Questions and Answers about
Places
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in PlacesWhere is New Caledonia?
Answer: New Caledonia, a French territory located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, has been in the news recently due to significant unrest. On May 15, 2024, France declared a state of emergency after violent protests triggered by new voting reforms. These protests led to the deaths of five people and injuries to over 60 security…
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in PlacesWhat’s notably missing from the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris?
Answer: In April 2024, the iconic red windmill sails of Paris’s famed Moulin Rouge unexpectedly fell off overnight – the first such event in the cabaret’s 135-year history. The incident, which did not result in injuries, was due to a technical issue. While the venue continued to host its shows without interruption, the absence of…
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in PlacesAs of 2024, which African country has the continent’s youngest president?
Answer: Senegal has ushered in its youngest president yet, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a 44-year-old former tax inspector who swapped crunching numbers for running a country. His election in March 2024 marked a significant pivot in Senegal’s political landscape. Faye, stepping into office on April 2, 2024, is not just setting records for his age; he’s…
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in PlacesWhere are Al Jazeera’s main headquarters located?
Answer: Amidst the swirling news of legislative actions in Israel targeting Al Jazeera in early April 2024, the network’s main headquarters is in Doha, Qatar. Despite Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to shut down Al Jazeera’s operations within Israeli borders, accusing it of being a “terror channel,” Al Jazeera’s heart beats in Doha. There,…
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in PlacesWhere was the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in March 2024?
Answer: The Francis Scott Key Bridge, located in Baltimore, Maryland, spanning the Patapsco River, experienced a devastating collapse on March 26, 2024, when a cargo ship, the Dali, lost power and collided with one of the bridge’s pillars. This incident led to the tragic presumed loss of six construction workers and created significant logistical challenges,…
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in PlacesWhat is the Hindu festival known for its vibrant celebration with colored powders and marks the beginning of spring?
Answer: Holi – often called the festival of colors – is a celebration that marks the onset of spring. This festival is celebrated widely in India and Nepal, as well as by the Hindu diaspora. It is renowned for its vibrant display of colors as participants smear each other with colored powders. It signifies the…
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in PlacesWhich trio of European countries have taken the high road by legalizing cannabis for recreational use?
Answer: In a groundbreaking move that has left the rest of Europe in a haze of envy, Malta, Luxembourg, and, most recently, Germany in late February 2024 has blazed a trail by legalizing cannabis for recreational use. Malta lit the first joint among EU countries, passing legislation to allow cannabis recreational use. Not wanting to…
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in PlacesIn the grand parade of the Chinese zodiac, which member is the only mythical creature?
Answer: In the vibrant tapestry of the Chinese zodiac, where animals of all walks of life – from the hardworking Ox to the cunning Rat – take a year-long spotlight, the Dragon soars above the rest as the sole mythical creature, celebrated with much fanfare as the bringer of strength, luck, and good fortune. As…
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in PlacesWhere is Rafah?
Answer: Months after the Oct. 7 Hamas brutal invasion of Israel, Rafah, a city of significant strategic importance due to its location at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip, bordering Egypt, became a focal point for escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas. This led to a humanitarian crisis characterized by airstrikes, ground offensive threats,…
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in PlacesThe Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, India, inaugurated in January 2024, stands over what historical structure?
Answer: The Ram Mandir temple, ceremoniously opened on Jan. 22, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now stands tall over what was once the Babri Masjid.
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in PlacesWhere was the new Danish Queen born?
Answer: Mary Donaldson from Tasmania became Queen Mary of Denmark on January 14, 2024, after Queen Margrethe II’s historic abdication.
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in PlacesAccording to traditional South Korean belief, what was once considered a method to boost stamina during humid summers?
Answer: South Korea’s parliament passed a bill to end dog meat eating and selling as of Jan. 9, 2024, reflecting a shift in cultural perceptions towards dogs.
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in PlacesIf you stroll down David Bowie Street, which city’s sights are you enjoying?
Answer: Rue David Bowie was inaugurated in Paris, France, on Jan. 8, 2024, which would have been Bowie’s 77th birthday.
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in PlacesWhat unexpected ‘feature’ did the 2023 Burning Man festival introduce to its attendees?
Answer: In a twist of events that Mother Nature probably found amusing, the 2023 Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada surprised attendees with a natural mud spa treatment as heavy rains transformed the festival grounds into vast cement-like mud puddles. This unexpected ‘feature’ left over 70,000 attendees stranded, turning their desert…
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in PlacesWhen does Ukraine celebrate Christmas?
Answer: In a move more surprising than finding out your secret Santa is actually Santa, Ukraine officially shifted its Christmas celebration to December 25th in 2023. This historic change. signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July 2023, marked a significant departure from the traditional January 7th date, aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church’s…
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in PlacesWhen does Ukraine celebrate Christmas?
Answer: Ukraine officially shifted its Christmas celebration to December 25th in 2023, a historic change signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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in PlacesWhich country is “Bharat”?
Answer: India recently stirred the pot (and not just a curry one) by referring to itself as “Bharat” in the Sept. 2023 G20 summit dinner invitations. For those who missed the memo, “Bharat” is an ancient Sanskrit term deeply rooted in India’s history and is also the name mentioned in the Indian Constitution. But why…
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in PlacesWhat is the Cenotaph in the UK?
Answer: The Cenotaph in Whitehall stands as a silent sentinel in the heart of London, solemnly honoring those who laid down their lives in the Great War and subsequent conflicts. During the Armistice weekend in Nov. 2023, a pro-Palestinian march was rerouted to avoid this iconic memorial, which, after a political tango involving the Prime…
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in PlacesWhich city suffered a surge in blood-sucking guests ahead of international sporting events?
Answer: In 2023, Paris and other French cities experienced a notable increase in bedbug infestations, leading to widespread public and mental health concerns. The French government, recognizing the severity of the issue. hosted emergency meetings to devise strategies to manage the situation, especially in light of the ongoing Rugby World Cup and the upcoming 2024…
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in PlacesWhere was the world’s oldest wooden structure discovered?
Answer: The world’s oldest known wooden structure was discovered near Kalambo Falls, on the border between Zambia and Tanzania. This remarkable find, dated almost half a million years old, offers a glimpse into our ancient ancestors’ lives. The structure, made of two interlocking logs, was likely part of a platform or walkway. Its preservation is…
