Friday 25 August 2017

The newsquiz: Can you beat Danny's score?

The MailOnline trainees finished their third week of the course today. Congratulations to Kate McGreavy who had her second story published. It was a look at who might join Wayne Rooney in the 200-club after he scored for Everton on Monday night. You can read it here

Among the speakers this week were digital specialist Adam Tinworth, Metro.co.uk assistant editor Richard Hartley-Parkinson, travel editor Ted Thornhill, MailOnline news-editor Marianna Partasides and Editor Emeritus Peter Wright. We finshed as usual with the newsquiz. Last week’s top scorer online was Ellie Rewcastle with 20. This week’s top trainee was Danny Hussain with a healthy 18 points. Second was Dianne Apen-Sadler on 16. Give it a go and see if you can beat Danny's score.
I'm throo - Metro reports on Wayne Rooney quitting England
(Question 14)
1. On Wednesday the pound fell to its lowest rate against the Euro since which year?
2. Theresa May said that when Britain leaves the European Union it will be leaving the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. Which court did she say would be the 'ultimate arbiter' of British laws’?
3. The family of seven-year-old Julian Cadman, who was killed in the Barcelona terror attack, said: 'We are so _______ to have had him in our lives and will remember his smiles and hold his memory dear to our hearts.' What is the missing word?
4. British paramedic Hassan Zubier was stabbed four times as he tried to save women from a knife-wielding attacker who killed two people in which country?
5. President Donald Trump is likely to increase US troop numbers in Afghanistan. According to the Pentagon how many US troops are currently there?
6. Labour MP Stephen Pound was photographed dabbing his eyes while saying: 'It is a desperately sad moment and you don't know what you have got until it has gone.’  What was he referring to?
7. Who said in an interview that he was ‘disorientated, dizzy… and very confused. I remember just feeling completely numb’?
8. Which police force’s chief constable, Simon Byrne, has been suspended over claims of gross misconduct?
9. Advertisers including the National Trust and Confused.com are among those threatening to stop using which website, blaming 'offensive' language?
10. The manager of the England women’s football team is alleged to have told one of his black players to make sure her relatives did not bring what to a game at Wembley?
11. TV producer Amy May Shead was left brain-damaged and wheelchair-bound after eating a dish containing peanuts in which city?
12. Why was 52-year-old Toby Robyns in the headlines?
13. Cyclist Charlie Alliston was cleared of manslaughter but convicted of what obscure offence? (Full name please)
14. Wayne Rooney retired from England duty after 53 goals in how many games?
15. The founder of America’s annual Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy telethon, which raised more than $2.45 billion, died this week. He was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1977. Who is he?
16. Former cricketer Geoffrey Boycott came under fire after suggesting he would be more likely to be given a knighthood if he did what?
17. Where did Stickle Bricks, Meccano, The Merrythought Bear, Fuzzy Felt, Sindy, Action Man, Hornby Train sets, Spirograph, Heron Trojan Warriors and a Space Hopper all appear this week?
18. Former England rugby captain Matt Dawson underwent heart surgery after contracting Lyme disease from what?
19. Two former BBC executives who used government cash to set up a production company paid themselves £1.4million despite making a loss. Name the company.
20. Which London district was named one of the world’s top ten neighbourhoods by travel experts Lonely Planet?
21. Andrew Neil is giving up his BBC current affairs show. What is it called?
22. Who sent a message to Russell Brand suggesting she could do with a ‘jolly good rogering’?
23. Pewsey firefighters were thanked by a farmer who gave them sausages made from the piglets they rescued during a barn blaze. How many piglets were rescued?
24. What is the highest grade that can be achieved in the new GCSE system?
25. Ken Cheng won the funniest joke at the Edinburgh Festival 
Fringe  with 'I’m not a fan of the new pound coin, but then again, I hate all ______.’ What is the missing word?



Answers here

Friday 18 August 2017

Kate wins this week's newsquiz

The MailOnline trainees had another lively week in Derry Street. Well done to Connor Boyd who pitched a story on Conor McGregor predicting the round he would knock out Floyd Mayweather, which was published here




There were sessions by former trainees Rod Ardehali and Kelly McLaughlin, science editor Ellie Zolfagharifard, video editor Lisa Snell, Femail journalists Bianca London and Steph Linning, deputy SEO content manager Nick Suarez and assistant managing editor Jeannette Arnold. My colleague Mike Watson also gave them feedback on their work and they spent today with digital specialist Adam Tinworth.

As usual they finished the week with the newsquiz. This week's top scorer was Kate Buck with 17, narrowly ahead of Faima Bakar on 15.5. 
In last week's quiz none of the onliners could beat trainee Dianne Apen-Sadler's impressive score of 21. Janet Boyle was close with 20 though. The top team score was by my mates in the Three Legs last Friday night with 20, narrowly ahead of the Penman Partnership who scored 19. 
Here's this week's newsquiz. Give it a go and see if you can beat Kate's score. 


Spanish terror was the lead in all the papers. See Questions 1 and 2.
1. Five jihadis in fake suicide belts were gunned down by police in which Spanish beach resort?
2. Police named a teenage Moroccan-born man who they believe rented the vehicle which was driven at people in Barcelona's Las Ramblas. What is his name?
3. What was the name of the woman killed when a car rammed into a crowd of counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia?
4. The mother of the Charlottesville victim said at a memorial service: ‘They killed her to try and shut her up. Well, guess what? You just ______ her.’ What is the missing word?
5. In a press conference Donald Trump said that many on the political right who gathered in Charlottesville were peaceful protesters who were aiming to save what from the scrap heap?
6. The European Parliament's Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt described Britain’s aims ‘to be in and out of the Customs Union and invisible borders’ as a what?
7. David Davis's former chief of staff claims two cabinet ministers are sympathetic to calls for a new centrist party. Name him.
8. Jacob Rees-Mogg has denied he has ambitions to lead the Tories. Which constituency does he represent?

9. Who entered the Guinness World Records in 2012 for having the longest career of any male television entertainer, which began with an appearance in 1939 on BBC’s Come and Be Televised?
10. Which project was London Mayor Sadiq Khan accused of scuppering this week?
11. More than 600 people are feared to have died in a mudslide that swept through Sierra Leone's capital. Name the city.
12. The Office for National Statistics said the Retail Price Index measure of inflation, which is used to calculate train ticket prices, rose by what percentage in July.
13. Stunt driver Joi ‘SJ' Harris died on the set of Deadpool 2, after a scene involving a motorcycle went wrong, in which city?
14. Professor Judith Hawley, of London University, an expert on 18th Century literature, revealed she censored which novel because she was worried about causing offence to her students?
15. Why was Bernard Kenny, who died this week, awarded the George Medal?
16. Tory MP Nicholas Soames said: ‘Tell those poor little darlings to put headphones on.’ Who was he referring to?
17. Why was the filming of Mission Impossible 6 halted?
18. Daniel Craig confirmed he will play 007 for the last time in the upcoming film. What is its name?
19. What percentage of A-level results were grade A or higher?
20. Who scored the first goal of the new Premier League season? 

21. Why was Eric Bellquist is the news?
22. A falling tree killed 13 people and injured dozens more at a religious ceremony on which island?
23. The Old Bailey heard that cyclist Charlie Alliston was doing what speed when he mowed down a mother-of-two in London?
24. Which hacking group took control of the main HBO Twitter account as well as those for TV shows including Game of Thrones and Girls, posting a statement on security?
25. Which chain of shops clarified the pronunciation of its name?


Answers here

Friday 11 August 2017

Trainee Dianne wins this week's newsquiz

Last week's top solo scorer in the newsquiz was Simon O'Neill with 18 points, narrowly ahead of Elly Rewcastle on 17 and Toby Brown on 16. The top team was the Penmans ('with us in France & @daisypenman in Scotland via FaceTime and a dodgy wifi connection') with a handsome 20.
I was with the new intake of MailOnline trainees on Monday before I flew off to New York. They had introductory sessions with editor Danny Groom and assistant news editor Amanda Williams. On Tuesday they enjoyed an informative day with the Mail's legal team ... Martin Wood, Lindsay Warwick, Julian Darrall and Sophie Teschmacher. Mike Watson spent Wednesday with the trainees explaining, among other things, MailOnline style. Journalist Mark Duell gave an insight into the day-to-day workings of the newsroom. They spent the next last two days with digital guru Adam Tinworth. As always they finished with the newsquiz. This week's top scorer was Dianne Apen-Sadler with a strong 21. Bridie Pearson-Jones was second with 18. They are impressive scores ... can you do better?


The New European's take on Trump v Kim
(Questions 1 and 2)
1. Donald Trump warned North Korea that if it made any more threats to the United States, they would be 'met with ____ ____ and frankly power the likes of which this world has never seen before.’ What are the missing two words? Half a point each.
2. Who said: 'The great leaders I've seen don't threaten unless they're ready to act and I'm not sure President Trump is ready to act.'?
3. What is the name of the long-running Northumbria Police Operation that led to the conviction of 18 sex offenders in Newcastle?
4. During the court case of 18 sex offenders in Newcastle it emerged that a convicted child rapist had been paid £10,300 by police to be an informant. By which two letters was he referred to in court?
5. Who accused Denver DJ David Mueller of groping her saying it was 'a very long grab’?
6. Which bank reported its first half-year profit for three years and announced it is considering using Amsterdam as its post-Brexit EU hub?
7. A heatwave across southern Europe, which saw temperatures rise as high as 44c in southern Spain, was given which nickname?
8. Isaac Makwala qualified for the 200m final in the World Championships after running on his own following his norovirus saga. Which country does he represent?
9. What is the name of the insecticide which has been found in Dutch eggs exported to the UK?
10. The celebrities taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing are being announced daily by the BBC. Who was the first to be named?

11. Which island that has been in the headlines was discovered by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521?
12. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair told Radio 4 he 'toyed' with what while at Oxford University?
13. On which London Bridge was a jogger caught on CCTV apparently shoving a woman into the path of a bus?

14. On which Spanish beach did a boat carrying dozens of African migrants land?
15. The owner of which football club has agreed to withdraw film of elephants and lions being killed for sport from his online TV channel in Britain?
16. Madam Tussauds announced this week that it has commissioned a waxwork figure of which politician? 

17. He was born in Billstown, Arkansas, had a role in the 1969 Western True Grit, sold more than 45 million records, had 12 gold albums and 75 chart hits. Who is he?
18. According to her former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, what four words did Princess Diana say after reading a transcript of the 'Camillagate' tape?

19. Six soldiers were injured - three seriously - when a BMW was driven at them in suburb in which city?
20. Why was James Damore sacked?
21. Which supermarket is to stop selling 5p single-use carrier bags?
22. British mother Eloise Dixon was shot in front of her husband and children after taking a wrong turn in which country?
23. Why was Chloe Ayling in the headlines?
24. How old was Peter Wrighton, who was stabbed to death in woods in Norfolk?

25. Why did Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood say he declined chemotherapy when he was diagnosed with lung cancer?

Answers here


Friday 4 August 2017

The newsquiz: 25 questions about the week

Last week's newsquiz was clearly a tough one with the scores well below average. The top solo scorers were Dominic Hurst and Liz Gerard with 12, narrowly ahead of Gavin Devine and Toby Brown both on 11.5. The top team was Elly Rewcastle with help from Michelle who scored 16. Team Penman scored 13.5 and the Batstone Collective got 13. Here's this week's quiz which, I think, might be a little easier. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Let me know how you get on.  


The Daily Telegraph reports on football's record signing at £198 (Questions  10 and 11)
1. Liam Fox said there was no cabinet-wide agreement for the suggestion by chancellor Philip Hammond that free movement could continue for up to three years after Brexit. What is Fox’s cabinet position?
2. The pound fell to its lowest point this year against the euro in reaction to the Bank of England leaving interest rates unchanged. What is the interest rate?
3. He has undertaken 22,219 solo engagements, given 5,496 speeches and 785 organisations have him as patron, president or member. Who is he?
4. The three-month battle which started on July 31 and ended on November 6 1917 in northern Belgium was officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres. How is it more commonly known?
5. Anthony Scaramucci (the Mooch) was fired by President Trump, giving him the record of the shortest tenure as communications director. How many days did he have in the White House?
6. Why was Peter Settelen in the headlines? 
7. What is the name of the 79-storey skyscraper in Dubai that went up in flames for the second time in two years?
8. Commenting on the chaos at European airports what did Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary describe as ‘somewhat pointless’?
9. Brazilian footballer Neymar completed his world-record £198million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona. What number shirt will he wear at his new club?
10. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described the transfer of Neymar as beyond _____ and beyond _____.’ What are the two missing words. Half a point each.
11. Which organisation sacked its executive chairman Bob Mackenzie for a 'personal conduct-related matter’?
12. Why was former Royal Marine Ciaran Maxwell jailed for 18 years?
13. Moeen Ali became only the fourth man in history - and the first for 60 years - to do what?
14. He was a TV favourite as James Shelley and later played Jack Dalton in Eastenders. Who is he?
15. A Norwegian anti-immigrant group was ridiculed on social media after members apparently mistook a photograph of what for women wearing burqas?
16. Two people were killed when a light plane did an emergency landing on a beach in which country?
17. Jihadis Naweed Ali, Khobaib Hussain and Mohibur Rahman were each sentenced to 20 years in prison for planning a 'mass casualty attack’. What literary name did they use to describe themselves in group messages?
18. Why were seven trainee priests asked to leave the City Arms pub in Cardiff?
19. England women’s footballers suffered semi-final heartbreak in Euro 2017 after they were beaten 3-0 by which country?
20. Highways Agency officials are studying a Dutch scheme to turn polluted sections of motorways into what?
21. Robert Hardy, who died aged 91, claimed he held the world record for playing which person in 12 different television, film and stage productions?
22. More than 60 army cadets had to be rescued from which mountains?
23. Facebook shut down a pair of its artificial intelligence robots after they invented what?
24. What will Jessica Ennis-Hill be presented with at special ceremony at the World Championships on Sunday evening?
25. Sinitta, John Leslie and The Human Ken Doll all pulled out of what?

Answers here