1. Pirates remain a problem off the coast of which African country?
a) Mozambique
b) Somalia
c) Angola
d) Nigeria

2. Black rhinos have been released into the wild in which country for the first time in 25 years?
a) Zimbabwe
b) Kenya
c) Zambia
d) DRC

3. The UN warns that many in Zimbabwe will need food aid by January. How many?
a) 3 million
b) 4 million
c) 5 million
d) 6 million

4. In August, Russian troops invaded which neighbouring country?
a) Ukraine
b) Moldova
c) Estonia
d) Georgia

5. The body of Steve Fossett appears to have been discovered a year after his disappearance. Who was Steve Fossett?
a) An adventurer
b) An actor
c) A politician
d) A sportsman

6. The last Tsar of Russia, killed by the Bolsheviks in 1918, has been declared a victim of repression. What was his name?
a) Vladimir II
b) Gregory II
c) Nicholas II
d) Alexander II

7. A group of South African businessmen are reputedly planning to buy which English Premier League club?
a) Newcastle Utd
b) Aston Villa
c) Tottenham Hotspur
d) Wigan Athletic

8. Where did the 2008 Paralympics take place?
a) Durban
b) Beijing
c) Los Angeles
d) Prague

9. The first ever Formula One night race was held recently. What was the venue?
a) Monaco
b) Singapore
c) Adelaide
d) Sao Paolo

10. An experiment at the Cern Laboratories in Switzerland had to be shut down after a technical fault. What situation were the scientists trying to recreate?
a) A black hole
b) The surface of the sun
c) An asteroid belt
d) The situation after the Big Bang

11. Which political party won the elections in Angola?
a) MPLA
b) ANP
c) DNWP
d) CDP

12. What was unusual about a Scottish Labrador recently?
a) It has begun to grow a second tail
b) 13 golf balls were found in it stomach
c) It has learnt to drive a car
d) It has turned green

13. For how long has Swaziland been independent from Great Britain?
a) 25 years
b) 30 years
c) 40 years
d) 50 years

14. A court in Thailand ruled that the Prime Minister must resign after doing what?
a) Visiting a notorious night club
b) Appearing on a television cookery programme
c) Advertising a particular make of car
d) Divorcing his wife

15. Who has been named ICC cricketer of the year?
a) Kumar Sangakkara
b) Dale Steyn
c) Kevin Pieterson
d) Shivnarine Chanderpaul

16. Lance Armstrong has announced a comeback from retirement. What is his sport?
a) Athletics
b) Boxing
c) American football
d) Cycling

17. What is the largest denomination banknote currently in Zimbabwe?
a) $10,000
b) $20,000
c) $50,000
d) $100,000

18. Scientists have suggested that the meat of what animal could be more environmentally friendly than beef or sheep
a) Kangaroo
b) Guinea pigs
c) Elephant
d) Bear

19. Who has been chosen as the running partner for Barack Obama?
a) Sarah Palin
b) John McCain
c) Condoleeza Rice
d) Joe Biden

20. Men over 48 and women over 57 have been recommended to take aspirin to counter what potential ailment?
a) Cancer
b) A stroke
c) Arthritis
d) Heart attacks

21. In which country did a man decapitate a fellow passenger on board a Greyhound bus?
a) Mexico
b) Canada
c) Argentina
d) South Africa

22. Who is the new number one ranked tennis player?
a) Andy Roddick
b) Novak Djokavic
c) Rafael Nadal
d) Nicolai Davydenko

23. From which country is Ussain Bolt, the record breaking sprinter?
a) Jamaica
b) United States
c) Trinidad
d) Cuba

24. Currently what crisis in the USA and Europe is making headlines?
a) Inflation
b) Unemployment
c) Banking and finance
d) Trade deficit

25. What “first” took place on Mount Everest last week?
a) Sky diving
b) Mass wedding ceremony
c) Sighting of a family of tigers
d) An earthquake