Q.889

"House of Cards" is a new American TV series that premiered in early February of 2013. A political drama, it features the likes of Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. Netflix, the DVD-rental-turned-streaming service, is distributing the show.

What innovative model is Netflix using in distribution, which media experts called an idea whose time has come?

[+ Show Answer]

Instead of episodes being released at frequent intervals (typically a week), all thirteen episodes are available for viewing from the very first day. More at the New York Times, especially the effect this is having on viewers not used to such models.

This day last year: Q.524

Q.888

In his Rail budget speech for 2013, the Indian Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal announced a new type of luxury railway coach that will have such items as ergonomic seats, modular toilets, and LCD screens.

The name for this kind of coach can be translated into Hindi as "sensation" or "realization". What's this name?

Bonus question: the first train to receive such an addition will be a Rajdhani express; in fact, the Rajdhani that links the Minister's parliamentary constituency to New Delhi. Which place?

[+ Show Answer]

"Anubhuti" is the name. Chandigarh is the place. Here's more.

This day last year: Q.523

Q.887

His next book is called "Inferno"; as the name suggests, the subject will involve the writer Dante and his "Divine Comedy". This will be the latest in the series featuring his semiotician protagonist.

Who is the author?

[+ Show Answer]

Dan Brown. This will be the next book in his Robert Langdon series. A note on this is here.

This day last year: Q.522

Q.886

Time for this week's IZzie

Today's question is a vIZual, from a recent TIME magazine cover. Identify the person featured on it.

Image: TIME.com

[+ Show Answer]

This day last year: Q.521

Q.885

At the TED2013 conference in end of February 2013 (the annual meeting of TED), he quipped that he was now at the Academy Awards for smart people. He spoke of his work and interest in Eastern Congo and how to change lives for the better in that conflict-ravaged region.

Who?

[+ Show Answer]

Ben Affleck, whose film "Argo" won a few Oscars just days before this event. Here is a summary of his talk. I hope you did not guess Seth MacFarlane in a promotional for his film "Ted".

This day last year: Q.520

Q.884

The Vth (in 964), IXth (a couple of times, in 1045 and in 1048), and now the XVIth (2013) have all done this. Unlike the previous two, the latest one has been due to old age and thus not so controversial.

What are we talking about?

[+ Show Answer]

Resignations by Popes whose papal names were Benedict. A Wikipedia list of Popes who resigned.

This day last year: Q.519

Q.883

At the 2013 Grammy Awards, he won a Lifetime Achievement award posthumously as well as the award in the World Music category. His children collected the awards on his behalf.

Who?

[+ Show Answer]

Pandit Ravi Shankar.

This day last year: Q.518