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(CNN) -- Cameroon's high rate of teenage pregnancy is being blamed for driving mothers to use harmful traditions on their daughters -- including the unspeakable practice of breast ironing.
Some mothers "iron" their daughters' breasts with a hot pestle to make them less desirable to men. It's a practice that's meant to stop them getting pregnant at a young age, but it leaves many girls physically and emotionally scarred.
A study in 2006 found nearly one in four Cameroonian girls have been affected. But a new generation of Cameroonian women are on a mission to eradicate the practice.
Among them is Georgette Taku. She believes better sex education is the key to reducing teenage pregnancy and changing attitudes to breast ironing.
"What is killing the Cameroonian girl in society is that mothers don't communicate with their daughters, they don't talk," said Taku.
Taku works for the Association of Aunties, a national network that promotes sexual dialogue. It was her own pregnancy and the birth of her son that pushed her into a life of activism.
"They (mothers) only resort to some actions, some practices to try to help the girl," said Taku. "It's better to talk to your daughter -- that's why we teach the mothers even things like puberty."
"The mothers are ignorant, they don't know how to approach their daughters," she added.
With the help of sponsors, the association produces television and print campaigns urging Cameroonian girls to find their voice and confront their mothers.
Malawi's 'Florence Nightingale' saving babies and mothers
Workshops are also held to educate women about reproductive health. The idea is that when they graduate they'll become trusted sources of information for other Cameroonian girls.
One workshop participant, Terisia, became pregnant aged 15. Her mother ironed her breasts when she was just nine years old.
Terisia believes she might not have become pregnant so young if her mother had talked to her about sex instead.
"The advice could have worked better than pressing the breasts," Terisia said. "Sitting with the child, giving the child advice, telling her to prevent sexual intercourse, or if you want to have (sex) you should protect yourself."
But like other mothers, Terisia's mother Grace says she ironed her daughter's breasts to stop boys looking at her.
"If you ask mothers who are doing breast ironing on their daughters, they will tell you that, 'no I'm doing it because I want to help her, I want to protect her from men,'" said Taku.
Among those working for the Association of Aunties is a former victim of breast ironing who says she regrets not speaking out about what was happening to her.
Cathy Aba now hopes to save other girls by confronting mothers about the effects of their actions.
"It's not easy to approach mothers who are involved in the practice of breast ironing," she said. "They consider it a cultural practice. 'My grandmother did it to me,' they tell us."
The 23-year-old still has painful scars, 14 years after her breasts were ironed. Her doctor says surgery is no longer an option.
"When you finally pass the message to them, they finally accept and decide to never do it again," Aba added.
The campaign group says former victims like Aba really drive home its message.
"Our victims help us a lot because they talk to mothers; they make the mothers understand that they suffered from this practice," Taku said.
"Even though they had the breasts ironed they grew up ignorant when it came to pregnancy, HIV and other sexual diseases because the mothers were not talking with them."
|
[
"What do some mothers say?",
"What is harming their daughters?",
"Who is campaigning to end the practice?",
"What is widespread in Cameroon?",
"Who is educating women?",
"who is educating about sexual health?"
] |
[
"'no I'm doing it because I want to help her, I want to protect her from men,'\"",
"breast ironing.",
"new generation of Cameroonian women",
"breast ironing.",
"Georgette Taku.",
"Georgette Taku."
] |
question: What do some mothers say?, answer: 'no I'm doing it because I want to help her, I want to protect her from men,'" | question: What is harming their daughters?, answer: breast ironing. | question: Who is campaigning to end the practice?, answer: new generation of Cameroonian women | question: What is widespread in Cameroon?, answer: breast ironing. | question: Who is educating women?, answer: Georgette Taku. | question: who is educating about sexual health?, answer: Georgette Taku.
|
(CNN) -- Campus police at the University of South Florida were questioning two men in connection with back-to-back incidents on the school campus Monday.
Police take a man into custody at the University of South Florida after receiving reports of a person with a bomb.
Investigators were questioning one man following a report of an armed intruder, USF police Lt. Meg Ross said. And a second man was also being questioned following a report of a man carrying a large hunting knife and a puppy, she said.
USF police asked the Tampa police's bomb team to respond to the campus regarding a backpack belonging to man in the first incident, said Ross. No one was hurt, she said, and no shots were fired.
"We have someone we think may have been involved," Ross told CNN, "but we have to investigate fully."
"We have not looked in his backpack," she added. "We have the bomb squad on their way to look at that."
Police received a report that a person armed with a bomb and a gun was in the area of the university's library. Authorities later received a report of a subject on a bus in the area of the university's Parking and Transportation Services, Ross said.
"We checked the area at the library, did not locate him, but then received a subsequent report of a subject on a bus," she said.
The campus stayed on lockdown after police received a report almost immediately after taking the first man into custody of a man wearing a black tank top and a cowboy hat, carrying a knife and a black puppy.
"We're questioning him," Ross said. "We do not believe he is related to the first incident with the backpack."
Text messages were sent out to 13,000 employees and 45,000 students to warn them after the first incident, and emergency sirens on campus also were activated, officials said.
But Ross said that the campus had been given the all-clear, except for the shuttle-bus area -- where the first subject was taken into custody -- while Tampa Police examined the backpack.
CNN's Rich Phillips contributed to this report.
|
[
"in which university did the incident take place?",
"The USF police said what about the incident",
"how many men were questioned?",
"What was reported at the University of Florida"
] |
[
"of South Florida",
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"two",
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] |
question: in which university did the incident take place?, answer: of South Florida | question: The USF police said what about the incident, answer: Investigators were questioning one man following a report of an armed intruder, | question: how many men were questioned?, answer: two | question: What was reported at the University of Florida, answer: reports of a person with a bomb.
|
(CNN) -- Canada's House of Commons voted Thursday to extend the country's military mission in Afghanistan until 2011, with the stipulation that NATO send reinforcements to the volatile Kandahar province.
Canadian soldiers walk along a track at the Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan last month.
Most of Canada's 2,500 troops in Afghanistan are in Kandahar as part of the NATO-led mission to stabilize the war-torn country.
Their presence has sparked controversy in Canada, with the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democratic Party calling for an immediate troop withdrawal.
Supporters of the mission argued that Canadians have made progress in providing schools, health care and clean water for thousands of Afghans.
They said the improving conditions would be impossible without troops ensuring a secure environment for aid workers and local residents.
"The military needs to be there," said Harold Albrecht, a conservative member of Parliament. "The military provides the civil order we would expect from police here."
The Canadian mission in Afghanistan was to end next February. It has claimed the lives of 80 soldiers and a diplomat, according to The Associated Press.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has endorsed a panel's recommendation to keep troops in place only if another NATO nation dispatches additional troops to Kandahar.
Canada wants a minimum of 1,000 reinforcements, The Globe and Mail reported.
Thursday's motion, passed with a 198-77 vote, brought Harper's Conservative party and the opposition Liberals together on the issue.
Other parties, however, noted that the cost of maintaining a troop presence in Afghanistan has not been disclosed to Parliament or the public.
"We must provide clarity to the Canadian people," said Nathan Cullen of the New Democratic Party. "We believe it to be wrong for our country." E-mail to a friend
|
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"What was to end next February?",
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"What is the stipulation that allows the troops to stay until 2011?",
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"Where are most of Canada's troops in Afghanistan located?",
"On what condition will troops stay until 2011?",
"When is the Canadian mission in Afghanistan to end?",
"Where are most of Canada's 2,500 troops located?",
"When is the Canadian mission in Afghanistan supposed to end?"
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question: What is the stipulation?, answer: NATO send reinforcements to the volatile Kandahar province. | question: When are troops to stay until?, answer: 2011, | question: Where are most of Canada's troops?, answer: Kandahar | question: Where are most of Canada's 2,500 troops in Afghanistan?, answer: Kandahar | question: When will the Canadian mission end?, answer: 2011, | question: What year are troops supposed to stay until?, answer: 2011, | question: Who is to stay until 2011?, answer: country's military | question: What was to end next February?, answer: The Canadian mission in Afghanistan | question: When is the Canadian mission in Afghanistan set to end?, answer: 2011, | question: What is the stipulation that allows the troops to stay until 2011?, answer: the volatile Kandahar province. | question: Where are most of Canada's 2,500 troops?, answer: Kandahar | question: Where are most of Canada's troops in Afghanistan located?, answer: Kandahar | question: On what condition will troops stay until 2011?, answer: NATO send reinforcements to the volatile Kandahar province. | question: When is the Canadian mission in Afghanistan to end?, answer: 2011, | question: Where are most of Canada's 2,500 troops located?, answer: Kandahar | question: When is the Canadian mission in Afghanistan supposed to end?, answer: 2011,
|
(CNN) -- Canadian researchers say they have discovered the smallest known North American dinosaur, a carnivore that roamed areas of the continent 75 million years ago and weighed less than most modern-day house cats.
Researchers say Hesperonychus, whose name means "western claw," was about 1.6 feet tall.
Hesperonychus elizabethae, a 4.4-pound (2-kilogram) creature with razor-like claws, ran through the swamps and forests of southeastern Alberta, Canada, during the late Cretaceous period, the researchers said.
The diminutive dinosaur likely hunted insects, small mammals and other prey, perhaps even baby dinosaurs, said Nick Longrich, a paleontology research associate in the University of Calgary's Department of Biological Sciences.
"It's basically a predator of small things," Longrich said.
Longrich co-wrote a paper on the dinosaur with University of Alberta paleontologist Philip Currie. The paper appeared in Monday's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers said the clawed dinosaur was slight, ran on two legs and had dagger-like teeth. It had an enlarged sickle-shaped claw on its second toe, the researchers said.
Although fossilized remains of Hesperonychus were collected in 1982, they remained unstudied until Longrich came across them in the University of Alberta's collection in 2007, the university said. Because of their size, some of the fossilized parts had been thought to be from juveniles.
Longrich said he suspected the claws had come from another, smaller adult species, but said finding a fossilized pelvis in which the hip bones were fused -- which happens only once an animal is fully grown -- convinced him.
"The claws were kind of a bread-crumb trail that we followed along," until finding the well-preserved pelvis, Longrich said.
Longrich and Currie determined that Hesperonychus, whose name means "western claw," stood about 1.6 feet (50 centimeters) high.
Albertonykus borealis, a 2.5-foot-long insectivore, had been previously thought to be the smallest North American dinosaur.
Longrich came across the dinosaur's bones in storage at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller and decided to analyze them, Canadian Broadcasting Company reported in September. A dinosaur smaller than Hesperonychus has been found in China, Longrich said.
He said he found searching through museums' storage more productive in the short term than working in the field.
"People collect stuff so much more quickly than they can process," he said.
CNN's Taylor Gandossy contributed to this report.
|
[
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"how much did the carnivore weigh?",
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question: When were the remains discovered?, answer: 1982, | question: how much did the carnivore weigh?, answer: 4.4-pound (2-kilogram) | question: Where did it live in Alberta?, answer: Canada, | question: when were remains discovered?, answer: 1982, | question: where did the carnivore live?, answer: the swamps and forests of southeastern Alberta, Canada, | question: What type of carnivore lived 75 million years ago?, answer: Hesperonychus, | question: what was discovered, answer: the smallest known North American dinosaur,
|
(CNN) -- Canadian ski resort gondola cars that were left dangling and swaying with terrified skiers inside failed because ice buildup snapped a supporting tower, the resort said Thursday.
One gondola car is suspended above an icy creek at a ski resort near Whistler, British Columbia.
In a rare occurrence called ice-jacking, water seeped into the lower section of the lift tower and turned to ice Tuesday at Whistler Blackcomb resort, 177 kilometers (110 miles) north of Vancouver, a resort official said in a press release Thursday.
The lift hangs from a tower that is spliced into two parts.
Extremely cold temperatures caused the ice buildup that exerted 800 tons of pressure between the two parts that hold the tower together, causing them to rupture, according to Whistler Blackcomb.
The section of the lift affected by the accident had 15 cars going up the mountain and 15 coming down at the time, but they weren't carrying a lot of passengers, according to Doug Forseth, senior vice president of the resort.
He said 53 passengers had been rescued from the stranded cars.
No skiers at the Whistler, British Columbia, resort were seriously injured.
"The towers are not normally designed to allow for any water penetration and so this failure is a very unusual situation," said Warren Sparks, senior vice president of Doppelmayr Canada, the engineering firm that investigated the accident.
They are trying to figure out what caused the water to pool. He said independent structural engineers are examining the tower from Vancouver-based CVMM Consulting Engineers.
"The evidence so far indicates a sudden rupture rather than a fatigue failure over an extended period," Sparks said.
At least two gondola cars broke away and hit the ground, both from relatively low heights near the tower that split, and caused the system's heavy cable line to slacken, according to Tyler Noble, a reporter for CNNRadio affiliate CKNW in Vancouver.
"One hit a bus stop and the other hit a house," Noble said Wednesday. "Another one was suspended over a creek, but everyone is out of that car."
The broken Excaliber Gondola was not operating Thursday.
Whistler engineers checked eight similar towers across the two mountains of the resort. All passed those inspections, and are open Thursday, the release said.
The British Columbia Authority says it does not expect to rescind operating permits on any lifts at the resort, other than the Excaliber Gondola.
Jeff Colburn, general manager of Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, Idaho, said a lift tower at his resort was similarly damaged by ice in December 2006.
The damage was discovered in the morning before the slopes opened, so no one was endangered, he said.
The damaged tower was replaced in about three weeks, Colburn said, and the resort's business was not significantly disrupted.
"We check our towers in the summer now, and we also check before we open up for ski season as well just to make sure they don't have any water in them, and we've worked with the manufacturers," he said.
Holes have been drilled in the bases of towers so that water can drain out, Colburn said.
CNN's Ashley Fantz and Jim Kavanagh contributed to this report.
|
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"What caused the rupture?",
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"What caused the lift to fall?"
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[
"two gondola cars",
"at a ski resort near Whistler, British Columbia.",
"ice buildup snapped a supporting tower,",
"the ice buildup that exerted 800 tons of pressure between the two parts that hold the tower together,",
"broke away and hit the ground,",
"the ice buildup that exerted 800 tons of pressure between the two parts that hold the tower together, causing them"
] |
question: What hit the ground?, answer: two gondola cars | question: Where did the lift fall?, answer: at a ski resort near Whistler, British Columbia. | question: What caused the lift to fail?, answer: ice buildup snapped a supporting tower, | question: What caused the rupture?, answer: the ice buildup that exerted 800 tons of pressure between the two parts that hold the tower together, | question: Where did the gondola go?, answer: broke away and hit the ground, | question: What caused the lift to fall?, answer: the ice buildup that exerted 800 tons of pressure between the two parts that hold the tower together, causing them
|
(CNN) -- Capt. Chesley Sullenberger, the hero pilot who safely landed a full passenger jet in the Hudson River, was once again honored with cheers and applause Tuesday during a ceremony for him hosted by the governor of his home state.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gives hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger a flag and license plate.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, first lady Maria Shriver and other dignitaries greeted Sullenberger at the state Capitol rotunda in Sacramento.
Taking a break from difficult negotiations over a troubled state budget, the governor presented Sullenberger with a jacket with the state seal, a California state flag that had flown over the state Capitol, a proclamation and a "California Hero" license plate.
"Today is a very important day," Schwarzenegger said. "There are legislators upstairs that are negotiating and working on a budget -- [we] need a great hero in a state capitol."
The Sullenberger family lives in Danville, California.
Sullenberger's response was understated -- as it has been at other ceremonies, including a New York City Hall event when he was given the key to the city by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"On behalf of the other four crew members of Flight 1549 and also on behalf of the many thousands of aviation professionals whose daily devotion to duty keeps air travel safe, I gratefully accept this recognition," he said.
Sullenberger and his crew safely landed the damaged airplane, believed to have hit a flock of birds, in the Hudson on January 15. All 155 passengers aboard the US Airways flight survived.
CNN's Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
|
[
"which is the name of the pilot?",
"Who does the California governor honor?",
"Who was honored?",
"who is the governor of California?",
"What did Schwarzenegger say about Sullenberger?",
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"What is the opinion of the governor of california?",
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"Chesley Sullenberger,"
] |
question: which is the name of the pilot?, answer: Chesley Sullenberger, | question: Who does the California governor honor?, answer: Chesley Sullenberger | question: Who was honored?, answer: Chesley Sullenberger, | question: who is the governor of California?, answer: Arnold Schwarzenegger | question: What did Schwarzenegger say about Sullenberger?, answer: [we] need a great hero in a state capitol." | question: Who safely landed flight 1549?, answer: Chesley Sullenberger, | question: What is the opinion of the governor of california?, answer: "Today is a very important day," | question: Who accepted recognition on behalf of crew members?, answer: Chesley Sullenberger,
|
(CNN) -- Capt. Richard Phillips, whose capture and dramatic rescue in the pirate-infested waters off the coast of Africa last week captivated the nation, returned home to Vermont on Friday.
Capt. Richard Phillips says, "I'm not the hero. The military is the hero. Thank them."
Phillips landed shortly after 4:30 p.m. at Burlington International Airport. He was met by family members, who climbed the steps of his plane to greet him.
He then strolled across the tarmac with his family, his arm wrapped around his daughter, Mariah, who wiped away tears.
"I just want to thank you for your prayers and support of my family while I was gone," Phillips said after landing in Vermont. "I'm just a bit part. I'm a seaman like all the other seamen out there." Watch Phillips' happy homecoming »
Close-up camera shots of Phillips on Friday showed what appeared to be rope burns on his forearms, presumably from being tied by the pirates.
Phillips spoke for a short time and mostly thanked the military for saving him.
"I'm not the hero," he said. "The military is the hero. Thank them." Watch Phillips thank military, Maersk »
He offered no details of what happened to him during his time as a hostage besides calling it "indescribable." He also took the time to thank crew members on his ship.
"We did it. I told you it wasn't going to be 'if'; it was going to be 'when,' " he said. "We did what we were trained to do. We're just seamen. [We] do the best with what we've got, and my crew did an excellent job, and I'm so proud of them that they're all home and they're with their loved ones." Watch how crews train for pirate attacks »
He had just completed an 18-hour flight out of Mombasa, Kenya, on a jet owned by Maersk.
Family members said they planned to spend some quality time together later Friday at their home in Underhill, Vermont -- Phillips' mother-in-law was making brownies and his best friend planned to bring over chicken pot pie and Phillips' favorite beer, they said.
Phillips offered himself as a hostage last week, when four pirates boarded his U.S.-flagged ship, the Maersk Alabama. The pirates held him aboard a lifeboat for several days in a standoff against the U.S. Navy.
Navy sharpshooters shot and killed three pirates, freeing Phillips. The other pirate had been taken into custody.
The captain's wife, Andrea, also spoke at his homecoming, calling it "one of the happiest moments of our lives." She said she was extremely proud of his bravery, but also acknowledged the captain would say he was just doing his job.
"I have always been proud to call myself an American," Andrea Phillips said. "Today, I'm even prouder. To everyone who has been involved in this that made this day possible, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Through this past week, having Richard back safe was all that my family and I ever wanted. Now our prayers have been answered, and we have a lot of people to thank."
The 53-year-old Vermont native was praised Thursday by engineer John Cronan, one of the 19 other crew members.
"He went above and beyond the call to ensure our safety," Cronan told CNN's "Larry King Live." "I can't thank that man enough. He is the reason I'm here tonight." Watch Cronan tell King about the experience »
Asked whether she wants to see Cronan continue working as a merchant mariner, Cronan's fiancee said it was up to him.
"John and I have an agreement," said Heather Giardinelli, who works as a pharmaceutical marketing researcher. "He doesn't tell me how to do my job, and I won't tell him
|
[
"What number of days did Phillips spend as hostage?",
"Who is Richard Phillips?",
"Where is Somalia?",
"what say Capt. Richard Phillips?",
"What did the wife want?"
] |
[
"several",
"53-year-old Vermont native",
"coast of Africa",
"\"I'm not the hero. The military is the hero. Thank them.\"",
"to say thank you from the bottom of my heart."
] |
question: What number of days did Phillips spend as hostage?, answer: several | question: Who is Richard Phillips?, answer: 53-year-old Vermont native | question: Where is Somalia?, answer: coast of Africa | question: what say Capt. Richard Phillips?, answer: "I'm not the hero. The military is the hero. Thank them." | question: What did the wife want?, answer: to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
|
(CNN) -- Capt. Tadeusz Wrona still has trouble sleeping. The night after executing a spectacular belly landing in Poland, the veteran pilot tossed and turned until 4 a.m.
The phone kept ringing, he told Polish media, and he kept reliving the chilling moments when his crew and passengers came close to a disaster.
Now basking in his nation's adoration and fielding countless interview requests, Wrona is resting even less, he said with a weary smile.
Wrona, who has worked for LOT Polish Airlines for 20 years, was at the controls of a Boeing 767 en route from Newark, New Jersey, to Warsaw on Tuesday when he realized there was a problem with the landing gear.
When the second attempt to open it failed, he knew that everyone on board -- 220 passengers and 11 crew -- was in danger.
"I've maybe flown this plane 500 times, and the landing gear deployed every time," Wrona said during a news conference in Warsaw on Wednesday. "I never had any trouble flying Boeing."
Aware of comparisons to the 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson," when Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger landed a plane in New York's Hudson River after a flock of geese damaged both of the aircraft's engines, Wrona pointed out that his situation was less dire.
Both of his engines were working fine and there was time to prepare.
After notifying Warsaw's airport that there might be an emergency landing, the crew had time to perform checks and various functions, Wrona said. They circled the city to burn off excess fuel.
While the crew reviewed the procedure in the cockpit, the flight attendants prepared the cabin, instructing passengers that they would have to evacuate as soon as the plane stopped on the ground.
The autopilot helped the crew guide the plane until about two minutes before landing, Wrona said. That's when he took manual control.
"We rested the plane on three points: two engines plus the rear portion of the fuselage," Wrona said. "We tried to do it delicately, and we were successful."
There was less noise during the belly landing than a normal touch down, which shocked Wrona. It was just quiet, he recalled.
Wrona, who has been dubbed the Polish version of Sullenberger, was praised by the original "miracle" pilot.
"The captain and the crew obviously did a great job," Sullenberger told CNN. "It definitely requires skill to do this well, and from all reports and from watching the video, it looked like it was done very, very well."
But for Wrona, there were still tense moments ahead.
"When the plane stopped on the runway, I wasn't sure whether everyone was safe, because smoke appeared," he recalled. (Wind had blown the smoke caused by the friction of the landing toward the cockpit.)
"I finally felt full relief only when the purser reported that the cabin was empty."
Everyone got out safe and unhurt.
Like Sullenberger, Wrona is now grappling with sudden fame and the gratitude of hundreds of families. He's a Facebook star, with several fan pages established in his honor. One page has more than 33,000 followers leaving messages of praise and adulation.
But Wrona insists it's too much to call him a national hero.
"I am convinced that all of us who work for LOT would do the exact same thing, and it would end in the same way, because we train for such situations on simulators," he said.
Wrona is fully prepared to return to his duties as pilot, he said. In fact, his schedule -- prepared before the incident -- has him flying to Hanoi, Vietnam, on Saturday. He's not sure whether the commission investigating the emergency landing will let him go.
Wrona's wife and two adult children beamed when they were interviewed by Polish media on Thursday.
Marzena Wrona found out about her husband's troubled flight on television while the plane was still circling Warsaw and raced to the airport to watch
|
[
"who is says he's flown the Boeing 767 about 500 times ?",
"Who is a national hero?",
"What did he do?",
"What Tadeusz Wrona said?",
"Who is acclaimed as a \"national hero\"?",
"Who has worked for LOT Polish Airlines for 20 years?",
"Who does he work for?"
] |
[
"Tadeusz Wrona",
"Tadeusz Wrona",
"took manual control.",
"\"I've maybe flown this plane 500 times, and the landing gear deployed every time,\"",
"Tadeusz Wrona",
"Tadeusz Wrona",
"LOT Polish Airlines"
] |
question: who is says he's flown the Boeing 767 about 500 times ?, answer: Tadeusz Wrona | question: Who is a national hero?, answer: Tadeusz Wrona | question: What did he do?, answer: took manual control. | question: What Tadeusz Wrona said?, answer: "I've maybe flown this plane 500 times, and the landing gear deployed every time," | question: Who is acclaimed as a "national hero"?, answer: Tadeusz Wrona | question: Who has worked for LOT Polish Airlines for 20 years?, answer: Tadeusz Wrona | question: Who does he work for?, answer: LOT Polish Airlines
|
(CNN) -- Captain Graeme Smith ground out a potentially match-winning century to put South Africa on top in the third cricket Test against England at Newlands on Tuesday.
The left-hander was unbeaten on 162 at stumps on the third day, having added a record 230 for the second wicket with Hashim Amla (95) as the home side reached 312-2 in Cape Town's intense heat.
England struggled from the outset, losing two wickets in the day's opening over and added just 32 runs to their overnight total of 241-7.
That gave the Proteas a first-innings lead of 18 runs, and it looked like the home side might also find batting difficult when makeshift opener Ashwell Prince continued his miserable series, falling leg before wicket to spinner Graeme Swann for 15.
But Smith and Amla set about the English attack, who gained no profit from a controversial incident when seamer Chris Broad stood on the ball with his studded boots before lunch when it was still relatively new.
Smith survived a series of close calls and decision referrals as the duo set a new Test highest mark for the second wicket at the venue.
The opener thought he was out soon after reaching his 19th century in the five-day format, but England wicketkeeper Matt Prior admitted that the edge off seamer Graham Onions had not carried.
Amla finally fell to a bat-pad catch by Alistair Cook off Swann, falling five runs short of his eighth Test ton as he hit 14 boundaries off 156 deliveries.
First-innings centurion Jacques Kallis was unbeaten on 20 at stumps, with Smith having plundered 22 boundaries in his 243 balls at the crease.
Earlier, Morne Morkel (5-75) took two wickets in two balls to put England on the back foot, with Swann caught at slip by Smith for five from a fierce rising delivery and James Anderson following in identical fashion.
Prior, who was 52 overnight, hit out to get England close to parity before dragging a short ball from Dale Steyn (4-74) onto his wicket to be last out for 76.
England coach Andy Flower said Wednesday's morning session would prove vital for his side, who lead 1-0 after winning the second Test.
"We have got to attack with the new ball. We have seen wickets fall early on all the days so far. We have definitely got to attack early," the former Zimbabwe international player said.
"The first two days produced very difficult batting conditions, today was easier. We don't know what sort of conditions are going to arrive tomorrow. If it plays as easy as it has today, we have got a chance."
|
[
"Who is South Africa's captain?",
"Who scores a potentially match winning unbeaten 162?",
"What score did Smith and Hashim Amla score for a record?",
"Who scored 162?",
"How much did Smith add for the second wicket?",
"What was the hosts' score?",
"How many were England bowled out for, a first innings deficit of 18 runs?"
] |
[
"Graeme Smith",
"Graeme Smith",
"230",
"Graeme Smith",
"230",
"312-2",
"241-7."
] |
question: Who is South Africa's captain?, answer: Graeme Smith | question: Who scores a potentially match winning unbeaten 162?, answer: Graeme Smith | question: What score did Smith and Hashim Amla score for a record?, answer: 230 | question: Who scored 162?, answer: Graeme Smith | question: How much did Smith add for the second wicket?, answer: 230 | question: What was the hosts' score?, answer: 312-2 | question: How many were England bowled out for, a first innings deficit of 18 runs?, answer: 241-7.
|
(CNN) -- Carl Edwards, one of NASCAR's elite, makes a living traveling at speeds upwards of 200 mph and is on the road more than 200 days a year. So when he wants to slow down, he heads to his hometown of Columbia, Missouri.
NASCAR driver Carl Edwards grew up in Columbia, Missouri.
He grew up in Columbia and couldn't wait to get out of town, but after living in North Carolina for three years, he was ready to come back.
"I realized after being away, there just aren't many places cooler than this," Edwards said. "So I moved back, and now I live here and I'm really proud to live here."
He competes in both the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series for NASCAR. He won a Busch Series Cup in 2007, finished last year's Sprint Cup Series in second, and is fiercely fighting for Sprint Cup honors this year.
Edwards has recovered from a frightening crash-ending to his last race in Talladega, Alabama, and is looking forward to racing in Richmond, Virginia, this week, hoping for his first trip of the season to victory lane. His fans are eagerly awaiting that trademark victory back flip. But through all of the excitement and acclaim, Edwards remains grounded and true to his Missouri roots.
He took CNN home with him to Columbia -- which is between Kansas City and St. Louis -- to share some of his favorite spots.
The day started at Rock Bridge State Park, 2,273 acres of natural beauty and serenity that is hard to believe is only 10 minutes from the bustling center of this college town.
"This park is one of Columbia's best secrets. It's a beautiful place to come mountain biking, hiking. There's a cave that runs under this ground that goes for over 50 miles."
The park boasts 15 miles of trails and endless possibilities for adventure, from hiking and biking to canoeing and even cave exploration.
When Edwards gets the need for speed at home, he opts for two wheels instead of four. He grabs his bicycle and heads to the Katy Trail, just up the road from Rock Bridge Park.
"This used to be an old railroad, and now it's a state park. It's 10 feet wide, it's over 200 miles long, and all of this is open to the public."
Edwards also showed us one of his favorite trail features: a beautiful giant bur oak tree simply referred to by Missouri natives as "the big bur oak." Edwards says it's one of the oldest in the state and thinks that it is one of the coolest spots along the trail.
All that exercise and fresh air can certainly rev up an appetite, and Edwards has two favorite places to cure that. For what he calls the best burger in the world, he heads to Booches Billiard Hall, one of his high school hangouts.
"We used to come here in high school when we probably should have been in school. We'd shoot pool, eat booch burgers and just have a good time," he said.
We were greeted by one of the owners, Charlie Kurry, who poked a little fun at Edwards' trademark backflip celebration.
"The only thing flipping in here is the burgers," Kurry said. Booches has been in operation in Columbia since 1884.
Next up is Shakespeare's Pizza, which has been serving slices in Columbia for more than 35 years.
"They can make you anything you want. They've got whole wheat crust if you're into the health stuff like I am. And it's so good, they even catered my wedding."
These are just some of the hidden gems of Carl Edwards' Columbia, but this town has much more to offer.
There are museums, festivals and parades, and the University of Missouri has provided a lot of athletic excitement with its football and basketball teams over the past few years. It's a perfect weekend getaway from its larger surrounding cities. And if you
|
[
"What is name of the place with the best burger?",
"What sport is Edwards in?",
"Which state does Edwards talk about his favorite spots?",
"Where is the best burger?"
] |
[
"Booches Billiard Hall,",
"NASCAR",
"Columbia",
"Booches Billiard Hall,"
] |
question: What is name of the place with the best burger?, answer: Booches Billiard Hall, | question: What sport is Edwards in?, answer: NASCAR | question: Which state does Edwards talk about his favorite spots?, answer: Columbia | question: Where is the best burger?, answer: Booches Billiard Hall,
|
(CNN) -- Carla Bruni, the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has given birth to a girl, a very close family friend told CNN on Wednesday.
The mother is doing well, the friend said.
Sarkozy, 56, was seen earlier leaving the French capital's La Muette clinic, where Bruni gave birth, according to French media.
It is the first child for the couple, who wed in February 2008. Bruni, 43, announced in early September that she was pregnant and vowed to keep the child out of the spotlight.
Sarkozy divorced his wife of more than 11 years before marrying Bruni. He has three children from that marriage.
Bruni, a former supermodel and singer, previously dated singers Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger.
|
[
"How many children does the couple have?",
"Is this the first child?",
"What do they welcome the arrival of",
"Who welcomes the arrival of a daughter?",
"What is it the first of for the couple",
"What did the friend say the mother is doing",
"What did the friend say?"
] |
[
"first child",
"It is the",
"a girl,",
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"well,",
"The mother is doing well,"
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question: How many children does the couple have?, answer: first child | question: Is this the first child?, answer: It is the | question: What do they welcome the arrival of, answer: a girl, | question: Who welcomes the arrival of a daughter?, answer: Nicolas Sarkozy, | question: What is it the first of for the couple, answer: child | question: What did the friend say the mother is doing, answer: well, | question: What did the friend say?, answer: The mother is doing well,
|
(CNN) -- Carlos Tevez will face disciplinary action from Manchester City after the Argentina striker's apparent refusal to come on as a substitute during a European Champions League match with Bayern Munich.
City said in a statement on Wednesday that Tevez, 27, had a case to answer in relation to "breach of contract", having conducted an investigation into the events which occurred during the club's 2-0 defeat at the Allianz Arena on September 27.
The former club captain was suspended by City following the incident, but the statement also confirmed Tevez was expected to return to training with manager Roberto Mancini's team on Thursday.
Tevez strike is sad for soccer
"The club has now reached a stage in its investigation where it has concluded that there is a case for Carlos Tevez to answer of alleged breaches of contract," read the statement on City's official website.
"Accordingly, the club has informed him that he will face disciplinary proceedings and the hearing will be convened shortly. Carlos will be required to report to Roberto Mancini for training on Thursday."
British newspaper The Guardian reported every player and coach interviewed during City's investigation refused to back-up Tevez's claims that the events in Munich were the result of a "misunderstanding" between himself and Italian coach Mancini.
The publication goes on to claim Tevez will be hit with a six-week fine, which could be as much as $2.3 million dollars given the former Corinthians star's alleged $392,000-per-week wages.
The multi-million dollar figure would represent the largest sanction ever handed to a footballer in Britain.
Tevez denied he had refused to take to the pitch against Bayern, saying in his own statement following the match with the German outfit: "I wish to state that I never refused to play.
"There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position may have been misunderstood. Going forward I am ready to play when required and to fulfil my obligations."
Tevez suspended by Manchester City
One-time West Ham forward Tevez has been consistently linked with a move away from City over the past 12 months, after handing in a transfer request in December 2010.
The former Boca Juniors players also saw a move back to Corinthians fall through in July, with the Brazilian outfit claiming there was insufficient time to complete the deal before the close of the transfer window.
Tevez is yet to score for City this season having been their top marksman last campaign with 20 English Premier League goals.
The Citziens return to domestic action this weekend, with Aston Villa visiting the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
|
[
"What is he accused of doing?",
"Where is he from?",
"What is the man's name?",
"Who allegedly refused to come on?",
"Who has a case to answer?"
] |
[
"apparent refusal to come on as a substitute during a European Champions League match with Bayern Munich.",
"Argentina",
"Tevez",
"Tevez",
"Tevez,"
] |
question: What is he accused of doing?, answer: apparent refusal to come on as a substitute during a European Champions League match with Bayern Munich. | question: Where is he from?, answer: Argentina | question: What is the man's name?, answer: Tevez | question: Who allegedly refused to come on?, answer: Tevez | question: Who has a case to answer?, answer: Tevez,
|
(CNN) -- Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO turned top John McCain aide, said she doesn't think Sarah Palin is qualified to run a major corporation. For that matter, Fiorina said, McCain, Obama and Biden aren't capable of that kind of job either.
Ex-Hewlett-Packard CEO and McCain adviser Carly Fiorina said Sarah Palin could not run a major company.
The Republican presidential candidate has been trying to portray himself as someone who can fix the country's economic woes. But that is a far different task than running a Fortune 500 corporation, Fiorina told MSNBC Tuesday.
Democratic candidate Barack Obama's camp immediately circulated copies of her words -- which didn't exactly paint their candidate in a soft light, either.
"Well, I don't think John McCain could run a major corporation, I don't think Barack Obama could run a major corporation, I don't think Joe Biden could run a major corporation," Fiorina said.
"It is a fallacy to suggest that the country is like a company. So, of course, to run a business, you have to have a lifetime of experience in business, but that's not what Sarah Palin, John McCain, Joe Biden or Barack Obama are doing."
Fiorina was president of Hewlett-Packard until her high-profile ousting in 2006 after the company's unfavorable performance.
"If John McCain's top economic adviser doesn't think he can run a corporation, how on Earth can he run the largest economy in the world in the midst of a financial crisis?" said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor. "Apparently, even the people who run his campaign agree that the economy is an issue John McCain doesn't understand as well as he should." Watch Fiorina says Palin isn't ready for big business »
Fiorina made similar comments earlier Thursday to a St. Louis, Missouri, radio station. She was asked if she thinks Palin is qualified to run a company like Hewlett-Packard.
"No, I don't," Fiorina answered. "But that's not what she's running for. Running a corporation is a different set of things."
|
[
"Fiorina is the adviser to who?",
"Who told MSNBC John McCain isn't ready to run a corporation?",
"Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard is now adviser to who?",
"Fiorina was the CEO of which company?",
"What company was Carly Fiorina the CEO of?",
"Who is not ready to be CEO's according to Fiorina?"
] |
[
"John McCain",
"Carly",
"John McCain",
"Hewlett-Packard",
"Hewlett-Packard",
"Sarah Palin"
] |
question: Fiorina is the adviser to who?, answer: John McCain | question: Who told MSNBC John McCain isn't ready to run a corporation?, answer: Carly | question: Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard is now adviser to who?, answer: John McCain | question: Fiorina was the CEO of which company?, answer: Hewlett-Packard | question: What company was Carly Fiorina the CEO of?, answer: Hewlett-Packard | question: Who is not ready to be CEO's according to Fiorina?, answer: Sarah Palin
|
(CNN) -- Carly Smithson wants to make one thing clear: She is not the new lead singer of Evanescence.
Former "American Idol" contestant Carly Smithson is the lead singer of the new band We Are The Fallen.
There may be some confusion because the former "American Idol" contestant has joined forces with original Evanescence members Ben Moody, Rocky Gray and John LeCompt for the new band We Are The Fallen.
The dark-haired Irish rocker made it to the top six during season seven of "American Idol" before being eliminated.
Smithson said that since then, quite a few opportunities have come her way that were not a good fit. This new band, which also includes bassist Marty O'Brien, is perfect for her, Smithson said
Guitar player LeCompt agrees.
"I've said many times about Evanescence that we caught lightning in a bottle ... and I think we are doing it again," he said. "Carly is a good fit for the band because more than anything she is a brilliant, brilliant vocalist who is very down to earth and a humble person. She wants to do something where everyone is involved rather than being a posturing diva."
Smithson recently spoke with CNN about why she is thankful to Moody's roommate, why the group gets along so well and how they want to collaborate with fans.
CNN: You must be pretty psyched about this new band.
Carly Smithson: I am. It's pretty awesome and everything I think we have all ever wanted. We all blend together and it's all about making business.
CNN: With all of the opportunities that have come your way since "Idol," why go this route?
Smithson: I had a lot of the wrong opportunities approach me. They were very flattering offers, but musically not on the same page with where I envisioned myself.
As soon as Ben [Moody] came to me, he was actually someone that I had in mind, after coming off the "Idol" tour, to go and try and work with. He's worked on some music that I had a lot of respect for and really admired, but he was busy, oddly enough, working on this project.
CNN: So how did you two connect?
Smithson: He had never watched "American Idol" and he didn't know who I was. I am good friends with his roommate who recently moved in and I had met him briefly. My friend came and saw me live and then planted the seed in his head.
She said, "You should really consider my friend for this band," and he said "Who is your friend?" She said, "You know, the girl you met down the basement," and an artist he has been working with played him a bunch of YouTube clips of me.
We were hanging out at about one in the morning and he called my friend and said, "I just watched your friend. I should have done this a long time ago. Where is she, when can I meet her, I need to meet her right away."
She said, "Well, actually we are out right now and we're going to be at the house in about 20 minutes." We came back to the house and we had a meeting which lasted until about 4 a.m. ...
Obviously it was a decision I needed to make very fast because they were looking for a singer and people don't wait forever. I called my manager and it was a done deal pretty much the next day.
CNN: Sounds like it was meant to be.
Smithson: Everybody was very excited and thought it was the right direction to go. I'm happy that it happened in such an organic way.
It's really weird, but as people we are all very alike. We all like the same jokes, watch the same TV shows and play the same music. It's great.
CNN: Do you at all feel pressure because of the success that Evanescence had?
Smithson:
|
[
"which is the name of the new band?",
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"Who is lead singer of new band We Are The Fallen?",
"Who finished sixth of season seven?",
"for whom this formed the new band?"
] |
[
"We Are The Fallen.",
"Evanescence",
"Carly",
"We Are The Fallen.",
"Carly Smithson",
"Carly Smithson",
"Carly Smithson"
] |
question: which is the name of the new band?, answer: We Are The Fallen. | question: The group is made of members from what band?, answer: Evanescence | question: Who finished sixth of season seven of "American Idol"?, answer: Carly | question: What band is Carly Smithson lead singer of?, answer: We Are The Fallen. | question: Who is lead singer of new band We Are The Fallen?, answer: Carly Smithson | question: Who finished sixth of season seven?, answer: Carly Smithson | question: for whom this formed the new band?, answer: Carly Smithson
|
(CNN) -- Caroline Kennedy, the 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy, has indicated her interest in filling the New York Senate seat being vacated by secretary of state designee Hillary Clinton.
Caroline Kennedy has her eyes on the New York Senate seat.
"I've talked to Caroline Kennedy and she's clearly interested," New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said at a news conference Monday afternoon.
He indicated that 12 people were interested in the position.
"She's interested in the position," New York Gov. David Paterson confirmed. But at the same time "she realizes it's not a campaign." Paterson, who will name Clinton's successor, noted that Kennedy had indicated a desire to "sit down and tell me what her qualifications are."
The Rev. Al Sharpton also released a statement Monday indicating that he had received a call from Kennedy "who expressed to me her interest in [Clinton's] Senate seat."
Kennedy's interest in the seat could mean the continuation of a family legacy in the Senate that began 56 years ago with the election of her father as the then-junior senator from Massachusetts. Background: The Kennendys in Politics »
Her uncle Ted Kennedy has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 1963, and her uncle Robert Kennedy served as New York's junior senator from 1965 until he was assassinated in 1968.
"Remember, [Clinton's] seat in the Senate was once held by Robert Kennedy," said Bill Schneider, CNN's senior political analyst. "[Caroline Kennedy's] other uncle, Ted Kennedy, is ill right now. If Paterson appoints Caroline Kennedy to the Senate, it means there could be a Kennedy staying in the Senate for quite a long time." Watch Sen. Schumer on the possible candidates »
CNN reported earlier this month that Caroline Kennedy had called Paterson to discuss the possibility of taking the seat.
Paterson has the power to appoint a replacement, who will then face a special election in 2010 to fill out Clinton's term. Paterson confirmed to CNN last week that Kennedy had called and "asked a few questions" about the expected vacancy.
One Democratic source close to the Kennedy family told CNN earlier this month Kennedy was "interested to say the least" in the Senate seat and had asked a tight circle of other family friends and political advisers for advice.
Before this year, Kennedy generally limited her forays into the public sphere to nonpartisan activity, penning books on civil liberties and serving as the de facto guardian of her father's legacy.
But in January, she backed a political candidate for the first time, announcing her endorsement of Obama during the Democratic primary season with an op-ed in The New York Times that drew days of the kind of media attention she has spent her life avoiding.
"I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them," she wrote. "But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."
"Apparently, she has acquired a taste for politics," Schneider noted. "She wants to be part of this new regime in America, clearly playing a key role in the Senate if she gets that appointment." Watch Bill Schneider's report »
There are a slew of high-profile candidates for Clinton's Senate seat, including New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, whose last name carries some star power of its own New York, where his father was once governor.
Kennedy's roots in New York also run deep. Her mother, Jacqueline Kennedy, relocated to New York after her husband's assassination in 1963, with children Caroline and John F. Kennedy Jr.
Caroline Kennedy has also spent most of her life in the city, working there after graduating from Harvard, meeting her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, on the job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and attending Columbia Law School there.
Her most prominent public roles involved overseeing her father's presidential
|
[
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] |
[
"Caroline",
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"John F. Kennedy,",
"David Paterson",
"Chuck Schumer"
] |
question: What is the name of the daughter?, answer: Caroline | question: What year will the special election be held?, answer: 2010 | question: What did she say about her interest?, answer: in filling the New York Senate seat | question: Which former President is she related to?, answer: John F. Kennedy, | question: What is the name of the Gov?, answer: David Paterson | question: Who said Kennedy was interested in 12 candidates?, answer: Chuck Schumer
|
(CNN) -- Caroline Kennedy, who spent most of her life looking to steer clear of the spotlight, is capping off a year of unusually public -- and political -- activity with interest in the Senate seat that would be vacated by Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton.
Caroline Kennedy could join her uncle Edward in the U.S. Senate.
And her interest in that seat could mean the continuation of a Kennedy legacy in the Senate that began 56 years ago with the election of her father, John F. Kennedy, as the junior senator from Massachusetts.
Her uncle Edward has represented Massachusetts in the Senate for more than four decades. Her uncle Robert served as junior senator from New York from 1965 until he was assassinated in 1968.
"Remember, [Clinton's] seat in the Senate was once held by Robert Kennedy," CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider said Saturday. "Her other uncle, Ted Kennedy, is ill right now. If [New York Gov. David] Paterson appoints Caroline Kennedy to the Senate, it means there could be a Kennedy staying in the Senate for quite a long time."
Paterson confirmed to CNN Saturday that Caroline Kennedy called and "asked a few questions" but did not express interest in the seat.
"I am sure if she's interested, she'll call back, but I'm not going to rate any of the candidates or talk about prospective candidates. It just adds speculation to the speculation," Paterson said.
But one Democratic source close to the Kennedy family said Caroline Kennedy "is interested to say the least" about discussing the Senate vacancy. The source said Kennedy has asked a tight circle of family friends and political advisers for advice.
A second source, who has knowledge of Kennedy's conversation with Paterson, tells CNN that Kennedy reached out to inquire about the responsibilities and impact such a move would have if she were selected by the governor to fill the position.
A Senate appointment for Caroline Kennedy would mark a change for the woman who has rarely run into the glare of political attention.
"Apparently, she has acquired a taste for politics, having endorsed Barack Obama early this year," Schneider said. "She wants to be part of this new regime in America, clearly playing a key role in the Senate if she gets that appointment." Watch CNN's Bill Schneider discuss Caroline Kennedy's prospects »
Widely described as extraordinarily shy, self-deprecating and down-to-earth, Kennedy has tended to limit her forays into the public sphere to nonpartisan activity, penning books on civil liberties and serving as the de facto guardian of her father's legacy.
But in January, she backed a political candidate for the first time, announcing her endorsement of Obama during the Democratic primary season with an opinion piece in the New York Times that drew days of the kind of media attention she has spent her life avoiding.
"I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them," she wrote. "But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."
Kennedy willingly lingered in the spotlight, serving on Obama's vice presidential search team, speaking at the Democratic National Convention and stumping for him through the primary and general election seasons.
In a campaign ad that featured video images of her father followed by images of Obama, Kennedy said, "People always tell me how my father inspired them. I feel that same excitement now."
There are a slew of high-profile candidates for Clinton's Senate seat -- including Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, whose last name carries some star power of its own in the Empire State -- but their odds grew just a bit steeper when stacked against the wattage of a storied Democratic dynasty.
Robert Kennedy was elected to the Senate with few ties to his adopted home state, but his niece's New York roots run deep.
Jacqueline Kennedy relocated to New York City after her husband's assassination in 1963
|
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"What position did her uncle Robert hold?",
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"Who has a history of avoiding the spotlight?"
] |
[
"Kennedy,",
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"media attention",
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question: Who expressed interest in Hillary's office?, answer: Kennedy, | question: Who was she inspired by this year?, answer: Barack Obama | question: Who expressed interest in Hillary Clinton's office?, answer: Kennedy, | question: What late president's daughter wants Clinton's job?, answer: Caroline | question: What inspiration did Obama offer her?, answer: "I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them," she wrote. "But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans." | question: What did Kennedy have a history of avoiding?, answer: media attention | question: What position did her uncle Robert hold?, answer: served as junior senator from New York | question: Who expressed interest?, answer: Caroline | question: Who has a history of avoiding the spotlight?, answer: Caroline
|
(CNN) -- Caroline Kennedy, who spent most of her life looking to steer clear of the spotlight, is capping off a year of unusually public -- and political -- activity with interest in the Senate seat that would be vacated by Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton.
Caroline Kennedy could join her uncle Edward in the United States Senate.
And her interest in that seat could mean the continuation of a Kennedy legacy in the Senate that began 56 years ago with the election of her father, John F. Kennedy, as the junior senator from Massachusetts.
Her uncle Edward has represented Massachusetts in the Senate for more than four decades. Her uncle Robert served as junior senator from New York from 1965 until he was assassinated in 1968.
"Remember, [Clinton's] seat in the Senate was once held by Robert Kennedy," CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider said Saturday. "Her other uncle, Ted Kennedy, is ill right now. If [New York Gov. David] Paterson appoints Caroline Kennedy to the Senate, it means there could be a Kennedy staying in the Senate for quite a long time."
And a Senate appointment for Caroline Kennedy would mark a change for the woman who has rarely run into the glare of political attention.
"Apparently, she has acquired a taste for politics, having endorsed Barack Obama early this year," Schneider said. "She wants to be part of this new regime in America, clearly playing a key role in the Senate if she gets that appointment." Watch CNN's Bill Schnieder discuss Caroline Kennedy's prospects »
Widely described as extraordinarily shy, self-deprecating and down-to-earth, Kennedy has tended to limit her forays into the public sphere to nonpartisan activity, penning books on civil liberties and serving as the de facto guardian of her father's legacy.
But in January, she backed a political candidate for the first time, announcing her endorsement of Obama during the Democratic primary season with an opinion piece in the New York Times that drew days of the kind of media attention she has spent her life avoiding.
"I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them," she wrote. "But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."
Kennedy willingly lingered in the spotlight, serving on Obama's vice presidential search team, speaking at the Democratic National Convention and stumping for him through the primary and general election seasons.
In a campaign ad that featured video images of her father followed by images of Obama, Kennedy said, "People always tell me how my father inspired them. I feel that same excitement now."
There are a slew of high-profile candidates for Clinton's Senate seat -- including Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, whose last name carries some star power of its own in the Empire State -- but their odds grew just a bit steeper when stacked against the wattage of a storied Democratic dynasty.
Robert Kennedy was elected to the Senate with few ties to his adopted home state, but his niece's New York roots run deep.
Jacqueline Kennedy relocated to New York City after her husband's assassination in 1963, with children Caroline and John F. Kennedy Jr.
Caroline Kennedy has spent most of her life in the city, working there after graduating from Harvard, meeting her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, on the job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and attending Columbia Law School there.
Her most prominent public roles to date involved overseeing her father's presidential library and presenting the annual Profiles in Courage Award.
She's also edited several books, from a volume of children's poetry and an updated edition of her father's book "Profiles in Courage" to a collection of patriotic verse ("A Patriot's Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories, and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love.")
Most of her leadership positions have been based in the arts: hosting the annual nationally televised Kennedy Center Honors in Washington and
|
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"Who was she inspired by?",
"What does Kennedy have a history of avoiding?",
"Who once filled the seat?",
"Who was inspired by Barack Obama?"
] |
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"Caroline Kennedy"
] |
question: Who has expressed interest in Hillary Clintons office?, answer: Caroline | question: What did the Kennedy daughter say about Barack Obama?, answer: "But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president | question: What is the name of Kennedy's uncle?, answer: Edward | question: What office did Hillary Clinton fill at this time?, answer: Senate | question: Who has a history of avoiding the spotlight?, answer: Kennedy, | question: Who was she inspired by?, answer: Obama | question: What does Kennedy have a history of avoiding?, answer: the spotlight, | question: Who once filled the seat?, answer: Hillary Clinton. | question: Who was inspired by Barack Obama?, answer: Caroline Kennedy
|
(CNN) -- Caroline Wozniacki has earned a career-high world No. 2 tennis ranking after winning through to the final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California.
The second-seeded Dane will move above the injured Dinara Safina and close the gap on No. 1 Serena Williams when the latest standings are released on Monday.
The 19-year-old will play former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic in the final of the Californian outdoor hardcourt tournament after defeating close friend Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-3 on Friday night.
Wozniacki, who reached the U.S. Open final last year before losing to comeback queen Kim Clijsters, will be seeking her seventh title on the WTA Tour.
She dominated against fifth seed Radwanska, winning the first five games of the opening set and then taking the final four points off the Pole's serve in the match-clinching game.
"We know each other so well. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses," Wozniacki told the tournament's official Web site.
"Agnieszka is a great fighter. She doesn't give up. I knew that I had to fight till the last point to win this match.
"She actually owes me an ice cream. She thought we were going to play first match, and I said, 'No, we're going to play late, or 7:30.' Then we made a bet, as well, and I won, so at least I get an ice cream. But I have to buy dinner."
Wozniacki has lost all four previous encounters with sixth seed Jankovic, who defeated Australian eighth seed Samantha Stosur 6-2 6-4 earlier on Friday.
The Serbian, now ranked ninth, has reached the final at Indian Wells for the first time in nine appearances, and will be looking to emulate compatriots Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic by clinching the title there.
"I thought the key to today's match was my return," Jankovic said. "Samantha has an unbelievable serve, one of the best serves in women's game, and I was able to return a lot of her first serves.
"I was putting a lot of pressure on her second serve. So I think that was the key, because I was able to break her quite a few times. And then it made everything easier for me."
Stosur, who knocked out defending champion in the fourth round, will break into the top-10 following her exploits this week.
"Today was a bit disappointing, but it's still my best result in a tournament like this. I think there's a lot to build on," she said.
|
[
"where will the final be played?",
"who did dane defeat?",
"Who defeated Samantha Stosur in the semifinals?",
"Where will Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic play their final at?",
"Who will be moving up to No. 2 in the rankings?",
"who was a former number 1",
"who was the second seed",
"who beat stosur"
] |
[
"Indian Wells in California.",
"Agnieszka Radwanska",
"Jankovic,",
"Indian Wells in California.",
"Caroline",
"Jelena Jankovic",
"Caroline",
"Jankovic,"
] |
question: where will the final be played?, answer: Indian Wells in California. | question: who did dane defeat?, answer: Agnieszka Radwanska | question: Who defeated Samantha Stosur in the semifinals?, answer: Jankovic, | question: Where will Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic play their final at?, answer: Indian Wells in California. | question: Who will be moving up to No. 2 in the rankings?, answer: Caroline | question: who was a former number 1, answer: Jelena Jankovic | question: who was the second seed, answer: Caroline | question: who beat stosur, answer: Jankovic,
|
(CNN) -- Cars have Global Positioning System devices to pinpoint where drivers are when they get lost, so why can't GPS be used to locate the exact position of planes when the worst happens?
There is currently no way to constantly track planes as they fly over oceans.
It took search and rescue teams over 30 hours to locate the wreckage of the Air France plane that crashed in the Atlantic on Monday. It appears that the aircraft's onboard GPS system was little help to rescuers in the mission.
Although details of Air France flight 447's fate remain uncertain, in some air accidents, this critical time could mean the difference between life and death for any survivors.
Michel Roelandt, aviation expert for Eurocontrol, a European air navigation safety organization, told CNN that nearly all modern planes are fitted with GPS navigation systems. How sophisticated those the communications and navigation systems are is down to individual airlines when they fit out their planes, an Airbus spokesperson told CNN.
On board GPS systems are primarily navigation tools for the crew, and do not currently enable a constant tracking of a jet by a ground crew at all times.
Planes receive a position signal, but don't transmit that back. This is not a problem when a jet is flying over land or in coastal areas, as it is tracked by radar. Over oceans radar does not work as it relies on line-of-sight tracking from a ground station.
On oceanic flights a flight crew will know its exact position via GPS, but it is not able to be tracked by air traffic control. It is left to someone in the cockpit to relay information via satellite communication to air traffic control or a ground station.
"Airlines often have a contract with a private operator to provide their satellite communications. Some companies pay for it, some have free contracts," Roelandt said.
Modern jets equipped with an Aircraft Communication, Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), like the A330-200, are also able to send automatic digital signals. These are not instigated by the crew but report automatically on the plane's systems and relay information to a receiving station. In AF447's case that was Air France's head-quarters in France.
According to an Airbus spokesperson, it is up to an airline to determine how much information is sent in a data signal; it may or may not include location details.
Shortly before the AF447 disappeared, its automatic system initiated a four-minute exchange of messages to Air France's maintenance computers, indicating that "several pieces of aircraft equipment were at fault or had broken down," Air France CEO Pierre-Henri Gourgeon said on Monday.
When the Air France Airbus A330-200's systems failed these messages would no longer have been able to be transmitted. They did relay the plane's location, but the plane continued flying for an unknown period of time, so the precise location where it went down could not be known.
Once a plane loses its electronic system, the automatic data messages can no longer be sent, and in those circumstances no one on the flight deck would be able to transmit a message either.
Aviation experts have stated that the idea of GPS tracking has not been part of any safety review within the aviation industry. The general consensus has been that a trained flight crew is on hand that always has the capability to be in contact with someone on the ground should an emergency arise. In the case of Air France Flight 447, it appears that the crew had no time to relay an emergency message.
As well as searching for wreckage, a crashed plane can be found by pin-pointing the location of the in-flight black box recorder.
Black box flight recorder devices contain flight deck data and crew voice recordings. When a plane has crashed black box recorders automatically emit a honing signal, located via radar. Emitting a regular ping for 30 days it can be picked up via radio waves, meaning there is a limit to the distance from the device search and rescue teams can be before they can pick up the signal.
According
|
[
"What can't GPS on airliners do?",
"What can't help locate planes?",
"What does GPS on planes do"
] |
[
"not currently enable a constant tracking of a jet by a ground crew at all times.",
"GPS",
"primarily navigation tools for the crew,"
] |
question: What can't GPS on airliners do?, answer: not currently enable a constant tracking of a jet by a ground crew at all times. | question: What can't help locate planes?, answer: GPS | question: What does GPS on planes do, answer: primarily navigation tools for the crew,
|
(CNN) -- Celebrity chef Bobby Chinn has tried his hand at a number of things.
Chinn's face for television: Picking up his Asian TV Award in 2007.
English boarding school taught him that food could be an awful experience; Wall Street taught him that creativity was more important than money and a stint as a stand-up comedian taught him that you can't always get it right.
Half Chinese, half Egyptian, Chinn's grandmothers were his first introduction to the variety and pleasure that food can bring.
While his palate was subdued by the meals he was given at school in England when he was a boy, his meandering route to becoming a chef came some time after attaining a degree in Finance and Economics.
Moving to New York after graduating he worked on Wall Street.
"You didn't produce anything at the end of a day and you didn't breathe fresh air, you didn't know what the weather was like outside because you were on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. It's like the dungeon of capitalism where time and money met," he told CNN's Talk Asia.
Chinn escaped "the dungeon" after a year and a half to the sunny climes of California, but it wasn't to laze around. An addiction to high-octane and challenging environments saw Chinn explore the possibility of being a stand-up comic.
"I was always afraid to talk in front of the class and now I am trying to make them laugh" he told CNN.
"One day you are really funny and then you go to another gig the same night and nobody laughs and then at the same time you are living a life of poverty. When you are bombing as a comic I don't think there can be a worse life."
While finding out the hard way how funny, or not, he was, Chinn was working front-of-house in restaurants, nurturing his love of food.
His break came when Hubert Keller from San Francisco restaurant Fleur de Lys took him on as a volunteer in his kitchen.
"He gave me a job and after one week he said 'OK, you can stay.' And then when you work with one really great chef, then I think you can work anywhere," he said.
After also training with chefs in France, Chinn made his own mark on the culinary world when he opened his first restaurant in Vietnam in 1995, and at first found the going tough.
"Supplies were not consistent, the language barrier, the taste barrier, the hygiene barriers. Those are very taxing on a person like me with very little patience."
A high-energy chef and now a TV celebrity who presents "World Café Asia" -- he won an Asian Television Award in 2007 -- Chinn is aware that being flavor of the month on TV is transitory.
"It is just a machine that feeds on people like me and then spits me out when my time is done. You just have to go with the flow."
|
[
"What is Chinn's cookery show called?",
"Where did he work before becoming a chef?",
"What nationalities was Chinn?",
"What was the name of his own cookery show?",
"Who has published cook books and has his own cookery show called World Cafe Asia?",
"Who made their name as a chef in Vietnam?",
"Who was half Chinese and half Egyptian and made his name as a chef in Vietnam?",
"What was Chinn's occupation in Vietnam?",
"Who worked on Wall Street and as a stand up comic before becoming a chef?"
] |
[
"\"World Café Asia\"",
"worked on Wall Street.",
"Half Chinese, half Egyptian,",
"\"World Café Asia\"",
"Bobby Chinn",
"Bobby Chinn",
"Bobby Chinn",
"chef",
"Bobby Chinn"
] |
question: What is Chinn's cookery show called?, answer: "World Café Asia" | question: Where did he work before becoming a chef?, answer: worked on Wall Street. | question: What nationalities was Chinn?, answer: Half Chinese, half Egyptian, | question: What was the name of his own cookery show?, answer: "World Café Asia" | question: Who has published cook books and has his own cookery show called World Cafe Asia?, answer: Bobby Chinn | question: Who made their name as a chef in Vietnam?, answer: Bobby Chinn | question: Who was half Chinese and half Egyptian and made his name as a chef in Vietnam?, answer: Bobby Chinn | question: What was Chinn's occupation in Vietnam?, answer: chef | question: Who worked on Wall Street and as a stand up comic before becoming a chef?, answer: Bobby Chinn
|
(CNN) -- Cell phone technology is helping developing nations prepare for disease threats such as a new strain of swine flu, an outbreak of measles or the increased spread of HIV.
Workers in Kenya use EpiSurveyor for the first time nationwide during this year's children's health week.
Kenya proved it in 2007, when the East African nation suffered its first case of the polio virus in more than 20 years, said Yusuf Ajack Ibrahim, a health care worker at the Kenyan Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.
As thousands of Somalis fled to Kenya to avoid violence in their homeland, the exodus sparked a serious health crisis, Ibrahim said.
"One case of confirmed wild polio virus put at risk the lives of 100,000 children," he said.
Kenyan health officials determined that they needed a way to quickly survey and assess the situation and initiate a massive immunization campaign.
The solution was on the Internet, where they found a free, open-source application designed for personal digital assistants, called EpiSurveyor. Open-source software is posted online for anyone to use and alter to suit their needs.
Downloading the software to cell phones enabled officials to gather data directly from the site of the outbreak and send it electronically back to headquarters for faster analysis. This cuts down on the time officials have to spend collecting paper surveys and analyzing them individually before they can begin treating people.
"The information gave us useful feedback not only on the affected area but on the neighboring ones as well and helped us put plans and measures in place to stop the spread of the virus," Ibrahim added.
Physician and epidemiologist Dr. Joel Selanikio predicts that within a year, health officials will be using the technology to track other threats in developing nations, such as the recent Mexican swine flu outbreak.
Selanikio invented EpiSurveyor in 2003, after he and American Red Cross technologist Rose Donna began searching for a more efficient way to gather data on immerging diseases.
They started a nonprofit organization, DataDyne, aiming to use mobile devices to efficiently and immediately gather public health information.
"Collecting data on paper and then taking two years to enter the data is a tremendous drain and barrier to good public health," said Selanikio, who teaches pediatrics at Washington's Georgetown University Hospital.
Mobile devices such as PDAs or handheld computers have been used for field studies since the late 1990s, but electronic survey methods have traditionally been expensive, labor-intensive and challenging to implement on a global scale.
Many global health institutions are now encouraging the use of advanced methodologies such as smart phones and open-source software as the next generation of data transmission, said Dr. Ramesh Krishnamurthy, an informatics scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
EpiSurveyor frees health care workers from hiring programmers to create electronic surveys. Data gatherers can customize their questionnaires online, download the questionnaires onto a cell phone that has Internet capability, poll patients and do direct analysis, all through a touch pad on a cell phone.
Ibrahim credits the technology with saving Zambians who were threatened by a frightening outbreak of measles in 2007.
The government didn't know that vaccine supplies were low, he said. Using EpiSurveyor, health care workers discovered that 60 percent of their vaccine stockpiles in remote areas were missing. They mobilized a response within three weeks, he said.
"Imagine if we have an outbreak of measles and the information is relayed to us three months after the outbreak. By the time we respond, lives would have been lost, but if we can get the information in a day or half a day, we an mount a quick response," Ibrahim said.
"By being able to relay the information at an appropriate time, that -- in and of itself -- is life-saving," he added.
Fans point out that EpiSurveyor's success hinges on ready access to technology already in place.
"There are 4 billion mobile phones in the world; 2.2 billion of those are in the developing world," said Claire Thwaites, who heads a partnership between the United Nations Foundation and the Vodafone Foundation, which funded
|
[
"Who stopped the spread of Polio?",
"what did they stop in kenya",
"More than half of world's cell phones are where ?",
"where are more than half the worlds cell phones",
"What countries health care worker: Relaying information at appropriate time is life-saving ?",
"where is the software"
] |
[
"EpiSurveyor.",
"the spread of the virus,\"",
"in the developing world,\"",
"those are in the developing world,\"",
"Kenya",
"online"
] |
question: Who stopped the spread of Polio?, answer: EpiSurveyor. | question: what did they stop in kenya, answer: the spread of the virus," | question: More than half of world's cell phones are where ?, answer: in the developing world," | question: where are more than half the worlds cell phones, answer: those are in the developing world," | question: What countries health care worker: Relaying information at appropriate time is life-saving ?, answer: Kenya | question: where is the software, answer: online
|
(CNN) -- Champions League newcomers Manchester City are still waiting for their first win in the competition as a double from Mario Gomez gave in-form Bayern Munich a 2-0 Group A victory at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern went into the match on the back of nine successive victories and they always looked dangerous in the first half, with Bastian Schweinsteiger volleying over the crossbar from close range in the 36th minute.
However, the home side took the lead just two minutes later when goalkeeper Joe Hart did superbly to keep out shots from Frank Ribery and Thomas Mueller, but Gomez was on hand to stab home from three meters out.
And the same player added a second goal on the stroke of half-time when Daniel Van Buyten's header was wonderfully saved by Hart, only for Gomez to be on hand again from close range.
City could find no response after the break, and a bad night for them was made worse when manager Roberto Mancini later confirmed that former captain Carlos Tevez refused to come onto the pitch in the second half after being named only as a substitute.
An angry Mancini told reporters: "I asked him to go on and help the team. We have 11 players -- maybe he was disappointed because he didn't play from the start. If I have my way he will be out of the club."
The result leaves Bayern top of the table with a maximum six points from their two games, with Napoli second on four points after the Italian side beat Villarreal 2-0 in Naples.
They opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Marek Hamsik chested down Ezequiel Lavezzi's cross at the back post, before firing home with his left foot.
And Edinson Cavani added a second from the penalty spot just three minutes later after Lavezzi was fouled by Gonzalo Rodriguez in the area.
Big-spending City, who are joint top of the English Premier League with five wins and a draw from their six games so far, are back in third with just a single point following their opening home draw against Napoli, while Spanish side Villarreal are bottom of the group without a point, or a goal, so far.
Meanwhile, 2010 champions Inter Milan made it two wins out of two under new coach Claudio Ranieri with a thrilling 3-2 Group B victory at CSKA Moscow.
Ranieri replaced Gian Piero Gasperini last week, and began his San Siro tenure with a 3-1 Serie A win at Bologna over the weekend.
And Inter showed they had got their shock opening 1-0 defeat by Trabzonspor out of their system, by repelling a CSKA fightback to secure their first victory in the tournament.
Brazilian defender Lucio fired Inter ahead from the edge of the box after just six minutes and the Italian side doubled their lead midway through the half, when Giampaolo Pazzini netted from close range after fine work from Yuto Nagatomo.
However, the Russian side pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time with a well-placed Alan Dzagoev free-kick and Brazilian Vagner Love levelled with 13 minutes remaining with a low drive.
But, just a minute later, Mauro Zarate converted from Esteban Cambiasso's pass to give Inter a vital victory.
The other group match saw Trabzonspor and Lille share a 1-1 draw in Turkey.
Moussa Sow opened the scoring for the French side when he converted Eden Hazard's pass from a tight angle, but the home side earned a draw in the 75th minute when Gustavo Colman scored from the penalty spot after Mathieu Debuchy handled in the area.
The result sees Trabzonspor top the group with four points, ahead of Inter on three, Lille on two and CSKA Moscow on a single point.
Premier League leaders Manchester United needed a last-gasp Ashley Young goal to rescue a 3-3 Group C draw at home to Swiss side Basel, in a thrilling match that saw United squander a comfortable two-goal lead.
United took a 16th minute lead when Danny Welbeck, in for the injured Wayne Rooney, was left unmarked in the area to score off the post, and the young England
|
[
"Who scored for Bayern",
"what group was it",
"What group are Manchester city in",
"Who refused to come onto the pitch",
"What was the final score in Basel game?",
"What team did defeat Manchester City in group A?",
"How many points does Bayern Munich have now?",
"What was the score"
] |
[
"Mario Gomez",
"A",
"A",
"Carlos Tevez",
"3-3",
"Bayern Munich",
"six",
"2-0"
] |
question: Who scored for Bayern, answer: Mario Gomez | question: what group was it, answer: A | question: What group are Manchester city in, answer: A | question: Who refused to come onto the pitch, answer: Carlos Tevez | question: What was the final score in Basel game?, answer: 3-3 | question: What team did defeat Manchester City in group A?, answer: Bayern Munich | question: How many points does Bayern Munich have now?, answer: six | question: What was the score, answer: 2-0
|
(CNN) -- Changes to social studies curricula introduced by conservative members of the Texas State Board of Education were approved Friday after months of ideologically driven debate.
Three separate votes on amended guidelines for elementary-, middle- and high-school curricula each resulted in 9-5 splits along party lines in favor of the new standards, known as Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. New standards for the high school economics course passed 14-0.
Debate over the guidelines has drawn scrutiny since conservative members of the board introduced the changes in 2009 in what they considered an effort to bring "balance" to the curriculum.
"What we have is the history profession, the experts, seem to have a left-wing tilt, so what we were doing is trying to restore some balance to the standards," board member Don McLeroy said in March.
Among the approved amendments, according to the Texas Education Agency: discussions of the "solvency of long term entitlements, such as Social Security and Medicare"; and an examination of why "the Founding Fathers protected religious freedom in America and guaranteed its free exercise by saying that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, and compare and contrast this to the phrase 'separation of church and state.' "
The board also voted "to add a direct reference to the election of President Barack H. Obama" and to require students to become familiar with the political philosophies of Thomas Jefferson.
What is taught in Texas often is taught in other states because publishers typically tailor textbooks for Texas, one of the largest buyers of textbooks in the country.
However, digital publishing has diminished the state's influence on textbooks nationally and that curriculum is always going to be decided at the local level, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said.
"Whatever Texas decides, I do not think there will be large ripple effects around the country," he said before Friday's votes. "Textbook companies today have a real ability to customize textbooks and whatever the Texas board decides, I don't think that's going to impact education in other parts of the country."
|
[
"What changes is the Texas board voting on?",
"what do Conservatives on Texas board vote for ?",
"what does U.S. education secretary say ?",
"What state's textbook requirements often make it into those of other states?"
] |
[
"social studies curricula",
"amended guidelines",
"digital publishing has diminished the state's influence",
"Texas"
] |
question: What changes is the Texas board voting on?, answer: social studies curricula | question: what do Conservatives on Texas board vote for ?, answer: amended guidelines | question: what does U.S. education secretary say ?, answer: digital publishing has diminished the state's influence | question: What state's textbook requirements often make it into those of other states?, answer: Texas
|
(CNN) -- Changing winter conditions are causing Scotland's wild Soay sheep to get smaller, according to a study that suggests climate change can trump natural selection.
Can't see me now: Climate change could be shrinking Soay sheep in Scotland.
The authors of the study published in "Science" believe that it highlights how wide-ranging the effects of global climate change can be, adding further complexity to the changes we might expect to see in animal populations in future.
"It's only in the last few years that we've realized that evolution can influence species' physical traits as quickly as ecological changes can. This study addresses one of the major goals of population biology, namely to untangle the ways in which evolutionary and environmental changes influence a species' traits," said Andrew Sugden, deputy and international managing editor at Science.
The researchers analyzed body-weight measurements and life-history data for the female members of a population of Soay sheep. The sheep live on the island of Hirta in the St. Kilda archipelago of Scotland and have been studied closely since 1985.
They selected body size because it is a heritable trait, and because the sheep have, on average, been decreasing in size for the last 25 years.
According to the findings lambs are not growing as quickly as they once did as winters have become shorter so do not need to put on as much as weight in the first months of life to survive.
The results suggest that the decrease is primarily an ecological response to environmental variation over the last 25 years. Evolutionary change, the report says, has contributed relatively little.
"Sheep are getting smaller. Well, at least the wild Soay sheep living on a remote Scottish island are. But according to classic evolutionary theory, they should have been getting bigger, because larger sheep tend to be more likely to survive and reproduce than smaller ones, and offspring tend to resemble their parents," said study author Tim Coulson of Imperial College London.
"Our findings have solved a paradox that has tormented biologists for years -- why predictions did not match observation. Biologists have realized that ecological and evolutionary processes are intricately intertwined, and they now have a way of dissecting out the contribution of each. Unfortunately it is too early to tell whether a warming world will lead to pocket-sized sheep," said Coulson.
|
[
"Where are the wild sheep from?",
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"What did Scotland suggests?",
"What can override the natural selection?",
"What did the authors reported?",
"For how long have the sheep been studied?",
"what overrides natural selection?",
"When did the study start?",
"What was the study about?",
"what is making sheep smaller?",
"What can override natural selection?",
"What can climate change override?",
"The sheep were closely studied since when?",
"what sheep has been closely studied?",
"Where did the study take place?"
] |
[
"Scotland's",
"Climate change could be shrinking Soay sheep in Scotland.",
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"climate change",
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"climate change can trump natural selection.",
"Changing",
"climate change",
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"1985.",
"Scotland's wild Soay",
"St. Kilda archipelago of Scotland"
] |
question: Where are the wild sheep from?, answer: Scotland's | question: What was study in 1985?, answer: Climate change could be shrinking Soay sheep in Scotland. | question: What did Scotland suggests?, answer: climate change can trump natural selection. | question: What can override the natural selection?, answer: climate change | question: What did the authors reported?, answer: how wide-ranging the effects of global climate change can be, | question: For how long have the sheep been studied?, answer: since 1985. | question: what overrides natural selection?, answer: climate change | question: When did the study start?, answer: 1985. | question: What was the study about?, answer: climate change can trump natural selection. | question: what is making sheep smaller?, answer: Changing | question: What can override natural selection?, answer: climate change | question: What can climate change override?, answer: trump natural selection. | question: The sheep were closely studied since when?, answer: 1985. | question: what sheep has been closely studied?, answer: Scotland's wild Soay | question: Where did the study take place?, answer: St. Kilda archipelago of Scotland
|
(CNN) -- Charges of bribery against former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and Halliburton by Nigeria's anti-corruption police may be dropped after an agreement to pay a $250 million fine.
"Discussions focus on the possibility of a plea bargain arrangement," said Femi Babafemi, a spokesman for Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
"Allowing the company and former officials to pay heavy fines in lieu of prosecution ... they would pay $120 million as fines and $130 million from bad money stored in Switzerland from the original deal -- so $250 million in total."
This month, the commission charged Cheney -- who ran Halliburton in the 1990s -- and nine others with "conspiracy and distribution of gratification to public officials."
The investigation is part of a long-running case involving Halliburton and a subsidiary firm, Kellogg, Brown and Root, over alleged bribes paid to Nigerian officials to secure $6 billion worth of contracts for a liquefied natural gas project in the Niger Delta.
The bribes are said to have amounted to $180 million between 1994 and 2004.
The firm pleaded guilty to foreign bribery charges in the United States last year and paid a $402 million criminal fine, the U.S. Justice Department said. KBR and Halliburton also paid $177 million to settle civil complaints related to the bribery, the Justice Department said.
Investigations in Nigeria, however, have been ongoing, and there are allegations that the bribes went all the way to the top, to aides, officials and possibly then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Many observers in Nigeria regard the move as a publicity stunt by the commission ahead of national elections in April and as a symbolic effort to display resolve against government corruption.
The agency has had limited success in getting successful prosecutions and hasn't charged any high-profile people since its top commissioner was removed from the body in 2007.
Cheney's atttorney has said that there is no reason to suspect that his client is guilty.
"This matter involves the activities of an international four-company joint venture (which included KBR, then a subsidiary of Halliburton) well over a decade ago," Terrence O'Connell said.
"The Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated that joint venture extensively and found no suggestion of any impropriety by Dick Cheney in his role of CEO of Halliburton."
The latest discussions on reaching a settlement ended this weekend in London, Babafemi said.
The arrangement is now waiting for Nigeria's Minister of of Justice to officially agree to the deal, a decision that is expected by the end of the week.
|
[
"Where is Halliburton from?",
"How much was Halliburton fined, when pleading guilty to bribery charges in U.S. last year?",
"Which Energy firm?",
"How much was the, alleged, bribe?",
"Allegations were made of bribes to which officials?",
"What favors were the bribes in return for?",
"Who was the Vice President that was charged?",
"Who pleaded guilty to bribery charges?",
"What amount is the payment of the plea deal?"
] |
[
"Nigeria's",
"$250 million",
"Halliburton",
"$180 million",
"Nigerian",
"gas project",
"Dick Cheney",
"Kellogg, Brown and Root,",
"$250 million"
] |
question: Where is Halliburton from?, answer: Nigeria's | question: How much was Halliburton fined, when pleading guilty to bribery charges in U.S. last year?, answer: $250 million | question: Which Energy firm?, answer: Halliburton | question: How much was the, alleged, bribe?, answer: $180 million | question: Allegations were made of bribes to which officials?, answer: Nigerian | question: What favors were the bribes in return for?, answer: gas project | question: Who was the Vice President that was charged?, answer: Dick Cheney | question: Who pleaded guilty to bribery charges?, answer: Kellogg, Brown and Root, | question: What amount is the payment of the plea deal?, answer: $250 million
|
(CNN) -- Charges of rebellion will be leveled against many of those arrested during martial law in the southern Philippines -- declared in the aftermath of last month's massacre of 57 civilians, the nation's justice secretary said.
Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera made the statement Saturday as the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo defended the martial law declaration, CNN affiliate ABS-CBN reported. Some lawmakers have challenged the legality of the declaration, which allows authorities to make arrests without a warrant.
Martial law went into effect Friday night in the province of Maguindanao to impose peace following the politically motivated massacre, said army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. He added that Congress would have to approve any extension beyond 60 days.
Police and military reports of armed men massing in Maguindanao would lead to charges of rebellion, Devanadera said, according to ABS-CBN.
Signs indicated that "violence was imminent," said Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, operations chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the affiliate reported.
The armed men were supporters of the politically powerful Ampatuan family, which has been implicated in the massacre, Pangilinan said.
At least six members of the Ampatuan family have been arrested, including Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., according to ABS-CBN. Ampatuan, whose father is governor of Maguindanao, has been accused of directing the killings and has been charged with 25 counts of murder.
One of the massacre victims implicated members of the Ampatuan family before she died, the affiliate reported.
Over the weekend, authorities raided at least one warehouse and ranch belonging to the family. They confiscated firearms, ammunition and vehicles, Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, deputy of operations for the eastern Mindinao command, told CNN.
The military was looking at arresting at least 100 people tied to the massacre, ABS-CBN reported. The Philippine military is investigating its own forces in connection with the case as well, Brawner said.
Asked why martial law was imposed 12 days after the killings, Cabangbang said authorities "were trying to build a case, a tight case" against suspects.
"But it is taking long to build a case, so I think the government gave us a free hand in arresting those who are suspects, and allowed us to search, even without warrant. So we really need this declaration of state of martial law."
The president was to submit a written report to Congress on Sunday evening, justifying her declaration of martial law, the Department of Justice said, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.
Political debate had flared over how soon Congress needed to convene after the declaration of martial law, as required by the Constitution.
The House of Representatives and the Senate might jointly convene on Tuesday to discuss the president's report, House Speaker Prospero Nograles said Sunday, according to the Philippine News Agency.
Violence in the run-up to elections is not uncommon in the country. The Maguindanao massacre, however, is the worst politically motivated violence in recent Philippine history, according to state media.
The victims included the wife and sister of political candidate Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, who had sent the women to file paperwork allowing him to run for governor of Maguindanao. He said he had received threats from allies of Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., the father of the accused mayor, saying he would be kidnapped if he filed the papers himself.
Ampatuan Sr. has been taken into custody in the massacre, but was hospitalized after taking ill.
Witnesses and local officials say the killings were an attempt to block Mangudadatu from challenging the younger Ampatuan -- a longtime ally of the Philippine president and a known warlord -- in the May gubernatorial election.
A dozen journalists who had accompanied the women were also killed in the massacre.
Group: Philippines most dangerous country for journalists
Suspicion fell on Ampatuan after a government construction vehicle was found at the hastily dug mass grave that held the bodies of the massacre victims.
Maguindanao is part of an autonomous region in predominantly Muslim Mindanao, which was set up in the 1990s to quell armed uprisings by people
|
[
"What does legality of martial law allow?",
"How many were killed last week?",
"where is maguindanao province",
"where was likked 57 people",
"who was arrested",
"What will the charges be for those arrested?"
] |
[
"authorities to make arrests without a warrant.",
"57",
"southern Philippines",
"southern Philippines",
"At least six members of the Ampatuan family",
"rebellion"
] |
question: What does legality of martial law allow?, answer: authorities to make arrests without a warrant. | question: How many were killed last week?, answer: 57 | question: where is maguindanao province, answer: southern Philippines | question: where was likked 57 people, answer: southern Philippines | question: who was arrested, answer: At least six members of the Ampatuan family | question: What will the charges be for those arrested?, answer: rebellion
|
(CNN) -- Charges of rebellion will be leveled against many of those arrested during martial law in the southern Philippines -- declared in the aftermath of last month's massacre of 57 civilians, the nation's justice secretary said.
Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera made the statement Saturday as the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo defended the martial law declaration, CNN affiliate ABS-CBN reported. Some lawmakers have challenged the legality of the declaration, which allows authorities to make arrests without a warrant.
Martial law went into effect Friday night in the province of Maguindanao to impose peace following the politically motivated massacre, said army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. He added that Congress would have to approve any extension beyond 60 days.
Police and military reports of armed men massing in Maguindanao would lead to charges of rebellion, Devanadera said, according to ABS-CBN.
Signs indicated that "violence was imminent," said Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, operations chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the affiliate reported.
The armed men were supporters of the politically powerful Ampatuan family, which has been implicated in the massacre, Pangilinan said.
At least six members of the Ampatuan family have been arrested, including Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., according to ABS-CBN. Ampatuan, whose father is governor of Maguindanao, has been accused of directing the killings and has been charged with 25 counts of murder.
One of the massacre victims implicated members of the Ampatuan family before she died, the affiliate reported.
Over the weekend, authorities raided at least one warehouse and ranch belonging to the family. They confiscated firearms, ammunition and vehicles, Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, deputy of operations for the eastern Mindinao command, told CNN.
The military was looking at arresting at least 100 people tied to the massacre, ABS-CBN reported. The Philippine military is investigating its own forces in connection with the case as well, Brawner said.
Asked why martial law was imposed 12 days after the killings, Cabangbang said authorities "were trying to build a case, a tight case" against suspects.
"But it is taking long to build a case, so I think the government gave us a free hand in arresting those who are suspects, and allowed us to search, even without warrant. So we really need this declaration of state of martial law."
The president was to submit a written report to Congress on Sunday evening, justifying her declaration of martial law, the Department of Justice said, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.
Political debate had flared over how soon Congress needed to convene after the declaration of martial law, as required by the Constitution.
The House of Representatives and the Senate might jointly convene on Tuesday to discuss the president's report, House Speaker Prospero Nograles said Sunday, according to the Philippine News Agency.
Violence in the run-up to elections is not uncommon in the country. The Maguindanao massacre, however, is the worst politically motivated violence in recent Philippine history, according to state media.
The victims included the wife and sister of political candidate Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, who had sent the women to file paperwork allowing him to run for governor of Maguindanao. He said he had received threats from allies of Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., the father of the accused mayor, saying he would be kidnapped if he filed the papers himself.
Ampatuan Sr. has been taken into custody in the massacre, but was hospitalized after taking ill.
Witnesses and local officials say the killings were an attempt to block Mangudadatu from challenging the younger Ampatuan -- a longtime ally of the Philippine president and a known warlord -- in the May gubernatorial election.
A dozen journalists who had accompanied the women were also killed in the massacre.
Group: Philippines most dangerous country for journalists
Suspicion fell on Ampatuan after a government construction vehicle was found at the hastily dug mass grave that held the bodies of the massacre victims.
Maguindanao is part of an autonomous region in predominantly Muslim Mindanao, which was set up in the 1990s to quell armed uprisings by people
|
[
"Was anyone killed?",
"How many were killed?",
"Will charges be leveled?",
"Who were arms recovered from?",
"Who will have charges leveled against them?",
"What is challenged?",
"In what province were people killed?"
] |
[
"57 civilians,",
"57",
"of rebellion",
"Ampatuan family,",
"those arrested during martial law in the",
"the legality of the declaration,",
"Maguindanao,"
] |
question: Was anyone killed?, answer: 57 civilians, | question: How many were killed?, answer: 57 | question: Will charges be leveled?, answer: of rebellion | question: Who were arms recovered from?, answer: Ampatuan family, | question: Who will have charges leveled against them?, answer: those arrested during martial law in the | question: What is challenged?, answer: the legality of the declaration, | question: In what province were people killed?, answer: Maguindanao,
|
(CNN) -- Chastity Bono, gay-rights activist and child of performer Cher and the late entertainer and politician Sonny Bono, is in the early stages of transitioning from a female to a male and will be known as Chaz, his spokesman said Thursday.
Activist Chastity Bono is transitioning from female to male and will be known as Chaz.
"Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity," Howard Bragman said in a written statement.
"He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones. It is Chaz's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his 'coming out' did nearly 20 years ago."
Someone's decision to transition does not necessarily mean they are undergoing gender reassignment surgery, and in many cases they do not, said Mara Keisling, executive director of the Washington-based National Center for Transgender Equality.
"The whole media fixation on surgery is kind of misplaced," she said. "Almost no transgender people ever have surgery. We don't have any idea how many do." iReport.com: Do you have a transgender story?
An estimated one-quarter to one-half percent of the American population is transsexual, however, Keisling said. "It's sort of a general term that encompasses both or either a social transition or a medical transition."
Keisling said she was unaware of the specifics in Bono's case, but speaking generally, a transition means that he will now want to be "known, seen, viewed" as a male.
"The actual details depend on his needs and wants and his doctor's needs and wants," she said.
Bragman asked that the media "respect Chaz's privacy during this long process, as he will not be doing any interviews at this time."
Now 40, Bono as a little girl made regular appearances on her parents' show, "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour." As an adult, he has been a longtime gay-rights advocate and been closely associated with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. See more photos from Chastity Bono's life »
Bono's father, Sonny Bono, was a U.S. representative from California when he was killed in a skiing accident in January 1998.
|
[
"bono is longtime what",
"What type of activist is Bono?",
"What sex is Chastity Bono transitioning to?",
"what will chastity be known as",
"What will Chastity Bono's new name be?",
"Who is a gay-rights activist?"
] |
[
"gay-rights advocate",
"gay-rights",
"male",
"Chaz,",
"known as Chaz,",
"Bono,"
] |
question: bono is longtime what, answer: gay-rights advocate | question: What type of activist is Bono?, answer: gay-rights | question: What sex is Chastity Bono transitioning to?, answer: male | question: what will chastity be known as, answer: Chaz, | question: What will Chastity Bono's new name be?, answer: known as Chaz, | question: Who is a gay-rights activist?, answer: Bono,
|
(CNN) -- Chechen rebel leader Dokku Umarov claimed that he personally gave orders to attack the Moscow subway this week, according to a Chechen rebel Web site.
Kavkaz Center, a Web site that regularly carries messages from the rebels, released a video in which Umarov said he was behind the Monday attacks.
The attacks were revenge for what Umarov called a "massacre conducted by the Russian occupants against the poorest residents of Chechnya and Ingushetia," the Web site says.
According to the site, the video was taped the same day as the attacks.
The incident Umarov referred to is a February special operation by Russian forces, after which there were accusations of Russians killing innocent civilians.
In the video, Umarov said the victims were simply gathering garlic to make a living.
According to Russian officials, at least four civilians were killed during the special operation near the Ingushetian village of Arshty on February 11. After investigating the incident, the officials admitted that it was "the season to collect wild garlic" and civilians may have been doing just that despite requests for "evacuation" from the area.
The president of Ingushetia, Yunus-Bek Evkurov expressed condolences to relatives of the deceased and provided material support in the amount of 50 thousand rubles (about $1,700) for each family.
The president noted that during the raid 18 militants were also killed.
The attacks in Moscow, in which two female suicide bombers killed at least 39 people and wounded more than 60 others, were legitimate retribution for what happened in Chechnya, Umarov said in the video. He also promised "new acts of vengeance" in Russia.
Russians will no longer be able to simply observe the battles in the Caucasus, Umarov said.
"Therefore, the war will come to your streets, and you will feel it for yourselves and with your own lives," he said in the video.
Monday's blasts tore through the Lubyanka and Park Kultury stations in central Moscow -- the female bombers detonating their explosives about 40 minutes apart, starting just before 8 a.m. (12 a.m. ET).
On Tuesday, Russian police released photographs of the two women suspected of carrying out the attacks.
Special services were also seeking three suspected accomplices of the bombers, Russian state TV reported, citing Moscow police spokesman Viktor Biryukov.
They were hunting for a 30-year-old man from the Northern Caucasus who was seen on security cameras wearing dark clothes and a black baseball cap, and two women, aged 22 and 45, both ethnic Slavs, who allegedly assisted the man, state TV reported.
"Our preliminary assessment is that this act of terror was committed by a terrorist group from the North Caucasus region," said Alexander Bortnikov of the Federal Security Service, in reference to the investigation at one of the blast sites.
The current round of the Russia-Chechnya conflict dates back nearly 20 years, with Chechens having laid claim to land in the Caucasus Mountains region. Thousands have been killed and 500,000 Chechen people have been displaced by the fighting.
Chechnya is located in the North Caucasus region of Russia between the Black and Caspian seas.
|
[
"Who died in Monday's attack?",
"How many attackers detonated bombs?",
"Where was the attack?",
"What does Chechen rebel leader claim?",
"Who detonated their explosives?"
] |
[
"39 people",
"two",
"Moscow",
"subway this week,",
"female bombers"
] |
question: Who died in Monday's attack?, answer: 39 people | question: How many attackers detonated bombs?, answer: two | question: Where was the attack?, answer: Moscow | question: What does Chechen rebel leader claim?, answer: subway this week, | question: Who detonated their explosives?, answer: female bombers
|
(CNN) -- Chelsea have qualified for the last 16 of the European Champions League after two Didier Drogba goals helped them to a 3-0 Group E victory over Valencia at Stamford Bridge.
The English Premier League side needed a victory to guarantee their place in the knockout stage and they got the perfect start when Drogba scored in the third minute -- Chelsea's fastest ever Champions League goal.
Midfielder Ramires doubled their advantage midway through the half after capitalizing on some hesitant Valencia defending.
Real Madrid to topple Barcelona in 'El Clasico' clash?
And Drogba sealed the victory 14 minutes from time when sliding the ball home from Juan Mata's slide-rule pass.
The result also means Chelsea top the group with 11 points after Bayer Leverkusen -- who had already qualified -- were held to a 1-1 draw by Genk in Belgium.
Jelle Vossen put the home side ahead in the first half with a superb volley, but Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok leveled for the Bundesliga side 11 minutes from time.
Leverkusen go through as group runners-up on 10 points, with third-placed Valencia going into the Europa League and Genk eliminated from Europe.
There was late drama in Group F, where Marseille came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Dortmund, a result that saw them go through to the last 16 in second place behind already-qualified Arsenal.
Poland midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski put the home side ahead from close range in the 23rd minute and Mats Hummels doubled Dortmund's advantage nine minutes later from the penalty spot, after captain Sebastian Kehl received a nasty kick in the face from defender Stephane Mbia.
But Marseille gave themselves hope on the stroke of half-time when Loic Remy headed home Morgan Amalfitano's right-wing cross.
The score stayed that way until five minutes from the end when Andre Ayew powerfully headed home Amalfitano's corner.
And a sensational comeback was completed just two minutes later when substitute Mathieu Valbuena skipped past a couple of challenges before curling home a delightful winner.
Marseille's victory was bad news for Olympiakos, who beat a depleted Arsenal side 3-1 in Piraeus.
Rafik Djebbour put the hosts ahead from a tight angle after a defensive mix-up and David Fuster made it 2-0 when goalkeeper Vito Mannone's headed clearance fell to his feet -- and he found the net from outside the area.
Yossi Benayoun pulled a goal back early in the second half with a fine strike from just inside the area but Olympiakos secured the win when Francois Modesto scored from close range after Olof Mellberg's header had come back off the post.
Despite the win, Marseille's comeback means Olympiakos (9 points) have to settle for the Europa League.
Arsenal finish top on 11 points with Marseille just a point behind and German champions Dortmund out of Europe on just four points.
Surprise packages APOEL Nicosia had already qualified from Group G, but they ended the group with a defeat as Shakhtar Donetsk claimed a 2-0 away victory.
The Ukrainian side had already been eliminated, but they inflicted a first defeat on the Cypriot side courtesy of goals from Luiz Adriano and Yevhen Seleznyov.
Porto needed to beat Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg at home to qualify alongside APOEL, but the visitors defended solidly to secure a 0-0 draw.
It meant APOEL and Zenit both qualified with nine points, with the Cypriot side top virtue of a better head-to-head record. Porto (eight points) have to settle for the Europa League.
Barcelona and AC Milan had already qualified from Group H, but they enjoyed contrasting fortunes on Tuesday.
Defending champions Barca thumped BATE Borisov 4-0 at the Nou Camp despite coach Pep Guardiola resting a host of key players ahead of 'El Clasico' against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Real Madrid to topple Barcelona in 'El Clasico' clash?
It may have been an unfamiliar line-up, but the style of football was completely familiar as Barca scored at will against the Belarussians.
Sergi Roberto opened the scoring in the 35th minute from the edge of the
|
[
"Did the Dortmund win?",
"What team is the Group G winner?",
"What score did chelsea win?",
"Who was the winner of group e?",
"Who scored twice?",
"Who scored for chelsea?",
"Which team did Chelsea defeat?",
"What was Chelsea score?",
"What number of goals did Drogba score?"
] |
[
"3-2 at",
"APOEL Nicosia",
"3-0",
"Chelsea",
"Didier Drogba",
"Drogba",
"Valencia",
"3-0",
"two"
] |
question: Did the Dortmund win?, answer: 3-2 at | question: What team is the Group G winner?, answer: APOEL Nicosia | question: What score did chelsea win?, answer: 3-0 | question: Who was the winner of group e?, answer: Chelsea | question: Who scored twice?, answer: Didier Drogba | question: Who scored for chelsea?, answer: Drogba | question: Which team did Chelsea defeat?, answer: Valencia | question: What was Chelsea score?, answer: 3-0 | question: What number of goals did Drogba score?, answer: two
|
(CNN) -- Chelsea have warned a group of supporters they are slowing the progress of the English Premier League outfit after they opted not to return the freehold to the club's Stamford Bridge stadium.
The ground, in the west of the English capital, was sold to a fans' organization called the Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) in 1997 to protect it from falling into the hands of developers if the club ran into financial trouble.
But only 61.5% of CPO's shareholders voted to sell the freehold back to the club -- less than the 75% needed to authorize the move.
Explainer: Chelsea's bid to leave Stamford Bridge
Chelsea, who are currently third in the Premier League, are keen to explore the possibility of building a new ground with a bigger capacity than Stamford Bridge, which currently holds only 42,000 supporters.
In a letter to CPO, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said that a new ground could help the club raise an extra $56 million of revenue each season but that the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge was necessary to help pay for it.
But many fans were not happy at the club's plans to move away from the site and Chelsea fell short of the vote required.
The club are owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich but limited space around their ground means expansion is difficult. Two of the club's rivals, Manchester United and Arsenal, have stadiums that hold 76,000 and 60,000 respectively.
A statement on the Chelsea's official website read: "Chelsea FC is naturally disappointed with the result. A large number of fans supported our proposals but it was always going to be difficult when we had to have a 75 per cent majority of voting shareholders accepting them.
"We approached this process with transparency and the will to do what is best for Chelsea Football Club and while we will remain as ambitious as ever, this decision could slow down our progress."
Buck added: "Obviously we are disappointed but we recognise and we respect totally that the shareholders of Chelsea Pitch Owners have spoken.
"We will meet with Mr Abramovich (Chelsea's Russian owner) and the rest of the board and we will decide what action, if any, we will take going forward.
'"I don't view this as an us and against you, we against they situation. We are all Chelsea fans and I can only hope that on Saturday we can get together and support this club and beat Arsenal."
|
[
"What Team plays at Stamford Bridge?",
"Who lost a vote to buy back Stamford Bridge?",
"How much are the club losing due to limited capacity?",
"What year did the Chelsea pitch owners have the freehold?"
] |
[
"Chelsea",
"Chelsea",
"$56 million",
"1997"
] |
question: What Team plays at Stamford Bridge?, answer: Chelsea | question: Who lost a vote to buy back Stamford Bridge?, answer: Chelsea | question: How much are the club losing due to limited capacity?, answer: $56 million | question: What year did the Chelsea pitch owners have the freehold?, answer: 1997
|
(CNN) -- Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has defended Fernando Torres after the striker missed an open goal during the club's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
Villas-Boas, 33, saw his team fall 3-0 behind in the first half at Old Trafford, through goals from Chris Smalling, Nani and Wayne Rooney, before Spain international Torres clawed one back for Chelsea with his first goal of the season early in the second half.
But former Liverpool forward Torres spurned a golden opportunity after 83 minutes, as he fired wide from close range having rounded United goalkeeper David de Gea.
Despite his error, Villas-Boas stood by Torres, 27, and pointed to England international Rooney's second-half penalty miss as proof that even the best strikers can be unlucky.
"Two of the best world strikers missed crazy opportunities," the former Porto coach told a post-match press conference.
"It happened to Fernando, but it also happened to Rooney. It's nothing dramatic, sometimes these balls go in. I think luck didn't fall on our side."
Former Atletico Madrid star Torres has struggled for form since joining Chelsea from English Premier League rivals Liverpool in January, with his goal on Sunday only his second for the London outfit and his first since a 4-1 win over West Ham in April.
If Torres had converted his late opportunity the score would have stood at 3-2, and Villas-Boas was left to wonder what might have been.
"I think 3-2, in that period of the game, could have given us the mental edge ... It would leave us completely exposed at the back, but we would take the risk trying to get the draw."
Chelsea had numerous attempts at goal during an open match, with Brazil midfielder Ramires also guilty of spurning a good opportunity while the score was only 1-0.
"We are pretty happy with how the team reacted to such a negative impact at half time, when the team was playing well. We cannot say the team was playing awful and that 3-0 at half time was a fair result."
Villas-Boas also bemoaned the officiating in the match, claiming English champions United scored their opening two goals from offside positions.
"It didn't fall our way in every kind of the word, not only in terms of goalscoring opportunities but in terms of refereeing decisions or the linesman's decisions ...They influenced the game, it's 2-0 instead of 0-0."
The defeat was Chelsea's first under Villas-Boas and the four-time English title winners have collected 10 points from their first five matches.
Their next Premier League fixtures will see them entertain newly-promoted Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
|
[
"Who scored his only goal in the second half loss?",
"Who missed an open goal?",
"Where is Fernando Torres from?",
"What did the Spain striker miss?",
"Who is the Chelsea manager?",
"Who is the manager of Chelsea?",
"What did the striker miss an open goal during",
"What is Villas-Boas job title"
] |
[
"Fernando Torres",
"Fernando Torres",
"Spain",
"an",
"Andre Villas-Boas",
"Andre Villas-Boas",
"the club's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.",
"manager"
] |
question: Who scored his only goal in the second half loss?, answer: Fernando Torres | question: Who missed an open goal?, answer: Fernando Torres | question: Where is Fernando Torres from?, answer: Spain | question: What did the Spain striker miss?, answer: an | question: Who is the Chelsea manager?, answer: Andre Villas-Boas | question: Who is the manager of Chelsea?, answer: Andre Villas-Boas | question: What did the striker miss an open goal during, answer: the club's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. | question: What is Villas-Boas job title, answer: manager
|
(CNN) -- Chelsea moved a step closer to breaking Manchester United's stranglehold on the English Premier League title with a controversial 1-0 victory at home to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night.
Nicolas Anelka headed the only goal against his former club just before halftime to put the London side four points clear of three-time defending champions United with four matches to play.
Third-placed Arsenal can leapfrog United into second place with victory over London rivals Tottenham on Wednesday and be three points adrift of Chelsea.
Bolton, just five points above the relegation zone, were angry after not being awarded a penalty in each half for alleged handball by Didier Drogba and John Terry -- but were lucky not to concede more goals as Chelsea dominated late in the match.
"They weren't claims for a penalty," Bolton boss Owen Coyle told match broadcaster ESPN. "They were stonewall penalties. I knew it at the time.
"Didier Drogba is a world-class player, but looking at this replay he could be a world-class volleyball player.
"I've asked the linesman about [the Terry incident] after the game but he's said it hit his shoulder. He needs to take another look at that."
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti chose not to comment on the incidents.
"It is not my job to judge the work of the officials," the Italian said. "It is a difficult job, sometimes they make the right decisions, sometimes they make bad decisions.
"We have to maintain this level. We are doing well, we are very focused and in a very good position, but we have a very difficult game on Saturday against Tottenham and we have to do our best to win that game."
Chelsea were less impressive in the first half, and it took until the 43rd minute before France striker Anelka broke the deadlock with a close-range header from Drogba's left-wing cross for his first goal since January.
Bolton striker Kevin Davies had told reporters before the match that his former teammate Anelka was unhappy playing with Drogba, but the duo combined well to end Wanderers' stubborn resistance.
The recalled Salomon Kalou should have made it 2-0 in the 54th minute but goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen blocked the Ivory Coast forward's shot with his legs.
Davies was booked for a crude tackle on Jon Obi Mikel in the 77th minute, and Frank Lampard hit the post soon after with a fierce low shot after a clever dummy by Kalou's replacement Joe Cole.
England midfielder Cole gave Chelsea fresh impetus, with Michael Ballack heading his cross tamely at Jaaskelainen.
Terry drove a shot just wide from a corner but soon after was beaten in the air at the other end by Bolton substitute Johan Elmander -- however, the Swede's header went wide.
Cole should have doubled the lead in injury-time, but somehow stumbled over Yuri Zhirkov's low cross when it seemed easier to score.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan moved into the final of the Italian Cup with a 1-0 victory away to Fiorentina on Tuesday night, winning 2-0 on aggregate.
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o scored the only goal in the 57th minute to keep Jose Mourinho's team in the hunt for three trophies this season.
The Champions League semifinalists, who drew 2-2 with Fiorentina at the weekend, will face either new Serie A leaders Roma or Udinese in the title match.
Also on Tuesday, Cagliari sacked coach Massimiliano Allegri after the Sardinian team's slump to 12th in the Italian top flight following a haul of just two points from nine matches.
Allegri was voted Serie A coach of the year by his peers for guiding Cagliari to ninth place last season, but became the 16th to be dismissed this campaign.
|
[
"What did Inter Milan do?",
"What was the score of the game?",
"Who was angry not to be awarded a penalty for handball?",
"Who earns a place in the final of the Italian cup?",
"What team is currently in the lead?",
"How many points is Chelsea in the lead?",
"What is the name of the main striker?",
"What did Anelka do?",
"Who scores winner just before halftime?"
] |
[
"moved into the final of the Italian Cup",
"1-0",
"Bolton,",
"Inter Milan",
"Manchester United's",
"four",
"Kevin Davies",
"headed the only goal",
"Nicolas Anelka"
] |
question: What did Inter Milan do?, answer: moved into the final of the Italian Cup | question: What was the score of the game?, answer: 1-0 | question: Who was angry not to be awarded a penalty for handball?, answer: Bolton, | question: Who earns a place in the final of the Italian cup?, answer: Inter Milan | question: What team is currently in the lead?, answer: Manchester United's | question: How many points is Chelsea in the lead?, answer: four | question: What is the name of the main striker?, answer: Kevin Davies | question: What did Anelka do?, answer: headed the only goal | question: Who scores winner just before halftime?, answer: Nicolas Anelka
|
(CNN) -- Chelsea struck a major blow in the English Premier League title race with a controversial 2-1 victory over champions Manchester United on Saturday that put the London club two points clear at the top of the table with five matches to play.
Carlo Ancelotti's team traveled to Old Trafford to face a side reeling from the loss of injured England star Wayne Rooney following the midweek European Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.
The Italian coach opted to leave his own key forward Didier Drogba on the substitutes' bench, but the Ivory Coast international scored a decisive goal with 11 minutes to play despite being clearly offside.
United boss Alex Ferguson was left fuming at the decision.
"What I can't understand is the linesman's directly in front of it. He has no-one near him and he gets it wrong," the Scot told Sky Sports. "A game of that magnitude, you really need quality officials and we didn't get them today. It was a poor, poor performance.
"Five games left, they're two points ahead and four goals better than us -- they're in the driving seat. Chelsea are favorites now, there's no question. I'm certain we'll respond but we could win the next five games and not win it."
United hit back with a late bundled goal from young substitute Federico Macheda, which television replays showed came off the Italian's arm, but Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov could not convert a chance to equalize in time added on.
Chelsea, who had scored 12 goals in the two previous matches and did not have to play in midweek following last month's Champions League exit against Inter Milan, started the game in dominant form.
Man of the match Florent Malouda set up the opening goal in the 20th minute, with the France winger surging past Darren Fletcher into the penalty area and providing a low cross that England midfielder Joe Cole cheekily backheeled past goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar.
Both teams had penalty claims turned down before halftime, and Berbatov missed United's first real chance with a header after an hour.
Drogba replaced Nicolas Anelka in the 69th minute, and 10 minutes later he had the ball in the net after collecting a pass from fellow substitute Salomon Kalou despite being further forward than United's last two defenders.
United pulled a goal back with nine minutes to play as substitute Nani broke down the left and his cross rebounded off goalkeeper Petr Cech, onto Macheda and into the Chelsea net, with visiting captain John Terry appealing in vain for handball.
Berbatov, who started on his own up front in place of Rooney, then tamely volleyed Gary Neville's cross into the arms of Cech as Chelsea held on for a deserved victory.
Third-placed Arsenal kept their title hopes alive with a last-gasp 1-0 victory at 10-man Wolverhampton which left Arsene Wenger's team three points behind London rivals Chelsea.
Wolves had captain Karl Henry sent off for a foul on Tomas Rosicky in the 66th minute, but Arsenal could not take advantage until deep into injury-time when substitute striker Nicklas Bendtner headed in Bacary Sagna's cross.
Manchester City moved up to fourth place above Tottenham with a 6-1 thrashing of Burnley in Saturday's late match that left their near neighbors deep in relegation trouble.
Roberto Mancini's team were 4-0 up after 20 minutes, and led 6-0 before an hour had been played as Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice along with goals from fellow strikers Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez.
Patrick Vieira and Vincent Kompany were also on target before Steven Fletcher's 71st-minute consolation for the home side.
Tottenham's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League took a big blow with a 3-1 defeat at Sunderland, for whom the London club's former striker Darren Bent scored twice -- the first after only 36 seconds and the second from the penalty spot.
England World Cup hopeful Bent also had two spot-kicks saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes as he took his tally to 23 for the season.
Sunderland also had a goal disallowed as Steve Bruce's team consolidated
|
[
"Who was Man. United's replacement?",
"What was the final score?",
"Which league was the match played in?",
"Where did Chelsea move?",
"Who did they defeat?",
"Who had the second half goal?"
] |
[
"Chelsea",
"2-1",
"English Premier",
"two points clear at the top of the table",
"Manchester United",
"Didier Drogba"
] |
question: Who was Man. United's replacement?, answer: Chelsea | question: What was the final score?, answer: 2-1 | question: Which league was the match played in?, answer: English Premier | question: Where did Chelsea move?, answer: two points clear at the top of the table | question: Who did they defeat?, answer: Manchester United | question: Who had the second half goal?, answer: Didier Drogba
|
(CNN) -- Cheri Morgan spent about half-an-hour in line at a Houston-area gas station on Thursday before evacuating the city.
iReporter Cheri Morgan says drivers were panicking Thursday at a Houston, Texas, gas station.
"Everyone was driving crazy and they really need some kind of traffic flow at the gas stations. It's wild," she said. "Everybody's rushing and panicking. I could have stayed, but I thought it was best to just get out of there."
Morgan said it took her about five hours to make the 200 mile drive to San Antonio -- a trip that normally only takes about three hours.
Ike is expected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast of Texas, which is home to many of the country's oil refineries.
That's led to a scramble at gas stations as people try to fill up before the storm hits. iReport.com: Are you in Ike's path?
People were filling up their cars and their gas cans at a Sam's Club in College Station, Texas, iReporter Kyle Norton told CNN.com.
"The lines were a tad ridiculous," the 30-year-old banker said.
Norton said his 2002 Dodge Ram pickup was on empty, so he had no choice but to wait in line for an hour.
Despite the long lines, Norton said gas was about $3.49, which is pretty normal for the area.
He said a friend had to go to four different stations before he could find one that still had regular unleaded.
iReporter Jeremy "Clete" Terrell said the lines also were long at the Costco in Alpharetta, Georgia.
"I was getting gas and realized that everybody else was too," he said.
iReporter Curtis McNeely said a Kangaroo Express station in Evansville, Indiana, imposed a 10 gallon limit.
"It's causing paranoia more than anything," he said adding that people are returning to the gas station to fill up multiple times.
A spokeswoman for the company that runs the Kangaroo Express chain says it's imposed a limit at its 1,660 stores because gas supplies are tight.
Several stations in Ocala, Florida, were limiting sales if they still had gas to sell, iReporter Christine Bailey said.
Canadian Ian McIntosh said gas prices jumped 57 cents per gallon overnight in Milton, Ontario.
"This stuff's in the tanks, it's just sitting in the gas stations, they're using this as a windfall event," the retired teacher said.
McIntosh said he heard prices were going up on the news, so he and his wife got gas last night -- along with many other residents of the Toronto suburb.
"A gas station that would normally have three or four cars -- you had 15 cars and you had to line up to get to the pumps," he said.
Rumors that gas would jump to $6 a gallon caused a panic in Sylva, North Carolina. iReport.com: Police called in at mountain gas station
Lines were a half-mile long Thursday night at the stations that stayed open, and police were called in to maintain order, iReporter April Brendle said.
"Supposedly there was a fight at one station," she said.
|
[
"What was reported as Hurricane Ike approached?",
"Where in North Carolina is most at risk?",
"What did police have to do?",
"What happened to gas prices in Canada?"
] |
[
"a scramble at gas stations",
"Sylva,",
"maintain order,",
"jumped 57 cents per gallon overnight in Milton, Ontario."
] |
question: What was reported as Hurricane Ike approached?, answer: a scramble at gas stations | question: Where in North Carolina is most at risk?, answer: Sylva, | question: What did police have to do?, answer: maintain order, | question: What happened to gas prices in Canada?, answer: jumped 57 cents per gallon overnight in Milton, Ontario.
|
(CNN) -- Cheryl Bradshaw shivered under a big brown coat as she made her way through a line of people waiting along an icy road in Wilmington, Ohio. She was among about 5,000 residents who accepted food from the nonprofit Feed the Children.
The nonprofit Feed the Children delivers boxes of food and other items to families Thursday in Wilmington, Ohio.
"A lot of this people in this town ... it's day to day, dollar to dollar," Bradshaw said of the town of about 12,000 between Cincinnati and Columbus.
Wilmington is still reeling from news that delivery giant DHL would close its hub there. About 3,000 of the 8,000 people who faced layoffs lived in or around Wilmington.
One in three families in Wilmington had someone employed at DHL, according to an economic task force created by Mayor David Raizk.
A crowd gathered Thursday as 12 loaded semitrailers cautiously parked on slippery roads. Each family got two boxes. One had 25 pounds of canned food and vegetables. Another contained 10 pounds of personal care items. Watch as townspeople describe tough times »
Bradshaw said she appreciated the help.
She got laid off in December from ABX Air, a Wilmington-based air cargo services company that worked with DHL.
"We are raising two grandkids, and we only have one income, so it's a big, big blessing," she said.
Tony Sellars, the nonprofit's director of communications, said, "This is the largest distribution we have had in such a small town."
Sellars said the organization is monitoring layoff conditions in various cities and identifying critical locations where it can be of assistance.
"We have been around since 1979, and this is unprecedented in terms of need," Sellars said. "In Wilmington, the residents are proud and confused; they are resilient and trying to solve their problems on their own, but they don't know where to turn."
Feed the Children distributed the food and other items in conjunction with partners that include Avon Products and the local Sugartree Ministry Center.
Larry Jones, founder and president of Feed the Children, urged communities to reach out to one another.
"If we are going to solve the problem, it's not going to be the government; it's going to be churches and charities and colleges, literally everyone working together," Jones said. "We are not the total answer, but we are part of the answer, and hopefully when people see us doing what we are doing, they will join in to help."
Ohio is facing one of the highest jobless rates in the country -- 7.8 percent in December. The nation's unemployment rate is 7.6 percent.
DHL's decision to close its hub in Wilmington has had a ripple effect.
Sharon Testa, 48, who owns the Mediterranean Restaurant in downtown, has lived in Wilmington for 20 years.
"Our business opened two years ago because we had a lot of international people coming in to work for DHL or companies affiliated with them," Testa said. "Everyone is concerned. We don't want our city to shrivel up; people who still have jobs are trying to come in to keep the business running."
Helen Keech, 50, who works at the Arby's near where DHL was located, said that the restaurant used to open early for the DHL employees.
She said there were many businesses in that building, including ABX and DHL, and now that there are less employees, things will change.
"It's gonna be a ghost town I can tell you that," Keech said.
CNN's Amy Sahba contributed to this report.
|
[
"Where did DHL close it's delivery?",
"Who is distributing food to people in town?",
"What closed in Wilmington?",
"What town is left reeling?",
"What may Wilmington turn into?",
"How many people accepted food from nonprofit Feed the Children?",
"How many in town accept food from Feed the Children?",
"What fear do residents in Wilmington have?",
"Who is giving food to the needy?"
] |
[
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"about 5,000",
"5,000",
"DHL would close its hub there. About 3,000 of the 8,000 people who faced layoffs lived in or around",
"Feed the Children."
] |
question: Where did DHL close it's delivery?, answer: Wilmington | question: Who is distributing food to people in town?, answer: Feed the Children. | question: What closed in Wilmington?, answer: DHL | question: What town is left reeling?, answer: Wilmington | question: What may Wilmington turn into?, answer: ghost town | question: How many people accepted food from nonprofit Feed the Children?, answer: about 5,000 | question: How many in town accept food from Feed the Children?, answer: 5,000 | question: What fear do residents in Wilmington have?, answer: DHL would close its hub there. About 3,000 of the 8,000 people who faced layoffs lived in or around | question: Who is giving food to the needy?, answer: Feed the Children.
|
(CNN) -- Cheryl Morse was 19 years old when she hitchhiked more than 700 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Bethel, New York. She was determined to make it to the Woodstock music festival.
An estimated 400,000 people attended the Woodstock music festival in Bethel, New York, in August 1969.
Although Morse, now 59, no longer recalls details such as how long it took to get there or what food, if any, she ate, she still vividly remembers the music.
When Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young opened their set with "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," she said the energy in the crowd was intoxicating. And she can still picture folk musicians Arlo Guthrie and Joan Baez performing in the rain Friday night.
"It was like being totally shut off from the rest of the world for three days, with nonstop music by world-class musicians playing their hearts out ... for our party," she said.
Forty years later, the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair remains a major cultural touchstone. Held in Bethel on August 15, 16 and 17, 1969, the music festival welcomed some of the biggest musicians of the era and legions of fans from across the United States.
Despite the concert's size -- an estimated 400,000 people attended the festival -- it seems the idea of Woodstock is bigger than the actual event was. It is remembered as a peace- and love-filled celebration, an out-of-this-world experience fueled by rock 'n' roll music and copious drugs. See Woodstock 40 years ago, and what the site looks like today »
Like many others, it wasn't until Morse left the festival grounds and re-entered the outside world that she began to realize Woodstock's impact. She stopped at a local market on her way out of town and saw news coverage of the festival on television.
"Until [then], I had not thought about the outside world at all," Morse said. "That was when I slowly began to comprehend the impact the gathering was having on the country."
Woodstock, Morse explained, "came at a pivotal point in history," when the Vietnam War and subsequent anti-war movement were in full swing. The festival, a massive event that was largely peaceful and free of riots, was considered exceptional for the time.
Years later, Morse realized that Woodstock "would never be forgotten," she said.
"It took you 10 years to realize you were part of history," said Lenny Eisenberg, who made the journey to Bethel to see Jimi Hendrix perform. "At the time, it was just another great show."
Part of the concert's lasting power was fueled by the Oscar-winning documentary "Woodstock," which also led to a blurred perception of the festival, Eisenberg said.
"I have some distorted ideas of what happened," he said.
Still, Eisenberg recalls Hendrix's performance that famously closed the festival on Monday morning. The aspiring photographer saved one of the three rolls of film he brought with him to document the guitarist's set.
The wait was worth it, he said. Eisenberg captured several shots of Hendrix, including one of the guitarist with his middle finger in the air, seconds after he flashed a peace sign to the audience. iReport.com: See Eisenberg's photos
"It's really hard to pin down a best memory," said Thomas Burke, who was 19 years old when he went to Woodstock. "The whole place was a memory."
Burke still has his Woodstock tickets along with the check his mother wrote for them. His memories from the event are fond, but fuzzy.
"I remember some of the acts, but not the order or where I was when they played," he said. He recalls seeing Richie Havens and Jefferson Airplane, and can't forget Hendrix's legendary performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
"Woodstock marked a big turning point in my life," said Burke, who was drafted into the Army
|
[
"What number of years did it take to realize you were part of history?",
"What do some say of the memories?",
"When did woodstock take place",
"What year is Woodstock celebrating?",
"who distorted the memories of the event?",
"What Lenny Eisenberg said?",
"how many years celebrates Woodstock?"
] |
[
"10",
"\"It's really hard to pin down a best memory,\"",
"August 1969.",
"Forty",
"Eisenberg",
"\"It took you 10 years to realize you were part of history,\"",
"Forty"
] |
question: What number of years did it take to realize you were part of history?, answer: 10 | question: What do some say of the memories?, answer: "It's really hard to pin down a best memory," | question: When did woodstock take place, answer: August 1969. | question: What year is Woodstock celebrating?, answer: Forty | question: who distorted the memories of the event?, answer: Eisenberg | question: What Lenny Eisenberg said?, answer: "It took you 10 years to realize you were part of history," | question: how many years celebrates Woodstock?, answer: Forty
|
(CNN) -- Chevy Chase didn't look like Gerald Ford and didn't sound like Gerald Ford. But in the mid-1970s, when "Saturday Night Live" first went on the air, Chase -- then a writer and cast member of the show -- made his impression of the president, rife with pratfalls and slapstick, the talk of the country.
He also made the president a butt of jokes, which was intentional, Chase told CNN in an interview.
"[Ford] was a sweet man, a terrific man -- [we] became good friends after, but ... he just tripped over things a lot," he said. "It's not that I can imitate him so much that I can do a lot of physical comedy and I just made it, I just went after him. And ... obviously my leanings were Democratic and I wanted [Jimmy] Carter in and I wanted [Ford] out, and I figured look, we're reaching millions of people every weekend, why not do it."
Over the years, "Saturday Night Live's" political satires have become a mainstay of the show, sometimes to startling effect. Watch Chase talk about "SNL's" impact »
Al Franken -- now the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Minnesota -- and his then writing partner, Tom Davis, wrote a wicked takeoff of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's book, "The Final Days," which included Dan Aykroyd as a bitter Richard Nixon and John Belushi as a toadying Henry Kissinger. In the mid-'80s, a sketch starring Phil Hartman as Ronald Reagan showed the president, often lampooned as forgetful, with a razor-sharp command of the Iran-Contra situation, cutting deals in Arabic and barking orders at his staff.
More recently, Dana Carvey's malaprop-laden impression of George H.W. Bush, Hartman's puppy-dog Bill Clinton, Will Ferrell's George W. Bush and Tina Fey's Sarah Palin have embedded themselves in the culture.
Though Chase believes the show leans left, and Fey's Palin is an attempt to hurt the Republicans, Marc Liepis, NBC Universal senior director of late night publicity, had no comment.
Certainly, "SNL" -- which began as one of the old '60s counterculture's first forays into network TV -- has also mocked Democrats. Indeed, sketches about the Democratic debates in the spring, one of which portrayed the media as fawning over Barack Obama, gave Hillary Clinton ammunition in her pursuit of the nomination. The writer of that sketch, Jim Downey, has been described as leaning conservative, though he was quoted in a March New York Times article as calling himself a registered Democrat.
In the same article, "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels said, "We don't lay down for anybody."
Chase talked about his Ford impression and the political impact of "Saturday Night Live" with CNN's Alina Cho. The following is an edited version of that interview.
CNN: Let's go back to '76.
Chevy Chase: It was Gerald Ford that was president but hadn't been elected and was running again and I just ...
CNN: Some people say he was an accidental president and you made him accident prone.
Chase: Actually, he was accident prone and he was a sweet man, a terrific man, became good friends later, and a relatively good athlete in college too ... but he just tripped over things a lot. ... You know, after a while, you just start writing the jokes and start doing it.
So it's not that I can imitate him so much that I can do a lot of physical comedy, and I just made it, I just went after him. And I certainly, obviously my leanings were Democratic and I wanted Carter in and I wanted [Ford] out and I figured look, we're reaching millions of people every weekend, why not do it.
CNN: You mean to tell me in the back of your mind you were thinking, hey I want Carter ...
Chase: Oh, yeah.
|
[
"What show leans liberal, according to Chase?",
"What show is Lorne Michaels associated with?",
"Who said SNL doesn't lay down for anybody?",
"What is Chevy Chase famous for?",
"Who mocked President Ford?",
"Who did Chase mock deliberately?",
"Which president was mocked?",
"Who said SNL leans liberal?"
] |
[
"\"Saturday Night Live\"",
"\"Saturday Night Live\"",
"\"SNL\" creator Lorne Michaels",
"Gerald Ford.",
"Chase",
"Gerald Ford",
"Gerald Ford",
"Chase"
] |
question: What show leans liberal, according to Chase?, answer: "Saturday Night Live" | question: What show is Lorne Michaels associated with?, answer: "Saturday Night Live" | question: Who said SNL doesn't lay down for anybody?, answer: "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels | question: What is Chevy Chase famous for?, answer: Gerald Ford. | question: Who mocked President Ford?, answer: Chase | question: Who did Chase mock deliberately?, answer: Gerald Ford | question: Which president was mocked?, answer: Gerald Ford | question: Who said SNL leans liberal?, answer: Chase
|
(CNN) -- Children from a polygamist sect who one mother says are "hurting very badly" in state custody are likely to be returned to their parents, a CNN legal analyst says.
FLDS member Margaret Jessop says her children "feel betrayed by adults."
A Texas appeals court ruled Thursday that the state had no right to remove hundreds of children from the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints' ranch in Eldorado on April 3, based on the suspicion that a few were being sexually abused.
A sect mother who has four children in state custody said the matter has not been fully resolved because an appeal to the Texas Supreme Court is possible.
"I'm very grateful, but I'd like to see the children in my arms before I rejoice greatly," Margaret Jessop said on CNN's "Larry King Live." Watch Jessop react to the ruling »
But a permanent reunion of families is likely, said Jeffrey Toobin, CNN senior legal analyst.
"Based on this ruling I think it's clear that if it stands, all these kids are going back with their mothers," Toobin said on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360°."
Jessop and other FLDS parents said they had been permitted visits with their children in foster care.
Zavenda Young said two of her children were sent to Waco, Texas, and two to Hockley, 148 miles away.
"They're in Boys and Girls Country in Hockley. And it's just a -- it's an institution," she told host Larry King.
Their father, Edson Jessop, said the experience has been rough on the children.
"You can see it's a lot of stress on them," he said. "Every time we leave, they go through that trauma again. It's enough to rip your heart out."
"They feel betrayed by adults, and they're hurting very badly," Margaret Jessop added.
The Texas Child Protective Services Department's Web site says the agency has been "coordinating with many professional service and government agencies to ensure the safety, health and comfort of the children and women in Eldorado."
A statement from the agency Thursday said it's working out a response to the court ruling.
"Child Protective Services has one duty -- to protect children," the statement said. "When we see evidence that children have been sexually abused and remain at risk of further abuse, we will act. ... We will work with the office of the attorney general to determine the state's next step in this case."
|
[
"What did the mother say?",
"What did Toobin say?",
"What is the agency going to do next?",
"What did the children suffer from?",
"What will the mother do?"
] |
[
"are \"hurting very badly\" in state custody",
"kids are going back with their mothers,\"",
"working out a response",
"sexually abused",
"appeal to the Texas Supreme Court"
] |
question: What did the mother say?, answer: are "hurting very badly" in state custody | question: What did Toobin say?, answer: kids are going back with their mothers," | question: What is the agency going to do next?, answer: working out a response | question: What did the children suffer from?, answer: sexually abused | question: What will the mother do?, answer: appeal to the Texas Supreme Court
|
(CNN) -- Children were among the victims of a plane crash that killed as many as 17 people Sunday in Butte, Montana, according to authorities in Oroville, California, where the aircraft stopped for fuel.
Martha Guidoni said this photo was taken after she and her husband saw the plane "nosedive" in Butte, Montana.
The single-engine plane stopped at the Oroville airport at about 11 a.m. PT, refueled and departed about half an hour later, Police Chief Kirk Trostle said.
"There were some adults and children on board," he told reporters Sunday evening, adding the passengers got out briefly to stretch while the pilot refueled the plane.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus said based on preliminary reports, 17 people died in the crash. The Pilatus PC-12 was headed to Bozeman, Montana, but rerouted to Butte instead and crashed 500 feet short of the runway at Butte's Bert Mooney Airport, Fergus said.
The flight plan originated in Redlands, California, according to flight-tracking site FBOweb.com. Stops were made in Vacaville, California, then Oroville, before the plane headed for Montana.
Preliminary information indicates the pilot did not declare an emergency aboard the plane before the crash, Fergus said.
The National Transportation Safety Board is sending an investigation team to the scene, Kristi Dunks, an aerosafety investigator with the agency, told reporters in Butte on Sunday evening.
Dunks said the plane crashed at the Holy Cross Cemetery, located just south of the airport's Runway 3. She said there were no survivors, though she wouldn't confirm the number of people on board the plane.
No one on the ground was injured, Sheriff John Walsh said.
Eric Teitelman, Oroville's director of community development and public works, said the small airport has no control tower but because it has a "wide-open runway" and a self-service fuel system, it is a frequent stop for private aircraft.
Teitelman said at least one person -- an aircraft owner doing servicing work -- was at the airport Sunday when the Pilatus stopped for refueling.
The aircraft owner "met the pilot, saw the children running around," Teitelman said.
The plane, manufactured in 2001, was registered to Eagle Cap Leasing in Enterprise, Oregon, according to the FAA.
Martha Guidoni told CNN she and her husband witnessed the plane crash. She photographed one of the first images of the scene, which showed the cemetery in the foreground of a huge blaze. See a map of Butte, Montana »
"We were just taking a ride, and all of a sudden, we watched this plane just take a nosedive," she told CNN. "We drove into the cemetery to see if there was any way my husband could help someone, and we were too late. There was nothing to help."
Her husband, Steve Guidoni, who went to the scene of the crash, said the plane "went into the ground" and caught a tree on fire. Watch footage from scene and hear witness recount what he saw »
"I looked ... to see if I could see anybody I could pull out or anything, but there wasn't anything there, I couldn't see anything," he told CNN. "Some luggage [was] strewn around. ... [There were] some plane parts."
|
[
"What type of engine did the plane have?",
"Where was the plane crash?",
"What did the witness say the plane did?",
"What is the name of the witness who saw the plane nosedive?",
"Where did the plane leave from?",
"What area did the crash happen in?"
] |
[
"single-engine",
"Butte, Montana,",
"\"went into the ground\" and caught a tree on fire.",
"Martha Guidoni",
"Redlands, California,",
"Butte, Montana,"
] |
question: What type of engine did the plane have?, answer: single-engine | question: Where was the plane crash?, answer: Butte, Montana, | question: What did the witness say the plane did?, answer: "went into the ground" and caught a tree on fire. | question: What is the name of the witness who saw the plane nosedive?, answer: Martha Guidoni | question: Where did the plane leave from?, answer: Redlands, California, | question: What area did the crash happen in?, answer: Butte, Montana,
|
(CNN) -- Chile's Supreme Court has ruled that former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori can be extradited to Peru on five corruption and two human rights abuse charges.
Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori has denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated.
Alberto Chaigneau, a court judge, made the announcement about the order on Chilean TV on Friday.
Gabriel Zaliasnek, Fujimori's defense attorney, later said that the "decision of the Supreme Court should be respected and will be respected."
It is not known when the extradition will take place. But the wheels for extradition were set in motion a couple of months ago.
A Chilean prosecutor in June recommended that Fujimori be extradited to Peru to face the charges.
He was then placed under house arrest in his home in the suburbs of the Chilean capital, Santiago while awaiting a Supreme Court ruling.
Before moving to Chile, Fujimori had fled Peru for Japan, where he holds dual citizenship, as his decade-long presidency neared its end in 2000.
Japan refused to honor Peru's request to return him for trial, saying its nationals should be subject to Japanese law and pointing out the two countries have no extradition treaty.
He attempted to resign from the presidency by fax from Japan, but Peru's congress refused to accept it, instead declaring him morally unfit to govern.
He arrived in Chile in 2005, in what some saw as a possible attempt to return to Peru and seek office there in 2006. He was under house arrest for six months in Chile, but authorities lifted the restriction last year on the condition he not leave the country.
Peru has alleged Fujimori ordered death-squad killings and participated in various acts of government corruption. He has denied all the allegations, calling them politically motivated. E-mail to a friend
|
[
"Who has denied allegations, saying they're politically motivated",
"Who is ccused of ordering death squad killings, corruption?",
"what is fujimori accused of",
"who must be extradited",
"what is he accused of",
"what has he said",
"who is being extradited"
] |
[
"Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori",
"Fujimori",
"five corruption and two human rights abuse charges.",
"Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori",
"five corruption and two human rights abuse charges.",
"\"decision of the Supreme Court should be respected and will be respected.\"",
"Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori"
] |
question: Who has denied allegations, saying they're politically motivated, answer: Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori | question: Who is ccused of ordering death squad killings, corruption?, answer: Fujimori | question: what is fujimori accused of, answer: five corruption and two human rights abuse charges. | question: who must be extradited, answer: Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori | question: what is he accused of, answer: five corruption and two human rights abuse charges. | question: what has he said, answer: "decision of the Supreme Court should be respected and will be respected." | question: who is being extradited, answer: Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori
|
(CNN) -- Chilean inspectors stumbled upon hundreds of exotic animals from Peru destined for illegal trade while conducting what they thought was going to be a routine inspection of a fishing boat, the government said Tuesday.
A family of Scarlet macaws in Costa Rica in June 2008 at a zoo aimed at conserving the species.
The Chilean boat, the Rosa Isabel, was carrying macaws, toucans, parrots, turtles, squirrels and crocodiles, most of them protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which prohibits the sale of these species, the government said in a statement.
In all, officials counted more than 400 exotic animals from Peru, the statement said.
The incident began before dawn, when inspectors from Chile's Maritime Administration boarded the boat and found the live cargo stuffed inside dozens of cardboard boxes lined with chicken wire and with holes cut on the sides for ventilation.
The animals were handed over to the Farm and Cattle Service of Arica, Chile's northernmost city, for return to Peru, the minister of agriculture said Monday in a statement.
The captain of the ship, Moises Segundo Diaz Verdugo, a Chilean national, faces a possible fine of between $188,000 and $940,000, to be determined by an Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) court.
Under an agreement between SAG and the National Institute of Natural Resources of the Republic of Peru, signed in 2007, the animals will be returned to Peru, SAG said.
The national director of SAG, Francisco Bahamonde, credited coordination among various state bodies with impeding the illegal entry of protected species and products that can transmit pests or illnesses and said they would "redouble" their efforts.
Chile busts trade in exotic animals from Peru
|
[
"Where will the animals be sent?",
"What is protecting the endangered animals?",
"How many animals were found?",
"What animals were included?",
"What were found from Peru?",
"What types of animals were found?",
"How many exotic animals in Peru were found?"
] |
[
"Peru,",
"Convention on International Trade in",
"more than 400",
"macaws, toucans, parrots, turtles, squirrels and crocodiles,",
"hundreds of exotic animals",
"exotic",
"more than 400"
] |
question: Where will the animals be sent?, answer: Peru, | question: What is protecting the endangered animals?, answer: Convention on International Trade in | question: How many animals were found?, answer: more than 400 | question: What animals were included?, answer: macaws, toucans, parrots, turtles, squirrels and crocodiles, | question: What were found from Peru?, answer: hundreds of exotic animals | question: What types of animals were found?, answer: exotic | question: How many exotic animals in Peru were found?, answer: more than 400
|
(CNN) -- China has developed a vaccine for swine flu and is set to become the first country in the world to begin mass inoculations, but there are concerns over possible side effects, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
A swine flu vaccine has been approved in China and inoculations could begin in the next few weeks.
WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told CNN, "We have to be ready for the fact that there might be adverse effects." "No matter what vaccine you're looking at, sometimes there are extremely rare side effects. We don't even know what those are yet, but they will show up in one in every two or 10 million vaccinated." Inoculations could begin in the next few weeks, according to the South China Morning Post, before celebrations begin on October 1 to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic.
The vaccine, PANFLU.1, was developed by Sinovac Biotech Ltd and is suitable for people aged three to 60.
Sinovac says the single-shot vaccine has been approved by China's National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products and has obtained the Certificate for the Release of Biological Products. It says more than five million doses will be ready by the end of September.
The South China Morning Post reports Health Minister Chen Zhu as saying that some 200,000 people taking part in the anniversary celebrations will be the first to receive the vaccine.
Others considered to be high priority are students aged five to 19, those with medical conditions, especially chronic respiratory and coronary diseases, and pregnant women. The inoculation program will also target medical staff and key workers, including police officers, soldiers and quarantine officials.
Chen said on Tuesday that there have so far been 5592 recorded cases of H1N1 in China's 31 inland provinces, but no one has yet died from the illness.
"Due to the rising number of cases, especially since late August, we have indeed started seeing some serious cases," he said.
The Post reported that there are plans to vaccinate 65 million people before the end of the year and that Chen admitted the amount of available vaccine was not nearly enough to inoculate the country's population of 1.3 billion people.
The Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) last week approved two factories to produce the vaccine -- Sinovac, based in Beijing, and Hualan Biological Engineering, based in Henan -- according to the Post. But it reports the SFDA has announced that "more qualified enterprises which could produce swine flu vaccines" would be licensed by the end of September.
Hartl said that in Europe, several drug firms are set to submit clinical trial data in the next few weeks, with GlaxoSmithKline likely to be among the first.
Weidong Yin, CEO of Sinovac, said last week, "With the support of the Ministry of Health, State SFDA, and Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Sinovac was able to successfully and rapidly complete the clinical trials and registration process for the H1N1 vaccine."
|
[
"What age group is the vaccine suitable for?",
"How many recorded cases of H1N1 in China?",
"Which country has approved a swine-flu vaccine?",
"What has China approved?",
"How many recorded cases are there of H1N1 in China?",
"What company has developed the vaccine?",
"What place is most affected by the swine flu?"
] |
[
"people aged three to 60.",
"5592",
"China",
"to begin mass inoculations,",
"5592",
"Sinovac Biotech Ltd",
"China"
] |
question: What age group is the vaccine suitable for?, answer: people aged three to 60. | question: How many recorded cases of H1N1 in China?, answer: 5592 | question: Which country has approved a swine-flu vaccine?, answer: China | question: What has China approved?, answer: to begin mass inoculations, | question: How many recorded cases are there of H1N1 in China?, answer: 5592 | question: What company has developed the vaccine?, answer: Sinovac Biotech Ltd | question: What place is most affected by the swine flu?, answer: China
|
(CNN) -- China has suspended exports of the Aqua Dots toys contaminated with a chemical that can convert to a powerful "date rape" drug, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported Saturday. The toys have caused some children who swallowed the craft toys to vomit and lose consciousness.
China suspended exports of the Aqua Dots toys that contain a chemical that converts into a "date rape" drug.
The agency said that the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) has ordered an investigation by quality control agencies and will release results as soon as they are available.
The AQSIQ did not reveal the name of the toys' producer, Xinhua said.
U.S. safety officials voluntarily recalled about 4.2 million of the Chinese-made toys Wednesday.
Scientists have found the highly popular holiday toy contains a chemical that, once metabolized, converts into the toxic "date rape" drug GHB (gamma-hydroxy butyrate), Scott Wolfson, a spokesman with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), told CNN.
"Children who swallow the beads can become comatose, develop respiratory depression or have seizures," a CPSC statement warned.
The arts-and-craft beads, which have been selling since April at major U.S. retail stores under the name "Aqua Dots," have also been distributed in Australia under the name "Bindeez Beads."
The Bindeez toys were recalled Tuesday by Melbourne-based Moose Enterprise Pty. Ltd. after three children in Australia swallowed large quantities of the beads and were hospitalized.
"I was so frightened because I thought she wasn't going to make it," Heather Lehane told CNN affiliate Network 7 of her 10-year-old daughter, Charlotte, who was hospitalized in Australia after ingesting some of the beads.
In the United States, the Washington-based safety commission said it has in recent days received two reports detailing the severe effects of the digested beads, which are part of a craft kit aimed at kids 4 years and older.
The CPSC said a boy nearly 2 years old "swallowed several dozen beads. He became dizzy and vomited several times before slipping into a comatose state for a period of time."
The commission said the toddler was hospitalized and has since "fully recovered."
The second incident involved a child who vomited, fell into a coma and was hospitalized for five days. It was not immediately clear whether the child had made a full recovery.
Toronto-based toy distributor Spin Master Ltd. stopped shipping the Aqua Dots toys and asked retailers to pull them off their shelves, where they were previously sold for $17 to $30.
Anyone with Aqua Dots at home should return the product to the company, CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese said.
The toy had been named toy of the year in Australia and recently crested Wal-Mart's list of top 12 Christmas toys.
Wal-Mart on Thursday listed the toys on its Web site as "out of stock online" and had removed them from their top toy list as well.
This latest recall is part of a larger batch of recalls of Chinese-made toys that have swept across the country.
Last month alone, U.S. government safety officials and retailers voluntarily recalled at least 69,000 Chinese-made toys over concerns of excessive amounts of lead paint, which can cause hazardous lead poisoning. E-mail to a friend
CNN's Janine Brady, Jason Carroll, Laura Dolan, Julie O'Neill and Leslie Wiggins contributed to this report.
|
[
"Who ordered an investigation?",
"What could happen to children who swallow the beads?",
"WHat happens to children who swallow beads?",
"what are sold as Bindeez beads in Australia and Aqua dots in united states?",
"which is the cause of research in China?",
"what was the count ofchildren were in trouble for beads",
"In which countrys where the beads sold",
"In which country were children hospitalized?",
"What did China order?",
"What are aqua dots called in australia?",
"what is the name of the comapanh who sells the beads",
"what can happen if beads are swallowed by children?",
"Who can have seizures?",
"which country orders an investigation by quality control agencies?",
"Who orders investigation by quality control agencies?",
"What toys were dangerous?",
"What country were three children hospitalized in after swallowing large quantities of beads?",
"What can happen to children who swallow beads?",
"are toxic beads that children swallow?"
] |
[
"the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ)",
"vomit and lose consciousness.",
"vomit and lose consciousness.",
"\"date rape\" drug.",
"Aqua Dots toys that contain a chemical that converts into a \"date rape\" drug.",
"three",
"U.S.",
"Australia",
"an investigation by quality control agencies",
"under the name \"Bindeez Beads.\"",
"Melbourne-based Moose Enterprise Pty. Ltd.",
"vomit and lose consciousness.",
"swallow the beads",
"China",
"General Administration of",
"Aqua Dots",
"Australia",
"vomit and lose consciousness.",
"Aqua Dots"
] |
question: Who ordered an investigation?, answer: the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) | question: What could happen to children who swallow the beads?, answer: vomit and lose consciousness. | question: WHat happens to children who swallow beads?, answer: vomit and lose consciousness. | question: what are sold as Bindeez beads in Australia and Aqua dots in united states?, answer: "date rape" drug. | question: which is the cause of research in China?, answer: Aqua Dots toys that contain a chemical that converts into a "date rape" drug. | question: what was the count ofchildren were in trouble for beads, answer: three | question: In which countrys where the beads sold, answer: U.S. | question: In which country were children hospitalized?, answer: Australia | question: What did China order?, answer: an investigation by quality control agencies | question: What are aqua dots called in australia?, answer: under the name "Bindeez Beads." | question: what is the name of the comapanh who sells the beads, answer: Melbourne-based Moose Enterprise Pty. Ltd. | question: what can happen if beads are swallowed by children?, answer: vomit and lose consciousness. | question: Who can have seizures?, answer: swallow the beads | question: which country orders an investigation by quality control agencies?, answer: China | question: Who orders investigation by quality control agencies?, answer: General Administration of | question: What toys were dangerous?, answer: Aqua Dots | question: What country were three children hospitalized in after swallowing large quantities of beads?, answer: Australia | question: What can happen to children who swallow beads?, answer: vomit and lose consciousness. | question: are toxic beads that children swallow?, answer: Aqua Dots
|
(CNN) -- China is continuing to speak out against a multibillion-dollar U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, with the Chinese foreign minister telling U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Monday that the Obama administration should reconsider the deal.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Clinton in New York, where the United Nations General Assembly is in session, according to a senior State Department official who spoke on background.
Yang "was making very serious representations to Secretary Clinton, asked the Obama administration to reconsider this decision and indicated that it would harm the trust and confidence that was established between the two sides," the official said.
Chinese officials "have indicated that they're going to suspend or to cancel or postpone a series of ... military-to-military engagements," the official said.
Clinton "responded very clearly" that the United States has a strategic interest in stability in the region, and that the Taiwan Relations Act "provides for a strong rationale for the provision of defensive capabilities and weapons to Taiwan as part of a larger context to preserve that peace and stability," the official said.
Clinton also told Yang that the United States supports improved relations between mainland China and Taiwan.
The $5.3 billion arms package includes upgrades to Taiwan's F-16 fighter fleet, a five-year extension of F-16 pilot training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and spare parts for the upkeep of three different planes currently in use by the Taiwanese, according to the State Department. The deal is part of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.
China voiced strong opposition to the deal when it was announced last week, with the state-run Xinhua news agency quoting China's vice foreign minister, Zhang Zhijun, as saying, "The wrongdoing by the U.S. side will inevitably undermine bilateral relations as well as exchanges and cooperation in military and security areas."
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province. Taiwan began as the remnant of the government that ruled over mainland China, until a Communist uprising proved victorious in 1949.
The Taiwan Strait separates the mainland from the island.
In 1979, the United States carried out its "one China" policy by switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. But the Taiwan Relations Act obligates the United States to help defend the island if needed. The United States also is Taiwan's main arms supplier.
Beijing broke off military contacts with Washington last year to protest another arms sale to Taiwan. The sale included more than $6 billion in Patriot missiles, Black Hawk helicopters and communications equipment, which Taiwan said it needed for self-defense.
|
[
"Who met with Clinton in New York?",
"where did they meet",
"What will be updated with the package?",
"who met with secretary of state clinton",
"how much was the package",
"who calls on the U.S. to reconsider an arms sale to a country called Taiwan",
"who meets with the Secretary of State in New York",
"Who voiced strong opposition to the deal?",
"what did china do to the deal when it was announced last week"
] |
[
"Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi",
"New York,",
"Taiwan's F-16 fighter fleet, a five-year extension of F-16 pilot training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and spare parts for the upkeep of three different planes currently in use by the Taiwanese,",
"Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi",
"$5.3 billion",
"China",
"Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi",
"China",
"voiced strong opposition"
] |
question: Who met with Clinton in New York?, answer: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi | question: where did they meet, answer: New York, | question: What will be updated with the package?, answer: Taiwan's F-16 fighter fleet, a five-year extension of F-16 pilot training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and spare parts for the upkeep of three different planes currently in use by the Taiwanese, | question: who met with secretary of state clinton, answer: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi | question: how much was the package, answer: $5.3 billion | question: who calls on the U.S. to reconsider an arms sale to a country called Taiwan, answer: China | question: who meets with the Secretary of State in New York, answer: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi | question: Who voiced strong opposition to the deal?, answer: China | question: what did china do to the deal when it was announced last week, answer: voiced strong opposition
|
(CNN) -- China plans to put laboratories in space, collect samples from the moon and prepare to build space stations over the next five years, according to an ambitious plan released this week aimed at putting the country on the global map for space exploration.
China also plans to launch manned-vessels and freighters into space during the coming half-decade, according to a government white paper. The country's eventual goal in the longer term is a manned lunar landing.
"With economic progress, also comes the need for scientific development and exploration," said Jiao Weixin, a professor at the School of Earth and Space Sciences at Beijing University. "By investing in space exploration, China wants to contribute and be a major player in the world on more than one level."
The Chinese plans announced this week come as the United States has been scaling back its ambitions and funding for space exploration.
Since 2003, China has made major breakthroughs in its space program, including becoming the third country after Russia and the United States to put a human in space. It successfully completed a spacewalk in 2008.
In November, the successful automated docking and return of an unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou-8, paved the way for the creation of China's future space laboratory. The spaceship blasted off from a launch facility in the Gobi Desert in northwest China, one month after the first space laboratory module Tiangong-1 was launched into space.
China says its military-run space program will be used for peaceful purposes. But its activities have set off controversy in the past, like when it shot down one of its dead satellites in 2007, for example. That move alarmed some officials in the United States and other countries and raised concerns about the militarization of the space race.
Some experts say a critical gap in Chinese-U.S. space relations is the absence of regularized talks on space security, which took place between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War.
"In this regard, the Obama administration has made overtures at the military-to-military level," Clay Moltz, an professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif., said in an e-mail response. "The ball is now in China's court to respond. How it responds may say a lot about its true intentions in space."
Two more space docking missions are planned for 2012, with at least one of them manned. But despite the progress, some experts say China still has a long way to go in developing its space technology.
"China is still catching up to countries that began their space programs in the 1960s," said Jiao. "It may be impressive to see what China has done in the past decade, but there is still a long way to go."
The paper also says China will develop technology to monitor space debris, study black holes and develop small satellites for environmental and disaster monitoring and forecasting.
|
[
"What is China's eventual goal?",
"What other countries have put a human in space?",
"what does china want",
"What country wants to launch space laboratories?",
"what is the eventual goal"
] |
[
"a manned lunar landing.",
"Russia and the United States",
"to contribute and be a major player in the world on more than one level.\"",
"China",
"a manned lunar landing."
] |
question: What is China's eventual goal?, answer: a manned lunar landing. | question: What other countries have put a human in space?, answer: Russia and the United States | question: what does china want, answer: to contribute and be a major player in the world on more than one level." | question: What country wants to launch space laboratories?, answer: China | question: what is the eventual goal, answer: a manned lunar landing.
|
(CNN) -- China's Olympic adventure may be over, but new age chanteuse Sa Dingding is one global export that in many ways echoes the Beijing Olympic fantasy of "One World. One Dream."
Sa Dingding's music should find a home on the iPods of millions of chill-out world music fans.
Born to a Mongolian mother and Han Chinese father, she sings in Mandarin, Tibetan, Sanskrit, and the rare dialect of Lagu, while fusing chill-out beats and floaty instrumentation played on zither, horse head fiddle and bamboo flute.
Already hugely popular in China, she has been finding similar success farther afield: Her first album sold 2 million copies in Southeast Asia, and she has appeared on MTV. Earlier this year she won a BBC Radio 3 World Music Award as well as performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Her linguistic skills and musicianship were honed from a young age.
Born in Inner Mongolia in 1983, she spent three years until the age of 6 with her grandmother, living a nomadic life in northern China, where her imagination and creativity were allowed to roam free.
"We actually lived in a small city between grassland and the big city. In spring time, we move to the grassland. And in winter time, we moved back to the city,"she told CNN's Talk Asia.
"The whole memory of my childhood is in one word: Play. I just played everywhere on the grassland. And there a lot of interesting things happened which affected the ... life of mine."
Later she became a student of Buddhism and yoga as well as becoming a multi-instrumentalist, releasing her first album at the age of 18.
Melding different musical cultures and ethnic influences, notably Tibetan, has also caused a certain amount of discussion, especially on her own position toward the status of Tibet within China.
"From a musician's point of view, Tibetan culture and its music cannot be seen as an isolated subject... lots and lots of other ethnicities have added their colors on the Tibetan culture. So I see the Tibetan culture nowadays as an integral part of the greater Chinese culture," she said.
Aiming to avoid controversy, organizers of the Glastonbury festival dropped her from this year's lineup.
"I don't quite understand the reason behind [it]. To me, art and music really belong to the whole world and they shouldn't be limited by boundaries. So I really hope that I could join Glastonbury next year," she said.
Until then further explorations in language and music beckon, and there have been recent collaborations with house music DJ Paul Oakenfold and French chill-out duo Deep Forest in Europe.
"It's very amazing because when I had to return to China, they drove me to the airport and told me: 'Life is full of miracles. When you first arrived here, these three songs didn't exist. But now you're leaving, and we have three wonderful new songs.'"
|
[
"Where is Mongolia?",
"What is the musician's ethnicity?",
"Where did they sell the most albums?",
"Who said it was too controversial?",
"What kind of music do they make?"
] |
[
"northern China,",
"Chinese",
"Southeast Asia,",
"organizers of the Glastonbury festival",
"Melding different musical cultures and ethnic influences, notably Tibetan,"
] |
question: Where is Mongolia?, answer: northern China, | question: What is the musician's ethnicity?, answer: Chinese | question: Where did they sell the most albums?, answer: Southeast Asia, | question: Who said it was too controversial?, answer: organizers of the Glastonbury festival | question: What kind of music do they make?, answer: Melding different musical cultures and ethnic influences, notably Tibetan,
|
(CNN) -- China's economy is booming and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's visit there this week highlights the U.A.E.'s ambitions to join in on this growth. CNN's John Defterios (JD) sits down with Shaukat Aziz (SA), former Prime Minister to Pakistan to talk about the emerging relationship.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz
Aziz is an expert in global banking who worked in the Middle East for a number of years as an official for Citigroup. He was an influential player in the process of creating a free trade agreement between Pakistan and China, after visiting the country in 2005.
Shaukat Aziz talks about the growing ties between China and the Middle East, and gives us inside knowledge on doing business in China.
(SA): I think the two economies are complementary. China is a global economy which is growing rapidly. It has one of the highest growth rates in the world, and it is expanding its footprint all over the world. Dubai and the U.A.E. is clearly a hub for South Asia, the Middle East, and the whole region.
They are a trading center, they are a financial center, and they don't compete directly with China, in fact both economies will compliment each other. I think the U.A.E. Prime Minister's trip will help to further reinforce this and get the two countries closer together, in trade, in financial flows, in linking capital markets and many other initiatives.
(JD): Trade has been growing 30 to 40 percent over the last four years. But can it move beyond hard Chinese goods going into the Gulf?
(SA): Of course it can. I think the nature of Dubai is such that it has now become the clearing house for goods from all over the world. And buyers go to Dubai and look for the best product at the best price. So, if China, being a large country, can bring its products to Dubai, it will help both countries. May I also say that I see China evolving as an exporter of capital, not just goods because China is running huge surpluses. Their reserves are at an all time high. So they are looking for investments too, and you see now a trend in Chinese companies to buy companies overseas. A trend in Chinese companies to invest overseas because they want, once they go global, they want production facilities all over the world. So the design and the research and development will be done in China, the components will come from China, but the manufacturing could move across the world. This trend is already started and I think this will all go well for both countries.
(JD): Lets take it a step further. Do you see Chinese investment funds or Sovereign Funds and U.A.E. sovereign funds going out together to acquire companies in the near future?
(SA): Sure, there have been situations where both have participated in different companies.
(JD): But separately.
(SA): Separately, but I think they could join too. But the real issue on sovereign funds is being represented in certain quarters as if this is something which is unhelpful to the global economy. In my view, in an era of globalization we must open up our markets for investments and let anybody come along in line with the rules of that country. May I say that the sovereignty of any country is a very robust concept. And if a foreign sovereign fund or investor comes along and buys a bank in a particular country, the countries sovereignty is never jeopardized. But, if you have good regulators and good policies, because even in a deregulated environment, regulation is necessary. Deregulation does not mean abdication by the government, so if your regulatory regime is sound, you don't have to worry. Sovereign funds have demonstrated that they have helped promote economic activity, help save certain companies, banks as a case in point. And it's a win-win for both sides. So I think this question of their role is over stated.
(JD): Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah went to visit China when he
|
[
"What does Aziz see?",
"What does Aziz believe?",
"Who talks with John Defterios",
"What do Middle Eastern and Chinese economies have in common?"
] |
[
"growing ties between China and the Middle East,",
"two economies are complementary.",
"Shaukat Aziz",
"trading center,"
] |
question: What does Aziz see?, answer: growing ties between China and the Middle East, | question: What does Aziz believe?, answer: two economies are complementary. | question: Who talks with John Defterios, answer: Shaukat Aziz | question: What do Middle Eastern and Chinese economies have in common?, answer: trading center,
|
(CNN) -- China's figure skating pair of Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo capped an emotional comeback to the Winter Olympics on Monday by capturing the pairs figure skating gold.
By winning the event, Shen and Zhao captured their country's first gold medal in figure skating and fulfilled a quest that had previously eluded them. The husband-and-wife team had retired from Olympic competition, but was coaxed back by the hope of claiming gold.
China made it a 1-2 finish in pairs skating after Pan Qing and Tong Jian claimed silver, according to the Vancouver Olympics Web site. Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy claimed third place and the bronze medal in the event.
Elsewhere at the Olympics, South Korea's Mo Tae-Bum captured the gold medal in the men's 500-meter speed skating event. Japan's Keiichiro Nagashima and Joji Kato captured silver and bronze, respectively.
In figure skating, China's Shen and Zhao had retired in 2007 after capturing three world championships and two Olympic bronze medalists, making them the most decorated figure skaters in their country's history.
Shen and Zhao were also newlyweds after Zhao proposed to Shen on the ice following a stunning 2007 World Championship performance in Tokyo.
Headlining the popular Stars on Ice tour in the United States, retirement seemed like a natural step for Zhao and Shen. But after just two years away, they declared they would return for the Vancouver Olympics, presumably to capture the gold medal that eluded them.
CNN memories: What was it like to train with Olympic champs?
Zhao and Shen kicked off their comeback fittingly by winning the Cup of China last season. They won all three of their events and set a new world record at the Grand Prix Final.
The pair, formerly ranked number one in the world, opened the Vancouver Olympic figure skating competitions by performing first of the 20 competing pairs. Their draw was considered bad luck, especially because Shen and Zhao currently rank 29th in the world after being away from competition.
Zhao and Shen delivered a near flawless performance in the short program on Sunday, what many skating analysts called their strongest program ever.
"We wanted the program to show all that we have, and we made it," Zhao told the Xinhua news agency in Vancouver following the short program on Sunday. "It's the best gift for the Valentine's Day," Shen added.
CNN's Jo Ling Kent contributed to this report.
|
[
"who won gold in mens 500 meter speed skating?",
"Who claimed the gold for figure skating pairs?",
"Who won gold for South Korea?",
"Where is the husband-wife team from?",
"How long were the team gone from competition?",
"what medals did japan claim?",
"who claimed figure skating pairs gold?",
"Who won gold in men's 500-meter speed skating?"
] |
[
"Mo Tae-Bum",
"Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo",
"Mo Tae-Bum",
"China's",
"two years",
"silver and bronze,",
"Zhao Hongbo",
"South Korea's Mo Tae-Bum"
] |
question: who won gold in mens 500 meter speed skating?, answer: Mo Tae-Bum | question: Who claimed the gold for figure skating pairs?, answer: Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo | question: Who won gold for South Korea?, answer: Mo Tae-Bum | question: Where is the husband-wife team from?, answer: China's | question: How long were the team gone from competition?, answer: two years | question: what medals did japan claim?, answer: silver and bronze, | question: who claimed figure skating pairs gold?, answer: Zhao Hongbo | question: Who won gold in men's 500-meter speed skating?, answer: South Korea's Mo Tae-Bum
|
(CNN) -- China's giant pandas are believed to be safe after Monday's earthquake, but concern is growing over how they will get their next meals.
The giant pandas' primary food source is bamboo.
Authorities confirmed Tuesday that captive animals in two of China's major panda reserves were alive, according to Xinhua, China's official news agency.
The Wolong Giant Panda Reserve Center in southwest Sichuan province is home to about 86 giant pandas, who were reported safe Tuesday.
Staff and critters at neighboring Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center were also reported safe, according to a spokesperson for the Atlanta Zoo, which has two pandas on loan from the wildlife reserve.
Concern arose in the international wildlife community over damage to the animals' habitat, as authorities continued assessing the scope of damage in the Sichuan province.
The mountainous, densely wooded region is the natural habitat for most of the 1,200 giant pandas living in the wild, making it an obvious location for research bases like Wolong and Chengdu. Giant pandas roam the forest in "open cages" that are meant to provide them with a safe, natural environment that will prepare them for release.
With the safety of the pandas confirmed, the animals' caregivers are left to determine how resources like food and medical supplies will reach the bases, which contain breeding facilities and triage centers.
Bamboo, the pandas' primary source of food, is a major agricultural product in the region, but whether it can be supplied to the pandas despite infrastructure damage is open to question.
"Wolong is hard to access under normal conditions, so the heavy road damage makes it even harder," said Kerry Zobor, spokesperson for the World Wildlife Fund.
Zobor said WWF had confirmed the safety of staff based in Beijing, but had not received word on the conditions in Wolong. She said the WWF was also concerned about members who had been touring the country when the earthquake struck. So far, the group has not been located.
Scientists in the United States are hopeful that Chinese researchers will adapt to the situation facing them.
David Wildt with the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington says that scientists in Wolong have overcome threats to the giant panda population before.
In the late 1990s, the captive giant panda population was in decline, with more animals dying than were born, Wildt said.
Thanks to a collaborative effort with American scientists, the Wolong staff was able to reverse the trend.
"Our Chinese colleagues are very perceptive when it comes to addressing problems," said Wildt, who has visited Wolong many times as part of the Smithsonian's affiliation with the research base. "Because of their efforts, the population is on the rise today."
Wildt said that Chinese scientists have also addressed the issue of alternative food sources before.
"Artificial diets in the form of protein biscuits have been created for giant pandas. They're not a complete substitute, but they meet the needs of a basic high-fiber diet," said Wildt, who has worked with two pandas that the Smithsonian has on loan from Wolong.
"Right now, we're mostly concerned about the staff. If the staff is fine, then the animals will be fine," Wildt said.
|
[
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"What type of food exists in event of depleted bamboo stocks?",
"Who confirmed that the giant pandas are safe?"
] |
[
"southwest Sichuan province",
"how they will get their next meals.",
"after Monday's earthquake,",
"protein biscuits",
"giant pandas",
"primary food source is bamboo.",
"\"Artificial diets in the form of protein biscuits",
"Authorities"
] |
question: Where are they keeping the giant pandas?, answer: southwest Sichuan province | question: What were the growing concerns about?, answer: how they will get their next meals. | question: Report: Chinese authorities confirm that captive giant pandas are safe, answer: after Monday's earthquake, | question: Scientist: Alternative foods exist in the event of depleted bamboo stocks, answer: protein biscuits | question: What do the authorities confirm are safe?, answer: giant pandas | question: What do pandas eat?, answer: primary food source is bamboo. | question: What type of food exists in event of depleted bamboo stocks?, answer: "Artificial diets in the form of protein biscuits | question: Who confirmed that the giant pandas are safe?, answer: Authorities
|
(CNN) -- China's space program has really taken off in the last six years.
Back to Earth: Yang Liwei faces the cameras on returning to Earth in 2003.
In 2003 Yang Liwei became a national hero when he became the first Chinese man in space, followed five years later by Zhai Zhigang who became the first "taikonaut" to make a spacewalk.
"The moment I stepped out of the hatch and entered space, the sensation of completely becoming one with space was a feeling I had never felt before on Earth," Zhai told CNN.
"I deliberately looked into outer space, looking past my toes and deep into outer space. The differing brightness and distances of the celestial bodies really brought out the deepness of outer space. The vast , boundless expanse of outer space stirred my soul."
View the photo gallery to learn more about the history of China's space program.
From out of this world moments to their place in Chinese history, these two pioneering spacemen tell CNN's John Vause about their missions, how they had prepared for the worst should things go wrong and if China and other nations with the moon in their sights are creating a new international space race.
|
[
"What are the names of the Chinese taikonauts?",
"What was the first Chinese man in space?",
"First nationality has their first man in space?",
"What Chinese \"taikonauts\" talk to CNN?",
"First Chinese to conduct what kind of walk?",
"What are the names of the Chinese \"taikonauts?\"",
"Which news network did they talk to?"
] |
[
"Yang Liwei",
"In 2003 Yang Liwei became a national hero when he became the",
"China's",
"Zhai Zhigang",
"spacewalk.",
"Zhai Zhigang",
"CNN."
] |
question: What are the names of the Chinese taikonauts?, answer: Yang Liwei | question: What was the first Chinese man in space?, answer: In 2003 Yang Liwei became a national hero when he became the | question: First nationality has their first man in space?, answer: China's | question: What Chinese "taikonauts" talk to CNN?, answer: Zhai Zhigang | question: First Chinese to conduct what kind of walk?, answer: spacewalk. | question: What are the names of the Chinese "taikonauts?", answer: Zhai Zhigang | question: Which news network did they talk to?, answer: CNN.
|
(CNN) -- Chinese authorities were explicit: Tear down the nation's first sex-themed amusement park before it gets going full steam.
Visitors catch a glimpse of Love Land, billed as China's first-ever sex theme park, in southwest China.
Love Land had not opened its doors yet, but authorities in the city of Chongqing -- a sprawling metropolis on the banks of the Yangtze River -- got all hot and bothered over the park's plans to display naked human sculptures, giant replica genitals and a photo gallery on the history of sex, the state-run China Daily reported.
Lu Xiaoqing, park manager, told the newspaper he got the idea for building Love Land after a visit to a sex park in Jeju, a popular destination in South Korea.
Love Land would include sex-technique workshops and sex education to help adults "enjoy a harmonious sex life," Lu said.
"Sex is a taboo subject in China, but people really need to have more access to information about it," he told the newspaper. "We are building the park for the good of the public."
Whatever Lu's intentions, the newspaper said Chinese officials saw it another way: "vulgar, ill-minded and misleading."
The park was to open in October but was demolished over the weekend -- thongs, replicas of derrieres and all.
Reactions posted on the Internet were varied, according to the China Daily. Some thought sex was best left behind closed doors, while others argued that a real need for sex education existed in China.
"Sex is a matter of privacy. It is not for publicity," said Xia Xueluan, a sociology professor at Beijing University.
The officials in Chongquing apparently agreed.
|
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question: What kind of workshops?, answer: sex-technique | question: What were reactions posted on the internet?, answer: varied, | question: What were the reactions?, answer: hot and bothered | question: What was Love Land to display?, answer: naked human sculptures, giant replica genitals and a photo gallery on the history of sex, | question: What was the park to include?, answer: sex-technique workshops and | question: Who want to display giant replica genitals?, answer: Love Land
|
(CNN) -- Chinese language media often refer to Jay Chou as the "small heavenly king," but the Taiwan born pop idol is more down-to-earth than the many accolades he receives suggest.
At 29, Jay Chou is already a household name in many Asian countries.
"I think I tend to believe in myself. I don't know....maybe I was born to believe in myself rather than in others. That's why I like to complete my work on my own," the solo singer-songwriter and actor told CNN's Talk Asia.
The 29-year-old has ridden his wave of inner belief to become one of Asia's biggest pop stars, and fostered an image of being something of an anti-hero, neither boastful nor too brash.
His music mixes ballads with urban R&B beats, while he has also taken a march on Asian cinema, writing his own screenplays, directing and appearing in a number of hit films.
Music remains his first love, having found success despite being naturally shy.
He released his first album in 2000, and eight years and seven albums later he still believes he has plenty of material for songs left in him, breaking from the usual Mando- and Canto-pop themes of boy-meets-girl.
In the past his lyrics have ventured into more considered and darker territory with a song about an abusive father and have taken on a variety of themes and genres.
"I think my music is quite different from the Western rap music culture. You won't find bad language in my music. I have this sense of responsibility to add an educational element in my music. That's why I would never write anything about suicide or whatever, because I think we all need the courage to deal with our lives," he said.
Chou was brought up by his mother, a school teacher in Linkou in Taiwan. His parents divorced while he was at a young age.
He began playing the piano as a 3-year-old, continuing to practice daily throughout his school days where despite being a diligent pupil he was academically average.
While a so-so student he developed a way to express himself by focusing on playing the piano, and from it developed a self-reliant streak.
"I think my confidence belongs to the stage or when I'm standing in front of the screen. I'm like two different people on-stage and off-stage," he told CNN's Talk Asia.
Chou's career was given a boost when he was spotted by Taiwanese entertainer Jacky Wu while backstage before a TV talent contest. Wu liked what he saw and introduced Chou to the music industry, at first as a songwriter for others.
"I never aimed to be a pop icon or whatever. My first album was actually a collection of songs that I wrote for other people. They didn't want them, so I made the album myself. The only aim I had was to be a singer-songwriter, not an idol," said Chou.
Despite modest beginnings then he has reached idol status in many Asian countries, having appeared in front of crowds of tens of thousands of people across Asia and on the silver screen to millions.
His huge exposure also ensures he's the sources of constant speculation from the media about his private life.
"I think showbiz in Taiwan, or even in the Chinese-speaking region, is quite different from showbiz in the U.S. The more low-profile and tight-lipped you are, the more the paparazzi runs after you. And I happen to belong in this category," he said.
|
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question: When did his career begin?, answer: 2000, | question: What pop star still lives with his mom?, answer: Jay Chou | question: Who turned to acting and directing?, answer: Jay Chou | question: What has the pop star tried his hand at recently?, answer: screenplays, directing and appearing | question: When did the career begin?, answer: 2000, | question: Where did his career begin?, answer: Taiwan
|
(CNN) -- Cholera has already killed almost 3,000 Haitians. Now it is threatening to cause misery in another vital way.
A chunk of Haiti's rice harvest will probably be lost because of farmers' fears of cholera contamination, the United Nations said Wednesday. On top of that, consumers are afraid to buy rice grown in areas affected by the cholera outbreak.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization and the Haitian Ministries of Agriculture and Health are providing hygiene information to farmers who are reluctant to step into rice paddies, fed by rivers and canals, to harvest the crops.
The U.N. food agency, concerned that lost crops may lead to food shortages, urged more outreach and hands-on training in rural communities.
The effects of the cholera outbreak were magnified by floods in November caused by Hurricane Tomas.
"Without a timely response to the damage caused by floods and cholera to Haitian agriculture, food security could plunge, worsening the effects of last January's earthquake on the poor rural population," the FAO said in a statement.
Cholera has sickened more than 130,000 people in Haiti and 2,761 have died. But those numbers from the Haitian health ministry are from December 18.
Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF or Doctors Without Borders), which has been operating cholera treatment centers throughout Haiti, warned that the disease is still spreading.
Symptoms of the acute, bacterial illness, which is caused by drinking tainted water, can be mild or even nonexistent. But sometimes they can be severe: leg cramps, profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting, which can cause rapid loss of body fluids and lead to dehydration, shock and death.
Some aid groups, including MSF, have criticized the cholera response in Haiti as woefully inadequate, given the fact that about 12,000 aid groups operate within the country.
"I recently went to Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, and found my Medicins Sans Frontieres colleagues overwhelmed, having already treated more than 75,000 cholera cases," MSF International President Unni Karunakara wrote in a commentary published this week in a British newspaper, the Guardian. "In the 11 months since the quake, little has been done to improve sanitation across the country, allowing cholera to spread at a dizzying pace."
|
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"what is Farmers are afraid to harvest?",
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] |
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question: what is Farmers are afraid to harvest?, answer: rice | question: What might result from a reduced rice crop?, answer: food shortages, | question: who called the response to cholera in Haiti poor?, answer: Some aid groups, including MSF, have criticized the | question: Who is afraid to harvest?, answer: farmers | question: Where did the cholera outbreak take place?, answer: Haiti | question: Which could lead to food shortages?, answer: lost crops
|
(CNN) -- Chris Helmbrecht is a 37-year-old German who lived in New York and Spain before moving to Moscow nearly six years ago. He runs an advertising agency and also writes Moscow Blog, a lifestyle blog about the city.
Chris Helmbrecht: "Not many places have as much energy as Moscow."
CNN: You've traveled around a lot -- what makes Moscow unique?
Chris Helmbrecht: Not many places have so much energy and so many things going on. It can be very nerve wracking and exhausting, but on the other hand it's very exciting. New York is one of those places, Tokyo too, but there are only a handful of cities in the world that have that kind of energy.
CNN: You used to be a DJ -- what's your opinion of Moscow's nightlife?
CH: For some people the nightlife is the best in the world, but for me it's very commercial and posh. You can sum it up in one sentence, which is a general thing about Moscow: people here live "Sex and the City." They just want to go out and spend money and pretend they're rich and successful and live this dream.
I recently had a conversation with the club editor of Timeout Moscow and I asked her if she thought the clubs were suffering right now with the economy. She said that in the modern "New Russian" culture people would rather sell their Mercedes than not go out and spend anywhere between $4,000 and $6,000 on a table in a club and admit that they're not rich anymore.
Moscow is dominated by posh parties, but it's no different at a subculture place like a techno club -- you're always judged by the labels you wear, the car you drive and the music you identify yourself with.
CNN: Where do you like to go in the city?
CH: Novodevichy Monastery is a really beautiful old monastery. Stalin demolished a lot of churches and monasteries but this one was spared. There's a pond below it that you can walk around, and all the Russian Orthodox popes are buried in he cemetery. It's a very nice place.
Another place is would be Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills), where you can look out over Moscow. It's pretty industrial looking but it has good views. I also enjoy the center of Moscow. I like hanging out on the roof bar of a hotel, having a drink, looking out over Red Square. It makes you feel like you're away from the noise of the city.
What makes Moscow special to you? Let us know.
CNN: What do Muscovites do at the weekend?
CH: It depends on the time of year, but in the summer they take every opportunity to get out of the city. Everyone has a little weekend house called a "dacha" and every Friday night after work people leave the city.
From 4pm in the afternoon to 10pm at night you have long traffic jams on all the roads out of the city. People will spend three or four hours in traffic jams just to travel 60km -- and on the way back on Sunday and Monday mornings it's the same.
Some "dachas" are really basic wooden houses and some are palaces but every family has one, or even two or three. People go out to the woods or lakes and they have barbeques, they drink and they do some gardening. They value this "dacha" life so much that they're willing to spend 6 hours in traffic to spend 1 ½ days in the woods.
CNN: So is Moscow is deserted in the summertime?
CH: Moscow is very quiet in the summertime -- it's my favorite time. You can already notice that there are less people in the clubs and less people in the streets at the weekend.
Towards the end of June, Moscow is really empty. You really notice it from the middle of July until September, when it's school vacations.
CNN: Has Moscow change a lot since you moved there?
CH
|
[
"What is his age?",
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] |
[
"37-year-old",
"in the summer",
"37-year-old",
"Muscovites",
"energy",
"Moscow"
] |
question: What is his age?, answer: 37-year-old | question: When do Muscovites love to get out of the city?, answer: in the summer | question: How many years old is Helmbrecht?, answer: 37-year-old | question: Who loves to get out of the city?, answer: Muscovites | question: What can make it exciting?, answer: energy | question: Where does Helmbrecht live?, answer: Moscow
|
(CNN) -- Chris Nowinski's professional wrestling career didn't end with a pink slip or a celebratory sendoff, but with a swift kick to his chin.
Chris Nowinski was a WWE wrestler when he suffered a concussion, but didn't realize how badly he was hurt.
Nowinski played college football at Harvard -- a defensive tackle. He was a promising newcomer to World Wrestling Entertainment. At the time he suffered the injury -- the hit that would cut his career short -- he was performing in a summer 2003 tag-team match as his WWE character, Chris Harvard, a blonde, blue-eyed symbol of Ivy League elitism.
Nowinski didn't know he had suffered a concussion. He didn't know that he shouldn't have been wrestling immediately afterward, and he didn't know that this was probably the sixth concussion of his athletic career. There was a lot Nowinski didn't know about concussions.
Hard hits were nothing new to Nowinski, 28, a tree of a man who had played sports since childhood. Blows to the head punctuated many of the games and matches in his career, he said. Sometimes he blacked out.
"The sky would change colors, or I would see stars, and get really dizzy, and I would just collect myself on the field or in the ring, and continue going, because that's what I thought I was supposed to do," he told CNN in a telephone interview. "I didn't realize that it was a serious brain injury."
Nowinski continued to wrestle, which aggravated the injury, he said. He developed post-concussion syndrome, a condition characterized by prolonged concussion symptoms.
"After my last concussion ... I was stuck with four years of headaches and immediate memory problems and depression and sleep-walking," Nowinski said. He said he still endures migraines and memory loss. "My head just feels differently all the time," he said.
Concussions are common, particularly among athletes in heavy contact sports. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually in the United States.
Nowinski waited a year and a half for his head to clear so he could return to the ring -- a day that never came. So, the fallen wrestler decided to change what he considers the sports world's biggest liability.
He's now on a mission to eliminate the "damage" from head injuries in athletics. His task is two-fold: To educate coaches, parents and athletes about identifying and treating concussions and to help facilitate research to pin down the injury's long-term effects.
"I knew I had the information that could prevent suffering for a lot of people, a lot of people that I cared about," said Nowinski. "It wouldn't have been right for me to just go on with my life, make money, do whatever, while that information just sat in my head."
He wrote "Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis from the NFL to Youth Leagues," published in 2006. He's been speaking before youth leagues, sports conferences and other public events for more than three years. And he and a group of top neurologists have recently formed The Sports Legacy Institute.
Part of that organization's purpose will be to study the effects of multiple head injuries, investigating cases of a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, Nowinski said. CTE is a dementia-like condition caused by repetitive blows to the head over an extended period of time, according to the National Institute of Health.
Hoping to prove to the rest of the world that multiple concussions have permanent, sometimes ruinous consequences, Nowinski began to work with a University of Pittsburgh neuropathologist, Dr. Bennet Omalu, who found the condition in the brains of two deceased former National Football League players, Terry Long and Mike Webster. With Nowinski's help in obtaining the brain tissue, Omalu diagnosed the condition in two other former players who died, Andre Waters and Justin Strzelczyk.
Both Long and Waters committed suicide. In the case of Waters, Omalu said
|
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"What steps is the NFL taking to study the effects of concussions on players?",
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"Does he have an injuries?",
"Who is taking steps to study the effects of concussion on players?",
"What did Chris Nowinski do?"
] |
[
"wrestling",
"sixth",
"multiple head injuries,",
"defensive tackle.",
"concussion,",
"The Sports Legacy Institute.",
"played college football at Harvard"
] |
question: Which sport did Chris Nowinski do professionally?, answer: wrestling | question: How many concussions has Chris Nowinski suffered?, answer: sixth | question: What steps is the NFL taking to study the effects of concussions on players?, answer: multiple head injuries, | question: When Chris Nowinski played football at Harvard, what position did he play?, answer: defensive tackle. | question: Does he have an injuries?, answer: concussion, | question: Who is taking steps to study the effects of concussion on players?, answer: The Sports Legacy Institute. | question: What did Chris Nowinski do?, answer: played college football at Harvard
|
(CNN) -- Chris Rock is best known for two things: being funny and being crass.
"If you're the president you only have two jobs: peace and money," Chris Rock said.
"This is what people come to see. I'm just doing my show," the comedian said with a laugh.
He's also known for his political commentary, but there's one person he's having a lot of trouble making fun of -- president-elect Barack Obama.
This is apparent in his new DVD "Kill the Messenger," which combines three shows from his international tour: New York; London, England; and Johannesburg, South Africa.
"It was a tour nobody wanted to do... because the general perception is that comedy doesn't translate," Rock said.
But thanks to the Internet, the world is a lot smaller than it was even 10 years ago. And people are digging the same jokes, he said, including ones about John McCain and Sarah Palin.
As the DVD readies for release on January 20, CNN talked with Rock about his lack of Obama jokes, Inauguration Day and why racism will never die. The following is an edited version of that interview:
CNN: I watched the special last night, and I noticed that you did a lot of jokes about John McCain -- his age, his war hero story -- but not so many about Barack Obama. Is it harder to make fun of Obama?
Chris Rock: He's just one of those guys, you know, like Will Smith. There's no Will Smith jokes. There's no Brad Pitt jokes. You know, what are you going to say? "Ooh, you used to have sex with Jennifer Anniston. Now you have sex with Angelina Jolie. You're such a loser." What do you say? "Ooh, your movies are big. You make $20 million." There's nothing to say about Brad Pitt.
CNN: Why is Obama like that?
Rock: It's like "Ooh, you're young and virile and you've got a beautiful wife and kids. You're the first African-American president." You know, what do you say?
CNN: As time goes on do you think it will get easier?
Rock: Of course, as time goes on. At some point he's going to -- there's always slip-ups. No one can survive that level of scrutiny without occasionally making it easy for a comedian.
CNN: Let's talk about the inauguration. Are you going?
Rock: No, I have to go to Sundance [Film Festival]. I've got a movie premiering at Sundance. So I have to go to the whitest place in America -- Utah.
CNN: What's it going to be like for you on Inauguration Day?
Rock: It'll be a cool day. It's weird. I've never watched an inauguration. I've never watched anyone get sworn in. You know, it's like Election Day and then you look up and somebody else is the president two months later. It was never like, "I can't wait till tomorrow. Oh my god! They're going to swear in Jimmy Carter!"
CNN: Are you going to watch this one, though?
Rock: I'll put it this way -- like any business is going to be getting done while this guy is getting sworn in. Like I'm going to be in a meeting. Everything is going to stop for however long it takes. Hope they get to it -- hope it's not like I gotta listen to three different versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" or something. I hope it's not like Rosa Parks' funeral, where everybody f***ing speaks.
CNN: What are you hoping Barack Obama does for this country? What do you think is his most important task?
Rock: You know, if you're the president you only have two jobs: peace and money. That's
|
[
"What is Chris Rock releasing on January 20th?",
"when Comedian Chris Rock to release \"Kill the Messenger\" DVD?",
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] |
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"DVD",
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question: What is Chris Rock releasing on January 20th?, answer: DVD | question: when Comedian Chris Rock to release "Kill the Messenger" DVD?, answer: January 20, | question: What is the name of the DVD?, answer: "Kill the Messenger," | question: Who did Chris Rock say there will not be any jokes about?, answer: Barack Obama. | question: Who is releasing the "Kill the Messenger" DVD ?, answer: Rock
|
(CNN) -- Chris Rock is best known for two things: being funny and being crass.
"If you're the president you only have two jobs: peace and money," Chris Rock said.
"This is what people come to see. I'm just doing my show," the comedian said with a laugh.
He's also known for his political commentary, but there's one person he's having a lot of trouble making fun of -- president-elect Barack Obama.
This is apparent in his new DVD "Kill the Messenger," which combines three shows from his international tour: New York; London, England; and Johannesburg, South Africa.
"It was a tour nobody wanted to do... because the general perception is that comedy doesn't translate," Rock said.
But thanks to the Internet, the world is a lot smaller than it was even 10 years ago. And people are digging the same jokes, he said, including ones about John McCain and Sarah Palin.
As the DVD readies for release on January 20, CNN talked with Rock about his lack of Obama jokes, Inauguration Day and why racism will never die. The following is an edited version of that interview:
CNN: I watched the special last night, and I noticed that you did a lot of jokes about John McCain -- his age, his war hero story -- but not so many about Barack Obama. Is it harder to make fun of Obama?
Chris Rock: He's just one of those guys, you know, like Will Smith. There's no Will Smith jokes. There's no Brad Pitt jokes. You know, what are you going to say? "Ooh, you used to have sex with Jennifer Anniston. Now you have sex with Angelina Jolie. You're such a loser." What do you say? "Ooh, your movies are big. You make $20 million." There's nothing to say about Brad Pitt.
CNN: Why is Obama like that?
Rock: It's like "Ooh, you're young and virile and you've got a beautiful wife and kids. You're the first African-American president." You know, what do you say?
CNN: As time goes on do you think it will get easier?
Rock: Of course, as time goes on. At some point he's going to -- there's always slip-ups. No one can survive that level of scrutiny without occasionally making it easy for a comedian.
CNN: Let's talk about the inauguration. Are you going?
Rock: No, I have to go to Sundance [Film Festival]. I've got a movie premiering at Sundance. So I have to go to the whitest place in America -- Utah.
CNN: What's it going to be like for you on Inauguration Day?
Rock: It'll be a cool day. It's weird. I've never watched an inauguration. I've never watched anyone get sworn in. You know, it's like Election Day and then you look up and somebody else is the president two months later. It was never like, "I can't wait till tomorrow. Oh my god! They're going to swear in Jimmy Carter!"
CNN: Are you going to watch this one, though?
Rock: I'll put it this way -- like any business is going to be getting done while this guy is getting sworn in. Like I'm going to be in a meeting. Everything is going to stop for however long it takes. Hope they get to it -- hope it's not like I gotta listen to three different versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" or something. I hope it's not like Rosa Parks' funeral, where everybody f***ing speaks.
CNN: What are you hoping Barack Obama does for this country? What do you think is his most important task?
Rock: You know, if you're the president you only have two jobs: peace and money. That's
|
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"Brad Pitt"
] |
question: When is the "Kill the Messenger" DVD to be released?, answer: January 20, | question: When is the "Kill the Messenger" DVD going to be released?, answer: January 20, | question: What will Chris Rock release January 20?, answer: DVD "Kill the Messenger," | question: Who is releasing a DVD?, answer: Rock | question: Which people are exempt from jokes?, answer: Brad Pitt
|
(CNN) -- Christie's is the world's leading art business with global auction sales in 2007 that totalled $6.3 billion, marking the highest total in company and in art auction history.
A Christie's employee holds the painting 'La Surprise' at Christie's auction house in London on July 4, 2008.
Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for unique artworks as well as international glamour.
Christie's offers over 600 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, cars and more. Prices range from $200 to over $80 million.
Christie's has 85 offices in 43 countries and 14 salerooms around the world including London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Dubai and Hong Kong.
Most recently, Christie's has expanded initiatives in emerging markets such as China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Dubai, Mumbai and Russia.
Christie's also offers its clients worldwide access to its sales through its real-time online bidding service Christie's LIVE.
|
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] |
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] |
question: What types of items does Christie's sell?, answer: fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, cars and more. | question: how much did they make, answer: $6.3 billion, | question: How much did Christie's global auction in 2007 total?, answer: $6.3 billion, | question: Who founded Christie's, answer: James | question: Who was the founder of Christie's?, answer: James | question: What did sales total?, answer: $6.3 billion, | question: When was Christie's founded?, answer: 1766 | question: where was the auction, answer: London | question: what items were sold, answer: all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, cars and more.
|
(CNN) -- Christina Cimino was logging onto Twitter on Thursday morning when something happened that she found deeply unsettling.
iReporter David Seaman says Twitter needs a competitor so users don't panic when it goes down.
"I got some weird error message, and I'm like, 'What's going on!?" the 24-year-old said.
That error message was the scourge of online social networkers worldwide on Thursday as cyber-attacks shut down Twitter and caused sustained glitches in other social-media sites like Facebook and the blogging site LiveJournal.
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone wrote the sites were the victims of what "appears to be a single, massively coordinated attack." And a pro-Georgian blogger, whose accounts on Facebook and Twitter reportedly were the targets of the denial-of-service attack, told CNN the online strike was timed to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the Russia-Georgia conflict.
What may prove more lasting about the day social networking suffered its first major blackout is the degree to which people cared. Near-panic erupted in some corners of the Internet as people lost cherished links to their online friends, family members and news feeds. Watch CNN iReporters talk about the attack
Part of the panic relates to the sheer popularity of the sites.
Twitter saw a more than 1,300 percent jump in unique visitors between February 2008 and February 2009, according to Nielsen NetView. The site, which lets users post messages of 140 characters or less, had more than 44 million worldwide users in June, according to comScore. More than 120 million users log onto Facebook at least one time each day, the site says.
To be sure, not all Facebook and Twitter users freaked out because of the attacks. Some people even reveled in the mayhem. Blog: Could the attacks be our fault?
But for people like Cimino, who said she "felt naked" without access to Twitter, the attacks were a serious reality check -- a chance to evaluate just how dependent they'd become.
"You know how you pat your pockets for your cell phone and your keys? Well it's that same kind of phantom [limb] with Twitter," she said. "It's like, 'I can't update! I can't update!' It's just one of those bugs that gets in you."
She added: "I was pretty upset, actually. It feels like a lifeline for me ... Pretty much everyone knows almost every detail of my life by what I'm doing on Twitter."
It's not worth analyzing whether these online connections are good or bad because the reality is that Twitter and Facebook are now an important part of our lives, said Marc Cooper, a journalism professor at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication.
"For many people, and not just young people, the Web is not just media, it's actually a place where they conduct their lives or a portion of their lives," he said.
"So the panic [Thursday] morning is only reflective of that. This is not just a hobby or an amusement or another accoutrement, it's actually deeply woven into their lives and is integral to their social interaction. So when it's cut off, it's a problem."
Others saw Twitter's existence as the problem and relished the chance to make fun of a Web site that has become so omnipresent in news cycles.
"Horrors!!! People will have to communicate face to face!" one user commented on CNN's SciTech blog.
Another commenter said, "Turn off your computers and read a book or get outside and discover there is more to life than cyberspace. The Internet has become nothing more than the new cocaine."
Now that Twitter is back online, the No. 1 conversation thread on the site is called "whentwitterwasdown," where users discuss what they did without their real-time Twitter updates.
Some people are mocking the blackout. A user named PaulWilks, for instance, wrote, "I took
|
[
"What social media sites went down in the article?",
"What were the sites victims of?",
"Who were the victims of cyber-attacks?",
"What were the social networks victims of?",
"What day did the sites go down?",
"When did Twitter and Facebook go down?",
"When did the sites go down?",
"What did one Twitter user say she felt?"
] |
[
"Twitter",
"\"appears to be a single, massively coordinated attack.\"",
"Facebook and Twitter",
"a single, massively coordinated attack.\"",
"Thursday",
"Thursday",
"Thursday",
"naked\""
] |
question: What social media sites went down in the article?, answer: Twitter | question: What were the sites victims of?, answer: "appears to be a single, massively coordinated attack." | question: Who were the victims of cyber-attacks?, answer: Facebook and Twitter | question: What were the social networks victims of?, answer: a single, massively coordinated attack." | question: What day did the sites go down?, answer: Thursday | question: When did Twitter and Facebook go down?, answer: Thursday | question: When did the sites go down?, answer: Thursday | question: What did one Twitter user say she felt?, answer: naked"
|
(CNN) -- Christine Beatty, chief of staff for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, pleaded guilty Monday to charges stemming from their text-messaging sex scandal case and will serve four months in jail, according to the Wayne County prosecutor's office.
Under a plea deal, Christine Beatty, shown in August at an arraignment in Detroit, will serve five years probation.
Beatty pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice, according to Maria Miller, the prosecutor's spokeswoman. Charges of perjury and misconduct against Beatty will be dropped as part of the plea arrangement, she said.
Beatty agreed to a plea arrangement under which she will serve five years probation -- the first 120 days to be served in jail -- and pay a $100,000 fine, "based on [Beatty's] ability to pay," Miller said.
Beatty will begin serving her jail sentence on January 5, when she will be formally sentenced, Miller said.
Kym L. Worthy, prosecuting attorney for Wayne County, released a statement saying she is "very pleased that this defendant admitted her guilt."
"We live in an age where greed and protecting one's secrets is glorified and accepted," Worthy said. "Now the city of Detroit, the region and the state of Michigan can truly begin to move forward when this ugly chapter in Detroit's history is put to rest."
In September, Kilpatrick resigned as mayor and pleaded guilty to two felony obstruction of justice charges stemming from his efforts to cover up his relationship with Beatty.
Like Beatty, Kilpatrick was sentenced to five years probation with the first four months to be served in jail. He is serving that sentence in the Wayne County jail.
At the time of his sentencing in October, the judge in the case called Kilpatrick "arrogant and defiant," particularly for a televised speech that aired hours after Kilpatrick entered his pleas.
"That night, the community expected to hear a message of humility, remorse and apology," Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner said at Kilpatrick's sentencing. "Instead, we heard an arrogant and defiant man who accused the governor, among others, for his downfall."
In addition to his jail and probation sentence, Kilpatrick must also pay the city of Detroit $1 million in restitution, and forfeit any future pension.
Initially, Kilpatrick was accused of blocking a criminal investigation into his office and firing a police deputy to cover up an affair with Beatty, then his chief of staff.
When that deputy, Gary Brown, filed a whistle-blower suit, Kilpatrick and Beatty denied under oath that an affair had taken place between them.
Text messages that contradicted Kilpatrick's and Beatty's denials of an affair were made public in January by the Detroit Free Press, and county prosecutor Worthy charged Kilpatrick and Beatty with multiple counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and misconduct in office.
The most serious charges would have carried a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison upon conviction.
Beatty resigned her post after the text messages were made public.
Kilpatrick initially refused to resign after the scandal broke, and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm called a hearing on whether she should remove him from office at the request of the Detroit City Council. Granholm adjourned those hearings after Kilpatrick pleaded guilty and resigned in September.
|
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] |
question: Who pleads guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice?, answer: Beatty, | question: How much was Christine Beatty fined?, answer: $100,000 | question: Months that the Chief of Staff will serve in jail?, answer: four | question: What are the charges stemming from?, answer: their text-messaging sex scandal case | question: What did the charges stem from?, answer: text-messaging sex scandal case | question: What was this person charged with two counts of?, answer: obstruction of justice, | question: Who will serve four months in jail?, answer: Beatty, | question: What is the jail sentence?, answer: four months | question: What did Christine Beatty plead guilty to?, answer: two counts of obstruction of justice, | question: What did Beatty plead guilty to?, answer: two counts of obstruction of justice, | question: Who was the former mayor that was involved in this case?, answer: Kwame Kilpatrick, | question: How much is her fine?, answer: $100,000 | question: How long will he serve in jail?, answer: four months | question: Who pled guilty?, answer: Beatty, | question: Months that the Chief of Staff will serve in jail?, answer: four | question: Who plead guilty?, answer: Christine Beatty, | question: What do the charges involve?, answer: perjury and misconduct | question: Who got probation?, answer: Christine Beatty, | question: What charges did Christine Beatty have DROPPED?, answer: perjury and misconduct | question: What did Christine Beatty do?, answer: pleaded guilty | question: How was Christine Beatty communicating with the mayor?, answer: text-messaging | question: What will happen to the chief of staff?, answer: serve four months in jail, | question: What was the mayor's penalty in this case?, answer: four months in jail, | question: What was the fine amount?, answer: $100,000
|
(CNN) -- Christine Levinson went to the United Nations on Monday to ask questions about her husband, Bob, a former FBI agent who vanished in Iran last year.
Christine Levinson has sought help from Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Levinson flew to New York with three of her seven children in hopes of meeting the one man she hoped could really get things moving -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is at the United Nations for a speech he is scheduled to deliver Tuesday afternoon.
Ahmadinejad declined to meet with her.
"I'm disappointed," she says.
Levinson did meet, however, with the Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
"He said he would do whatever he could to help me," she told CNN.
Levinson went to the United Nations with her children -- Susan, 31, Sarah, 28, and Douglas, 14. Her husband disappeared in March 2007 while on a business trip to the Iranian island of Kish.
Bob Levinson is a retired FBI agent from Coral Springs, Florida. After leaving the agency, his wife says, he worked as a security consultant specializing in cigarette smuggling.
Over the last year and half, Levinson says she has done everything she can to draw attention to her husband's disappearance.
She has given interviews, met with U.S. State Department officials, set up a Web site -- www.helpboblevinson.com -- and staged a rally. She even has offered a $5,000 reward, aimed primarily at Iranians who might have information about her husband.
Has it yielded any tips?
"No," Christine Levinson says. "Nothing."
Last year, she traveled to Iran to try to retrace her husband's steps. Back then, Iranian officials told her they would investigate and report back to her.
She says she hasn't heard a word.
"They told me when they have some information, they will let me know and in the meantime will continue to search for Bob," Levinson told CNN.
She has denied that her husband was doing business for the US government when he went missing -- she says she didn't believe so because he's a private citizen. And the State Department and FBI have denied he was working for government.
The State Department has demanded Iran free Levinson -- if it is holding him.
Levinson says her husband suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.
She insists she is confident her husband is all right because "I haven't heard anything bad."
At times, she listens to his voicemail message, just to hear his voice.
"I still firmly believe he is alive," she says. "Every day, I tell my children to take things one day at a time.
"I just want him to know I'm still looking for him. I'll never stop looking for him."
|
[
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"When did he disappear?",
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"What has his wife done?",
"Does the FBI make any comments on this person?",
"What was Levinson doing in Iran?",
"Who disappeared in Iran in March 2007?",
"Who disappeared in March of 2007?",
"Amount of the reward?"
] |
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] |
question: Who has done everything to draw attention to Levinson?, answer: Christine | question: How much is the reward?, answer: $5,000 | question: Who said everything has been done to draw attention to the case?, answer: Levinson | question: When did he disappear?, answer: March 2007 | question: What has been offered?, answer: $5,000 reward, | question: What has his wife done?, answer: everything she can to draw attention to her husband's disappearance. | question: Does the FBI make any comments on this person?, answer: FBI have denied he was working for government. | question: What was Levinson doing in Iran?, answer: security consultant | question: Who disappeared in Iran in March 2007?, answer: Bob, | question: Who disappeared in March of 2007?, answer: Bob Levinson | question: Amount of the reward?, answer: $5,000
|
(CNN) -- Christopher Lloyd picked through the charred remnants of his Montecito, California, home Monday morning, resigning himself to the fact it cannot be rebuilt.
Christopher Lloyd's $11 million home in Montecito, California, was destroyed by the "Tea Fire."
The "Back to the Future" and "Taxi" star showed ABC's "Good Morning America" what remained of his $11 million home in the exclusive celebrity neighborhood northwest of Los Angeles.
"Boy, look at that," Lloyd said as he approached the rubble. "All this happens in a couple of minutes."
Lloyd's home was among dozens of homes lost in wildfires in Southern California.
The "Tea Fire" which started at the privately owned Tea Garden Estate, about a mile north of Santa Barbara's Westmont College, ripped through an area that Oprah Winfrey, Michael Douglas, Rob Lowe and other celebrities call home.
Lloyd told "Good Morning America" that it was "just sort of sinking in" that his home was gone for good.
"It's amazing, its just gone," Lloyd told "Good Morning America." "Rebuilding would be -- it's too much. You can't rebuild that."
The home's windows were blown out, entire sections demolished, and piles of concrete, ashy trees and shrubbery were scattered across the property.
"You watch TV, you see these kinds of incidents happening here and there, but you look with a kind of detachment because it's happening ... elsewhere," he told "Good Morning America." "But suddenly to be in the midst of it -- it's a very different awareness."
Lloyd joked that he had been planning on organizing and storing memorabilia from the home, but never got around to it.
"Kind of don't have to worry about that now," he said.
|
[
"Who said that rebuilding would be too much?",
"What was the value of Lloyd's home?",
"Whose home was destroyed?",
"Whose home was among those destroyed by wildfire?",
"Having home destroyed brings a different awareness according to who?",
"Who has their home destroyed by wildfire?",
"Whose home was one of the dozens destroyed by California wildfires?",
"How many homes were destroyed?"
] |
[
"Christopher",
"$11 million",
"Christopher",
"Christopher Lloyd's",
"Christopher",
"Christopher",
"Christopher Lloyd's",
"dozens"
] |
question: Who said that rebuilding would be too much?, answer: Christopher | question: What was the value of Lloyd's home?, answer: $11 million | question: Whose home was destroyed?, answer: Christopher | question: Whose home was among those destroyed by wildfire?, answer: Christopher Lloyd's | question: Having home destroyed brings a different awareness according to who?, answer: Christopher | question: Who has their home destroyed by wildfire?, answer: Christopher | question: Whose home was one of the dozens destroyed by California wildfires?, answer: Christopher Lloyd's | question: How many homes were destroyed?, answer: dozens
|
(CNN) -- Chronic seizures can present a risk for adolescents, whose bodies and metabolism are changing.
Jett Travolta was the elder of John Travolta and Kelly Preston's two children.
A seizure disorder caused the death of Jett Travolta, the 16-year-old son of actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston, a source at a Bahamas funeral home told CNN.
"Literally dozens of different disorders can cause seizures: genetics, stroke, brain tumor, lack of oxygen, low blood sugar, drugs, even certain medications," said Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent.
Another expert said the teen years bring risks for those with seizures. "Adolescence is a time, even if you don't talk about children with any seizure disorder, where things change in a child," said Dr. Shlomo Shinnar of Montefiore Medical Center in New York.
There are effective drugs to treat seizures. As children grow, their bodies and metabolism change, perhaps causing a need to adjust their dosage, said Shinnar, a professor of neurology and pediatrics and director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Management Center at Montefiore.
"Seizures during adolescence can get better or worse or stay the same," he said.
And the risk of seizures is higher for children with disabilities such as autism and cerebral palsy, Shinnar said.
Jett Travolta had a developmental disability that his parents have linked to Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory disorder of the artery walls that most commonly occurs in young children.
An autopsy of the actors' son was completed Monday, and the body was cremated that evening, the funeral home source said.
Jett was found unconscious in the bathroom Friday while on vacation with his family. Michael Ossi, an attorney for Travolta, told CNN last week that Jett had a seizure that morning at the family's home in a resort area. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital and pronounced dead on arrival, according to local police.
People.com reported that Travolta, Preston and their 8-year-old daughter Ella Blue arrived in Florida on Monday night with Jett's ashes. The reports that a seizure disorder caused Jett's death were preliminary, Gupta said.
"It tells us more about what did not happen than the ultimate cause of death. It rules out brain injury, bleeding on brain, skull fractures, rules out heart problems due to Kawasaki disease, which is the disease the Travoltas say their son suffered," he said.
Kawasaki disease, believed to be caused by an infection, inflames the heart muscles. In 2001, Travolta told CNN's Larry King that his son had a near brush with death related to the condition.
"I was obsessive about cleaning -- his space being clean, so we constantly had the carpets cleaned. And I think, between him, the fumes and walking around, maybe picking up pieces or something, he got what is rarely a thing to deal with, but it's Kawasaki syndrome," Travolta said of his then-2-year-old son.
Dr. Cam Patterson, general cardiologist at the University of North Carolina and a genetics expert who follows Kawasaki disease, told CNN, "There is no real good link at all between Kawasaki disease and cleaning products.
"Kawasaki disease is due to an abnormal immunnologic response, probably to an infectious agent or infection we don't yet understand," Patterson said. "There is nothing that links environmental toxins to this problem."
Someone with Kawasaki could have seizures for one of two reasons, but they would be rare, he said.
"One, sometime in the past one of the arteries in the brain ruptured and caused stroke," he said. "Two, if the artery had enlarged enough, it could be pressing on parts of brain and that could cause seizure. Both possibilities are unusual for Kawasaki disease."
A very small study released in 1991 found an association between cases of Kawasaki disease in homes where carpet had been cleaned in the past 30 days.
"It's very easy to find correlations, but doesn't mean causative," Patterson said.
The next step
|
[
"who is affected",
"What is Kawasaki disease?",
"what causes the seizures",
"What caused the death of Jett Travolta?",
"What disorders can cause seizures?",
"Who is Jett Travolta?",
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] |
[
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"genetics, stroke, brain tumor, lack of oxygen, low blood sugar, drugs, even certain medications,\"",
"and Kelly Preston's two children.",
"Kawasaki"
] |
question: who is affected, answer: adolescents, | question: What is Kawasaki disease?, answer: inflammatory disorder of the artery walls that most commonly occurs in young children. | question: what causes the seizures, answer: genetics, stroke, brain tumor, lack of oxygen, low blood sugar, drugs, even certain medications," | question: What caused the death of Jett Travolta?, answer: seizure disorder | question: What disorders can cause seizures?, answer: genetics, stroke, brain tumor, lack of oxygen, low blood sugar, drugs, even certain medications," | question: Who is Jett Travolta?, answer: and Kelly Preston's two children. | question: what is the disease, answer: Kawasaki
|
(CNN) -- Chronic seizures can present a risk for adolescents, whose bodies and metabolism are changing.
Jett Travolta was the elder of John Travolta and Kelly Preston's two children.
A seizure disorder caused the death of Jett Travolta, the 16-year-old son of actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston, a source at a Bahamas funeral home told CNN.
"Literally dozens of different disorders can cause seizures: genetics, stroke, brain tumor, lack of oxygen, low blood sugar, drugs, even certain medications," said Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent.
Another expert said the teen years bring risks for those with seizures. "Adolescence is a time, even if you don't talk about children with any seizure disorder, where things change in a child," said Dr. Shlomo Shinnar of Montefiore Medical Center in New York.
There are effective drugs to treat seizures. As children grow, their bodies and metabolism change, perhaps causing a need to adjust their dosage, said Shinnar, a professor of neurology and pediatrics and director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Management Center at Montefiore.
"Seizures during adolescence can get better or worse or stay the same," he said.
And the risk of seizures is higher for children with disabilities such as autism and cerebral palsy, Shinnar said.
Jett Travolta had a developmental disability that his parents have linked to Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory disorder of the artery walls that most commonly occurs in young children.
An autopsy of the actors' son was completed Monday, and the body was cremated that evening, the funeral home source said.
Jett was found unconscious in the bathroom Friday while on vacation with his family. Michael Ossi, an attorney for Travolta, told CNN last week that Jett had a seizure that morning at the family's home in a resort area. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital and pronounced dead on arrival, according to local police.
People.com reported that Travolta, Preston and their 8-year-old daughter Ella Blue arrived in Florida on Monday night with Jett's ashes. The reports that a seizure disorder caused Jett's death were preliminary, Gupta said.
"It tells us more about what did not happen than the ultimate cause of death. It rules out brain injury, bleeding on brain, skull fractures, rules out heart problems due to Kawasaki disease, which is the disease the Travoltas say their son suffered," he said.
Kawasaki disease, believed to be caused by an infection, inflames the heart muscles. In 2001, Travolta told CNN's Larry King that his son had a near brush with death related to the condition.
"I was obsessive about cleaning -- his space being clean, so we constantly had the carpets cleaned. And I think, between him, the fumes and walking around, maybe picking up pieces or something, he got what is rarely a thing to deal with, but it's Kawasaki syndrome," Travolta said of his then-2-year-old son.
Dr. Cam Patterson, general cardiologist at the University of North Carolina and a genetics expert who follows Kawasaki disease, told CNN, "There is no real good link at all between Kawasaki disease and cleaning products.
"Kawasaki disease is due to an abnormal immunnologic response, probably to an infectious agent or infection we don't yet understand," Patterson said. "There is nothing that links environmental toxins to this problem."
Someone with Kawasaki could have seizures for one of two reasons, but they would be rare, he said.
"One, sometime in the past one of the arteries in the brain ruptured and caused stroke," he said. "Two, if the artery had enlarged enough, it could be pressing on parts of brain and that could cause seizure. Both possibilities are unusual for Kawasaki disease."
A very small study released in 1991 found an association between cases of Kawasaki disease in homes where carpet had been cleaned in the past 30 days.
"It's very easy to find correlations, but doesn't mean causative," Patterson said.
The next step
|
[
"what can be caused by dozens of disorders",
"What was the cause of dead of Jett Travolta?",
"what has the family linked seizures to",
"Seizure said to have caused the death of whom?",
"who did seizures cause the death of",
"what can be caused by dozens of disorders, genetics?",
"What can cause seizures in teenagers?",
"Family has linked seizures to which disease?",
"What disease did the family link the seizures to?"
] |
[
"seizures: genetics, stroke, brain tumor, lack of oxygen, low blood sugar, drugs,",
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"\"Literally dozens of different disorders",
"Kawasaki",
"Kawasaki"
] |
question: what can be caused by dozens of disorders, answer: seizures: genetics, stroke, brain tumor, lack of oxygen, low blood sugar, drugs, | question: What was the cause of dead of Jett Travolta?, answer: seizure disorder | question: what has the family linked seizures to, answer: Kawasaki disease, | question: Seizure said to have caused the death of whom?, answer: Jett Travolta, | question: who did seizures cause the death of, answer: Jett Travolta, | question: what can be caused by dozens of disorders, genetics?, answer: stroke, brain tumor, lack of oxygen, low blood sugar, drugs, even certain medications," | question: What can cause seizures in teenagers?, answer: "Literally dozens of different disorders | question: Family has linked seizures to which disease?, answer: Kawasaki | question: What disease did the family link the seizures to?, answer: Kawasaki
|
(CNN) -- Chuck Klosterman's seventh book and second novel, "The Visible Man" (Scribner), is out Tuesday.
Its story is told by an Austin, Texas, therapist named Victoria Vick and centers around one of her clients, Y___, a man whose name we never learn and who, more importantly, has an unusual talent. Thanks to a suit and some cream he helped develop, Y___ can basically render himself invisible to the untrained eye.
But more than simply a book about a guy with a special ability, "The Visible Man" is about how people act when they're not being watched, and the sketchy moral line that's crossed by the watcher. CNN spoke with Klosterman about the inspiration for the book, writing about and participating in the interview process, and how no one is going to relate to the two main characters in his new novel.
CNN: What was the inspiration for "The Visible Man"?
Chuck Klosterman: I think it was probably when I was writing the previous book, the essay collection (2009's "Eating the Dinosaur"). I had to reread H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine" for an essay I was writing.
I was living in Germany at the time, teaching for the University of Leipzig, so I got it through Amazon Europe or whatever, and it was an edition of the book that was "The Time Machine" and "The Invisible Man." So I decided I would read "The Invisible Man" too, since I hadn't read it since fifth or sixth grade. It was a totally different book than I'd remembered (which is what happens when) you're an adult. The thing that was most interesting to me was that the invisible man was such a jerk. He was just this kind of egocentric, weird person.
Of course, as I thought it over, what type of personality would pursue something like invisibility? It would have to be someone who was both very smart and really sort of egocentric -- would lack the normal boundaries a person would have. At the same time, I was thinking a lot about the process of interviewing. Sort of the unreality of being interviewed. I started to wonder, if you really want to understand what someone's like, how would you do it? Interviewing or surveying or anything when a person is around other people is so impacted by the experience. So those two things together sort of ended up becoming this book.
CNN: You like to talk about interviewing while being interviewed. Having written this book, which includes a lot of interview-based conversation, was your position on interviewing altered?
Klosterman: No. The more you profile people and the more you try to learn things from people through asking them questions, the shortcoming and failures of this process become more and more present in your mind. I can't imagine that, as I grow older, I'm going to reverse my thinking and start believing the interviewing process is more valuable than I think now. It will probably just keep eroding.
But here's the trick, or, I guess, the paradox: Even though interviewing is this incredibly flawed process, it's still the best means we have for understanding people we don't know. It's completely imperfect, but still better than every other option.
CNN: Do you think your opinion of interviewing will erode to the point where you no longer interview people or get interviewed?
Klosterman: What else would I do? I mean, I'm a journalist. There's certainly a thinking, and I didn't see this as much when I worked in newspapers, but when I moved to New York and ended up being surrounded mostly by critics, I came to the realization that a lot of people sort of work under the impression that not only is interviewing not helpful, but that it's mostly detrimental.
That if you want to write about the band Wilco, it's a disadvantage to meet Jeff Tweedy, because that's going to warp your real perception of
|
[
"What can the main character do?",
"who can render himself invisible?",
"What can the main character render himself as",
"What was he partially inspired by",
"who is partially inspired by the classic \"The Invisible Man\"?"
] |
[
"basically render himself invisible to the untrained eye.",
"Y___",
"invisible to the untrained eye.",
"H.G. Wells' \"The Time Machine\"",
"Chuck Klosterman:"
] |
question: What can the main character do?, answer: basically render himself invisible to the untrained eye. | question: who can render himself invisible?, answer: Y___ | question: What can the main character render himself as, answer: invisible to the untrained eye. | question: What was he partially inspired by, answer: H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine" | question: who is partially inspired by the classic "The Invisible Man"?, answer: Chuck Klosterman:
|
(CNN) -- Churches can stop a shooter or anyone else intent on harming church members with the proper security measures in place, an expert on protecting places of worship said Monday.
Police say the attacker walked into First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois, on Sunday and began firing.
"A church is not helpless when they have a plan, and properly trained security," said Jeff Hawkins, the executive director of the Christian Security Network.
First Baptist Church in Maryville, Illinois, had a security plan in place when a gunman walked into services Sunday morning and killed Pastor Fred Winters, said Tim Lawson, another pastor at the church.
Lawson told CNN he was not prepared to disclose details of his church's security plan on Monday.
But Maryville police Chief Rich Schardam said Winters was keenly aware of the security issues, had sought out police advice and had identified police and medical personnel in the congregation who could help in an emergency.
"They did have plans on what to do," Schardam said Monday.
Schardam said neither of the men who subdued the gunman had a law enforcement background.
"Those parishioners were just real-life heroes," Pastor Lawson said. See how gunman killed Illinois pastor »
Schardam said the suspect in Sunday's shooting, 27-year-old Terry J. Sedlacek, had no known relationship to the church or Winters, and random attacks are impossible to anticipate.
Hawkins called the Illinois killing "tragic," but he said in the year or so since the Christian Security Network has been actively training churches, numerous other tragedies have been averted.
"These incidents aren't going to make the news," said Hawkins. "But they are happening everywhere, big city or small town."
Hundreds of church leaders have told him about all kinds of attacks they have recently faced, from arsons and burglaries to assaults on members and church leaders. In the first two months of 2009, churches have described more than 140 acts of violence to the Network, he said.
In one incident, congregants noticed a person dressed inappropriately for the weather and acting odd. The man was taken outside and questioned. Under his coat, he had two machetes strapped to his back.
"He said that he had been hearing the devil speaking to him, telling him to cut the pastor's head off," Hawkins said. "There was no struggle, and everything was calm. The man was removed."
Hawkins combined his professional security background with his experience working in a Christian ministry in founding Christian Security Network last year, not long after a gunman killed two people and wounded seven in a Knoxville, Tennessee, church. The shooter attacked children who were performing a musical in front of the congregation.
Violent crime in churches is not tracked, Hawkins said.
"The church is really behind in secular world in terms of planning," he said. Browse a U.S. map of other recent church shootings »
It's essential that a church must balance having a security presence while still keeping a house of worship open to everyone, he said. "Some churches choose armed guards, some have a much more subtle security presence where you wouldn't even know it's there."
A church should have five security plans in place to deal with evacuation, long-term shelter, medical emergencies, lost or missing children and violent confrontations, he said.
"Every church is different so you need something that is going to work for that particular church's culture and size," he said. "And I think now, especially after September 11, people want to feel secure. They want to know if they bring their family somewhere, it's going to be a safe environment.
"Everyone should approach this realistically and not say, 'This couldn't happen here in church,' because we see it happen all the time."
Dale Annis, founder of Church Security Services, a consulting company that advises houses of worship on security strategies, told CNN in November that his business has been growing for five years
|
[
"What did the police say about the attack?",
"What does security planning do?",
"When was the pastor gunned down?",
"What averted numerous tragedies?",
"Who was attacked?",
"In what state did the shooting take place?",
"Who was killed?"
] |
[
"the attacker walked into First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois, on Sunday and began firing.",
"deal with evacuation, long-term shelter, medical emergencies, lost or missing children and violent confrontations,",
"Sunday",
"the Christian Security Network has been actively training churches,",
"children",
"Illinois,",
"Pastor Fred Winters,"
] |
question: What did the police say about the attack?, answer: the attacker walked into First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois, on Sunday and began firing. | question: What does security planning do?, answer: deal with evacuation, long-term shelter, medical emergencies, lost or missing children and violent confrontations, | question: When was the pastor gunned down?, answer: Sunday | question: What averted numerous tragedies?, answer: the Christian Security Network has been actively training churches, | question: Who was attacked?, answer: children | question: In what state did the shooting take place?, answer: Illinois, | question: Who was killed?, answer: Pastor Fred Winters,
|
(CNN) -- Civil rights activist Dorothy Height, 98, remained in "very serious, but stable condition" Saturday, her friend and spokeswoman said.
A flurry of rumors about Height's death appeared Saturday on the Internet, particularly on the social networking site Twitter, where her name was a trending topic. Wikipedia also briefly reported Height's death.
Height remains hospitalized, according to Alexis Herman, her friend and former secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton. Height was admitted to Howard University Hospital earlier this week. Further details about her condition were not immediately available.
"We are grateful for the professional care of her doctors," Herman said in a written statement. "We especially thank everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support during this challenging time."
Height, who turned 98 Wednesday, is chair and president emerita of the National Council of Negro Women. In the 1960s, she worked alongside civil rights pioneers, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., future U.S. Rep. John Lewis and A. Philip Randolph.
She has been active in civil rights since the New Deal era, according to her biography on the National Council of Negro Women's Web site.
As a leader of the United Christian Youth Movement of North America beginning in 1933, "she worked to prevent lynching, desegregate the armed forces, reform the criminal justice system and for free access to public accommodations," the site says.
She was elected president of the NCNW in 1957 and held the post until 1998.
CNN's Lindy Royce contributed to this report.
|
[
"Who remains hospitalized?",
"What has Height been active in?",
"What age is Dorothy Height?"
] |
[
"Dorothy Height,",
"civil rights",
"98,"
] |
question: Who remains hospitalized?, answer: Dorothy Height, | question: What has Height been active in?, answer: civil rights | question: What age is Dorothy Height?, answer: 98,
|
(CNN) -- Civilians are in hiding in the Yemeni capital as protesters and government forces struggle for control on the streets of Sanaa.
Residents in Sanaa are stranded in their homes, and some even fear looking out of their windows as they are left to wonder how long the violence will rage around them.
"We can't leave our houses to get food for our children. As soon as we walk on the street we are shot," says Rami al-Shaibani, a Sanaa resident.
Thousands protested in Sanaa's Change Square last week, but this week the square has been quiet, except for groups of youths carrying away the dead and helping the injured. Multiple witnesses and medics said dozens were killed in a violent government crackdown that started on Sunday.
Protesters have used Change Square for a seven-month sit-in demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. He is recuperating in Saudi Arabia from a attack in June on his palace but has vowed to return to Yemen to finish his term.
Each wounded protester was carried by six or seven others -- sometimes friends of the casualty -- and taken to the medical camp in the square. Drops of blood created trails on the ground tracing the long, bloody route to a field hospital.
At the medical camp, hundreds of young people were covered in blood and screaming from pain. Thousands more volunteered and donated blood for those in need. It seemed that not a minute passed without another injured youth entering the medical camp.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has called for calm in Yemen, which, it said, is facing an "unprecedented level of violence."
With the limited-capacity field hospital full of patients, doctors made a desperate call for volunteers to try to help save the injured.
Dozens were killed and more than 700 were wounded -- many of them by gunshots -- over the last three days in clashes with the military, according to medical staff in Change Square.
Eyewitnesses said they had seen snipers on the rooftops of buildings surrounding the square firing almost continuously.
In one incident, an ambulance carrying three injured protesters flipped over when a rocket propelled grenade hit it, killing all five on board, the medical staff added.
Abdul Rahman Barman, the executive director of a local human rights organization, said Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime is attacking with no limits and does not differentiate between civilians, protesters or gunmen.
The Yemeni government has repeatedly denied accusations of excessive use of force, and said the government is committed to establishing a peaceful transfer of power. Yemeni officials have said forces cracked down on those committing acts of violence during protests. Vice President Abdu Rabu Hadi has called for a cease-fire from all sides, state-run Saba news agency reported.
|
[
"How many were killed in government crackdown?",
"Where were the snipers firing?",
"Who fired on crowds?",
"What did the Red Cross say?",
"What is the name of the capital?",
"What is Yemen facing?",
"What happened since Sunday??"
] |
[
"dozens",
"Yemen,",
"snipers",
"is facing an \"unprecedented level of violence.\"",
"Sanaa",
"\"unprecedented level of violence.\"",
"violent government crackdown"
] |
question: How many were killed in government crackdown?, answer: dozens | question: Where were the snipers firing?, answer: Yemen, | question: Who fired on crowds?, answer: snipers | question: What did the Red Cross say?, answer: is facing an "unprecedented level of violence." | question: What is the name of the capital?, answer: Sanaa | question: What is Yemen facing?, answer: "unprecedented level of violence." | question: What happened since Sunday??, answer: violent government crackdown
|
(CNN) -- Clashes were reported Friday in Bahrain's capital on the eve of parliamentary elections in the country.
Security forces were sent to rallies to deal with what the Interior Ministry called "illegal acts which resulted from demonstrations," the state news agency reported.
The ministry said that saboteurs and outlaws stormed the City Center mall in Manama Friday afternoon, "intent on sowing chaos and terrorizing shoppers," according to the Bahrain News Agency. Those arrested will face legal action, officials said. The ministry blamed the rallies on "instigative calls posted on social networking sites."
Unspecified arrests and injuries were reported in the clashes. It was not clear late Friday how many involved pro- or anti-government protesters. There also were unconfirmed reports of tear gas used by security forces on demonstrators.
City Center was back to normal late Friday, according to the Interior Ministry.
A march on the Lulu Square area of Manama brought a halt to traffic in much of the capital.
A heavy police presence was evident as people prepared to vote Saturday. Residents of some villages have vowed to boycott.
The elections are being held to replace 18 seats that were vacated by Al-Wefaq, the country's largest opposition party. The party vacated the seats to protest the treatment of demonstrators during February's unrest in Bahrain.
An opposition group called The February 14 Coalition said it planned to launch protests on Friday and Saturday in the newly named Martyr's Square, the site formerly known as Pearl Roundabout.
"Just like all other freedom-loving people living in real democracies across the globe, we, the people of Bahrain have the right to choose the way in which we are governed," the group said.
The Youth Coalition of February 14 announced it would be holding a sit-in demonstration at the same location.
Addressing an opposition rally in Tubli, a village south of Manama, Thursday, Sheikh Ali Salman, head of the Al-Wefaq party said, "when we talk about democracy we want democracy like that of Westminster, France, and America, not the democracy of Saddam Hussein, nor the democracy of Zine El Abidine, nor the democracy of Gadhafi."
Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, president of Bahrain's Information Affairs Authority, said he expected voter turnout to be encouraging Saturday, according to the state-run Bahrain News Agency.
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was attending the U.N. General Assembly in New York. On Thursday he spoke about the need for reforms "aimed to provide decent living conditions, security and tranquility in a society of peaceful coexistence."
|
[
"The people of Bahrain have the right to chose what",
"What was vacated?",
"How many seats will be replaced in Saturdays election",
"\"The people of Bahrain have the right to",
"Where have the clashes been reported",
"How many seats will it replace?",
"What is reported?"
] |
[
"choose the way in which we are governed,\"",
"18 seats",
"18",
"choose the way in which we are governed,\"",
"Bahrain's capital",
"18",
"Clashes"
] |
question: The people of Bahrain have the right to chose what, answer: choose the way in which we are governed," | question: What was vacated?, answer: 18 seats | question: How many seats will be replaced in Saturdays election, answer: 18 | question: "The people of Bahrain have the right to, answer: choose the way in which we are governed," | question: Where have the clashes been reported, answer: Bahrain's capital | question: How many seats will it replace?, answer: 18 | question: What is reported?, answer: Clashes
|
(CNN) -- Classes resumed last Thursday at the University of Kansas at Lawrence, and by Monday 47 students had swine flu, a college official said.
The CDC recommends someone sick with the virus remain out of class for 24 hours after fever has abated on its own.
Although that's less than two-tenths of 1 percent of the 27,000-member student body, and no one has died or been hospitalized, the school has moved into action.
"The sanitizer's out," said Todd Cohen, director of university relations.
The university sent e-mails to faculty members asking them to create contingency plans so that sick students are not required to go to class, and to commuter students and their parents warning them that the students may have to be isolated if they fall ill.
That same message has gone to students in dormitories. Arrangements are being made to isolate anyone who's sick in their rooms by moving out their roommates and dropping off meals, Cohen said.
None of the school's cases of swine flu -- also called H1N1 -- has proven fatal or resulted in a hospitalization, he said, and none of the reported cases has been confirmed. Public health officials are simply assuming that anyone with flu symptoms has swine flu, because it's the only form of the virus in circulation, he said.
The school's health center can do little for those who show up for help. "They're basically told to go home and rest and get better," Cohen said.
Vaccines are unlikely to help much this year. Supplies are not expected until late October, and require some five weeks from the first inoculation -- two are required -- before they become effective. "By then, it's December and the semester is almost over," he said.
So public health officials are focusing on more basic medical efforts. Students already overloaded with information at the start of the semester are being urged to sneeze into their sleeves, wash their hands frequently and stay home if they get sick, Cohen said.
"It really comes down to them taking personal action," he said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends someone sick with the virus remain out of class for 24 hours after fever has abated on its own.
Firm figures on just how many people have the illness are tough to come by. Doctors are not required to report it to state or federal health officials, said Maggie Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
"We've stopped accepting tests from county health departments," she said. Instead, the department is focusing on a surveillance system that will test only those sites deemed representative. Otherwise, Thompson said, the state's laboratories would become overwhelmed. "There are just too many numbers."
The state stopped counting laboratory-confirmed cases at 324: "But that is just a fraction of what we think is going on," she said. "There could be as many as 10,000 cases in Kansas already."
KU students are not the only ones catching swine flu, Thompson said: "If you called any university of this size around the country it's probably going to be about the same."
At Auburn University in Alabama, 10 cases have been reported among the 24,000 students who started classes last Monday, a spokeswoman said.
"So far, everybody seems to be recovering," said Deedie Dowdle. The school's emergency management team was meeting this week to decide how to handle larger-scale absences, she said.
"I'm getting lots of reports of outbreaks in the Southeast Conference," said Dr. James Turner, president of the American College Health Association.
"I'm anticipating several thousand cases among college students this fall."
Among the preparations are plans for mass vaccinations, he said. But with school just beginning, much remains unknown, he said. "We are just kind of hunkering down right now waiting to see where this goes."
Turner is also executive director for student health at the University of Virginia, where classes are slated
|
[
"How many cases of swine flu are at the University of Kansas?",
"How many cases of swine flu have been found at U of Kansas at Lawrence?",
"What number of cases are there?"
] |
[
"47",
"47",
"324:"
] |
question: How many cases of swine flu are at the University of Kansas?, answer: 47 | question: How many cases of swine flu have been found at U of Kansas at Lawrence?, answer: 47 | question: What number of cases are there?, answer: 324:
|
(CNN) -- Claudio Marchisio's late double gave Juventus a 2-0 win over reigning champions AC Milan Sunday to go back to the top of the Serie A standings.
The game in Turin looked set to end in a draw until Marchisio scored three minutes from time then added a late second to seal three points which put Juve ahead of Udinese on goal scored.
Defeat continued Milan's poor start to the campaign and they lanquish in 15th, two places and a point ahead of arch-rivals Inter.
Juventus created a number of openings to break the deadlock but with the clock counting down made the breakthrough.
Marchisio went for a one-two with Mirko Vucinic but in trying to intercept Milan's Daniele Bonera only succeeded in slamming the ball onto Marchisio's foot and into the net.
In injury time, Marchisio beat Christian Abbiati with a long range strike which the goalkeeper should have saved.
Earlier, Udinese kept pace with a 2-0 win over Bologna as Mehdi Benatia gave them the lead on 29 minutes.
Captain Antonio Di Natale scored the second from the penalty spot after Pablo Armero had been fouled.
Napoli are a point behind in third following a fine 3-0 win at 10-man Inter Saturday.
Meanwhile in the German Bundesliga Sunday, coach Huub Stevens made a winning start for Schalke as they won 2-1 at Hamburg.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar opened the scoring after 13 minutes only for Mladen Petric to level seven minutes before the break.
Dutch ace Huntelaar grabbed the winner with 17 minutes left.
In the other match played, Werder Bremen failed in their bid to join Bayern Munich at the top of the table as they were beaten 3-2 by Hanover.
Mohammed Abdellaoue scored a hat-trick for Hanover, who held on despite a late Claudio Pizarro goal for Bremen.
|
[
"Who scored the goals?",
"Who scored two late goals?",
"Who won the match?",
"Who is the Schalke coach?",
"Who is Huub Stevens?",
"Who did Juventus play?"
] |
[
"Marchisio",
"Marchisio's",
"Juventus",
"Huub Stevens",
"coach",
"AC Milan"
] |
question: Who scored the goals?, answer: Marchisio | question: Who scored two late goals?, answer: Marchisio's | question: Who won the match?, answer: Juventus | question: Who is the Schalke coach?, answer: Huub Stevens | question: Who is Huub Stevens?, answer: coach | question: Who did Juventus play?, answer: AC Milan
|
(CNN) -- Claudio Ranieri's Roma side are through to the final of the Italian Cup, despite losing 1-0 to Udinese in the second leg of their semifinal on Wednesday.
Serie A leaders Roma will now face Inter Milan at their own Olympic stadium next month in a battle of the leading two teams in the table -- after going through 2-1 on aggregate.
Remarkably it will be the fifth time in six seasons that the teams are meeting in the final, with each winning two finals apiece prior to May's showpiece.
The only goal came with nine minutes remaining when Alexis Sanchez fired a shot through goalkeeper Julio Sergio's legs from an acute angle.
That gave Roma some nervy moments as the clock ran down. Marco Cassetti was sent off for a second bookable offence, meaning the visitors played the last six minutes with just 10 men.
And they were lucky not to concede again when Gokhan Inler's fierce drive from long range struck the post.
Serie A champions Inter secured their place in the final with a 2-0 aggregate win over Fiorentina last week.
Meanwhile, in the English Premier League, Aston Villa boosted their hopes of reaching the fourth Champions League place with a 2-0 win at relegation-threatened Hull.
Gabriel Agbonlahor put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute, taking advantage of some poor Hull defending.
And Villa secured their win when James Milner netted a 75th-minute penalty after the England midfielder had been fouled in the area by George Boateng.
Villa are up to sixth place, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham although they have played a game more, while remain third bottom of the table, three points behind fourth bottom West Ham United.
|
[
"How many times has Roma faced Milan?",
"What are Roma through to?",
"Who did they lose to in the second leg of the semifinal?",
"Who did they lose to in the second leg of their semifinal?",
"Where is the Italian Cup being held?",
"Who made it through to the final of the Italian Cup?",
"Who will Roma now face?"
] |
[
"fifth",
"to the final of the Italian Cup,",
"Udinese",
"Udinese",
"Milan",
"Ranieri's Roma side",
"Inter Milan"
] |
question: How many times has Roma faced Milan?, answer: fifth | question: What are Roma through to?, answer: to the final of the Italian Cup, | question: Who did they lose to in the second leg of the semifinal?, answer: Udinese | question: Who did they lose to in the second leg of their semifinal?, answer: Udinese | question: Where is the Italian Cup being held?, answer: Milan | question: Who made it through to the final of the Italian Cup?, answer: Ranieri's Roma side | question: Who will Roma now face?, answer: Inter Milan
|
(CNN) -- Cleanup efforts unfolded Monday in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, after torrential monsoon rain over the weekend killed dozens, cut power to 15 million and broke a 32-year record.
Pakistanis push a stranded auto-rickshaw along a flooded street in Karachi on Sunday.
Officials combed the city looking for bodies. The health department confirmed 32 deaths and said it received reports of more.
"Most of them are either from drowning or they were deaths when the walls or roofs of their houses collapses," said Dr. A.D. Sajnani of the health department.
"The entire city is disrupted," said Muhammad Aly Balagamwala, a Karachi businessman. "Most places lost power for 28 to 30 hours, and some are still without power. The rain flooded offices. We lost water. Everything is shut down."
Many residents took to the streets to protest the massive power outage in the southern city. They threw rocks at the offices of the power company and burned tires.
"I guess there comes a point you just snap and you can't take it anymore," Balagamwala said. "To the credit of the government, a lot of cleanup work has been done since last night."
The rain began Friday night, and by Sunday the city had received almost 9 inches (22.9 cm), the most since 1977, said Mayor Syed Mustafa Kamal.
Storm drains overflowed, water-logging streets and alleyways.
Monsoon rains sweep across the subcontinent from June to September. While they bring much-needed relief to often-parched farmlands, they also leave a trail of landslides, home collapses and floods that sometimes claim dozens of lives.
|
[
"When was the last time there was this much rainfall?",
"How much rainfall did Karachi have?",
"When was the last time the city had as much rain?",
"What caused most deaths?",
"Which city received 9 inches of rain?",
"Deaths were mostly from what causes?",
"How much rain did Karachi have?",
"How many inches are there in 22.9 cms?"
] |
[
"1977,",
"9 inches (22.9 cm),",
"1977,",
"when the walls or roofs of their houses collapses,\"",
"Karachi,",
"when the walls or roofs of their houses collapses,\"",
"almost 9 inches (22.9 cm),",
"almost 9"
] |
question: When was the last time there was this much rainfall?, answer: 1977, | question: How much rainfall did Karachi have?, answer: 9 inches (22.9 cm), | question: When was the last time the city had as much rain?, answer: 1977, | question: What caused most deaths?, answer: when the walls or roofs of their houses collapses," | question: Which city received 9 inches of rain?, answer: Karachi, | question: Deaths were mostly from what causes?, answer: when the walls or roofs of their houses collapses," | question: How much rain did Karachi have?, answer: almost 9 inches (22.9 cm), | question: How many inches are there in 22.9 cms?, answer: almost 9
|
(CNN) -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by the National Football League, days after he pleaded guilty to killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol, the NFL said.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth on Tuesday pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter.
Stallworth, 28, pleaded guilty in a Florida court Tuesday to DUI manslaughter charges in the March death of construction worker Mario Reyes. Under terms of a plea agreement, he will serve 30 days. Prosecutors said he began serving his sentence immediately.
"The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told Stallworth in a letter Thursday, the league said. Excerpts from the letter were posted on the NFL Web site.
"While the criminal justice system has determined the legal consequences of this incident, it is my responsibility as NFL commissioner to determine appropriate league discipline for your actions, which have caused irreparable harm to the victim and his family, your club, your fellow players and the NFL."
Stallworth's suspension is effective immediately, the league said. Goodell wrote in the letter that "in due course" the league would contact his attorney to schedule a meeting with him, after which a final determination would be made on discipline.
Stallworth was driving his black Bentley GT east on the MacArthur Causeway, which connects Miami, Florida, to the South Beach area of Miami Beach, when he struck Reyes on the morning of March 14, according to prosecutors. He had been drinking at a Miami Beach club, according to court documents. His blood alcohol level was 0.126 percent, prosecutors said; Florida's legal limit is 0.08.
Reyes, 59, reportedly was heading to a bus stop after work when he was struck. Court documents said he suffered "critical head, chest and abdominal injuries" and died at a hospital.
When police arrived at the scene, Stallworth told them he was the driver of the car and admitted striking Reyes.
During Tuesday's hearing, Stallworth offered his "deepest condolences to the Reyes family."
"Though I cannot bring back Mr. Reyes or ease his family's pain, I can and will honor his memory by committing my time, my resources and my voice by educating this community about the dangers of drunk driving," he said.
Stallworth could have served up to 15 years in prison. But State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle noted in a statement that he cooperated with authorities and had no previous criminal record or traffic violations. Reyes' family supported the plea agreement, she said.
Stallworth's attorney, Chris Lyons, on Tuesday told CNN sister network HLN that Stallworth had reached an "amicable" financial settlement with Reyes' family but would not disclose the amount. He said the length of Stallworth's jail term "had nothing to do with Donte Stallworth being a celebrity, a professional football player or money."
Stallworth has shown "genuine remorse" and accepted responsibility for his actions, Lyons said.
Goodell wrote Stallworth that there is "ample evidence to warrant significant discipline" under both the NFL's personal conduct and substance abuse policies. "There is no reasonable dispute that your continued eligibility for participation at this time would undermine the integrity of and public confidence in the league," the letter said.
"Everyone associated with the league derives tremendous benefits from participating in our game and from the extraordinary support we receive from the public," Goodell wrote. "With these benefits comes, among other things, the responsibility to conduct ourselves in a lawful and responsible way, with no entitlement to or expectation of favorable treatment."
Goodell notified NFL clubs earlier this year that there would be increased emphasis on addressing driving under the influence and other misconduct, the league said. It noted the NFL offers a "safe rides" program used by most clubs to provide players and other employees with alternative transportation if they have been drinking.
Under terms of Stallworth's plea agreement, he will face two years of house arrest upon his release. He is also required to donate $2,500
|
[
"who is the Cleveland Browns wide receiver?",
"How many days is Stallworth serving in jail?",
"What charge did Stallworth plead guilty to?",
"who is the NFL comissioner?",
"What is the legal limit for blood alcohol in Florida?",
"how many days in jail have to serve Stallworth?",
"Who is the NFL Commissioner?",
"What did Stallworth plead guilty to?"
] |
[
"Donte Stallworth",
"30",
"killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol,",
"Roger Goodell",
"0.08.",
"30",
"Roger Goodell",
"killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol,"
] |
question: who is the Cleveland Browns wide receiver?, answer: Donte Stallworth | question: How many days is Stallworth serving in jail?, answer: 30 | question: What charge did Stallworth plead guilty to?, answer: killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol, | question: who is the NFL comissioner?, answer: Roger Goodell | question: What is the legal limit for blood alcohol in Florida?, answer: 0.08. | question: how many days in jail have to serve Stallworth?, answer: 30 | question: Who is the NFL Commissioner?, answer: Roger Goodell | question: What did Stallworth plead guilty to?, answer: killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol,
|
(CNN) -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was charged in Florida on Wednesday with killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade County state attorney's office said.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth has been charged with DUI manslaughter
Authorities charged Stallworth, 28, with DUI manslaughter in the death of Mario Reyes, spokesman Ed Griffith said.
Stallworth is expected to surrender in court Thursday, Griffith said. The charge is a bondable offense, and bail is expected to be set at $200,000.
If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.
According to Griffith, Stallworth's blood-alcohol level after last month's accident was measured at 0.126 percent, higher than the state's legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Stallworth was drinking at a Miami Beach, Florida, club early March 14, court documents say. He later left the club and went to a Miami residence for about 45 minutes before leaving in his black Bentley GT at 7:07 a.m.
He was driving east on the MacArthur Causeway, which connects Miami to the South Beach area of Miami Beach, when he struck Reyes, prosecutors said. Reyes, a construction worker, was crossing the eastbound lanes of the causeway. CNN affiliate WSVN reported that he was heading to a bus stop after leaving work.
Reyes, 59, was struck by the right front and fender of the car and suffered critical head, chest and abdominal injuries, according to an affidavit. He died a short time later at a hospital. Read the affidavit (PDF)
Stallworth told the arriving officer, "I hit the man lying in the road," the affidavit said. He said he had time to honk his horn and flash his headlights to alert Reyes, according to the documents. Police smelled alcohol on his breath, the documents said, and Stallworth provided a blood sample at the scene.
Stallworth released a statement four days after the incident saying he and his family were "grief-stricken."
"My thoughts and prayers are with the Reyes family during this incredibly difficult time," he said.
Among the expected conditions of Stallworth's bail are that he consume no alcohol or drugs, submit to random drug and alcohol testing, abide by a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m., surrender his passport and not drive, according to an agreement setting conditions of his release. He will be allowed to reside in Ohio and Florida as needed, but he must notify authorities 24 hours in advance when traveling.
Stallworth and his attorney have been cooperating with authorities, Officer Deborah Doty, spokeswoman for Miami Beach police, said Wednesday.
Stallworth, a former University of Tennessee player, has also played professionally for the New England Patriots, the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles.
CNN's Rich Phillips contributed to this report
|
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"What is the bail amount?",
"How long is a sentence for driving over the influence?",
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"What is the sentence?",
"who is expected to surrender in court?",
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"What was the blood alcohol level?",
"WHat is the bail",
"how many years of imprisonment would stallworth face?"
] |
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"15"
] |
question: What is the bail amount?, answer: $200,000. | question: How long is a sentence for driving over the influence?, answer: 15 years in prison. | question: whose blood-alcohol level was 0.126?, answer: Donte Stallworth | question: What is the sentence?, answer: DUI manslaughter | question: who is expected to surrender in court?, answer: Stallworth | question: What is used by the police to test blood alcohol levels?, answer: sample | question: What was the blood alcohol level?, answer: 0.126 percent, | question: WHat is the bail, answer: $200,000. | question: how many years of imprisonment would stallworth face?, answer: 15
|
(CNN) -- Cliché trailers and unimpressed movie reviews aside, "The Bounty Hunter" was still expected to perform decently at the box office last weekend, some guessing a gross in the neighborhood of $25 million.
In reality, the predictions weren't far off -- the actual box office gross came in at nearly $21 million, which BoxOffice.com editor Phil Contrino described as a solid opening weekend, if a little on the low side.
The true surprise, Contrino said, was Twentieth Century Fox's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" coming out of nowhere and edging past it with an opening weekend gross of $22 million. "It's a situation where there's a movie with no stars aimed at a very specific age group -- teenage boys -- and it beat a movie with two stars," he said.
Yet, Contrino added, Aniston has never been really reliable to open a movie on her own, and she was the bigger star in "Bounty." Gerard Butler, her co-star, is gaining prominence but doesn't have the years of recognition that Aniston has.
The actress was nearly inescapable in 2005 as the media tracked her divorce from actor Brad Pitt, but her thriller "Derailed" and romantic comedy "Rumor Has It" performed modestly at the box office.
Aniston then came back with a hit in 2006 with "The Break-Up," co-starring Vince Vaughn, himself riding a wave of popularity from "Wedding Crashers."
That success -- $39 million opening weekend and $118 million grossed domestically overall -- was immediately followed by "Marley & Me," which grossed $36 million its first weekend, and "He's Just Not That Into You," which Aniston starred in along with a number of other A-List actors.
Yet 2009 brought the flop "Love Happens," which grossed $8 million when it opened in little more than 1,500 theaters in 2009. By all accounts, "Bounty Hunter," beaten by a movie about middle school kids or not, is a step in the right direction.
Judging from her ups and downs at the box office, she's been "far too hit or miss" to be a safe bet at the box office, Contrino said. "The moral of the story is that you can't bank on her."
Yet Aniston's public perception would lead one to believe otherwise, said film critic Nick Schager.
"In general, there's a disconnect between Jennifer Aniston's cultural popularity and her movie star popularity," Schager said. "There are certain people -- and you could make the case for Angelina Jolie as well -- given how rampant tabloid culture has become who are much more famous for that stuff than they are for the actual movies or TV shows."
If anything, said US Weekly's Senior Movie Editor Bradley Jacobs, Aniston's cultural popularity is the reason "Bounty Hunter" got the dollars that it did, despite its current 8 percent fresh rating on RottenTomatoes.com.
"Despite terrible reviews, people still wanted to go," Jacobs said. "Jennifer is still a movie star."
Aniston is one of the top celebrities that US Weekly covers, Jacobs said, and while her press attention may have something to do with her box office draw, Jacobs doesn't think it's the total sum.
"Jessica Simpson is covered a lot but she doesn't have box office power. Cameron Diaz, we cover her a fair amount and her movies have a spottier track," Jacobs said. "There's something about Jennifer -- they love the hair, the body, the clothes and they've shown that they're willing to pay money."
Aniston, Schager believes, is indeed capable of carrying a movie. She just hasn't shown it yet.
"Aniston hasn't proven herself to be a reliable box office draw on her own, but she is a huge star. I think people like Jennifer Aniston, and if there's a movie that looks appealing, it'll do well," Schager said. "
|
[
"Who took the No. 2 spot?",
"the movie \"Bounty Hunter\" received a poor what?"
] |
[
"\"The Bounty Hunter\"",
"reviews,"
] |
question: Who took the No. 2 spot?, answer: "The Bounty Hunter" | question: the movie "Bounty Hunter" received a poor what?, answer: reviews,
|
(CNN) -- Climate protesters demonstrating against Donald Trump's plans for a sports resort broke into a Scottish airport Tuesday, setting up a small golf course and scaling the roof of a terminal building.
Climate protesters broke into Aberdeen Airport in the early hours of Tuesday to demonstrate against plans for expansion.
Flights at Aberdeen airport were returning to normal by midday after the activists breached the security fence overnight, the airport authority said.
Nine members of Plane Stupid, which campaigns against airport expansion and aviation-related climate change, entered the airport grounds at about 2:15 a.m. Tuesday (9:15 p.m. Monday ET), the group said. A spokesman for the airport called the protest "dangerous and highly irresponsible."
By mid-morning, the seven members on the ground had been arrested, but the two protesters remained on the roof, group spokesman Leo Mullay told CNN.
He explained that the group is against plans to expand the one-runway airport for the American millionaire's planned golf resort in the region.
"It's going to cause a huge increase in emissions," Mullay said. "There's simply no capacity within our carbon budget for more flying."
Trump's plans call for a golf resort to be built on 1,400 acres along Scotland's northeast coast, just north of Aberdeen, according to the resort's Web site. Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, is to feature two championship-caliber golf courses and a five-star luxury hotel.
Trump's resort is in the planning stages, project director Neil Hobday told CNN. But he rejected the idea that the airport is expanding because of the Trump resort.
"The runway issue has been going on long before we got here," Hobday told CNN. It's "nothing to do with us. They were going to lengthen the runway whether we were here or not."
The protest caused a backlog of flights at the airport, a major gateway for Scotland and one of Europe's busiest heliports, airport officials said.
Outbound flights resumed just after 9 a.m. (4 a.m. ET), but there remained some delays and cancellations, according to the airport's Web site.
"Despite the runway being open and available for use, the earlier protest is likely to cause some knock-on disruption during the course of the day and passengers are being asked to check the status of their flight," an airport statement said.
|
[
"Who is planning for a 1,400-acre golf resort along Scotland's NE coast?",
"What airport is being mentioned?",
"What did the protest cause at the airport?",
"What do activists claim about Aberdeen?",
"What caused a backlog of flights at the airport?",
"Who is Trump's project director?",
"What did activists claim would have t expand?",
"Who plans a golf resort on a 1,400 acre site on Scotland's coast?",
"What did the protests at the airport cause?",
"Where does Trump plan a golf resort?"
] |
[
"Donald Trump's",
"Aberdeen",
"backlog of flights",
"demonstrate against plans for expansion.",
"protest",
"Neil Hobday",
"one-runway airport",
"Donald Trump's",
"backlog of flights",
"on 1,400 acres along Scotland's northeast coast,"
] |
question: Who is planning for a 1,400-acre golf resort along Scotland's NE coast?, answer: Donald Trump's | question: What airport is being mentioned?, answer: Aberdeen | question: What did the protest cause at the airport?, answer: backlog of flights | question: What do activists claim about Aberdeen?, answer: demonstrate against plans for expansion. | question: What caused a backlog of flights at the airport?, answer: protest | question: Who is Trump's project director?, answer: Neil Hobday | question: What did activists claim would have t expand?, answer: one-runway airport | question: Who plans a golf resort on a 1,400 acre site on Scotland's coast?, answer: Donald Trump's | question: What did the protests at the airport cause?, answer: backlog of flights | question: Where does Trump plan a golf resort?, answer: on 1,400 acres along Scotland's northeast coast,
|
(CNN) -- Clouds of black smoke from burning plastic hang over the sites of Nigeria's vast dumps, as tiny figures pick their way through slicks of oily water, past cracked PC monitors and television screens.
Toxins from dumped electronics in developing countries has been seen as a growing problem.
But it isn't just a cut from broken glass these mainly young scavengers are risking. Much of the discarded electronic kit contains tiny -- but valuable -- quantities of aluminum, copper, cadmium and other minerals, all of which can be sold on, if they can be recovered.
However they also contain highly toxic materials, which have been linked to reproductive problems and cancers.
"People living and working on and around the dump sites, many of whom are children, are exposed to a cocktail of dangerous chemicals that can cause severe damage to health, including cancer, damage to the nervous system and to brain development in children," Kim Schoppink, Toxics Campaigner at Greenpeace, told CNN.
"The open burning creates even more hazardous chemicals among which are cancerous dioxins."
No studies have been done on the extent of the chemical pollution of such sites in Nigeria, but in 2008 a Greenpeace report on similar dumps in nearby Ghana confirmed that high levels of lead, phthalates and dioxins were present in soils and the water of a nearby lagoon.
A Chinese academic report published in "Environmental Health Perspectives" in 2007 confirmed that children living in the same area had higher levels of toxic metals in their blood than other children living nearby.
There is increasing evidence that this new health and environment problem is arriving in shipping containers from Western countries. Nigeria is one of the principal global destinations for "e-waste" -- the catch-all term for discarded consumer electronics.
Some of this may have been legitimately handed in to be recycled in an EU or U.S. city, but lax enforcement, vague legislation and a lack of political will has meant that it instead passes through a network of traders keen to profit from developing countries' hunger for hi-tech and a burgeoning second hand market.
According to the United Nations Environment Program around 20 to 50 million tons of e-waste are generated worldwide each year.
In 2008 a Greenpeace study, "Not in My Backyard", found that in Europe only 25 percent of the e-waste was recycled safely. In the U.S. it is only 20 percent and in developing countries it is less than one percent.
Extrapolating out from these figures the report concluded that a massive 80 percent of e-waste generated worldwide is not properly recycled. Some is burnt in Western incinerators or buried in landfill sites.
But much is exported to developing countries including India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana. When it arrives, a further percentage may be repaired and sold on to populations desperate for affordable technology. But anything beyond the skills of local traders will end up dumped.
It's a profitable business, and is already attracting the attention of organized crime. A report issued by the United Nations in July said that the criminal gangs behind much of the drug trade in West Africa were becoming involved with e-waste trading.
The volume of material on the move is staggering. In 2005, more than 500 containers full of e-waste entered Nigerian ports every month, according to the Basel Action Network, a U.S. NGO campaigning on issues surrounding toxic waste.
Each one contains 10 to 15 tons of e-waste, totaling 60,000 to 90,000 tons per year. These figures are likely to have increased in recent years.
There seems little doubt that much of this waste is finding its way to Africa from Western countries. The Basel Action Network and Dutch NGO Danwatch have traced equipment from Europe to Nigerian dumps and earlier this year Greenpeace placed a radio tracking device in a broken TV handed in for safe recycling in the UK, but followed it to a Nigerian market.
"Greenpeace is disappointed especially by U.S. and EU authorities," said Schoppink.
"It is toxic waste from the U.S. and EU countries that is causing serious environmental and health problems
|
[
"What was involved in e-waste trading according to UN report in July?",
"What is creating health and environment problems?",
"What kind of problems is exporting electronic problems for recycling creating?",
"What does the study from Greenpeace suggest?",
"What percentage of people recycled safely?"
] |
[
"criminal gangs",
"Toxins from dumped electronics",
"cancers.",
"found that in Europe only 25 percent of the e-waste was recycled safely. In the U.S. it is only 20 percent and in developing countries it is less than one percent.",
"25 percent"
] |
question: What was involved in e-waste trading according to UN report in July?, answer: criminal gangs | question: What is creating health and environment problems?, answer: Toxins from dumped electronics | question: What kind of problems is exporting electronic problems for recycling creating?, answer: cancers. | question: What does the study from Greenpeace suggest?, answer: found that in Europe only 25 percent of the e-waste was recycled safely. In the U.S. it is only 20 percent and in developing countries it is less than one percent. | question: What percentage of people recycled safely?, answer: 25 percent
|
(CNN) -- Coca Cola was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 8, 1886. Dr. John Stith Pemberton, a local pharmacist, produced the syrup for Coca-Cola. It was put on sale at the nearby Jacobs' Pharmacy for five cents a glass as a soda fountain drink.
An international organization, The Coca-Cola Company's first soda fountain sales to Canada and Mexico were recorded in 1897. Its first international bottler -- in Panama -- was established in 1906.
The company entered China in 1927 and its 100th country -- Sierra Leone -- in 1957.
Today, The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company with the most extensive distribution system in the world, operating in more than 200 countries across the world.
The company currently has over 400 different brands under its control, and is one of the most recognizable names in the commercial world.
The Coca-Cola Company, including the bottling entities it owns, employs approximately 71,000 people. More than 58,000 of those employees work for the company outside of the U.S.
They are the largest private-sector employer across all of Africa. And in South Africa, for every one job created by the Coca-Cola system, 16 jobs are created in the informal retail sector.
The company was placed in the top 25 places to work by Essence magazine and was named Wal-Mart's International Supplier of the Year in 2006. E-mail to a friend
|
[
"Where was Coca-Cola invented?",
"Coke is the largest what company in the world?",
"Coca-Cola has operations in over how many countries?",
"What number of employees does Coca-Cola employ?",
"What was invented in 1886?",
"Who invented Coca-Cola?",
"Where was it invented?",
"Where does the company operate?",
"The company has operations in over 200 countries, employs 55,000 people",
"Today it is the largest beverage company in the world"
] |
[
"Atlanta, Georgia,",
"beverage",
"more than 200",
"approximately 71,000 people.",
"Coca-Cola.",
"Dr. John Stith Pemberton,",
"Atlanta, Georgia,",
"in more than 200 countries across the world.",
"Coca-Cola",
"Coca-Cola"
] |
question: Where was Coca-Cola invented?, answer: Atlanta, Georgia, | question: Coke is the largest what company in the world?, answer: beverage | question: Coca-Cola has operations in over how many countries?, answer: more than 200 | question: What number of employees does Coca-Cola employ?, answer: approximately 71,000 people. | question: What was invented in 1886?, answer: Coca-Cola. | question: Who invented Coca-Cola?, answer: Dr. John Stith Pemberton, | question: Where was it invented?, answer: Atlanta, Georgia, | question: Where does the company operate?, answer: in more than 200 countries across the world. | question: The company has operations in over 200 countries, employs 55,000 people, answer: Coca-Cola | question: Today it is the largest beverage company in the world, answer: Coca-Cola
|
(CNN) -- Coffee shops in the Dutch city of Maastricht have banned foreign tourists, except those from Germany and Belgium, from entering their premises from Saturday, according to the local association of coffee shops.
Coffee shops in the Netherlands are places where customers can legally buy and consume cannabis.
"We have put in place a 'neighbouring country' criteria," Marc Josemans, president of the Society of United Coffeeshops and owner of the Easy Going coffee shop, told CNN.
"This is a form of self-regulation. It is not a law, there will be no judge, this was just the only choice we had."
The move comes after Maastricht's city council decided that something had to be done about the 2.2 million visitors that come to the city every year, according to Josemans.
"The visitors put a lot of pressure on the city when they come here and make it very busy on our narrow streets. So the city said that something had to be done about the traffic and nuisance," he said.
"But the biggest nuisance isn't the number of coffee shops or the clients, but the illegal drug runners that can be quite aggressive and start fights and rob the tourists."
All visitors to Maastricht's coffee shops -- some 6,000 a day, almost three-quarters of whom are foreign, according to Josemans -- already have to show their passports and their information is then kept for 48 hours.
Now only those with a Dutch, German or Belgian passport will be allowed in.
"A number of people will leave disappointed, and we are not very proud of refusing entry to visitors who have come to our shops for the last 28 years and never caused a problem," said Josemans, who has himself used cannabis for 35 years.
"The question now will be if they instead buy from the illegal drug runners here or if they buy illegally in their own countries."
Nobody from Maastricht city council was available for comment Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Maastricht police told CNN that the police were not a party to the ban and that it is not illegal for foreign tourists to enter the city's coffee shops.
The spokeswoman, who is not named in line with department policy, said police would not carry out any identity checks to enforce the ban. "We will just go about our normal business and carry out our duties where needed," she said.
At spokeswoman at the tourist office for Maastricht, which lies near the Belgian border, said it was not aware of the new rules.
The Society of United Coffeeshops decided on the ban in July but it only came into effect October 1.
The organization is also working on a plan to move seven of the city's 14 coffee shops to the outskirts, where foreign tourists can then go and buy hash and marijuana, Josemans said.
"But the first relocation won't happen until June 2013, so we had to put this ban in place now, and we could then change it again once we've completed the relocation.
"At these new sites, the parking (areas) will have direct access to the coffee shops, so the drug runners can't approach the clients as they walk to the coffee shop."
Josemans also says the Dutch government wants the coffee shops to operate on a smaller scale and is planning to impose a nationwide ban on anyone who doesn't hold a Dutch passport buying cannabis.
"They want to put this 'weed pass' in place from January 1 next year, but we are strongly against this."
A press release on the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice website from May this year says coffee shops will become private clubs where only adult Dutch citizens can become members.
"The Cabinet expects that closure of coffee shops to foreign drugs tourists will ensure that they no longer travel to the Netherlands to purchase and consume cannabis. After all, many of them can use the illegal markets available in their immediate surroundings," the press release says.
The statement does not give a date for the
|
[
"What city authorities say they need to cut numbers?",
"What is Maastricht city trying to cut back on?",
"What visitors cross the border to use cannabis?",
"Who needs to cut visitor numbers?",
"Which tourists are allowed?",
"What tourists will be allowed in certain shops?",
"What two tourists are the only ones that will be allowed into the shops?"
] |
[
"Maastricht",
"foreign tourists,",
"foreign tourists,",
"Society of United Coffeeshops",
"those from",
"Germany and Belgium,",
"those from"
] |
question: What city authorities say they need to cut numbers?, answer: Maastricht | question: What is Maastricht city trying to cut back on?, answer: foreign tourists, | question: What visitors cross the border to use cannabis?, answer: foreign tourists, | question: Who needs to cut visitor numbers?, answer: Society of United Coffeeshops | question: Which tourists are allowed?, answer: those from | question: What tourists will be allowed in certain shops?, answer: Germany and Belgium, | question: What two tourists are the only ones that will be allowed into the shops?, answer: those from
|
(CNN) -- Colin Powell stirred up the Republican Party's very public internal debate about the direction of the party and asserted it's losing because it doesn't appeal to moderates like him.
The Republican Party is losing "men, woman, white, blacks and Hispanics," says Colin Powell.
Two Republican leaders questioned Powell's GOP credentials. Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh said Powell should leave the party. Former Vice President Dick Cheney said he thought he already had.
Powell says he's still very much a Republican and said the party would be better off to include more moderates like him.
"The Republican Party is losing north, south, east, west; men, woman, white, blacks and Hispanics," Powell said in an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation."
"I think the Republican Party has to take a hard look at itself and decide: What kind of party are we?"
As it has squabbled within the family, the party has wandered. Most analysts say it will get back on the right track when its next leaders emerge.
Is Powell emerging as a voice of the moderates in the party?
"A spokesman is good," said Bill Schneider, CNN senior political analyst. "A candidate would be better." Watch what CNN's Bill Schneider has to say about the debate »
The Republicans' family argument started shortly after the Democrats won the White House and added to their control of Congress.
Conservatives blame moderates for the losses, saying the party didn't present a contrast with Democrats and the only way for it to be successful is to lean harder to the right.
Limbaugh and Cheney emerged from the leadership vacuum -- Limbaugh from his legions of listeners and Cheney in his emergent role as the sole defender of the Bush White House.
Powell provoked Limbaugh when he suggested the GOP's future was in peril if it went in the Limbaugh's direction. Limbaugh responded that Powell is part of the "stale, the old, the worn-out GOP that never won anything."
Powell says the right has alienated undecided and independent voters and the only way for the GOP to return to power is to expand its narrow base.
The former Pentagon commander of the 1991 Persian Gulf war has for the most part stayed out of politics since resigning as President's Bush's secretary of state in Bush's first term.
Among Republicans, Powell, Cheney and Limbaugh are equally revered with favorability ratings in the 60s, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll.
But among all voters questioned, Powell has a favorability rate of 70 percent compared to 30 percent for Limbaugh. A poll a week ago found that Cheney had a favorability rate of 37 percent.
"Colin Powell is not the guy you want to pick a fight with," Schneider said. "He's more popular than Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh combined.
Between the two polls, Limbaugh's unfavorable rating among all respondents was 53 percent and Cheney's 55 percent.
Former Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge, another moderate, sided with Powell in an interview with with CNN's John King on "State of the Union" on Sunday.
The former Pennsylvania governor said the different wings of the party need to listen to each other and differences of opinions need to be less divisive.
"Rush Limbaugh has an audience of 20 million people. A lot of people listen daily to him and live by every word. But words mean things and how you use words is very important," Ridge said.
"It does get the base all fired up and he's got a strong following," Ridge continued. "But personally, if he would listen to me and I doubt if he would, the notion is express yourself but let's respect others opinions and let's not be divisive."
Ridge, who ruled out a Senate bid earlier this month, also called for an end to personal attacks.
"Let's lead our party based on some principles that have been very much a part of who we
|
[
"what Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh said?",
"Which talk show hosts should leave GOP?",
"What did Powell say about GOP?",
"Who is the former Vice President?",
"Who is losing north, south, east and west?"
] |
[
"Powell should leave the party.",
"Rush Limbaugh",
"future was in peril if it went in the Limbaugh's direction.",
"Dick Cheney",
"\"The Republican Party"
] |
question: what Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh said?, answer: Powell should leave the party. | question: Which talk show hosts should leave GOP?, answer: Rush Limbaugh | question: What did Powell say about GOP?, answer: future was in peril if it went in the Limbaugh's direction. | question: Who is the former Vice President?, answer: Dick Cheney | question: Who is losing north, south, east and west?, answer: "The Republican Party
|
(CNN) -- Colleen LaRose, the Pennsylvania woman indicted for allegedly conspiring to support terrorists and kill a person in a foreign country, attempted to commit suicide in 2005, according to a police report filed at the time.
LaRose, who authorities say called herself "Jihad Jane," was depressed about the death of her father, the report from Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, Police Officer Michael Devlin said.
LaRose told Devlin she swallowed as many as 10 pills of cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant. The pills were mixed with alcohol.
"Colleen was highly intoxicated and having difficulty maintaining her balance," Devlin wrote. I "questioned LaRose about harming herself, at which point she stated she does not want to die."
Devlin was dispatched to check on LaRose in response to a 911 call made by LaRose's sister in Texas, who was worried LaRose might try to kill herself.
LaRose was arrested on the terrorism charges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 15, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office said Tuesday. She is being held at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
She will be arraigned at 10:30 a.m. March 18 in Philadelphia, the Justice Department said.
Among other things, LaRose has also been charged with making false statements to a government official and attempted identity theft.
If convicted, she faces a possible life prison sentence and a $1 million fine.
Last year, LaRose agreed to kill a resident of Sweden, an indictment says, and a U.S. government official familiar with the case identified the target as Lars Vilks, a cartoonist who outraged some with a drawing of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed.
LaRose worked with at least five co-conspirators, the indictment says. Authorities did not identify them, but police in Ireland took into custody seven people in arrests Tuesday that the U.S. official said were directly related to the plot involving LaRose.
Read the indictment (PDF)
Authorities in Ireland said the seven people they arrested also were plotting to commit a murder abroad. Irish media reports, citing unnamed police sources, identified their target as Vilks.
A person from Pennsburg who knew LaRose said she "didn't have the smarts or brains" to pull off the alleged plot.
"Not without someone telling her what to do, maybe even brainwashing her," said the person, who asked not to be identified for privacy reasons.
It appears that LaRose was not well known in her neighborhood in Pennsburg, which is about an hour north of Philadelphia. One neighbor reacted to the news by saying, "It scares the hell out of me."
Meanwhile, LaRose's former boyfriend, Kurt Gorman, told CNN on Wednesday that the circumstances surrounding her arrest are "just crazy ... really crazy."
Gorman said that when he lived with LaRose, she spent most of her time at home and frequently used a personal computer.
"I think she just used it to play games mostly," he said. "I really didn't pay much attention."
The alleged terrorist conspiracy began in June 2008, when LaRose posted a comment on YouTube under the username JihadJane saying she was "desperate to do something somehow to help" Muslims, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday.
From December 2008 to October 2009, LaRose engaged in electronic communication with five alleged co-conspirators about their shared desires to wage jihad and become martyrs, according to the indictment.
LaRose and the alleged co-conspirators, according to a Justice Department statement, used the Internet to develop plans that "included martyring themselves, soliciting funds for terrorists, soliciting passports and avoiding travel restrictions (through the collection of passports and through marriage) in order to wage violent jihad."
According to the U.S. government official familiar with the case, LaRose raised money for the cause and recruited people to join it. The official also said she was in contact with committed jihadists in South Asia, Western Europe and Eastern Europe. The official declined to link her to any specific terrorist organizations.
'Jihad Jane,' American who lived on
|
[
"What is Colleen LaRose accused of?",
"Who was accused of conspiracy?",
"What was Colleen LaRose accused of?",
"What did her ex-boyfriend say?",
"When did this happen?"
] |
[
"conspiring to support terrorists",
"LaRose,",
"and kill a person in a foreign country,",
"the circumstances surrounding",
"2005,"
] |
question: What is Colleen LaRose accused of?, answer: conspiring to support terrorists | question: Who was accused of conspiracy?, answer: LaRose, | question: What was Colleen LaRose accused of?, answer: and kill a person in a foreign country, | question: What did her ex-boyfriend say?, answer: the circumstances surrounding | question: When did this happen?, answer: 2005,
|
(CNN) -- College football is in a real institutional identity crisis. The range of reactions to the Penn State scandal, from Penn State University itself to the NCAA to the American people, tells us that we don't know what college football is or what it should be.
Penn State University is confused. Mostly, it has reacted strongly and rightly, but it has not cleaned house. Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier and others are gone, but should Mike McQueary stay, and were there others on the Penn State coaching staff who were aware of Jerry Sandusky's alleged actions? And many other questions remain: Why weren't police immediately involved? How did this stay covered up for so long?
The NCAA's response has been little better. NCAA President Mark Emmert released a statement last week, saying, "The NCAA will defer in the immediate term to law enforcement officials since this situation involved alleged crimes. ... To be clear, civil and criminal law will always take precedence over Association rules." While perhaps technically correct, the victims, as well as the college football community, deserve more of a response than this.
The American people are outraged, and rightfully so. It looks like the work of a monster (who still says he is not guilty) destroyed the lives of innocent children. He has forever tarnished the reputation of former and future Penn State students, athletes and coaches. This is the worst scandal in the history of college football. For it not to receive the worst punishment would be unjust.
The college football "death penalty" (the NCAA's punishment that bans a school from participating in a sport for at least a year) has been given to only one football program, ever: Southern Methodist University in the 1987-88 season for numerous NCAA violations involving paying athletes under the table.
SMU's actions pale in comparison with what occurred at Penn State. But under NCAA rules, the criminal actions of a few men are not necessarily NCAA rules violations. The NCAA decides where criminal laws overlap with its rules. And so, from a legal standpoint, it's possible that the Penn State football program will escape with less of a punishment than SMU.
How the NCAA answers these questions may affect the future of college football. As is the case with so many recent college sports scandals, the events at Penn State call into question the effects of big money on the inside workings of college sports. Penn State football is a business -- an enormously profitable one, raking in more than $70 million a year. Joe Paterno's salary alone was about $1 million annually. Penn State profits immensely from the success of its football program on the backs of unpaid amateur athletes. In many of these scandals, the players, often innocent and unprotected, are hurt the most, while the insulated, tight-lipped higher-ups of college boards and athletic programs fall back on their salaries and pensions.
I say this as a longtime fan and admirer of college football, not an opportunistic critic. There are many big-money programs that are scandal free, like the University of Texas, the largest college football revenue generator in the country. Many big programs can navigate ethically because of their moral compasses. Similarly, many coaches and players never have ethical issues, and they should be applauded. But I'm concerned about where the sport is headed.
If college football is truly the amateur athletics wing of educational institutions, then these multimillion-dollar programs should be transparent and accountable. A student's athletic performance should be tied to his academic achievement; tighter age and eligibility restrictions should be implemented.
In another fitting example, Yale quarterback Patrick Witt recently chose to play this Saturday in the Harvard-Yale game rather than attend his Rhodes scholarship interview, which happens to fall on the same day. Witt is free to choose of his liking, but he will forfeit the chance to win a Rhodes scholarship this year. The NCAA has remained silent about this, a clear opportunity to support or help a real student-athlete.
Or college football can go the other way. If
|
[
"What did Bennett say about the NCAA?",
"He says Penn State is the most serious scandal confronted"
] |
[
"response has been little better.",
"NCAA President Mark Emmert"
] |
question: What did Bennett say about the NCAA?, answer: response has been little better. | question: He says Penn State is the most serious scandal confronted, answer: NCAA President Mark Emmert
|
(CNN) -- Colombia and the United States signed an agreement Friday that allows U.S. personnel to be stationed at seven military bases in the South American nation.
The United States says it needs the bases to help in its fight against terrorists and narcotraffickers, especially since the closure a few months ago of a U.S. base in Ecuador. The United States maintains similar "forward operating locations" in El Salvador and Aruba-Curacao.
Colombia's agreement to host the Americans has come under harsh criticism in Latin America, particularly from President Hugo Chavez in neighboring Venezuela.
Chavez has likened the agreement to an act of war and accuses the United States of wanting to stage military personnel nearby to destabilize his leftist government.
The U.S. forward operating location in Aruba-Curacao is off the northern coast of Venezuela.
The United States linked Colombia's agreement to a trade pact the South American nation wants. Colombia also stands to gain from U.S. help in the nation's 45-year-old war against Marxist guerrillas known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly called FARC.
Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez, Defense Minister Gabriel Silva and Interior and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio were joined by U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield in signing the document Friday in Bogota, the nation's capital.
|
[
"What will this agreement help?",
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"What does Colombia want?",
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"what will this help with",
"who may be stationed"
] |
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"its fight against terrorists and narcotraffickers,",
"at seven military bases in the South American nation.",
"an act of war",
"Colombia",
"trade pact",
"narcotraffickers,",
"fight against terrorists",
"U.S. personnel"
] |
question: What will this agreement help?, answer: its fight against terrorists and narcotraffickers, | question: where are they stationed, answer: at seven military bases in the South American nation. | question: What has the Venezuelan Leader call the agreement?, answer: an act of war | question: Where will U.S. military personnel be stationed?, answer: Colombia | question: What does Colombia want?, answer: trade pact | question: What does the U.S. say the agreement will help fight against?, answer: narcotraffickers, | question: what will this help with, answer: fight against terrorists | question: who may be stationed, answer: U.S. personnel
|
(CNN) -- Colombia is preparing to hand over to U.S. officials a Dallas teenager who was mistakenly deported after she ran away from home more than a year ago, the South American country's foreign ministry said in a statement Thursday night.
Jakadrien Turner will be turned over to diplomatic officials Friday so she can be transported to the United States, the statement said. But the foreign ministry did not say when -- or how -- that will happen.
The U.S. Embassy in Bogota is working with Colombian authorities but cannot provide additional details "due to privacy considerations," said a U.S. State Department official who asked to remain anonymous per department policy.
Jakadrien somehow wound up deported to Colombia after U.S. authorities mistook the girl, who lacked identification, for a Colombian national.
Family members said Thursday night that they were thrilled at the news that the 15-year-old would be returning home.
"It's a giant step. I'm relieved, but I won't be completely relieved until I get her in my arms again," the girl's mother, Johnisa Turner, said. "A weight has definitely been lifted."
Grandmother Lorene Turner said U.S. Embassy officials called with the news that her granddaughter would be turned over to U.S. officials.
"When I heard those words I didn't hear nothing else. I flipped out. I can't wait," she said.
But Jakadrien's family was still demanding to know why immigration authorities deported the teen -- a U.S. citizen with no knowledge of Spanish -- and why they simply took her at her word when she gave them a fake name.
The teen's family had been searching for her since she ran away in the fall of 2010. Her grandmother scoured Facebook looking for the girl, viewing Jakadrien's friends' pages for any information.
"There's no words," Johnisa Turner told CNN of the ordeal. "It hasn't been easy at all."
The Colombian Institute for Family Welfare confirmed Thursday that Turner is in its custody, is pregnant, and entered the country as an adult. The institute said Colombian authorities learned about the case a month ago.
After Jakadrien went missing, the family managed to track her to Houston, where she worked at a DJ club under a different name. They tried to get help from authorities there, to no avail.
Then, to the family's surprise, they learned their teenage daughter was in Colombia, partying with men and smoking marijuana. They later learned from a detective that Jakadrien was pregnant.
How Jakadrien got to Colombia is a mystery to the family. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency maintains she was arrested in Houston for theft and told them she was an adult from Colombia.
The agency says authorities believed her story because she maintained her false identity throughout the process. They handed her over to an immigration judge, who ordered her removed from the country.
"At no time during these criminal proceedings was her identity determined to be false," the agency says.
It says criminal database searches and biometric verification revealed no information to invalidate Jakadrien's claims.
The family's attorney, Ray Jackson, says it doesn't make sense.
"They dropped the ball," he said.
He says the immigration agency took Jakadrien's fingerprints but failed to match them to the name she gave. The name matched a woman wanted by Interpol, Jackson says, so they "shipped her on through."
The agency says it is taking the allegations very seriously and is "fully and immediately investigating the matter in order to expeditiously determine the facts of the case."
For months, family members said they frantically searched for signs of the missing teen.
Jakadrien had run away once before, two weeks earlier, her mother said, and Jakadrien told her the family didn't give her enough freedom. Her good grades at school had dropped off, something Turner blamed on the normal problems of teenagers. In addition, Jakadrien's grandfather, her mother's father, had recently died.
Turner said she contacted Dallas police, the National Center
|
[
"How long has the family been looking for her?",
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"Who says the girl will be handed over to U.S. officials?",
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] |
[
"since she ran away in the fall of 2010.",
"a fake name.",
"searching",
"U.S.",
"Lorene Turner",
"Grandmother Lorene Turner",
"South American country's foreign ministry",
"fall of 2010."
] |
question: How long has the family been looking for her?, answer: since she ran away in the fall of 2010. | question: What did the girl give authorities, answer: a fake name. | question: What has her family been doing since 2010, answer: searching | question: She is a citizen of which country?, answer: U.S. | question: Who said "I flipped out. I can't wait"?, answer: Lorene Turner | question: Who flipped out?, answer: Grandmother Lorene Turner | question: Who says the girl will be handed over to U.S. officials?, answer: South American country's foreign ministry | question: Her family had been looking for her since when?, answer: fall of 2010.
|
(CNN) -- Colombia's main leftist group suggested on Monday it is willing to reopen talks with the government.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC, has been at war with the state since the 1960s. While severely weakened in recent years, the guerrilla group has continued to carry out kidnappings and attack security forces.
In a statement, the FARC said it would be interested in addressing certain issues at a "hypothetical negotiating table." It called on the government of President Juan Manuel Santos to speak to such subjects as privatization, deregulation and the degradation of the environment.
The statement was signed by the FARC's new leader, who goes by Timoleon Jimenez.
"This conflict will have no solution until our voices are heard. Without lies, Santos, without lies," it read.
In November, a military operation killed then-FARC leader Alfonso Cano. Following his death, the group said it would not not end its guerrilla struggle. Santos described the killing then as the nation's "most overwhelming blow" against the rebel organization.
|
[
"whats It has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years?",
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] |
[
"The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia,",
"the state",
"since the 1960s.",
"since the 1960s."
] |
question: whats It has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years?, answer: The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, | question: who has the rebel group been at war with, answer: the state | question: how long to state the rebel group at war with the government, answer: since the 1960s. | question: how long has it been at war with the government, answer: since the 1960s.
|
(CNN) -- Colombia's main leftist rebel group shot and killed four hostages held for more than a decade, President Juan Manuel Santos said Saturday, vowing to fight the rebels with everything in reach.
A fifth hostage, a policeman, was found alive, Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon told reporters.
"This is yet another example of how brutal and cruel the FARC is. ... When faced with security forces, they (the rebels) had no qualms about killing them in cold blood," Santos said.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, has been at war with the Colombian government since the 1960s. While severely weakened in recent years, the guerrilla group has continued to carry out kidnappings and attack security forces.
Chains were found near the bodies of the four hostages, who were kidnapped "more than 12 or 13 years" ago, Santos said.
The president called the killings a "crime against humanity" and swore their only effect would be to make police and soldiers more determined to fight "with everything in reach."
The bodies of the four men, all of whom were security force members, were found in the morning, according to Pinzon.
They were executed in the southern region of Caqueta, where the military was conducting operations against the rebel group, he said.
Three of the hostages were shot in the head, while the fourth was shot in the back, the defense minister said.
The fifth hostage, identified as Luis Alberto Erazo, had been held for roughly 12 years, Pinzon said. He reportedly ran from the rebel camp at the start of a firefight between rebels and Colombian troops. His condition is "acceptable," Pinzon said.
Earlier this month, a military operation killed then-FARC leader Alfonso Cano. Following his death, the FARC released a statement in which its leaders said they would not end their guerrilla struggle.
|
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question: What did the defense minister say?, answer: A fifth hostage, a policeman, was found alive, | question: Where where the victims shot?, answer: southern region of Caqueta, | question: What killed the former FARC head?, answer: a military operation | question: Who was shot in the head?, answer: Three of the hostages | question: How many people where killed?, answer: four | question: Who has been found alive?, answer: A fifth hostage, a policeman, | question: Where were they shot?, answer: in the southern region of Caqueta, | question: What did President Juan Manuel Santos call the killings?, answer: "crime against humanity"
|
(CNN) -- Colombian Sgt. Pablo Emilio Moncayo, held by Colombian FARC rebels as a hostage for more than 12 years, was reunited with his family after being released by his captors.
The young soldier arrived in the city of Florencia in a Brazilian military helicopter that transported him from the jungle, and he walked out wearing a military uniform and into his waiting father's arms. He had been held captive longer than any other hostage held by the rebels.
Moncayo was accompanied by Colombian Sen. Piedad Cordoba, who helped negotiate his release.
He had been captured as a 19-year-old corporal when Marxist guerrillas attacked his unit, killing 22 of his colleagues and capturing him and 18 others on December 21, 1997.
"How amazing it is to see civilization again," Moncayo told reporters shortly after his return. The advances in technology fascinated him the most, he said.
"I survived everything, all of these years of captivity because of my love for Colombia," Moncayo said.
Moncayo thanked Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa for asking for his release, and presidents Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Luis Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, but he did not mention Colombian President Alvaro Uribe during his remarks.
Another source of tension during the rescue came after the Venezuelan-based network Telesur broadcast images of Moncayo and those involved in the handover. The Colombian government issued a terse statement calling the broadcast a violation of the protocols of the rescue.
The television station denied any wrongdoing, and Cordoba said that the humanitarian party had not noticed that the network had someone in the jungle filming.
During the handover, the FARC also gave Senator Cordoba the coordinates of the remains of a third hostage who died in captivity in 2006. Colombian authorities could retrieve the remains of Maj. Julian Guevara as soon as Thursday.
The FARC has said that Moncayo's was the last unilateral hostage release it would make. It is asking for a prisoner swap for the remaining hostages they hold.
If his experience was like that of other freed hostages, Moncayo likely spent the years chained to trees and marching from one jungle hideout to another every few days. Other captives have talked about enduring rain, cold and a blistering sun, and eating mostly beans and rice and weak soup -- when fortunate enough to get a meal.
It's a reality that changed Tuesday for Moncayo when the rebels released him.
The rebels had said they would release Moncayo, who was promoted to the rank of sergeant while in captivity, nearly a year ago.
The FARC already released a hostage Sunday.
Josue Daniel Calvo, who had been held for 11 months, was reunited with his family Sunday on a tarmac in the city of Villavicencio, where the helicopter that retrieved him touched down.
The humanitarian mission to release the captives has been led by Colombian Sen. Piedad Cordoba, who has obtained freedom for previous hostages. The Red Cross also has been involved. Brazil, which is trusted by both sides, has picked up and ferried the hostages aboard its helicopters.
The FARC released six hostages last year but have said Moncayo would be the last set free unilaterally. From now on, the FARC said, the rebels will demand that guerrillas held by the Colombian government be swapped for the remaining police and soldiers under rebel captivity, many for more than a decade.
Moncayo was among the best-known hostages still in FARC captivity, due mostly to the efforts of his father, who walked across Colombia to garner attention and press for his son's release.
Gustavo Guillermo Moncayo Rincon set out on June 17, 2007, Father's Day in Colombia, on a 700-mile (1,100-kilometer) trek from his hometown of Sandona to the capital, Bogota. The teacher became known as "el caminante por la paz" ("the walker for peace").
He was received by a governor and a mayor on his walk, which drew nationwide attention. Thousands of people cheered him when he arrived at the Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota in August 2007.
The walk put pressure on Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to negotiate with the rebels,
|
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"What happened with Pablo Emilio Moncayo?",
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"700-mile",
"Sgt. Pablo Emilio Moncayo,",
"Sgt. Pablo Emilio Moncayo,",
"FARC"
] |
question: What happened with Pablo Emilio Moncayo?, answer: held by Colombian FARC rebels as a hostage for more than | question: since when was the soldier been held by FARC?, answer: 12 years, | question: what amount of miles walked his father?, answer: 700-mile | question: what Colombian soldier had been held by FARC guerrillas?, answer: Sgt. Pablo Emilio Moncayo, | question: who was returned to freedom?, answer: Sgt. Pablo Emilio Moncayo, | question: who says from now on, it will demand prisoner swap to release captives?, answer: FARC
|
(CNN) -- Color is coming to the Kindle.
At least that's what the tech blogosphere expects to happen on Wednesday at an Amazon press conference.
The maker of the world's most popular e-book reader is rumored to be announcing a color, touch-screen tablet device called the "Kindle Fire," according to the blog TechCrunch, which claims to have seen the gadget.
Here are the Kindle Fire's specs, according to that site and others:
-- 7-inch color screen, compared to 6-inch for current Kindles
-- Wi-Fi only (no 3G version)
-- Touch-screen navigation
-- Glowing LED screen instead of paper-like e-ink
-- Android operating system
-- Hits stores in November
-- Current Kindle will remain on sale
The Kindle tablet is remarkably similar to BlackBerry's PlayBook tablet, says Ryan Block at the blog GDGT, and that's because both were built and designed by the same manufacturing company. Block, who cites unnamed sources, says Amazon used the design for the unpopular BlackBerry tablet as a starting point.
Even though details about the device haven't been confirmed, Block and other bloggers are already throwing water on the Kindle Fire.
"Although Amazon did refresh the ID of their PlayBook derivative, I'm told that this first tablet of theirs is 'supposed to be pretty poor' and is a 'stopgap' in order to get a tablet out the door for the 2011 holiday season -- which doesn't exactly leave the best taste in my mouth," he writes. "But it's also not the most uncommon story, either: when you're breaking into a new market, sometimes you have to do whatever it takes to get in the game. You may remember how crappy the original Kindle was compared to later models!"
Three major magazine companies have signed on to provide content for the new Kindle tablet, according to Peter Kafka at the blog network AllThingsD, which is owned by the Wall Street Journal.
Hearst, Conde Nast and Meredith will sell digital versions of their magazines on the upcoming Kindle tablet; but Time Inc., which shares a parent company with CNN, will not settle on a deal this week, Kafka says.
All of this is just conjecture for now, of course.
Amazon's press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday in New York. Many details should become clearer then.
Barnes & Noble, one of Amazon's competitors in e-books, is expected to announce a new version of its Nook color e-reader later this year.
|
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"What is Blackberry's tablet called?",
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[
"PlayBook",
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"\"Kindle Fire,\"",
"Wednesday",
"\"Kindle Fire,\""
] |
question: What is Blackberry's tablet called?, answer: PlayBook | question: the reports say about the tablet from Amazon?, answer: The maker of the world's most popular e-book reader is rumored to be announcing a color, touch-screen | question: What will Amazon's tablet be called?, answer: "Kindle Fire," | question: When will Amazon annouce the device?, answer: Wednesday | question: as the Amazon tablet will be called?, answer: "Kindle Fire,"
|
(CNN) -- Comedian George Carlin, known for pushing the envelope with his use of profanity and for pointing out the silliness and hypocrisy of human life, died of heart failure Sunday. He was 71.
iReporter Kevin Eckhoff met George Carlin at a show in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2004.
iReporter Chris Sargent says, "He could play with words and phrases in ways that would put the most highly regarded English professors and linguists to shame."
CNN.com invited readers to share tales of meeting Carlin, and the impact he had on their lives. Below is a selection of their responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.
Melanie Phillips of Salem, Oregon: I met George Carlin in the early '70s at a performance he gave at Los Angeles Valley College. The large auditorium was filled to capacity so they closed the doors leaving about 40 people outside. When Carlin came up on stage he asked, "Who are all those people staring in the windows?" The host told him the fire marshal had locked them out.
Carlin thought for a moment then asked, "How many people are allowed to be on stage?" The legal limit was 50. The comedian turned to the audience and said, "Forty of you people in the first few rows come up on stage and give those people outside your seats." My friend and I ran up on stage and we all gathered in a circle around him, like at a campfire. For the next 90 minutes, Carlin did his entire act by taking our requests, "Hippy Dippy Weatherman," "Seven Words ..."
After the show was over, he passed through our little circle, shaking hands (including mine) as he quickly made his way off stage to avoid being swamped by fans. It was one of my most memorable experiences and a grand gesture for the 40 fans who had been locked out.
Alexis Karlin of Boston, Massachusetts: When I was little my dad had this box car and one day he put a George Carlin tape in it and it got stuck. So for a year until the car died we listened to this George Carlin tape over and over and over again. ...
I won't miss that car but I will miss George Carlin.
Chris Sargent of Laurel, Maryland: Last night, the world's greatest comedian and champion of the First Amendment, George Carlin, died at the age of 71 from heart failure. He was one of the few things my father and I had in common, as I have fond memories of sitting in the living room with him, watching George on HBO, and laughing our a***s off.
His gift was to make us think about everything. He could play with words and phrases in ways that would put the most highly regarded English professors and linguists to shame.
Kevin Eckhoff of Jacksonville, Illinois: George was in classic form as he arrived for a show in late 2004 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. This was my second time meeting George. He signed the photo from our first meeting, took this new photo, and then proceeded to begin signing my friend's albums. Before he started, he paused, fanned out the records, looked at each, and in his own special way said, "You know, I go from city to city and you guys (autograph collectors) always have my records in such great shape. Just where the **** do you get these records in such pristine condition?" We all busted out laughing.
We'll miss you George! Thanks for a great memory.
|
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"What was lodged in the father's car stereo?",
"What did CNN.com readers share?"
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question: What did Carlin once invite fans to do?, answer: come up on stage | question: A Carlin tape was stuck in whose stereo?, answer: Alexis Karlin | question: When did George Carlin die?, answer: Sunday. | question: What did Alexis Karlin say?, answer: When I was little my dad had this box car and one day he put a George Carlin tape in it and it got stuck. So for a year until the car died we listened to this George Carlin tape over and over and over again. | question: Where did Carlin once invite fans to sit on?, answer: stage | question: What did Alexis Karlin say was stuck to his dad's stereo?, answer: When I was little my dad had this box car and one day he put a George Carlin tape in it and it got stuck. So for a year until the car died we listened to this George Carlin tape over and over and over again. | question: Who is Carlin?, answer: Comedian | question: What did CNN.com readers share about Carlin?, answer: tales of meeting Carlin, and the impact he had on their lives. | question: What was lodged in the father's car stereo?, answer: George Carlin tape | question: What did CNN.com readers share?, answer: tales of meeting Carlin,
|
(CNN) -- Comedian Jay Leno's plan to hold a free concert for the jobless of Detroit, Michigan, drew criticism from a politician in the city.
A Detroit politician believes Jay Leno should change the location of his free show for the city's unemployed.
Detroit City Councilwoman Martha Reeves likes the idea, but she said the "Tonight Show" host needs to change the location.
"When I heard Jay Leno say Detroit is one of his favorite places and he's going to do a free concert for the people laid off, to people who don't have any money right now, given the economic state we're all in, I was elated," Reeves said. "Then he said Auburn Hills... and that's not Detroit."
Auburn Hills is a well-to-do suburb of Detroit, but is located in Oakland County, which has had its share of economic troubles as well.
The free comedy show -- called "Jay's Comedy Stimulus Plan" -- is set for April 7 at the Palace of Auburn Hills, which holds about 24,000 people.
"I thought I might try to get a word to him that we have a Ford Field, we have a Cobo Hall, we have wonderful theaters here, the Fox Theater," Reeves said. "He could come and present something to Detroit as he said."
Free tickets for the show will be given out beginning Monday at 10 a.m., according to Leno's Web site.
Leno, host of NBC's Tonight Show for more than 15 years, has a new job himself. He will move from late night to a 10 p.m. show.
|
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"When are free tickets going to start to be given out?",
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"Who said that Jay Leno should change concert location?"
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"beginning Monday at 10 a.m.,",
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question: Who will play a free show in Auburn Hills?, answer: Jay Leno's | question: What is the cost of the tickets?, answer: Free | question: On what day will free tickets be given out for Jay Leno's show?, answer: Monday at 10 a.m., | question: In which well-to-do suburb of Detroit is Jay Leno going to perform a free show?, answer: Auburn Hills | question: Who says Jay Leno should change his concert location?, answer: Detroit politician | question: When are free tickets going to start to be given out?, answer: beginning Monday at 10 a.m., | question: What cities city council wants Jay Leno to change his concert's location?, answer: Detroit | question: Who said that Jay Leno should change concert location?, answer: A Detroit politician
|
(CNN) -- Comedian Mark Russell was at a recent event in Chicago, Illinois, when he found himself sitting next to Valerie Jarrett, an adviser to President-elect Barack Obama.
Moving the Obamas into the White House will take about six hours.
Russell asked her whether President Bush's staff members were going to remove all the Os from their computer keyboards, alluding to the 2001 incident in which President Clinton's departing staff removed Ws from some White House computers.
Jarrett said no, but that didn't stop Russell from speculating what really happened when President Bush's daughters, Barbara and Jenna, gave Obama's two daughters a tour of the White House recently.
"The Bush daughters showed Sasha and Malia Obama around," Russell joked. "Barbara showed them where all the bedrooms were, and Jenna showed them how to make a fake ID."
Russell sees humor in the presidential transition, but the actual operation to move both families in and out of the White House is serious business.
The clearing out of the Bushes' belongings began over the summer, when many items were packed and taken to Crawford, Texas, says Anita McBride, chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush. Then, during the Christmas holiday, the Bushes moved their personal things out of Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, according to McBride.
On January 20, the Obamas move in -- a side of Inauguration Day that most people never see: a grueling, precisely timed workday involving scores of staffers that follows six months of careful planning.
Gary Walters worked at the executive mansion from 1986 until 2006 as chief usher in charge of moving presidential families in and out of the White House. From his Virginia home, Walters described how the complicated Obama move in to the White House is completed in only a few hours.
In the morning, after the Bushes and Obamas depart the executive mansion for the Capitol Hill swearing-in ceremony, moving trucks will roll up to the south side of the White House, Walters said.
The drivers put down their tailgates, allowing most of the White House's 93 staff members to begin unloading Obama family items, he said.
"Staff members all have been given very specific jobs on that day, almost down to the minute as to what their responsibilities are," Walters said.
The move is designed to be seamless, painless and invisible while millions of Washington visitors -- and millions more watching on TV -- follow the inauguration ceremonies and the parade that follows.
By about 5 p.m., before the Obamas move from the parade viewing stand to their new home, the presidential move must be complete.
"Their clothes will be in their closets; everything will be put away," Walters said. "There should be no full or half-empty boxes will in view. Furniture will be set in proper places. Their favorite foods will be in the kitchen or the pantry. The chief usher will welcome them into their home and ask them what they would like to do before going out to enjoy the inaugural balls."
Incoming first lady Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, will also be moving into the White House residence, which has 24 rooms on the second and third floors. The Obamas have hired California decorator Michael Smith to use an allocated $100,000 to redecorate the space. Watch what decorator may do with the White House »
"I think they're going to find that this is really conducive to family life," President Bush told CNN's Larry King. "President-elect Obama has got a 45-second commute to see his girls."
In the West Wing of the White House, the political jostling has begun among new staffers to grab workspaces near the center of power: the Oval Office.
There, the carpet is changed with each new administration to suit the incoming president, Walters said. Possibly, the office desk will be changed, as will paintings that will be hung on the wall.
Books on the Oval Office shelves will be changed per the new commander in chief, as will accessories to be
|
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question: How many private rooms are to be redecorated?, answer: 24 | question: In which time do scores of staffers switch out Bush, Obama furniture, clothes, etc.?, answer: By about 5 p.m., | question: What did scores of staffers work on?, answer: the Obamas move in | question: What did Obama allocate for decorating?, answer: $100,000 | question: how much did the Obamas allocate, answer: $100,000 | question: Where did the usher work?, answer: in charge of moving presidential families in and out of the White House.
|
(CNN) -- Comedian and TV host Stephen Colbert has warned NASA to name a new wing of the international space station after him or he would "seize power as space's evil tyrant overlord."
Stephen Colbert threatened NASA that he might become "space's evil tyrant overlord."
A NASA spokesman said the U.S. space agency is aware of Colbert's threat, issued Monday night on Comedy Central's "Colbert Report," but no decision will be made on the node's name until next week.
Colbert topped NASA's online poll soliciting names for the wing, with 230,539 of the more than 1.1 million votes cast, according to NASA spokesman John Yembrick.
The runner-up was Serenity, which Colbert said is not an appropriate name.
"That's not a space station," Colbert said. "That's an adult diaper."
Serenity was the name of a spaceship in the television series "Firefly," which spawned a 2005 movie.
The contest rules spelled out that NASA reserves the right to "ultimately select a name in accordance with the best interests of the agency. ... Such name may not necessarily be one which is on the list of voted-on candidate names."
NASA's hedging prompted a Pennsylvania congressman to urge the agency to name the node after the comedian.
"The people have spoken, and Stephen Colbert won it fair and square, even if his campaign was a bit over the top," Rep. Chaka Fattah said.
Fattah sits on the congressional committee that oversees NASA's funding.
"NASA, I urge you to heed Congressman Fattah's call for democracy in orbit," Colbert said. "Either name that node after me, or I, too, will reject democracy and seize power as space's evil tyrant overlord."
NASA's Yembrick said he watched Colbert's show Monday, but he would not directly respond to his "evil tyrant overlord" threat.
"We think it's great that he and his audience are taking an interest," Yembrick said.
Several media outlets have reported that NASA is working on a compromise in which it would slap the droll Colbert's name on a piece of "mission essential" equipment in the new wing: the toilet.
Colbert's loyal fans, lovingly called the Colbert Nation, have in the past bombarded polls to have things named after their idol.
Thanks to them, the comedian out-polled every other name in a bridge-naming contest in Hungary. The country's government later said it cannot name the bridge after him because he does not speak Hungarian and is not deceased.
Colbert also tried to get himself on Democratic and Republican primary ballots in his home state of South Carolina in 2007. The Democratic Party's executive council voted against his inclusion, and he did not qualify for the Republican primary because he missed the deadline.
But ice-cream maker Ben and Jerry named a flavor in honor of him, Colbert's AmeriCone Dream. And Virgin America named one of its planes Air Colbert.
|
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"Colbert's",
"next week.",
"Rep. Chaka Fattah"
] |
question: Where will Colbert's name go?, answer: on a piece of "mission essential" equipment in the new wing: the toilet. | question: What did NASA say?, answer: but no decision will be made on the node's name until next week. | question: Whose name will go on the toilet?, answer: Colbert's | question: When will NASA decide on this?, answer: next week. | question: Who has thrown backing behind Colbert?, answer: Rep. Chaka Fattah
|
(CNN) -- Comedy is hard; dying is easy. Any stand-up will tell you that.
Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen play comedians in "Funny People."
Let's have a hand, then, for Judd Apatow. Hollywood's most successful contemporary comedy producer isn't resting on his laurels but continues to push toward risky subject matter: male sexual insecurity in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," unwanted pregnancy in "Knocked Up" -- and now the big C.
No, not cancer -- though Adam Sandler's superstar comedian George Simmons is stricken with an appropriately eccentric form of leukemia. No, this latest film's true subject is Celebrity and the funny things it does to people.
Apatow's most personal (and also most self-indulgent) film, "Funny People," shuffles between three competitive Angelino roommates scrambling to grasp a rung on the showbiz ladder (Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and Jason Schwartzman), Simmons' multimillion-dollar Malibu mansion and the L.A. comedy clubs that sometimes bridge the gap between anonymity and fame.
Apatow and Sandler know these worlds well enough. The movie begins, in fact, with old home video footage of young Adam goofing off, making prank phone calls while his roommate Judd sniggers behind the camera. It's one of the few times we see Sandler really having fun and cutting loose. This is mostly a restrained, subdued and admirably unsentimental performance.
It feels natural that Simmons -- faced with his dire prognosis -- should return to the comedy circuit to wrestle with his imminent extinction before a roomful of strangers, even as he decides to keep his condition a secret from everyone around him.
It's actually not so hard in his case because he doesn't have any real friends, only "showbiz friends."
The exception is Ira Wright (Rogen), a struggling young comic who lucks into a job as his hero's joke writer slash personal assistant. Simmons is by turns demanding, generous, friendly and abusive, and Ira couldn't be happier.
The cross-currents are intriguing: He's getting his first taste of the high life, just as George is trying to savor his last days by reliving his first steps on the circuit.
True to form, Apatow negotiates the perilous terrain of existential doubt with his fall-back weapon of choice, the penis joke. Some of these are choice (Ira's real last name is "Wiener," pronounced "Whiner"), but many, many more feel flabby and redundant.
There's even an Andy Dick joke, in the form of Andy Dick himself -- one of several celebrity cameos, the oddest of which is surely Eminem, wondering aloud if George wouldn't be better off dead.
We must be approaching the 80-minute mark by then, about the time many comedies start wrapping things up. But it's a question that doesn't seem to have occurred to Simmons or the filmmakers before, and it spurs Apatow on to develop another hour of additional material in which George, miraculously recovered, pursues the love of his life (Leslie Mann), Ira in tow, without much consideration for her two daughters or her husband (Eric Bana). It's as if the movie bred its own sequel.
There's plenty of funny stuff here. Bana has a ball as the obtuse Aussie, but despite all the blue jokes, this is a more modulated, pensive effort than Apatow's previous hits.
He's improved, a little, as a director (perhaps the credit belongs to cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, who ensures that for once it doesn't all look like a sitcom), but Apatow is still in dire need of a good editor.
His instincts are generous. He wants to give us the six-course meal, and to go around the table, give everybody the chance to tell us a funny story. As a result "Funny People" is consistently entertaining but also rather grueling -- as if we're watching two or three different movies at the same time. At least one of these -- the tribulations of the young roomies -- we
|
[
"What is Funny People?",
"Who stars in the film?"
] |
[
"film,",
"Seth Rogen"
] |
question: What is Funny People?, answer: film, | question: Who stars in the film?, answer: Seth Rogen
|
(CNN) -- Comedy isn't evolutionary. Hollywood has been plundering ancient history for yuks at least since Buster Keaton's day, and there's little in "Year One" to suggest we've progressed much over the last 90 years.
Michael Cera and Jack Black go in search of meaning -- and some food -- in "Year One."
Quite the opposite, in fact.
It's a stretch to envisage Keaton picking up bear poop, as Jack Black does here, giving it an appraising sniff, then a quick lick. And I can't imagine him peeing down his own nostrils, as Michael Cera does (he's chained upside down at the time).
Not to say this monkey business isn't funny; these are the highlights of a relentlessly low-brow lark, notwithstanding several sophomoric speeches in a panicky existentialist vein.
Black is Zed, a sorry excuse for a hunter in a tribe that has yet to discover the wheel. His buddy Oh (Cera) is even further down the totem pole, a mere gatherer. Neither is a hit with the ladies, and when Zed is exiled after stealing forbidden fruit, well, not even Oh wants to go with him -- though of course he does tag along. It's no fun being a sidekick all on your lonesome.
Co-written and directed by comedy veteran Harold Ramis ("Ghostbusters," "Groundhog Day"), "Year One" is little more than a series of juvenile skits dressed up in toga party glad rags. It rambles off into Old Testament territory when the boys stumble across Cain (David Cross) killing his brother Abel (Paul Rudd), then arrive in the desert in the nick of time to save Isaac's neck (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) from his zealous father's knife -- though his foreskin is another story.
Sorely lacking the anarchic edge that Monty Python brought to "The Life of Brian" and the sheer chutzpah of Mel Brooks' "History of the World: Part One," "Year One" is more akin to one of those old Bob Hope-Bing Crosby jaunts -- two guys bicker and banter in exotic climes, hopping from scrape to scrape without ever reaching the bottom of the barrel.
Inevitably, Zed and Oh find themselves on the Road to Sodom, where Oliver Platt's plummy High Priest orchestrates orgies in the afternoon then presides over human sacrifices in the evening. It is in Sodom that the boys will prove their manhood.
Black's manic over-reacher and Cera's shy mumbler complement each other well enough in theory, but at 39, Black is almost old enough to be the 21-year-old Cera's father. It's a big age gap for a comedy duo, and they never quite mesh or convince as bosom buddies, even if they're fairly amusing separately.
Among the supporting cast, only Hank Azaria's fundamentalist Abraham really seizes on the possibilities; he and Platt deliver the goods. Too many others, on the other hand, just seem to have dropped by to hang out for a day or two on set.
Typically, neither Juno Temple nor June Diane Raphael gets any breathing room as the heroes' designated distressed damsels; Ramis ogles female flesh as enthusiastically as he milks homophobia for cheap laughs.
Bearing the tell-tale scars of slash-and-burn post-market testing editing -- several early scenes simply hit a brick wall -- "Year One" isn't an out-and-out disaster. It's just another feeble comedy that never finds its rhythm or builds up a head of steam. iReport.com: Share your review of "Year One"
It was probably a lot more fun to make than it is to watch, but we'll have to take that on trust. Even the outtakes played alongside the end credits aren't funny.
"Year One" is rated PG-13 and runs 100 minutes. For Entertainment Weekly's review, click here.
|
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question: Who does the movie star?, answer: Michael Cera | question: Who directed the movie?, answer: Harold Ramis | question: Which film stars did Harold Ramis direct?, answer: (David Cross) | question: What is the name of the feeble comedy?, answer: "Year One." | question: What is the name of the movie?, answer: "Year One" | question: Who is staring in the film?, answer: Michael Cera
|
(CNN) -- Coming back this weekend after a stay in Europe, I had that distinct sensation -- last felt when Lehman Brothers capsized, setting off the Great Recession -- that we once again find ourselves at the mercy of events and people just beyond our control.
Here at home, one hears that by Wednesday dawn, we will know whether BP's latest big try to stop the oil spill will work. If it does, we can begin to feel that we are moving in the right direction, but if it doesn't -- well, no one is quite sure what Plan D looks like. Is this really where we have come: that the fate of our precious coastlines and the waters off our coasts are in the hands of a single foreign-based company?
A month ago, it looked like the White House was on top of this problem, as Cabinet officers scurried here and there, the Coast Guard and others swung into action, there were talks with BP, and the president paid a personal visit. But increasingly, it has become apparent that the federal government may be present but is not in charge.
It keeps saying that BP bears ultimate responsibility. It is keeping the press away. No wonder James Carville, Chris Matthews and Donna Brazile exploded late last week. They are right on a basic point: Ultimately it is not the responsibility of BP or any other company to protect American interests but the responsibility of the federal government. Some Obama supporters have argued that the 1990 Oil Pollution Act limits the president's capacity to take action. Others disagree. Either way, in an emergency, laws can be changed.
Although this disaster is not an existential threat, it could be argued that if the U.S. government had fought World War II in the same way it has fought the oil spill, we might well be speaking German now. Faced with a growing danger to our well-being, a WWII-type government would at minimum have:
• Brought in the CEOs of all the major oil companies and charged them with the duty of an all-hands collaborative effort to stop the spill and help ward off the damage.
• Brought in the best minds in the country, from universities and technology, for emergency efforts to find solutions.
• Moved quickly to mobilize the National Guard and other military forces, if necessary, ensuring that they received the resources needed to protect our beaches.
• Made a clear call to citizen volunteers to help where necessary.
• Given Cabinet officers an ultimatum: Get this under control in the next 30 days, or else.
There will be ample time after this disaster for finger-pointing and blame-laying. The key now is to get this spill under control before it does far more damage.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post had it exactly right Monday morning when it argued that with the European crisis spreading now beyond Greece, "the knife-edge psychology currently governing global markets has put the future of the U.S. economic recovery in the hands of politicians in an assortment of European capitals."
Across Europe, one finds people stunned at the rapidity with which this crisis has grown, threatening not only their weak economies but also their dreams of a European utopia with people living a honeyed existence. All that could go smash now. Indeed, it is ironic that Europe may now be forced to give up its strong welfare state even as the U.S. is moving toward it. But the immediate point is that the U.S. finds itself too much at the mercy of whether European politicians and publics now make the right moves.
It may take a while, but Americans are going to start feeling a lot happier about our country when we once again believe we have strong control of own destiny. Leadership, anyone?
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Gergen.
|
[
"What is David Gergen concerned about?",
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] |
[
"that we once again find ourselves at the mercy of events and people just beyond our control.",
"National Guard and other military forces,",
"David Gergen."
] |
question: What is David Gergen concerned about?, answer: that we once again find ourselves at the mercy of events and people just beyond our control. | question: What does David Gergen believe a determined government response would have mobilized in reaction to the oil spill?, answer: National Guard and other military forces, | question: Who said that is does not make sense to place the fate of the U.S. coast in the hands of one company?, answer: David Gergen.
|
(CNN) -- Commentators who have watched the conflict in Northern Ireland play out for decades call the peace process a miracle.
Various leaders negotiated for years to bring an end to Northern Ireland's "troubles."
Culminating in a power sharing deal between Ulster's unionists, led by Ian Paisley, and Sinn Fein, the political arm of the IRA (nationalists), led by Gerry Adams, the road to peace has been a torturous one characterized by violence, set-backs and numerous false starts.
Only recently the Ulster Defence Association, Northern Ireland's largest loyalist group, said it will cease to be an armed paramilitary group, starting at midnight on November 11, saying the "war is over."
"All weaponry will be put beyond use," Colin Halliday of the Ulster Political Research Group, which is linked to the group, said in a speech in Belfast aired by RTE, Ireland's state-owned broadcaster. "The struggle to maintain the union is on a new and more complex battlefield."
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) disarmed two years ago, helping to restore the province's government in Belfast.
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said the most recent moves of groups to disarm was "significant and hopefully signals a further step toward the ending of all paramilitarism in Northern Ireland."
For those that have lived through the turmoil in Northern Ireland, peace achieved though diplomacy must have seemed like an unrealistic goal. After all, each attack by loyalists usually resulted in retaliation by nationalists -- making the dispute bitter and intractable.
But diplomacy has worked in bringing peace to Northern Ireland.
Credit for developing a framework for the peace process stretches back to former British Prime Minster John Major's rule in the 1990s and efforts by Ireland's Ahern. But it was Major's successor, Tony Blair, who was unrelenting in his quest for peace by making it a major priority of his government.
Blair came to Northern Ireland 37 times as Prime Minister, traveling there more often than any of his predecessors as well as hosting many meetings at 10 Downing Street and discussing the peace process while at many international summits.
According to the Belfast Telegraph: "When he (Blair) said on that first day he had come to seek 'a lasting and fair political settlement' it turned out he wasn't spouting platitudes on a stump."
Journalist James Button, who covered the peace process talks, says: "Blair played a clever hand. He saw the hardliners had to be involved.
"Critically he judged that the process had to tilt ever so slightly towards the republicans to prevent a split in their ranks and the resumption of violence by radicals -- which had happened whenever the republican leadership had inclined to moderation before."
Button says Downing Street had a bicycle theory around peace talks: "They had to keep going forward otherwise they would fall over."
It was Blair's diplomacy that wooed the previously immovable Paisley. Irish political scientist Lord Bew told the Guardian the alliance with Paisley was Blair's "last great romance... Once again when we thought the old maestro was fading, his capacity to seduce, politically speaking, is phenomenal."
But as Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein told CNN, the conflict was primarily a local one that needed to be solved by local people: "The people who have to be the brokers are the people who live in the areas of conflict.
"They're the people who ought to be the brokers but everybody else from the outside has to enhance the conditions so that those leaders or factions can actually broker not just an agreement, but implement an agreement.
"The Good Friday Agreement -- and [former U.S.] Senator [George] Mitchell said this at the time, when we got the agreement -- "That's the easy bit. Implementing it is going to be the difficult bit."
Mitchell worked with the various participants to reach an agreement.
The long road to peace
The "troubles" have been a centuries-old dispute between England and Ireland over who controls Northern Ireland.
In 1609
|
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question: Who will share power?, answer: Ulster's unionists, led by Ian Paisley, and Sinn Fein, | question: What has been termed miraculous?, answer: peace process | question: Where is the peace process happening?, answer: Northern Ireland. | question: What did the commentators call the peace process?, answer: a miracle. | question: The power sharing deal is between who and who?, answer: Ian Paisley, and Sinn Fein, | question: What region does the peace process involve?, answer: Northern Ireland | question: What have some commentators called the peace process?, answer: a miracle.
|
(CNN) -- Commercial office space, warehouses or factory facilities are not required to launch a successful business.
At-home enterprises have turned many business people into full-fledged celebrities.
Grammy award-winning musicians OutKast started in a basement recording studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Apple, Google and Microsoft all were born at home-based facilities. See more famous businesses that started at home »
Culinary queen Paula Deen started her media empire by making bag lunches in her own kitchen.
|
[
"What led to Paula Deen's media empire?",
"What companies started in homes?",
"What famous names started in homes?",
"Who's kitchen bag-lunch operation led to her media empire?",
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"Where did Google startup?"
] |
[
"by making bag lunches in her own kitchen.",
"Apple, Google and Microsoft",
"OutKast",
"Culinary queen Paula Deen",
"Apple, Google and Microsoft all were born at home-based",
"at home-based facilities."
] |
question: What led to Paula Deen's media empire?, answer: by making bag lunches in her own kitchen. | question: What companies started in homes?, answer: Apple, Google and Microsoft | question: What famous names started in homes?, answer: OutKast | question: Who's kitchen bag-lunch operation led to her media empire?, answer: Culinary queen Paula Deen | question: What proves commercial facilities aren't required for success?, answer: Apple, Google and Microsoft all were born at home-based | question: Where did Google startup?, answer: at home-based facilities.
|
(CNN) -- Conan O'Brien suggested in a statement Tuesday that he will not accept NBC's proposal to move him and "The Tonight Show," which he's hosted for seven months, to 12:05 a.m. ET.
NBC has proposed moving "The Tonight Show" from its traditional 11:35 p.m. slot so that the show's former host, Jay Leno, could host a half-hour show then.
"My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of 'The Tonight Show.' But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction," O'Brien said. "Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
"There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work."
Read O'Brien's full statement
After Leno left "The Tonight Show" last year -- as part of an agreement reached six years ago giving it to O'Brien -- he began hosting "The Jay Leno Show" for NBC in the fall, airing at 10 p.m. ET.
But ratings for the 10 p.m. show were low, and on Sunday, NBC announced that it was taking Leno out of the prime-time slot because the show "didn't meet affiliates' needs" despite performing at acceptable levels for the network. The last show will air February 11 to make way for the 2010 Winter Olympics, which airs starting February 12.
Jeff Gaspin, chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, said the plan was for Leno to host a new, half-hour show at 11:35 p.m. ET, followed by "Tonight" with O'Brien at 12:05 a.m. and Jimmy Fallon's "Late Night" show moving to 1 a.m. As of Sunday, NBC was still negotiating with the three hosts over the proposed lineup.
iReport: Share your view on the late-night shakeup
O'Brien, in his statement Tuesday, said the plan wasn't acceptable.
"For 60 years the 'Tonight Show' has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying 'The Tonight Show' into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting," O'Brien said. " 'The Tonight Show' at 12:05 simply isn't 'The Tonight Show.'
"Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the 'Late Night' show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy."
Fox's president of entertainment, Kevin Reilly, told reporters on Monday that his network may be interested in O'Brien should he leave "Tonight."
"I love him," Reilly said at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California. "It's a very compatible fit for our brand. He is one of the few guys in the planet who has demonstrated he can do one of these shows every night."
In monologues on their respective shows on Monday, Leno and O'Brien had zingers about the looming shakeup.
"NBC said the show performed exactly as they expected it would and then canceled us. Don't confuse this [with] when we were on at late night and performed better than expected and they canceled us. That was totally different," Leno quipped.
O'Brien had the following to say on his show Monday:
-- "Good evening, I'm Conan O'Brien, the new host of 'Last Call with Carson Daly.' "
-- "This weekend no one was seriously hurt, but a 6.5 earthquake hit California
|
[
"What network is interested in Conan?",
"in what way would he damage the franchise?",
"What host of the Tonight Show is concerned?",
"What network does he work for?",
"Who is interested in O'Brien?"
] |
[
"Fox's",
"delaying 'The Tonight Show'",
"O'Brien",
"\"NBC",
"Fox's president of entertainment, Kevin Reilly, told reporters on Monday that his network may be"
] |
question: What network is interested in Conan?, answer: Fox's | question: in what way would he damage the franchise?, answer: delaying 'The Tonight Show' | question: What host of the Tonight Show is concerned?, answer: O'Brien | question: What network does he work for?, answer: "NBC | question: Who is interested in O'Brien?, answer: Fox's president of entertainment, Kevin Reilly, told reporters on Monday that his network may be
|
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