Quiz Diary - 2006-09

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30

• Des Lynam will leave TV quiz Countdown at Christmas
• Boeing 737 from Manaus to Brasilia crashes with 150 people on board
• Tim Blackman receives 10 million Yen from a friend of the man accused of killing his daughter
• Indian police say Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, as behind the train blasts in Mumbai in July
• Premiership: Chelsea 1 – 1 Aston Villa
• UN Security Council holds 1st discussion of Burma
• Serbia's parliament approves new constitution claiming sovereignty over Kosovo
• Family of Angelika Kluk waiting for identification of the body
• Totesport Cambridgeshire won by Formal Decree
• Conservative leader David Cameron has launched his own video weblog
• Zambian poll results do not show a clear winner
• Vietnam has begun to evacuate more than 180,000 of its citizens ahead of Typhoon Xangsane
• VW has struck a deal with unions to extend the working week of staff for a guaranteed job until 2011

30 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. What is the title of the new thriller starring Clive Owen?
• Children of Men
• 2. Where is the Women’s Hockey World Cup taking place?
• Madrid
• 3. Kites, the Moon, surfers and hippos and replacing Indian dancers and skateboarders, where?
• As BBC logos
• 4. Who scored the second-half goal for Man Utd against Benfica in Lisbon?
• Louis Saha's
• 5. “The List:” Which two works by Munch are back on display after being stolen and recovered?
• The Scream and Madonna

Topic of the Day: Luc Besson

• 6. Which film produced by Luc Besson opens with a pizza delivery boy speeding through the streets of Marseilles?
• Taxi
• 7. Which 2005 film satrs Rie Rasmussen in the title role?
• Angel-A
• 8. Which 2004 Madonna video did Luc Besson direct?
• Love Profusion
• 9. Who stars as Enzo in the 1988 Besson film “The Big Blue”?
• Jean Reno
• 10. Complete the quote by Besson “Cinema never saved anyone's life, it is not a medicine that will save anyone's life. It is only …”, what?
• An aspirin

29

• Jacqueline Wilson says restrictions on junk food advertising could threaten children's TV.
• Winner of “The Apprentice”, Michelle Dewberry leaves to form own consultancy
• Russell Watson recovering after an emergency operation to remove a brain tumour.
• Microsoft says its Zune music player will cost $249.99 in the US
• Simon Hughes says Darrell Hair was "guessing" over Pakistan ball-tampering incident
• Tim Henman loses against Paradorn Srichaphan in quarter-finals of Thailand Open
• Practice for Chinese Grand Prix
• Mike Tyson to return to the ring to help with debts
• Around 80,000 people apply to take part in the 26th annual Great North Run
• St Leger winner Sixties Icon is the only British runner in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
• Survivor of 7 July bombings is to sue the government over lack of NHS treatment
• Catholic priest held in Florida and another is on the run after stealing $8m from parishioners
• Iraqi government declares an immediate curfew in Baghdad

29 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who have renewed heir sponsorship deal with the FA Premier League in a contract worth £65.8m?
• Barclays
• 2. Which Nobel Prize winner has warned that South Africa is in danger of losing its moral direction?
• Desmond Tutu
• 3. Which UK bookmaker has ceased taking casino and poker bets online from US customers?
• William Hill
• 4. Which Bosnian Serb leader accused of being one of the architects of ethnic cleansing in the Bosnian war has been jailed for 27 years for war crimes?
• Momcilo Krajisnik
• 5. “The List:” The US has lost its status as the world's most competitive economy, according to the World Economic Forum. Which 5 (!) countries are ahead of them?
• Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Singapore.

Topic of the Day: Russell Watson

• 6. Where was Watson born in 1966?
• Salford
• 7. What type of operatic roles/songs does Watson sing?
• Tenor
• 8. What was the name of his 2001 debut album?
• The Voice
• 9. Which reality show did he win in 2006 with Sian Reeves?
• The Two Of Us
• 10. What was the official anthem that he sang for the 1990 england Rugby World Cup winning team?
• Swing Low (actually Swing Low ’99)

28

• John Prescott apologises for letting Labour down over the past year
• Richard Hammond leaves hospital
• Counting starts after Zambia poll
• Nigeria's vice-president is suspended for three months over corruption allegations
• US imposes sanctions on Thailand
• Honda creates 700 jobs at Swindon
• Tiger Woods leads the World Golf Championship
• BMW is aiming to add a smaller, "baby" model to its luxury Rolls-Royce brand
• Musician Megaman from the rap group So Solid Crew is found not guilty of murder
• British Basketball League starts 2006-07 season
• Venezuela apologises after President Chavez uses image of Portugal's premier in campaign poster
• Inzamam-ul-Haq cleared of cheating, but gulity of bringing game in to disrepute
• South Africa's former Deputy President Jacob Zuma makes public apology after offending gay people

28 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Newcastle have terminated the contract of which assistant manager?
• Kevin Bond
• 2. Pope Benedict XVI has excommunicated which Zambian archbishop, two days after he ordained four married men as bishops?
• Emmanuel Milingo
• 3. Who beat Andy Murray 6-4 6-2 in the first round of the Thailand Open?
• Tim Henman
• 4. Which US Director of National Intelligence rejected claims that the terrorist threat to the US has increased since the invasion of Iraq?
• John Negroponte
• 5. “The List:” Great Britain coach Brian Noble has included six uncapped players in his 25-strong squad for the Tri-Nations. Name them
• Martin Aspinwall, Kirk Yeaman, James Roby, Garreth Carvell, Gareth Hock and Jon Wilkin

Topic of the Day: Cats

• 6. Name the four big cats included in the Panrthera genus?
• Leopard, Lion, Tiger and Jaguar
• 7. Who had a 1979 hit with “Cool For Cats”?
• Squeeze
• 8. The musical theatre production of “Cats” is based on which poet’s poems?
• TS Eliot
• 9. What is the more correct name for cat’s whiskers?
• Vibrissae
• 10. From which country do the breed of cats called Sokoke originate?
• Kenya

27

• Government defeated over its plans for NHS reform at the Labour Party conference
• Kashmir sees protests over death sentence for Mohammed Afzal
• William Hill stops taking casino and poker bets online from US customers.
• French doctors perform first surgery under “zero-gravity”
• Microsoft has released a patch for a bug in IE
• Arnold Schwarzenegger sets targets to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions
• Japan's new leader Shinzo Abe says he wants early talks with China
• Champions’ League:
  • Levski Sofia 1-3 Chelsea (Didier Drogba hat-trick)
  • Liverpool 3-2 Galatasaray
• 13-year-old boy appears in court charged with manslaughter with an airgun
• Ban on liquids for transatlantic flights remains despite a Us relaxation of the rules
• Henman beats Murray at Thailand Open
• Barclays renews sponsorship deal with the FA Premier League
• Argentina's former President Carlos Menem collapses at a rally
• Hearing in to Inzamam-ul-Haq’s ball tampering gets underway
• Roselane Driza convicted of blackmailing a female judge
• Bosnian Serb leader Momcilo Krajisnik jailed for 27 years for war crimes

27 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which US group climbed three places in the singles chart, from number five to two, with “When You Were Young”?
• The Killers
• 2. Who has Brian Noble named as his captain for the Tri-Nations?
• Jamie Peacock
• 3. Which author and actor has recently been on TV telling of his life as a manic depressive?
• Stephen Fry
• 4. Who did Manchester United play in yesterdays Champions’ League group match?
• Benfica
• 5. “The List:” Who are the two “Top Gear” co-hosts of Richard Hammond?
• Jeremy Clarkson and James May

Topic of the Day: Tony Blair

• 6. In what year was Tony born?
• 1953
• 7. What are Tony’s middle names?
• Charles Lynton
• 8. What was the name of the band that he performed in as a student?
• Ugly Rumours
• 9. Who was Blair’s first Lord Chancellor?
• Lord Irvine of Lairg
• 10. In his final speech at a Labour Party Conference how long a standing ovation was he given?
• 9mins 13 secs

26

• Tony Blair makes last Labour Conference Speech
• Afghanistan suicide bomb kills 18 in Helmand Province
• Newcastle have terminated the contract of assistant manager Kevin Bond
• Dangerous sex offender Kelly James Edney on the run
• Global Competitiveness Index Ranking Fro 2006 (2005)
  • 1. Switzerland (4)
  • 2. Finland: (2)
  • 3. Sweden (7)
  • 4. Denmark (3)
  • 5. Singapore (5)
  • 6. United States (1)
  • 7. Japan (10)
  • 8. Germany (6)
  • 9. Netherlands (11)
  • 10. United Kingdom (9)
• Pope Benedict XVI excommunicates Zambian archbishop
• Private US space rocket blasts off from New Mexico but malfunctions before reaching space
• A banned driver who did not call 999 when his girlfriend was hurt in a crash is given a life sentence
• 2 people are killed when a crane collapses onto a residential block in south London
• Juan Pablo Montoya makes first appearance at Nascar
• Champions League:
  • Benfica 0-1 Man Utd
  • Arsenal 2-0 FC Porto
  • Celtic 1-0 Copenhagen
• US Director of National Intelligence rejects claims that the terrorist threat to the US has increased since the invasion of Iraq
• Margaret Beckett is accused of having "blood on her hands" by peace activist Walter Wolfgang
• Shinzo Abe takes over as Japanese PM
• EC says Romania and Bulgaria will be admitted to the EU in January 2007

26 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who has pledged to invest $3bn (£1.6bn) to help fight global warming?
• Richard Branson
• 2. Which Citroen driver won his third successive Rally of Cyprus?
• Sebastien Loeb
• 3. Who won best UK newcomer at the MOBO awards?
• Corinne Bailey Rae
• 4. Which Australian, the 2004 winner, confirmed her entry for the Great North Run?
• Benita Johnson
• 5. “The List:” Which 2 TV stars helped save a man about to fall from the end of a Blackpool pier?
• Lionel Blair and Alan Carr

Topic of the Day: Japan

• 6. Who is the new Japanese PM?
• Shinzo Abe
• 7. What is the currency of Japan?
• Yen
• 8. Who is the legendary first Emperor of Japan?
• Jimmu
• 9. Yokohama is the main city of which prefecture?
• Kanagawa
• 10. What is Nihongo?
• The official name for the Japanese language

25

• BBC and FA to meet to discuss “bungs”
• Nigel Spackman leaves Millwall as manager
• Pope meets Muslim envoys to resolve the recent “misunderstanding”
• Saddam Hussein thrown out of court again
• The Pope says he has "total and profound respect" for the Muslim faith
• Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi announces that he is stepping down
• New Orleans Saints return to their Superdome home for the first time since Hurrican Katrina
• Somalia's interim PM asks for international help against "al-Qaeda",
• Virgin train and car collide killing one person and closing the East Coast mainline
• Bolton manager Sam Allardyce to sue the BBC after allegations of bung-taking on Panorama
• In Sri Lanka government forces killdozens of Tamil Tiger separatists in a sea battle
• Michael Brown, whose company gave the Lib Dems over £2m is jailed for 2 years for "dishonesty"
• Brian Noble names 6 uncapped players in his squad for the Tri-Nations
• Gordon Brown makes speech setting out his desire to be the next PM

25 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who hit the second fastest one-day international ton to help South Africa to a 3-0 series win over Zimbabwe?
• Mark Boucher
• 2. Who is the UN's chief anti-torture expert who said that torture may be worse now in Iraq than under former leader Saddam Hussein?
• Manfred Nowak
• 3. Which golfer was upset recently at fake pornographic pictures of wife?
• Tiger Woods
• 4. Which Plaid Cymru leader urged his party to fight the assembly election with radical and positive politics?
• Ieuan Wyn Jones
• 5. “The List:” Which 4 teams competed in the Davis Cup semi-finals this weekend?
• USA, Russia, Australia and Argentina

Topic of the Day: Sir Malcolm Arnold

• 6. Sir Malcolm won an Oscar for the musical score to which film in 1958?
• Bridge on the River Kwai
• 7. Which instrument did he play before becoming a conductor and composer?
• Trumpet
• 8. For which group did he conduct the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the recording of “Concerto for Group and Orchestra”?
• Deep Purple
• 9. About which 19th century massacre did Arnold create an overture in 1968?
• Peterloo
• 10. In which town was Arnold born in 1921?
• Northampton

24

• GB beat Ukraine in the Davis Cup
• Europe beat USA 18 1/2 - 9 1/2 in Ryder Cup
• Tony Blair calls for an end to the recent Labour in fighting
• Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki calls for unity through then holy month of Ramadan
• 5-month-old girl dies after being attacked by two Rottweiler guard dogs in Leicester.
• ETA refuses to disarm until the Basque region gets independence
• Yorkshire Air Ambulance donations exceed £100,000
• UK Charts:
  • Singles:
    • 1.Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin'
    • 2.Killers - When You Were Young
    • 3.Justin Timberlake - Sexyback
    • 4.Nelly Furtado Ft Timbaland - Promiscuous
    • 5.Fergie - London Bridge
  • Albums:
    • 1.Scissor Sisters - Ta-dah
    • 2.Fratellis - Costello Music
    • 3.Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/lovesounds
    • 4.Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
    • 5.Lemar - The Truth About Love
• Premiership: Newcastle 1-1 Everton
• Saddam Hussein’s lawyers say they will boycott his trial
• Gerald Ratner bids £350m for Signet
• Hampshire beat Glamorgan by 151 runs and will replace them in Pro40 Division One next season
• World rally championship leader Sebastien Loeb wins 3rd successive Rally of Cyprus
• Frankie Dettori and trainer Aidan O'Brien clash after the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot

24 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who scored a wonder goal to help Liverpool beat Newcastle 2-0?
• Xabi Alonso
• 2. Gambians went to the polls and re-elected who for a third term?
• Yahya Jammeh
• 3. Which type of golf is the first test in the Ryder Cup?
• Fourballs
• 4. The NHS went on strike this week for the first time in how many years?
• 18
• 5. “The List:” Which 3 agents said that Sam Allardyce was involved in a “bung” scandal in a recent Panorama report?
• Teni Yerima, Peter Harrison and Charles Collymore

Topic of the Day: Richard Branson

• 6. Which company did he start in 1972?
• Virgin Records
• 7. When was Richard Branson born?
• 1950
• 8. To within £100m, how much is Branson worth?
• £3bn
• 9. In which year was he knighted?
• 1999
• 10. What was the first recording on the Virgin Records label?
• Mike Oldfield's “Tubular Bells”

23

• Gordon Brown says he devolve power away from central government if he becomes PM
• George Washington wins the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot
• Floyd Landis is formally charged by USADA
• Composer Sir Malcolm Arnold dies aged 84
• Celtic beat Rangers 2-0 in first “old firm” game of the season
• Davis Cup - England lose doubles to Ukraine and lead 2-1
• French leak a report saying that Osama Bin-Laden is dead
• WWF helicopter vanishes in Nepal with 24 aboard
• Premiership:
  • Reading 1-1 Man Utd
  • Arsenal 3- 0 Sheffield
  • Fulham 0 – 2 Chelsea
  • Liverpool 3 – 0 Tottenham
• Ryder Cup 10 - 6 to Europe
• Richard Hammond takes first steps after his crash
• Series of violent events mark the star of Ramadan in Baghdad
• Gambian voters have re-elected President Yahya Jammeh for a third term
• Louis Farrakhan says he is seriously ill
• Lou Diamond Phillips charged in Los Angeles with domestic battery
• George Bush says he is "taken aback" by reports that the US threatened to bomb Pakistan
• Loris Capirossi secures pole position for the Japanese MotoGP

23 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which double World record holder said Marion Jones should quit despite being cleared of taking drugs?
• Michael Johnson
• 2. Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said who had refused to do a public handshake with him?
• Charles Kennedy
• 3. Redevelopment of which F1 course is set to begin in October?
• Imola
• 4. Who said recently “We love everyone in the world - Jews, Christians, Muslims, non-Muslims, non-Jews, non-Christians... We are against occupation, aggression, killings and displacing people”?
• Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
• 5. “The List:” Name the 2 Ryder Cup captains?
• Tom Lehman and Ian Woosnam

Topic of the Day: Ryder Cup

• 6. Where was the Ryder Cup held in 2002?
• Belfry
• 7. Who was the US captain at the last Ryder Cup?
• Hal Sutton
• 8. In which year was the Ryder Cup held in Spain?
• Valderama (1997)
• 9. Who beat Jay Haas by one hole to win the Ryder Cup for Europe and Bernard Gallacher in 1995?
• Philip Walton
• 10. When was the last time that USA won on European soil?
• 1993 at the Belfry

22

• Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington lose the opening game of the Ryder Cup to Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk - Europe end the day 5-3
• Davis Cup - England take on Ukraine and lead 2-0
• A magnetic levitation train crashes in northern Germany, killing 23 people.
• Richard Hammond recovering after high-speed crash
• Hewlett-Packard chairman Patricia Dunn resigns
• Somalia's Islamic courts ban the stimulant khat for the holy month of Ramadan
• Presidential candidates in Gambia wait for preliminary results from the country's election
• Ricky Gervais is to end his podcasts
• Robertson and Emms reach mixed doubles semi-finals at World Badminton Championships
• Sony is to cut the Japanese launch price of its forthcoming PlayStation 3 console by 20%
• Former WBO champion Johnny Nelson retires because of knee and back injuries
• Discovery team release 11 of their riders
• Afghan President Hamid Karzai asks Canada maintain its military support

22 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which current Champion leads the British Superbike championship by one point with one round to go?
• Gregorio Lavilla
• 2. Which landmark is the title of Fergie’s latest UK chart hit?
• London Bridge
• 3. Which Aidan O'Brien horse has been ruled out of this year's Melbourne Cup?
• Yeats
• 4. Which Biotech boss was arrested as part of the cash-for-honours investigation?
• Sir Christopher Evans
• 5. “The List:” Which 3 airlines are asking Apple and Dell laptop owners on international flights to remove the machine’s batteries before take-off?
• Virgin Atlantic, Qantas and Korean Air

Topic of the Day: Peru

• 6. Which two colours appear on the flag of Peru?
• Red and White
• 7. Who is the current Peruvian President?
• Alan García
• 8. What is the currency of Peru?
• Neuvo Sol
• 9. What is the capital of the Lima region of Peru?
• Huacho
• 10. Which major river is formed by the confluence of the Marañón and the Ucayali?
• Amazon

21

• Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is seriously ill with head injuries
• Milan Mandaric resigns as chairman of Portsmouth
• Richard Branson pledges to invest $3bn (£1.6bn) to help fight global warming.
• Opening ceremony of the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club
• Space shuttle lands in Florida
• New ring discovered around Saturn
• President Pervez Musharraf says the US threatened to bomb Pakistan
• NHS staff strike
• Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he is not an anti-Semite
• Gambians go to the polls in Presidential elections
• Italy bans use of illegally tapped phone conversations
• The actress due to share the role of Maria in The Sound of Music leaves the production
• Abdulkadir Mohamed Diriye executed in Somalia after a jury convicted him of killing a businessman while stealing his mobile phone

21 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which player was sent off during the Chelsea v Liverpool game?
• Michael Ballack
• 2. Who have the number 2 album in the UK charts “Costello Music”?
• Fratellis
• 3. Which sport is played by the Egyptian Engy Kheirullah?
• Squash
• 4. Who is to host the 2006 Mobo awards?
• Gina Yashere
• 5. “The List:” Of the 15 members of the UN Security Council which 4 voted not to put Burma on the council’s formal agenda?
• China, Russia, Qatar, and Congo

Topic of the Day: Animals

• 6. Who was the lead singer with the 60’s group “The Animals”?
• Eric Burdon
• 7. What London landmark is on the cover of the Pink Floyd album “Animals”?
• Battersea Power Station
• 8. After a match against which team in 1966 did Sir Alf Ramsey call the opposition “animals”?
• Argentina
• 9. In “The Muppet Show” with which band did Animal play drums?
• Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem
• 10. What sort of “Animal” is wrestler Joseph Laurinaitis?
• Road Warrior

20

• Thousands attend a memorial service for Steve Irwin
• Corruption charges against former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma dismissed
• Second night of violence in Budapest
• Saddam Hussein ordered out of court by Muhammad al-Ureibi, the new judge in the trial
• Practice at K-Club for Ryder Cup delayed by high-winds
• Shinzo Abe chosen as successor as Japanese PM
• Yemenis to vote in presidential and local elections
• BBC cult series “This Life” to return for 10th anniversary
• Pope Benedict XVI says that he was “misunderstood”
• Hungarian PM defiant over recent riots
• US Federal Reserve holds interest rates at 5.25%
• Lord Levy re-interviewed in “cash for honours” probe
• Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce say Panorama allegations made against them are wrong
• Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is seriously ill with head injuries after a 300mph crash
• More than 5,000 people attend memorial service for Australian TV naturalist Steve Irwin
• Justine Henin-Hardenne out for three weeks with a muscle tear
• Kristin Armstrong wins women's time trial at the World Road Race Championships in Salzburg

20 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who is the current RMT union leader?
• Bob Crow
• 2. Who beat DeMarcus Corley to win the vacant WBC light welterweight title?
• Junior Witter
• 3. Whose 2nd album “Futuresex/Lovesounds” has entered the UK charts at number one?
• Justin Timberlake's
• 4. Who knocked defending champion Michael Campbell out of the World Match Play Championships?
• Colin Montgomerie
• 5. “The List:” The G7 have just been meeting in Singapore. Name the 7 countries that make up the G7.
• US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Topic of the Day: The IMF

• 6. Which conference was the catalyst for the creation of the IMF?
• Bretton Woods
• 7. Where is the IMF based?
• Washington D.C.
• 8. Which Spaniard is the current Managing Director of the IMF?
• Rodrigo Rato
• 9. How many countries are members of the IMF?
• 184
• 10. The SDR is an international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement the existing official reserves of member countries. What does SDR stand for?
• Special Drawing Rights

19

• Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra overthrown in military coup
• Cpl Donald Payne of Duke of Lancaster's Regiment becomes the first to admit to war crimes
• Charles Kennedy receives two standing ovations at the Lib Dem conference in Brighton
• Home Secretary John Reid has said he has "no personal ambition to attain any other high office"
• Des Browne says that the fight in Afghanistan will be hard but is winnable
• A smoking ban in enclosed public spaces will be introduced in Wales on 2 April 2007
• Japan and Australia have announced new financial sanctions against North Korea
• Chief Judge Abdullah al-Amiri, the judge in Saddam Hussein's genocide trial, has been replaced
• Welsh Rugby Union appoints Roger Lewis as its new group chief executive.
• Online Royal Mail postage service launched
• Britons in Bangkok are warned to avoid large crowds by the UK Foreign Office
• Red Hot Chili Peppers lead nominations for MTV Europe Music Awards
• Microsoft to launch online video-sharing service to compete with YouTube and Google Video.
• Toshiba recalls 340,000 laptop batteries
• 2 agents claim they made illegal payments to secure transfer deals with a football manager.
• FA to investigate “bung” allegations made by BBC’s Panorama
• Leading jump jockey Mick Fitzgerald will retire at the end of the season.

19 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which animals have been found killed in Australia in apparent “revenge” attacks?
• Stingrays
• 2. Which team did Chelsea beat 2-0 in their opening match in the group stages of the Champions’ League?
• Werder Bremen
• 3. Which government minister attacked Guantanamo Bay, denouncing it as a "shocking affront to the principles of democracy"?
• Lord Falconer
• 4. Who said recently “Michael is the most unsporting driver with the largest number of sanctions in the history of Formula One”?
• Fernando Alonso
• 5. “The List:” Which three singers made the last show of “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?”?
• Siobhan Dillon, Helena Blackman and Connie Fisher

Topic of the Day: Midsomer Murders

• 6. Who writes the books upon which the “Midsomer Murders” TV series is based?
• Caroline Graham
• 7. What instrument is used to produce the distinctive theme music for the show?
• Theremin
• 8. What is the name of Tom Barnaby’s wife played by Jane Wymark?
• Joyce
• 9. What was the title of the pilot episode broadcast in 1997?
• The Killings at Badger's Drift
• 10. Gavin Troy was Barnaby’s sidekick for the earlier series but who is his current DS, played by John Hopkins?
• Ben Jones

18

• Luton Town manager Mike Newell names a football agent he claims offered him a bung.
• Explosion outside Somalia's interim parliament kills 11 people
• Protesters storm Hungarian state TV
• Typhoon Shanshan killed 9 people in Japan
• Furore continues over the Pope’s attack on Islam
• Sir Menzies Campbell urges the Lib Dems to put "substance over symbolism"
• MFI to sell retail arm
• Channel 4 cleared by Ofcom of neglecting the welfare of contestants on Big Brother.
• YouTube agrees a deal with Warner Music
• Chris Tarrant confirms he and his wife Ingrid are to split up.
• Airline Virgin Atlantic is to make travellers remove batteries from all Dell and Apple laptops.
• Bryan Robson leaves job as West Bromwich Albion manager

18 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which drugs company has paid a record $3.1bn to US government in tax disagreement?
• GlaxoSmithKline
• 2. Which team did Barcelona beat 5-0 in their opening group game of the Champions League?
• Levski Sofia
• 3. Who is the artistic director of the National Theatre?
• Nicholas Hytner
• 4. Where are England currently ranked in the FIFA ratings?
• 4th
• 5. “The List:” Which two teams competed in the men’s hockey World Cup final?
• Australia and Germany

Topic of the Day: The House of Eliot

• 6. Which two actresses starred in the TV series “The House of Eliot”?
• Stella Gonet and Louise Lombard
• 7. What were the Christian names of the Eliot sisiters?
• Beatrice and Evangeline
• 8. Which former “Upstairs, Downstairs” actresses devised the series?
• Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins
• 9. The series stopped after 3 seasons and how many episodes?
• 34
• 10. Who played Peter Lo Ching in 3 episodes of the series?
• Burt Kwouk

17

• Pope Benedict XVI apologises in person for causing offence to Muslims
• Iranian president Ahmedinejad welcomed to Venezuela
• China Open won by Marcos Baghdatis
• Premiership:
  • Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
  • Man Utd 0 - 1 Arsenal
  • Blackburn 4 -2 Man City
  • Tottenham 0 - 0 Fulham
  • West Ham 0 - 2 Newcastle
• Space shuttle undocks from the International Space Station
• World Match Play Final: Casey beats Micheel
• Fed Cup final: Italy beat Belgium 3-2
• Australian Moto GP - Hayden on pole, Rossi closes to gap with a third place
• UK Charts:
  • Singles:
    • 1. Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin'
    • 2. Justin Timberlake - Sexyback
    • 3. Fergie - London Bridge
    • 4. Nelly Furtado Ft Timbaland - Promiscuous
    • 5. Killers - When You Were Young
  • Albums:
    • 1.Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/lovesounds
    • 2.Fratellis - Costello Music
    • 3.Lemar - The Truth About Love
    • 4.Snow Patrol -Eyes Open
    • 5.Kasabian - Empire

17 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who said of Trevor Philips “He's gone so far over to the other side that I expect soon he'll be joining the BNP”?
• Ken Livingstone
• 2. Which British athlete is facing a UK Athletics disciplinary hearing over missing out of competition tests?
• Christine Ohuruogu
• 3. What is the name of the ship that sank north-west of Madagascar with 76 people on board?
• Ali Mubarak
• 4. Who has been named as captain England in defence of the Ashes?
• Andrew Flintoff
• 5. “The List:” With the recent death of Raymond Baxter name the final three presenters of “Tomorrow’s World”?
• Adam Hart-Davis, Kate Humble and Roger Black

Topic of the Day: Wesley Snipes

• 6. Name the trilogy in which Wesley has appeared?
• Blade
• 7. Wesley is well known for appearing in which 1987 Michael Jackson video?
• Bad
• 8. Which character does he play in Mario Van Peebles’ “New Jack City”?
• Nino Brown
• 9. Wesley Snipes was born in Florida but in which borough of New York did he grow up?
• Bronx
• 10. What is the name of his production company, a subsidiary of Amen Ra Films?
• Black Dot Media

16

• Pope Benedict XVI apologiese for any offence to Muslim faith
• India and Pakistan resume talks to tackle terrorism
• Latest Hurricane to hit Mexico – Lane
• Burma is placed on the formal agenda of the UN Security Council
• Sweden prepares for parliamentary election
• Liberal Democrats prepeare for conference in Brighton – 1st for new leader Sir Menzies Campbell
• G7 to meet in Singapore
• Premiership: Portsmouth top the division
• Jonathan Ross apologises after Rupert Everett swears on his radio show.
• Owen Hargreaves has a suspected broken leg
• Fed Cup final: Italy v Belgium
• World Match Play semi-finals: Casey beat Montgomerie 6&5, Micheel beats Karlsson 2 up
• Nicky Hayden fastest in qualifying for Australian MotoGP

16 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which director of a new film version of Mozart's “The Magic Flute” admiited that he knew little about opera?
• Kenneth Branagh
• 2. In the first round of the US Open Roger Federer beat Wang Yeu-Tzuoo Wang. What nationality is, would be panda, Wang Wang?
• Taiwanese
• 3. Andre Agassi has retired from tennis, how many times did he win the Australian Open?
• 4
• 4. Which supermarket said that it is to sell more than 500 of its own-brand goods in compostable packs instead of plastic packaging?
• Sainsbury's
• 5. “The List:” Name the 4 golfers remaining in the World Matchplay Championship?
• Montgomerie, Casey, Micheel, and Karlsson

Topic of the Day: Joseph Conrad

• 6. What nationality was Joseph Conrad at birth?
• Polish
• 7. Complete this title of a Conrad novel “The Arrow of …”?
• Gold
• 8. Which of his novels is set in “Costaguana” a fictional Republic in South America?
• Nostromo
• 9. What is the name of the boat at the centre of the action in “Lord Jim”?
• Patna
• 10. Conrad collaborated with which other writer on “Romance” and “The Inheritors”?
• Ford Madox Ford

15

• Vatican says the Pope did not intend to offend Muslims
• Raymond Baxter dies aged 84.
• British man says he was "not serious" about suggestion to blow up MPs in the House of Commons
• 1st NHS strike for 18 years set for next Thursday
• World Health Organization endorses DDT spraying for malaria control.
• Disturbances in Abidjan over toxic waste scandal
• Harriet Harman confirms she would stand for the position of deputy Labour leader
• Japan's top court rejects a final appeal of doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara
• Robbie Williams calls off 6 Asian concerts because of exhaustion.
• Christine Ohuruogu receives 1-year ban for missing 3 out-of-competition tests
• Valentino Rossi questions the ability of Dani Pedrosa
• Shane Warne says the role of coach John Buchanan is unnecessary
• Nelson Piquet Jr will make his debut for the Renault team at Silverstone
• Sebastian Coe appointed as 1st chairman of FIFA’s ethics commission.
• Nannina confirmed as winner of Royal Ascot Coronation Stakes after 2nd sample proves negative
• Junior Witter outpoints DeMarcus Corley to take vacant WBC light welterweight title

15 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. President Bush acknowledged the existence of secret CIA what?
• Prisons
• 2. Which Russian knocked Rafael Nadal out of the US Open?
• Mikhail Youzhny
• 3. Which ex-Junior Minister did Tony Blair say was “disloyal, discourteous and wrong”?
• Tom Watson
• 4. Which Premiership club have received the go-ahead from the city council to build a new 60,000 all-seater stadium?
• Liverpool
• 5. “The List:” Which two building societies have announced that they intend to merge?
• Nationwide and Portman

Topic of the Day: Britney Spears

• 6. Britney Spears has given birth in LA to a second son, what is the name of the first?
• Sean Preston
• 7. In which year was Britney born in Kentwood, Louisiana?
• 1981
• 8. What was the title of her first number one in the UK in 1999?
• “Baby One More Time”
• 9. What is Britney’s middle name?
• Jean
• 10. What was the title of the 2002 film the Britney appeared in as Lucy?
• Crossroads

14

• Jimmy Carter criticises Tony Blair's subservient relationship to the White House
• Canadian police name the gunman who shot students at a Montreal college
• Ford to offer redundancy and early retirement to 75,000 US staff
• Muslim religious leaders accuse Pope Benedict XVI of anti-Islamic remarks
• Amnesty International accuses Hezbollah of war crimes
• UEFA Cup:
  • West Ham 0-1 Palermo
  • Slavia Prague 0-1 Tottenham
  • Molde 0-0 Rangers
  • SV Salzburg 2-2 Blackburn
  • Hearts 0-2 Sparta Prague
  • Levadia Tallinn 0-1 Newcastle
• Bombay Stock Exchange rise above 12,000
• Aviva, announces plans to cut 4,000 jobs at Norwich Union business by 2008
• World Match Play Championship at Wentworth – 1st round - Woods, Furyk and Els all out
• UN nuclear watchdog protests to the US over report on Iran's nuclear programme
• Lance Armstrong defends reputation in the wake of more doping claims by 2 former team-mates

14 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. On which date in 2007 did the Sun say Tony Blair would resign?
• 31st May
• 2. Who scored the England goal against Macedonia in the Euro 2008 qualifier?
• Peter Crouch
• 3. Whose latest film “Inland Empire” was premiered at the Venice festival and includes hallucinatory scenes and a talking rabbit voiced by Naomi Watts?
• David Lynch
• 4. Who was cleared of doping allegations after her “B” sample tested negative?
• Marion Jones
• 5. “The List:” In the Ashes test squad, which three players have the most test matches played?
• Trescothick - 76, Flintoff – 62, and Hoggard - 58

Topic of the Day: Apples

• 6. The apple is a member of which family?
• Rosaceae (Rose)
• 7. In which mythology did Idunna guard the golden apples?
• Norse
• 8. Natives of which state are called “apple islanders”?
• Tasmania
• 9. Who did Paris award the “apple of discord” that started the Trojan War?
• Aphrodite
• 10. Who were the 2 founders of Apple Computers?
• Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs

13

• Chris Langham charged with eight counts of indecent assault
• Restrictions on aircraft hand luggage expected to be eased soon
• Gunman shot dead after injuring 20 people at college in Montreal.
• Hillary Clinton wins New York primary race and will stand for re-election
• A public service for naturalist Steve Irwin will be held at his zoo next week
• Brazil and India sign multi-million dollar trade deals
• Champions League:
  • Man Utd 3-2 Celtic
  • Hamburg 1-2 Arsenal
  • AC Milan 3-0 AEK Athens
  • Anderlecht 1-1 Lille
  • Dynamo Kiev 1-4 Steaua Bucuresti
  • FC Copenhagen 0-0 Benfica
  • FC Porto 0-0 CSKA Moscow
  • Hamburg 1-2 Arsenal
  • Lyon 2-0 Real Madrid
• Education Secretary Alan Johnson urges Labour to end rows over leadership
• Cabinet Secretary apologises Tony Blair pre-empts release of official unemployment figures.
• National Theatre says it wants to stage performances on Sundays
• Britney Spears gives birth in LA to second child
• Swiss home of Jan Ullrich raided as part of a fraud investigation

13 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who has returned for a new series as “Supernanny”?
• Jo Frost
• 2. Which team beat World Champions Italy 3-1 in their Group B Euro 2008 qualifier?
• France
• 3. At which prison did Ian Huntley attempt suicide?
• Wakefeld
• 4. Who recovered from two sets down to beat Tommy Haas in the US Open quarter-finals?
• Nikolay Davydenko
• 5. “The List:” Excluding the current one, give the last three “real names” of the Pope.
• Karol Wojtyła, Albino Luciani, and Giovanni Montini

Topic of the Day:

• 6. How old is Benedict XVI?
• 79
• 7. The Pope is currently visiting which part German state?
• Bavaria
• 8. What is the name of his elder brother, whom he met on his trip?
• Georg
• 9. What is the Pope’s real name?
• Joseph Ratzinger
• 10. How many previous German popes have there been?
• 8

12

• Attempted bomb attack on US embassy in Damascus
• Knife used to kill special constable Nisha Patel-Nasri is found
• Bodies of the 14 servicemen killed in Nimrod crash in Afghanistan arrive at Kinloss
• Space shuttle crew begin spacewalk
• Peter Hain says he will stand for the job as deputy leader of the Labour party
• Network Rail and Amey fined for Swansea to London express derailment in 2002
• BBC has won the rights to screen daily televised highlights of the Ashes
• Champions’ League:
  • Barcelona 5-0 Levski Sofia
  • Bayern Munich 4-0 Spartak Moscow
  • Galatasaray 0-0 Bordeaux
  • Olympiacos 2-4 Valencia
  • PSV 0-0 Liverpool
  • Roma 4-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
  • Sporting Lisbon 1-0 Inter Milan
• M42 hard shoulder to be opened to drivers to alleviate congestion
• George Bush urges Americans to unite behind the "war on terror"
• Nationwide and Portman to merge
• Health experts investigate surge in number of reported cases of Legionnaires' disease
• Dead stingrays with their tails cut off are found in Australia
• Harlequins' England centre Stuart Abbott banned for 3 weeks for dangerous tackle
• Ricky Ponting fined match fee for showing dissent during win over West Indies in Kuala Lumpur

12 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Levels of what are substantially higher now than at any time in the last 800,000 years, according to a recent study of ice drilled out of Antarctica?
• Carbon dioxide
• 2. Who has been named as new British Olympic Association director of elite performance?
• Sir Clive Woodward
• 3. Who is to guest star as William Shakespeare in the new series of Dr Who?
• Dean Lennox Kelly
• 4. Which All Blacks legend said that England "need a miracle" if they are to retain the Rugby World Cup next year?
• Zinzan Brooke
• 5. “The List:” Name the three people that Roger Federer has beaten to win the US Open singles title?
• Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt

Topic of the Day:

• 6. The film is based on a novel by which author?
• William Makepeace Thackery
• 7. Which actress played Barry’s mother in the film?
• Marisa Berenson
• 8. Who provided the original music for the film?
• Leonard Rosenman
• 9. What is the name of Kubrick’s daughter who appeared in the film?
• Vivian Vanessa Kubrick
• 10. Who is the narrator of the film Barry Lyndon?
• Michael Hordern

11

• Christine Ohuruogu faces a UK Athletics disciplinary hearing
• Hurricane Florence approaches Bermuda
• Tony Blair holds talks in Lebanon
• Space Shuttle docks with space station
• Andrew Flintoff to captain England in defence of the Ashes
• Glaxo pays record $3.1bn to US government in tax disagreement
• Commemorations of the 5th anniversary of 9/11 attacks - Bush lays a wreath at Ground Zero
• Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas announces deal on ruling with Hamas
• 43 people rescued in Indian Ocean after ship carrying 76 sinks near Madagascar
• "Godfather of soul" James Brown added to line-up for the BBC Electric Proms
• England lose 4-3 to Holland ending hopes of reaching Hockey World Cup semi-finals
• Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit his birthplace as part of his six-day trip to Bavaria

11 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who is the Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary that has formally announced his candidacy to succeed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi?
• Shinzo Abe
• 2. Who scored twice as Scotland beat the Faroe Island 6-0 in their Euro 2008 qualifying match?
• Kris Boyd
• 3. HD-DVD and Blu-Ray go head-to-head this year with expected capacities of 30 and 50 Gb. Which has the greater capacity?
• Blu-Ray
• 4. Who knocked Any Murray out of the US Open?
• Davydenko
• 5. “The List:” Name the 7 goalscorers in Germany’s rout of San Marino?
• Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Klose, Ballack, Hitzlsperger, Friedrich, Schneider

Topic of the Day: Michael Schumacher

• 6. When Schumacher won Monza in September 2006 what number F1 victory was it for him?
• 90th
• 7. How many times has he been World Champion?
• 7
• 8. In 1997 he was stripped of second in championship for driving into which other driver?
• Jacques Villeneuve
• 9. In which year was he born in Hürth Hermülheim, Germany?
• 1969
• 10. With which team did he win his first race in 1992?
• Benetton

10

• US Open Men’s Final: Roger Federer v Andy Roddick
• F1 Grand Prix at Monza - Michael Schumacher wins narrowing Alonso's lead to 2 points
• Private funeral held for Steve Irwin
• Lucinda Fredericks wins Burghley Horse Trials
• UK Charts:
  • Singles:
    • 1. Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin'
    • 2. Justin Timberlake - Sexyback
    • 3. Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland - Promiscuous
    • 4. Robbie Williams - Rudebox
    • 5. Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't Lie
  • Albums:
    • 1.Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
    • 2.Kasabian - Empire
    • 3.Beyonce - B'day
    • 4.The Feeling - Twelve Stops And Home
    • 5.Bob Dylan - Modern Times
• In Taiwan protests against President continue
• Four French tourists are seized by Yemeni tribesmen
• England beat Pakistan to draw the one-day series 2-2
• Bradley Dredge records an 8-shot victory in the European Masters in Switzerland
• 7x World Champion Michael Schumacher to retire at the end of the season - Kimi Raikkonen will replace him

10 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who is the SNP leader that has called for the PM to have a "head to head" debate on the future of Scotland?
• Alex Salmond
• 2. Who said he had totally lost respect for Ian Woosmnam as he was left out of Europe's Ryder Cup team?
• Thomas Bjorn
• 3. Who stars as the Queen in the new film “The Queen”?
• Helen Mirren
• 4. Who recorded a 5th straight PGA Tour tournament at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston?
• Tiger Woods
• 5. “The List:” England are currently ranked fifth favourites to retain their World Rugby Union title, which 4 teams are ahead of them?
• France, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand

Topic of the Day: Last Night of the Proms

• 6. Who was the conductor of the Last Night of the Proms?
• Mark Elder
• 7. The Last Night of the Proms had a “Russian flavour” in honour of which great composer’s centenary?
• Shotakovich
• 8. Who wrote the opera Nero performed at the Last Night of the Proms?
• Anton Rubinstein
• 9. Which Russian baritone was one of the main soloists?
• Dmitri Hvorostovsky
• 10. The piece “Vivo” was written by which composer that finished Mahler’s 10th Symphony?
• Colin Matthews

09

• Protests in Taiwan call for resignation of President Chen Shui-bian
• Russian gold mine death toll now 21
• US Open Women’s Final: Maria Sharapova beats Justine Henin-Hardenne
• US Open Men’s Semi-Finals:
  • Roger Federer beat Nikolay Davydenko
  • Andy Roddick beat Mikhail Youzhny
• Kimmi Raikkonen takes pole from Schumacher for Monza GP
• Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says he is ready to begin talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas
• Frankie Dettori claims 4th St Leger win on Sixties Icon
• Bavaria World Darts Trophy:
  • Phil Taylor beats Ronnie Baxter 6-0
  • Martin Adams beat Michael van Gerwen 6-4
• Space shuttle takes off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida
• Everton 3-0 Liverpool
• Trade union leaders speak out against proposed NHS reforms
• Indonesia's Chris John retains WBA featherweight title with unanimous decision over Renan Acosta

09 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which group, that have the current single “House Party at Boothy’s” share their name with a Jodie Foster film?
• Little Man Tate
• 2. Chelsea say they sold which player because he threatened to score an own goal if he was selected for their first game of the season?
• William Gallas
• 3. Which retailer is to open electrical departments at 13 stores, selling everything from televisions to digital music players?
• Marks & Spencer
• 4. Which team beat Argentina 3-0 in a friendly at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium?
• Brazil
• 5. “The List:” Name the 4 men taking part in the US Open semi-finals today?
• Roger Federer, Nikolay Davydenko, Andy Roddick and Mikhail Youzhny

Topic of the Day: Crime Fiction

• 6. “Dead Souls” and “Set in Darkness” are novels featuring which detective inspector?
• Rebus
• 7. Who wrote the Aurelio Zen mysteries, usually set in Italy, that started with the 1988 novel “Ratking”?
• Michael Dibdin
• 8. What is the first name of Ruth Rendell’s Inspector Wexford?
• Reginald (accept “Rex”)
• 9. Which detective first appeared in “The Big Sleep” in 1939?
• Philip Marlowe
• 10. Elijah Baley is a fictional character in which science fiction series of books?
• Robot series (by Asimov)

08

• NFL Season starts
• ODI, Trent Bridge: England 237-2 (46.2 overs) v Pakistan 235-8
• Wolfgang Priklopil buried at a secret location under a flase name
• US Senate says there is no evidence linking Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda
• Charles Clarke accuses Gordon Brown of "stupid" behaviour during the Blair furore
• Siberian gold mine fire kills 12 people
• Chilean court clears the way for ex-military ruler Gen Pinochet to be charged over rights abuses
• Danish newspaper, Information, prints cartoons depicting the Holocaust commissioned by Iran.
• Australian motor racing great Peter Brock is killed in a rallying accident in Western Australia.
• Indonesia urges the US to provide access to terror suspect Hambali
• Liverpool get the go-ahead to build a new stadium in Stanley Park
• US Open semi-finals:
  • Amelie Mauresmo v Maria Sharapova
  • Justine Henin-Hardenne v Jelena Jankovic
• Stolen Robin Hood tapes recovered
• Trevor Phillips, is to become the first chair of The Commission for Equalities and Human Rights.
• Sainsbury's is to sell more than 500 own-brand goods in compostable packs
• Girl born in Peru with fused legs, has a successful 2nd operation
• Women's Rugby World Cup - England v France
• Siberian gold mine fire kills 12 people
• First day of practice for Monza GP
• NFL Season starts
• German prosecutors allege former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich has drugs since 2003

08 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which Hurricane has struck Mexico's Baja California peninsula?
• John
• 2. Who is the current Welsh football team manager?
• John Toshack
• 3. Where does the underwear go according to Lazy B’s latest single relaes?
• Inside the pants (“Underwear Goes Inside the Pants”)
• 4. Which group have the number 4 album with “A Matter Of Life And Death”?
• Iron Maiden
• 5. “The List:” England have lost their last 5 Rugby Union internationals, name the 4 teams that inflicted these defeats?
• Australia (twice), Ireland, France and Scotland

Topic of the Day: Arctic Monkeys

• 6. For which album did the Arctic Monkey’s win the 2006 Mercury Music Prize?
• Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
• 7. Who is the lead singer with the group?
• Alex Turner
• 8. From which Yorkshire city do the group come?
• Sheffield
• 9. During their acceptance speech, Alex Turner said “Someone call 999 - xxxx has been robbed”. Who?
• Richard Hawley
• 10. What was the title of their first EP?
• Five Minutes With the Arctic Monkeys

07

• MoD names two British casualties in Afghanistan as Mark Wright and Paul Muirhead
• Tony Blair has confirmed that he will step down within a year
• al-Jazeera broadcasts footage of Osama Bin Laden meeting some of the 9/11 hijackers
• Npower announces third price rise this year
• Michael Jackson ordered to pay $60,000 in legal fees to ex-wife Debbie Rowe
• Thousands attend funeral of beheaded Sudanese newspaper editor Mohammed Taha
• Israel relaxes the blockade of Lebanon
• Flavio Briatore says he will take a back seat in the running of Renault in 2008
• UK athletics chief Dave Collins backtracks on role of Linford Christie in mentoring young athletes
• National Liberation Forces (FNL) sign a treaty with Burundi’s government
• Red Cross announces plans to visit Guantanamo
• Nigeria's President Obasanjo alleges fraud against his Vice-President Atiku Abubakar
• US hands over control of navy, air force and armed forces to Iraq
• BP attend Congressional hearings over their neglect of pipelines in Alaska
• Marion Jones cleared of doping allegations after 'B' sample tests negative.

07 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. What is the title of Justin Timberlake’s new number one record?
• Sexyback
• 2. Where in the Czech Republic did Wales lose their Euro 2008 qualifier 2-1?
• Teplice
• 3. Which Director has accused the Hollywood film industry of promoting the idea of the US at war?
• Oliver Stone
• 4. Which team did Scotland beat 6-0 in a European qualifier recently?
• Faroe Islands
• 5. “The List:” Which four players are in the squad to face the Ukraine in the GB’s next Davies Cup match?
• Jamie Baker, Alan Mackin, Andy Murray and veteran Greg Rusedski

Topic of the Day: Steve Irwin

• 6. Off the coast of which state was he killed?
• Queensland
• 7. Who said that the country had lost a “wonderful and colourful son”?
• John Howard
• 8. Which animal caused Irwin’s death?
• Stingray
• 9. Which programme first broadcast in 1992 was picked up by the Discovery channel and made him an international celebrity?
• Crocodile Hunter
• 10. What is the name of the zoo in Beerwah, Queensland which he ran with his wife Terri?
• Australia Zoo

06

• Omagh bombing trial is adjourned
• Bob Irwin says his son would not have wanted a state funeral
• Space shuttle faces further delays
• Renault name Kovalainen as replacement for Alonso
• Felipe Calderon calls for unity in Mexico
• Bertelsmann has agreed to sell its BMG Music Publishing Group to Vivendi's Universal Music
• Davydenko knocks Murray out of US Open
• Sir Clive Woodward named as new British Olympic Association director of elite performance
• Beheaded body of newspaper editor who questioned parentage of Muhammad is found in Khartoum
• Euro Qualifiers:
  • Northern Ireland 3 – 2 Spain
  • Macedonia 0-1 England
  • Lithuania 1 –2 Scotland
• Natascha Kampusch held captive in a basement for eight years describes her dreams of freedom
• 7 government members quit over Tony Blair’s refusal to name an exit date
• President Bush admits the existence of secret CIA jails
• Defence firm BAE Systems agrees to sell its 20% stake in Airbus to EADS for £1.87bn.
• World Squash Open: David Palmer beats Gregory Gaultier in 5 sets
• David Lynch accepts lifetime achievement award at the Venice festival.
• Surrey wins County Championship Division Two title
• Davydenko knocks Murray out of US Open
• Sir Clive Woodward named as new British Olympic Association director of elite performance
• Beheaded body of newspaper editor who questioned parentage of Muhammad is found in Khartoum

06 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. 137 women among which country’s delegation to an Aids conference in Canada are applying for refugee status?
• South Africa
• 2. Which uncapped Durham player was brought in to replace Darren Gough who will miss the remainder of the one-day series with Pakistan because of a shin injury?
• Graham Onions
• 3. Which group “Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” in the UK Cahrts?
• Scissor Sisters
• 4. Yorick Williams plays which sport for Britain?
• Basketball
• 5. “The List:” Which three athletes made it six Golden League wins out of six in Berlin on Sunday to earn a cash bonus of $250,000 each?
• Asafa Powell, Jeremy Wariner and Sanya Richards

Topic of the Day: Gabon

• 6. Which three colours are on the Gabon flag?
• Green, Yellow and Blue
• 7. What is the capital of Gabon?
• Libreville
• 8. Which is the principal river of Gabon?
• Ogoué (or Ogowe)
• 9. Which port in Western Gabon is the country’s second largest city?
• Port-Gentil
• 10. At 1,032 m what is the highest point in Gabon?
• Mont Bengoué

05

• Hilary Armstrong says Tony Blair will be gone within the year
• Ian Huntley attempts suicide
• President George W Bush has compared Osama Bin Laden to Lenin and Hitler
• Felipe Calderon has been formally declared Mexico's president-elect
• Panorama presents new evidence in the Jill Dando murder case
• BA says terror alert cost it £40m
• Brazil 2-0 Wales in friendly at White Hart Lane
• US Open: Murray trails 2-1 in sets to Davydenko as rain stops play
• Pakistan v England – 1-Day international at Rosebowl
• Intel says it will lose 10% of jobs by middle of 2007
• MySpace to allow unsigned bands to sell their music as downloads
• Thomas Bjorn fined by European Tour for criticism of Ian Woosnam
• Kieren Fallon will not be allowed to race in the Breeders' Cup
• Gregory Gaultier and David Palmer will meet in the World Open Squash final
• Burundi VP Alice Nzomukunda resigns over corruption in the country
• Ford announces Alan Mulally will replace Bill Ford as chief executive

05 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Arsenal have paid Sao Paulo £3.4m for which 18-year-old midfielder?
• Denilson
• 2. 560 tickets for whose Hampden Park shows were stolen recently?
• Robbie Williams
• 3. Who knocked Tim Henman out of his 2nd consecutive Grad Slam tournament?
• Roger Federer
• 4. What is the title of the latest Arctic Monkey’s single?
• Leave Before the Light Come On
• 5. “The List:” Name the England scorers during the Andorra qualifying match.
• Crouch (2), Gerrard and Defoe (2)

Topic of the Day: Charlie Williams

• 6. What was Williams’s 3 word catchphrase?
• Me old flower
• 7. For which professional football team did he play nearly 200 games?
• Doncaster Rovers
• 8. Which Granada show was his big TV break?
• The Comedians
• 9. Where in Yorkshire was he born in 1928?
• Barnsley
• 10. On which show did he replace Norman Vaughn as host?
• The Golden Shot

04

• New British Gas prices come in to force today
• Gunman opens fire on a group of tourists in Amman, killing a British man
• NHS makes deal with German company to privatise supply of hospital goods and equipment
• Thomas Bjorn criticises Ian Woosnam for leaving him out of Europe's Ryder Cup team
• Sri Lankan troops take control of Trincomalee held by the Tamil Tiger rebels
• Steve Irwin the “crocodile hunter” killed by a stingray aged 44
• New system of fingerprint evidence introduced in to Scotland’s courts
• Former Top Of The Pops presenter Reggie Yates to appear in new series of Doctor Who
• James Lloyd the “Dearne Valley Shoe Rapist” jailed for life
• Chelsea say William Gallas threatened to score an own goal if he wasn’t released
• Pete Doherty has sentencing on drugs charges deferred until later in the year
• Virgin Active to buy UK gym firm Holmes Place
• Airbus A380 super-jumbo lands back in Toulouse, after 1st test flight with passengers.
• John Lloyd names GB Davis Cup team to face Ukraine
• Survey shows CO2 levels higher now than at anytime in the last 800,000 years
• Tiger Woods wins 5th straight PGA Tour tournament - Deutsche Bank Championship
• Toshiba and Sony confirm launch dates for HD-DVD and Blu-ray

04 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which 3-time Olympic javelin champion will retire at the end of the season?
• Jan Zelezny
• 2. Which supermarket is launching a new home shopping service for a range of 8,000 non-food items?
• Tesco (as Tesco Direct)
• 3. Amazon has begun accepting orders for Windows Vista, what is the price of Windows Vista Home Basic?
• $199 (£106)
• 4. The first one-day international between England and Pakistan in Cardiff was abandoned because of rain, how many runs had England managed before being bowled out
• 202
• 5. “The List:” The surviving members of the Beatles are to sue which two music companies claiming that they used fraudulent schemes to “pocket millions of dollars”?
• EMI and Capitol Records

Topic of the Day: Robert Harris Novels

• 6. Which of his books, later turned in to a film, tells of the work of the code breakers at Bletchley Park?
• Enigma
• 7. Which of his books deals with Ancient Rome and a natural disaster?
• Pompeii
• 8. Robert Harris’s wife Gill is the sister of which other successful author?
• Nick Hornby
• 9. Which real-life political character is at the centre of his book “Archangel”?
• Stalin
• 10. With which broadcaster did he write “A Higher Form of Killing: The Secret History of Chemical and Biological Warfare”
• Jeremy Paxman

03

• BBC Proms concert cancelled after a fire at the Royal Albert Hall
• Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood chosen as wildcard picks
• Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 in a friendly at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
• Marks & Spencer is to open electrical departments at 13 stores
• UK Charts:
  • Singles:
    • 1. Justin Timberlake – Sexyback
    • 2. Shakira ft Wyclef Jean – Hips Don’t Lie
    • 3. Beyonce and Jay-Z - Déjà vu
    • 4. Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin'
    • 5. Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger
  • Albums:
    • 1. Kasabian - Empire
    • 2. Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
    • 3. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
    • 4. Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death
    • 5. Christina Aguilera - Back To Basics
• Iraqi authorities announce arrest of Hamad Jama al-Saedi 2nd-in-command of al-Qaeda in Iraq
• UN chief Kofi Annan ends his trip to Iran
• Number of illegal immigrants from Africa to Canary islands passes 1,000 mark (for the weekend)
• Graham Onions brought in to replace injured Gough
• Over 200 Taleban rebels killed in major offensive by Afghan and Nato forces
• UN Office on Drugs and Crime predicts a massive increase in opium production
• Tommy Sheridan launches a new political party in Scotland
• Ryder Cup team:
  • David Howell, Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Colin Montgomerie, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Jose Maria Olazabal, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood
• Nicole Cooke crowned World Cup champion
• Charlie Williams dies aged 78
• Sebastien Loeb wins Rally of Japan

03 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Recently the Emmys attracted criticism over its nomination procedures in the light of revelations that which actress had been shortlisted for a performance that lasted just 15 seconds?
• Ellen Burstyn
• 2. Who is the NASA administrator that delayed the launch of Atalantis because of bad weather systems in the Atlantic?
• Mike Griffin
• 3. Who presented winner Felipe Massa with his trophy after the Turkish Gran Prix?
• Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat
• 4. At the Qingdao International Regatta which Briton dominated the Finn class and ended with nine wins in 11 races?
• Ben Ainslie
• 5. “The List:” Which 12 teams are taking part in the Women’s Rugby Union World Cup?
• New Zealand, England, France, Canada, Scotland, USA, Australia, Spain, Kazakhstan, Ireland, South Africa, Samoa

Topic of the Day: Currency

• 6. Prior to the Euro what currency was used in Portugal?
• Escudo
• 7. Which country uses the Convertible Mark, made up of Fenning?
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• 8. Often just called the Yuan what is the more correct name for the Chinese currency?
• Renminbi yuan
• 9. Whih 2 countries use the Som as a currency?
• Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
• 10. What is the minor currency of Bhutan?
• Chetrum

02

• Nigeria's Samuel Peter gets split decision over James Toney in WBC heavyweight title eliminator
• Mexican MP’s protesting electoral fraud stop outgoing President Fox making a key speech
• Shinzo Abe formally announces his bid for the Japanese Presidency.
• RICS says government's compulsory Home Information Packs likely to be delayed
• MTV Video Music Awards:
  • Video of the year: Panic! at the Disco – “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”
  • Best male video: James Blunt – “You're Beautiful”
  • Best female video: Kelly Clarkson – “Because of You”
  • Best group video: All-American Rejects – “Move Along”
  • Best rap video: Chamillionaire – “Ridin'”
  • Best R&B video: Beyonce with Slim Thug – “Check On It”
  • Best hip-hop video: Black Eyed Peas – “My Humps”
  • Best dance video: Pussycat Dolls with Snoop Dogg – “Buttons”
  • Best rock video: AFI – “Miss Murder”
  • Best pop video: Pink – “Stupid Girls”
  • Best new artist: Avenged Sevenfold – “Bat Country”
  • Viewers' choice: Fall Out Boy – “Dance Dance”
• Al-Qaeda urges non-Muslims - especially in the US - to convert to Islam
• US actress and comedian Ellen DeGeneres sustains minor injuries after a car crash in LA
• 1-day international, Lord's: Pakistan 169-3 (36.4 overs) bt England 166 (39.1 overs) by 7 wickets
• Persistent rain in New York wipes out play at Flushing Meadows
• Organisers of the Turkish GP summoned to appear before the sport's governing body
• At Bolton Arena Amir Khan beats Ryan Barrett inside 2 minutes.
• United States win bronze medal at the World Basketball Championship in Japan.
• Tri-Nations: South Africa 21-20 New Zealand
• Police arrest 14 people in an anti-terror raid on a London restaurant
• International Games:
  • Scotland 6-0 Faroe Islands
  • Czech Republic 2-1 Wales
  • Northern Ireland 0-3 Iceland
• RAF Nimrod MR2 crashes in Southern Afghanistan killing 12

02 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which director previewed his latest work “Inland Empire” during the Venice film festival and received a lifetime achievement award?
• David Lynch
• 2. Which singer postponed hip surgery to appear at the Emmy Awards show?
• Barry Manilow
• 3. Who are the current women’s World Rugby Union Champions?
• New Zealand
• 4. In which country are the World Basketball Championships taking place?
• Japan
• 5. “The List:” Which two Grands Prix have been dropped from the 2007 calendar?
• San Marino and European

Topic of the Day: US Open Tennis Championships

• 6. Which 2 British players met in the first round of this year’s US Open?
• Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski
• 7. In which state does the US Open take place?
• New York
• 8. The main court at the championships is named after which former champion?
• Arthur Ashe
• 9. Who is the current women’s champion?
• Kim Clijsters
• 10. Which man has the most consecutive US Open titles?
• Richard Sears (1881 – 1887)

01

• Ricky Hatton gives up the WBA welterweight title that he won from Luis Collazo
• Malawian musician-turned-politician Lucius Banda jailed for faking school qualifications
• Thousands prepare to ride out Hurricane John as it approaches north-west Mexico
• TV company is criticised for making a drama in which George W Bush is assassinated
• Indian women claim 5-wicket win at Taunton for a 1-0 Test series victory over England
• World Open Squash Championship in Egypt
• Oliver Stone accuses Hollywood of promoting the idea of America at war.
• West Ham are subject to rumours of a possible takeover.
• Sao Paulo say that Arsenal have paid £3.4m for midfielder Denilson.
• Arsenal and Real Madrid swap Jose Antonio Reyes and Julio Baptista
• World Basketball Championship semi-finals:
  • USA v Greece
  • Spain v Argentina
• Belgian cyclist Christophe Brandt brought out of coma by doctors
• Sir Trevor Nunn criticises “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?” as demeaning
• Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” and “Madonna” recovered 2 years after being stolen in Oslo
• Dame Kelly Holmes remembers Dave Arnold the coach who played a huge part in her success, who has died of cancer aged 72
• Rio Ferdinand will miss England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra
• US Open: Tim Henman loses to Roger Federer
• European Championship Basketball qualifying match - Slovakia 73-62 England
• Naseem Hamed is to be tagged and released 16 weeks into a 15-month sentence

01 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Rachel Weisz appears in “The Fountain” a time-hopping romance directed by her partner, who is he?
• Darren Aronofsky
• 2. Manchester City have banned their defender Ben Thatcher for six matches and fined him six weeks' wages for his challenge on which Portsmouth player?
• Pedro Mendes
• 3. Hackers have obtained the credit card details of almost 19,000 online shoppers from which telecoms giant?
• AT&T
• 4. In which year was the first Notting Hill Carnival held?
• 1959
• 5. “The List:” As the Venice film festival opens name the last 5 winners of the Golden Lion.
• 2005 - Brokeback Mountain, 2004 - Vera Drake, 2003 - The Return, 2002 - The Magdalene Sisters, and 2001 - Monsoon Wedding

Topic of the Day: Naguib Mahfouz

• 6. In which country was he born?
• Egypt
• 7. When did Naguib Mahfouz become the 2nd African writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature?
• 1988
• 8. How are “Palace Walk”, “Palace of Desire” and “Sugar Street” collectively known?
• The Cairo Trilogy
• 9. How old was Mahfouz when he died?
• 94
• 10. Which work originally published in 1959 recounts the history of the monotheistic Abrahamic religions?
• Children of Gebelawi

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