Air Traffic Control Problems

There was widespread disruption of transatlantic flights when a computer problem at Prestwick grounded all flights from the UK. This just goes to show that, when we fly, our safety is in the 'hands' of a sophisticated piece of modern technology and we can only hope that it hasn't been hacked into by terrorists, or just failed and crashes us into the ground!

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Who was born today in 1941 and wrote the best-selling novel "Interview with the Vampire"?
   
   
2. Sputnik 1 (right) was launched today in 1957 from a launchpad in which present day country?
   

   
   
3. Charlton Heston was born today in 1923 and won his only Oscar for which film?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. John Major; 2. No Doubt; 3. Iraq

Olympic Hopeful Opens Brothel

Now here's an unusual way of raising funds for a career in athletics! A New Zealand athlete has opened a brothel in a bid for Taekwondo glory at the 2012 Olympics in London. Prostitution is legal in New Zealand, so good luck Logan Campbell, I salute your resourcefulness!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Who was the last woman to be executed in the UK today in 1955?
   
   
2. What did the 'Hollywood Sign' (below) originally say when it was first erected today in 1923?
3. Which inventor and puzzle designer was born today in 1944 in Budapest?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Fleetwood Mac; 2. Cliff (Heathcliff) Huxtable; 3. Horatio Nelson

Barack Hussein Obama II - 44th US President

Well, there can only be one story today - Barack Obama is being inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America - and the first African American to hold the post. Today is truly an historic day!

It is frustrating to realise that, because of the way our electoral system works here in the UK, it is almost impossible for something similar to happen here! (Except, of course, we've had a woman as our elected leader long before the USA!)

Today's questions are: -

1. Which actor was born today in 1982 and won the 2008 series of "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!"?
2. What is the official title of Sophie Rhys-Jones who was born today in 1965?
3. What was agreed at the Wannsee Conference in Berlin today in 1942?

And a final, bonus, question: -

• What was the name of Barack Obama's father?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Jensen Button; 2. 6 (Australian, Wimbledon, US Open Twice Each); 3. CBSO (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra)