Q.943

This is an image from the cover of the May 2013 edition of an American city-oriented magazine. This was photographed by Mitchell Feinberg. To whom do these shoes belong to?

[+ Show Answer]

Participants from the 2013 Boston Marathon, which suffered bomb explosions towards the end. The magazine is Boston magazine - here's their post explaining how the cover was put together. Image: Boston Magazine

This day last year: Q.578

Q.942

This week's IZzie

For today's question, we will delve into the past: in November 2010, which footballer was nicknamed "The Cannibal of Ajax" by a Dutch newspaper after an incident in which he tried to take out a piece of the PSV Eindhoven player Otman Bakkal with his teeth?

[+ Show Answer]

The Uruguyan Luis Suarez who plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League. In April 2013, he was banned for ten games for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (more meaty details here).

This day last year: Q.577

Q.941

To mark the centenary of the foundation of this Indian political party founded in the United States, several events have been organised in India, in the United States, and in Canada. The commemoration begins on May 24, the birth anniversary of Kartar Singh Sarabha (a founder of the party), and will end on November 1, 2013.

Which party?

[+ Show Answer]

The Ghadar Party, one of the earliest parties to espouse violent revolution against the British. More here.

This day last year: Q.576

Q.940

The venerable cricket annual publication Wisden Cricketers' Almanack issued its 150th edition in 2013. It featured the usual selection of articles about cricket in England and the state of the sport around the world, and its pick of cricketers of the year.

The 2013 edition also featured an article about the South African cricketer Hashim Amla, by Brian Carpenter. This was the culmination of something that was done for the first time (in 2012).

How was this article different from others in Wisden?

[+ Show Answer]

To mark the 150th anniversary, in 2012, Wisden ran a competition for all its readers inviting entries - Carpenter was the winner (read his blog post about it). The article was published in the 2013 issue. They thought the idea was such a success that they are running it again this year - so take a look here.

This day last year: Q.575

Q.939

A visual from an election polling station from a European national election in February 2013. Why were the news media (some of it international) interested in this person casting his vote?

Image: The Hindu

[+ Show Answer]

The visual shows Massimiliano Latorre casting his vote in the Italian elections of 2013. He is one of the two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen. The marines were allowed to go home to Italy to vote, and in a controversial development, the Italian government said they would not go back. Diplomatic kerfuffles later, they are now back in India to stand trial. A summary of events at Wikipedia.

This day last year: Q.574

Q.938

Which person of Indian-Chinese descent made her screen debut in a special appearance in a song called "Ding Ding Ding" in a 2013 Telugu film called "Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde"?

[+ Show Answer]

The Indian badminton player Gutta Jwala.

This day last year: Q.573

Q.937

"L'ecume des jours" is the latest offering from director Michel Gondry (known for films such as "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind") and stars Audrey "Amelie" Tautou. This 2013 film is based on a surrealist novel of the same name by the French author Boris Vian.

The novel's title is translated into English as "Froth on the Daydream". The film, however, is being called something else in English. Jazz enthusiasts will recognise the title instantly as a kind of blues song, while students in India will know it for some other reason.

Which two word title?

[+ Show Answer]

Mood Indigo". The title is shared by the song and the annual IIT Bombay cultural festival.

This day last year: Q.572

Q.936

Petr Gandalovic is his country's Ambassador to the United States. In mid-April 2013, he was compelled by geographic ignorance to put out the following statement:

"As more information on the origin of the alleged perpetrators is coming to light, I am concerned to note in the social media a most unfortunate misunderstanding in this respect. The X and Y are two very different entities - the X is a Central European country; Y is a part of the Russian Federation."

Which two entities is he talking of here?

[+ Show Answer]

The Czech Republic and Chechnya. In the aftermath of the discovery that the two suspects in the 2013 Boston marathon bombings were ethnic Chechens, the Czechs realised that many ordinary people couldn't tell apart the two countries, and hence the statement (see more here).

This day last year: Q.571

Q.935

This week's IZzie

In April 2013, he attempted to run for election from constituencies in Karachi, Kasur, Islamabad, and Chitral. Only the administration in Chitral accepted his papers, but even that was eventually disallowed.

Who?

[+ Show Answer]

The former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who, to compound his misery, now finds himself under arrest. More here.

This day last year: Q.570

Q.934

The contagion of IPL-style leagues for other sports in Maharashtra sees no signs of abating. Even more so are the two word names for these teams containing a city and a dashing noun. In the latest such league to be held in April 2013 in Pune, the teams are Ahmednagar Checkers, Pune Attackers, Jalgaon Battlers, Mumbai Movers, Nagpur Royals, and Thane Combaters.

Featuring some top Indian players from this sport, for which sport is this league organised?

[+ Show Answer]

Chess. More on the inaugural Maharashtra Chess League, featuring players like Surya Shekhar Ganguly.

This day last year: Q.569

Q.933

A land and finance company from Delhi used to boast of a superlative from 2008 to 2012. Now, since April 2013, it is owned by someone who reliably never says no.

What's all this nonsense about?

[+ Show Answer]

A six in the Indian Premier League used to be called a "D(elhi)L(and)F(inance) Maximum", it's now called a "YES Bank Maximum".

This day last year: Q.568

Q.932

The film "Fresh Guacamole" was nominated in the "Best Animated Short Film" category at the 2013 Academy Awards. This literally cutting edge movie lost the Oscar to "Paperman".

However, what Oscar distinction did it gain by being nominated?

[+ Show Answer]

It is the shortest film ever to be nominated for an Oscar, lasting all of about 96 seconds. Watch the film on Youtube here (and yes, you can perhaps hold your breath for this one).

This day last year: Q.567

Q.931

In 1924, the "New York Y" bought the "New York X" to become the "New York X Y". A similar transition happened in Paris to its European edition, and it was dubbed the "Paris X Y". The New York version declined, but the Paris one survived, and turned into the "International X Y" in 1967 when it was partly acquired by a New York giant.

That New York giant now owns it completely, and in the end of 2013, will start calling it "The International New York ____", reflecting its heritage and its ownership.

What are X, Y, and the New York giant?

[+ Show Answer]

X=Herald, Y=Tribune. The International Herald Tribune newspaper is the international face of the New York Times newspaper, which will now call it just that: "The International New York Times". More here.

This day last year: Q.566

Q.930

The O. Henry Award is given annually to two or three of the best short stories of the year. One of 2005's winners was the story "Refuge in London", written by someone who knew a lot about being a refugee in London, and who also had a unique distinction in the world of awards.

Who?

[+ Show Answer]

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, the writer who passed away in April 2013. She is the only person to have won a Booker Prize (for "Heat and Dust"), as well as an Academy Award (two in fact: "A Room with a View" and "Howard's End"). An obit here.

The story can be read here.

This day last year: Q.565

Q.929

Lindsey Vonn is the first American skier to win an Olympic gold medal in the Downhill discipline of alpine skiing (in 2010). She has also won four World Cups in her sport, which makes her a much feted sportsperson in her field.

In 2013, she became associated with another sport (from the Summer Olympics side, it can be said) for other reasons; her appearance at one of the four major annual tournaments in that sport (held in April 2013) also made news.

Why this attention?

[+ Show Answer]

Vonn is dating Tiger Woods; she showed up at the 2013 Masters, to much media attention. That's our Page 3 question for the month.

This day last year: Q.564

Q.928

IZzie for the week

In April 2013, Walt Disney Pictures announced a sequel to the Pixar hit "Finding Nemo". It's called "Finding ____", and will be centred around an important character seen in the previous film. It'll release in 2015 - since we're telling you two years in advance, try not to forget.

Fill in the blank to complete the title of the movie.

[+ Show Answer]

"Dory", the fish that has retrograde amnesia.

This day last year: Q.563

Q.927

In a statement released in early April, the Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo said that he was happy to welcome this iconic media show back to New York (where it was based for most of its sixty year run) from Los Angeles. The move, which will happen in 2014, will also include a new host in Jimmy Fallon, a New Yorker.

Which show?

[+ Show Answer]

The NBC weekday programme "The Tonight Show", which is currently hosted by Jay Leno. More on this news.

This day last year: Q.562

Q.926

This photo was taken at the conclusion of a sporting event held in March-April 2013. Which event, and what was the conclusion?

[+ Show Answer]

FIDE, the international body that runs chess, held a Candidates tournament to select a challenger to take on Vishwanathan Anand later in 2013. World no.1 Magnus Carlsen won, but the tournament was much tighter than anyone expected. A report here.

Image: FIDE

This day last year: Q.561

Q.925

Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as the new President of Kenya, in April 2013. In what specific way does this achievement link him to the following people:

• Ian Khama, the current President of Botswana
• Joseph Kabila, the current President of the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Jean-Claude Duvalier, the former President of Haiti
• Megawati Sukarnoputri, the former President of Indonesia
• Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the former President of the Phillipines
• Bashar al-Assad, the current President of Syri
  
• John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the USA

[+ Show Answer]

Their fathers have also served as Presidents of these countries. Uhuru Kenyatta's father Jomo is also considered the founder of modern Kenya.

This day last year: Q.560

Q.924

This Chilean poet died of prostate cancer in 1973. Or so the official reason goes. His former aide claims that the poet was murdered by injection of a lethal substance after a regime change days earlier that saw the notorious Gen. Pinochet take over as dictator in a coup. His body was exhumed in April 2013, where it will undergo tests that seek to confirm or dismiss these allegations.

Which Nobel Prize winning literary giant is this?

[+ Show Answer]

Pablo Neruda, who won the Prize for Literature in 1971. A detailed report from the BBC is here.

This day last year: Q.559

Q.923

In March 2013, a series of ads for the Ford Figo car with the tagline "Leave your worries behind" surfaced. It turned out to be an ironic piece of copy: senior people at JWT (the creative agency behind the ads) had to quit amidst a lot of controversy. The ads depicted the likes of former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi and Paris Hilton at the wheel with some of their potential problems gagged and bound in the 'spacious boot' of the car.

The third ad in this series showed someone who is no longer at the wheel in the career he is best known for. Who is this?

[+ Show Answer]

The F-1 racer Michael Schumacher. The ad showed F-1 drivers Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in the back. Here's the sorry tale.

This day last year: Q.558

Q.922

"Barefoot" is a non-profit organisation based in Orissa. In March 2013, the organisation received a National Tourism Award in the category of the "Best Responsible Tourism Initiative". This was for their work called "Green Riders", which has received a lot of acclaim since the time it was introduced in 2009. The name comes from the green coloured units provided to locals, along with the basic training in dealing with tourists.

What kind of units are these?

[+ Show Answer]

These are rickshaws provided to rickshaw pullers. More here.

This day last year: Q.557

Q.921

This week's IZzie is also a vIZual

Image: Amazon

[+ Show Answer]

A review is here, and here's an excerpt. A link to the book.

This day last year: Q.556

Q.920

Info hat-tip: Suraj Menon

In January 2013, the publishing house Penguin reissued a series of five classic books by an author. These came with newly designed covers created by the designer David Pearson. This cover was the most striking of the lot, and came in for much deserved praise.

Who is the author, and which is the book?

Image: Creative Review

[+ Show Answer]

George Orwell's "1984", with its theme of censorship and repression. If you peer close enough at the blackened portions, the title is partly visible. The other covers can be seen here.

This day last year: Q.555

Q.919

The travel site Trip Advisor has released a 2013 list of the most preferred travel destinations from a survey that it conducted. The Four Seasons Resort at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii was voted the world's best Hotel. The Indian topper was The Oberoi Udaivilas. Where in India is this located?

(Bonus: The world's highest ranked island was Ambergris Caye. In which Central American country - also considered part of the Caribbean - does this belong to?)

[+ Show Answer]

The Oberoi Udaivilas, as the name suggests, is in Udaipur. The answer to the bonus question is Belize.

This day last year: Q.554

Q.918

Connect the following:

* A Gujarati novel by Govardhanram Tripathi
* A 1968 Hindu film by Govind Saraiya featuring Nutan in the lead, for which Kalyanji-Anandji won a National Award for Best Music
* A 2013 TV serial created by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

[+ Show Answer]

"Saraswatichandra". The novel was made into the 1968 film (you may have heard of the song "chandan sa badan" from this movie), and has been adapted for TV (and set in modern times) by Bhansali.

This day last year: Q.553

Q.917

Compared by some to the Human Genome Project, the United States has greenlit a new and ambitious medical project by its NIH (National Institutes of Health). The (slightly clunky) name of this project is "_____ Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies"

What is the first word, also the subject of the project?

[+ Show Answer]

"Brain". Thus forming the acronym "BRAIN" (ooh). Clunkiness apart, this is quite an ambitious project that should yield a lot of insights. More here.

This day last year: Q.552

Q.916

This TV show was one of the Fox TV network's longest running programmes, having been on air for about 23 years until Fox ended the show in 2011. It was picked up by Lifetime (a smaller American TV network) in 2012, but not for long: Lifetime announced it was cancelling the programme in end of March 2013.

Over a thousand people have been 'found' as a result of the show. If you have been featured on it, a lot of people would certainly like to know your current whereabouts.

Which show, which also (infamously) had a trendsetting Indian version over a decade ago?

[+ Show Answer]

America's Most Wanted". If you don't know much about Suhaib Ilyasi and India's Most Wanted, then read this.

This day last year: Q.551

Q.915

The Language Council of Sweden (or "Språkrådet") is a semi-governmental body that is responsible for the promotion and well-being of the Swedish language. Each year, they release a list of words that they consider have "entered" the language and popular usage.

Such a list in March 2013 ran into trouble after a company objected to an inclusion that had their name in it (the word meant you couldn't use them). Which company and what could you not do?

[+ Show Answer]

Google objected to the word "ogooglebar" which means the adjective "ungoogleable". I'm sure you didn't try to 'google' for the answer.

This day last year: Q.550

Q.914

Time for this week's IZzie

Which democratic country renewed a state of war with its neighbour in March 2013, thus ending sixty years of uneasy ceasefire, also taking such steps as cutting off all official communications between the two?

[+ Show Answer]

The Democractic People's Republic of Korea a.k.a North Korea. The country has been particulary belligerent towards the South in 2013, and some US-Korean military exercises haven't helped. See this for a summary.

This day last year: Q.549