Season 193

In the throes of the Spanish Civil War, which monumental 1937 mural, commissioned by the Spanish Republican government for the Paris World's Fair and vividly inspired by the bombing of a Basque town, did Pablo Picasso create, marking a poignant political turn in his artistic oeuvre?
This masterpiece, executed in a striking monochrome palette, has since transcended its original context to stand as a universal symbol against the brutality of war, with its creator famously resisting any simplification of its profound symbolism.

Emerging from the 6th-century Indian game Chaturanga, this Japanese board game, sometimes called Japanese Chess, involves two players navigating 81 squares with 20 pieces each, aiming for a strategic checkmate.
Unlike its international counterparts, it features the distinct mechanic of redeploying captured pieces as one's own.
What is the name of this Japanese strategy board game, known for blending traditional chess elements with innovative gameplay techniques?

Which educational phenomenon, identified by Benjamin Bloom in 1984, reveals that students receiving one-to-one tutoring using mastery learning techniques outperformed their peers in a standard classroom setting by two standard deviations, leading to the challenge of finding group instruction methods as effective as individual tutoring?

Who is the Dutch cyclist considered as one of the greatest in the sport, who has claimed victories across cyclo-cross, road racing, and mountain biking?
This athlete, born in 1995, made history by winning the Road Race World Championships in Glasgow in 2023, the Junior Road Race World Championships in 2013, and a record number of Cyclo-cross World Championships.
Known for his intense rivalry with Wout van Aert, he's the first rider to win at the highest level in three different cycling disciplines.

Known for his adept transition from a celebrated acting career to a respected director, which filmmaker brought to the silver screen the comedic exploration of a fictional heavy metal band's tour in "This Is Spinal Tap" (1984), a whimsical fairy tale adventure in "The Princess Bride" (1987), the psychological suspense of "Misery" (1990), and the gripping military courtroom drama "A Few Good Men" (1992)?

Within Christian demonology, which former Philistine god, distinguished in the Gospel of Matthew from Satan and Lucifer, is known as the 'Lord of the Flies'?
Initially worshipped in Ekron, this entity was later depicted in Biblical texts as a high-ranking demon.
Jesus references this figure when discussing casting out demons, highlighting its distinct identity in the pantheon of malevolent spirits.

In which architectural feature, found in locations such as St Paul's Cathedral in London and the Mapparium in Boston, does sound travel across a curved surface in such a manner that messages can be clearly heard from one side to the other, despite the distance?
This phenomenon exploits the principles of sound wave reflection, allowing visitors to experience a unique auditory effect.

Which term describes the practice employed by organizations to simulate attacks on their own systems or strategies, involving teams that adopt an adversarial approach to identify vulnerabilities, test defenses, and evaluate effectiveness?
Originating from military training where opposing forces are represented, this method has been adapted by corporations and cybersecurity teams to anticipate and mitigate potential breaches or failures.

In the heart of Moscow, this historic opera house, famed for its grand neoclassical façade that adorns the Russian 100-ruble banknote, opened its doors in 1825 after a design by Joseph Bové.
This cultural landmark, known globally for hosting premier ballet and opera performances, underwent a significant six-year renovation, reopening in 2011.
Its name, meaning 'Grand' in Russian, underscores its status as one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet and opera companies worldwide.
What is the name of this iconic theatre?

Discovered by George Barger and Henry H. Dale in 1910 from plant fungi and animal tissues, this nitrogenous compound plays a crucial role in the body's immune response, including allergic reactions.
It is involved in local immune responses, regulates physiological functions in the gut, and serves as a neurotransmitter for the brain, spinal cord, and uterus.
Despite its absence in classic endocrine glands, it's considered a local hormone.
Name this compound, which is also responsible for the itching caused by stings and allergic reactions.

Who was the King of the Franks and Lombards, and later crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day, 800 AD, marking the renewal of the Roman Empire in the West?
This ruler, known as the 'Father of Europe' for his role in uniting much of western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire, laid the foundations for the Carolingian Renaissance, a revival of art, religion, and culture through the auspices of the church.

Launched on May 27, 2003, by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, this CMS began as a simple blogging platform but has grown into the most widely used open-source publishing system on the web.
Distinguished by its flexibility and ease of use, it allows for extensive customization through plugins such as WooCommerce Yoast and SEO, enabling websites of all types to be uniquely tailored to meet diverse needs.
What is the name of this platform, notable for revolutionizing digital content management and website development?

Known for her unique blend of Latin, rock, and Arabic musical influences, this Colombian singer-songwriter leapt onto the global stage in 2001 with hits like "Whenever, Wherever" and "Underneath Your Clothes" from her fifth studio Album "Laundry Service."
Later in her career she has had hits such as "Hips Don't Lie" and "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)."
Who is this artist celebrated for her musical versatility and distinctive voice?

By the latter half of the 21st century, this African nation is projected to surpass every country but India in terms of population, according to UN estimates. It's notable for Nollywood, one of the largest film industries globally, and for English being the official language, reflecting its colonial history. Which country is this?