Quiz Diary - 2007-01

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31

• Police hand over Litvinenko file to the CPS
• UK on course to have second warmest January on record
• First bird flu death in Nigeria
• David Cameron tells Blair that it is in the "national interest" for him to quit now
• Indian firm Tata Steel will take over Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus
• Germany issues arrest warrants for 13 CIA agents suspected of kidnapping one of its citizens
• Plans to build a £400m power station in Newport have been given the “green light”
• Arsenal beat Tottenham 3-1 to reach the Carling Cup final
• West Ham sign Matthew Upson
• US interest rates held at 5.25%
• Police are questioning 9 men held over a plot to kidnap a Muslim member of the armed forces

31 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who won her 8th Grand Slam title and her 3rd Australian Open, when she beat Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-2?
• Serena Williams
• 2. Canada has apologised to which man deported by US authorities to Syria, where he was imprisoned and allegedly tortured?
• Maher Arar
• 3. Which team have received an approach about a possible takeover of the club from American tycoon George Gillett?
• Liverpool
• 4. 45 Jewish people in have led to Saada after receiving death threats from Muslim extremists in which country?
• Yemen
• 5. “The List:” Name the two Vietnemese players that have been jailed for taking part in max-fixing?
• Le Quoc Vuong (vice-captain) and Truong Tan Hai

Topic of the Day: Holby City

• 6. In what year was the programme first shown?
• 1999
• 7. Holby is a fictional town, it is situated in which fictional county?
• Wyvern
• 8. Which actress plays nurse Faye Morton in the series?
• Patsy Kensit
• 9. “Holby City” is a spin-off from “Casualty” but which future series, that will focus on the police service, is a spin-off from Holby?
• Holby Blue
• 10. Which character is played by Robert Powell?
• Mark Williams

30

• Archaeologists say they have found an ancient settlement used by builders of built Stonehenge
• 40 people have been killed in a wave of attacks across Iraq at the climax of Ashura
• Bill Gates says Vista is “more secure than any other operating system released”
• AC Milan complete signing of Ronaldo
• England's lose by 58 runs to New Zealand in Perth.
• China's President Hu starts his tour of Africa in Cameroon
• Journalists at the BBC consider strike action
• Premiership:
  • Reading 3-2 Wigan
  • Sheff Utd 2-0 Fulham
  • West Ham 1-2 Liverpool
  • Portsmouth 0-0 Middlesbrough
• Fernando Alonso is a second quicker than Kimi Raikkonen in the 1st of a 3-day test in Valencia.
• Perjury trial of Greek sprint stars Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou is postponed
• 3 former ministers of King Gyanendra have been arrested
• Main camera on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has shut down
• Police to reunite for Grammy gig
• Manchester has been chosen as the surprise location of Britain's first Las Vegas-style super-casino

30 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which Scottish rock band have debuted at the top of the album charts with “Hats Off To The Buskers”?
• The View
• 2. Which British mixed doubles pair beat world number one duo Lilyana Natsir and Nova Widianto at the Korean Open in Seoul?
• Suzanne Rayappan and David Lindley
• 3. In light of recent events which publisher decided it wouldn't be appropriate to proceed with the paperback publication of “Jade: My Autobiography”?
• , HarperCollins
• 4. 7 Vietnam footballers have gone to trial accused of taking bribes from bookmakers to ensure they won a semi-final match against which team by 1-0?
• Burma
• 5. “The List:” Jo O'Meara has been in the news recently, being accused of being a racist, but can you name the other 6 members of S-Club 7?
• Tina Barrett, Paul Cattermole, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, and Rachel Stevens

Topic of the Day: Bill Hicks

• 6. What was Hick’s middle name?
• Melvin
• 7. In which US state was comedian Bill Hicks born in 1961?
• Georgia
• 8. His own performances he described as “<WHO> with dick jokes”?
• Noam Chomsky
• 9. In which year did Bill Hicks die?
• 1994
• 10. According to the title of his album, in which key was his “rant”?
• E-minor (“Rant in E-Minor”)

29

• No exemption from anti-discrimination laws given to Catholic adoption agencies
• Former soldier, David Bradley, admits the manslaughter of four members of his family
• Fatah and Hamas agree ceasefire
• Liberian court reinstates speaker – saying sacking was "unconstitutional"
• US child molester gets 152 years sentence
• Daniel Craig attends Beijing premiere of Casino Royale
• FA Cup Draw:
  • Chelsea v Blackpool or Norwich
  • Watford v Ipswich
  • Preston v Man City
  • Plymouth v Derby County
  • Man Utd v Reading
  • Arsenal or Bolton v Blackburn
  • Bristol City or Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion
  • Fulham v Tottenham
• TGWU calls off BA strike action
• Moscow bans 'satanic' gay parade
• Scientists say that glaciers are melting much quicker than predicted
• Former Conservative Cabinet minister Paul Channon dies aged 71
• Suicide bomber kills 3 in the southern Israeli resort of Eilat
• Prostitute, Patricia Tierney, has case against Sun for libel thrown out

29 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who took 4-45 in Australia’s 9 wicket win over England?
• Mitchell Johnson
• 2. Which Canadian PM apologised to a man tortured in Syria after being detained in the US as a terror suspect?
• Stephen Harper
• 3. Which Scot won the Australian Open boys' doubles final?
• Graeme Dyce
• 4. Ban Ki-moon has started as five-day tour of which continent?
• Africa
• 5. “The List:” Name the men and women finalists at the Australian Open?
• Roger Federer, Fernando Gonzalez, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams

Topic of the Day: Rugby League

• 6. At which stadium do Hull KR play their home games?
• Craven Park
• 7. Which company sponsors the Super League?
• Engage
• 8. Which team play at Atlantic Solutions Stadium?
• Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
• 9. In which year did the Super League start?
• 1996
• 10. In which French town do Les Catalans play most of their home games?
• Perpignon

28

• Roger Feder wins the Australian Open 7-6, 6-4, 6-4
• Sinn Fein members vote to support policing in Northern Ireland
• Iraq clashes 'kill 250 militants' near the city of Najaf
• Shilpa Shetty wins Celebrity Big Brother
• FA Cup:
  • Arsenal 1-1 Bolton
  • Chelsea 3-0 Nottingham Forest
  • Man City 3-1 Southampton
• Ethiopia ready to pull a third of its troops out of Somalia
• Unions in Guinea reach a deal with the government and call off a general strike
• Chinese government report says it has not made any progress on cleaning up environment
• UK Charts:
  • Singles:
    • 1. Mika - Grace Kelly
    • 2. Just Jack - Starz In Their Eyes
    • 3. Mason - Exceeder
    • 4. Jojo - Too Little Too Late
    • 5. View - Same Jeans
  • Albums:
    • 1. View - Hats Off To The Buskers
    • 2. Good The Bad & The Queen - The Good The Bad & The Queen
    • 3. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
    • 4. James Morrison - Undiscovered
    • 5. Fratellis - Costello Music
• Top Gear shows footage of Richard Hammond's high-speed crash
• Jose Mourinho dismisses speculation he will leave the club at the end of the season.
• Stuart Pearce agrees to England U21 role
• After this year's Rugby World Cup Gareth Thomas says he will retire from international rugby.
• Australian Open mixed doubles title - Daniel Nestor and Elena Likhovtseva
• Hardy Eustace beats Brave Inca to win the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
• Australian-based Irish jockey Damien Murphy dies after a fall during a race in *New South Wales.
• Sweden's Jens Byggmark wins his second men's World Cup event in two days.

28 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which car manufacturer has reported record losses of $12.7bn?
• Ford
• 2. Who was unhurt after he crashed his McLaren during testing in Valencia?
• Lewis Hamilton
• 3. Which Romanian drama has won BBC Four's fourth World Cinema award?
• The Death of Mr Lazarescu
• 4. Which Tour de France runner-up has been cleared of using a banned substance during last year's race?
• Oscar Pereiro
• 5. “The List:” Name the three British actresses that have received best actress nominations at this year's Academy Awards?
• Helen Mirren, Kate Winslett and Judi Dench

Topic of the Day: Australian Open

• 6. Nicknamed El Bombardero de La Reina, who did Roger Federer beat in the final of the 2007 Australian Open?
• Fernando Gonzalez
• 7. What number Grand Slam title was the 2007 win for Federer?
• 10
• 8. What are the names of the two main arenas?
• Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone Arena
• 9. Who was the last person to win the Men’s Australian Open without dropping a set?
• Ken Rosewall (in 1972)
• 10. Which trophy is awarded to the winner?
• Norman Brookes Trophy

27

• Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova to win the Australian Open
• PGA Tour rookie Brandt Snedeker retains his lead at the Buick Invitational
• Jimmy White beats Nigel Bond 5-2 in the final qualifying round of the China Open
• Tom Waits settles a case in Germany over an advert in which he said he was imitated
• BB King is in hospital following a bout of flu
• FA Cup:
  • Man Utd 2-1 Portsmouth
  • Bristol C 2-2 Middlesbrough
  • Blackpool 1-1 Norwich
  • West Ham 0-1 Watford
  • Birmingham 2-3 Reading
  • Tottenham 3-1 Southend
• Wigan launch campaign for Super League to return to 22 games
• Leeds beat Huddersfield 50-0 in Keith Senior and Paul Reilly's testimonial match
• England beat South Africa 56-25 to complete a 3-0 series win.
• World Singles Bowls final – Alex Marshall v Mervyn King
• RSPB asks residents across Britain to take part in their annual Big Garden Birdwatch.
• Encryption on high definition DVDs has been cracked

27 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. It was reported that who seriously thought about resigning due to ill health in 2000, five years before he died?
• Pope John Paul II
• 2. Which German born player did Serena Williams beat in the semi-final of the Australian Open?
• Nicole Vaidisova
• 3. The Who have confirmed that they will headline which major festival this year?
• Glastonbury
• 4. Which American started the Buick Invitational with an opening round of 61?
• Brandt Snedeker
• 5. “The List:” Name the 6 alleged 21 July bombers on trial at Woolwich Crown Court?
• Manfo Asiedu, Muktar Ibrahim, Hussein Osman, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Adel Yahya

Topic of the Day: Croatia

• 6. What is Croatia in Croatian?
• Hrvatska
• 7. What is the capital of Croatia?
• Zagreb (or Grad Zagreb)
• 8. Who is the current President?
• Stjepan Mesić
• 9. What is the Croatian currency called?
• Kuna
• 10. Which scientist was born in Smiljan, Croatia in 1856 although at the time the town was part of Austria?
• Nikola Tesla

26

• Pop singer Jo O'Meara denies being racist after her eviction from Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother
• News of the World's royal editor jailed for plotting to intercept royal messages
• Canadian PM apologises to man tortured in Syria after being detained in US as terror suspect
• Ban Ki-moon to begin a five-day tour of Africa
• Punk band Sham 69 split
• Martial law is partly lifted in Thailand
• 2 Vietnam footballers are jailed and 6 others get suspended sentences for match fixing
• Emma Bunton announces she is pregnant
• Liverpool receive an approach about a possible takeover by George Gillett
• Stuart Pearce approached to take over England's Under-21 team.
• Australia beat England by 9 wickets
• Graeme Dyce (Scot) and Harri Heliovaara (Fin) win the Australian Open boys' doubles final.
• British slider Amy Williams comes 7th in her first World Skeleton Championships
• Benevolent fund set up to assist Olympic athletes who fall on hard times

26 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Tomislav Nikolic is the leader of the SRS in which country?
• Serbia (Serbian Radical Party)
• 2. Aston Villa have swapped Milan Baros for which Lyon striker and Norwegian International?
• John Carew
• 3. Which actress has begun legal action against a newspaper publisher over suggestions she has lied about having an eating disorder?
• Keira Knightley
• 4. Which boxer advised Ricky Hatton to change his lifestyle if he wants to prolong his boxing career?
• Wayne McCullough
• 5. “The List:” Name the 5 Australia players to take more than 250 test wickets?
• Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563), Dennis Lillee (355) & Craig McDermott (291) and Jason Gillespie (259)

Topic of the Day: Opus Dei

• 6. What does Opus Dei literally mean?
• Work of God
• 7. Who founded the organisation in 1928?
• Josemaría Escrivá
• 8. Which Pope established Opus Dei as a personal prelature?
• John Paul II
• 9. An episode of which BBC swries recently attracted their displeasure?
• Waking the Dead
• 10. Numeraries in Opus Dei generally wear what type of mortification device for two hours each day?
• Cilice

25

• Beirut under curfew after clashes
• Pupils in England to take citizenship lessons to learn “core British values”
• The Who confirm they will play Glastonbury 2007
• US military unveils heat-ray gun
• Brandt Snedeker starts Buick Invitational with an opening 61
• Ford reports record $12.7bn loss
• Channel 4 scraps Big Brother eviction votes, because of an announcing mistake
• “The Death of Mr Lazarescu” wins BBC Four's fourth World Cinema award.
• Tottenham have been given a bye through to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup
• Tour de France runner-up Oscar Pereiro cleared of using a banned substance
• Herschelle Gibbs has his appeal against a ban for making racist comments rejected
• Lewis Hamilton crashes during testing in Valencia.
• England’s netball team take series against S.Africa 2-0 with 65-30 win at Manchester MEN Arena
• 7 former Vietnamese national team footballers go on trial for alleged match-fixing

25 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who missed two days of training at Hull's warm weather camp in Portugal because of a mystery illness?
• Scott Wheeldon
• 2. Which governor of the US state of New Mexico, has become the latest Democrat to declare an interest in the 2008 presidential election?
• Bill Richardson
• 3. Who shot a final-round 65 to win the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship by a Shot?
• Paul Casey
• 4. Which low-budget film was named best picture by the Producers Guild of America (PGA)?
• Little Miss Sunshine
• 5. “The List:” Which players both score twice as Chelsea beat Wycombe to book their place in the Carling Cup final?
• Andriy Shevchenko and Frank Lampard

Topic of the Day: Chinatown

• 6. Who directed the 1974 film?
• Roman Polanski
• 7. What was the sequel, made 16 years later, called?
• The Two Jakes
• 8. Who plays Jake Gittes in the film?
• Jack Nicholson
• 9. Who provided the music for the film, receiving one of his 18 Oscar nominations?
• Jerry Goldsmith
• 10. What is the last line of the film?
• “Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown”

24

• US Senate panel rejects President Bush's Iraq plan, a day after he asks Congress to give it "a chance".
• Slick several kilometres long is formed from oil from the beached MSC Napoli
• Heavy snow fall predicted in UK
• Israel's PM calls on President Moshe Katsav to resign
• Cambodian 'Jungle girl' attempts to speak
• Guinea's President Lansana Conte says he will appoint a new PM
• Senator John Kerry says he will not run for US presidency in 2008
• Teenager charged with murdering prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink
• Australian Open:
  • Kim Clijsters beats Martina Hingis in three sets
  • Fernando Gonzalez beats second seed Rafael Nadal
  • Tommy Haas beats third seed Nikolay Davydenko
• Mudslides leave 16 dead in Peru
• Arctic Monkeys to headline Glastonbury 2007
• China set to have more internet users than the US within two years
• Opus Dei complains to the BBC about its portrayal in TV drama series “Waking The Dead”
• Bird flu found in Hungary
• BA walkout delayed for 24 hours
• Birth announced of a baby rhino after artificial insemination at a Budapest zoo
• Carling Cup semi-final first-leg: Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal
• Simon Davies joins Fulham from Everton

24 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Who beat Lleyton Hewitt to end home hopes in the Australian Open?
• Fernando Gonzalez
• 2. Which Polish reporter, who was (in 1964) appointed by the Polish Press Agency as its only foreign correspondent, has died aged 74?
• Ryszard Kapuscinski
• 3. Who has become the youngest head coach in the NFL after being appointed boss of the Raiders?
• Lane Kiffin
• 4. Which Martin Scorcese film has been nominated as best film at the Oscars?
• The Departed
• 5. “The List:” Which 2 teams will compete in this year’s Superbowl?
• Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears

Topic of the Day: New Zealand Cricket

• 6. What is the nickname of the team, based on the colour of their headgear?
• Black caps
• 7. Who is the current NZ captain?
• Stephen Fleming
• 8. Where did they come in the last World Cup in 2003?
• 5th
• 9. Which 2 NZ players have reached 3,000 runs and 200 wickets?
• Richard Hadlee and Chris Cairns
• 10. Which player scored 200 off 153 balls to record the fastest ever double century, doing so against England in 2004?
• Nathan Astle

23

• Police crack down on MSC Napoli scavengers
• Bush warns against Iraq failure in his State of the Union address
• Israeli President Moshe Katsav is to be charged with rape and abuse of power
• Ethiopia starts Somalia pull-out
• Sterling hits a 14-year record against the US dollar and Japanese yen
• Polish reporter Ryszard Kapuscinski dies aged 74
• China confirms reports that it used a ballistic missile to destroy a satellite
• Australian PM John Howard reshuffles Cabinet
• 5 arrested under the Terrorism Act in morning raids in West Yorkshire and Manchester
• Carling Cup semi-final: Chelsea 4-0 Wycombe (Agg: 5-1)
• Aston Villa sign Watford forward Ashley Young
• Trial of ex-White House aide Lewis Libby opens
• A court is shown dramatic CCTV footage of an alleged attempt to set off a bomb on a Tube train on 21 July 2005

23 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which African country is undergoing a national strike?
• Guinea
• 2. Which Arsenal striker broke his fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during the 2-1 win over Man Utd?
• Robin van Persie
• 3. Which former Republican congressman linked to disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for corruption?
• Bob Ney
• 4. Which former world champion has attacked the decision by World Snooker bosses to allow Ronnie O'Sullivan to skip his Masters media commitments?
• Shaun Murphy
• 5. “The List:” Name the last Australian man and woman left in the singles tournaments at the Australian Open?
• Alicia Molik and Lleyton Hewitt

Topic of the Day: Art Buchwald

• 6. The Pulitzer Prize-winning US writer and author died at what age?
• 81
• 7. What was the title of his final book, published last year?
• Too Soon to Say Goodbye
• 8. What major award did he win in 1982?
• Pulitzer Prize
• 9. Buchwald is perhaps best-remembered for his lawsuit concerning the film “Coming To America”, against which film company?
• Paramount
• 10. Much of Buchwald’s early journalist career took place in which European capital city?
• Paris

22

• Murray loses classic 5-setter to Nadal in Australian Open
• More than 130 people die on Iraq's bloodiest day this year
• In Devon, scavengers take washed-up goods from the stricken container ship MSC Napoli
• C4 bosses seek Big Brother review
• Aston Villa swap Milan Baros for Lyon striker John Carew
• Indian capsule returns from space
• Drug firm Pfizer cuts 10,000 jobs
• Keira Knightley begins legal action over suggestions she lied about having an eating disorder
• Canada announces a major project to help preserve a large area of temperate rainforest
• Pope John Paul II considered resigning in 2000 due to ill health
• Serbian coalition struggle begins
• UN says five of its staff have been assaulted by police in Sudan's Darfur region
• Spectators will be banned from taking mobile phones to the Open Championship at Carnoustie
• Israel names new military chief - Maj Gen Gabi Ashkenazi
• Thailand's new PM says his ousted predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra can come back

22 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. In which country is Mullah Omar hiding according to a captured Taleban spokesman?
• Pakistan
• 2. Paul Drinkhall and Darius Knight are a rising British pairs team in what sport?
• Table tennis
• 3. Why was Nusli Wadia, the grandson of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah in the news in January 2007?
• He checked in a pistol and bullets on an international flight
• 4. Which 2 players are representing England in the Women's World Cup in South Africa?
• Laura Davies and Trish Johnson
• 5. “The List:” The Home Secretary, John Reid has suggested that the Home Office be split into 2 separate departments. What would their respective functions be?
• Justice and Security

Topic of the Day: Rocky 6

• 6. What is Rocky’s surname?
• Balboa
• 7. What is the name of the Italian restaurant that he runs in the latest film?
• Adrian’s
• 8. Which actor plays Paulie, Rocky’s brother-in-law?
• Burt Young
• 9. Which boxer nicknamed “the magic man” and former undisputed Light heavyweight champion of the world, plays Mason “the line” Dixon in the latest film?
• Antonio Tarver
• 10. What is the title of the classic tune by Bill Conti which acts as Rocky’s theme?
• Gonna Fly Now

21

• Paul Casey shoots a final-round 65 to win the Abu Dhabi Golf
• Eric Aubijoux becomes the 2nd fatality in this year's Dakar Rally
• Premiership:
  • Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd
  • Wigan 0-2 Everton
• Stephane Peterhansel wins the Dakar Rally for the 3rd time
• Sebastien Loeb wins Monte Carlo Rally
• Amelie Mauresmo's beaten at Australian Open by Lucie Safarova
• Karen Putzer wins the giant slalom at Cortina D'Ampezzo
• UK Charts:
  • Singles:
    • 1. Mika - Grace Kelly
    • 2. Just Jack - Starz in Their Eyes
    • 3. The View - Same Jeans
    • 4. JoJo - Too Little Too Late
    • 5. Eric Prydz vs Floyd - Proper Education
  • Albums:
    • 1. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
    • 2. James Morrison - Undiscovered
    • 3. Fratellis - Costello Music
    • 4. Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
    • 5. Razorlight – Razorlight
• Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Ding Junhui 10 – 3 in Masters final
• Barry Morrison wins the British light welterweight title with a split-decision over Lenny Daws
• Paraguay's Celeste Troche and Julieta Granada win Women's World Cup of Golf.

21 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which country’s government has announced new rules to try to limit the number of pregnant women from mainland China coming to give birth?
• Hong Kong
• 2. Who have signed Arsenal defender Lauren on a two-and-a-half year deal?
• Portsmouth
• 3. All backyard poultry in which Asian capital are to be banned in a bid to stem the deadly bird flu virus?
• Jakarta
• 4. Which new athletics facility has been officially opened by, Olympic Minister, Tessa Jowell?
• Lee Valley Athletics Centre
• 5. “The List:” Name the 5 women nominated for a Brit in the British female solo artist category?
• Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamelia, Lily Allen, and Nerina Pallot.

Topic of the Day: Muhammad Ali

• 6. In which year was he born in Louisville, Kentucky?
• 1942
• 7. At which weight did he win Olympic gold in 1960?
• Light heavyweight
• 8. Who did he beat to become World champion for the first time?
• Sony Liston
• 9. In which round did Henry Cooper put Clay down in a 1963 fight?
• 4th (but then lost in the 5th)
• 10. In 1971 he took part in the “fight of the century”?
• Joe Frazier

20

• French court drops doping charges against former cycling time trial world champion David Millar
• SPL - Celtic 5-1 St Mirren - Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink hat-trick
• Andy Murray beats Juan Ignacio Chela to reach 4th round of the Australian Open.
• Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms make final of the Proton Malaysia Open mixed doubles
• Premiership:
  • Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
  • Portsmouth 0-1 Charlton
  • Reading 3-1 Sheff Utd
  • Man City 0-3 Blackburn
  • Aston Villa 2-0 Watford
  • Fulham 1-1 Tottenham
• England captain Michael Vaughan will miss two more one-day games in Australia
• Makhaya Ntini claims his 300th Test wicket
• Masters semi-finals:
  • Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Stephen Maquire
  • Ding Junhui beats Stephen Hednry
• British director Paul Greengrass will follow his 9/11 film United 93 with a drama about Iraq
• Six Filipino workers are seized by gunmen from a cargo ship in Nigeria
• Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez says that Cuban leader Fidel Castro is very ill
• Peruvians march in favour of the death penalty for members of the Shining Path rebel group.
• Four arrested carrying TNT in Mumbai

20 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which 4th seed crashed out of the Australian Open to Mardy Fish on the opening day of the tournament in Melbourne?
• Ivan Ljubicic
• 2. Which European country has issued an international arrest warrant for three US soldiers accused of causing the death of a TV cameraman during the Iraq war?
• Spain
• 3. Which Watford striker rejected the chance to join West Ham in a £9.65m?
• Ashley Young
• 4. What is the name of the head of Israel's armed forces, who resigned amid inquiries into last year's conflict with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon?
• Lt Gen Dan Halutz
• 5. “The List:” Which 3 Dutch darts players have defected from the BDO to the PDC?
• Jelle Klaasen, Michael van Gerwen and Vincent van der Voort

Topic of the Day: Shilpa

• 6. What is her surname at birth (not those ascribed to her by Jade Goody)?
• Shetty
• 7. In which southern Indian state was she born in 1975?
• Tamil Nadu
• 8. Shilpa is associated with which animal charity?
• PETA
• 9. Which Leicester East politician tabled an early-day motion in the House about Shilpa’s treatment on the show?
• Keith Vaz
• 10. According to the channel 4 website, Shilpa has a black belt in what sport?
• Karate

19

• Jade Goody, voted off Big Brother
• Key Blair adviser, Ruth Turner, quizzed over cash-for-honours allegations
• Dennis Doherty from the 60s group the Mamas and the Papas dies, aged 66.
• 2 more people die on the 10th day of Guinea's national strike
• Former congressman Bob Ney jailed for 30 months for role in the Abramoff corruption scandal
• Motorola to cut 3,500 staff
• Hezbollah’s Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah welcomes resignation of Israeli army chief
• Internet fraudsters steal around $1.1m from account holders at a Swedish bank.
• Women's super-G in Cortina won by America's Julia Mancuso
• Tottenham's next UEFA Cup opponents are banned from the competition
• Tour de France runner-up Oscar Pereiro tests positive for a banned substance
• Gordon Brown provoked a storm by backing England to host and win the World Cup in 2018
• Leader Marc Coma has to retire from the Dakar Rally on stage 13 after crashing

19 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which film festival has struck a deal with Apple to allow festival films to be sold through its iTunes store?
• Sundance Film Festival
• 2. Ali Carter and Stuart Bingham are names in which sport?
• Snooker
• 3. What is the name of the man who abducted Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby?
• Michael Devlin
• 4. Who beat Mark Williams 6-0 in the first round of the Masters?
• Neil Robertson
• 5. “The List:” Wet Wet Wet have announced that they are to tour the UK to mark 20 years since their first hit. Which four people make up the band?
• Marti Pellow, Graeme Clark, Tommy Cunningham and Neil Mitchell

Topic of the Day: Apocalypto

• 6. Who directed the film?
• Mel Gibson
• 7. What is the name of the main protagonist, named after part of an animal?
• Jaguar’s Paw
• 8. The opening quote of the film is “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within”. Which American philosopher who died in 1981 said this?
• William Durant
• 9. Which god, the Mayan equivalent of the Aztec Quetzalcoatl or “feathered serpent”, is mentioned thoughout the film?
• Kukulkan
• 10. Who provides the music for the film?
• James Horner

18

• Carphone Warehouse has suspended sponsorship of Celebrity Big Brother
• 9 people killed as strong winds batter UK
• Abu Hamza al-Masri has been told to pay back more than £1m in legal aid
• Tessa Jowell reveals 3% TV licence rise from £131.50 to £135.50 on 1st April
• Israel has transferred $100m of frozen revenue to the Palestinians
• Iran accuses the US of kidnapping 5 of its citizens in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil.
• Tesco has unveiled wide ranging plans to cut carbon emissions
• Huge storms sweep northern Europe – with at least 17 dead
• Nepal Maoists disband “parallel” government
• Former president of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Kenneth Best, pleads guilty to sexually abusing a schoolboy 40 years ago

18 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Sam Preston walked out of a recording of which BBC2 comedy quiz show?
• Never Mind the Buzzcocks
• 2. Which English batsmen sustained a broken rib in the Commonwealth Bank Series game in Melbourne from a ball by Glenn McGrath?
• Kevin Pietersen
• 3. Where, in the UK, is the Birds Eye plant that has announced losses of 490 jobs?
• Hull
• 4. Who won the women's downhill race in Zauchensee to record her 41st career World Cup victory?
• Renate Goetschl
• 5. “The List:” Name the three people to walk off (ie not evicted) the Celebrity Big Brother 5 series?
• Donny Tourette, Ken Russell and Leo Sayer

Topic of the Day: Doris Day

• 6. What was her surname at birth?
• Kappelhoff,
• 7. Which actor starred opposite her in the 1959 film “Pillow Talk”?
• Rock Hudson
• 8. Which trombonist was her first husband?
• Al Jorden
• 9. What is the name of her only son, who died in 2004?
• Terry Melcher
• 10. She was born on the same day as which double Oscar winning actor?
• Marlon Brando

17

• Channel 4 denies claims that actress Shilpa Shetty has suffered racist bullying
• Taleban official says the group' s leader Mullah Omar lives in Pakistan
• Somalia's transitional parliament sacks its speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan
• Indonesian authorities ban all poultry from the capital Jakarta
• FA Cup:
  • Newcastle 1-5 Birmingham
  • Fulham 4-3 Leicester
  • Tottenham 4-0 Cardiff
• Muhammad Ali is 65
• Paula Radcliffe gives birth to a baby girl in Monaco
• The French cabinet adopts a bill to create a legal right to housing
• Apple reports a 78% jump in quarterly profits
• Michael Winner in hospital after falling ill while on holiday in Barbados.

17 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. What number seed is Andy Murray for the Australian Open?
• 15
• 2. Which BP chief executive will step down at the end of July, after 12 years at the helm?
• Lord Browne
• 3. Which F1 team unveiled their new car the TF107?
• Toyota
• 4. Who was the 2nd person to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother 5 show?
• Carol Malone
• 5. “The List:” Name the 5 films nominated for best film at the 2007 BAFTA’s?
• The Queen, Babel, The Last King of Scotland, The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine

Topic of the Day: The EU

• 6. Which country have taken over as President of the EU?
• Austria
• 7. How many gold stars are there on the EU flag?
• 12
• 8. Which minister nominally responsible for the UK’s tenure as President from July to December of 2005 along with Forign Secretary Jack Straw?
• Douglas Alexander (Minister for Europe)
• 9. How many countries are part of the EU?
• 27
• 10. Which 1992 treaty established the EU?
• Maastricht

16

• Israel's military chief resigns
• Gordon Brown begins a visit to India
• Janet Street-Porter arrested over claims she racially abused a neighbour
• US doctors plan the first ever womb transplant
• Michael Vaughan will miss next one-day international against Australia with a torn hamstring
• Lord’s Resistance Army ask for Riek Machar to be sacked as peace talks mediator
• Brit Award Nominations:
  • British male solo artist: James Morrison, Jarvis Cocker, Lemar, Paolo Nutini, Thom Yorke.
  • British female solo artist: Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamelia, Lily Allen, Nerina Pallot.
  • British album: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black, Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, Lily Allen - Alright Still, Muse - Black Holes & Revelations, Snow Patrol - Eyes Open.
  • British group: Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Muse, Razorlight, Snow Patrol.
  • British breakthrough act: Corinne Bailey Rae, The Fratellis, James Morrison, The Kooks, Lily Allen. (Winner chosen by BBC Radio 1 listeners)
  • International breakthrough act: Gnarls Barkley, Orson, The Raconteurs, Ray Lamontagne, Wolfmother. (Winner chosen by MTV viewers)
  • British live act: George Michael, Guillemots, Kasabian, Muse, Robbie Williams. (Winner chosen by BBC Radio 2 listeners)
  • British single: Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On, The Feeling - Fill My Little World, James Morrison - You Give Me Something, The Kooks - She Moves In Her Own Way, Leona Lewis - A Moment Like This, Lily Allen - Smile, Razorlight - America, Sandi Thom - I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker, Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars, Take That - Patience, Will Young - All Time Love. (Five nominees from this shortlist will be chosen by listeners to two commercial radio chart shows. A live public vote will decide the winner on the night)
  • International male solo artist: Beck, Bob Dylan, Damien Rice, Jack Johnson, Justin Timberlake.
  • International female solo artist: Beyoncé, Cat Power, Christina Aguilera, Nelly Furtado, Pink.
  • International group: The Flaming Lips, Gnarls Barkley, The Killers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Scissor Sisters.
  • International album: Bob Dylan - Modern Times, Gnarls Barkley - St Elsewhere, Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds, The Killers - Sam's Town, Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah.
  • Outstanding contribution to music: Oasis
• George Bush defends his decision to boost the number of troops in Iraq
• Man questioned in turkey over the 2004 death of Ken Bigley
• Pakistan court begins to hear case of runaway 12-year old schoolgirl Misbah Ranah
• UK unemployment falls to 1.67 million
• New powers restricting the activities of those suspected of money laundering, fraud, drugs and human trafficking are to be included in a Serious Crime Bill

16 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which pop singer has pleaded not guilty to a charge of being unfit to drive, at Brent Magistrates' Court?
• George Michael
• 2. Which South African motorcyclist was killed during the 4th stage of the Dakar Rally?
• Elmer Symons
• 3. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that which Iraqi PM was is living "on borrowed time"?
• Nouri Maliki
• 4. Which Afghan rebel leader says he helped Osama Bin Laden escape a 2001 US-led hunt in eastern Afghanistan?
• Gulbuddin Hekmatyar
• 5. “The List:” Which two countries cast vetos in the UN Security Council, to stop a US draft resolution calling for an end to human rights abuses in Burma?
• China and Russia

Topic of the Day: Gray/Grey

• 6. In American popular culture Greys also called Reticulians are the most typical representations of what?
• Extraterrestrial life form
• 7. How is the Whig statesman Viscount Howick better known?
• Earl Grey
• 8. What are 2 colours called if grey is produced when they are combined?
• Complementary colours
• 9. Who released the controversial 2004 “Grey Album”?
• Danger Mouse
• 10. The Grey Cup is awarded in which sport?
• Canadian Football

15

• Australian Open starts in Melbourne
• Burundi's ex-leader Domitien Ndayizeye acquitted of plotting to assassinate the president
• Moroccan court gives suspended sentences to 2 journalists for defaming Islam
• Ecuador swears in a new president, Rafael Correa, who has promised a "citizens' revolution"
• British Airways cabin crew vote in favour of strike action
• Marks & Spencer says it aims to become carbon neutral in five years under a £200m "eco-plan"
• Pop star Kylie Minogue announces new dates for two concerts cancelled when she fell ill.
• Alex McLeish touted as main target for the vacant Scotland manager's post
• New Zealand take on England in one-day international in Hobart.
• Dutch darts trio defect to PDC circuit
• Fernando Alonso says he can win a 3rd consecutive title
• Route for the opening stages of the 2007 Tour de France in England is announced

15 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which country admitted that pollution killed 3,600 people in the capital in just one month?
• Iran
• 2. Who scored the goal for Wycombe to give them an unexpected draw against Chelsea in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final?
• Jermaine Easter
• 3. In India conservationists celebrated the birth of the 1st of what type of vulture chick born in captivity?
• Oriental white-backed vulture
• 4. What was the record international Twenty20 score put on by Australia in their match against England at Sydney?
• 221-5
• 5. “The List:” There are 4 Britons that are principal drivers (i.e. one of the main two for a team) in F1 in 2007, name them.
• Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Anthony Davidson

Topic of the Day: Australian Open Tennis

• 6. In which city is the Australian Open held?
• Melbourne
• 7. In 1997 who won the women’s singles to be the youngest ever victor (victrix)?
• Martina Hingis
• 8. Christine O’Neil won the women’s singles event in 1978, why was this unusual?
• She was unseeded
• 9. How many times has Lleyton Hewitt won the men's singles title?
• None (runner up in 2005)
• 10. Who is the current women’s singles champion?
• Amelie Muaresmo

14

• Senior civil servant suspended over failure to update records of Britons' crimes abroad
• Kylie Minogue cancels 2 more tour dates
• Dick Cheney warns Iran not to interfere in Iraq
• Premiership:
  • Tottenham 2-3 Newcastle
  • Everton 1-1 Reading
• France's governing UMP party elects Nicolas Sarkozy to run for President
• American woman dies after taking part in a water-drinking contest
• Nearly 100,000 people are evacuated from their homes after flooding in Malaysia
• Martin Adams beats Phil Nixon 7-6 to win the BDO World Championship
• UK Charts:
  • Singles:
    • 1. A Moment Like This - Leona Lewis
    • 2. Proper Education - Eric Prydz vs Floyd
    • 3. Mika - Grace Kelly
    • 4. Just Jack - Starz In Their Eyes
    • 5. Patience - Take That
  • Albums:
    • 1. Back to Black – Amy Winehouse
    • 2. Undiscovered – James Morrison
    • 3. Eyes Open – Snow Patrol
    • 4. Beautiful World – Take That
    • 5. Costello Music - Fratellis
• Europe beat Asia 12½-3½ to retain Royal Trophy
• Ding Junhui records 147 break at Masters
• Ganges flushed with fresh water to improve bathing for millions of Hindus Ardh Kumbh
• Hundreds of thousands of people march through Madrid and Bilbao protesting against Eta

14 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. The US launched an air strike in which African country against a suspected al-Qaeda cell?
• Somalia
• 2. Which player scored 4 as Arsenal beat Liverpool 6-3 in the Carling Cup?
• Julio Baptista
• 3. A US submarine collided with a Japanese tanker near which straits?
• Straits of Hormuz
• 4. For which team will Kimi Raikkonen be driving in the upcoming F1 season?
• Ferrari
• 5. “The List:” Hugo Chavez has been sworn in for 3rd term as Venezuela's President. Name the 3 previous holders of this office?
• Diosdado Cabello Rondón, Pedro Carmona Estanga, and Rafael Caldera Rodríguez

Topic of the Day: Norse Mythology

• 6. Who was the author of the Prose Edda or Younger Edda?
• Snorri Sturluson
• 7. Which of the Norse god’s wielded Mjolnir?
• Thor
• 8. Meaning “wand-elf” which dwarf shares his name with a Tolkien character?
• Gandalf
• 9. Which of Odin’s son’s was the Norse god of poetry?
• Bragi
• 10. In Norse mythology what types of animals are Geri and Freki?
• Wolves

13

• England call up Essex batsman Ravi Bopara as a replacement for the injured Kevin Pietersen
• Giniel De Villiers takes the lead from Carlos Sainz in the Dakar Rally
• Premiership:
  • Man Utd 3-1 Aston Villa
  • Chelsea 4-0 Wigan
  • Blackburn 0-2 Arsenal
  • West Ham 3-3 Fulham
  • Watford 0-3 Liverpool
• Gordon Brown says the UK’s existence as a single country is at risk from nationalists
• Lakeside BDO World Championship – semi finals:
  • Phil Nixon beats Niels de Ruiter
  • Martin Adams beats Mervyn King
• James Blake beats Carlos Moya 6-3 5-7 6-1to win Sydney International
• Darrell Hair set to umpire next week's one-day series in Kenya

13 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which former world champion withdrew from the Lakeside World Championship through illness?
• Andy Fordham
• 2. Which of William Boyd's books has been named among five books of the year in the Costa Book Awards?
• Restless
• 3. Graeme Souness said that he had made a £20m bid to take control of which club?
• Wolves
• 4. Which singer has expressed an interest in representing the UK at the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest?
• Morrissey
• 5. “The List:” Name the top male and female seeds for the Australian Open?
• Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova

Topic of the Day: Idi Amin

• 6. What is the name of the film about his life with Forest Whitaker in the lead role?
• The Last King of Scotland
• 7. In which year did Idi Amin become President of Uganda?
• 1971
• 8. What was Idi Amin’s other name, which is sometimes added as a prefix?
• Dada
• 9. Who succeeded Idi Amin as President of Uganda in 1979?
• Yusufu Lule
• 10. In which country did he die in 2003?
• Saudi Arabia

12

• Commonwealth Bank Series, Melbourne: Australia 246-2 bt England 242-8 by 8 wickets
• Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake confirm they have split up
• BP boss Lord Browne brings forward the date he will leave BP to July 2007
• Journalist Carole Malone becomes the second celebrity to be voted out of the Big Brother house
• Bolivia's president, Evo Morales, holds emergency cabinet meeting after 2 people die in clashes
• US Critics' Choice Awards - Winners 2006
  • Best Picture: The Departed
  • Best Actor: Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland
  • Best Actress: Helen Mirren - The Queen
  • Best Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy - Dreamgirls
  • Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls
  • Best Acting Ensemble: Little Miss Sunshine
  • Best Director: Martin Scorsese - The Departed
  • Best Writer: Michael Arndt - Little Miss Sunshine
  • Best Animated Feature: Cars
  • Best Young Actor: Paul Dano - Little Miss Sunshine
  • Best Young Actress: Abigail Breslin - Little Miss Sunshine
  • Best Comedy Movie: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
  • Best Family Film (live action): Charlotte's Web
  • Best Picture Made for Television: Elizabeth I
  • Best Documentary Feature: An Inconvenient Truth
  • Best Foreign Language Film: Letters From Iwo Jima
  • Best Song: "Listen", Beyonce - Dreamgirls
  • Best Soundtrack: Dreamgirls
  • Best Composer: Phillip Glass - The Illusionist
• England's selectors need replacement for Kevin Pietersen after he suffers suffers a fractured rib
• China and Russia veto draft UN resolution calling for an end to human rights abuses in Burma
• Government unveils plans for young people in England to stay in school or training until 18
• Organisers of Kitzbuehel's World Cup meeting are to fly in extra snow to improve the pistes.
• Madonna urges more people to adopt African children

12 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which country’s PM said that his country could tolerate a nuclear-armed North Korea and wanted closer international co-operation to stop such an outcome?
• Japan’s (Shinzo Abe)
• 2. Samoan international Danny Lima is to coach which National League Three side?
• Warrington Wizards
• 3. Which government minister said that she was trying to do the right thing for her son in sending him to a private school?
• Ruth Kelly
• 4. British number one Andy Murray has rsien to a career-high world ranking of what after reaching the final in Qatar?
• 15
• 5. “The List:” The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has unveiled its shortlist for 2006's best director, name the 6 directors on the list?
• Martin Scorsese, Stephen Frears, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, Bill Condon, and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Topic of the Day: Darts

• 6. Where are the BDO World Championships being held?
• Lakeside
• 7. Which player is nicknamed “wolfie”?
• Martin Adams
• 8. Which score is sometimes referred to as a “bag o’ nuts”?
• 45
• 9. How high (in feet and inches) is the centre of the board from the floor?
• 5 ft 8 in
• 10. Nicknamed “the matador”, who is the current BDO World Champion?
• Jelle Klaasen

11

• Interest rates rise from 5% to 5.25%
• Condoleezza Rice says Nouri Maliki is living "on borrowed time"
• David Beckham to leave Real Madrid for LA Galaxy
• Sam Preston walks out of a recording of BBC2's "Never Mind the Buzzcocks"
• BDO World Championships
  • Martin Adams (Eng, 1) v Ted Hankey (Eng, 8)
  • Mervyn King (Eng, 5) v Tony Eccles (Eng, 4)
  • Paul Hanvidge (Sco, 15) v Phil Nixon (Eng)
  • Niels De Ruiter (Ned, 11) v Gary Robson (Eng)
• Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed has stepped down as interim leader
• Debris of the lost Indonesian plane is sighted
• Birds Eye plant in Hull to lose 490 jobs
• Documents show that former DG, Greg Dyke was effectively sacked by the corporation's governors after the Hutton Report

11 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which country has confirmed its order for 72 Eurofighters?
• Saudi Arabia
• 2. Who was the Aston Villa goalkkeper that let in a soft second goal in the FA Cup game against Man Utd?
• Gabor Kiraly
• 3. “Windows in the Sky” is the latest UK chart hot by which group?
• U2
• 4. Who knocked Darryl Fitton out of the Lakeside World Championship in Frimley Green?
• Phil Nixon
• 5. “The List:” Which 5 actors have been nominated for this years’ BAFTA Rising Star Award?
• Eva Green, Ben Whishaw, Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, and Emily Blunt

Topic of the Day: Hallo Dandy

• 6. How old was Hallo Dandy when he died?
• 33
• 7. Which 26 time champion jockey trained Hallo Dandy to his National win?
• Gordon Richards
• 8. In which year was Hallo Dandy 4th in the Grand National?
• 1983
• 9. Who rode Hallo Dandy to win the 1984 Grand National?
• Neale Doughty
• 10. Which horse did he overhaul to win the 1984 Grand National by three lengths?
• Greasepaint

10

• Jackiey is the first housemate to be voted off this year's Celebrity Big Brother
• Indonesian boy dies of bird flu
• German government calls for a rethink of the country's decision to phase out nuclear energy.
• George Michael pleads not guilty to a charge of being unfit to drive
• Gary Robson wins three straight sets to beat John Walton at the Lakeside World Championship.
• Carlos Sainz extends overall lead in Dakar Rally after winning stage 5
• Vijay Singh wins the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii.
• Venus Williams pulls out of Australian Open with a wrist injury.
• Walter Smith appointed manager of Rangers.
• Luis Garcia is ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
• WH Smith is planning to close its final-salary pension scheme
• Belarus has restarted the flow of crude oil from Russia after talks with Moscow
• 2 military helicopters collide over Shropshire leaving 1 person dead
• Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is sworn in for a 3rd term

10 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which country’s aviation minister accused British Airways and Virgin Atlantic of treating Nigerian passengers with the "utmost contempt?
• Nigeria
• 2. Who beat Andy Murray 4-6 4-6 in the Qatar Open final?
• Ivan Ljubicic
• 3. The Roman Catholic Church in Poland says the new archbishop of Warsaw was a collaborator with the former communist regime. What is his name?
• Stanislaw Wielgus
• 4. In which country did the 2007 Dakar rally start?
• Portugal
• 5. “The List:” Nigel Quashie has joined West Ham. He has an unenviable record of having been relegated from the Premiership with 4 teams. Name them?
• QPR, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and West Brom

Topic of the Day: Beatrix Potter

• 6. What is the name of the current film about her early life?
• Miss Potter
• 7. What was the name of her brother who was also an artist?
• Walter Bertram
• 8. What was the name of her first rabbit, preceding Peter?
• Benjamin
• 9. Published in 1930, what was the name of the pig, that was her last major book?
• Robinson (The Tale of Little Pig Robinson)
• 10. After her death most of her property was left to which organisation?
• The National Trust

09

• US launches air strike in Somalia against suspected al-Qaeda cell
• More potential humiliation as Twenty20 International starts in Sydney
• UN makes $60m Iraq refugee appeal
• US submarine collides with a Japanese tanker near the Straits of Hormuz
• 2006 Christmas sales takings in December were up 2.5% on 2005
• Stuart Rose ackowledges recovery of M&S
• MI5 to introduce email alerting to the public when threat levels change
• Samples taken from pigs at an abattoir in Northern Ireland are being tested for foot-and-mouth disease

09 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. 20,000 music fans attended a Brighton beach party hosted by which DJ?
• Fatboy Slim
• 2. Who is the Sheff Utd captain banned for three games after being found guilty of violent conduct by the FA?
• Chris Morgan
• 3. According to the Halifax, by what percentage did house prices rise on average in the UK (to within 1%)?
• 9.9%
• 4. Who scored twice in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup?
• Tomas Rosicky
• 5. “The List:” Who are due to take over as manager and deputy at Rangers?
• Walter Smith and Ally McCoist

Topic of the Day: Connections (where the answers have a somewhat "loose" connection)

• 6. What was the name of the winner of the 4th series of Big Brother?
• Cameron Stout
• 7. Who has presented “Watchdog” with Anne Robinson and “The Heaven and Earth Show”?
• Alice Beer
• 8. Which actress, who has appeared in “Coronation Street”, “Emmerdale” and “Crossroads”, is probably best known as Maureen Holdsworth in “Coronation Street”?
• Sherri Hewson
• 9. What is the capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands?
• Port Blair
• 10. Which famous street in the French Quarter in New Orleans is home to many bars, restaurants and jazz clubs?
• Bourbon Street

08

• German court jails Moroccan for part in aiding 9/11 attacks on US.
• Police in China kill 18 people in an anti-terror raid
• Heavy rains kill dozens in Brazil
• Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine dies
• Japan's PM urges international co-operation to stop a nuclear-armed North Korea
• Mel Gibson's “Apocolypto” has the biggest opening weekend for a foreign language film
• FA Cup Draw:
  • Arsenal v Bolton
  • West Ham v Watford
  • Bristol City or Coventry City v Hull City or Middlesbrough
  • Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
  • Chester City or Ipswich Town v Swansea
  • Cardiff City or Tottenham v Southend Utd or Barnsley
  • Barnet v Peterborough or Plymouth Argyle
  • Birmingham City or Newcastle United v Reading
  • Derby County v Bristol Rovers
  • Sheffield Wednesday or Manchester City v Southampton
  • Crystal Palace v Preston North End
  • Manchester United v Portsmouth
  • Blackpool v Norwich City
  • Queens Park Rangers or Luton Town v Blackburn Rovers
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers or Oldham v WBA
  • Leicester City or Fulham v Stoke City
• Walter Smith to quit as Scotland coach to become the new manager of Rangers
• West Ham sign West Brom midfielder Nigel Quashie
• Carlos Sainz takes overall lead in Dakar after stage 3
• Andy Fordham withdraws from the Lakeside World Championship through illness.
• Jamie Spencer banned over the riding of Mickmacmagoole at Southwell in 2005.
• Ruth Kelly says she is trying to do the right thing for her son in sending him to a private school

08 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which former BBC chairman has died aged 83?
• Marmaduke Hussey
• 2. What was the name of the 125-1 outsider who won at Southwell over the New Year?
• Tioga Gold
• 3. What colour was James Brown’s coffin?
• Gold
• 4. Who is the current Australian cricket coach?
• John Buchanan
• 5. “The List:” Leonardo DiCaprio has been nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Awards for roles in which 2 films?
• “Blood Diamond” and “The Departed”

Topic of the Day: Magnus Magnusson

• 6. How old was he when he died?
• 77
• 7. Which Oxford college did he attend?
• Jesus College
• 8. In 1964 he joined the BBC as a presenter on which programme?
• Tonight
• 9. In 2002, he became Chancellor of which Scottish university?
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• 10. To which woman was he married for 52 years?
• Maimie Baird

08

• British number two Tim Henman confirms that he is willing to play Davis Cup tennis again.
• David Miliband says there is no evidence organic food is better
• Saudi Arabia confirm order for 72 Eurofighters
• Stanislaw Wielgus, the controversial Archbishop of Warsaw has resigned
• The runway at Bristol Airport has been closed
• A British soldier has been killed in Iraq in a road accident
• FA Cup:
  • Man Utd 2-1 Aston Villa
  • Cardiff 0-0 Tottenham
  • Everton 1-4 Blackburn
  • Sheff Wed 1-1 Man City
• Magnus Magnusson, dies aged 77
• Heavyweight Samuel Peter beats James Toney
• Lakeside World Darts Championship: Gary Robson beats Michael van Gerwen 3-2
• 21 inmates killed in a riot at a maximum-security prison in El Salvador
• UK Charts:
  • Singles:
    • 1. A Moment Like This - Leona Lewis
    • 2. Proper Education - Eric Prydz vs Floyd
    • 3. Patience - Take That
    • 4. Window in the Skies - U2
    • 5. Smack That - Akon ft Eminem
  • Albums:
    • 1. Beautiful World - Take That
    • 2. Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
    • 3. Eyes Open - Snow Patrol
    • 4. Razorlight - Razorlight
    • 5. Undiscovered - James Morrison
• Executions of 2 senior associates of Saddam Hussein, will take place next week
• Ken Russell walks off Celebrity Big Brother
• Segolene Royal urges China to improve its human rights record.
• Macedonian police seize around 400 kg of cocaine

07 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. An earthquake took place at Hengchun in December 2006, on which island?
• Taiwan
• 2. Which horse won the Welsh National at Chepstow?
• Halcon Genelardais
• 3. Which politician was treated by a doctor at his Hull home before being admitted to hospital and diagnosed with a kidney stone?
• John Prescott
• 4. Who rode Kauto Star to win the King George VI Chase?
• Ruby Walsh
• 5. “The List:” Which Bath pair have received one-week bans after RFU disciplinary hearings?
• Danny Grewcock and Lee Mears

Topic of the Day: Gerald Ford

• 6. In which US state was he born?
• Nebraska
• 7. What was his name at birth?
• Leslie Lynch King
• 8. At college in Michingan, at which sport did Ford excel?
• American Football
• 9. In which of the armed services did Ford serve?
• Navy
• 10. Which New York Governor did Ford appoint as his Vice President?
• Nelson Rockefeller

06

• 71 bodies dumped at various locations in Baghdad
• Concerns over runway safety at Bristol Airport see flights cancelled or diverted
• 28-year-old policewoman has been found stabbed to death in her home in Leicestershire
• Andy Murray loses Qatar Open final 4-6 4-6 to Ivan Ljubicic
• US team joins in search for Indonesian plane
• Segolene Royal, begins a three-day visit to China
• Oil price rises to $56 a barrel
• Massive avalanche in Colorado
• FA Cup
  • Birmingham 2-2 Newcastle
  • Blackpool 4-2 Aldershot
  • Bristol City 3-3 Coventry
  • Chelsea 6-1 Macclesfield
  • Chester 0-0 Ipswich
  • Crystal Palace 2-1 Swindon
  • Derby 3-1 Wrexham
  • Doncaster 0-4 Bolton
  • Hull 1-1 Middlesbrough
  • Leicester 2-2 Fulham
  • Liverpool 1-3 Arsenal
  • Nottm Forest 2-0 Charlton
  • Peterborough 1-1 Plymouth
  • Portsmouth 2-1 Wigan
  • Preston 1-0 Sunderland
  • QPR 2-2 Luton
  • Sheff Utd 0-3 Swansea
  • Southend 1-1 Barnsley
  • Tamworth 1-4 Norwich
  • Torquay 0-2 Southampton
  • Watford 4-1 Stockport
  • West Brom 3-1 Leeds
  • West Ham 3-0 Brighton
  • Wolverhampton 2-2 Oldham
• Uganda opposition rally is prevented by police in Kampala
• Geoffrey Boycott suggests separate Test and one-day coaches
• A bomb explodes on a bus in Sri Lanka, the 2nd in 2 days
• Duncan Fletcher says he would consider asking Shane Warne for help
• Kim Clijsters beat Maria Sharapova to win the Champions Challenge
• Record of 525 teams are set to take part in the 2007 Dakar Rally
• Phil Wheatley, Director General of the Prison Services in England admits no one knows how many prisoners are on the run

06 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which chief scientific adviser to the UK government has received a knighthood in the New Year honours?
• Howard Dalton
• 2. Which odds-on favourite won the King George VI Chase at Kempton?
• Kauto Star
• 3. What was the most watched UK show on Christmas Day?
• The Vicar of Dibley
• 4. Wigan have signed which Norwegian international?
• Kristofer Haestad
• 5. “The List:” Which couple have denied marrying in Thailand?
• Kate Moss and Pete Doherty

Topic of the Day: The Vicar of Dibley

• 6. What is the name of the character played by Dawn French?
• Gerladine Granger
• 7. Which of the characters came to believe that she was the last living descendant of Jesus after deciphering the clues in Dan Brown's novel “The Da Vinci Code”?
• Alice Horton (nee Tinker)
• 8. When was the first episode shown on BBC1?
• 1994
• 9. Who does Dawn French’s character marry in the final episode?
• Harry Jasper Kennedy
• 10. What is the name of the church in the Vicar of Dibley?
• St. Barnabus's

05

• Australia win the 5th test to complete a 5-0 series whitewash (only the first for 86 years!)
• Australia 393, 46-0, England 291, 147 - won by 10 wickets
• Winning run - Matthew Hayden, Warne ends on 707 test wickets
• 5 people are killed and 50 injured in attack on a bus in Sri Lanka
• 12 double-decker coaches withdrawn from service by National Express pass safety checks
• Hopman Cup: semi-finals
  • Russia beat France
  • Spain beatIndia
• BBC to bring back Tomorrow's World
• Users of Adobe Reader software are urged to upgrade following discovery of serious security flaw
• Walter Smith tipped to return as manager of Rangers
• West Ham sign Luis Boa Morte from Fulham
• Donny Tourette “escapes” from the Big Brother house

05 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. In 2006, to the nearest percentage what did the poind gain against the dollar?
• 14%
• 2. Who did Barnsley appoint manager as Andy Ritchie's successor?
• Simon Davey
• 3. The US death toll in Iraq reached which “landmark” number recently?
• 3,000
• 4. Which former world boxing champion has been is stripped of his MBE after being jailed for dangerous driving?
• Naseem Hamed
• 5. “The List:” Celebrity Big Brother is back for a new series how many of the very first 6 celebrities to take part in the show can you remember?
• Jack Dee, Claire Sweeney, Keith Duffy, Anthea Turner, Vanessa Feltz and Chris Eubank

Topic of the Day: This Life

• 6. Who created the series?
• Amy Jenkins
• 7. In what year was the first series shown on BBC 2?
• 1996
• 8. Which character was played by Andrew Lincoln?
• Egg (or Edgar Cooke)
• 9. What was the title of the very first episode?
• Coming Together
• 10. At the end “Apocalypse Wow!” who is punched by Milly?
• Rachel

04

• 5th Ashes Test, Sydney, Day 3 - England 291, 114-4 v Australia 393
• National Express withdraws all of its double-decker coaches after a crash kills 2
• FA clear Alan Pardew of improper conduct after his row with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
• Bath pair Danny Grewcock and Lee Mears receive 1-week bans after disciplinary hearings
• Great Britain unveil America's Cup team
• Edwin Valero stops Michael Lozada in 1st round to retain WBA super featherweight title
• Richard Caborn says England's cricketers did deserve MBEs and OBE for winning the 2005 Ashes
• Sheff Utd captain Chris Morgan banned for 3 games afor violent conduct by the FA
• Rangers manager Paul Le Guen leaves the club
• Andy Murray beats Max Mirnyi to reach semi-finals of the Qatar Open
• The Cassini probe finds proof of methane lakes on Titan
• UK's Met Office forecasts 2007 as warmest year on record
• Teen drama The OC is cancelled by Fox
• Consortium backed by Polygon says it will not be making a bid for Newcastle United
• Tony Blair backs a probe into the Saddam execution video
• Government admits living quarters for troops must be improved
• Chris Mason apologises for conduct after losing to Phil Taylor at last week's PDC World Championships

04 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. In terms of ticket sales, which group were the most successful live act in North America for the 2nd year running?
• The Rolling Stones
• 2. Tiki Barber rushed for 234 yards and scored three touchdowns for which American Football team recently?
• New York Giants
• 3. In 2006, to the nearest percentage what did the FTSE rise?
• 11%
• 4. Which golfer announced on his 31st birthday that he and his wife are expecting their first child?
• Tiger Woods
• 5. “The List:” An Indonesian plane has disappeared. It was flying between which two islands?
• Java and Sulawesi

Topic of the Day: James Brown

• 6. In which US state was James Brown born?
• South Carolina
• 7. How old was James Brown when he died?
• 73
• 8. He joined a gospel group after his release from jail for trying to steal what?
• A Car
• 9. Comprising one word repeated twice, what in 1956 was the title of his first hit on the US rhythm and blues chart?
• Please, Please, Please
• 10. “Living In America” was a big hit for James Brown, it was used in which of the Rocky films?
• Rocky IV

03

• Celebrity Big Brother 5 - Day 1
• Search resumes for lost Indonesian jet
• Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki says he would like to leave office
• 14-year-old arrives in Antigua becoming the youngest person to sail the Atlantic single-handed
• Little Chef goes into administration
• Beckham to discuss new deal with Real Madrid
• Kenya has shut its border with Somalia
• Former MP Cecil Walker dies aged 81
• New £100m prison to be built at Low Moss
• 5th Ashes Test, Sydney, Day 2 - England 291, Australia 188-4
• David Cameron calls for clearer labelling so consumers can buy British food.
• Guard at Saddam Hussein's execution questioned over unofficial filming of his hanging
• Thailand's stock index falls by 3% after New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok

03 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. In which country has the Vice-President Atiku Abubakar been expelled from the ruling party for standing as an opposition candidate in next April's presidential election?
• Nigeria
• 2. Which Fulham player had two goals disallowed for offside on New Year’s Day?
• Heidar Helguson
• 3. Which bird did RSPB Scotland say were are under threat across the country because of illegal poisoning?
• Red kite
• 4. New Zealand hit a four off the last ball of the innings to secure a narrow win over which country?
• Sri Lanka
• 5. “The List:” Name the 2 teams that competed for this year’s Hopman Cup.
• Spain and Croatia

Topic of the Day: Charlotte’s Web

• 6. Who wrote the children’s book in 1952?
• EB White
• 7. In the book what is the name of the pig, saved by Fern?
• Wilbur
• 8. Who illustrated the book?
• Garth Williams
• 9. What is Charlotte’s full name?
• Charlotte A. Cavatica
• 10. What type of animal is Templeton?
• Rat

02

• Burial of former US President Gerald Ford
• Kate Moss denies marrying Pete Doherty in Thailand
• French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy is UMP party’s presidential candidate
• Tioga Gold, a 125-1 outsider, wins at Southwell
• Premiership:
  • Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
  • Arsenal 4-0 Charlton
• 5th Test, Sydney, Day 1: England 234-4
• Final episode of “The Vicar of Dibley” attracts 12.3 million viewers
• Mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek, dies
• UN eases restrictions on the sale of caviar
• Deputy PM John Prescott calls the manner of Saddam Hussein's execution "deplorable"

02 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which MP is to leave the Scottish government after voting with the SNP on Trident?
• Malcolm Chisholm
• 2. Which team beat West Ham 6-0 on New Year’s Day?
• Reading
• 3. Which historian jailed in Austria for denying the Holocaust, returned to the UK after an early release?
• David Irving
• 4. Where in Australia does the 5th Ashes Test start today?
• Sydney
• 5. “The List:” Who scored Liverpool’s 3 goals against Bolton on New Year’s Day?
• Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt

Topic of the Day: Charlie Drake

• 6. How old was he when he died?
• 81
• 7. What was his 3-word catchphrase?
• Hallo My Darlings
• 8. What was his real surname?
• Springall
• 9. Which 1965 TV series started with “The Machinery of Organisation” and saw Charlie as the nameless title character?
• The Worker
• 10. What was it that wouldn’t come back in the title of his “hit” single?
• Boomerang

01

• Brazilian president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva is sworn in for a 2nd term
• Bulgaria and Romania join the EU
• Indonesia plane goes missing near Sulawesi, with 102 aboard
• George Bush pays his respects to former President Gerald Ford, as he lies in state in Washington
• Hopman Cup: Tommy Robredo beats Mario Ancic to give Spain 2-0 lead over Croatia
• Premiership:
  • Reading 6-0 West Ham
  • Newcastle 2-2 Man Utd
  • Liverpool 3-0 Bolton
• Justin Langer says he will quit after the final Ashes test in Sydney
• Naseem Hamed is stripped of his MBE after being jailed for dangerous driving.
• Raymond van Barneveld beats Phil Taylor in PDC World Darts Championship final
• A pit bull terrier mauls a five-year-old girl to death in Merseyside
• Cigarette-buying age to be raised to 18 in October
• Beach party in Brighton hosted by DJ Fatboy Slim

01 Quiz

In the News:

• 1. Which former President of Peru has been charged with document forgery at the 2000 elections?
• Alejandro Toledo
• 2. Which Premiership club have signed Norwegian international Kristofer Haestad?
• Wigan
• 3. A study by the British government said that what could one day demand the same citizen's rights as humans?
• Robots
• 4. Who won this years PDC World Championship title?
• Raymond van Barneveld
• 5. “The List:” Which two countries joined the EU today?
• Romania and Bulgaria

Topic of the Day: Mark Ramprakash

• 6. What nationality was Mark’s father?
• Guyanan
• 7. What is his middle name?
• Ravin
• 8. Who partnered Mark Ramprakash to win “Strictly Come Dancing” 2006?
• Karen Hardy
• 9. What is his wife’s name?
• Vandana
• 10. What was his highest test score?
• 154

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