word?
3. What is the name of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and MP for North East Cambridgeshire who was appointed Chief of Staff at 10 Downing Street?
4. Boris Johnson’s new communications chief Guto Harri said the Prime Minister sang what song as they discussed his appointment?
5. Which Government minister apologised for 'an error of judgment' after continuing a meeting with bereaved parents after testing positive for Covid’?
6. Boris Johnson was said to be considering legal action over a book, First Lady, which made allegations that his wife Carrie messaged staff from the prime minister’s phone, interfered in political decisions and arranged to have people hired or dismissed. Who is the author?
7. Speaking at the Institute for Government in London, former Prime Minister John Major criticised the 'brazen excuses’ for breaking lockdown rules and said: ‘Collectively, this has made the Government look distinctly ___, which has consequences that go far beyond political unpopularity.’ What is the missing word?
8. According to NHS England, the number of people waiting to start routine hospital treatment was at a record high. How many people did it say were on the waiting list?
9. Who was accused by a Russian TV host of 'behaving in the classic British colonial style’ and of coming to the colony 'to lecture the subjugated natives’?
10. Which company rejected calls for a windfall tax after it posted a profit of $12.8 billion (£9.5 billion) for 2021 after making a loss in 2020?
11. Martin Hewitt, Andy Cooke, Simon Byrne, Mark Rowley and Neil Basu were among the front-runners for which job?
12. How old was Rayan Awram, the boy who died after spending four days trapped down a well in Morocco’s Rif mountains?
13. In a statement on her Jubilee weekend the Queen said it was her sincere wish that when Charles became king his wife Camilla 'will be known as ___ ___ as she continues her own loyal service.’ What are the two missing words?
14. Why did Adidas end its deal with West Ham footballer Kurt Zouma?
15. In the so-called Wagatha Christie case at the High Court, lawyers for Coleen Rooney alleged Rebekah Vardy received money from which newspaper for providing information including from Rooney’s private Instagram account?
16. Bamber Gascoigne, who died age 87, presented which television programme from 1962 to 1987?
17. Primark announced it will launch an exclusive clothing range in partnership with which company, with a limited 11-piece collection being launched this month?
18. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust was among those to condemn a joke by comedian Jimmy Carr in which he suggested the mass murder of who during the Holocaust was a ‘positive’?
19. Team GB failed to gain an Olympic medal in what event for the first time in 20 years after a disappointing start by athletes Laura Deas and Brogan Crowley?
20. Which Premier League footballer scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out that gave Senegal their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations?
21. The Duchess of Cambridge will narrate one of her favourite children's books, The ___ Who Was Afraid Of The Dark, by Jill Tomlinson, in a CBeebies bedtime story to be broadcast this weekend. What is the missing creature?
22. The Beluga sushi restaurant in Leatherhead, due to open for the first time today (Friday), apologised after publishing what?
23. Which musician sold his back catalogue to Universal Music in a deal thought to be worth up to £221million?
24. Adele won best artist, album of the year and best British song at the Brits but which inaugural award did Ed Sheeran win?
25. The theme to which television programme, sung by 86-year-old Barry Crocker, reached the iTunes top ten and briefly hit the Number One spot.

Answers here

Test your knowledge with the newsquiz

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Janet Boyle and Robert Rea with 21, just ahead of Marguerite Turner, Toby Brown and Stuart Bagnall on 20. Ed Mortimer scored 19.5, Liz Gerard 19, Jayme Bryla 18 and Gavin Devine and Jo Wadsworth 17. The Roberts Family were the top team with 23. Bruce and Sarah Hayward scored 22, Maura and Phil Parsons 21 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 18. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the events of the last five days. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. Sue Gray's report into lockdown parties said that, of the 16 events that fell within her remit, how many were being investigated by the Metropolitan police?
2. In an ill-tempered session following the Prime Minister's statement on the lockdown parties, who was ordered by the Speaker to leave the chamber after saying Boris Johnson was a liar?
3. Tory MP Aaron Bell told Boris Johnson in the Commons how he attended his grandmother's funeral, didn’t hug his siblings or parents, read a eulogy and made the three-hour drive home. He finished by saying: 'Does the Prime Minister think I am a ___?’ What is the missing word?
4. Speaking in the Commons, former Prime Minister Theresa May laid out three possibilities for the lockdown breaches, saying that Boris Johnson had either not read the rules, didn't understand what they meant or what other reason?
5. After Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer responded to Sue Gray’s report, Boris Johnson called him 'a former director of public prosecutions, who spent more time prosecuting ___ and failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile.’ What is the missing word?
6. What is the name of Boris Johnson's head of policy who resigned over the Jimmy Savile remark, saying it was an 'inappropriate and partisan reference to a horrendous case of child sex abuse’?
7. Which of these Tory MPs has NOT gone on the record to withdraw their support for the Prime Minister? a) Tobias Ellwood

b) Nadine Dorries c) David Davis d) Andrew Mitchell
8. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak made a commitment to go ahead with the 1.25 percentage point increase in National Insurance in a joint article written for which newspaper?
9. Energy regulators announced the price cap on bills will rise by an average of how much (in pounds), taking a typical annual bill to £1,971?
10. At a joint press conference in Kiev, Boris Johnson gave a message to Russia, saying a military incursion into Ukraine would be three types of disaster - a political disaster was one, what were the other two? Half a point for each.
11. What did Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots order to come to an end from midnight on Thursday?
12. What is the name of the First Minister of Northern Ireland who resigned after 231 days in the post?
13. Three people were killed and thousands of homes were without power in Scotland and the North of England after two back-to-back storms hit the UK. What were their names? Half a point for each.
14. Manchester United said that fans wanting to exchange what at the club shop will be able to do so for free?
15. Why did author Val McDermid withdraw her support and sponsorship of Raith Rovers football club and two directors and the captain of the women's team resign?
16. Home Office statistics showed that in the 12 months between April 2020 and 2021 only five per cent of what type of criminals were brought to court?
17. Actress Whoopi Goldberg was suspended from an ABC talk show in America and apologised after saying what was 'not about race’?
18. A British woman, found guilty of fabricating a claim that she was gang-raped, saw her conviction overturned by which country’s supreme court?
19. Footballer Christian Eriksen signed for Brentford after being forced to leave Inter Milan because of what rule that applies in Italy but not in England?
20. Why did Masked Singer judges Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke walk off the US show in protest?
21. Which country banned the selective breeding of British Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels after a court ruled it was cruel and resulted in health problems?
22. Actor Leonard Fenton, who died aged 95, was best known for playing Dr Harold Legg from 1985 to 2019 in which television programme?

23. Which company bought the popular online game Wordle from its creator Josh Wardle for a price 'in the low seven figures’?
24. Where did a panda called Bing Dwen Dwen and a child called Shuey Rhon Rhon make an appearance this morning (Friday)?
25. Who will replace Phillip Schofield as host of this Sunday’s Dancing On Ice after he announced he was isolating with Covid?

Answers here

It's newsquiz time ...

There were some excellent scores in last week’s newsquiz. Top of the solo leaderboard were Nick Turner and Toby Brown, both with 23, just ahead of Robert Rea, Tony Smith, Janet Boyle and Liz Gerard on 22, Jayme Bryla and Gavin Devine on 21 and Marguerite Turner and Stuart Bagnall who both scored 20. The top team was the Roberts Family with 24. Maura and Phil Parsons scored 23, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe and the Broad Oak drinkers Peter, Stacey, Nicky and Les scored  22, Bruce and Sarah Hayward 21 and Team Swindle 19. Here is this week's quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the last seven days. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. Downing Street admitted Prime Minister Boris Johnson attended a party in the cabinet room at No 10 Downing Street with up to 30 people to celebrate his birthday on what date?
2. Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns defended the Prime Minister saying: ‘As far as I can see, he was in a sense, ambushed with a ___.' What is the missing word?
3. Scotland Yard told the Cabinet Office that in Sue Gray’s report there should be ' ___ reference' to lockdown breaches it is investigating as potentially criminal. What is the missing word?
4. Which comedian's spoof version of the Sue Gray report was mistaken for a 'serious leak' which reportedly left ministers 'running around panicking'?
5. Labour accused Foreign Secretary Liz Truss of spending 'disgusting amounts of public money' on her own 'vanity and comfort' by doing what?
6. What is the name of the Tory minister who quit at the despatch box in the House of Lords over the Government's ‘lamentable track record’ on Covid loans fraud?
7. Evidence published by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee appeared to contradict Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s repeated denials that he had personally intervened to help do what last August?
8. Which of these covid rules were not relaxed in England yesterday (Thursday)?
a) Wearing masks in shops b) Showing covid passes to get into nightclubs c) Compulsory covid tests for fully-vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK d) Wearing face coverings in school corridors

9. Russia issued a written list of its concerns about related security issues including a demand that Ukraine would never be allowed to become what?
10. Documents from the Duke of York's lawyers, setting out his defence against allegations made by Virgnia Giuffre, concluded with: 'Prince Andrew hereby demands a ___ ___ ___ on all causes of action asserted in the Complaint.’ What are the three missing words?
11. At least eight people were killed and 38 injured in a crush outside an Africa Cup of Nations football match between Cameroon and which other team?
12. The Office for National Statistics said that, for the first time ever, more than half of 30-year-old women in England and Wales were what?
13. Which European city declared Tuesday a holiday, with public offices closed and all private business, except for supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations, ordered to shut, due to a severe snowstorm?
14. Stephen Fry described him as 'a glorious, gorgeous, hilarious and gifted writer’ and BBC director general Tim Davie said: 'If you heard or saw a great sketch, there was always a good chance (he) was behind it.' Who were they talking about?
15. Thousands of people signed up in support of a driver who was arrested on suspicion of murder after he ran down a man who was stabbing his former partner to death in a street in which London district?
16. Former England boss Roy Hodgson became which football club’s third manager of the season?
17. Jonathan Chew, 24, sang 'West Ham 'til I die' and vaped in court as he was jailed for eight weeks for harassing who?
18. Rafael Nadal is one win away from what record number of Grand Slam men's titles after beating Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the Australian Open semi-finals?
19. An 84-year-old man, who was pulled over by police near Tesco in Nottingham, admitted to driving for how many years without a licence?
20. According to English Heritage which town saw its 'best ever' year for tourists in 2021 - probably due to its brief period in the political limelight?

21. The Duchess of Cambridge is reported to be taking over Prince Harry’s role as patron of which sport?
22. Who postponed a series of concerts in Dallas, Texas, after testing positive for Covid-19 a week after restarting his farewell tour?
23. Disney said it was 'taking a different approach' to which movie after actor Peter Dinklage called it a 'backward' film that reinforced stereotypes?
24. Who apologised 'unreservedly and unconditionally' to singer Taylor Swift, saying 'the last thing I would want to do is discredit your songwriting'?
25. Spotify is to remove which musician's songs after a row over 'vaccine misinformation' by podcaster Joe Rogan?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Jayme Bryla with 22, just ahead of Marguerite Turner on 21. Others on the leaderboard were Stuart Bagnall 19.5, Liz Gerard and Toby Brown 19, Gavin Devine and Robert Rea 18.5, Andrea Clark 18, Dominic Hurst 17, Tony Smith 16 and Jem Condliffe, who recorded his highest ever score, on 15.5. The team leaderboard was Simon, Sue and Will Cole 22, Maura and Phil Parsons 20, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 19.5, the Roberts family 19, Three Legs drinkers Peter and Stacey and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the last seven days. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a series of policy announcements that were dubbed ‘Operation ___ ___’ aimed at keeping his backbenchers on side. What are the two missing words?
2. Christian Wakeford became the first Tory MP, since Quentin Davies in 2007, to do what?
3. Which Tory MP urged his colleagues to report Government ministers, whips and advisers to the Speaker, and even the police, for what he claimed was attempted blackmail of those opposing Prime Minister Boris Johnson?
4. How many letters need to be submitted to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady to trigger a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister?
5. Veteran Tory David Davis told Prime Minister Boris Johnson: 'I will remind him of a quotation altogether too familiar to him of Leo Amery to ___ ___: You have sat there too long for all the good you have done, in the name of God, go!’ What is the missing politician’s name?
6. The plot by Tory MPs looking to oust Boris Johnson is reportedly known as the 'pork pie putsch' because one of the alleged rebels, Alicia Kearns, serves which constituency?
7. On a visit to a hospital in north London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that who had told him that the Downing Street lockdown garden party 'was something that was against the rules’?
8. The Office for National Statistics said inflation in Britain had increased by more than expected to what per cent - its highest rate in 30 years?
9. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said the BBC licence fee of how much would be frozen until 2024 after which it will be scrapped?
10. Which country was hit by an 'unprecedented disaster’ when a volcanic eruption at sea triggered a tsunami?

11. Russell Bishop, who died in prison, was serving 36 years for the murder of two nine-year-old girls in Brighton in 1986 and was known as the ___ ___ ___ ___ killer. What are the missing four words?
12. The Duke of Sussex is seeking a judicial review against the Home Office’s refusal to allow him to do what?
13. Former protection officer Paul Page told ITV documentary, Ghislaine, Prince Andrew And The Paedophile, that the Duke of York sketched out a plan showing staff how what should be positioned every night?
14. Malik Faisal Akram, 44, who was shot dead after a stand-off with police after taking hostages at a synagogue in Texas, lived in which English town?
15. Around 30 elite British troops were sent to which country to oversee training on new anti-tank weapons provided by the UK?
16. In an attempt to tackle the backlog of crown court cases, magistrates in England and Wales will be able to hand out jail terms of how long – double the current maximum?
17. Which company announced that most customers will see bills rise by more than nine per cent from the end of March?
18. Following his deportation from Australia, Novak Djokovic was told he may not be allowed to defend which title after the country ruled that all athletes will have to be vaccinated to compete in sporting events?
19. A 40-year-old Frenchman was arrested for the manslaughter of a five-year-old British girl after she died while doing what?
20. Staff working at 30 firms across the UK are to do what over the next six months as part of an experimental pilot?
21. An investigation by a team, including an ex-FBI agent, identified Arnold van den Bergh as the person who betrayed who to save to his own family’?

22. The singer whose real name was Marvin Lee Aday, who died age 74, had the sixth best-selling album of all time. Give his stage name and the album title. Half a point for each.
23. GB News announced it would play which song every day, from last Tuesday, at 5.59am?
24. A tearful Adele posted on instagram to say 'I'm so sorry, but my show ain't ready’ and announced she was postponing 24 concerts due to be held at which famous venue?
25. Shama Amin quit what due to her crippling arthritis?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

I have spent this week at the i newspaper looking after their trainees. They have been writing intros and stories in i style, going through the style book, developing agency articles and pitching ideas to the editorial director. We finished, as always, with the newsquiz. Well done to Layton Ryan-Parson who picked up a scratchcard for the top score. In last week’s newsquiz the top solo scorer was Janet Boyle with 22, ahead of Jayme Bryla and Andrea Clark who scored 20, Marion Fountayne and Robert Rea on 18 and Marguerite Turner and Gavin Devine 16. The top team were the Plough drinkers (Peter, Stacey, Bryan and Heather) who scored a whopping 24. They were ahead of Liz Gerard’s team on 22 and Maura and Phil Parsons on 21. The Smiths, Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe all scored 19. 

Today's front pages

1. At Prime Minister’s Question Time Boris Johnson apologised for a 'bring your own booze' party held in the 10 Downing Street garden during lockdown last year but told MPs he 'believed implicitly’ it was what?
2. What date in May 2020 was the Bring Your Own Booze garden party at 10 Downing Street?
3. At Prime Minister’s Question Time, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said of Boris Johnson: 'There we have it. After months of deceit and deception, the ___ ___ of a man who has run out of road’. What are the two missing words?
4. What is the name of the principal private secretary who sent an email to Downing Street staff saying 'it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the 10 garden this evening. Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze’?
5. What reason did Prime Minister Boris Johnson give for cancelling a trip to a Lancashire vaccination centre yesterday (Thursday) the day after he admitted attending a boozy No10 gathering during the first Covid lockdown?
6. Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg labelled which senior Conservative a 'lightweight figure’ after he had called on Boris Johnson to quit over the Number 10 party row?
7. Boris Johnson's former press chief James Slack, who 'apologised unreservedly' for holding a leaving do in Downing Street hours before the Queen sat alone at Prince Philip's funeral, is now deputy editor of which publication?
8. Buckingham Palace announced the Queen's decision to cast Prince Andrew out of the royal fold in a statement which said: 'With The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal ___ have been returned to The Queen.’ What is the missing word?
9. Prince Andrew became the fifth royal in 26 years to either lose or drop the HRH title. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan lost the title in 2020 but who were the two others? Half a point for each.
10. Why was lawyer Christine Lee in the headlines?
11. Tennis player Novak Djokovic told Australian authorities he had not travelled in the 14 days before his arrival despite social media posts showing he had been in which country?
12. Who announced he was leaving 'the most challenging’ time of his professional career and returning to the University of Nottingham?
13. Jack Dromey, the MP for Birmingham Erdington since 2010, who died at the age of 73 was married to which politician?
14. At least 19 people, including nine children, died after a fire in an apartment building in which city?
15. Sidney Poitier, who died aged 94, was the first black actor to win an Oscar for which 1964 film?
16. The High Court ruled that the Government's use of a 'VIP lane' to do what was unlawful?
17. Why did OVO Energy advise customers to cuddle a pet and eat porridge?
18. Who was admitted to hospital after tweeting that she was lost and hated herself following the death of her son?

19. Handyman David Bennett, 57, from Baltimore, became the first person in the world to receive what?
20. Waitrose will start selling Sunions next week, which are being billed as ‘gamechangers’ that have taken more than 30 years to perfect. What is the special quality of Sunions? 
21. Marks & Spencer renamed which sweets after a disability campaigner claimed they could offend those with dwarfism?
22. Personal trainer Fitzroy Gaynes, 64, sued the London health club Third Space, where he worked, for age discrimination - because they refused to do what?
23. Ronnie Spector, who died aged 78, was the lead singer of which 1960s girl group who had hits with Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking in the Rain?
24. Britain's longest married couple, Ron and Joyce Bond, aged 102 and 100, from Milton Keynes celebrated what wedding anniversary?
25. Danny Dyer announced he was leaving his role as Queen Vic landlord in BBC soap opera EastEnders. What is his character’s name?

Answers here

Mail looking for trainee reporters and subs

Last year's Mail trainees

In September and October I trained 17 young journalists who were beginning their career at the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and London’s Evening Standard. They included reporters, news subs and three were on a Stephen Lawrence scholarship. We were fortunate that we were able to do the training in the Kensington offices, rather than online. Most of the trainees then went on a five-month placement, working for the Mail in Dublin, the Evening Standard, Metro and the i newspaper. Others went straight to the newsroom. There has been impressive work and plenty of bylines. Now the Mail is recruiting for next year’s scheme. It is looking for reporters, a digital fashion journalist, news subs and sports subs. If you are committed to becoming a journalist and want to work for Britain's most successful newspaper group, you can apply for the sub's scheme here and the reporter's scheme here. Good luck.

Have a crack at the newsquiz

There were clearly some bleary eyes doing last week’s newsquiz at New Year as the scores were well below average. The top solo scorers were Toby Brown and Tony Smith with 19, ahead of Gavin Devine and Robert Rea on 17 and Marguerite Turner on 16. The top teams were Bruce and Sarah Hayward with 20. Maura and Phil Parsons scored 19, Team Swindle 18 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz, the first of 2022. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of today's front pages

1. At a Press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the 'fantastic' effort to get Britain boosted and added: 'Together with the Plan B measures that we introduced before Christmas, we have a chance to ___ out this Omicron wave without shutting down our country once again.’ What is the missing word?
2. In an interview with Le Parisien, French president Emmanuel Macron caused a stir by using a vulgar term, saying he wanted to 'emmerder les non-vaccinés’. What does emmerder mean?
3. Former Labour defence secretary Geoff Hoon claimed he was told by Downing Street in 2003 to burn a memo from the Attorney General that cast doubt on what?
4. Who told Boris Johnson: 'I've heard on the grapevine there might be a vacancy for Prime Minister soon, so maybe I should show aspiration’?
5. Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer wrote to the trial judge, after the guilty verdicts, to say that what revelation meant there were 'incontrovertible grounds' for a new trial?
6. Prince Andrew was reported to be trying to sell what for £17million to help foot the bill for his spiralling legal costs?
7. What did Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić describe as 'harassment’ which needed to be 'brought to an end immediately'?
8. More than 900,000 people signed a petition this week calling for what not to happen?
9. Sage Willoughby, Rhian Graham, Milo Ponsford and Jake Skuse were cleared of what?
10. Which company became the first ever to hit a stock market valuation of $3trillion (£2.2trillion)?
11. Alan Gosling, a 79-year-old grandfather living in Devon, was revealed as the UK’s first what?
12. What did Pope Francis say was 'a denial of fatherhood and motherhood and diminishes us, takes away our humanity’?
13. Justice Secretary Dominic Raab announced that, as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, taking photos of women doing what in public without consent would be made a crime in England and Wales?
14. The Mail On Sunday is to pay the Duchess of Sussex how much in damages after losing its appeal in a privacy row over a letter sent to her father?
15. A 49-year-old man appeared in court on charges, including arson, after a fire totally destroyed the lower chamber of which country’s parliament building?
16. Tobias Weller, 11, became the youngest person ever to receive what?
17. The winner of eight Emmys, including the Lifetime Achievement Daytime award, and three American Comedy Awards, died age 99. Who is she?
18. The president of which country ordered security forces to 'fire without warning' after he claimed '20,000 bandits' were involved in anti-government protests?19. Army officer Preet Chandi, 32, became the first woman of colour to do what?

20. Which classic smartphone was turned off this week after 22 years?
21. A judge in California dismissed a lawsuit by Spencer Elden, 30, who alleged sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse against who?
22. Up-and-coming artist Rhed, who has showed his work in London galleries since 2018, was revealed to be the son of who? Half a point for each name.
23. Actress Maureen Lipman questioned the credentials of Helen Mirren to play which figure in a forthcoming film?
24. What is the nickname of Peter Wright who won the darts world championship for the second time in three years?
25. Heather Small, the first celebrity to be voted off ITV’s The Masked Singer, was dressed as what?

Answers here