Coffee time: The news quiz

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), August 9, 2008

1 What, known to be contagious in humans, did a scientific study at Birbeck College, University of London suggest can be 'caught' by dogs?

2 Which swimmer was chosen to carry the flag for Great Britain at the Olympic opening ceremony?

3 Which celebrity chef apologised after mistakenly suggesting in a magazine article that the poisonous plant henbane was great in salads?

4 Which Oscar-winning Dark Knight star was injured in a car accident near his home in Mississippi?

5 Some of which Star Trek actor's ashes went missing minutes after take-off when the rocket carrying them malfunctioned while attempting a space burial service?

6 Conservative candidate Ian Oakley was convicted of harassment and criminal damage in a campaign against his Liberal Democrat rivals in an attempt to change the political landscape of which town?

7 Where did Britain's oldest seaside donkey ride company close?

8 What was unusual about the wedding of fitness instructor Darren McWalters and his bride Katie Hodgson?

9 Who celebrated his first night as the Prince of Denmark for the RSC at Stratford?

10 Which Conservative MP sparked a fierce debate after questioning the 12A rating awarded to The Dark Knight?

solutions

1 Yawning; 2 Mark Foster; 3 Antony Worrall Thompson; 4 Morgan Freeman; 5 James Doohan who played chief engineer Scotty; 6 Watford; 7 Margate; 8 The ceremony was held with each of them and the Rev George Bingham stood on top of the wings of three biplanes flying at 1,000ft above Cirencester; 9 David Tennant; 10 Ian Duncan Smith.