Bernard Madoff Gets 150 Years

The Madoff fraud of $65 BILLION has been punished with a suitably large sentence which will hopefully bring some small comfort to the victims. However, I'm mystified as to why people would put their life savings in one place - surely Bernard Madoff was only exploiting the greed of his victims - there must have been safer places for their money (albeit with smaller returns, but a return nevertheless!) The other thing I've learned is that his fraud has a name - a Ponzi Scheme. Surely, if the authorities know about these schemes, why aren't they prohibited and policed?

Your Tuesday teasers are: -

1. The Democratic Republic of Congo gained independence from which European country today in 1960?
   
   
2. What was the maiden name of singer and "X-Factor" judge Cheryl Cole (right) who was born today in 1983?

   
   
3. Which UK airport was attacked by terrorists in a Jeep Cherokee today in 2007?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. The Globe; 2. Darts; 3. Jayne Mansfield

Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.

Michael Jackson Tops UK Album Chart

Michael Jackson's greatest hits album "Number Ones" has rocketed from 121 to No 1 in the UK charts and four other albums have entered the Top 20! Also, six singles have entered the Top 40! I'll never understand this phenomenon - I have five Michael Jackson singles and the "HIStory" compilation from 1995 - I was happy with these before he died and I'm happy now. He made some great records and, as far as I'm concerned, I've already got the ones I like!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Which London theatre burned down today in 1613?
   
   
2. Canadian John Part (right) was born today in 1966 and is a three-time World Champion at which sport?
   

   
   
3. Which actress died, aged 34, in a car crash today in 1967?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Archduke Franz Ferdinand (and his wife Sophie); 2. Denver Broncos; 3. Hans Blix (Enfield, London)

Ulysses to be Shut Down

After 18 years the Ulysses spacecraft is to be turned off. This spacecraft has determined that the solar wind is blowing at a 50-year low. This results in more cosmic radiation hitting the Earth which may result in Climate Change effects. It's too complicated to explain here, but if you follow the links, more light will be shed on the subject! And once you've looked at the evidence I'll just ask one question on this - do you think that Man or the Sun is likely to have most effect on the Earth's climate?

Sunday's questions are: -

1. Who was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo today in 1914?
   
   
2. Retired American Football quarterback John Elway (right) was born today in 1960 and played for which club from 1983 to 1998?
   

   
   
3. Name the former Chief UN Weapons Inspector who was born in Sweden today in 1928.
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Pool; 2. Ireland; 3. United Kingdom (Enfield, London)

Blogiche

While looking at my stats on Statcounter, I discovered that people had found my blog from Blogiche. I'd never heard of this, but it seems to be another blogroll site very much like Alphainventions and Condron.us. Hopefully it will lead to more visitors!

Saturday's questions are: -

1. In what sport do American and European teams compete for the Mosconi Cup, named in honour of Willie Mosconi who was born today in 1913?
   
   
2. Mary McAleese (right) was born today in 1951 and is President of which country?
   

   
   
3. In which country was the world's first ATM installed today in 1967?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Colonel Tom Parker; 2. AC Milan; 3. Temperature

Glastonbury 2009

The 2009 Glastonbury Festival starts today! Three days of music and mud (except this year it looks as though it will be dry! - oops! Looks like I put a curse on them - it's rained there now!) with some of the best artists in the world on show. For those of us without tickets (nor the inclination) we can sit back, beer or wine in hand, and watch the wall-to-wall coverage on the BBC!

Friday's questions are: -

1. Who was born today in 1909 and became Elvis Presley's manager?
   
   
2. Paolo Maldini (right, in white) was born today in 1968 and has played 627 times for which Italian football team?
   

   
   
3. Lord Kelvin, who was born today in 1824 in Belfast, gave his name to a unit of measurement of what physical property?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Portugal; 2. "Extras"; 3. General George Custer

Peace Breaks Out in Formula 1

After threats of splits and breakaways, the world of Formula 1 Motor Racing has returned to normality with compromises all round! Max Moseley WILL retire, the teams WILL spend less and Bernie Ecclestone WILL be chuckling all the way back to the bank!

Thursday's questions are: -

1. Mozambique achieved independence from which country today in 1975?
   
   
2. Ricky Gervais (right), who was born today in 1961, played Andy Millman in which TV sitcom?
   

   
   
3. Who died today in 1876, with two of his brothers, at what Native Americans call the Battle of Greasy Grass Creek?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Battle of Bannockburn; 2. Tears for Fears; 3. Juan Manuel Fangio

Science Fiction Author in £1 Million Deal

As a fan of Science Fiction (SF) it is good to see an author get such a fantastic advance. I've not read much by Alistair Reynolds, but it is heartening to see that publishers will still pay good money to authors. It should be noted that the £1 million is for TEN books, not just the one! He even has his own blog and Wikipedia entry.

Wednesday's questions are: -

1. Where did Robert the Bruce defeat Edward II of England today in 1314?
   
   
2. Curt Smith (right), who was born today in 1961, and Roland Orzabal founded which 1980's band?
   

   
   
3. Which 5-time Formula 1 World Champion was born in Argentina today in 1911?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Zizou; 2. "Rockferry"; 3. Paris

BlogDumps - Top Sites Tuesday

Every Tuesday, Wolf Bernz who runs the BlogDumps website has a little feature called Top Sites Tuesday. This is to encourage as many bloggers as possible to visit each others blogs and comment. The theme this week is to tell everyone about our blogs!

So, here goes - I like quizzes and I like setting questions. I like people who read my questions to think, "that's interesting" whether or not they know the answer. I'm not a teacher (some friends think I should be!!) but I do like the thought that someone, somewhere has learned something new from my questions and this blog. (and hopefully, fun as well!!)

I have questions to cover all 365 days (and Feb 29!) and would like to publish a Quiz Book (or even a day-to-day desk calendar). I've already self published one - "The Easy Quiz Master" and I'd like to do more!

Tuesday's questions are: -

1. What is the nickname of retired French footballer Zinedine Zidane who was born today in 1972?
   
   
2. What was the title of the Grammy and BRIT award winning debut album by Duffy (right) who was born today in 1984?
   
   
3. Which newly occupied city was visited by Adolf Hitler today in 1940?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Soviet Union; 2. Allan Quartermain; 3. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.

New Mexico Spaceport

Well, I made it back safely from Cold Ashby - didn't win, but didn't lose either (although I should have!!) Anyway, I found this item on the BBC website about how the world's first spaceport is being built in New Mexico, called Spaceport America. When finished it will be the home of Virgin Galactic who will be running tourist flights into space!

Monday's questions are: -

1. Under the codename Barbarossa, Germany invaded which country today in 1941?
   
   
2. Author H Rider Haggard (right) was born today in 1856 and created which character that featured in 15 of his books and also in "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"?
   
   
3. What was the first UK Top 3 single released by Cyndi Lauper who was born today in 1953?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Tony Jacklin; 2. The Killers; 3. Jane Russell

Golf at Cold Ashby

It's Sunday and it's time for another round in my golf challenge against my friend Dave. This week we're off to Cold Ashby in Northamptonshire for match 13 in our current series. At the moment I'm 8 - 3 down (one match halved) and not looking like winning any! This is the seventh year we've played and I've not lost a series, yet! this year could be different if I don't start to win soon! This is quite a hilly course, so if I don't report in tomorrow you'll know it was too much for me!

Sunday's questions: -

1. Which British golfer won the US Open today in 1970?
   
   
2. Brandon Flowers (right), who was born today in 1981, is the frontman and lyricist for which American rock band?
   
   
3. Which actress was born today in 1921 and played Dorothy Shaw in the 1953 film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Lionel Richie; 2. United Kingdom (Blackpool); 3. Annie Oakley

Police to Investigate MP's Expenses

The details of MP's expenses were officially released this week with almost all of the 'juicy' details blacked out. This just goes to show how far the cover-up goes; it's a good job that the Daily Telegraph got hold of the uncensored details. And finally, the police are going to investigate a small number of MP's and peers - about time too!!

Saturday's questions: -

1. Who was born today in 1949 and had his only UK No 1 single in 1984 with "Hello"?
   
   
2. In which country was actor John Mahoney (right), born today in 1940?
   
   
3. Which 'Legend of the West' married fellow marksman Frank Butler today in 1882?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. United Kingdom; 2. New York; 3. Italy

Latest Climate Change Predictions

Where to start?!? If Swine Flu doesn't get me Climate Change might...or I might just die peacefully in my sleep! Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced that the UK needs to plan now for a future that will be hotter and bring greater extremes of flood and drought. This is based on the latest computer models presented in the UK Climate Projections 2009 report (UKCP09). I'm yet to be convinced that these models can accurately predict the future, especially when similarly sophisticated computers can't predict the weather more than 4 DAYS ahead!

Friday's questions: -

1. Kuwait declared independence from which country today in 1961?
   
   
2. In which city was Mayor of London, Boris Johnson (right), born today in 1964?
   
   
3. Which country defeated Hungary 4 - 2 in Paris today in 1938 to win the FIFA World Cup for the second time?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg; 2. Attempting to Vote in the 1872 Presidential Election; 3. Bobbitt

Birmingham Cannot Contain Swine Flu

Health officials in Birmingham say the spread of swine flu in the city can no longer be contained. More than half of the cases of Swine Flu in the UK are found in the West Midlands. Am I worried? Not really (he says whilst touching wood!!) as I've never had flu! That has probably doomed me...but never mind!

Thursday's posers: -

1. Which notorious American spies were married today in 1939 and executed tomorrow in 1953?
   
   
2. Susan B Anthony (right) was fined $100 today in 1873 for what offence?
   
   
3. Today in 1989 Lorena married John Wayne, what was their surname?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Denmark; 2. Twice (out of 7 meetings); 3. California

Bad Day for Cardinals & Archbishops

Every now and then I'm struck by coincidences while researching this blog for you. On this day in history four Cardinals/Archbishops have died - Fulk the Venerable, Archbishop of Rheims (assassinated 900); Philip, Cardinal Howard (1694); Cardinal Basil Hume, Archbishop of Westminster (1999); Cardinal Thomas Winning, Archbishop of Glasgow (2001). Strange, but true!

Wednesday's posers: -

1. Today in 1944, Iceland became fully independent from which country?
   
   
2. Venus Williams (right) was born today in 1980 and has won 7 Grand Slam singles titles. How many times has she beaten her sister Serena in Grand Slam finals?
   
   
3. Today in 1569, Sir Francis Drake claimed English sovereignty over Nova Albion. In which current US State is Nova Albion?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Paris; 2. Four (same no as his son 'Young' Tom Morris); 3. Stan Laurel

Judie Tzuke - 30 Years On

It is almost 30 years since one of the best songs of all time was in the British singles charts - "Stay with Me Till Dawn" by the fantastic Judie Tzuke! Although it never reached the Top 10, in 2002 it was voted the 39th Best British Song by listeners of BBC Radio 2 (one place above "Life on Mars" by David Bowie)! Since 1979, Judie has released 16 studio albums, 5 live albums and there are 5 compilations...all can be found here.

Thirty years on Judie is still producing excellent music through her own record label (Big Moon Records), collaborating with many other artists and her daughter Bailey has already had a Top 10 hit ("Uninvited" with Freemasons) with a debut album imminent!

Anyway onto Tuesday's teasers: -

1. In which city did ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defect today in 1961?
   
   
2. Golfer Old Tom Morris (right) who was born at St Andrews today in 1821, went on to win the Open Golf Championship how many times?
   
   
3. Which film comedian was born today in 1890 in Ulverston, England?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. OJ Simpson; 2. "As Good As It Gets"; 3. Norway

Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.

Andy Murray Wins on Grass

Andy Murray has become the first British tennis player to win at the Queen's Club since Bunny Austin in 1938! That is a remarkably long time and just shows how poor British Men's tennis had become! Now it's on to Wimbledon and the extra hype and we'll see whether Andy Murray can cope...and beat Federer AND Nadal!

Monday's questions: -

1. Who, at his murder trial today in 1995, found that the glove didn't fit?
   
   
2. Actress Helen Hunt (right) was born today in 1963 and won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in which 1997 comedy film?
   
   
3. In which country was composer Edvard Grieg born today in 1843?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. John Alcock & Arthur Whitten Brown; 2. George O'Dowd; 3. Steffi Graf

New Clock from ClockLink.com

Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed a new addition (or two) to my blog - a clock which is courtesy of ClockLink.com. There are loads of different formats to choose from - and they are free! For any other bloggers out there I think this is a great addition because it means that when someone accesses your site, they know what time it is in your part of the globe!

Sunday's questions: -

1. Who took off on their historic non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean today in 1919?
   
   
2. What is the real name of singer Boy George (right) who was born today in 1961?
   
   
3. Which winner of 22 Grand Slam Tennis singles titles was born today in 1969 in Germany?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Mary Whitehouse; 2. "Heroes"; 3. Ireland (Dublin)

Basic Anatomy Baffles Brits

Amazing, but a large percentage of British people don't know where in the body their major organs are situated! A research team at King's College London found that the knowledge of our bodies was no better than over 30 years ago! A provisional PDF of the paper can be found here.!

Saturday's questions: -

1. Who was born today in 1910 in Nuneaton and founded the National Viewers and Listeners Association in 1965 (now mediawatch-uk)?
   
   
2. Actor Malcolm McDowell (right), who was born today in 1943, played wealthy villain Mr Linderman in which TV series?
   
   
3. In which country was Nobel Prize winning writer William Butler Yeats born today in 1865?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Charles Kingsley; 2. Courtney Cox; 3. "The Invaders" (A Quinn Martin Production!

Swine Flu Pandemic

The Swine Flu outbreak that started in Mexico has finally reached the stage of being declared a pandemic by WHO! The last Influenza pandemic was over 40 years ago and it killed 1 million people worldwide. That was an H3N2 version, the current virus is an H1N1 which is the same family as the 1918-19 flu pandemic. Hopefully, the social conditions today are sufficiently different so that the more severe strain of the virus doesn't spread too widely - apparently the war in 1918 was a factor in concentrating the more dangerous version of the virus!

Friday's questions: -

1. Who was born today in 1819 and is best known for writing "The Water Babies"?
   
   
2. Who married actor, director, writer, producer David Arquette (right) today in 1999?
   
   
3. Which of these classic 60's TV series WAS NOT created by Irwin Allen who was born today in 1916 - "Lost in Space", "The Time Tunnel", "The Invaders" or "Land of the Giants"?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Ross Kemp; 2. Calypso; 3. Alcatraz (but were never seen again!)

Earth Set to Collide with Mars or Venus

Before you head for the hills (no use for this catastrophe as it turns out!) or start building your own space ship, this is only likely to happen in about 3 billion years time! Scientists believe that the planetary orbits in our solar system are not as stable as we once thought; leading to the possibility of overlap and potential collision in the distant future. So, we can carry on wrecking it long before nature takes its course!!

Thursday's questions: -

1. Which actor and journalist married Rebekah Wade, editor of The Sun newspaper, today in 2002?
   
   
2. What was the name of the ship used throughout his career by explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau (right), who was born today in 1910?
   
   
3. Frank Morris and John & Clarence Anglin escaped from which prison today in 1962?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Elizabeth Hurley; 2. Uganda; 3. Saab

Comedy Football Awards 2008/09

This caught my eye on the BBC website - Chris Charles' summary of the lighter moments of the last football season here in England. From Roy Keane's facial hair to Nicklas Bendtner's trousers and many points in between! It's a superb read for any football fan!!

Wednesday's questions: -

1. Which British actress and former Estee Lauder model was born today in 1965 and once said, "I'd kill myself if I was as fat as Marilyn Monroe"?
   
   
2. In which country was Archbishop of York, John Sentamu (right), born today in 1949?
   
   
3. Which Swedish aviation and automobile manufacturing company produced its first car today in 1947?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Charles Kingsford Smith + his crew; 2. Padmé Amidala; 3. Patricia Cornwell

Thomas Paine - 200 Years On

Yesterday marked the 200th anniversary of the death of Thomas Paine, one of the most influential men in the American Revolution - so how come I'd not heard of him before? Well, it appears that by the time of his death he wasn't very popular (only 6 mourners at his funeral) and since then many others seem to have been given more credit for the formation of the United States. Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" is cited by some as the single most influential document in persuading delegates of the Continental Conference to Declare Independence.

Tuesday's teasers: -

1. Who was the first person to fly across the Pacific Ocean, landing in Brisbane today in 1928?
   
   
2. Actress Natalie Portman (right) was born today in 1981 in Jerusalem and played what character in "Star Wars: Episodes I, II & III"?
   

   
   
3. Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta is the creation of which novelist who was born today in 1956?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Frank Lloyd Wright; 2. "Stronger"; 3. London Heathrow


Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.

Yasmina Wins The Apprentice

In a tense and exciting final Yasmina Siadatan just edged out Kate Walsh as Sir Alan Sugar's new Apprentice. It was a close run thing and I think if he could, Sir Alan might have been tempted to give both of them a job! I would quite happily work for either of the finalists as they both seem to know how to manage people and get the best results - a rare ability in "The Apprentice"!

Monday's posers: -

1. Who was born today in 1867 and designed the Guggenheim Museum building in New York?
   
   
2. In 2007 what was the first UK No 1 single for Kanye West (right) who was born today in 1977?
   

   
   
3. At which airport was James Earl Ray, assassin of Martin Luther King, apprehended today in 1968?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Edward "Bear" Grylls; 2. Philippines; 3. "Driving Miss Daisy"

D-Day 65th Anniversary

Whilst Prince Charles stood in for the Queen at the 65th Commemoration of the D-Day landings, Her Majesty was at Epsom to watch the Derby. This is the only English Classic race that she hasn't won and, apparently, the only time that she hasn't attended the Derby was for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day!

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Which adventurer was born today in 1974 and presented the TV series "Born Survivor" (known in the US as "Man vs Wild")?
   
   
2. In which country is Mount Pinatubo (right) that erupted today in 1991?
   

   
   
3. Actress Jessica Tandy, who was born today in 1909, became the oldest to win the Best Actress Oscar for which 1989 film?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Train; 2. Freddy Krueger; 3. Robert F Kennedy

Big Brother 10 Starts

Well, it's started again - the TENTH season of Big Brother got underway on Channel 4. It's not a programme that I've ever been interested in (apart from some of the celebrity versions), it still seems to be popular though..but for how much longer?

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Andrew Jackson became the first US President to take what mode of transport today in 1833?
   
   
2. Actor Robert Englund (right), who was born today in 1947, played which character in the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series of films?
   

   
   
3. Who died today in 1968 after being shot at the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Mexican; 2. Mexico 1968; 3. Jennifer Lopez

Barack Obama Calls for "New Beginning"

In a keynote speech at Cairo University, Barack Obama spoke about his understanding of the Muslim world and America's desire to interact positively with Islam around the world. This, hopefully, will be the start of a new era where the West and the Muslim world can start to live together in peace and mutual trust! Here is a link to an analysis of what he said.

Your Friday questions are: -

1. What nationality was revolutionary "Pancho" Villa who was born today in 1878?
   
   
2. American sprinter Tommie Smith (pictured right, centre), who was born today in 1944, gave the Black Power salute from the podium at which Olympic Games?
   

   
   
3. Who married singer/songwriter Marc Anthony today in 2005 in a quiet home wedding?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Amanda Holden; 2. Poland; 3. Emily Davison

The Apprentice - Series 5

Now we know who the finalists are - Kate and Yasmina. It's been a great series so far and I can't pick a winner! I thought James was very entertaining and would actually be good to work for. Lorraine and Debra had their qualities, but I'm not sure I could work for either of them! So, we'll find out on Sunday who has won and become Sir Alan's Apprentice for 2009!

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. Which actress married comedian Les Dennis today in 1995?
   
   
2. German international footballer Lukas Podolski (right) was born in which country today in 1985?
   

   
   
3. Who ran out in front of the King's horse at the Epsom Derby today in 1913?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Walk in Space; 2. 6; 3. Bernard Schwartz

Andy Murray Out of French Open

Just typical!! No sooner is birthday boy Rafael Nadal out of the French Open than British hope Andy Murray also gets knocked out by Chilean Fernando Gonzalez! Still he's still only young and clay isn't really his surface; there'll be other opportunities. Next it's onto Wimbledon where Murray's chances will again be over-hyped by the British media - maybe he'll come good there!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. What was Lieutenant Colonel Edward White the first American to do today in 1965?
   

   
   
2. World number 1 tennis player Rafael Nadal (right), who was born today in 1986, has won how many Grand Slam singles titles?
   

   
   
3. What was the birth name of actor Tony Curtis who was born today in 1925?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. PT Barnum; 2. Sylar; 3. The Walrus

Susan Boyle in Priory Clinic

Although I didn't watch the whole of the final of "Britain's Got Talent" I did see Diversity perform and was very pleased when they were announced as the winners - their routine was just fantastic! After the announcements, Susan Boyle seemed to be taking it well, but obviously the stresses of being a global star from a standing start 8 weeks ago have taken their toll. Although people going into these types of reality show know what to expect, this is the first time that a global star has emerged before the final and I think the producers could have done more to take the pressure off her. The media circus would have driven some more experienced people over the edge, so its no surprise that SuBo couldn't cope in the end. Hopefully, after a bit of rest in The Priory and time away from the limelight and she'll be fine again.

Your Tuesday questions are: -

1. Whose circus began it's first tour of the United States today in 1835?
   
   
2. Actor Zachary Quinto (right) was born today in 1977 and plays which character in the TV series "Heroes"?
   
   
3. What is the nickname of 1982 US Masters Golf Champion Craig Stadler who was born today in 1953?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Robert Powell; 2. Seal; 3. Thomas Edison