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(CNN) -- Italian newspapers, an archbishop and civil liberties campaigners expressed shock and revulsion on Monday after photographs were published of sunbathers apparently enjoying a day at the beach just meters from where the bodies of two drowned Roma girls were laid out on the sand. Photographs of the dead Roma girls on a beach caused outrage in Italy. Italian news agency ANSA reported that the incident had occurred on Saturday at the beach of Torregaveta, west of Naples, southern Italy, where the two girls had earlier been swimming in the sea with two other Roma girls. Reports said they had gone to the beach to beg and sell trinkets. Local news reports said the four girls found themselves in trouble amid fierce waves and strong currents. Emergency services responded 10 minutes after a distress call was made from the beach and two lifeguards attended the girls upon hearing their screams. Two of them were pulled to safety but rescuers failed to reach the other two in time to save them. Watch why the photos have generated anger » The Web site of the Archbishop of Naples said the girls were cousins named Violetta and Cristina, aged 12 and 13. Their bodies were eventually laid out on the sand under beach towels to await collection by police. Photographs show sunbathers in bikinis and swimming trunks sitting close to where the girls' feet can be seen poking out from under the towels concealing their bodies. A photographer who took photos at the scene told CNN the mood among sunbathers had been one of indifference. Other photos show police officers lifting the bodies into coffins and carrying them away past bathers reclined on sun loungers. "While the lifeless bodies of the girls were still on the sand, there were those who carried on sunbathing or having lunch just a few meters away," Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported. Corriere della Sera said that a crowd of curious onlookers that had formed around the bodies quickly dispersed. "Few left the beach or abandoned their sunbathing. When the police from the mortuary arrived an hour later with coffins, the two girls were carried away between bathers stretched out in the sun." The incident also attracted condemnation from the Archbishop of Naples, Cardinal Crecenzio Seppe. "Indifference is not an emotion for human beings," Seppe wrote in his parish blog. "To turn the other way or to mind your own business can sometimes be more devastating than the events that occur." Recent weeks have seen heightened tensions between Italian authorities and the country's Roma minority amid a crackdown by Silvo Berlusconi's government targeting illegal immigrants and talk by government officials of a "Roma emergency" that has seen the 150,000-strong migrant group blamed for rising street crime. That has provided justification for police raids on Roma camps and controversial government plans to fingerprint all Roma -- an act condemned by the European Parliament and United Nations officials as a clear act of racial discrimination. Popular resentment against Romanies has also seen Roma camps near Naples attacked and set on fire with petrol bombs by local residents. In a statement published on its Web site, the Italian civil liberties group EveryOne said Saturday's drowning had occurred in an atmosphere of "racism and horror" and cast doubt on the reported version of events, suggesting that it appeared unusual for the four girls to wade into the sea, apparently casting modesty aside and despite being unable to swim. "The most shocking aspect of all this is the attitude of the people on the beach," the statement said. "No one appears the slightest upset at the sight and presence of the children's dead bodies on the beach: they carry on swimming, sunbathing, sipping soft drinks and chatting." CNN's Jennifer Eccleston contributed to this report. | [
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"What photos caused Italians to be outraged?",
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"sunbathers in bikinis and swimming trunks sitting close to where the girls' feet can be seen poking out from under the towels concealing their bodies."
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] | Italian outrage over photos of sunbathers at a beach where two Roma girls drowned .
Photos showed girls' bodies lying on sand covered in beach towels .
Newspapers report beach goers eating lunch, sun bathing as bodies carried away .
Incident occurred amid heightened tensions between authorities, Roma minority . |
(CNN) -- Italy's Valentino Rossi gave his bid to seal a seventh Moto GP world title at the Malaysian Grand Prix a boost after qualifying for the race in pole position. The defending champion set a name lap-record time of 2 minutes 00.518 seconds despite sweltering conditions on Saturday. The time smashed Casey Stoner's 2007 lap record of 2 minutes 02.108 seconds. The Yamaha rider celebrated his seventh pole of the season by pulling a wheelie as he drove into the pit lane at the Sepang circuit. The 5.5-kilometer track that is situated south of the capital Kuala Lumpur, is a notoriously tought test for rider and machine alike with its combination of tight corners, long straights and tough high-speed bends. The 30-year-old currently leads the world championship by 38 points, a position that means a top-four finish at Sepang would seal the title on Sunday. Rossi's teammate Jorge Lorenzo qualified in second place, just 0.569sec behind -- a result that prompted Rossi to pay tribute to the hard work of his team. "The team worked well, the bike performed well, hence I was able to go faster. "Starting from pole is important since the (first) corner is far away," he added. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa (Honda) was 0.736sec behind Rossi while Australian Stoner was fourth at 0.937sec. Ducati rider Stoner, who finished ahead of Rossi in last weekend's Australian Grand Prix to take the win, is third in the world championship standings, with Pedrosa fourth on a Honda. | [
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] | Italy's Valentino Rossi qualifies in pole position for the Malaysian Moto GP .
The 30-year-old's fastest time smashed the lap record at the Sepang circuit .
Rossi currently leads the world championship by 38 points with two races left .
The defending champion can clinch his seventh title with a top-four finish . |
(CNN) -- Jack Borden would like you to consider working well past retirement age. As a 101-year-old attorney, he has the credibility to encourage it. Attorney Jack Borden, 101, says he's never thought about not working. "What would I do?" he said. Borden, who has been practicing law for the better part of 70 years, still spends about 40 hours a week at his office in Weatherford, Texas, handling estate planning, probate and real estate matters. Retire? Not while he's able to help folks. "As long as you are capable, you ought to use what God gave you. He left me here for a reason, and with enough of a mind to do what it is I'm supposed to be doing," said Borden, who also has been a district attorney and Weatherford's mayor. He arrives at the practice he shares with his nephew at 6:30 a.m. He goes home for lunch at 10:45 a.m., rests in bed for 45 minutes -- doctor's orders after pneumonia a few years back -- returns to work by 12:45 p.m. and stays until at least 4. Not everyone who works past 65 does so because they want to. In a survey completed last month, 38 percent of respondents working past the age of 62 said they may have to delay retirement even further because of the recession, according to the Pew Research Center's Social and Demographic Trends project. But in answer to another question in the same survey, 54 percent of workers 65 or older said they're working now mainly because they want to. Seventeen percent said their main reason was money, and 27 percent said both factors motivated them. "Some of them enjoy it, and some of them need the money. But even if they need the money, they also enjoy the work," said Cynthia Metzler, president of Experience Works, a nonprofit that helps low-income workers ages 55 and older acquire new job skills. The group, which operates in 30 states and also uses federal funds to pay participants a minimum wage to work community service jobs while they look for other work, last month named Borden as America's Outstanding Oldest Worker -- a title it bestows annually to a worker over 100. Last week, Borden was in Washington to participate in events the group was holding to mark National Employ Older Workers Week. When it comes to putting off retirement out of desire, Borden is hardly alone. Preston Brown, 70, is a police officer in Yakima, Washington. He's enjoying the challenges that come with patrolling streets full time, and the experiences are relatively fresh: The former marketing worker and real estate broker didn't join the force until he was 51. He was attracted to law enforcement as a teen but was told he was too short. The height requirements eventually changed, and after some friends persuaded him to go on a patrol ride-along, he began a process that landed him a job with Yakima police in 1990. Whatever is required, from report-taking to chases, he's up for it. "From time to time there will be a physical confrontation ... and we can get involved in foot chases and vehicle chases. Usually the vast quantity is on night shift more than [my daytime shift], but still I'm involved in those," Brown said. Nineteen years later and still in good shape, he has no plans to stop. He likes the pay but he doesn't have to work: His wife of 53 years has a pension. He could be doing other things, such as playing racquetball and motorcycling with friends, but because he gets four days off after working five roughly 11-hour days, he already has time for that. "When I wake up and prepare to leave for work, I'm looking forward to it," he said. "It's challenging and exciting." In Anderson, South Carolina, customers at a Chick-fil-A restaurant might see 88-year-old Frank Childers fixing a door. His wife, Gertrude Childers, | [
"How many hours does Jack Borden work?",
"What did the group name Borden?",
"When did the police officer start working?",
"Who didn't become cop until he was 51?",
"Who still works 40 hours a week?"
] | [
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] | Texas attorney Jack Borden, 101, still works 40 hours a week .
Group named Borden "America's Outstanding Oldest Worker" for 2009 .
"If I were to quit, I might last ... not over six months," Borden says .
Police officer, 70, didn't become cop until he was 51 . |
(CNN) -- Jacmel was the artsy town Kathryn Bolles would travel to on weekends, a respite from the bustle of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. But when a colleague with the Save the Children organization returned from once-scenic Jacmel on Friday, Bolles said he was traumatized. "He said it's horrible what's happened there," said Bolles, the emergency health and nutrition director for Save the Children in Haiti. "People are lost, dead, missing. Houses are down and facilities are down. It sounded similar to what we're seeing here in Port-au-Prince." Attention has focused on Port-au-Prince since Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude quake, as it is the country's most populous city -- at more than 1.2 million people -- and has suffered tremendous devastation. Thousands of homeless victims have taken to sleeping in the streets, without food, water and medical attention. Others are buried beneath the rubble, and rescuers have miraculously pulled out survivors who were entombed by the debris. Elsewhere, though, preliminary reports are telling of how the crisis has gripped residents beyond the capital. "What we're hearing from text messages, from e-mails is that all along the coast going west and then down south, towns are absolutely destroyed," said Bolles, who has worked in Haiti since 1999 and spoke to CNN from Port-au-Prince. She learned of the extent of the damage from colleagues, people on the street and other aid groups. Just to the west of Port-au-Prince is Carrefour, a city of 442,000 that felt violent shaking during the quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Damage there is expected to be heavy -- reports have yet to come in, the agency said. West of that is Leogane, a city, like Carrefour, that is passed on the road to Jacmel. More than 30 miles further west of the capital is Petit-Goave -- all towns, Bolles said that are reeling from the quake. Leogane's main hospital was flattened, as were numerous other buildings, Bolles said. She said she heard the "whole town had collapsed." Among the other areas, she said she was told an orphanage full of 1,500 children collapsed, and many people were dead or missing. CNN has yet to independently verify damage or casualties outside the capital, but reports continue to build in bits and pieces. About a three-hour drive south of the capital in Jacmel, there were reports of an orphanage that toppled, and of a hospital for women that collapsed, said Alana Salcer, spokeswoman for Cine Institute, a film school in Jacmel. Staff at the school and students there have written Salcer about the dire situation in that city, and even shot footage of buildings ripped open and survivors lying in streets. To keep the lights on and communication open, the school has had to rely on a generator after power lines went down. The home of the school's editing teacher, Andrew Bigosinski, fell down a hill when the earth violently shook, and many others lost their homes, Salcer said. Just east of Port-au-Prince, makeshift camps have been erected in the public squares of the densely populated area of Delmas, Cine Institute founder David Belle told Salcer in an e-mail shared with CNN. Belle described a harrowing scene on the road to Port-au-Prince: "Moving into the city ... the destruction gets worse and worse and the street is lined with piles of swollen, rotting bodies. ...Periodic road blocks have been set up by residents, protesting the lack of any aid presence and angry at stench and indecency. Huge tractors and dump trucks were just beginning to arrive and load bodies as we passed thru." American Red Cross logistics expert and relief worker Colin Chaperone said the biggest obstacle outside the capital was getting medical treatment to the injured. Chaperone arrived in the capital Wednesday and had driven east toward the border with the Dominican Republic to escort an American Red Cross Emergency Response Unit into Haiti, said Red Cross spokesman | [
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] | Jacmel, Leogane, Carrefour and Petit-Goave are towns that are reeling from earthquake .
East of Port-au-Prince, makeshift camps have been erected in public squares .
Humanitarian response "needs to be immediate," says Kathryn Bolles of Save the Children . |
(CNN) -- Jacques Bazin didn't have time to catch his breath after being pulled from the rubble of a three-bedroom home on the outskirts of the Haitian capital.
Though he'd been trapped in the house for three days, he marshaled the strength to begin helping the Haitians who had just rescued him search for other survivors.
He spoke to CNN on Friday, two hours after being rescued, and again Saturday as he worked to free 10 children still encased in the toppled residence.
"Next time you call, God willing, they might be out. Otherwise, they will die," he said. "Their voices are really low because for four days, they eat nothing. I drill holes on top of the cement and put bread inside so they can eat. What we do, we have to do fast."
Friday evening made his mission more urgent as two children were killed when an aftershock -- one of four that day, all 4.6 magnitude or higher -- disrupted the concrete slabs imprisoning them, he said.
A New York-based philanthropist, Bazin, 54, has been in Haiti since December 13. His nonprofit organization, JB Humanitarian, builds schools for the poor in Haiti.
Six staff members of one of his schools, in Ocadet, died when the 7.0-magnitude quake struck Tuesday, causing the school to collapse on top of them.
Bazin was on the porch of a nearby home taking pictures of the mountains. Twenty-four children were inside the home, he said.
"The next thing I know, this thing is splitting in half -- the mountain split in half," he said. "The house where I was went down."
He and 12 of the children had been freed as of Saturday morning, but the remaining children were in the back of the house when the earthquake hit. Bazin said he and 11 others were working to free them in one of the poorest sections of Port-au-Prince.
Looking for a loved one? Visit iReport.com
Bazin's dilemma was one of myriad stories of lost loved ones pouring into CNN this week via its tip lines and iReport.com. Other pleas for help have reportedly come from within the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Regine Madhere is one such case. The 26-year-old worked in the pharmacy of a four-story Caribbean market leveled by the temblor. Stateside friends and relatives in Port-au-Prince told CNN that Madhere had been sending texts to relatives and to a local radio station this week.
Reached Saturday in Port-au-Prince, Madhere's aunt and uncle said an American rescue team had been working through the night to rescue those trapped in the market's ruins.
Watch a rescue at the market from earlier in the week
Her uncle, Guy Gelin, further said he had seen the rescuers free six to eight people Friday and he was hopeful that Madhere would be free by day's end.
"They are working very, very hard. They make many holes so [those trapped] can breathe. They give us hope today," said her aunt, Ginette Madhere, who hasn't slept since the quake rocked the capital. Help the Madhere family find Regine
With a dearth of resources and rescuers in Haiti, victims are reaching out to locales as faraway as Florida, New York, even Germany. The long-distance text messages serve as a sign of the fear and desperation many are experiencing in the Western Hemisphere's most-impoverished nation.
Bazin said his own anguish is confounded by doubts that rescuers will reach his school in Ocadet anytime soon.
"Nobody give a damn because these people are so poor," he said. "This is the last place they would ever think of coming."
He planned to head into the city later Saturday, he said, to find more food for the trapped children. He said he also hoped to rent a tractor to move some of the larger chunks of concrete enveloping the students.
"I have to get them out before I get back to the States. I can | [
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] | Jacques Bazin says two children died under a collapsed house after a Friday aftershock .
Bazin was under the rubble three days before he was saved; he's now helping others .
Text messages to Germany, New York speak to dearth of rescuers, resources in Haiti .
Regine Madhere's aunt, uncle at market, hoping rescuers will soon pull her from debris . |
(CNN) -- James Cameron unveiled his much-hyped, wildly-anticipated 3D sci-fi epic "Avatar" to audiences in full in London Thursday. Here's what the critics are saying about the Oscar-winner's first outing since "Titanic," the most successful film of modern times. Todd McCarthy, Variety: The King of the World sets his sights on creating another world entirely in "Avatar," and it's very much a place worth visiting. ...delivers unique spectacle, breathtaking sights, narrative excitement and an overarching anti-imperialist, back-to-nature theme that will play very well around the world..." Mike Goodridge, Screen International: ...once again takes cinema to a new level of remarkable spectacle ... An epic film born entirely of Cameron's imagination, "Avatar" uses tailor-made technology to create the most astonishing visual effects yet seen on screen and blends them seamlessly into a mythical sci-fi story about an ancient alien civilization fighting the encroaching human menace. It's an unprecedented marriage of technology and storytelling which is on the whole remarkably successful. Chris Hewitt, Empire: It's been twelve years since "Titanic," but the King of the World has returned with a flawed but fantastic tour de force that, taken on its merits as a film, especially in two dimensions, warrants four stars. However, if you can wrap a pair of 3D glasses round your peepers, this becomes a transcendent, full-on five-star experience that's the closest we'll ever come to setting foot on a strange new world. Wendy Ide, The Times: "Avatar" is an overwhelming, immersive spectacle. The state-of-the-art 3D technology draws us in, but it is the vivid weirdness of Cameron's luridly imagined tropical otherworld that keeps us fascinated. At times it verges on the tacky, like a futuristic air freshener advertisement with the color contrast turned up to the max. The ethically accented orchestral score certainly doesn't help matters. But mostly, it's a place of wonder full of exotically freakish animal composites -- iridescent lizard birds, hammer-headed rhinos -- and sentient vegetation. "Avatar:" We shouldn't really be telling you this -- but it's good. Mark Brown, The Guardian: Perhaps most surprising was the politics. At one stage the deranged general leading the attack, with echoes of George Bush, declares: "Our survival relies on pre-emptive action. We will fight terror with terror." | [
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] | James Cameron's "Avatar" had its world premiere in London yesterday .
The 3D sci-fi epic goes on public release worldwide on December 18 .
Read what the critics have said said so far . |
(CNN) -- Jane Fonda told Piers Morgan that Michael Jackson's 1981 visit to her California ranch inspired him to purchase what was to become Neverland Ranch.
The actress and author of the new book "Prime Time" -- which is about the last third of life -- is a guest on tonight's "Piers Morgan Tonight."
"I had a ranch in Santa Barbara," said Fonda. "And he came and visited me once. And I was walking him around. It's how he was introduced to that area -- where he eventually bought Neverland -- is when I had him to my ranch."
The King of Pop, who was in his early 20s at the time, spent a week on the set of "On Golden Pond."
"He came and he wanted to watch my father and Katharine Hepburn work," said Fonda. "He was interested in becoming a movie actor."
Fonda also recalled pointing out to Jackson the spot on the ranch's grounds where she intended to be buried.
"I thought he was going to have a meltdown," Fonda stated. "The notion that I could countenance the fact that I was going to die was anathema to him. He just -- he screamed."
The actress recalled Jackson insisting that he was never going to die.
"He talked about how he would get into an oxygen tank and he thought that was going to keep him, you know, alive forever."
Fonda told Morgan that she doesn't like the notion that Jackson's 2009 death was a "Hollywood cliché," but that "it's hard to imagine that someone that was as tormented as he was, you know, could have sort of lived a long and peaceful and natural life."
Fonda and her father, Henry Fonda, co-starred in 1981's "On Golden Pond," for which they both won Oscars. The film also won Best Picture that year.
"I feel so blessed, Piers, to have been able to have that experience," said Fonda. "He died five months later. I bought the play. I made the movie, because I wanted to work with him. We knew he was dying."
The actress described her relationship with her father.
"He was a man of profound integrity," she said. "He was a good man. He had good values. He had problems in the relationship department. He had problems with emotions, which is interesting for an actor, a hard time expressing emotions and being around someone who was emotional. It was absolutely terrifying to him."
Fonda also noted that while her father was difficult, "he did the best he could; and I was able to tell him that before he died."
Fonda also stated that "if there had been Prozac then, I think probably our lives would have been very different."
The actress also said that she believes that what her father didn't communicate directly to her, he did through the films whose values he held dear, such as "Twelve Angry Men," "Young Abe Lincoln," "The Wrong Man," and "The Grapes of Wrath."
Fonda also told Morgan that she knows her dad would have been pleased to know that she married Ted Turner.
"I found out after my dad died that he was fascinated by Ted Turner," said Fonda. "Dad loved the news; and he told a reporter that once interviewed me that he thought that Ted Turner was the greatest guy in the world because he started CNN."
Turner and Fonda divorced in 2001.
"We had a great time for 10 years," said Fonda. "I am so happy that I got to spend 10 years with him. It ended when it was supposed to end and we're very, very close. I just talked to him today. I told him I was going to be on the show. And I'm so proud of him. He's done so much good work in the | [
"What did Jane Fonda say about her father?",
"what Jane Fonda said to her father?",
"Who did Fonda say did good work in the world?",
"What Fonda said of his father?"
] | [
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] | Jane Fonda on her father: If there had been Prozac, our lives would have been different .
Fonda on Ted Turner: "I'm so proud of him. He's done so much good work in the world"
She hopes Barack Obama gets re-elected .
Fonda on GOP candidates: "I get depressed and scared when I look at the Republican debates" |
(CNN) -- Japan is grappling with its worst economic crisis since the end of World War II, the nation's economic and fiscal policy minister said Monday.
A businessman walks past a homeless man taking a nap at a Tokyo park.
The comments from Kaoru Yosano followed news of Japan's gross domestic product falling 12.7 percent in the fourth quarter in 2008.
"This is the worst economic crisis in the post-war era," Yosano said at a press conference, according to Japan's Kyodo news agency.
The global economic crisis has pummeled Japan, which depends largely on its auto and electronics exports. The slump in exports has led to tens of thousands of layoffs across Japan.
"Behind [the contraction in GDP for] the October-December quarter is a terrific downturn in exports," he said, according to Kyodo.
"Like other major countries, our country cannot avoid the pains of structural change," Yosano said.
To stimulate the economy, the Japanese parliament needs to act quickly on key budget measures, he said, referring to bills related to a second supplementary budget for fiscal 2008 and early passage of the state budget for fiscal 2009.
Asked about Japan possibly producing a new economic stimulus plan in the short term, Yosano said wide-ranging discussions would be needed first.
"After seeing this level [of GDP], it is our duty to think of various policy options," he added. | [
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"The economic and fiscal policy minister says it's the worst economic crisis since what war?"
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] | Economic and fiscal policy minister says worst economic crisis since end of WWII .
Japan's gross domestic product fell 12.7 percent in the fourth quarter in 2008 .
A slump in exports has led to tens of thousands of layoffs across Japan . |
(CNN) -- Japan's 77-year-old emperor is currently in hospital, several days after coming down with a fever, a spokesperson with the Imperial Household Agency says.
Emperor Akihito, a ceremonial but revered figure in the Japan, was suffering from a worsening case of bronchitis and the fever he contracted Thursday, according to the spokesperson, who declined to be identified due to the agency's media protocol.
"He appears to be fatigued and has lost some resistance to fight against sickness," the spokesperson said. "To be on the safe side, he was hospitalized (Sunday night) at University of Tokyo Hospital."
It is the emperor's second time in a hospital this year, after getting medical treatment in February for extensive tests of his coronary arteries.
In recent years some analysts believe Akihito's health has been affected by stress. The issues of no male heir for Crown Prince Naruhito, the continued talk of constitutional changes for females to rule and family rifts over the role of the Imperial Household Agency were speculated to be the cause.
Tsugunomiya Akihito was born on December 23, 1933 in Tokyo to Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako Kuniat as their fifth child and first son.
According to Japanese legend, he is a direct descendant of Japan's first emperor Jimmu, circa 660 BC. Akihito means "shining pinnacle of virtue," and Tsugunomiya means "prince of the august succession and enlightened benevolence."
At about the age of five, Akihito was separated from his parents, in accordance with Japanese custom at the time, and raised and educated by chamberlains and tutors.
His youth was packed with events so dramatic that they today seem unimaginable, including Japan's brutal military invasion of China, its foray into World War II and subsequent defeat followed by an unprecedented foreign occupation.
Akihito's post WWII private tutor was an American Quaker, Elizabeth Gray-Vining from Philadelphia, who also happened to be the only foreign guest at his wedding. Married to Michiko Shoda in 1959, he was the first Japanese crown prince to marry a commoner (they met playing tennis), despite the fact there was a designated list of about 800 potential candidates.
The marriage produced three children; Hiro no miya Naruhito Shinno, Crown Prince Naruhito (born February 23, 1960), Akishino no miya Fumihito Shinno, Prince Akishino (born November 30, 1965), and Nori no miya Sayako Naishinno, Princess Sayako (born April 8, 1969).
On November 12, 1990, Akihito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne -- the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world -- as the 125th Emperor of Japan, one year and ten months after the death of Emperor Hirohito.
The position, per Japan's constitution, is defined as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." That said, the office's involvement in day-to-day government affairs tends to be minimal.
Akihito broke from precedent following Japan's epic 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami earlier this year, when he gave a historic, televised speech on March 16. In it, he encouraged citizens to put forth their "best effort to save all suffering people" and he applauded his countrymen's handling of the crisis.
"I truly hope the victims of the disaster never give up hope, take care of themselves, and live strong for tomorrow," he said in a calm and poignant oration delivered from the Imperial Palace. "Also, I want all citizens of Japan to remember everyone who has been affected by the devastation, not only today but for a long time afterwards -- and help with the recovery."
CNN Library contributed to this report. | [
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] | Japan has the world's only monarch with the title Emperor .
The Chrysanthemum Throne is the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world .
Akihito is the fifth child and first son of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako .
Akihito's interests include marine biology, tennis, playing the cello . |
(CNN) -- Japan's defense minister has ordered two destroyers to help fight piracy in the waters off Somalia, officials with the defense ministry told CNN.
Pirates are caught on camera off the Somalian coast.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers will be dispatched Saturday, the defense ministry said.
The order, which the Cabinet approved earlier Friday, marks the first policing action for the MSDF, whose major missions overseas have focused on background support such as transport and refueling, Japan's Kyodo news agency said.
A bill approved on the same day allows the MSDF to be deployed in piracy-infested waters as needed.
The move comes after Somali pirates released a Panamanian-flagged, Japanese-owned vessel that was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden in November, according to a non-governmental group that monitors piracy. The ship was released last month.
The 18 Filipino and five South Korean crew members were reportedly unharmed. It was unclear whether the pirates were paid a ransom to release the ship.
Japan Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said the provision would be used on an interim basis, the news agency reported.
Two destroyers with about 400 personnel and eight coast guard officers will be aboard the ships, whose escort mission will start in early April after about three weeks of sailing toward Somalia, according to the news agency. | [
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[
"early April"
]
] | The order marks the first policing action for the MSDF .
Mission will start in early April after about three weeks of sailing .
Move comes after Somali pirates hijacked Japan-owned vessel in November . |
(CNN) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada on Thursday apologized to South Korea for the more than three decades when Japan ruled over Korea, calling the time a "tragic incident."
Okada made the rare apology during a joint news conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, Korean state-run media reported.
"I believe it was a tragic incident for Koreans when they were deprived of their nation and their identity," Okada said, according to the Yonhap news agency.
"I can fully understand the feelings of (Koreans) who were deprived of their identity and nation. I believe we must never forget the victims," he added.
Japan controlled Korea from 1910 to 1945. During that time, Japan's military is accused of forcing about 200,000 women, mainly from Korea and China, to serve as sex slaves. They were known as "comfort women" for soldiers in Japan's Imperial Army.
There have been street protests and lawsuits in that past in South Korea over the sufferings of the comfort women.
At least one other Japanese leader has apologized for the era.
In 2001, then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi acknowledged the "enormous damage" inflicted by Japan's military "by colonization and invasion." | [
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"What did Katsuya Okada apologize for?",
"What period of time did Katsuya Okada call a \"tragic incident\"?",
"What tragic incident?",
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"Who did Okada apologize to?",
"Who is Japan's Foreign Minister?",
"Who apologized?"
] | [
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"Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada"
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],
[
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[
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[
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[
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] | Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada apologizes to S. Korea for Japan's rule over Korea .
He calls period from 1910 to 1945 when Japan ruled over Korea a "tragic incident"
Japan's military accused of using women, mainly from Korea and China, as sex slaves .
In 2001, then-PM Junichiro Koizumi acknowledged damage inflicted by Japan's military . |
(CNN) -- Japanese protesters took to the streets Saturday to demand safer energy as the nation marked the three-month anniversary of an earthquake and tsunami that sparked the worst nuclear crisis in 25 years.
The massive quake on March 11 triggered a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, forcing the evacuation of thousands. Months later, crews are still working to control radioactive emissions.
"We need electricity, but we cannot put lives at risk," said Kentaro Morisawa, a railway worker who took part in the Tokyo protest.
"We have the responsibility to protect our children's lives as much as our lives. Safer energy, such as fuel and water, is what we need today.
Crowds sang, chanted and beat drums in protests held nationwide.
"Because we are letting radioactive material leak into the environment, we are getting a bad reputation from overseas," protester Mamoru Matsuda said.
"So we need to end this Fukushima crisis as soon as possible."
Some of the protesters gathered near the headquarters the Tokyo Electric Power Co., which operates the nuclear plant.
The protests comes three months into the crisis, which is the worst nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
One of three operating reactors at the plant melted down after the March earthquake and tsunami, and others suffered extensive damage to their radioactive cores.
The resulting contamination has forced authorities to evacuate more than 100,000 people from towns surrounding the plant.
In addition, restrictions on various agricultural and fisheries products have devastated Japanese farmers and fishermen since the disaster started, though some of those bans have been lifted in recent weeks.
The protests are the latest show of discontent for embattled Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who survived a no-confidence vote in this month. | [
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] | They take to the streets as the nation marks the three-month anniversary of a massive quake .
The March 11 earthquake triggered a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant .
"We need electricity, but we cannot put lives at risk," Kentaro Morisawa says . |
(CNN) -- Jay Leno pulled no punches on his show Monday night, the first since NBC confirmed the TV host was being kicked out of his low-rated 10 p.m. slot after just three months.
"Welcome to 'The Jay Leno Show.' As you know, we're not just a show anymore, we are now a collector's item," he said to open the show, before launching into a string of scathing one-liners making not-so-light of the situation.
Jeff Gaspin, chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, announced Sunday that the network was taking Leno -- formerly the host of "The Tonight Show" now helmed by Conan O'Brien -- 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.
"NBC said the show performed exactly as they expected it would and then canceled us. Don't confuse this when we were on at late night and performed better than expected and they canceled us. That was totally different," Leno quipped.
Gaspin said the plan now is 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.
O'Brien had his own zingers for NBC during his monologue Monday night.
Among them:
-- "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. The earthquake was so powerful that it knocked Jay Leno's show from 10:00 to 11:35."
-- "On the positive side, I have learned a valuable lesson from all this: never sign a contract that ends with the word 'NOT.' "
As of Sunday, NBC was still negotiating with the three hosts over the proposed line-up.
"Supposedly we're moving to 11:30. Even this is not for sure. My people are upset. Conan's people are upset. Hey, NBC said it wanted drama at 10:00 -- now they've got it! Everyone's mad," Leno said Monday night.
Before turning his monologue to other current events, Leno had one last piece of mud to sling:
"I take pride in one thing. I leave NBC prime time the same way I found it -- a complete disaster."
NBC moved Leno to the prime time slot in September with "The Jay Leno Show," a decision that raised eyebrows in the industry. In an unprecedented move, NBC was pitting a talk show up against the hourlong dramas that have typically done well at 10 p.m.
Although Leno's ratings were on target with NBC's expectations, the low average of nightly viewers left affiliates feeling the brunt of "the Leno effect," causing the ratings for nightly news to drop.
This announcement fueled rumors that O'Brien, who took Leno's spot on "The Tonight Show" in 2009, is considering making an exit.
Scott Grogin, a spokesman for Fox, had no comment on whether the network had reached out to offer O'Brien his own show. Fox reportedly went after him six years ago, which led to NBC offering him the "Tonight Show" chair after Leno's eventual departure.
"This is still being sorted out," said Ben Grossman, editor in chief of the industry trade publication Broadcasting and Cable, who added that he expects the network to reach a conclusion over the next few days.
"The bottom line is that NBC has decided -- correctly or incorrectly -- that they're going to try and keep all their late-night talent. That's very expensive and a very questionable strategy."
Grossman thinks it's very likely Leno will remain at 11:30 post-negotiations.
"I just don't know that you need to pay that much money in late-night. I | [
"What did Leno say of NBC prime?",
"What did Leno say?",
"What was a complete disaster according to leno?"
] | [
[
"Show.' As you know, we're not just a show anymore, we are now a collector's item,\""
],
[
"now they've got it! Everyone's mad,\""
],
[
"NBC prime time"
]
] | NEW: Conan: Earthquake so powerful "it knocked Jay Leno's show from 10:00 to 11:35"
Leno: "I leave NBC prime time the same way I found it -- a complete disaster"
NBC is still negotiating contracts for Leno, Fallon, O'Brien .
Jerry Seinfeld: "Conan has the chance to destroy everybody" |
(CNN) -- Jaycee Dugard will testify against the couple that allegedly held her captive in an elaborate compound hidden in their backyard for 18 years if there is a trial, a lawyer for her family said at a news conference Thursday. This photo of Jaycee Dugard was taken at the 1991 Rose Bowl parade. She was abducted later that year. Attorney McGregor Scott admitted it has been a difficult transition for Dugard and her two children -- who police say were fathered by her captor -- given her captivity spanned more than half her life and was the only world she knew for so long. "But there is no question that she knows that terrible and wrong things were done to her and that those people must be held accountable," Scott said. Scott said he had no idea when a trial would be set for Phillip and Nancy Garrido, who have both pleaded not guilty to charges relating to Dugard's alleged kidnapping and subsequent abuse. He acknowledged Dugard would have to relive the "trauma" in court by sharing the "very, very sordid tale." Scott also said that because of Phillip Garrido's previous criminal history, which includes a kidnapping and rape charge for which he was registered as a sex offender, Garrido would automatically receive a sentence of 25 years to life if he were found guilty on only one felony charge. But Scott said the family is trying not to focus on any of that and instead work on building a new life together. He said he had met with Dugard and her family twice for a couple of hours and was happy to see "how well they had been doing." "Even more encouraging was the second time I met with them, I saw progress," he said. "I'm just very pleasantly surprised watching the dynamics, and I think it's a very positive thing going forward." Scott said Dugard's daughters, who police said never went to school or a doctor, were receiving tutoring. Dugard has been participating and observing. "This is a woman whose [own] formal education ended in the fifth grade," he said. "She has a brain that she wants to develop, so it's a very positive thing." The family received medical attention and counseling beginning the day Dugard and her children were discovered, Scott said. He also said they had received donations of more than $100,000 from the public, which would help the girls as they get older. He praised law enforcement and family members for helping protect Dugard and her children after her discovery. "[They are] very guarded in allowing the girls access to TV news, Internet, etc.," he said. "Because they're being a mother, a grandmother, protecting the girls from too much information too early." He said he knows there is a curiosity about where the family is, but pleaded that the public and the media give the family time to heal. More than anything, Scott said, Dugard's family is working to make life as normal as possible and allow them to make up for lost time. "To watch the interaction between Jaycee and her mother ... after 18 years is remarkable," Scott said. "The emotions there, I think they're still wrestling with all of that but I think they're making great progress." | [
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"tutoring."
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] | Lawyer: Jaycee Dugard "knows that terrible and wrong things were done to her"
Lawyer says Dugard, daughters and family progressing well since she was found .
Dugard daughters receive tutoring, counseling and medical attention .
Family has gotten donations of more than $100,000 from the public . |
(CNN) -- Jaycee Dugard, who police say was kidnapped at 11 and held captive for 18 years, said she is "doing well" as she speaks out in a new home video.
"Hi, I'm Jaycee. I want to thank you for your support, and I'm doing well," Dugard says in the video released exclusively to ABC News, which posted excerpts of the video on its Web site Friday.
"It's been a long haul," said Dugard, "but I'm getting there."
The full statement and video, which show Dugard baking cookies with her mother and playing with her dogs, were scheduled to air on ABC News' "20/20" at 9 p.m. Friday.
It's the first public statement from Dugard since the arrests of her suspected captors -- Phillip Garrido, 58, and his wife, Nancy, 54.
The Garridos are charged with 29 felony counts in the kidnapping of Dugard, who was 11 when she was snatched from the street in front of her house in South Lake Tahoe, California.
She was 29 when found in August at the Garridos' home in Antioch, California, about 120 miles from her home. Garrido, a registered sex offender on parole at the time of his arrest, is accused of fathering two daughters with Dugard during her captivity.
Authorities say he and his wife held Dugard in a hidden compound behind their home for 18 years. The Garridos have pleaded not guilty.
Dugard now lives in seclusion with her mother, Terry Probyn, and Dugard's two daughters.
"We released this video so that you can see that we are happy and well -- when we have more to share, we will," Probyn says in the home video. "As a mother I am pleading for our privacy in this very public story."
Authorities maintain Dugard does not want to speak to Garrido or his attorneys and have tried to keep her location a secret. | [
"Who does not want to speak to her alleged abductor?",
"Who was baking cookies?",
"What does the video show?",
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] | [
[
"Jaycee"
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],
[
"Garrido or his attorneys"
],
[
"Dugard"
],
[
"Jaycee"
]
] | Video shows Dugard baking cookies with her mother and playing with her dogs .
"It's been a long haul, but I'm getting there," Dugard says .
Authorities: Dugard does not want to speak to her alleged abductor or his attorneys . |
(CNN) -- Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli would be remembered as the greatest female cyclist of her generation even if she had never been an Olympic champion. Longo-Ciprelli: Fourth time lucky in Atlanta in 1996. For much of her career, the Olympic gold was the one honor to elude the French rider. Misfortune, it seemed, was to be her fate every four years, regardless of how many world championships she won in between. In 1984 the first women's Olympic road race coincided with Longo-Ciprelli's rise to dominance in the sport. Well-placed going into the final lap, she appeared set to challenge in the sprint, only to be knocked off in a collision. By 1988, Longo-Ciprelli was a three-time road race world champion, as well as a double winner of the women's Tour de France, and the clear favorite for gold in Seoul. But a broken hip a month before the Games derailed her preparations. Although she recovered enough to ride the road race, she could manage just 21st place. Tactical error More disappointment followed in Barcelona in 1992 as Longo-Ciprelli paid the price for a tactical error. With three kilometers to go, she raced away from the peloton and crossed the line in celebration. But she had failed to realize that Kathy Watt, an unheralded Australian, had slipped away from the lead group apparently unnoticed with a lap to go, and finished 20 seconds further in front. Four years later, in Atlanta, Longo-Ciprelli, finally cracked her Olympic jinx. At 37, Longo-Ciprelli was no longer the dominant presence she had once been, but she still possessed the ability to raise her performance for the biggest races, as she had proven by winning her fourth road race world title in 1995. Her preparations were typically unorthodox -- while her rivals were acclimatizing to the Atlanta heat, Longo-Ciprelli trained alone in the mountains of Colorado, arriving just two days before the race. The race itself was run in a sudden downpour, which sent many riders crashing and skidding and had the rest struggling to stay on their bikes. Unruffled, Longo-Ciprelli broke clear with two other riders and then launched her gold-winning solo attack 11 kilometers from the finish. Longo-Ciprelli was back for her fifth and final Olympics in Sydney in 2000 at the age of 41, this time claiming bronze in the time trial -- and event in which she had also won silver in 1996. E-mail to a friend | [
"what's the cyclist's Olympic record?",
"who was a three-time road race world champion by 1988?",
"Where did they win medals?",
"who won the record"
] | [
[
"fifth"
],
[
"Longo-Ciprelli"
],
[
"Atlanta,"
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[
"Longo-Ciprelli"
]
] | Cyclist's Olympic record: 1 gold medal, 2 silver medals, 1 bronze medal .
Cyclist was born October 31, 1958, in Annency, France .
By 1988 Longo-Ciprelli was a three-time road race world champion . |
(CNN) -- Jeff Kepner just wanted to hold his 13-year-old daughter's hand again. The nine-hour operation completed on Monday was the first double hand transplant in the United States. The 57-year-old Augusta, Georgia, resident underwent the first double hand transplant in the United States on Monday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. On Friday he remained at the transplant intensive care unit. He is "very stable, awake and alert, and he's talking with us," said Dr. W. P. Andrew Lee, who led the nine-hour surgery. "He is having good circulation in the transplanted hands." Kepner shows no signs of transplant rejection, Lee said. The patient was groggy, but asked more questions about the operation as he started feeling better, said his wife, Valarie Kepner. He is expected to remain in the intensive care unit for a week, said Lee, chief of the division of plastic surgery and professor of surgery and orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In 1999, Kepner lost both hands and feet to a strep infection. As the bacterial infection spread throughout his body, it stopped blood flow to his limbs and shut down his liver and kidneys. While most strep infections are mild, in some cases the bacteria can destroy muscles, fat and skin tissue and cause toxic shock syndrome. At the time, Kepner's daughter was only 3 years old. "She doesn't remember her dad any other way but this. We looked through pictures and we can't find one of him holding her hand. That's one thing she was looking forward to -- that she's going to be able to hold her dad's hand again." The infection came at a time when Kepner had just earned a degree in pastry arts. "He was a good cook all the way around. I worked full time," his wife said. "I was spoiled, because when I came home dinner was on the table. He did it very well." For the last decade, Kepner adjusted to prosthetic limbs. He drove his teenage daughter, Jordan, to school and worked part-time at Borders bookstore. But he could no longer cook. Although he could do some of the basic tasks, Kepner said her husband could not perform activites that required fine motor skills. She had to help him in the shower and help him get dressed. "He would be on my schedule, that's why this [the hand transplant] would give him a whole level of independence," she said. With his new hands, Kepner hopes to perform small tasks such as changing a light bulb and using a remote control. "I'm looking forward to his cooking," his wife said. "I'm looking forward to him doing the things he wants to do when he wants to do them." Kepner initially had doubts, especially since it was an elective procedure. "The two points that changed his mind as we talked was, No. 1, the independence he wanted to gain," his wife said. The second point was that they believed there were fewer risks with this particular surgery. The Kepners knew a double hand transplant meant Kepner would have to take drugs to suppress his immune system for the rest of his life (like any transplant, the recipient's immune system could attack the new organ as a foreign object). But for this surgery, the Pittsburgh doctors would also transplant bone marrow from the donor to reduce the amount of immunosuppressants Kepner would have to take. According to the doctors, the bone marrow cells could re-educate the immune system so it wouldn't reject the hands. Despite the risks, Lee said hand transplant recipients regain much of their autonomy. "They can perform activities of daily living -- the simple things you and I take for granted such as personal hygiene, brushing our teeth, combing our hair," Lee said. "When you don't have either hand, you are often completely dependent on another person | [
"What did Kepner lose?",
"Who will receive a double hand transplant?",
"What was transplanted?",
"Who had the translpant?",
"Is his body rejecting the transplant?",
"What is Jeff Kepner's occupation?",
"What is Jeff Kepner receiving Monday?"
] | [
[
"both hands"
],
[
"The 57-year-old Augusta, Georgia, resident"
],
[
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],
[
"Jeff"
],
[
"shows no signs of"
],
[
"cook"
],
[
"the first double hand transplant in the United States"
]
] | Former pastry chef received double hand transplant Monday .
Jeff Kepner lost both hands and feet after fighting strep infection 10 years ago .
Doctor says Kepner shows no signs of rejection . |
(CNN) -- Jen Bucala has a lot of faith in her family's "lucky" numbers. "I've been playing, or around playing, the lotto all my life," she says. She rattles off her numbers, citing family birthdays, and recounting numerical coincidences. "Me, my husband, my father-in-law ... all our birthdays are in November. Just a week apart from each other," says Bucala, 31. One number that did surprise her was $10,000. After some quick figuring, Bucala estimates she has spent that amount on scratch off games and Megamillions since she started playing a decade ago. For Bucala, a Lindenhurst, New York, resident who works three jobs -- as a sales associate, an Avon Rep and a bridal consultant -- that is a lot of money. "That ten grand could have gone toward a million and one bills I have -- my mortgage, car payments," Bucala says. "We spend thousands of dollars every month on bills. I don't have kids either. That [lotto] money could have been a whole month for me for bills," she says. But like a lot of people, Bucala thinks $1 is a small price to pay for a dream. "You gotta play in order to win. That's part of lotto. You never know," says Bucala. One of the seductive features of the lotto is the low entry fee says Frank Farley, a psychology professor at Temple University. "It can be exciting, checking those winning numbers," says Farley. "Maybe something big might happen. There's not a whole lot of other things in your life where you put a small amount of money in and maybe something big will happen. It gives you a sliver of hope that you could turn your life around." And sometimes there are winners. Mineola Oaks, is retired and living in Washington Heights, New York. She has played lotto every day, spending $3-$5 a day (and more on Tuesday) for over 20 years. (Just $4 a day for 20 years adds up to almost $30,000.) Two years ago she won $100,000. And with that money she paid off her bills and did some remodeling on her second home in Virginia. Oaks still buys lotto tickets, but she cautions that there's always something else you can put the money towards. "I take care of things first," she says. "Food, rent -- Then you can go out and spend a dollar on the lotto." Just don't expect to win. Let's take Powerball for example. Your chances of winning the jackpot is one in 195,249,054 says Michael Orkin, a statistician and dean of business, math and science at Laney College in Oakland, California. Let's say you buy 50 Powerball tickets a week, you'll win the jackpot about once every 75,000 years, he says. Cold, hard numbers aside, the lotto is entertainment. "Almost everyone spends money on entertainment," says Stephen Brobeck of the Consumer Federation of America. "People spend hundreds of dollars going to a sports event. Others spend a thousand dollars a year on premium cable channels. Purchasing a lotto ticket -- it's excitement and there's always the possibility, however slim, that they will strike it rich and win," he says. Cost of fleeting excitement adds up Sodanys Paulino, 21, of Washington Heights, stood outside a lottery terminal one rainy Friday night. She bought two scratch off tickets and a mega millions ticket. When asked what else she could be doing with that money, she laughs. "Two dollars? You can't buy anything for two dollars," she says. But $2 a week is about $100 a year. And $100 can buy you something. The problem is opportunity costs, says Farley. "What opportunities are lost because you are putting discretionary income into the lottery when you could be putting it | [
"Who bought an estimated $10,000 of lottery tickets in 10 years?",
"Who likes to buy lottery tickets",
"What is part of lottery's seduction",
"What are the chances of winning Powerball?",
"What are the odds of winning the Powerbal?"
] | [
[
"Bucala"
],
[
"Jen"
],
[
"\"You gotta play in order to win."
],
[
"one in 195,249,054"
],
[
"one in 195,249,054"
]
] | Jen Bucala likes to buy lottery tickets; an estimated $10,000 in 10 years .
Psychology professor: Low entry fee is part of lottery's seduction .
Study: 38 percent of poor think lottery best way for them to get hundreds of thousands .
Statistician: Chances of winning Powerball is 1 in 195,249,054 . |
(CNN) -- Jenna and Barbara Bush know a lot about growing up in the White House. The Bush twins told Sasha and Malia Obama to "remember who your dad really is." The twin daughters of former President Bush were 7 when their grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, was inaugurated, and 20 when their father became president. Like their dad, who left a note for President Barack Obama, Jenna and Barbara Bush wrote Tuesday to Obama's daughters about what to expect in the weeks and months ahead. "We also first saw the White House through the innocent, optimistic eyes of children," the twins wrote in an open letter published in Tuesday's Wall Street Journal. Growing up in the White House » The twins reminisce in the letter about important events and historic moments they were able to be part of in a presidential family. But the Bushes also tried to prepare Sasha and Malia for some sobering truths. "Although it's an honor and full of so many extraordinary opportunities, it isn't always easy being a member of the club you are about to join," they said. "Our dad, like yours, is a man of great integrity and love; a man who always put us first. We still see him now as we did when we were 7: as our loving daddy." But as their father was increasingly criticized in the media and mocked by late night comedians, the twins said they learned a lesson. "He is our father, not the sketch in a paper or part of a skit on TV," they wrote. "Many people will think they know him, but they have no idea how he felt the day you were born, the pride he felt on your first day of school, or how much you both love being his daughters. So here is our most important piece of advice: Remember who your dad really is." It helps, wrote the Bushes, to surround yourself with loyal friends. The rest of the letter was more lighthearted, with the twins sharing some of their favorite memories of living in the White House, including playing house and hide-and-seek in what many children would consider to be the ultimate playground. "When we played house, we sat behind the East Sitting Room's massive curtains as the light poured in illuminating her yellow walls," the girls said. "Our 7-year-old imaginations soared as we played in the enormous, beautiful rooms; our dreams, our games, as romantic as her surroundings. At night, the house sang us quiet songs through the chimneys as we fell asleep." They also told the Obama girls to embrace any opportunity they had: "When your dad throws out the first pitch for the Yankees, go to the game." "In fact, go to anything and everything you possibly can: the Kennedy Center for theater, state dinners, Christmas parties (the White House staff party is our favorite!), museum openings, arrival ceremonies, and walks around the monuments." "Just go," they wrote. The twins also reminded Sasha and Malia to be themselves -- kids -- saying even if they travel over holidays like Halloween, the girls should dress up and trick-or-treat down a plane aisle. "Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the White House lawn," the Bush girls said. "Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play." Jenna and Barbara Bush told the girls to cherish the pet that their father so publicly promised them. "Sometimes you'll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide," they said. "Four years goes by so fast," they wrote. "So absorb it all, enjoy it all!" | [
"What did Barbra bush tell them?",
"What did the twins tell the kids?",
"How long did the Bush twins live in the White House?",
"When away from home what to do on a plane?"
] | [
[
"\"remember who your dad really is.\""
],
[
"\"remember who your dad really is.\""
],
[
"\"Four years"
],
[
"dress up and trick-or-treat down a"
]
] | Bush twins tell new first kids not to let sketches, skits of dad get to them .
Jenna, Barbara Bush tell them to embrace every opportunity .
Twins talk of playing house, hide-and-seek in historic White House .
Girls say to slide down solarium banister, trick-or-treat on plane if away from home . |
(CNN) -- Jennifer Muzquiz was "goth" in high school. She had, and still has, multicolored hair, a "face full of piercings," and an all-black wardrobe, even though she no longer identifies with the goth subculture. And while her style had always earned her her fair share of strange glances, she says everything changed for the worse after the Columbine school shootings on April 20, 1999. Jennifer Muzquiz, in all black, decided to study at home after feeling shunned as a goth after Columbine. It was on that day that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and teachers in a shooting spree at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. The massacre was one of the deadliest school shootings in history, and it had a profound effect on students and teachers across the country. As the media and the public groped for meaning behind the incident, there were plenty of theories about the motive behind the massacre. One of these was that Harris and Klebold were members of the goth subculture, or "trench-coat mafia" as they were known at Columbine, and thus had been outcasts. This theory has been widely refuted, but for goth students around the country, the damage was done. "As a result [of Columbine], the public were afraid of the 'goths' and 'punks' and 'metalheads' at school," says Muzquiz, who was a high school senior at the time. "Parents, often successfully, lobbied to get trench coats and all-black attire banned in their local schools. School administrators started considering these groups to be gangs and harassment of students was rampant, with unwarranted backpack searches, detainment in the hallways by security guards, and being called into the administrative offices for questioning." Rumors ran rampant about kids who "looked like they were going to bring a gun to school," and Muzquiz says her classmates quickly learned if they wanted to cause trouble for a student, all they had to do was report that student had a list of enemies. "They could simply report to administrators that the person had an 'enemies list' and the school would quickly swoop in to rectify the situation, even when it wasn't the truth. ... The accused would forever be known as 'the kid with the list' and ostracized," she says. Because of this and the new dress code restrictions, her goth friends "were afraid to go to school." Muzquiz herself caught so much flak for her appearance that she went into home studies. And though she was no longer in school, discrimination couldn't be avoided. People in town would cross to the other side of the street to avoid her and her friends, she says. iReport.com: 'Sadly, teens still tend to shun those who are different than they are' Muzquiz was even interviewed by the national media about her experiences after Columbine. At first she regretted it and feared backlash. "I had already gotten enough crap since Columbine about wearing all black," she says. But she was glad she did it after receiving e-mails from other students who identified with her and thanked her for the interviews, including one girl who was suicidal until reading an article about her. "One girl even had e-mailed me and said [she] was coming home to write a suicide note ... and kill herself after school. She read the article about me and it made her think twice," says Muzquiz. "In the article, I said it's not worth letting these people get to you. It's not up to them to tell you that you're wrong. She thanked me." "[To have] a 14-year-old e-mail me ... it was just, like, whoa, I don't care who says anything bad ... I helped someone," says Muzquiz. "To this day that just sticks with me. Anything I do in my life -- nothing's going to measure to that, the fact that I helped someone realize that there's more to life | [
"Who did the shooting?",
"What did the shootings change?",
"What site is everything from?"
] | [
[
"Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold"
],
[
"profound effect on students and teachers across the country."
],
[
"iReport.com:"
]
] | Columbine shootings forever changed atmosphere in schools nationwide .
Jennifer Muzquiz says she was discriminated against as a "goth"
Teachers became concerned with protecting students from physical, emotional harm .
iReport.com: How did Columbine affect your life? |
(CNN) -- Jennifer Schuett didn't know it, but the DNA of the man suspected of attacking her in 1990 was sitting in an FBI database for at least 13 years, just waiting for a connection to be made. Dennis Earl Bradford, a 40-year-old welder, was arrested after DNA allegedly tied him to the crime. She was 8 and had been abducted from her room, raped and left for dead in a field. All she knew about the man who kidnapped her was that he called himself Dennis. His DNA was found on underwear left behind, but the sample was too small at the time to get a match. Schuett helped police create a detailed sketch of the man who attacked her. CNN normally does not identify victims of sexual assaults. But Schuett decided to go public with her story and her name to increase the chances of finding and prosecuting her attacker. For nearly two decades, there were no answers. But with technological advances, authorities were able to retest the small sample of the attacker's DNA last year. With those results, a suspect would be found -- and it would all be because he was convicted for an eerily similar crime. Dennis Earl Bradford, 40, was arrested Tuesday in connection with Schuett's abduction and attempted murder. Authorities believe he was the man who kidnapped Schuett from her Dickinson, Texas, home, choked her, dragged her from his car and slashed her throat in 1990. Watch the sketch artist's memories of Schuett at 8 » Years later, Bradford was arrested for a similar crime, court records show. On April 16, 1996, Bradford walked into Gator's Bar in Garland County, Arkansas, and offered to buy a woman a beer. They played pool for a while until she was ready to leave, and he offered her a ride. He wanted to spend more time with her, so he asked if she wanted to ride around in his car for a while and listen to an Ozzy Osbourne tape, the woman told police, the documents show. About 20 to 30 minutes later, he said he wanted to show her some property. According to the court documents, he stopped the car, began choking her and beat her in the head. "He dragged her from the car into the woods and threw her to the ground," according to the court documents. They go on to say that he beat her and choked her again, at one point knocking her unconscious, she told police. He stripped her naked and put a knife to her throat. Bradford told her "he was going to kill her, that he was going to put the knife in her eye and was going to cut her jugular," court documents show. Then, according to the documents, he raped her. He ordered her to stay still, gave her a towel to clean herself up and took her to a nearby creek and helped her finish bathing, court documents said. As they got back into the car and drove toward the Oaklawn Race Track, he said again that he had planned to kill her, the court documents show. This time, she asked him why he didn't. She told police he said he got scared. Bradford began apologizing repeatedly, the victim said, until he stopped the car at the track and let her out. That's when she turned and saw his license plate as he drove off into the distance. When Bradford was arrested in 1996, police took his DNA, which was entered into the FBI database. It remained there for years, until technology would catch up. A Garland County Circuit Court jury found Bradford guilty of kidnapping but was not able reach a verdict on the rape charges. Arkansas corrections officials said Bradford entered prison in march 1997, facing a 12-year-sentence, and was paroled in February 2000. In March 2008, in Houston, Texas, FBI Special Agent Richard Rennison, Dickinson Police Department Detective Tim Cromie and a Galveston sheriff's deputy met to discuss Schuett's 1990 case. Cromie | [
"When was Jennifer Schuett rape?",
"How long did Bradford's DNA sit in a database before connection was made?",
"When was Bradford arrested?",
"Who was the rapist?",
"What linked the cases?",
"Who was raped?",
"What lead to an arrest in 1990 rape case?",
"Who was arrested for the rape and attempted murder of Jennifer Schuett?",
"Who attempted to murder Jennifer Schuett?"
] | [
[
"1990"
],
[
"least 13 years,"
],
[
"Tuesday"
],
[
"Dennis Earl Bradford,"
],
[
"DNA"
],
[
"Schuett"
],
[
"His DNA was found on underwear left behind,"
],
[
"Dennis Earl Bradford,"
],
[
"Dennis Earl Bradford,"
]
] | DNA from suspect in 1996 case leads to arrest in 1990 rape case .
Dennis Earl Bradford arrested for rape, attempted murder of Jennifer Schuett .
Bradford convicted of kidnapping, slashing woman in 1996 in similar manner .
Bradford's DNA sat in database for 13 years before connection was made . |
(CNN) -- Jennifer Schuett's search for the man who snatched her from her bed when she was 8, sexually assaulted her and left her for dead on top of an ant hill ended Tuesday with the arrest of a suspect. Jennifer Schuett, 27, was abducted and left for dead at age 8. A suspect was arrested Tuesday. Now begins another chapter in Schuett's 19-year quest for justice. Standing in front of the television cameras, Jennifer Schuett blinked back tears. "This is a huge day for me," she later told CNN over the phone. "And I want to see this through the end. The rest will come out during the trial." Schuett, 27, joined a multi-agency team of investigators in her hometown of Dickinson, Texas, as they announced the arrest earlier in the day of Dennis Earl Bradford, a 40-year-old welder, in Little Rock, Arkansas. The arrest came after new DNA testing and other evidence made it possible to identify Bradford as the suspect. Schuett's boyfriend and two police investigators who kept the case alive stood beside her. Fighting tears, she thanked them for their support. "Throughout this journey, I've had two main goals," she said. "And they were to find the man who kidnapped, sexually assaulted and attempted to murder me 19 years ago so that he could not hurt anyone else. And to use my voice in telling my story to as many people as I possibly could over the years in hopes that I may encourage other victims of violent crimes to stand up and speak out against criminals." Watch Schuett explain why she's speaking out » She continued, "Today, I can say very proudly that I have accomplished both of these goals." Schuett spoke with CNN two weeks ago about her 1990 ordeal. CNN normally does not identify victims of sexual assaults. But Schuett decided to go public with her story and her name to increase the chances of finding and prosecuting her attacker. Schuett was in her bed when a man crept in through a window on August 10, 1990. She remembers waking up in a stranger's arms as he carried her across a dark parking lot. She said he told her he was an undercover cop and knew her family. He drove her through the streets of Dickinson, pulling into an overgrown field where, she said, he sexually assaulted her. She passed out. When she regained consciousness, she was lying on top of an ant hill with her throat slashed and her voice box torn. She spent about 14 hours in the field before she was found and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. "Three days after the attack, I started giving a description. The doctors told me I would never be able to talk again, but I proved them all wrong," Schuett said. She believes she got her voice back so she could tell her story. At the news conference, a driver's license photo of the suspect was shown next to the 1990 sketch based on her description. There was a clear resemblance. Watch the sketch artist's memories of Schuett » Shauna Dunlap, a spokeswoman for the FBI's Houston office, said Bradford lived in North Little Rock, with his wife and two children -- a boy, 12, and a girl, 15. He also has three adult stepchildren. Bradford worked as a welder for United Fence in North Little Rock. A company representative said Bradford had been working there for 10 years and was a "good guy" who had mended "his old ways" and "changed his life." He wouldn't go into specifics about what those "old ways" were. Court documents give some indication. In 1996, Bradford was accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and cutting the throat of a female victim. He was initially charged with attempt to commit first-degree murder, but prosecutors amended the charges to rape and kidnapping. A Garland County Circuit Court jury found him guilty of kidnapping but was not able reach a verdict on the rape | [
"How long hope Jennifer Schuett?",
"What provided a break int he case?",
"At what age was Jennifer taken from her home?",
"Where was arrested Dennis Earl Bradford?",
"Where was Bradford arrested?",
"What is the name of the victim?",
"What did the man do to Schuett?",
"How long had the victim to wait until her attacker was arrested?"
] | [
[
"19-year"
],
[
"new DNA testing and other evidence"
],
[
"8,"
],
[
"Little Rock, Arkansas."
],
[
"Little Rock, Arkansas."
],
[
"Jennifer Schuett,"
],
[
"snatched her from her bed when she was 8, sexually"
],
[
"19 years"
]
] | Jennifer Schuett waited 19 years for arrest of man who allegedly attacked her .
Welder Dennis Earl Bradford, 40, arrested Tuesday in Arkansas .
Schuett was grabbed from her bedroom and left for dead at age 8 .
Advanced DNA tests provided a break in the case; DNA was in clothing . |
(CNN) -- Jennifer Valdivia scooped up the baseball after it sailed into the right-field stands. The 12-year-old smiled and giggled over the keepsake from her first Major League ballgame. Jennifer Valdivia, 12, holds the record-setting baseball after it was returned this week to her. She'd have to sue to get the ball back. This is the story of a baseball and the big leagues, of a young girl, a slugger and a lawsuit. It's about another stain on America's pastime -- commercialism colliding with a kid's innocent joy. Jennifer's big catch was the 200th home run for Ryan Howard, an All-Star for the Philadelphia Phillies. The 29-year-old first baseman achieved the milestone faster than any player in Major League history, in his 658th career game, 48 fewer games than the previous record. The ballclub wanted to give the ball to its star player. And that's where things got complicated. Watch Jennifer smile as ball is returned » It was mid-July. The Phillies squared off against the Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium near Miami. Jennifer was in the stands with her 69-year-old grandfather, her 17-year-old brother and one of his friends. Howard launched his history-making homer in the sixth inning, a solo shot to right field. The sixth-grader beat her older brother to the ball. Nearby, fans said they couldn't believe a girl came away with the prize. "I was rubbing it in my brother's face," Jennifer later recalled. He'd been to many games before, but had never caught a homer ball. "I got a ball and you didn't," she teased. Switcheroo leaves mom steaming Excitedly, Jennifer called her mom on the phone. "Mom, I got the ball!" Moments later, the Marlins sent a team representative to the stands. Jennifer and her brother, Gian Carlos, were escorted to the Phillies' clubhouse. Their grandfather, a Cuban immigrant who doesn't speak English, stayed in his seat. A Phillies employee, Jennifer says, told her if she handed over the ball, she could come back after the game, meet the slugger and get him to autograph it. She gave the ball up. In exchange, she got cotton candy and a soda. Jennifer went back to her seat but returned to the clubhouse after the game -- this time, with her grandfather and the rest of her party. They waited. The Phillies slugger never showed up. A security guard walked up and gave Jennifer a ball autographed by Howard. But it wasn't the one she caught. This ball was clean and polished. Jennifer calls it "the fake one." "I was, like, really sad." Howard told reporters after the game that he was proud of his feat. He eclipsed Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, who played on three teams from 1946 to 1955. Kiner's record had stood for more than a half-century. "It's a nice record to have," Howard said. "I'll take it and run with it." When Jennifer's mother, Delfa Vanegas, got wind of what happened, she wasn't happy. She grilled her daughter about giving up the prized possession. "What do you want me to do, Mom?" Jennifer said. "They were asking for the ball." Vanegas' motherly instinct kicked in. She felt her daughter had been duped, robbed of something potentially worth thousands of dollars. "It's my daughter," the steamed mom says. "It's my blood." She contacted the Phillies and asked for the ball. In baseball parlance, the Phillies balked. But the team did offer to give the family VIP tickets the next time they played in Florida. "I don't want tickets," Vanegas replied. "I want the ball back." Entering the batter's box: attorney Norm Kent. He first approached the Phillies | [
"What did the team first give the girl?",
"What did a girl have to sue the Phillies to get back?",
"What was the significance of the ball?"
] | [
[
"a ball autographed by Howard."
],
[
"the baseball"
],
[
"200th home run for Ryan Howard,"
]
] | Girl gets historic baseball back after suing Phillies and Ryan Howard .
Ball was 200th homer for Howard, the fastest any player had achieved the feat .
Girl was first given cotton candy and an autographed ball in questionable exchange .
Outraged mom came to her defense: "It's my daughter. It's my blood" |
(CNN) -- Jenny Sanford said Thursday that her husband Mark Sanford's political career is "not a concern of mine" and that she'd be just fine -- regardless of whether their marriage survives. Jenny Sanford, here with her husband, was a Wall Street executive before she married Mark Sanford. She would not speculate whether her husband would resign as South Carolina governor. "His career is not a concern of mine," she told reporters as she departed the family's vacation home in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. "He's going to have to worry about that. I'm worried about my family and the character of my children." She added that she would be fine, with or without her husband. "I have great faith and great friends and great family. We have a good Lord in this world and I know that I'm going to be fine and not only will I survive, I'll thrive," she said. "I don't know if he'll be with me, but I'm going to do my best to work on my marriage because I believe in marriage. I believe in raising good kids is the most important thing in the world," she said. After disappearing from the public eye for nearly a week, Gov. Mark Sanford, 49, admitted to having an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman. He also admitted Wednesday that he had not hiked the Appalachian Trail during his absence -- as his staff had said earlier -- but had been in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Jenny Sanford would not reveal whether she was headed back to the family's home in Columbia. "Right now we're taking it a day at a time. Right now we're going out on a boat." Watch more of Jenny Sanford's comments » Gov. Sanford, leaving the family home in a different car, was in a far less talkative mood. "I'm going back to Columbia," he said. The State, the Columbia-based newspaper that acquired what it said were e-mail exchanges between Sanford and the woman in Argentina, acknowledged Thursday that there would likely be people who would call for the governor's resignation. "We are not ready to join them at this point," its editorial said. | [
"Who will be fine where or not her marriage survives?",
"What is the name of Sanford's wife?",
"Who had an affair with an Argentine woman?",
"Who did Mark Sanford have an affair with?",
"Where did Sanford get back from?",
"What affair is Gov. Sanford referring to?",
"Where did the Governor just return from?",
"Who is Jenny Sanford?"
] | [
[
"Jenny"
],
[
"Jenny"
],
[
"Gov. Mark Sanford,"
],
[
"an Argentine woman."
],
[
"Buenos Aires, Argentina."
],
[
"extramarital"
],
[
"Buenos Aires, Argentina."
],
[
"was a Wall Street executive before she married Mark"
]
] | Jenny Sanford: I'll be fine regardless of whether our marriage survives .
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted affair with Argentine woman .
Governor also admitted he just got back from Argentina . |
(CNN) -- Jenny's phone number is for sale, but not for a song. "867-5309/Jenny" originally appeared on Tommy Tutone's "Tommy Tutone 2" album. Bids for a New Jersey version of the number, stuck in the minds of millions since Tommy Tutone's "867-5309/Jenny" hit the Top 10 in 1982, had reached $5,100 on eBay as of Monday morning. The song is about a guy who finds Jenny's name and number scribbled on a bathroom wall. "This is really, in my opinion, one of the last cultural remnants of the '80s pop culture era ... other than the mullet," said Spencer Potter, a 28-year-old DJ who is selling the number he got for free five years ago. While Potter is overlooking the fact that "867-5309" is an active phone number in dozens of other area codes, it does get called a lot by curious people. Potter said he has gotten about 40 calls a day since he got the area code 201 version for his Weehawken, New Jersey, DJ business. "The minute we plugged the phone jack into the wall, it began ringing," Potter said. Mostly, Potter said, the callers are "a lot of '80s fanatics" and he lets the calls ring through to his voice mail. When he did answer a call three years ago, Potter found his own Jenny on the line. "She had been using my number to give out to guys that she didn't like at bars," he said. "It was a bum phone number." The young lady from Hoboken, New Jersey, told Potter she was just curious about who might be getting the calls. Potter ended up asking her out. "I figured if she was having to give out a bum number that often then she was probably pretty cute," he said. "We ended up meeting for drinks. We dated for awhile and it was actually a great friendship." Potter recently moved from Weehawken and decided to try to make money off the infamous digits with an eBay auction. Potter's DJ business goes with the number, a necessary provision to get around phone company rules against selling telephone numbers, he said. Phone companies technically own the numbers, not the customers. Potter said Vonage, the company that assigned the number, gave him permission to transfer it as part of the sale of his business. EBay halted a 2004 auction by the purported holder of the 212 area code version of the number, The New York Times reported. A Philadelphia-area resident who holds the toll-free versions -- both 800 and 888 -- said he values his numbers in the millions. Jeffrey Steinberg said his best offer so far, rejected several years ago, was for $1 million from a national weight-loss company. He acquired the numbers in the early 1990s for a pizza delivery campaign and has licensed them for other advertisers in the years since. Potter said when his auction ends next Monday, February 9, he hopes to make at least $40,000. He said he would use the money to take a Caribbean vacation -- away from his ringing phone. . CNN's Laurie Segall and CNN Radio's April Williams contributed to this report. | [
"Where is he selling it?",
"What is the man selling?",
"What made it famous?",
"What is man selling on eBay?",
"What else is being sold?",
"What is he selling?"
] | [
[
"eBay"
],
[
"phone number"
],
[
"Tommy Tutone's \"Tommy Tutone 2\" album."
],
[
"phone number"
],
[
"Jenny's"
],
[
"phone number"
]
] | Man selling his "867-5309" phone number on eBay .
Digits made famous by 1982 Tommy Tutone hit song .
Along with phone number, auction winner will get DJ business . |
(CNN) -- Jenson Button is relishing Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, as the McLaren driver returns to the site of his first-ever victory for the 200th race of his Formula One career.
The 31-year-old withdrew from last weekend's German Grand Prix, won by his teammate Lewis Hamilton, after 35 laps with hydraulics problems, but Button is hoping for better luck at the track where he tasted success as a Honda driver in 2006.
"It's always fun coming back to Hungary as this is the track at which I won my first grand prix," the 2009 drivers' champion told McLaren's web site. "After a premature end to my race at the Nurburgring, I'll be hoping for better luck at the Hungaroring.
"I can't believe I've already knocked up a double-ton of F1 starts because I don't feel a day older than when I made my debut back in 2000!"
Resurgent Hamilton triumphs in Germany
Button made his first appearance in the elite division of motorsport at the Australian Grand Prix in 2000 with Williams, and has since gone on to represent Benetton, Renault, BAR, Honda, Brawn GP and now McLaren in an 11-year career.
The Briton has notched up 10 grand prix triumphs and secured his only world crown to date in 2009, while racing for Brawn.
Button is hopeful of a strong showing on Sunday and is taking encouragement from his third-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix -- a circuit he feels presents a very similar challenge to the Hungaroring.
"The MP4-26 [McLaren's car] was very competitive in Monaco a couple of months ago and I hope it will be a similar situation this weekend because the Hungaroring has many of the same performance criteria.
Latest F1 standings after the German GP
"Cockpit temperatures regularly exceed 50 degrees and we're always pulling g-force in the car because there are so many corners. It's tough, but this is definitely a circuit when all the training pays dividends."
Hamilton is also a previous winner in Hungary having triumphed at the venue in 2007 and the 26-year-old is eager to build on his success at the Nurburgring last time out.
"I've always gone well in Hungary," said the 2008 world champion. "I like the circuit because it's old school. It has a very historic feel to it, with hills and bumps and cambers changes, and it has massive character."
Hamilton beat off fierce competition from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber of Red Bull to earn a hard-fought win in Germany and he is anticipating another close contest.
"There wasn't much between McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull in Germany. It's going to be fascinating to see which team holds the advantage next weekend."
Despite Hamilton, Alonso and Webber finishing on the podium last time out, all three drivers trail reigning world champion and current standings leader Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel, 24, holds a 77-point lead over his colleague Webber at the top of the championship heading into the 11th race of the season. | [
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] | Jenson Button is preparing for the 200th race of his Formula One career .
The McLaren driver won his first grand prix in Hungary five years ago .
His teammate Lewis Hamilton is looking to build on last weekend's triumph in Germany . |
(CNN) -- Jero is making old, new again in Japan. African-American Jero is famous for singing Japanese enka. The 27-year-old American has made a name for himself singing enka, a traditional form of lounge music that flourished in 1940's Japan. It seems an unlikely musical style for the Pittsburgh native to pursue. Enka's fan based comes generally from an older generation and is practically unknown outside of Japan, with simple song themes about love and loss. But Jero, real name Jerome White, with his youth, hip-hop look and fine singing voice has propelled enka into the 21st century and captured a new audience. It was the influence of his Japanese grandmother that first led him on the path to enka. She ensured that Jero was aware of his connection to the culture of Japan and sang enka songs in Japanese with him when he was young. He went on to study Japanese at high school and spent time in Japan while on an exchange with the University of Pittsburgh. After he graduated he moved to Japan, working as a computer scientist and teaching English. His big break came when he appeared on an amateur singer TV show. On the back of that success he released his first single in early 2008, promoting it with live appearances in record stores and the odd impromptu street performances. It shot up the Japanese singles chart, reaching No 4, the highest ever position for a first time enka release. Watch the show on CNN as we spend time with him in a karaoke spot in Tokyo and find out how he's dealing with sudden fame in a foreign country. | [
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] | Jero has made traditional Japanese enka songs hip and found new audience .
He sang enka with his Japanese grandmother when he was a young boy .
Found success on talent show and first single made No.4 in charts . |
(CNN) -- Jerry Sandusky's attorney said Wednesday that a young man at the heart of cover-up allegations against Penn State University officials told him he was not a victim and had no sexual contact with the former assistant football coach.
Defense lawyer Joseph Amendola told CNN contributor Sara Ganim that the young man, who was described in a grand jury report as being about 10 years old in March 2002, was in Amendola's office several weeks ago and said he believed he was the boy called "Victim 2."
The young man said nothing sexual occurred with Sandusky in the shower, according to Amendola.
"He said he had turned all of the shower heads on ... and water was running on the floor. He said he was surfing, going from one end to the other to slide across the shower floor," Amendola said.
First lawsuit filed against Sandusky
The lawyer said that three, perhaps four, of eight alleged victims mentioned in the grand jury report have either maintained friendships with Sandusky or visited him. "Victim 2" had dinner last summer with Sandusky, Amendola said.
According to grand jury documents, a graduate assistant told then-Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno in 2002 that he had seen Sandusky performing anal sex on a young boy in a football complex shower.
Paterno told Athletic Director Tim Curley, who told Gary Schultz, a university vice president, according to the grand jury report.
Curley and Schultz were each charged with one count of felony perjury and one count of failure to report abuse allegations about Sandusky.
According to Amendola, Sandusky contends that Curley told him that a person reported seeing the coach and a young boy in the shower. Curley described the incident as "horseplay" and that it made the witness uncomfortable.
Sandusky's "make-believe world"
Sandusky gave Curley the boy's name and phone number and said that nothing inappropriate had occurred, Amendola said.
That graduate assistant has been identified as assistant coach Mike McQueary, who has been placed on administrative leave.
Neither the boy in the shower nor Sandusky reported seeing McQueary, Amendola said Wednesday.
Sandusky, 67, is free on $100,000 bail. He is charged with 40 counts related to the alleged sexual abuse. He allegedly met the victims through The Second Mile, a charity he started. A preliminary hearing for Sandusky is scheduled for December 13.
According to Amendola, Sandusky has seen McQueary at charitable events, including those of Second Mile. There was never any tension between the two, the lawyer said.
Sandusky has maintained he did not commit the crimes and has not discussed a possible plea deal. Amendola said Sandusky has defenses to all the allegations.
"Right now he's presumed to be innocent, these are alleged victims," Amendola told Ganim. "The media has done Jerry a disservice by continuously referring to them as victims."
Amendola said he's told Sandusky that giving a bear hug to a youth in a shower was not a good idea.
People who know him well call Sandusky a "big overgrown kid," the lawyer said. | [
"Former coach has maintained friendship with who?",
"who describes Sandusky's version of shower incident?",
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] | [
[
"three, perhaps four, of eight alleged victims"
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[
"Amendola."
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[
"he did not commit the crimes"
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] | Defense attorney describes Sandusky's version of shower incident .
Former coach has maintained friendship with several alleged victims, attorney says .
Jerry Sandusky and his attorney maintain his innocence . |
(CNN) -- Jesper Parnevik admitted that he had "lost all respect" for fellow golfer Tiger Woods following revelations about the world number one's private life. Woods apologized on his official Web site for "transgressions" and "personal sins and failings" on the same day that a gossip magazine published a story alleging that Woods had an affair with a 24-year-old New York cocktail waitress. Former European Ryder Cup star Parnevik, 44, and his wife introduced fellow Swede Elin Nordegren to her future husband. "It's always sad, and especially sad because me and my wife were at fault hooking her up with him and we probably thought he is a better guy than he is," Parnevik said. "I would probably apologize to her and when you're a world-class athlete you probably should think a bit more before you do stuff. "I haven't really talked to Tiger yet so I don't want to say too much but my heart goes out to her. "There's nothing I regret saying and I stand by everything. He's lost all my respect, I mean, all the respect I had for the guy is gone, that's pretty much all I can say." The rumors emerged after Woods, 33, was found bleeding and semi-conscious after his car hit a tree and fire hydrant outside his Florida home. He was charged with careless driving, which carries a $164 fine and four points on his driving record. | [
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] | Jesper Parnevik said he had "lost all respect" for fellow golfer Tiger Woods following revelations about his private life .
Former European Ryder Cup star Parnevik and his wife introduced fellow Swede Elin Nordegren to her future husband .
Woods had previously apologized on his official Web site for "transgressions" and "personal sins and failings" |
(CNN) -- Jesse James was cited for vandalism after an incident last week with a photographer near his Long Beach, California, motorcycle shop, police said.
Celebrity photographer Ulises Rios also was cited for stalking James, Long Beach Police Sgt. Dina Zapalski said.
Long Beach detectives were given a copy of the video of the March 25 run-in recorded by Rios, his lawyer said.
James, a motorcycle designer and reality TV star, has been the target of controversy and publicity since his separation with actress Sandra Bullock soon after she won a best actress Oscar earlier this month.
James is at a treatment facility "to deal with personal issues" in a bid to save his marriage to Bullock, a spokeswoman for James said Wednesday.
A citation is the equivalent of an arrest, Sgt. Zapalski said.
The Long Beach city prosecutor will decide if the cases will be prosecuted, she said.
Detectives with the city's violent crimes section met with the lawyer for Rios Thursday morning to obtain a copy of the video, attorney Mark Haushalter said.
The video shows James confronting Rios, who is sitting in a vehicle park across the street from West Coast Choppers, a business owned by James, Haushalter said.
Two tires on the SUV were slashed, a door was dented and a window was scratched, he said.
The lawyer for James did not immediately respond to CNN requests for comment. | [
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] | Sandra Bullock's husband, Jesse James, was cited for vandalism .
Photographer Ulises Rios was cited for stalking James .
Rios recorded the March 25th incident .
City prosecutors will decide if the cases will be prosecuted . |
(CNN) -- Jesse Ray Beard said he was constantly in trouble, even when he behaved. It took being accused of the racially charged attempted murder of a white classmate in the Deep South to turn his life around. Living with attorney Alan Howard, right, has afforded Jesse Ray Beard a bevy of new experiences. Beard, 18, now interns at a New York law firm as he prepares for his senior year next month at Canterbury School, a Connecticut prep academy where Beard is highly regarded among peers and teachers. "I didn't change the way I act. I didn't do nothing different. It was just that I was at Canterbury instead of Jena," he said. "It was like Jena was out to get me -- and not just me, but other people, too." If not for the controversy surrounding the Jena Six and the palpable racial tension in the Louisiana town, Beard never would have met the attorney who changed the course of Beard's life by removing him from everything he knew. Watch Beard describe his reaction » Alan Howard met Beard, the youngest of the African-American teens who made up the Jena Six, in January 2008 when he began representing him in a lawsuit filed by beating victim Justin Barker. The fight followed months of disquiet among Jena High School students, including off-campus skirmishes, a school arson and nooses hung from a campus tree. In September 2007, thousands of protesters, alleging the teens were treated harshly because they were black, converged on middle Louisiana. Protesters were particularly angered at the jailing of Mychal Bell, one of the six, who was charged as an adult. Later in September, he was reclassified as a juvenile and released. The Jena Six were lionized and vilified; donations for their defense poured in, as did threats on their lives. Howard said his first impression of Beard -- that he had "tremendous character, tremendous resilience and tremendous potential" -- was so strong he invited the teen to live with his family in New England. It's been a tidal shift, Beard said, moving from a Louisiana town of 3,000 to Bedford, New York, a well-to-do city of 18,000 situated an hour north of the Big Apple. The biggest shock? "Where I'm from in Jena, I think the only time it snowed is when I was 6, and it was like 1 inch." Another difference, he said, is not living in a town where everyone associates him with one of the most controversial events in contemporary race relations. See history of Jena Six » The Howards say Beard meshes seamlessly. Though he struggled with the curriculum at Canterbury -- a Catholic school in New Milford boasting a six-to-one student-teacher ratio -- he is seeing tutors and showing improvements. He spent the summer helping attorneys at Howard's firm prepare for court cases and looks forward to his senior year as a three-sport athlete. Head football coach Ken Parson said he "can't wait to unleash" the 5-foot-11, 215-pound Beard. Beard is a candidate for team captain, Parson said, and the coach hopes Beard's leadership and "quiet confidence" will draw recruiters from Division I schools. Division II schools are already snooping around, he said. "When he gets going, he's like a freight train. He's also got the softest pair of hands you could ever imagine on a high school football player and can make moves in the field like Barry Sanders," Parson said, invoking the Detroit Lions' legendary running back. Though football, baseball and basketball are his preferred sports, Beard has picked up lacrosse from playing with Howard's sons -- Nick, 14, and Tommy, 11 -- and tennis from playing with Howard's daughter, Jessie, 17. She said his tennis skills are "ridiculous." Other fresh experiences include snowboarding in Utah, surfing in Long Island, visiting the Hamptons and attending baseball games at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium. Around the house, he's a | [
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] | In spring 2008, Jesse Ray Beard went to live with his attorney's family in New York .
Once accused of attempted murder in Louisiana, Beard now attending prep school .
Attorney Alan Howard's daughter, Jessie, says she considers Beard a brother .
Football coach says he "can't wait to unleash" Beard at linebacker, wide receiver . |
(CNN) -- Jessica Simpson's name dominated headlines for months in 2009 as critics picked apart everything from her weight to her romantic relationships.
The onslaught of attention was so extreme, Simpson said on Wednesday's "The Oprah Winfrey Show," she couldn't escape it.
"The judgment of people. ... Those voices are sometimes in my head when I fall asleep," the singer said. Even when she's walking through an airport, she isn't free from people's opinions, she said.
"I was going through security getting a pat down, and the woman goes, 'Oh, you're really not that big,' " Simpson recalled. "I walk away from a moment like that thinking that people really think that I'm 245 pounds."
But the numbers on her scale haven't been her only public embarrassment. Simpson's romantic life also became fodder for the media after former boyfriend John Mayer told Playboy magazine that having sex with her was like being exposed to "sexual napalm."
"I couldn't read the John Mayer article," Simpson said. "I heard about it and I saw some of the clips. I tried to read it, and I was so disappointed in him ... it made me so sad. It was so discouraging, because that's not the John I knew."
While Simpson doesn't want people to know the intimate details of her personal life, she admits it could've been a lot worse. "My phone is ringing off the hook, I must say," she laughed.
All jokes aside, Simpson said she did feel betrayed by her ex-boyfriend, whom she dated on and off for two years, and has yet to accept his apology.
"I don't resent him," she said, "but I'm just going to let that part of my life go."
Yet of all the events in the past few years that have affected Simpson, the now infamous pair of "mom jeans" she wore while performing at a chili cook-off in January 2009 have taken the greatest toll.
"The sad part about it is that when everything came out, I didn't want to sit down and talk to anyone about it because I felt guilty," she said. "I felt like if people look at me and they're a size bigger, they think they're fat because of what the media was saying. I didn't want to feed into it."
Now, Simpson said she's found self-acceptance. "I'm comfortable with me. I love my curves. I'm not ever going to be a size 0 and weigh 90 pounds," she said. Simpson dropped weight for her 2005 film, "The Dukes of Hazzard," but insisted it was just for a role.
The constant chatter about her dress size was part of the inspiration for Simpson's VH1 show, "The Price of Beauty," in which she visits seven countries to learn the lengths that women go to for beauty.
Cameras follow Simpson -- accompanied by friends Ken Paves, a celebrity hairstylist, and CaCee Cobb -- as she tries a flesh-eating fish pedicure in Japan and a detoxifying drink made from cow urine in India.
Simpson says filming the show has given her a new outlook on what it means to feel beautiful.
"No one else can define beauty but me," she said. "Nobody's words, nobody's compliments, nobody's love -- it's all what I have within myself. I finally relaxed, and I don't care what people have to say about my weight. I think I look great." | [
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[
"self-acceptance."
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] | Jessica Simpson has been silent about the gossip surrounding her weight and relationships .
On Wednesday, she told Oprah Winfrey how difficult the criticism has been .
The negative attention to her weight inspired her to do a show about global beauty .
Now, Simpson has found self-acceptance, she told Winfrey . |
(CNN) -- Jewish organizations called for a Romanian official to resign and face a criminal investigation after he wore a Nazi uniform during a fashion show over the weekend.
Radu Mazare, the mayor of the town of Constanta, wore a Nazi uniform during a fashion show over the weekend.
Radu Mazare, the mayor of the town of Constanta, and his 15-year-old son "entered the stage marching the clearly identifiable Nazi 'goose step,'" the Center for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism in Romania said in a letter to the country's prosecutor general.
The organization's director, Marco Katz, said Mazare had broken Romanian law and encouraged his son to do the same, "educating him to treat the law with contempt."
Katz said Mazare was sending a message "that to wear Nazi uniforms and to march the Nazi steps is legal and 'in vogue' in Romania."
He urged the authorities and the head of Mazare's Social Democrat party to show that message "will be strongly countermanded."
Mazare, 41, said he had not noticed the Nazi swastika symbol on the uniform before he wore it, according to the Romanian Times newspaper.
"I checked it before I put it on but the swastika was very small and I didn't see it," he said. "I really liked the look of the uniform after seeing it in the Tom Cruise film 'Valkyrie.' I bought it from a costume hire shop in Germany."
A top Nazi hunter said Mazare should quit.
"The proper thing for you to do is to admit your mistake, apologize for it and resign your position," Efraim Zuroff of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Jerusalem wrote to Mazare. Zuroff sent CNN a copy of the letter.
He said it was no defense that the uniform was that of the Wehrmacht -- the army -- rather than the SS, the elite Nazi guard which took the lead in killing Jews during the Holocaust.
"The Wehrmacht played an active role in the mass murder of European Jewry and many other innocent victims. By dressing in a Wehrmacht uniform, you are expressing totally unwarranted support and nostalgia for an army which committed the most terrible war crimes and acts of genocide," the letter said.
"It would hard to adequately describe the depth of the pain that your appearance caused, not only to Jews and other victims of Nazism, but to any person of moral integrity who knows the history of World War II," Zuroff wrote.
Zuroff told CNN he did not expect Mazare to resign, or even to respond to the letter.
But he said he hoped the mayor might act on Zuroff's suggestion that Mazare create a Romanian-language edition of an acclaimed exhibition on the crimes of the Wehrmacht.
The Nazi uniform incident, which took place Sunday, was the first time Zuroff heard of Mazare, he said.
"He has a history of being outrageous, but his antics have never included something that I would deal with," Zuroff said.
"He's a real character, apparently. He's also very popular, which makes this much more difficult."
CNN attempts to contact Mazare were unsuccessful.
Romania was a Nazi ally from 1940 to 1944, under the leadership of a right-wing military government led by General Ion Antonescu.
At least 270,000 Romanian Jews were killed or died from mistreatment during the Holocaust, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia.
The 1930 Romanian census recorded 728,115 people who identified themselves as Jewish, comprising approximately 4 percent of the population, the reference work says.
Antonescu was deposed in 1944 and Romania switched sides in World War II. | [
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] | Jewish organizations call for a Romanian official to resign .
Mayor wore a Nazi uniform during a fashion show .
Radu Mazare said he did not notice Nazi swastika symbol on the uniform . |
(CNN) -- Joann Killeen is president of the Killeen Furtney Group, the Los Angeles, California-based public relations firm that represented octuplet mom Nadya Suleman. Nadya Suleman had her octuplets through fertility treatments. Suleman, who underwent fertility treatment, gave birth to six boys and two girls January 26 in Bellflower, California. She already had six children at home. The Killeen Furtney Group recently stopped representing Suleman because of death threats that came in to the firm's office, Killeen said Monday on CNN's "Larry King Live." Following is an edited transcript of Killeen's conversation with King: Larry King: When you did this show February 3, you were representing her. Now you're not. Why not? Joann Killeen: Well, Larry, the number of death threats that came into our office, both by e-mail and voice mail, we had to make a decision about what was in the best interests of our own personal safety and that of our firm. So we met with the police department on Friday. We filed a criminal report. We provided them with all the information with all the threats. And they told us that we should take this very seriously. Watch Killeen describe receiving threats » King: Why you and not her? Killeen: Well, they've also threatened her. But the majority of the threats are coming to our office. I mean, Nadya doesn't have an e-mail account. She doesn't have a computer. So there's no way to reach her. So the closest thing they can do is come after me. And they have -- and just in painful, painful ways. King: How would do you characterize the nature of the threats? Killeen: Well, they've said to me that I should be put down like an old dog, I should be paralyzed, my client's uterus should be ripped out, she should be put on an island. I mean, Larry, I don't know what's happened with America, but they are really, really angry and letting me know what they think about this issue. King: Do you take special security precautions? Killeen: Yes, I do. Yes, I do. We have extra patrols on our street. ... We're very conscious. The police department has been absolutely wonderful to work with. They've given me a special number to call if anybody stakes out my house, as they have before. I've been followed by paparazzi. I'm not a celebrity, so it's a different position for me to be in. King: How did you inform Nadya that you were no longer. ... Killeen: Well, we talked on Friday. And she's had death threats, and I've had death threats. And she's very upset that someone would come after us and come after her. I mean she says: "I'm just a mom. I don't know why everybody is so upset. I'm just a mom trying to do the best job that I possibly can." Watch Killeen explain that no money has been made off the publicity » King: Why do you think people are so angry -- crazy enough, angry to threaten killing? Killeen: Well, I think they are frustrated by a lot of things. When the news came out that Nadya was receiving some state disability from an injury and that she was trying to rehab and find a new career and go to school and she also had children at the same time, I think the taxpayers just absolutely flipped out and said, you know, we're paying for this and we're not getting our own fair share of government services. We pay a lot of taxes, the economy is bad, there's no jobs. They're angry. King: If you're getting threats, what do you imagine she's getting? Killeen: Well, and I've seen them, because, again, there's no e- mail account. So they're sending them to me. ... People | [
"People have allegedly made what by phone and email?",
"what did president of pr agancy say is being made?"
] | [
[
"death threats"
],
[
"death threats"
]
] | President of PR agency says people have made death threats by phone, e-mail .
Doctor told mom to expect either one baby or twins, not eight, Joann Killeen says .
Angry people tell Killeen they think mom's able to stay home, live off taxpayers . |
(CNN) -- Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, a 54-year-old drug cartel leader whose nickname means "Shorty," is the most wanted man in Mexico. He's also one of the most wanted men in the United States. Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera leads the Sinaloa cartel, which is battling for turf along the border. For five years, the State Department has kept a $5 million bounty on his head, calling Guzman a threat to U.S. security. Guzman, who leads the Sinaloa cartel, is a key player in the bloody turf battles being fought along the border. He recently upped the stakes, ordering his associates to use lethal force to protect their loads in contested drug trafficking corridors, according to the Los Angeles Times. The cartel's tentacles and those of its chief rival, the Gulf cartel, already reach across the border and into metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Seattle, Washington; St. Louis, Missouri; and Charlotte, North Carolina, Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Joseph Arabit told a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee in March. "No other country in the world has a greater impact on the drug situation in the United States than Mexico does," said Arabit, who heads the DEA's office in this year's border hot spot, El Paso, Texas. See where Mexican cartels are in the U.S. A December 2008 report by the Justice Department's National Drug Intelligence Center revealed that Mexican drug traffickers can be found in more than 230 U.S. cities. So far, the U.S. has largely been spared the violence seen in Mexico, where the cartels' running gunbattles with police, the military and each other claimed about 6,500 lives last year. It was a sharp spike from the 2,600 deaths attributed to cartel violence in 2007. Once again, drug war casualties are mounting on the Mexican side at a record pace in 2009 -- more than 1,000 during the first three months of the year, Arabit said. See who the key players are » The violence that has spilled over into the U.S. has been restricted to the players in the drug trade -- trafficker-on-trafficker, DEA agents say. But law enforcement officials and analysts who spoke with CNN agree that it is only a matter of time before innocent people on the U.S. side get caught in the cartel crossfire. "It's coming. I guarantee, it's coming," said Michael Sanders, a DEA spokesman in Washington. Sinaloa cartel leader Guzman's shoot-to-kill instructions aren't limited to Mexican authorities and cartel rivals; they also include U.S. law enforcement officials, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing sources and intelligence memos. The move is seen as dangerously brazen, the newspaper reported. In the past, the cartels have tried to avoid direct confrontation with U.S. law enforcement. U.S. officials are trying to stop the violence from crossing the border. The Obama administration committed to spending an additional $700 million to help Mexico fight the cartels and agreed to double the number of U.S. agents working the border. But $700 million pales in comparison with the wealth amassed by just one target. Guzman, who started in collections and rose to lead his own cartel, is said to be worth $1 billion after more than two decades in the drug trade. He made this year's Forbes list of the richest of the rich, landing between a Swiss tycoon and an heir to the Campbell's Soup fortune. Popular Mexican songs, called narcocorridos, embellish the myth of the poorly educated but charismatic cartel leader. "Shorty is the Pablo Escobar of Mexico," said security consultant Scott Stewart, invoking the memory of the colorful Medellin cartel leader who also landed on the Forbes list and thumbed his nose at Colombian authorities until he died in a shower of police bullets in December 1993. Stewart, a former agent for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, gathers intelligence on the cartels for Stratfor, a Texas-based security consulting firm that helped document Guzman's worth. Just a decade ago, Mexican smugglers worked as mules for | [
"how much is the u.s. spending to double the number of agents?",
"What amount did U.S. spend to double agents at the border?",
"What are the death toll numbers from the current drug cartel turf wars?",
"what is the battle against colombian cartels?",
"How much is the U.S. spending to double number of agents?",
"Gulf cartels battle for what?",
"What is the U.S. doubling?",
"What are they battling control over?",
"Which cartels are battling for control of drug routes?",
"How much is the US spending on border control?",
"How much does the U.S. spend on agents at its border with Mexico?"
] | [
[
"an additional $700 million"
],
[
"$700 million"
],
[
"2,600"
],
[
"turf along the border."
],
[
"$700 million"
],
[
"turf along the border."
],
[
"agents working the border."
],
[
"turf along the border."
],
[
"Sinaloa"
],
[
"$700 million"
],
[
"$700 million"
]
] | Sinaloa, Gulf cartels battle for control of drug routes across U.S. border .
The turf war has spurred record death tolls with gunbattles, beheadings .
U.S. is doubling number of agents at border, spending $700 million .
Agents, analysts compare situation to '90s battle against Colombian cartels . |
(CNN) -- Jody Powell, who served as press secretary for President Jimmy Carter, has died, a spokesman for the Carter Center said. He was 65. Former White House Press Secretary Jody Powell died Monday. Powell, who served in the Carter administration from 1977 to 1981, died Monday of an apparent heart attack, Carter Center spokesman Tony Clark told CNN. Carter said he and former first lady Rosalynn Carter "share a great personal loss today in the passing of Jody Powell." "From the time he began, as a young graduate student, as my volunteer driver during my 1970 run for governor, no one worked more closely with me than Jody," the former president and former governor of Georgia said in a statement. "Jody was beside me in every decision I made as a candidate, governor, and president, and I could always depend on his advice and counsel being candid and direct." Robert Gibbs, press secretary to President Barack Obama, said he was "deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jody Powell." "As press secretary to President Carter, Jody served his country during a difficult time, and he always did the job with grace and good humor," Gibbs said in a statement. "When I needed advice at the start of my own tenure as press secretary, he was always generous with his time and wise in his counsel. I'll miss his support and encouragement, and I'll be keeping him and his family in my thoughts and prayers," he said. After his press secretary stint under Carter, Powell headed a Washington public relations firm, Powell-Tate, partnering with Nancy Reagan's former press secretary, Sheila Tate. | [
"what does carter say",
"What did Carter say about Powell?",
"what is powell doing",
"When did Jody Powell die?",
"What did carter say about it?",
"who passe daway"
] | [
[
"\"Jody was beside me in every decision I made as a candidate, governor, and president, and I could always depend on his advice and counsel being candid and direct.\""
],
[
"\"From the time he began, as a young graduate student, as my volunteer driver during my 1970 run for governor, no one worked more closely with me than Jody,\""
],
[
"died,"
],
[
"Monday."
],
[
"\"share a great personal loss today in the passing of Jody Powell.\""
],
[
"Jody Powell"
]
] | Carters "share a great personal loss today in the passing of Jody Powell"
Carter: "Beside me in every decision I made as a candidate, governor, and president"
Powell also headed Washington PR firm with Nancy Reagan's ex-press secretary . |
(CNN) -- Joel "Taz" DiGregorio, keyboardist and original member of The Charlie Daniels Band, died Wednesday night from injuries he suffered in a single car wreck in Cheatham County, Tennessee.
He was 67.
"I am in shock now, Taz was one of my best friends," Charlie Daniels said in a statement. "The CDB family has lost a great friend and musician."
DiGregorio was a member of the band for more than 40 years and co-wrote its signature song,"The Devil Went Down to Georgia."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
DiGregorio was on his way to meet the band's tour bus when his car crashed near Nashville. Details about the wreck were not immediately available.
Because of his death, the band canceled a Thursday night concert in Georgia and a show Saturday night in Connecticut.
"We traveled many miles together and shared so many nights on the road. We're going to miss you buddy," Daniels said.
"You were one of a kind and will never be forgotten."
CNN's Ric Ward contributed to this report | [
"What did he co-write",
"What is the name of the band?",
"Is DiGregorio an original member of the band?",
"Did he write the song on his own?",
"Who is an original member of the band?",
"What was DiGregorio a member of"
] | [
[
"its signature song,\"The Devil Went Down to Georgia.\""
],
[
"The Charlie Daniels"
],
[
"keyboardist and"
],
[
"co-wrote"
],
[
"\"Taz\" DiGregorio,"
],
[
"The Charlie Daniels Band,"
]
] | DiGregorio is an original member of the band .
He co-wrote "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" |
(CNN) -- Johanna Sigurdardottir was sworn in as Iceland's prime minister on Sunday, becoming the world's first openly gay premier and the first woman to take the post in Iceland.
Johanna Sigurdardottir is a former flight attendant and union leader.
Sigurdardottir, 66, took office less than a week after the Cabinet resigned amid fallout from Iceland's financial collapse.
A former flight attendant who entered politics via the union movement, Sigurdardottir was minister of social affairs and social security in the outgoing Cabinet, which resigned Monday.
Iceland has been in political turmoil since October, when its currency, stock market and leading banks collapsed amid the global financial crisis. The island nation's Nordic neighbors sent billions of dollars to prop up the economy, as did the International Monetary Fund in its first intervention to support a Western European democracy in decades.
But weekly demonstrations -- some verging on riots -- finally forced Prime Minister Geir Haarde and his coalition to resign en masse on January 26.
The country's president turned to the Social Democratic Alliance party to form a new government, and they selected Sigurdardottir to lead it.
She has been a member of Iceland's Parliament for 30 years, and was in her second stint as minister of social affairs. She started her career as a flight attendant for the airline that became IcelandAir. She was active in the flight attendants' labor union during her 11 years with the airline, according to her official resume.
She briefly led her own political party, which merged with other center-left parties to form the Alliance party.
Sigurdardottir is Iceland's first female prime minister, although not the North Atlantic nation's first female head of state -- Vigdis Finnbogadottir became its fourth president in 1980.
Sigurdardottir lists author and playwright Jonina Leosdottir, 54, as her spouse on her ministry Web site. She has two children from an earlier marriage.
Her prime ministership may be short-lived. The government she is forming is only due to last until the next elections, which must take place by May and could be held in April.
A statement posted by the new government on Iceland's Web site promised elections "as soon as circumstances allow," and said the interim government "will base itself on a very prudent and responsible policy in economic and fiscal matters."
The statement added that the government will treat as priorities "the principles of sustainable development, women's rights, equality and justice."
Stonewall, a leading British gay and lesbian rights group, welcomed Sigurdardottir's appointment as a milestone.
"It really does matter. It is helpful" to have an openly gay prime minister, said Gary Nunn, a Stonewall spokesperson.
"We are trying to foster the ambition that young people can be anything they want to be." | [
"when is Johanna Sigurdardottir sworn",
"When did Johanna Sigurdardottir swear in?",
"What position did Sigurdardottir hold in outgoing Cabinet?",
"who was sworn in?",
"for how long was she a member",
"what did Predecessor Haarde do",
"what was she a member of?",
"who is sigurdardottir?"
] | [
[
"Sunday,"
],
[
"Sunday,"
],
[
"minister of social affairs and social security"
],
[
"Sigurdardottir"
],
[
"30 years,"
],
[
"resign"
],
[
"Iceland's Parliament"
],
[
"Iceland's prime minister"
]
] | NEW: Johanna Sigurdardottir sworn in Sunday .
Sigurdardottir was social affairs minister in outgoing Cabinet .
Predecessor Haarde resigned after the collapse of Iceland's main banks .
She has been a member of Iceland's Parliament for 30 years . |
(CNN) -- John McCain tried to make Barack Obama's celebrity status a campaign issue last summer, but there's no debate about the president-elect's ability to draw famous and talented Americans to his inauguration.
Bruce Springsteen campaigns for Barack Obama in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 2, 2008.
Dozens of major celebrities will perform on several nationally televised shows, as well as 10 inaugural balls the evening after Obama is sworn in as the 44th U.S. president.
The celebration will open Sunday evening on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with a free concert so star-studded it's hard to choose a headliner.
Beyonce, Bono and Bruce Springsteen are on the list.
Other musical performers include Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder.
In addition, Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington will take the stage to deliver historical readings. More performers will likely be named.
Executive Producer George Stevens Jr. said the intention is "to root the event in history, celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevail." See how inaugurations have changed over the years »
Don Mischer, who directed the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympics and ` recent Super Bowl half-time shows, is directing this event.
"We will have the statue of Abraham Lincoln looking down on our stage and a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people lining the mall -- a tableau any director would relish," Mischer said.
Admission will be free, but security will be tight. Check out an interactive map of Washington
Five gates leading into the area, including one around the Reflecting Pool at the base of the Lincoln Memorial, open at 8 a.m. ET Sunday. Performances start at 2:30 p.m.
HBO paid for exclusive rights to televise Sunday's show, but its feed will be free to all cable and satellite viewers from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET. It cannot be seen through local broadcast television stations.
The Disney Channel will carry Monday night's big event -- "Kids' Inaugural: We Are The Future" -- from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET. Those who don't have cable will be able to hear it live on Radio Disney or watch it online later at Disney.com.
Musical performers will include the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Bow Wow.
Singer-actress Keke Palmer -- star of Nickelodeon's "True Jackson, VP" -- is one of the hosts for the show, which will be staged in Washington's Verizon Center.
Palmer, 15, hopes to meet Obama's daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, backstage Monday night.
Palmer said she moved from Chicago to Los Angeles when she was about the same age as Malia is now, and Obama's election is "very special for my family and me, being from Chicago and all."
"I also feel like I know what Sasha and Malia are experiencing in terms of leaving Chicago at an early age, having to attend a brand new school, a new house, just new everything," Palmer said. "It's not easy, but as long as you have great parents, which we all three have, then it turns out OK."
There should be plenty of celebrity sightings at the swearing-in ceremony at noon ET Tuesday or in the parade starting at 2:30 p.m. Viewers will have no trouble finding a television broadcast of those events.
Palmer said she will likely view the inaugural parade from a viewing stand at the Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women.
"Hey, either way I'm so happy to be a part of it no matter how small," she said. "This is historic!"
While inaugural ball tickets are tough to get, one of the 10 balls Tuesday evening will be shown live on ABC television from 8 to 10 p.m. | [
"When do celebrations open?",
"Who will perform at the ball?",
"Who will the inaugural show feature?",
"Where will the celebrations be shown?"
] | [
[
"Sunday"
],
[
"Dozens of major celebrities"
],
[
"Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, James Taylor, will.i.am,"
],
[
"Lincoln Memorial"
]
] | Celebrations open Sunday evening with a free star-studded concert televised by HBO .
Kids' inaugural show Monday will feature Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus .
One of the 10 inaugural balls Tuesday evening will be shown live on ABC .
Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder will perform at the ball . |
(CNN) -- John Spieker stood on the back porch of his newly rented Bailey, Colorado, home, thankful for his Good Samaritan landlord and worried that his previous home, parked in the driveway, wouldn't get him to work the next day. John and Katie Spieker stand next to their camper with baby son, Jacob. His 1977 Toyota Dolphin camper, which Spieker rescued from a salvage yard, had carried him, his wife, Katie, and 4-month-old son, Jacob, from Florida to Colorado earlier this summer, a cross-country sojourn in search of work. He was uncertain it could handle the 14-mile commute the next morning, but he'd make do. "I'm gonna get up extra early every morning like I have been, and if it [the camper] doesn't get to work, I'm gonna hitchhike," Spieker said last week. "I have a wife and a son to support." Spieker had been making $12 an hour plus commission at his information technology job in Trenton, Florida. Katie was working part-time in a candle shop, and between them they pulled in a little more than $2,500 a month. But Katie, 21, quit to have the baby, and they moved into a bigger, more expensive house to accommodate their larger family. As June approached, Spieker, 36, was told his hours and commission were being cut as Florida's economy sank. "It got to the point where $6.50 an hour with a house just ain't gonna happen. I was trying to do good for my family, but what can I do?" he asked. His last day of work in Florida was June 30. With Florida's unemployment rate at 10.6 percent in June, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, he investigated where prospects might be better, settling on Colorado (7.6 unemployment), and if things didn't work out there, North Dakota (the nation's lowest unemployment at 4.2 percent). The Spieker family prepared for the trip by holding a yard sale a few days before they were set to leave Trenton, a town of 1,800 near Gainesville. They dutifully cleaned up the home they rented but could no longer afford. "You're not going to pay the rent, you get out of the house, you know?" Spieker said. They hit the road with $1,000 in cash, a cell phone, some food and what clothing they could fit. The rickety old camper required some minor repairs along the way: a new battery strap after being bounced around on a rough Alabama highway, some brake work after one stuck near St. Charles, Missouri. Spieker said he sold wire art in taverns during the journey to earn extra money. He was teased by opportunities that didn't pan out. "I never actually saw this before, but some towns are actually putting billboards up that say 'This town has jobs,' " he said of his travels through the nation's heartland. "I actually went to check it out," he said. "They've got a couple jobs, but nothing really great. They've got some jobs I'm not qualified for, in the medical field," he said. Still without work after arriving in Colorado, the Spiekers lived "out in the woods" for a few weeks. They didn't consider themselves homeless, John Spieker said, "just camping." Using computers at a local office supply store and the library, Spieker and his family have been able to tap private and public assistance to care for themselves. A local church has taken care of some day-to-day needs. "I went down and talked to them and said, 'Hey this is what the situation is, if there's any help available.' They said they could probably help us out with food, baby needs," Spieker said. "And we're actually going to apply for medical assistance." As for food stamps, | [
"Where is the man from?",
"Where do they camp?"
] | [
[
"Bailey, Colorado,"
],
[
"\"out in the woods\""
]
] | Florida man's pay is reduced until he can't support his family .
He fixes up rickety camper and with wife, baby and $1,000, sets off for Colorado .
They camp in woods until someone offers a reduced-rent house .
He finds a job at an auto parts store, but still fears for future . |
(CNN) -- Johnny Lee Wicks, 66, was carrying a 12-gauge shotgun when he walked Monday into the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse and started firing, shooting court security officer Stanley W. Cooper and a deputy U.S. marshal, said Kevin Favreau, special agent in charge of the FBI's Las Vegas office.
The two victims returned fire, driving Wicks out of the courthouse, and pursued him into the street along with two other marshals and three other court security officers -- a total of seven officers, authorities said.
During the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Wicks fired a total of five rounds, authorities said, while the officers fired a total of 81. Wicks was shot in the stomach and fatally shot in the head, Favreau said.
Cooper later died of his injuries. The deputy marshal's condition has stabilized and he was released from the hospital, said Gary Orton, U.S. marshal for Nevada.
Authorities said the deputy marshal's name would be released after he recovers further. Orton said he was about 48 and had more than two decades of service with the U.S. marshals.
Wicks had a lengthy criminal history, Favreau said, including arrests for murder in Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1970s; arrests for drug charges in the 1980s in Memphis; a 1995 arrest for sexual assault and domestic violence in Sacramento, California; and a 1996 arrest for robbery and domestic violence, also in Sacramento. It was unclear whether those arrests resulted in convictions, and authorities did not have information on whether Wicks had been incarcerated.
In 2008, Wicks filed a race discrimination and civil rights claim against the Social Security Administration, alleging he was denied full benefits because he was African-American, according to court documents. A federal judge -- located in the Las Vegas courthouse -- ruled against him in September.
Those who knew Wicks told authorities he had an "overwhelming anger" toward the government, Favreau said. However, he had made no threats that police were aware of, and investigators do not know why Monday was the day his rage boiled over.
Evidence indicates Wicks intentionally set his apartment on fire about 5:05 a.m. Monday, then walked three miles to the courthouse, Favreau said, where the shooting took place about 8 a.m. Witnesses said Wicks was clad in black when he walked inside, pulled out the shotgun and opened fire. Police believe he acted alone.
"An act such as this cannot be predicted," said Doug Gillespie, sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
He and other officials praised Wicks' victims for acting quickly to repel the gunman. Cooper, a former sergeant with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police who had been a contract security officer since 1994, "dedicated his entire life to protecting others," Gillespie said. "He was not only a good man, he was a great man."
Cooper was able to fire one round while pursing Wicks, authorities said. The sheriff said he did not know whether funeral arrangements had been made for Cooper.
Wicks fired three rounds inside the courthouse and two others outside, said Las Vegas police Lt. Lou Roberts. The last two were fired when Wicks turned to face the pursuing officers, and he was fatally shot shortly afterward, Roberts said. He died among the bushes in front of an old school that once housed a temporary police headquarters.
Wicks had more rounds available, Roberts said, but would not elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.
The officers involved in the firefight have been placed on administrative leave, authorities said -- standard procedure for officer-involved shootings.
Witnesses to the exchange of gunfire Monday estimated at least 40 shots were fired. A one-minute, 13-second video clip posted on YouTube includes at least 45 gunshots, many in rapid succession. Nicholas Gramenos, who recorded the clip, said he was leaving the courthouse when the shooting erupted.
Another witness, Bobby Scottland, told CNN the shots "sounded like popcorn."
Cones were scattered across Las Vegas Boulevard Monday evening, with each representing a slug or shell casing from the gun battle. | [
"Who was the guard killed?",
"What is the suspects name?",
"What did Wicks do?",
"Who was shot and killed",
"What was the slain guard identified as?",
"Who had a lengthy rap sheet?",
"Who was shot and killed at courthouse?"
] | [
[
"Stanley W. Cooper"
],
[
"Johnny"
],
[
"started firing,"
],
[
"Stanley W. Cooper"
],
[
"security officer Stanley W. Cooper"
],
[
"Johnny"
],
[
"Johnny"
]
] | NEW: Suspect Johnny Wicks had a lengthy rap sheet .
Wicks was shot and killed after opening fire in courthouse lobby .
Slain guard identified as former Vegas police officer .
FBI: Wicks pulled shotgun from underneath his jacket and began shooting . |
(CNN) -- Jon Opsahl said he doesn't think domestic terrorist-turned-housewife Sara Jane Olson served nearly enough time for his mother's murder, but he's relieved the saga ended with Olson's Tuesday release from prison. Sara Jane Olson was released from a California prison Tuesday after serving seven years. Olson, a member of the self-styled revolutionary Symbionese Liberation Army -- perhaps best known for kidnapping Patricia Hearst -- was released from a California prison after serving seven years, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said. She was released to her husband just after midnight and is expected to serve her yearlong parole term in Minnesota -- over the the objections of police unions and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Her sentence stems from her involvement in the 1975 attempted bombings of two police cars and the slaying of Myrna Opsahl during a bank robbery that same year. Back then, Olson went by her birth name, Kathleen Anne Soliah. After her 1976 indictment in the attempted bombings, she changed her name and started a new life in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was not apprehended until 1999. "I've really got nothing to say. She did her time, as minimal as that may have been," said Jon Opsahl, who was 15 when his mother was killed. "One of those years -- just one -- was for the murder of my mom and the bank robbery up in Carmichael." Myrna Opsahl, a mother of four, was depositing money at the Crocker National Bank for her church when she was shot by Olson's co-defendant Emily Montague Harris, according to court documents. Harris was sentenced to eight years; she served four and was released on parole in February 2007. Jon Opsahl, now 49, said he never understood why it took so long to bring his mother's killers to justice. While charges were filed in the bombings within months, no charges were brought in his mother's murder until 2002. "You expect thugs to do what thugs do, but you don't expect the district attorney to turn a blind eye to the murder of an upstanding citizen," Jon Opsahl said Monday. Olson's release Tuesday will cap an oft-strange storyline that spans more than three decades and which saw Olson wear the hats of college student, 1970s radical, housewife and philanthropist. Attorney Andy Dawkins met Olson, now 62, shortly after she moved to St. Paul through friends in the reggae band, Pressure Drop. Fred Peterson, Olson's husband, played trumpet in the band, Dawkins said. "She did good deeds everywhere. She raised three wonderful daughters. It was always a shock to all of us that the Sara we know had that past," Dawkins said. After attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, Olson moved to Berkeley in the early 1970s. There, she met Angela Atwood in 1972, and the two became best friends and roommates, Olson told L.A. Weekly in a 2002 interview shortly before she was imprisoned. After Atwood and five other SLA members were killed in a 1974 gunfight with the Los Angeles Police Department, Olson appeared at a memorial in Berkeley's Ho Chi Minh Park to eulogize her friend. "SLA soldiers, although I know it's not necessary to say, keep fighting. I'm with you, and we are with you," Olson told the crowd. Almost a year later, Olson took part in two bank robberies to help fund the SLA, according to court documents. During the Carmichael robbery, Olson "entered the bank with a firearm and kicked a nonresisting pregnant teller in the stomach. The teller miscarried after the robbery," the documents said. In August 1975, Los Angeles police found homemade bombs under two squad cars. They were designed to explode when the car moved, but neither device detonated. Authorities cast the attempted bombings as payback for the bloody shootout that left Atwood and other SLA members dead. A probe into the gunbattle helped police arrest Hearst, the granddaughter of publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst, who claimed she had been kidnapped, raped and | [
"When did the robbery occur?",
"Where was Olson living?",
"who opposes olson serving parole in minnesota?",
"What was she a member of?",
"What was Olson a member of?",
"What did Olson belong to?",
"What did Olson do during the bank robbery?"
] | [
[
"1975"
],
[
"St. Paul, Minnesota."
],
[
"Gov. Tim Pawlenty."
],
[
"Symbionese Liberation Army"
],
[
"the self-styled revolutionary Symbionese Liberation Army"
],
[
"Symbionese Liberation Army"
],
[
"with a firearm and kicked a nonresisting pregnant teller in the stomach."
]
] | NEW: Governor, police unions oppose Olson serving parole in Minnesota .
Olson evaded capture for more than 20 years living as Minnesota housewife .
Olson was member of Symbionese Liberation Army, which nabbed Patricia Hearst .
Court documents say Olson kicked pregnant teller during 1975 bank robbery . |
(CNN) -- Jonny Wilkinson, who enshrined his name in rugby history with his match-winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final, has announced the end of his international career.
The flyhalf struggled to regain the giddy heights of that day in Sydney, when England won the sport's biggest prize for the first time, as he suffered frustrating injury setbacks in the following years.
The 32-year-old was one of many England players to struggle at this year's tournament, which ended in a quarterfinal exit to France and the subsequent departure of his 2003 teammate Martin Johnson as manager following a series of controversies among the squad and the ruling body.
"To do so fills me with great sadness, but I know that I have been blessed in so many ways to have experienced what I have with the England rugby team," Wilkinson said on his website on Monday.
"To say I have played through four World Cups, two Lions tours, 91 international games and a ridiculous number of injuries and other setbacks gives me an incredibly special feeling of fulfillment. But by now I know myself well enough to know that I will never truly be satisfied."
A perfectionist in his approach on and off the pitch, perhaps best illustrated by his painstaking goalkicking style, Wilkinson was twice rugby's record points scorer before the mantle was retaken by New Zealand's Dan Carter this year.
He totaled 1,246 in all internationals for England and the British & Irish Lions, and has a record 277 scored at World Cups -- helping beat Australia 20-17 in extra-time eight years ago, then losing to South Africa in the 2007 final.
Wilkinson started his career at Newcastle in 1997, but joined Toulon in 2009 and will continue his career with the French club.
Stuart Lancaster, who has taken over as England's interim head coach, said Wilkinson was one of the nation's greatest players.
"He will of course be remembered for that drop-goal but he is more than that, a model sportsman -- down to earth and hard working, who has never stopped trying to be the best that he can," said England's head of elite player development.
"Everyone who has played with, coached and watched Jonny play should feel privileged to have had an involvement with him. Not only has he been a world-class player but he has inspired thousands to play and watch the game of rugby.
"He will continue to do great things with Toulon and I would like to go and see him in France to learn from his vast knowledge and experience of 13 years at the very top of the international game." | [
"What hapened to England?",
"who is lost in quarterfinals?",
"What was the sport?",
"at what age England flyhalf Johnny Wilkinson ends his international career?",
"When is the world cup?"
] | [
[
"won the sport's biggest prize for the first time,"
],
[
"England"
],
[
"rugby"
],
[
"32-year-old"
],
[
"2003"
]
] | England flyhalf Johnny Wilkinson ends his international career at age of 32 .
The 2003 World Cup winner will continue to play for French club Toulon .
He struggled at this year's tournament as England lost in quarterfinals .
Wilkinson was twice the leading points scorer in international rugby . |
(CNN) -- Joran van der Sloot is meeting with investigators Thursday in the Netherlands in response to the recently released videotape in the Natalee Holloway case, his U.S.-based attorney said.
Joran van der Sloot awaits transfer from the Netherlands to Aruba in November. He later was released.
The exact location of that meeting was not disclosed, but van der Sloot's attorney, Joe Tacopina, said his client has "agreed to answer any questions."
In the video that aired Sunday on Dutch television, van der Sloot, a suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Holloway, told a man he was with the Alabama teen on an Aruban beach when she apparently died and that a friend of his with a boat disposed of Holloway's body.
Van der Sloot later said the statements were lies, and on Monday, Tacopina said the video contains "no admission of a crime."
The lawyer said facts in the case contradict two assertions van der Sloot made in the video, including that the boat-owner friend mentioned wasn't in Aruba in May 2005. Watch how video has brought new interest in case »
Meanwhile, prosecutors are still awaiting a decision from a three-judge appellate panel on the nearby Caribbean island of Curacao as to whether van der Sloot can be arrested in reaction to the video.
The chief prosecutor in Aruba, Hans Mos, was denied an initial attempt to arrest van der Sloot by the investigating judge last Sunday.
The judge determined that numerous pretrial detentions of van der Sloot in the past have created a "high bar" that current circumstances do not meet.
The prosecutor appealed the judge's decision on Tuesday, and the appellate panel will have eight days to respond.
Holloway disappeared while visiting Aruba with about 100 classmates celebrating their graduation from Mountain Brook High School in suburban Birmingham, Alabama, and was last seen leaving a nightclub with van der Sloot and brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe.
Mos dropped charges against the three men in December, saying he couldn't be sure of a conviction. E-mail to a friend
CNN Tracy Sabo contributed to this report. | [
"Who is van der Sloot's lawyer?",
"Country where Holloway disappeared?",
"Who will answer questions about the video story?",
"When did Holloway disappear?",
"Where did Holloway disappear?",
"Who disappeared in 2005?",
"What did Joran van der Sloot lie about?",
"What kind of trip did Holloway vanish from?"
] | [
[
"Joe Tacopina,"
],
[
"Aruba"
],
[
"van der Sloot"
],
[
"2005"
],
[
"Aruba"
],
[
"Natalee Holloway"
],
[
"he was with the Alabama teen"
],
[
"Aruban"
]
] | Joran van der Sloot will answer questions about video story, lawyer said .
Van der Sloot said videotaped story of how woman died was lie .
Holloway disappeared in 2005 while on graduation trip to Aruba .
Meet journalist who uncovered van der Sloot tape; tonight, 9 ET, "Larry King Live" |
(CNN) -- Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos began their "supervised release" Friday after President Bush commuted their sentences in January for convictions related to the shooting of a Mexican drug smuggler.
Ignacio Ramos has been out of prison since Febrary after serving time in the shooting of an illegal immigrant.
Ramos and Compean were able to remove their electronic monitoring devices and leave their homes in El Paso, Texas, on Friday for the first time since they left prison in February.
After spending two "hard, long, lonely" years in prison, the two said they were looking forward to spending time with their families and putting this chapter of their lives behind them.
"There are more important things than the people that have done this to us or what we have gone through and I am not going to sit here and dwell on that," Ramos said in an interview with CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight."
"We are looking ahead. We're optimistic for a very good future and that's what's more important," Ramos said.
Their release in February marked a significant turning point in a case that served as a flash point in the debate over immigration and border security.
The two were sentenced in 2006 to 11- and 12-year sentences stemming from the February 2005 shooting of Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila near the U.S.-Mexico border south of El Paso, Texas.
Critics of U.S. immigration policy rushed to the agents' defense, saying they were merely doing their jobs. Civil liberties advocates argued that Compean and Ramos used excessive force.
Ramos credited the outside support with helping him win clemency and keeping his spirits up during his imprisonment.
"Members from Congress were speaking about us, people writing us constantly, it felt so good to know that people didn't give up on us and that people constantly believed in us," he said.
"How can you give up when people aren't giving up on you?"
Compean echoed his sentiments, saying he was shocked to this day over the support he received.
"I didn't expect it. I expected people to really forget all about us once we turned ourselves in," he said.
Like Ramos, Compean said the most difficult part of going to prison was leaving behind his wife and children.
"I think that's been the hardest. When I turned myself in, my son was 4 months old," he said.
"There's really nothing special I want to do. The only thing I'm really looking forward to is getting out of the house and going out to dinner with my wife and going to the park with my sons," Compean said.
Their legal cases are far from over. The convictions still stand and the two remain felons while appeals are pending, which means they cannot contact one another or reapply for their jobs, something Ramos said he would like to do.
Ramos shot Aldrete-Davila in the buttocks after he ditched a vehicle carrying more than 700 pounds of marijuana and fled on foot toward Mexico.
The agents said during trial that Aldrete-Davila had brandished a gun while resisting arrest, but Aldrete-Davila said he was unarmed and trying to surrender when Compean attempted to beat him with a shotgun.
"In exchange for immunity, Aldrete-Davila agreed to cooperate with the investigation of the shooting, and he returned to the United States so that the bullet could be removed from his body," according to court documents.
Ramos and Compean were convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon, lying about the incident and violating Aldrete-Davila's Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a vocal critic of the decision to grant Aldrete-Davila immunity, said several key pieces of evidence were withheld from the jury that convicted Ramos and Compean.
The jury, for instance, never learned that Aldrete-Davila was running drugs at the time of the shooting. Nor did jurors learn that Aldrete-Davila breached his immunity agreement by continuing to smuggle drugs into the United States, Cornyn has said | [
"what do they look forward to",
"Which two people begin their supervised release on Friday?",
"Which president commuted their sentences for shooting drug smugglers?"
] | [
[
"spending time with their families and putting this chapter of their lives behind them."
],
[
"Jose"
],
[
"Bush"
]
] | Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean begin their supervised release Friday .
Men say they look forward to being with family, putting incident behind them .
"There are more important things than the people that have done this," Ramos says .
President Bush in January commuted their sentences for shooting drug smuggler . |
(CNN) -- Jose Mourinho has admitted he was left angered by the decision to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona, although the Inter Milan coach reveals he is delighted to welcome Samuel Eto'o to the San Siro. Jose Mourinho believes Inter Milan have done good business in selling Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona. Inter are on the verge of completing a deal which will see them receive 45 million euros ($64m) plus Eto'o for Ibrahimovic after both players agreed terms with their prospective clubs. Mourinho knows it will be a blow to lose last year's leading goalscorer in Serie A but, speaking about the deal for the first time, admitted it is a fantastic bit of business. "I was a bit angry because no coach is happy to lose Ibrahimovic," the Portuguese told Sky Italia. "But no one is not happy to have Eto'o -- we have lost a top player but we have taken another one. If I talk as a coach and a man on the pitch, I say that I don't want to lose this player. If I talk as a manager, I say that Inter have done great business," added Mourinho. Mourinho feels Ibrahimovic will adapt to life at the Nou Camp in no time but insists he would not make a similar move. "He had this dream and wanted to go," added the Nerazzurri coach. "He told me he would miss me and I told him exactly the same thing. He's going to a club in which I worked for four years, Barcelona are an extraordinary club and he will be happy. "I didn't give him any advice but I spoke to him a few days before the final decision. I told him that if he wins the Champions League with Barcelona he won't be doing anything extraordinary, seeing as they have won it twice in three years. I like doing something extraordinary, not what's normal." | [
"Who was he happy to welcome",
"How much money was received for the Swede Ibrahimovic",
"What is being sold to Barcelona?",
"Who is angered by the decision to sell to Barcelona?",
"Who is welcomed to the Italian club?",
"How much will Inter Milan receive?",
"How much money will Inter Milan receive?",
"By what was Mourinho angered?",
"What angered Mourinho?"
] | [
[
"Samuel Eto'o"
],
[
"45 million euros ($64m)"
],
[
"Zlatan Ibrahimovic"
],
[
"Mourinho"
],
[
"Samuel Eto'o"
],
[
"45 million euros"
],
[
"45 million euros ($64m)"
],
[
"the decision to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic to"
],
[
"Barcelona,"
]
] | Jose Mourinho angered by the decision to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona .
However, Inter Milan coach happy to welcome Samuel Eto'o to the Italian club .
Inter Milan to receive 45 million euros ($64m) plus Eto'o for Swede Ibrahimovic . |
(CNN) -- Jose Mourinho has extended his contract at Serie A champions Inter Milan by 12 months until June 2012, killing off speculation that he could be on his way to Real Madrid. Coach Mourinho has signed an extended deal ending fears he could wave goodbye to Inter Milan. Former Chelsea supremo Mourinho took charge at Italian giants Inter a year ago following the departure of Roberto Mancini and has just guided the club to their fourth straight scudetto. They also won the Italian Super Cup, but were eliminated by defending champions Manchester United in the first knockout round of the Champions League. A statement on the Inter Web site read: "In response to the wish of the coach to continue the project started together a year ago, a wish welcomed with pleasure by the club as a sign of attachment and winning spirit, FC Internazionale announces the extension of Jose Mourinho's contract until 30 June 2012." Mourinho had promised the fans more titles would be on the after lifting his first Italian title, but the eal issue refused to go away until Monday's statement. When asked about the chance he could leave Inter, Mourinho had earlier told the club Web site: "There is still a 0.01% (chance). But for me this is not an important number, it just means that I am closer to Inter than to Real. "I am satisfied with the relationship with the fans and with my players. I repeat, I am closer to staying at Inter than going elsewhere." Those comments failed to impress Inter president Massimo Moratti, but the extended contract has settled any differences. Mourinho made his mark at Porto in 2004 when he led the Portuguese team to the Champions League title, beating Monaco 3-0 in the final, before moving to Chelsea. At Stamford Bridge he claimed the Premier League title in each of his first two seasons and the FA Cup the following campaign, but left the club in September 2007. Not all Inter fans have warmed to the Portuguese since his arrival in Milan last summer. He has been involved in several disagreements with the Italian media and his style of play has has not endeared him to parts of the Nerazzurri faithful. | [
"Who has Jose Mourinho extended his contract with?",
"Who does Jose Mourinho play for?",
"Who was the champion?",
"When does Jose Mourinho's contract now expire?",
"Who did the former Chelsea supremo now contract with?",
"What did the decision kill of speculation about?",
"The decision killed what?"
] | [
[
"Serie A champions Inter Milan"
],
[
"Serie A champions Inter Milan"
],
[
"Mourinho"
],
[
"30 June 2012.\""
],
[
"FC Internazionale"
],
[
"that he could be on his way to Real Madrid."
],
[
"speculation"
]
] | Jose Mourinho has extended his contract with Serie A champions Inter Milan .
The decision kills off speculation that he could be on his way to Real Madrid .
Former Chelsea supremo now contracted with Italian club until 30 June 2012 . |
(CNN) -- Jose Reyes Ferriz, the mayor of violence-plagued Ciudad Juarez, said the drug cartel war gripping his city is rooted in social decomposition such as broken homes.
The president of Mexico is expected to make a major announcement on social intervention in response to the drug violence, which in 2010 has killed close to 1,000 people throughout the country, says Reyes.
President Felipe Calderon is expected to be in the city on the U.S. border across from El Paso, Texas, on Thursday.
"We have been working during the last couple of years on cleaning up and reinforcing our police department," Reyes said in a phone interview with CNN this week. "Having done that, it is time to go to the root of the problem. The root of the problem is a social problem that we did not anticipate. We need to work on that."
Also this week, in what is seen widely as a symbolic gesture in response to last week's house party massacre that killed 15, the Chihuahua state government on Monday temporarily moved its main offices to Juarez, Reyes confirmed.
"What will happen is the governor, state Supreme Court, as well as Congress will all operate out of Juarez," according to Reyes. "Them being here will expedite a lot of things that need to be done in Juarez."
He joins experts in saying it is a social decomposition of a new generation of cartel members that is causing such brutal killings. Broken homes, sometimes caused by drug abuse, leave children and teens vulnerable to a gang's plea for membership.
The young recruits are more ruthless than ever.
In one local report, the face of a drug cartel hit victim was found cut from the victim's head and stitched onto a soccer ball. In other reports, organized criminals have shot and killed children, targeted innocent students, assassinated doctors and lawyers and even extorted priests.
On January 31, 15 people -- most of them teenage students who had nothing to do with the cartels -- were massacred at a house party in southern Juarez. Witnesses described some of the hit men who carried out the killings as being about the same age as the victims.
A federal security spokesman told CNN last week that 10 drug traffickers -- part of a cell that worked for Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, head of the Sinaloa Cartel -- were arrested in the Valley of Juarez. One of the suspects told investigators children have been recruited as lookouts and are being paid between $40 to $80 a week to work for the cartel.
There is hope for progress. "We were down to five killings a day before Sunday's [house party] massacre," Reyes said. "The massive presence of police in the city discourages that sort of access."
Other measures have been proposed. One Mexican lawmaker wants to censor social media networks such as Twitter, suggesting cartels use the service to locate targets.
Reyes knows a life without cartels in Mexico is close to impossible.
"It's unrealistic to think that cartels will be stamped out entirely," the mayor said. "When you take a look at what happened with Florida. Most of the coke (cocaine) came through the Caribbean, through Florida. And ... when the [U.S.] federal government closed down that route, most of the coke started coming from Mexico. That's when the violence started in the country." | [
"who is mayor of Juarez?",
"Who is expected to visit Juarez?",
"how many have been killed by drug violence?",
"When is the president visiting?",
"How many people have been killed?"
] | [
[
"Reyes Ferriz,"
],
[
"President Felipe Calderon"
],
[
"1,000"
],
[
"Thursday."
],
[
"1,000"
]
] | Jose Reyes Ferriz, mayor of Juarez, says police action can only go so far .
President Calderon expected to visit Juarez Thursday for major announcement .
Drug violence has killed close to 1,000 people in Mexico in 2010 .
Reyes, experts say children from broken homes make easy recruits for drug cartels . |
(CNN) -- Josef Fritzl, the Austrian man accused of keeping his daughter in a cellar for decades and fathering her seven children, will go on trial March 16 on six charges including murder and incest.
Josef Fritzl admitted fathering seven children by his daughter during her 24-year captivity.
The Austrian Press Agency reported Thursday the trial was expected to last about five days and be held behind closed doors. Further details about the case would be announced Friday, it said.
Fritzl, 73, was charged in November with incest and the repeated rape of his daughter, Elisabeth, for 24 years.
But he was also charged with the murder of one of the children he fathered with her, an infant who died soon after birth. State Prosecutor Gerhard Sedlacek said Michael Fritzl died from lack of medical care.
In all, Fritzl faces six charges at trial: murder, involvement in slave trade (slavery), rape, incest, assault, and deprivation of liberty, Sedlacek's office said. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
The case first came to light in April 2008 when Elisabeth's then-19-year-old daughter, Kerstin, became seriously ill with convulsions. Elisabeth persuaded her father to allow Kerstin to be taken to a hospital for treatment.
Hospital staff became suspicious of the case and alerted police, who discovered the family members in the cellar.
Fritzl confessed to police that he raped his daughter, kept her and their children in captivity, and burned the body of the dead infant in an oven in the house. Elisabeth told police the infant was one of twins who died a few days after birth.
When Elisabeth gained her freedom, she told police her father began sexually abusing her at age 11. On August 8, 1984, her father enticed her into the basement, where he drugged her, put her in handcuffs and locked her in a room, she told police.
Fritzl explained Elisabeth's disappearance in 1984 by saying the 18-year-old girl had run away from home. He backed up the story with letters he forced Elisabeth to write.
Elisabeth Fritzl and all but three of her children lived in the specially designed cellar beneath her father's home in Amstetten, Austria, west of Vienna. The other three children lived upstairs with Fritzl and his wife; Fritzl had left them on his own doorstep, pretending his "missing" daughter Elisabeth had dropped them off.
Under Austrian law, if Fritzl is convicted on several offenses, he will be given the sentence linked to the worst crime. In addition to murder, he will face the following charges: | [
"Where was the daughter held captive?",
"What was Josef Fritzle accused of?",
"What are Fritzl's possible sentance?",
"What do other charges include?",
"How long will the trial last?",
"what was josef accused of?",
"what were other charges?",
"how many children he fathered by daughter?"
] | [
[
"in a cellar"
],
[
"keeping his daughter in a cellar for decades and"
],
[
"life in prison."
],
[
"murder"
],
[
"about five days"
],
[
"fathering her seven children,"
],
[
"murder, involvement in slave trade (slavery), rape, incest, assault, and deprivation of liberty,"
],
[
"seven"
]
] | Josef Fritzl accused of keeping daughter captive for decades, on trial March 16 .
Fritzl faces murder charge as one of 7 children he fathered by daughter died .
Other charges include incest, rape, assault and involvement in slave trade . |
(CNN) -- Joseph Maraachli, the infant who became the center of an international end-of-life debate, died peacefully in his sleep at his Windsor, Ontario, home, a spokesperson for the family said Wednesday.
Widely known in the media as "Baby Joseph," the 20-month-old boy spent the last several months with his family and died Tuesday afternoon.
"Obviously, it's been a very difficult day for the family today," said spokeswoman Emma Fedor. "In some ways, it was a bit of a relief for the family."
Joseph's family had refused to accept a recommendation by a Canadian hospital to remove the boy's breathing tube and allow him to die. In March, the infant received a tracheotomy at a children's hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was able to go home April 21.
"By providing him with this common palliative procedure, we've given Joseph the chance to go home and be with his family after spending so much of his young life in the hospital," said Dr. Robert Wilmott, chief of pediatrics for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis.
A London, Ontario, hospital where Joseph was receiving care for a progressive neurological disease refused to perform a tracheotomy, a surgical procedure in which an opening is made into the airway through an incision in the neck to allow for suction of fluid out of the lungs.
In court papers, doctors in Canada said there was no hope for recovery. They would not perform a tracheotomy because they considered it to be invasive and not recommended for patients who require a long-term breathing machine.
Parents Moe and Sana Maraachli refused to accept the recommendation. The Maraachlis' daughter, Zeina, had died at home in 2002 after a tracheotomy after suffering similar complications, and the family wanted to offer the same care to their son.
"To go through it once is enough for a lifetime, to go through it twice, it's just ... unbelievable," Fedor said.
Joseph was "very peaceful, in no pain whatsoever, no distress," when he died, Fedor said. He was buried Wednesday next to his sister.
The family was thankful for those who helped and prayed for Joseph, she added.
"The heart of the issue would come down to the mix between respecting the parents' rights ... to be in comfort of (their) own home, to die on God's time," said Fedor.
The family countered assertions that Joseph was nonresponsive, blind and deaf, she said. Instead, the boy could hear the parents' voices and look for them, Fedor told CNN. The family believed that, after a tracheotomy, Joseph could be freed from machinery.
The parents said that they, rather than physicians, should make a judgment on quality of life, Fedor said.
The Maraachli case caught the attention of the group Priests for Life, which funded Joseph's transfer and treatment at the SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center. That hospital deemed the procedure medically appropriate and Baby Joseph underwent a tracheotomy there on March 21.
In April, Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said he considered this a "victory over the culture of death." He says "(Joseph) has gained benefit from his tracheotomy, is breathing on his own, and is going home to live with his parents."
Priests for Life is a Catholic pro-life organization that functions as a network to prevent abortion and euthanasia. The group often is noted for the graphic images depicting abortion its members and supporters use to make their case.
The London Health Sciences Centre -- the hospital where Joseph was initially treated -- in March said that "there are clearly differences in the approach of these centres to the management of end-of-life care in this tragic situation" and that "the medical judgments made by LHSC physicians remain unchallenged by any credible medical source."
Nurses helped the family provide 24-hour care for Joseph in his final months. "There was always somebody by his side | [
"in which hospital the child receives tracheotomy?",
"where is the hospital?",
"when baby joseph died?",
"that suffers Joseph Maraachli?",
"The infant received a tracheotomy at",
"who suffered from a neurological disease?"
] | [
[
"SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis."
],
[
"St. Louis, Missouri."
],
[
"Tuesday afternoon."
],
[
"a progressive neurological disease"
],
[
"a children's hospital in St. Louis, Missouri."
],
[
"Joseph"
]
] | Joseph Maraachli suffered from a progressive neurological disease .
A hospital in London, Ontario, refused to insert a tracheotomy tube .
The infant received a tracheotomy at a hospital in St. Louis .
"Baby Joseph" died Tuesday in his sleep . |
(CNN) -- Josh Rouse is a chameleon. And a busy one, too. Josh Rouse has made his name with well-crafted songs in a variety of styles. Listeners to his first album, 1998's "Dressed Up Like Nebraska," may have lumped him into the alt-country movement. Aside from Rouse's rough, intimate voice, that album sounds little like 2003's "1972," which features songs such as "Love Vibration" and "Comeback (Light Therapy)" and has a funkier, more upbeat production to match. The 36-year-old singer's willingness to follow several paths may have come from moving around as a child. Rouse was born in Nebraska and grew up around the West and the South. "It really shaped me as a person," he told the Toronto Sun. "There's an openness to the sound that I think I got from moving to, say, a big city in California to a Wyoming town of five or six hundred." Though he has yet to have a breakthrough single in the United States, his music has appeared in the movie "Vanilla Sky" and TV shows including "Dawson's Creek" and "Party of Five." He's also admired by fellow songwriters. In 2004, the Australian newspaper The (Melbourne) Age noted Rouse was going to have dinner with Edie Brickell, the "What I Am" singer who is married to Paul Simon. "She called me and said, 'I love "1972," ' and I was like, 'I was listening to you when I was 16 -- and you're married to Paul Simon!' " Rouse told the paper. On the business side, he's marching to his own drummer. On joshrouse.com, Rouse's Web site, he sells his "Bedroom Classics" -- dozens of songs Rouse recorded live or in random locations (hotel rooms, apartments) available to fans. For those who like a more traditional medium, the CD, Rhino Records recently compiled a two-disc set of Rouse's material -- including several demos and outtakes -- for "The Best of the Rykodisc Years," which covers the first seven years of Rouse's career. "Listening to this collection of tracks taken ... it's plain that Josh Rouse arrived fully formed," writes Allmusic.com's Tim Sendra. "From his first release ... he was already a thoughtful writer with a heartbreakingly intimate voice and the unfailing ability to wrap his melancholy in warm and sweet melodies." Rouse answered several questions via e-mail for CNN.com. The following is an edited version of the interview. CNN: Your music showcases a number of styles -- the fairly basic sound of the early records, the early-'70s infused stuff from "1972," and then there are songs like "Miserable South" that would sound comfortable coming from Otis Redding or Al Green. So, though it's a cliché, what are your influences? Josh Rouse: Anything that is soulful and honest is an influence. There are too many musicians/writers to name. CNN: Are you surprised that Rhino put together a "best of"? Rouse: No, I was aware that they were planning on doing it. It's nice to reflect on the body of work I've created. CNN: One of your songs, "Directions," was on the "Vanilla Sky" soundtrack. What effect, if any, did this have on your career? Rouse: Well, I got to meet Cameron Crowe, and he seemed nice. I'm sure it exposed my music to some people who might not of heard it otherwise. However, it did not have a Zach Braff effect on my career. CNN: With all the material on the Web, as well as your albums, you're obviously a prolific songwriter. Has it been helpful to put all that out there, or have some people criticized you for releasing too much, as Ryan Adams has been criticized? Rouse: More than being criticized for releasing a lot, | [
"what is the love vibration",
"what other songwriters are his fans"
] | [
[
"songs"
],
[
"Edie Brickell,"
]
] | Josh Rouse has fans among other songwriters .
"Love Vibration" singer has no hits, but songs in TV shows, movies .
What's next? "Afro-Brazilian record in Spanish" |
(CNN) -- Journalist Bob Woodward describes in his new book a secret U.S. program to assassinate terrorists in Iraq. CNN's Michael Ware says, "The U.S. subcontracted out an assassination program against al Qaeda ... in early 2006." Woodward, an associate editor of The Washington Post, says in "The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008" that the assassination program, not the 2007 increase in U.S. forces in the war zone known as "the surge," is primarily responsible for the reduction of violence in Iraq. CNN Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware cast doubt on Woodward's assertion Tuesday in a conversation with "American Morning" host John Roberts. Watch Larry King on his talk with Woodward » John Roberts: What do you think of what Woodward is saying? Michael Ware: Let's say that these "fusion teams," as they're being called, have come into effect. The first thing to say is, "Well, about time." On the ground you've seen the lack of coordination as the left hand of one agency is not with the right hand of another agency within the American effort. But by and large, to suggest that anything like this being done now has been the major reason for the decline in violence is a bit rich. I mean, the U.S. subcontracted out an assassination program against al Qaeda way back in early 2006. And this was conceded by the then-chief of military intelligence in Baghdad and by [U.S.] Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad himself. That's what broke the back of al Qaeda. Then when America put 100,000-plus insurgents on the U.S. government payroll, including members of al Qaeda, that not only took them out of the field, but it also let them run their own assassination programs against the Iranian-backed militias. Roberts: So it sounds like assassination was a real part of the program here, but was that the only thing that worked? What about the addition of these troops and these neighborhood stations that were set up? Did it all kind of work together? Ware: It does work together. But the key to the downturn in violence that we're seeing now is not so much the surge of 30,000 troops in itself. What it's been is the segregation of Baghdad into these enclaves. It's been cutting a deal with Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Iranian-backed militia. And primarily it's been putting your enemy on your payroll -- the Sunni insurgents and many members of al Qaeda. That's what's brought down the violence. This is your American militia, the counterbalance to the Iranian militias. So if there's new teams out there with new technology, great. But they're riding the wave of previous success. | [
"Who is CNN's Baghdad correspondent?",
"Who is the leader of the Iranian-backed militia?",
"what did CNN Baghdad say?",
"What team does Bob Woodward credit?"
] | [
[
"Michael Ware"
],
[
"Muqtada al-Sadr,"
],
[
"correspondent Michael Ware cast doubt on Woodward's assertion"
],
[
"\"fusion teams,\""
]
] | Bob Woodward credits assassination teams in large part for lower violence in Iraq .
CNN Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware says that's not all of it .
Co-opting of insurgents and al Qaeda in Iraq had bigger impact, Ware says .
Deal with Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of Iranian-backed militia, also key, Ware says . |
(CNN) -- Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee told Ling's sister they were treated humanely in North Korea, and they believe they weren't sent to hard-labor camps because they have medical conditions, Lisa Ling said Friday. Lisa Ling, left, and her sister, Laura, center, speak to their father Wednesday after Laura arrived in California. The sister, speaking on CNN's "American Morning," did not elaborate on the medical conditions, but said her sister will soon tell her story. "Laura is eager to tell the story about what happened. I want to let her do so, but right now, she's really getting reacclimated. The processes are slow. She's very, very weak," Lisa Ling said, adding that the stories she's heard so far are "jaw-dropping." Laura Ling and Lee were working for California-based Current TV, a media venture of former Vice President Al Gore, when they were arrested in March for crossing the border between China and North Korea. Watch Lisa Ling share her sister's story » Lisa Ling said that before they left the United States, the pair never intended to cross into North Korea. They have acknowledged that they briefly did, however, and they were convicted of entering the country illegally to conduct a "smear campaign" against the reclusive Communist state. They were sentenced in June to 12 years of hard labor. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Il, pardoned the women Tuesday after meeting with former President Bill Clinton. They arrived home the following day. Lisa Ling said her sister was allowed to call the family on four occasions during her five months in captivity. On the last call, Laura Ling specifically requested that Clinton intervene. "She said that in her opinion -- quote, unquote -- it would have to be President Clinton. It could only be President Clinton to secure the release of herself and Euna. We immediately jumped into action and alerted Vice President Gore," Lisa Ling said. When their release was secured, they promptly boarded a plane home. Clinton wanted them to rest because they were clearly tired, "but the two of them were chatting away and comparing their experiences," Lisa Ling said. Laura Ling and Lee went to see doctors Thursday, the sister added. Laura Ling is "doing well," and Lee is "skinny," Lisa Ling said, joking that her mother tried to force-feed Lee on Thursday "because she's just become so diminutive." The women also are slowly working to assimilate to their freedom. They were kept at opposite ends of the same North Korean detention facility, and though Laura Ling had two guards in her room at all times, she would sometimes go weeks without talking to anyone. Watch as Lisa Ling describes the pair's condition » "So even communicating is a challenge because she sometimes yesterday was even having a hard time getting full sentences out, so it's a slow adjustment," Lisa Ling said. On Thursday, Lisa Ling told CNN that her sister was "incredibly emotional" and didn't want to be left alone after months of "relative isolation." "Yesterday, she was so exhausted and she wanted to take a quick nap. She kept asking me: 'Are you going to be here when I come back?' " the sister said Thursday. Emotions have run high in Lee's home as well, Lisa Ling said. Watch the journalists' family reunions » "I hear from Euna's husband, Michael, that Hana, their 4-year-old daughter, has not wanted her mother to leave her sight," she said. "She just keeps following her around from room to room because she doesn't want her mom to leave." Lee and her husband went to Laura Ling's house Thursday night for their first pizza since being released, Lisa Ling said Friday. "The thing that was so wonderful to see was little Hana," she said. "I have never seen her so happy, | [
"What did laura tell her family?",
"What is Euna Lee?",
"Who is Laura Ling?",
"Whose daughter keeps following Lisa Ling?",
"What did lisa ling say?",
"Who is struggling to talk because of isolation?",
"What is the reason Laura Ling struggling to talk?",
"Who is struggling to talk?",
"Where were they isolated?",
"Who is the president?",
"Who is Laura Ling?",
"What did Laura Ling tell her family?",
"Who was isolated?",
"Which person keeps following Lisa Ling?"
] | [
[
"-- it would have to be President Clinton. It could only be President Clinton to secure the release of herself and Euna."
],
[
"Journalists"
],
[
"Journalists"
],
[
"Hana, their 4-year-old"
],
[
"\"Laura is eager to tell the story about"
],
[
"Laura Ling and Euna Lee"
],
[
"She's very, very weak,\""
],
[
"Laura Ling"
],
[
"North Korean detention facility,"
],
[
"Clinton."
],
[
"Journalists"
],
[
"Korea,"
],
[
"Laura Ling"
],
[
"Hana, their 4-year-old daughter,"
]
] | NEW: Sister: Euna Lee "skinny," Laura Ling struggling to talk because of isolation .
NEW: Laura Ling told family, "It would have to be President Clinton," Lisa Ling says .
Laura Ling plans to detail what transpired, sister says .
Euna Lee's daughter keeps following her, Lisa Ling says . |
(CNN) -- Judge Sonia Sotomayor knew she wanted to go into law from an early age. Sonia Sotomayor says the nomination is the "most humbling honor " of her life. As a child, she aspired to be like Nancy Drew, the detective in the popular children's mystery series. But at the age of 8, she was diagnosed with diabetes and told she would not be able to pursue that line of work. Sotomayor said it was another fictional character that inspired her next choice. "I noticed that [defense attorney] Perry Mason was involved in a lot of the same kinds of investigative work that I had been fascinated with reading Nancy Drew, so I decided to become a lawyer," Sotomayor told the American Bar Association publication in 2000. "Once I focused on becoming a lawyer, I never deviated from that goal." See Sotomayor's life in photos » Sotomayor's parents came to New York from Puerto Rico during World War II. Her father worked in a factory and didn't speak English. She was born in the Bronx and grew up in a public housing project, not too far from the stadium of her favorite team -- the New York Yankees. Her father died when she was 9, leaving her mother to raise her and her younger brother on her own. Related: Sotomayor well known in sports Her mother, whom Sotomayor describes as her biggest inspiration, worked six days a week to care for her and her younger brother, and instilled in them the value of an education. Background on Sotomayor » Sotomayor later graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University and went on to attend Yale law school, where she was editor of the Yale Law Journal. In her three-decade career, she has worked at nearly every level of the judicial system, and on Tuesday she became President Obama's pick to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court. Watch Sotomayor accept the nomination » Sotomayor thanked Obama for "the most humbling honor of my life." "I hope that as the Senate and American people learn more about me, they will see that I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences. Today is one of those experiences," she said. The 54-year-old judge, if confirmed, would become the first Hispanic to serve on the high court. She would also be the third female named to the Supreme Court, and the second on the current court. See who's already on the Supreme Court » Sotomayor is touted by supporters as a justice with bipartisan favor and historic appeal. She currently serves as a judge on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The liberal-leaning justice was named a district judge by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 and was elevated to her current seat by President Clinton. Supporters say her appointment history, along with what they describe as her moderate-liberal views, will give her some bipartisan backing in the Senate. Sotomayor presided over about 450 cases while on the district court. Prior to her judicial appointments, Sotomayor was a partner at a private law firm and spent time as an assistant district attorney prosecuting violent crimes. Robin Kar, who clerked for Sotomayor from 1998 to 1999, described her as a "warm, extraordinarily kind and caring person." Watch Kar recall his work with Sotomayor » "She has an amazing story, but she's also just an amazing person," he said, adding that she has a knack for getting to know those around her. "She was the judge who, in the courthouse for example, knew all of the doormen, knew the cafeteria workers, who knew the janitors -- she didn't just know all of the other judges and the politicians. She really went out of her way to get to know everyone and was well loved by everyone." Conservatives argue Sotomayor has a "hard-left record" and believes that judges should consider experiences of women and minorities in their decision-making. They also described her as a "bully" who "abuses | [
"Who elevated them to their current seat?",
"What did Sotomayor say?",
"What is Sotomayor's age?",
"Where was Sotomayor born?",
"Where was she born?",
"Where was Sonia Sotomayor born?",
"Where did he grow up?"
] | [
[
"President Clinton."
],
[
"the nomination is the \"most humbling honor"
],
[
"54-year-old"
],
[
"the Bronx"
],
[
"in the Bronx"
],
[
"in the Bronx"
],
[
"in a public housing project,"
]
] | Sotomayor: "I am an ordinary person ... blessed with extraordinary opportunities"
Sonia Sotomayor, 54, was born in Bronx to parents from Puerto Rico .
Supreme Court nominee grew up in a public housing project in the South Bronx .
Named district judge by George H.W. Bush; elevated to current seat by Bill Clinton . |
(CNN) -- Judith Boutelle plopped herself down on Wednesday and prayed for a helicopter -- the only way out of town. She's one of the hundreds of tourists stranded by days of heavy rain near the majestic Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, in the mountains of southern Peru. The rain triggered mudslides that blocked a rail line leading out of a city near the ruins. Authorities have evacuated many by helicopter, but bad weather has posed challenges for them. "There's stress," Boutelle said by phone to CNN, "but we're comfortable." She and her husband, Jerry -- 65-year-olds from Petersburg, Illinois -- went to Peru to see the famous ruins. They've been stuck in a town near the ruins for the last three days, waiting for choppers to whisk them out. News reports say the rain and floods have killed at least seven people in the region, including a tourist from Argentina. An estimated 10,000 people have been affected by the rain and 2,000 homes have been ruined in and around Machu Picchu, authorities said. James Fennell, spokesman of the U.S. Embassy in Lima, told CNN the Peruvians are saying about 2,000 people need to be evacuated from the region. Several hundred tourists have been stranded in Aguas Calientes, a town at the base of popular tourist attraction. There also have been reports of stranded people on the Inca Trail, a popular hiking trail that leads to Machu Picchu. Peru's Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Martin Perez said Wednesday that the elderly, children and pregnant women have priority for evacuation. He denied reports of preferential treatment for foreigners, saying 103 of 475 tourists evacuated Tuesday were Peruvian. Watch iReport account of Peru flooding Quoted by state media, Perez said authorities were planning to evacuate 120 tourists an hour but need "the weather's help." He said authorities could evacuate 840 tourists if they could get seven hours of decent weather. On Wednesday, poor weather threatened the ability of authorities to conduct evacuations, he said, and the forecast calls for rain through Friday. Fennell said some Americans might have left by Peruvian aircraft on Monday and 50 were evacuated by U.S. and Peruvian choppers on Tuesday. He said that as of Wednesday, officials estimate about 200 U.S. citizens were in Aguas Calientes. Fennell said four U.S. government helicopters arrived on Tuesday and two more were expected to help Peru in the evacuation. The Peruvian helicopters can accommodate up to 20 people but the U.S. aircraft carry only five. Peru also is bringing in food and water to the region, Fennell said. "The evacuation operations were planned to continue today, weather permitting. The embassy is totally focused on getting Americans out," he told CNN. "We're very grateful for their efforts," Fennell said of the Peruvian government. "We're totally focused on working with them and getting everybody out quickly and safely." The embassy says that the train to and from Cusco and Machu Picchu has been canceled because of landslides, and the roads in and out of Machu Picchu have been closed. One bridge had collapsed and water has covered the other. "Peruvian authorities are working to open a route out of Machu Picchu," the embassy said in a message. Cusco is the closest major city to Machu Picchu. That's where Pamela Alvarez, 29, works as a receptionist at the Royal Inka Hotel. She said a Brazilian guest went to Machu Picchu, got stuck there with everyone else and has been unable to come back to the hotel for two days. "All the people are in the train station, waiting for helicopters so they can get out to go to Cusco," she said. Boutelle said she and her tour group visited Machu Picchu on Sunday and stayed overnight on Monday, but she hadn't been able to leave since then. She said she and others have been been well-sheltered and well-fed at a hotel, but endured inconveniences. For example, people came to Machu Picchu for the day from their hotels in Cusco without the proper amount of clothing or medication | [
"What cut the train line to the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Piccu?",
"How many tourist are stranded?",
"Where have 10,000 people been affected and 2,000 homes ruined?",
"How many people have been affected?",
"Where are hundreds of tourists stranded after days of heavy rain?"
] | [
[
"mudslides"
],
[
"Several hundred"
],
[
"around Machu Picchu,"
],
[
"10,000"
],
[
"near the majestic Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, in the mountains of southern Peru."
]
] | NEW: Hundreds of tourists are stranded by days of heavy rain in southeastern Peru .
NEW: Some 10,000 people have been affected and 2,000 homes ruined, authorities say .
NEW: "Weather's help" needed to speed evacuations, Peruvian official quoted as saying .
Mudslides cut train line to ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu . |
(CNN) -- July is on track to be the deadliest month yet for British troops supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Air Chief Marshall Jock Stirrup says the sacrifices of British forces are worth it. So far, 15 British servicemen have died in Afghanistan this month, mostly in connection with Operation Panther's Claw, the British-led offensive in Helmand province that is mirroring a similar operation by U.S. Marines in the same area. Britain's deadliest month in Afghanistan so far has been September 2006, when 19 died -- 14 in a single incident, the crash of a Royal Air Force plane near Kandahar. The sudden spike in British deaths has triggered an outcry in the United Kingdom over the mission there and whether it will be successful. "Every casualty is sad, every casualty is deeply felt by us in the military. I mean, they are part of our military family. The losses, of course, are felt most by the real families of those involved and the bereavement is terrible," Air Chief Marshall Jock Stirrup, the chief of defense staff for Great Britain, told CNN in an exclusive interview. But earlier, he pointed out, at the same time the 15 British troops had been killed, at least 197 Taliban forces had been confirmed killed in fighting. Watch questions being asked about the sacrifices » "These casualties are pretty one-sided. Sad though our losses are, they are very small compared to the losses that the enemy is taking," he said in an interview at the British Embassy. Stirrup, whose position is equivalent to Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the government wants people to know that the sacrifices are worth it. "This is a military operation and on military operations, you engage in fighting. That's why we have militaries and, sadly, you take casualties. The real issue is, first of all, are we getting something of sufficient strategic benefit to justify the price that our people are paying?" he said. "Secondly, are we doing everything we can to ensure that we achieve that strategic benefit with the minimum possible number of casualties? And those, I think, are the key arguments in which we have to engage." The British military has been criticized for using vehicles that cannot withstand the blast of a roadside bomb. Stirrup told CNN that the British troops are conducting missions that forces them out of protective vehicles. "You can't engage with the population of Helmand from inside several inches of steel. You have actually to get out on the ground," Stirrup said. "Our people have to get out there, they have to engage with the population and close with the enemy and that, alas, exposes them to risks and sometimes those risks materialize. Have we got the right equipment? Well, we have excellent equipment on the ground and our troops will tell you that." But Stirrup admits that while the United Kingdom is constantly updating the equipment sent to Afghanistan, the results are delayed. "It takes time for industry to produce the new equipment. It's ordered, it's being delivered, but it's delivered over time, so it's always that gap, if you like, between identifying that change requirement and being able to deliver it on the ground," Stirrup said. He said there is one British serviceman who won't have to worry about the dangers of Afghanistan: Prince William. "Prince William is second in line to the throne. That produces certain difficulties to his employment in a combat environment," he said. "I'm not going to say one way or the other what we will do for the future. What I will say is that he is training at the moment to be a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot, which is a tremendously demanding occupation. It's professionally demanding. It also is at times pretty hazardous, and I think he is going to find that challenge enough and reward enough in the short term." The prince's younger brother, Prince Harry, | [
"Where have most of the deaths occured",
"What is the number of dead in September?",
"What is the number of dead servicemen?",
"What did the sudden spike triggers?",
"What province attributed most deaths?",
"What was compared in September 2006?"
] | [
[
"Kandahar."
],
[
"19"
],
[
"15 British"
],
[
"an outcry in the United Kingdom"
],
[
"Helmand"
],
[
"Britain's deadliest month"
]
] | 15 servicemen have died this month, compared with 19 in September 2006 .
Most deaths attributed to Operation Panther's Claw in Helmand province .
Air Chief Marshall says numbers pale in comparison to 197 Taliban deaths .
Sudden spike triggers outcry in UK, criticism of vehicles used in operations . |
(CNN) -- Jurors spared the life of a former Canton, Ohio, police officer who killed his pregnant girlfriend and tearfully asked them for mercy. A judge then sentenced him Wednesday to 57 years to life in prison. Bobby Lee Cutts Jr. stared straight ahead as the jury announced its recommendation to spare him. Bobby Lee Cutts Jr., 30, will be 87 by the time he becomes eligible for parole. He stared straight ahead as the jury of six men and six women recommended that his life be spared. He and his lawyer teared up as the jurors were polled about their decision. Watch Cutts react » Judge Charles E. Brown added to the sentence, taking other counts into consideration after hearing victim impact statements from the parents and sisters of victim Jessie Marie Davis. She was 26 and nine months pregnant when she disappeared last June. Her body, and that of her unborn child, were found 10 days later at a state park in northeastern Ohio. Whitney Davis, Jessie's sister, directed her anger and grief at Cutts. "You got rid of someone that was an inconvenience. I hate you." Watch Davis' family lash out at Cutts » She continued: ""You used and manipulated her over and over and still you sit there and you are not crying. I don't believe that you are sorry for what you did. I believe that you are sorry that you got caught up in all your lies. I don't know that you would know the truth."Watch sister tell Cutts she hates him Cutts took off his eyeglasses as Davis' father, Ned, addressed him: "Don't even look at me." "Your honor he violently murdered her," the anguished father continued. "Five-foot-four, nine months pregnant, that baby could have been delivered." And, tears rolled down Cutts' face as Davis' mother, Patricia Porter, spoke of her grief. "There are mornings I have to cover her picture up, when I can't get out of bed." She continued, "I serve an amazing God, Bobby. A God that forgives and heals and restores people. And all I know today is that I do forgive you, and I know it is only through him that I am able to do that." But she turned the other cheek: "I may not have family to go home to after this, but I pray that you make a way for him to get out of there and begin a new life, and to be able to hold his son." Porter, who is raising Blake, told Cutts the child "knows what you did. You would not believe the stories he has told us." When his time came, Cutts offered no statement, no testimonials to his character. On February 15, the same jury found Cutts guilty of murdering Jessie Davis and their baby, who was to be named Chloe. It was Chloe's death that made Cutts eligible for the death penalty. Jurors convicted him of two counts of aggravated murder -- for terminating a pregnancy and taking her life during the commission of a felony. All the members of the jury are white, as was Davis. Cutts is black. Cutts, who has maintained Davis' death was the result of an accidental elbow to the neck, asked the jury to spare his life and offered a tearful apology at his sentencing hearing Tuesday. Watch Cutts' tearful plea » "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I'm asking you to spare my life," he said. "To imagine that I was responsible for the death of Jessie, the mother of my children and my unborn daughter, is beyond any words that I can express," Cutts added, reading from a handwritten statement. "Words cannot bring them back, nor can they erase the pain I've caused, but I want to apologize," he said. Cutts' lawyer, Fernando Mack, had urged jurors to recommend the lowest available penalty -- 25 years | [
"Did he apologize for his wrongdoings?",
"What did Bobby Cutts Jr. asked from the jury?",
"Of what was Cutts convicted?",
"Who received maximum life sentence by judge?",
"What sentence did Bobby Cutts Jr. receive?",
"Who received the maximum life sentence?",
"What was recommended by the jury?"
] | [
[
"I want to apologize,\""
],
[
"to spare his life"
],
[
"murdering Jessie Davis and their baby,"
],
[
"Bobby Lee Cutts Jr."
],
[
"57 years to life in prison."
],
[
"Bobby Lee Cutts Jr."
],
[
"his life be spared."
]
] | NEW: Judge gives Bobby Cutts Jr. the maximum life sentence .
Jury recommended life, with no parole eligibility for 30 years .
Cutts Jr. convicted of murdering girlfriend, unborn child .
He apologized for killings and asked jurors to spare his life . |
(CNN) -- Jury selection began Monday in Kentucky for the trial of a former high school coach charged with reckless homicide in the heat-exhaustion-related death of a player. Pleasure Ridge Park football coach Jason Stinson has pleaded not guilty to reckless homicide. A grand jury in January charged Pleasure Ridge Park football coach Jason Stinson in the death of Max Gilpin, 15, who collapsed during a practice in August 2008 and died several days later. Stinson pleaded not guilty and was released without bail. The school has reassigned him to non-teaching duties. The case has stirred strong feelings beyond the Louisville suburb where Gilpin died. Some say the teen's death was a tragic accident; others insist it was the result of a criminal act. "The best example I can give you is like someone shooting into a building not knowing anyone is in there, then killing somebody," Commonwealth's Attorney R. David Stengel told CNN affiliate WHAS in January. "They didn't know they were in there, but they should have known that shooting into a building where people normally are is something dangerous." Current and former students reacted with shock to the indictment of Stinson, a beloved coach and teacher. "Coach is amazing," former player Casey Ford told WLKY earlier this year. "Coach truly cares about his players." Stengel said investigators interviewed almost 100 players, eight coaches, school officials and bystanders before the grand jury convened earlier this year. A summary of the interviews was provided to the grand jury. The grand jury denied Stinson's request to give testimony. Questions surrounding the case include what school officials did before and after the high school sophomore collapsed. Craig Webb, the school's athletic director, said in a deposition obtained by WLKY that he witnessed the incident and went over to assess Gilpin's condition. "He was breathing," Webb said during the deposition, WLKY reported. "You know, he had a pulse. And we -- I automatically thought we might have had an exhaustion situation. He was sweating profusely." Gilpin's body temperature reached 107 degrees, officials say. Witnesses said Stinson had denied the student water on the hot August day, WLKY reported. Gilpin was taken to a hospital where he later died. The parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against six coaches at the school. The suit claims they were negligent in their actions and that more than 20 minutes passed between the time Gilpin collapsed and the time one of the coaches called paramedics, according to WHAS. Stinson is the only person who has been charged with a crime. Days after he was charged, Stinson told supporters, who had gathered on his lawn to pray, that his "heart is broken." "Part of my life has been taken away," he said, according to WHAS. "I no longer teach, and I no longer coach at the school that I love. ... "The one thing people keep forgetting in this is that I lost one of my boys that day," he said. "It was a boy that I loved and a boy that I cared for and a boy that meant the world to me. That's the thing that people forget. And that's a burden I will carry with me for the rest of my life." Gilpin's parents have released a statement saying they hope they will gain access to details of the investigation, including information they believe school officials have withheld from them citing confidentiality, the affiliate said. "We intend to closely monitor the prosecution and expect anyone responsible for Max's death to be held accountable," the statement said, according to WHAS. | [
"What temperature did his body hit?",
"What was the age of Max Gilpin?",
"What did Max Gilpin die of?",
"What charges were laid on the coach?",
"What player died of heat exhaustion?",
"what are charges against the coach?",
"What is the high school coach being charged with?"
] | [
[
"107 degrees,"
],
[
"15,"
],
[
"heat-exhaustion-related death"
],
[
"with reckless homicide in the heat-exhaustion-related death of a player."
],
[
"Max Gilpin,"
],
[
"reckless homicide."
],
[
"reckless homicide"
]
] | Former high school coach is charged with reckless homicide .
Player Max Gilpin, 15, died of heat exhaustion .
Player's body temperature hit 107 degrees at August '08 practice . |
(CNN) -- Jury selection in the case of a deadly 2007 Connecticut home invasion was postponed Monday because the suspect was hospitalized, his defense attorney said.
Steven Hayes was in intensive care, attorney Thomas Ullmann said.
Jury selection in Hayes' murder trial was delayed. A status conference was scheduled for Wednesday, Ullmann said.
"We have no idea how long this is going to take," the attorney added.
Hayes, 46, is one of two men charged with offenses including felony murder, kidnapping, sexual assault and arson in the July 2007 home invasion in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Prosecutors allege that Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky, 29, broke into the home of the Petit family. They say the two beat up Dr. William Petit; strangled his 48-year-old wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit; and set the home ablaze. The couple's two daughters, 17-year-old Hayley Petit and 11-year-old Michaela Petit, died from smoke inhalation.
Trial's start stirs painful memories in Cheshire
Ullmann said he did not know why Hayes was hospitalized, but the Hartford Courant, citing unnamed sources, said he apparently overdosed on medication he receives daily. Superior Court Judge Jon C. Blue said in court Monday that Ullmann told him Hayes was found unconscious in his cell and may be in a medically induced coma.
The University of Connecticut Medical Center referred questions Monday to the Connecticut Department of Correction. The department declined comment, citing a court-imposed gag order in the case.
Authorities allege that during the Petit home invasion, one of the attackers drove Hawke-Petit to a bank to withdraw money. She was able to alert a bank teller that the family was being held captive, and the teller alerted police, authorities said.
Media reports said that Hawke-Petit and Michaela Petit were sexually assaulted during the seven-hour ordeal. Prosecutors have declined to confirm details because of the gag order.
The motive in the case remains unclear. Hayes and Komisarjevsky, who is set to be tried separately, could face the death penalty if convicted. | [
"Who is in a coma?",
"Who is accussed of killing doctor's wife?",
"When is the codefendant's trial scheduled?",
"What is he accused of?",
"Who is the defendant in the home invasion case?",
"Who is reportedly in a coma?"
] | [
[
"Hayes"
],
[
"Steven Hayes"
],
[
"Wednesday,"
],
[
"felony murder, kidnapping, sexual assault and arson"
],
[
"Steven Hayes"
],
[
"Steven Hayes"
]
] | Steven Hayes, defendant in Connecticut home invasion case, reportedly in coma .
Jury selection at murder trial has been postponed .
Hayes and another man are accused of killing doctor's wife, two daughters .
Codefendant's trial is also scheduled for this year . |
(CNN) -- Jury selection was under way Thursday in the case of a man accused of sexually assaulting a toddler and capturing it on videotape years ago, a crime that triggered a nationwide manhunt and search for the girl when the tape surfaced in 2007. Chester Arthur Stiles faces life imprisonment if convicted of videtaping a sexual assault on a child. Chester Arthur Stiles, 38, faces 22 felony counts in connection with the videotape, including lewdness with a child, sexual assault with a minor and attempted sexual assault with a minor. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Thursday is the third day of jury selection, said Michael Sommermeyer, spokesman for Clark County, Nevada, courts. Some 200 potential jurors were called, according to CNN affiliate KVBC. As of Thursday morning, only seven jurors had passed on to the next stage of selection, Sommermeyer said. Prosecutors hope to seat 15 jurors eventually, Sommermeyer told CNN, meaning they'll want a pool of about 35 to pick from in the final stage. Picking a jury in the case is challenging, according to KVBC, not only because of the media attention the case has drawn, but because of the crimes Stiles is accused of. A questionnaire given to potential jurors has one question addressing the videotape: "As a juror, despite the graphic nature of the videotape, can you promise to remain fair and impartial and objectively evaluate all evidence for returning a verdict?" "One, you let them know what the case involves and they've heard it on the news, it's a little difficult to get over any preconceived notions that they had about the case," defense attorney Stacey Roundtree told KVBC. "However, we do have faith in this community that they want to do the right thing," she said. "Most of the jury trials I've had, the jurors go out of their way to make the right decision. They go out of their way to follow the judge's rules, and we're confident we can have that happen in this case." The tape was given to authorities in September 2007 by a man who said he had found it in the desert five months before. On it, police found images of the small girl being sexually assaulted. After attempting unsuccessfully to find out the girl's identity, authorities turned to the media for help and released a picture of the girl, and the case drew nationwide attention. She was found in October 2007. An attorney for the child's mother said she is 7 years old and safe and healthy. The rape occurred before her third birthday while she was in the care of a baby sitter her mother had hired, he said. The mother did not know the girl had been victimized. After the girl was found, authorities asked CNN and other news organizations to stop showing her picture. Stiles, a resident of Pahrump, Nevada, was arrested in a traffic stop in October 2007. Police said at the time they pulled Stiles' car over because it had no license plate and became suspicious when the driver displayed an expired California license with a photo that did not match his appearance. "He finally told us, 'Hey, I'm Chester Stiles,'" said Henderson, Nevada, police Officer Mike Dye. "'I'm the guy you're looking for." Stiles told police he was "sick of running," Dye said. The mother of the girl shown on the tape, meanwhile, went on "The Dr. Phil Show" after Stiles' arrest, saying that while she was "relieved," it would have been "better if they found him dead." She said her daughter remembers nothing about the alleged assault. "Nothing that I have seen in my career comes close to what this girl has gone through," Nye County, Nevada, Sheriff Tony DeMeo said during the manhunt for Stiles. The man who turned the tape over to authorities, Darrin Tuck, faced criminal charges because of the delay in turning it over, during which authorities alleged he showed | [
"Who faces 22 felony counts in connection with sex tape?",
"Who discovered the tape?",
"What is the evidence that shows a girl under 3 being assaulted?",
"How many felony counts does Stiles face?",
"What group of people know about the case and hae strong feelings about it?",
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] | [
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"Chester Arthur Stiles,"
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"a jury"
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[
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[
"22"
]
] | Chester Arthur Stiles faces 22 felony counts in connection with sex tape .
Tape showed girl younger than 3 being sexually assaulted .
Tape surfaced years after alleged assault .
Potential jurors know about case, have strong feelings about it . |
(CNN) -- Jury selection was under way for a second day Tuesday in the trial of a man accused in the rape and beating death of an Arkansas television anchor a year ago. Curtis Lavelle Vance, 29, would face the death penalty if convicted of charges including capital murder, rape, residential burglary and theft in the October 2008 death of Anne Pressly, 26. He has pleaded not guilty. Pressly, the morning news anchor for Little Rock, Arkansas, television station and CNN affiliate KATV, was found badly beaten and unconscious in her home and died five days later. Vance was linked to the killing through DNA, and police told CNN last year they are "110 percent" sure he killed Pressly. Vance has given several statements to police, including one saying he was at her home and another admitting to her slaying. Defense attorney Steve Morley told CNN affiliate WREG that such evidence presents an obstacle for them to overcome, but he said he hopes an emotional closing argument will persuade jurors to spare Vance's life. "Literally, you can affect an individual, and by affecting that individual you affect the outcome," Morley told the station. Pressly's mother, Patti Cannady, told NBC last year her daughter fought for her life -- so much so that her left hand was broken. "I found my daughter beyond recognition with every bone in her face broken, her nose broken, her jaw pulverized so badly that the bone had come out of it; I actually thought that her throat has possibly been cut," Cannady said. "Her entire skull had numerous fractures from which she suffered a massive stroke." DNA evidence has also tied Vance to a rape in April 2008 in Marianna, Arkansas, about 90 miles east of Little Rock, police said in December. Police have said they found no previous link between Vance and Pressly and do not believe her being on television played a role in the slaying. "I think he saw her someplace, probably followed her home with the intention of robbing her," Lt. Terry Hastings, spokesman for Little Rock police, told CNN in December. "And then went from there." Pressly's purse was taken, police have said. Parties in the case are hoping to finish jury selection Tuesday, according to the Pulaski County Circuit Court clerk's office. | [
"What is the man accused of?",
"What age is Vance?",
"What did he plead?",
"What linked Vance to the killing?",
"What was the man's name?"
] | [
[
"rape and beating death of an Arkansas television anchor a year ago."
],
[
"29,"
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[
"not guilty."
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[
"Curtis Lavelle Vance,"
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] | Man accused in rape, beating death of Anne Pressly, 26, a year ago .
Curtis Lavelle Vance, 29, has pleaded not guilty, would face death penalty if convicted .
Vance was linked to killing through DNA, has given conflicting statements to police .
Parties in the case hope to finish jury selection Tuesday, county circuit court clerk's office says . |
(CNN) -- Just after 7 a.m. Tuesday in the fifth district of Kabul, Afghanistan, a suicide bomber struck a bus carrying Afghan police and civilians. Afghan I-Reporter S. Samimi sent this photo of a bus struck by a suicide bomber on Tuesday. At least 10 people were killed, including four children. I-Reporter S. Samimi was in his car on his way to work, only 100 meters from where the blast went off. He jumped from his car, unsure of what had happened. Samimi asked people around him what was going on. Finally, the truth dawned on him. Samimi, 23, grabbed his camera and made his way to the site of the attack. He said it was difficult taking pictures because his whole body was shaking. It was the first suicide bombing he had ever witnessed. Hands and limbs were scattered about the ground. Within minutes a crowd of hundreds had gathered around the bus, some of them family members of victims. "People were screaming and crying," Samimi said. "The situation was so bad. So tragic. I am so sad about it." Samimi said security guards were quickly on the scene and ordered him to stop taking pictures. He said at that point he was ready to leave. Samimi, who works as a secretary, said he was too shaken to concentrate on the job. "I couldn't work well, because my condition was so bad after having seen a scene like that for the first time. It was so tragic." He said he returned home to learn that one of his neighbors, a policeman, had been killed in the bombing. "I saw his family screaming and crying over his death," he said. He talked about the bombing with his family. "They were so sad when they heard about what had happened and when they saw my pictures. People in the neighborhood are still crying." Samimi explained why he sent his photographs to CNN. "The world should see what's happened in Afghanistan. The situation is not good in Afghanistan at the moment." E-mail to a friend | [
"Where did the bomber strike?",
"Which vehicle did the bomber attack?",
"Who witnessed the bombing?",
"What is the name of the 23-year-old resident of Kabul, witnessed the bombing ?",
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] | [
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] | On Tuesday, a suicide bomber struck a bus in Kabul, Afghanistan .
Samimi, a 23-year-old resident of Kabul, witnessed the bombing .
He shares photos, first-hand account of the tragic situation .
I-Report: Send photos, video of breaking news situations near you . |
(CNN) -- Just as there are many choices of drivers, putters, balls, and other equipment, there are just as many choices of golf instructors. The process of how you choose your golf instructor is as unique as your finger prints. However, just like there are certain things you want to know before choosing your doctor, there are certain items you should inquire of your instructor. Compatibility - It is your responsibility to insure that there is a fit between you and your instructor on all levels, personality type, mutual goals, similar outlooks on the game, and your instructor's ability to relate to your individual needs. Before throwing a dart in the phone book under "golf instruction", research the professionals in your area. One way is to ask friends and playing partners for referrals of good instructors in your area. Ask them about pricing, reputation, location, and their improvement under the instructor's tutelage. If you get along with your playing partners and the instructor does too, odds are you have found a fit. Then, call the instructor and ask if they have time to talk to you about your game and improvement goals. A good instructor will be happy to talk to you about your game, and get to know you as an individual, prior to helping you with your golf game. Accreditation and Experience - Does your golf instructor have the education and experience to take your game to any level you desire? Many individuals claim to be golf instructors. Many of these individuals are self-proclaimed "experts," or had enough money to take a one to two week course on how to teach golf and make more money. In seeking a golf professional to help you with your game, insure that the individual has an active accreditation with the PGA or LPGA, or, has demonstrated an inarguable ability to help players of many levels improve through many years of practice. Other associations claim they produce golf instructors. However, these organizations have one focus, to make money, not to produce solid golf instructors. Inquire of your instructor their accreditation, as well as their education both on and off the golf course. Check with the LPGA or PGA websites to confirm your potential golf instructor's accreditation with that organization, and, how much experience the instructor possesses. Inquire of the instructor's philosophy and past success stories. If needed, ask for references of students from all skill levels that you can contact. Video - Video swing analysis has become a staple for all golf instruction. It is no longer an option. If you are paying for instruction that does not include video review of your game, you should reconsider why you are paying for golf instruction. Video, when used correctly, is a third pair of eyes (you and your instructor are first and second). This is similar to a doctor using an X-Ray or M.R.I, to diagnosis a health issue. Your golf instructor should be using video in the same manner. Video should confirm the diagnosis to you, not the instructor. A good golf instructor has the ability to see the flaw first, and use his or her knowledge of that flaw to diagnose a cure or drill for you to practice to realize improvement. If your golf instructor is relying solely on video to tell what is happening in your swing, you will eventually lose trust in the instructor's ability to help you. You would second guess a doctor's ability to help you if he or she did not use their ability first and confirm their thoughts with tests. Then why would you rely on an instructor who is not "practicing" golf instruction in the same manner? Follow-up Communication - Your golf instructor should have a program available for you to utilize to ask questions, give feedback, receive follow-up instructions, schedule lessons, or make other inquiries after your lesson. Some instructors offer their phone numbers after hours. Others utilize the internet for follow-up and communication purposes. Regardless of what form of communication is available to you | [
"What apart from personality type are crucial to get the best from a coach",
"What is crucial to getting the best from a coach?",
"What should you check your instructor has?",
"What should you chceck that your instructor has?"
] | [
[
"\"practicing\""
],
[
"Compatibility"
],
[
"personality type, mutual goals, similar outlooks on the game, and"
],
[
"Accreditation and Experience"
]
] | Handy hints from the PGA to help secure the right golf coach for your game .
Personality type and mutual goals are crucial to get the best from a coach .
Check your instructor has the education and experience to improve your game .
Your instructor should be available, at no extra charge, to answer concerns . |
(CNN) -- Just days after giving birth to her second child, Dr. Jane Dimer drove herself home from the hospital to find her then-husband in bed with another woman. He threw Dimer down the stairs, and she never saw him again until court. Rihanna was allegedly attacked by her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, before the Grammys on February 8. Dimer, now an obstetrician-gynecologist at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, Washington, had been in an abusive relationship with her husband in Germany for 4½ years until he pushed her out 11 years ago. "Emotionally, the remnants of that stay for a long time," she said. Domestic violence is the most common cause of injury to women ages 15 to 44, according to the National Institutes of Health. With the entertainment world buzzing about pop sensation Rihanna, whose boyfriend Chris Brown has been formally charged with assaulting her, public interest in domestic violence has been reinvigorated. Abuse can influence a victim's future behavior in relationships and even in friendships, depending on whether the victim stays or leaves, said Mark Crawford, a clinical psychologist based in Roswell, Georgia. Those who stay are likely to stop trusting their own perceptions and become passive in both romantic and nonromantic relationships. Victims who do leave -- which is the healthier choice, Crawford said -- often become over-accommodating because they want to avoid conflict, even verbal disputes, at all costs. Some women won't trust people easily, if at all, and won't be able to handle even normal expressions of anger. Visit CNNHealth.com, your connection to better living "What they need to do when they get out of the relationship is make sure they're aware of their own anger, and then they can learn how to freely express it in a healthy, normal way," he said. "If somebody's still having issues 10 years later, they just haven't worked through it. They haven't healed; they need to do that." New research shows that abuse victims feel the impact of violence long after it occurred. A recent study in the Journal of Women's Health found that older African-American women who were exposed to high levels of family violence at some point in their lifetimes -- whether by a partner or family member -- are at a greater risk of poor mental and physical health status. "Not just ongoing violence, which everybody thinks about, but even when it's over, there's something about what happens that seems to have a lingering effect that we don't quite understand yet," said Dr. Anuradha Paranjape, co-author of the study and associate professor at Temple University School of Medicine. It makes sense that abused women would report worse health, given that people in stressful situations have higher levels of stress hormones, which interfere with immune function, Crawford said. Other studies show a clear connection between depression and abuse. Adult women who have been abused in a relationship in the past five years have rates of depression 2½ times greater than women who have never been abused, according to a different study of more than 3,000 women. They are also more likely to be socially isolated, said author Amy Bonomi, associate professor at The Ohio State University. Women who have been abused prior to, but not during, the past five years had depression rates 1½ times greater than those without abuse experience, said Bonomi, who has collaborated with Dimer on research on abused women. "People like to sort of think that, 'Well, abuse is just when you have a black eye, you sustain a broken bone,' " Bonomi said. "But we see lots of different effects in other areas, like depression and social isolation, and we've actually proven that with the data." Women who have suffered violence also seem to have a greater likelihood of substance abuse, but it's unclear how the two are related -- one doesn't necessarily cause the other, and there could be other factors involved, Bonomi said. A 2008 study of 3,333 women, which Bonomi worked on, found that middle- | [
"What are abused women more likely to have?",
"What is the most common cause of injury to women ages 15 to 44?",
"What does the NIH say is the most common cause of injury to women between 15 and 44?"
] | [
[
"rates of depression 2½ times greater"
],
[
"Domestic violence"
],
[
"Domestic violence"
]
] | NIH: Domestic violence is the most common cause of injury to women ages 15 to 44 .
Study: Abused women more likely to have depression, anxiety, joint pain .
Calling a domestic violence hot line is a good first step for a victim . |
(CNN) -- Just days before he was sworn in, President Obama was giving his daughters a tour of the Lincoln Memorial when one of them pointed to a copy of Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address carved into the wall.
President Obama strides into history as the nation's first black president.
Obama's 7-year-old daughter, Sasha, told her father that Lincoln's speech was really long. Would he have to give a speech as long? Obama's answer was completed by his older daughter, 10-year-old Malia.
"I said, 'Actually, that one is pretty short. Mine may even be a little longer,' " Obama told CNN recently. "At which point, Malia turns to me and says, 'First African-American president, better be good.' "
The story is light-hearted, but it touches on a delicate question: Will people hold Obama to a different standard because he is the first African-American president?
Americans appear split by race on that answer. According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll, 53 percent of blacks say the American public will hold Obama to a higher standard than past presidents because he is black. Most whites -- 61 percent -- say Obama's race will not matter in how he will be judged.
The question divided several people who were racial pioneers themselves.
Alexander Jefferson was one of the first blacks allowed to become a fighter pilot. He was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of black pilots who escorted bombers in World War II.
"We had to be twice as good to be average," he says.
Obama won't face the same pressures he did because his presidential predecessor was so inept, Jefferson says.
"No, the world is ready for him," he says. "The [George W.] Bush debacle was so depressing."
Jefferson was shot down by ground fire on his 19th mission and spent a year in German prison camps. He wrote about his POW experiences in "Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman and POW."
Jefferson says he dealt with the pressures of being a racial pioneer by drawing on the strength of black leaders who opened doors for him.
"I sit on the backs of everyone who came before me," says Jefferson, who attended Obama's inauguration with other Tuskegee Airmen.
Jefferson says he would have emotionally imploded if he'd thought too much about the pressures of representing all blacks and dealing with the racism he encountered when he returned home to a segregated America after the war.
"I did what I had to do so I didn't go stark-raving mad," he says. "There wasn't all this self-analysis and back and forth. I was too damn busy with a wife, a child and a mortgage."
Michele Andrea Bowen couldn't avoid a bout of constant self-analysis. She was one of the first African-American students admitted to a doctorate program in history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
"I know Obama is going to be held to a different standard," says Bowen, author of "Up at the College" and books such as "Holy Ghost Corner," which celebrate black faith and culture.
Bowen says she faced relentless scrutiny, and so will Obama.
"You know that it was hard for you to get in it, and you know they're watching you," Bowen says. "And you know that they're judging you by a critical standard that's sometimes not fair."
Bowen says a white classmate, her partner in dissertation, once confided to her that he received the same grades as she did, even though he knew his work was inferior.
"It toughened me up," Bowen says. "It can give you headaches and stomachaches. I learned you have to be thankful that God blessed you with that opportunity. At some point, you stop worrying, and you trust God."
'Would Bush have | [
"What poll shows about Obama race?",
"what percentage poll shows americans split by race?",
"who conducted the polls?",
"What Racial pioneers say about extraordinary?",
"What does one racial pioneer say about pressure?",
"what is the reason for pressure?"
] | [
[
"CNN/Opinion Research Corp."
],
[
"CNN/Opinion Research Corp."
],
[
"CNN/Opinion Research Corp."
],
[
"drawing on the strength of black leaders who opened doors for him."
],
[
"by drawing on the strength of black leaders who opened doors for him."
],
[
"being a racial pioneer by drawing on the strength of black leaders who opened doors"
]
] | Racial pioneers say they felt pressure to be extraordinary .
Poll shows Americans split by race over how Obama will be judged .
Racial pioneer says pressure can make person "stark-raving mad" |
(CNN) -- Just like some U.S. officials looking into the mystery, the man who captured video of an apparent fireball plunging from the sky over Texas on Sunday is perplexed about what it was.
Video captured in Austin, Texas, shows a meteor-like object in the sky Sunday morning.
"I don't know what I saw in the sky. It was something burning and falling really fast," Eddie Garcia, a videographer for News 8 Austin, told CNN Monday.
"I'm looking in the viewfinder and I see, just, something flying through the sky. And it kind of looks like it could be dust, it could be something, and then I look up and, no, it was something burning in the sky," he said.
"And you know, this is something that you see at night clearly during a meteor shower or something like that, but you don't see something like that during the day."
Authorities in Texas said there were reports of sonic booms in the area Sunday as well. Watch video of meteor-like fireball »
Early speculation was that it might have been debris from two satellites -- one American, one Russian -- that rammed into each other in space a week ago.
But the U.S. Strategic Command, which tracks satellite debris, said it was not. "There is no correlation between those reports and any of that debris from the collision," command spokeswoman Maj. Regina Winchester told CNN Monday.
So what was it? "I don't know," she responded. "It's possible it was some kind of natural phenomenon, maybe a meteor."
Meteor fireballs bright enough to be seen in the daytime are rare but not unheard of. Two of the most recent fell in October in the Alice Springs region of Australia and last June just west of Salt Lake City, Utah.
The one over Australia was unique because the asteroid that caused it was discovered and tracked before it reached Earth's atmosphere, according to the Sydney Observatory's Web site. It says the asteroid was about 6.5 feet wide.
A sonic boom also was heard in connection with that event, the Australian observatory says.
On Friday, the National Weather Service reported that its office in Jackson, Kentucky, had received calls about "possible explosions" or "earthquakes" in that area.
"The Federal Aviation Administration has reported to local law enforcement that these events are being caused by falling satellite debris," the service said Friday. "These pieces of debris have been causing sonic booms, resulting in the vibrations being felt by some residents, as well as flashes of light across the sky. The cloud of debris is likely the result of the recent in-orbit collision of two satellites on Tuesday February 10, when Kosmos 2251 crashed into Iridium 33."
CNN's call Monday to NASA to get its take on the fireball over Texas was not immediately returned. Garcia said he had been told NASA may have called him.
The FAA had asked pilots Saturday to keep an eye out for "falling space debris," warning that "a potential hazard may occur due to re-entry of satellite debris into the Earth's atmosphere."
FAA spokesman Roland Herwig said Sunday there had been no reports of ground strikes or interference with aircraft in flight. He said the FAA had received no reports from pilots in the air of any sightings, but had gotten "numerous" calls from people on the ground in Texas, from Dallas south to Austin.
As of Monday morning, Herwig said his agency had no information about what the fireball was. iReport.com: Did you see the fireball? Send photos, video
He also said the FAA had rescinded its warning to pilots to look out for space debris.
Garcia, the videographer, was out covering a marathon race Sunday morning when he caught a glimpse of the blaze. In the video, it appear as a meteor-like white fireball blazing across the clear sky.
"I remember shooting it and wondering what I shot, and then looking around and | [
"What does the video show?",
"Where was the video shot?",
"What has the FAA told US pilots to watch out for?",
"what was the sightings report about?",
"Who told U.S. pilots to watch for falling space debris?",
"Where was video shot?",
"Where was the video shot?",
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"what is the full form of faa?",
"What FAA told to U.S. pilots?",
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"What sightings were there?"
] | [
[
"a meteor-like object in the sky"
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[
"Austin, Texas,"
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[
"meteor-like fireball"
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[
"a week ago."
],
[
"\"falling space debris,\""
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[
"fireball"
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] | Video shot in Austin, Texas, shows meteor-like object in sky Sunday morning .
Fireball sightings, reports of sonic booms come days after satellite collision in space .
FAA told U.S. pilots to watch for "falling space debris" |
(CNN) -- Just three weeks after Jon and Kate Gosselin announced their separation, there is speculation of a new plus-one in the mix for "Jon & Kate Plus 8." Jon Gosselin, here with his sons, was photographed on vacation with another woman. Fans of the show are buzzing about photos of Jon Gosselin apparently on vacation in Saint-Tropez, France, with a young woman who is definitely not his wife and reality TV co-star. People.com identified her as Hailey Glassman, the daughter of Dr. Lawrence Glassman, a surgeon who famously performed a tummy tuck on Kate that was documented for the Gosselins' hit TLC show. Gosselin and Glassman appeared to be the guests of designer Christian Audigier, creator of the Ed Hardy line, and the pair was spotted holding hands, smoking together and lounging aboard Audigier's yacht. The Gosselins' marriage became the focus of their reality show -- which had followed the adventures of the pair raising a set of twins and sextuplets -- amid allegations that Jon was cheating on Kate with 23-year-old teacher Deanna Hummel. Jon repeatedly denied that he had strayed. But after much speculation and tension on the show, the couple announced in June that they had separated. The same day, Kate filed for divorce. Given the media spotlight, dating coach Patti Feinstein said, it's not a good idea for Gosselin to be out with another woman so soon after the marital rift. "You need to take a little time off from dating, because there is this rebound period," Feinstein said. "He's probably feeling that he wasn't getting enough attention from his wife, so he's all lonely, and he needs to be stroked up. "Once he gets the feeling that 'I'm loveable; I'm worthy; someone loves me for me and wants to put me first,' " Feinstein theorized, "then that person he is dating, either he will dump her, or she will dump him." Relationship expert Nancy Slotnick said the unfortunate ones in the high-profile tabloid fodder are the Gosselin children: 8-year-old twins Cara and Mady and 5-year-old sextuplets Aaden, Collin, Joel, Alexis, Hannah and Leah. "Their whole TV show is based on them being parents and caring for all of these kids they have, and both of them seem totally wrapped up in themselves," Slotnick said. "It's strange that [Jon] feels like he has to deny the whole thing, then at the same time he is flaunting it." Psychotherapist M. Gary Neuman advises that parents should wait about a year after a separation before introducing a relationship to their children. "Children need about a year at least to adjust to the new sense of family and to develop individual relationships with each parent," said Neuman, the author of "Helping Your Kids Cope With Divorce the Sandcastles Way." "When Dad has a girlfriend, then kids can see that as an intrusion on their time and their situation." Neuman, whose Sandcastles program for children of divorce is mandatory through the court system in several states, said children go through a great deal of emotional turmoil in the wake of a broken marriage. Couples should wait at least six months to even let their kids know that they are actively dating, Neuman said. "It is hurtful to children to think that their parents are dating when it is done so soon after a separation," Neuman said. "Because what it says is that it is minimizing the marriage, and the marriage is crucial to children because they came from this union, and they want to know that their parents were in love when [the children] were born. "The idea that there could be such a quick move to dating that the children are aware of could devalue their parents' relationship and therefore themselves." Neuman noted that parents going through a divorce can date privately but said they should also consider counseling before entering another serious relationship to guard against the high divorce rate for second marriages. Jon Gosselin has | [
"what announced Gosselins?",
"When did the Gosselins announce their divorce?",
"About what are the speculation?",
"what are the speculations arises for?",
"who was photographed?",
"Where was Gosselin photographed with a woman?",
"where was the Reality Star photographed?"
] | [
[
"their separation,"
],
[
"June"
],
[
"new plus-one in the mix for \"Jon & Kate Plus 8.\""
],
[
"\"Jon & Kate Plus 8.\""
],
[
"Jon Gosselin,"
],
[
"Saint-Tropez, France,"
],
[
"on vacation"
]
] | Speculation arises about possible girlfriend for Jon Gosselin .
Reality star is photographed with another woman in the South of France .
Gosselins announced three weeks ago that they are divorcing .
Dating coach: "You need to take a little time off from dating" |
(CNN) -- Just weeks before a Continental Connection commuter plane crashed near Buffalo, another airline had reminded its pilots about safety issues with instrument approaches at the airport. Only a few pieces of the Continental Connection Dash 8 turboprop were recognizable after the crash. However, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday said it was extremely unlikely the February 12 crash and the warning were related. Instrument approaches are those in which pilots use cockpit displays to line up their aircraft with the runway when visibility is low. The alert, initially issued by Southwest Airlines and reissued Wednesday by the airline's pilot association, warned there was a "potentially significant hazard" concerning the instrument landing system's glide slope guidance signal for runway 23. The airline advised, "Pilots who are preparing to configure and land have the potential to experience abrupt pitch up, slow airspeed, and approach to stall if conditions present themselves in a certain manner." Southwest Airlines spokesperson Linda Rutherford said an earthen dam at the end of the runway was interfering with the signal being sent to inbound flights. Rutherford would not confirm if any of Southwest's recent flights into Buffalo experienced problems on approach. "We often put out alerts on obstructions to a navigation aid," Rutherford told CNN. She also pointed out, though landing on the same runway, Southwest Airlines flights approach runway 23 from the north, turning right, while the Colgan Air flight that crashed was approaching from the south turning left. Rutherford called that distinction important. View a Google Earth image of runway 23 » The National Transportation Safety Board told CNN the agency was "aware" of the Southwest Airlines alert, but would not comment further. The issue is caused by a geographic feature at the airport, a valley, "something we can't do anything about," said FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown. She said the "altitude reading makes it look like you're a lot higher than you are, because there is a valley there." The feature has been noted on FAA charts for years, she said. "As far as we can tell, there is no way this had any role in the accident," Brown told CNN. "It's not a navigation aid that would have applied to the approach." The alert from Southwest Airlines advises pilots that the problem could cause the planes navigational system to interpret data "in such a way as to result in a nose-up pitch and loss of airspeed." Flight data recorders obtained by the NTSB of the crashed Colgan air Flight 3407 show during its approach to runway 23, the twin turbo prop Dash-8 pitched up 31 degrees before going into a stall due to lack of airspeed. Southwest Airlines Pilot Association told its pilots the "issue is being addressed on several levels in an attempt to address procedures, facilities, and communication regarding this matter." The alert advises any pilots experience trouble to contact the association's safety office. | [
"What did Airline advise possibility of?",
"What did the airline advise was a possibility?",
"Was the issue related to the crash?",
"What runway was under warning and concern?",
"What is the number of the runway?",
"What was interfering with signals?",
"What did the airline advise the possibility of?",
"According to Southwest an earthen dam was interfering with what?"
] | [
[
"\"Pilots who are preparing to configure and land have the potential to experience abrupt pitch up, slow airspeed, and approach to stall"
],
[
"pilots that the problem could cause the planes navigational system to interpret data \"in such a way as to result in a nose-up pitch and loss of airspeed.\""
],
[
"\"As far as we can tell, there is no way this had any role in the accident,\""
],
[
"23."
],
[
"23."
],
[
"earthen dam"
],
[
"safety issues with instrument approaches at the airport."
],
[
"the signal"
]
] | NEW: FAA spokeswoman says it doesn't appear issue was related to crash .
Warning concerned runway 23, the same one the crashed plane was lined up to use .
Airline advised possibility of "abrupt pitch up, slow airspeed, and approach to stall"
Southwest Airlines spokeswoman said earthen dam was interfering with signals . |
(CNN) -- Just west of Seville in Spain, a sea of giant mirrors is reflecting the sun's energy to provide "concentrated solar power" (CSP) while illuminating the path to a new wave of green energy projects.
Shining beacon: The concentrated solar power plant in Sanlucar, Spain is the first of its kind.
The 624 carefully positioned mirrors reflect the sun's heat towards a 50 meter-tall central tower where it is concentrated and used to boil water into steam.
The superheated steam is then used to turn a turbine that can produce up to 11 megawatts of electricity -- enough power for 6,000 homes -- according Solucar, the Spanish company that has built the power plant.
While traditional solar panels, photovoltaic cells, convert the sun's power directly into electricity, CSP focuses power from a wide area and uses the vast heat generated to make electricity in a similar way to that produced from coal or oil.
The Spanish tower, known as PS10, is the first phase of an ambitious development. By 2013 it is hoped that additional towers will create a "solar farm" with an output of 300 megawatts, which would be enough power for 180,000 homes, or equivalent to the entire population of nearby Seville.
This $1.5 billion project is the largest commercial CSP station in the world -- so far.
But many believe the technology will soon take off in areas of continuous hot sun and clear skies, offering a cheaper and more efficient alternative to photovoltaic cells, and bringing jobs and money to arid, often depressed areas.
CSP also produces no greenhouses gasses and the only pollution is visual. The European Union has invested over $31 million in CSP research over the last ten years.
At least 50 CSP projects have been given permission to begin construction across Spain. By 2015 the country may be producing two gigawatts of electricity from CSP, and employing thousands in the industry.
One of the strengths of CSP is that it allows the construction of power stations on a scale that can match many fossil fuel based plants, and for an investment far less than that required to install the equivalent wattage of photovoltaic cells.
There is also the possibility that production can keep going around the clock -- even when the sun has gone down.
Solucar is currently testing technology at a plant near Granada that will pump 50 percent of the electricity generated in the day into the Spanish national grid, and use the other 50 percent to melt salt, which will then act as a kind of battery, storing the sun's power. When dusk falls, the heat stored in the molten salt can be used to generate power through the night.
"These technologies excite me," says Dr Jeff Hardy, Network Manager at the UK Energy Research Council.
"One of the real advantages is that you can get a decent sized power plant.
"The main challenge with the technology is working with extreme heat, but then a lot of the back-end is very similar to a traditional fossil-fuel generation; you are after all just dealing with water heated to make steam and drive a turbine."
Concentrating on promoting CSP worldwide
As America looks to increase the contribution of renewables to its overall energy mix -- a key part of the Obama plan before the recession turbocharged Government funding for such "green" infrastructure projects -- the potential of CSP technology is obvious.
The Spanish company responsible for the Sanlucar la Mayor plant has seen the potential and created Solucar Power, Inc., a subsidiary aiming to develop the market in the USA.
There is already a huge Solar Energy Generating Systems' CSP station in the Mojave Desert, California; Spanish firm Acciona has built a plant near Las Vegas. Many more are surely on their way.
One bold projection estimates that a single plant 100 miles by 100 miles located in the American South West could generate enough electricity for the whole country.
It would obviously be a huge undertaking -- politically, financially and scientifically -- but it's not hard to imagine such a scheme finding a home in the nation's vast, empty quarter.
Other | [
"Concentrated solar power projects are based in what country?",
"What project in Spain is leading the field?",
"What is the potential of CSP?",
"What projects in Spain are eading field in that form of green energy?",
"What has more benefits than power?",
"Where are the leading solar power projects?",
"What plans would involve huge costs?",
"Where is there potential for CSP around the world?",
"Who benefits from the power?",
"Are there plans to expand solar power in Spain?",
"What is green energy?"
] | [
[
"Spain,"
],
[
"green energy"
],
[
"could generate enough electricity for the whole country."
],
[
"\"concentrated solar power\""
],
[
"\"concentrated solar power\" (CSP)"
],
[
"Sanlucar, Spain"
],
[
"\"concentrated solar power\""
],
[
"Sanlucar, Spain"
],
[
"Spain."
],
[
"By 2013 it is hoped that additional towers will create a \"solar farm\""
],
[
"a sea of giant mirrors is reflecting the sun's"
]
] | Concentrated solar power projects in Spain leading field in that form of green energy .
Potential of CSP in desert regions around the globe; more benefits than power .
Plans to transform Sara ha would involve huge costs; small projects breaking through . |
(CNN) -- Justine Henin booked her place in the third round of the Australian Open after she claimed a 7-5 7-6 (8-6) victory over fifth seed Elena Dementieva in Melbourne on Wednesday. The Belgian, who won the tournament in 2004, came through an enthralling clash which lasted two hours 50 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena. Henin, who is playing in her first Grand Slam event since she ended her 20-month retirement from tennis, took the first set but Russian Dementieva hit back in an enthralling second set to take a 4-2 advantage. Wildcard Henin then broke back to take the next three games and the match went to tie-break but Dementieva was unable to take the match into a third set as Henin clinched victory with a fierce volley. After the match Henin admitted it was exactly the kind of match which vindicated her decision to return to competitive tennis. "It's great feeling. It's magical to win this kind of match in this kind of atmosphere," Henin told reporters in the post-match press conference. "It was a great match. It was very emotional for me on the court at the end because there was so much intensity. To play this kind of match in the second round, for me, after two years off in a Grand Slam, it's just the kind of situation that I needed, "The crowd gave me so much. So respectful at the end. It was a special night tonight. That's why I probably came back on the tour, was to live this kind of matches." Blog: Belgians lead the way in Melbourne Henin will now play another Russian in 27th seed Alisa Kleybanova with a potential quarterfinal on the horizon against compatriot Kim Clijsters who came through in straight sets - 6-3, 6-3 - against Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn. Fellow Belgian Wickmayer continued her recent good form by knocking out Italian 12th seed Flavia Pennetta 7-6 (7-2) 6-1. Elsewhere, third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova recorded a 6-2 6-2 victory over fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova while Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki overcome a nervy first set against Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak to win 6-4 6-2. Seventh seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus cruised to a routine 6-2 6-0 victory over France's Stephanie Cohen-Aloro while Russian Vera Zvonareva eased past Slovakian Kristina Kucova by the same margin. | [
"who came through in straight sets",
"Who came through in straight sets in her clash with Thai?",
"in what round?",
"who booked her place",
"Who booked her place in the third round?",
"Who was her fellow Belgian?",
"What seed was Svetlana Kuznetsova",
"Which round did Justine Henin book her place?"
] | [
[
"Kim Clijsters"
],
[
"Kim Clijsters"
],
[
"third"
],
[
"Justine"
],
[
"Henin"
],
[
"Wickmayer"
],
[
"third"
],
[
"in the third"
]
] | Justine Henin booked her place in the third round of the Australian Open after she claimed a 7-5 7-6 (8-6) victory over fifth seed Elena Dementieva.
Fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters came through in straight sets - 6-3, 6-3 - in her clash with Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn.
Third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova recorded a 6-2 6-2 victory over fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. |
(CNN) -- Juventus are back on top of the Italian Serie A table after a comfortable 3-0 home win over Palermo on Sunday maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
Goals from Simone Pepe, Alessandro Matri and Claudio Marchisio put Juve ahead of Lazio, who drew 0-0 at Napoli on Saturday, on goal difference -- with Antonio Conte's side also having a vital game in hand.
Pepe opened the scoring in the 20th minute when he was left unmarked to head home Giorgio Chiellini's cross.
Andrea Pirlo then hit the post with a curling effort before Matri doubled the advantage three minutes into the second half when finishing from a tight angle.
And the points were sealed in the 65th minute when Marchisio netted from close range after a smart dummy from Matri deceived the Palermo defense.
Although Juventus are back on top of the table, the race for this year's Scudetto promises to be the tightest for years with just one point separating the top four teams.
Champions AC Milan are third, a point behind the top two, after their goalless draw at Fiorentina on Saturday, while former leaders Udinese are now in fourth place -- level on points with Milan -- after losing 2-0 at Parma.
A Jonathan Biabiany header and a Sebastian Giovinco penalty gave Parma a victory that lifted them up to ninth place in the table.
Despite their defeat to Juventus, Palermo remain fifth, although they are five points behind Udinese.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the table, Marco Parolo scored seven minutes from time to give Cesena their first win of the season, 1-0 at fellow strugglers Bologna.
Despite that win, Cesena remain bottom on six points, one behind Novara who were beaten 1-0 at Genoa.
Two matches were played in the German Bundesliga, with Thorsten Fink collecting his first win as Hamburg coach with a 2-0 success at Hoffenheim.
Jose Guerrero and Marcel Jansen secured Fink's maiden success after three successive draws as Hamburg moved out of the relegation zone and into 14th place.
The day's other match saw Austrian striker Martin Harnik score both of Stuttgart's goals in a 2-1 win over bottom club Augsburg, who are three points adrift at the foot of the table.
The victory lifts Stuttgart up to sixth place in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich. | [
"Who is back on the top?",
"what happed at parma",
"who are back on top of the Serie A table after a 3-0 home win",
"what rank is udinese",
"What was the score?",
"Who is the previous leader?",
"who slumpto a 2-0 defeat at Parma",
"what is juventus on top of"
] | [
[
"Juventus"
],
[
"former leaders Udinese are now in fourth place -- level on points with Milan -- after losing 2-0"
],
[
"Juventus"
],
[
"fourth place"
],
[
"3-0"
],
[
"Udinese"
],
[
"Udinese"
],
[
"Italian Serie A table"
]
] | Juventus are back on top of the Serie A table after a 3-0 home win over Palermo .
Unbeaten Juve lead Lazio on goal difference, although they also have a game in hand .
Previous leaders Udinese now in fourth place after slumping to a 2-0 defeat at Parma . |
(CNN) -- Juventus came from behind to defeat Bologna 4-1 on Saturday to put pressure on Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A table. Alessandro Del Piero celebrates the first of his two goals in Juventus' 4-1 victory over Bologna. Massimo Mutarelli put Bologna ahead in the 24th minute, but a dominant second half display from the Bianconeri gave them all three points. Hasan Salihimidzic equalised in the 49th minute before Sebastian Giovinco put the home side ahead in the 71st minute. A brace from Alessandro Del Piero in the 75th and 88th minutes sealed a win which takes Juve to within four points of leaders Inter, who face a tricky home match against Fiorentina on Sunday. In Saturday's other match, Genoa boosted their hopes of playing in the Champions League next season thanks to a 1-0 win at 10-man Cagliari to move above Fiorentina into fourth place. Cagliari lost Andrea Cossu to a red card in the 39th minute but held out until five minutes from the end when Ruben Olivera grabbed the decisive goal. Meanwhile, veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi scored his 300th career goal to help Milan crush Siena 5-1 on Sunday to consolidate third place in the table. The 35-year-old scored twice, while Alexander Pato also netted a brace and Andrea Pirlo scored the opener from the penalty spot, as Milan proved too strong for their opponents -- for whom Massimo Maccarone was on target. Roma lost further ground in the race for the fourth Champions League place as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Sampdoria. Julio Baptista gave the visitors a seventh-minute lead but Giampaolo Pazzini headed home an equalizer before the same player put the home side ahead after a mistake from goalkeeper Doni. But Baptista levelled from the spot after Marco Padalino was penalized for fouling Max Tonetto -- the player who missed the decisive spot-kick in the midweek Champions League defeat by Arsenal. | [
"Who defeated Bologna on Saturday?",
"Filippo Inzaghi has how many career goals?",
"Who reached 300 career goals?",
"Who reached 300?",
"What was the score of the Juventus - Bologna game?",
"Who recovered?",
"What was the score of the Juventus versus Bologna game on Saturday?",
"Which team does Filippo Inzaghi play for?"
] | [
[
"Juventus"
],
[
"300th"
],
[
"Filippo Inzaghi"
],
[
"Filippo Inzaghi"
],
[
"4-1"
],
[
"Juventus"
],
[
"4-1"
],
[
"Milan"
]
] | Juventus recover from going a goal behind to defeat Bologna 4-1 on Saturday .
The result lifts Juventus to within four points of Inter Milan at the top of Serie A .
Filippo Inzaghi reaches 300 career goals to help AC Milan hammer Siena 5-1 . |
(CNN) -- Kajal Kumar knows the value of a good education. She's a career woman who poured years of her life into studying to become a certified public accountant with an MBA.
But after nearly two decades climbing the corporate ladder in New York, the 46-year-old stopped managing employees and began micromanaging her two daughters.
Instead of overseeing company accounts, Kumar organizes piano lessons, SAT preparation courses and Advanced Placement class homework assignments. She wants to give her daughters a shot at a top-notch college education.
"I had a very good, promising career," Kumar said. "But it wasn't as important as making sure my kids did well and just setting them up for the future."
Stay-at-home parenting is nothing new. About 5.1 million mothers stay at home full time, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But Kumar's decision to quit her job came at an unconventional time -- when her children were grown teenagers and had entered high school. Unlike maternity leave, think of Kumar's time off as a college-prep leave, say college admissions counselors.
She represents a group of highly educated mothers who are sacrificing careers to usher their children through the increasingly competitive college admissions process.
There are no statistics counting how many mothers compromise their careers to help their teens with college admissions, but college counselors say they've witnessed more cases of mothers pausing their jobs or completely quitting their jobs. Over the past five years, Jeannie Borin, president of College Connections, says she saw a 10 percent uptick in mothers who quit or postponed their career to get their teens into college. Her counseling company offers services in 32 states.
These mothers, who can afford to quit their jobs, may stop working for months, a year or several years leading up to the admission process, say researchers and college admissions counselors. They reduce their full-time hours to part time or request a temporary leave. Because many of them have jobs that require advanced degrees and specific skills, it's usually easier for them to transition back into the work force.
"They know it's going to be an intense year and they take a leave to that effect," Borin said. "The college frenzy has affected the entire family."
Since the mid-1990s, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of time college-educated mothers are spending with their older children, according to a March study from the University of California, San Diego. Women spent six hours a week on child care in the mid-1990s, but that number jumped to about 12 hours a week after 2005, the study said.
Economics professors Garey and Valerie Ramey, who headed the UCSD study, theorized the rising amount of time spent on child care by a parent likely is associated with difficulty in the college admission process and juggling college preparatory activities. They found that college-educated parents have more resources and are better equipped to help their children with the process.
"We were shocked to find other mothers who had graduate degrees and had given up their careers and devoted their time to their children," said Valerie Ramey.
The panic of getting her 17-year-old daughter into a highly ranked university hit Rebecca Marder hard.
Marder, 56, of Los Angeles, California, holds two master's degrees in counseling that took her nearly 5½ years to earn. But a year-and-a-half ago, during daughter's junior year in high school, she put her private counseling practice on hold to help her through the college application process. Junior year is a crunch time for high schoolers, as they compile college wish lists and tour campuses.
She became her daughter's college applications manager, scheduling campus tours and researching academic programs. She also became a videographer, recording her 17-year-old at each college visit as she weighed the pros and cons in front of each school.
Marder has three older children, ages 25, 23, and 19, but she said this is the first time she stopped working, because she saw that expectations of high school students had | [
"Who did a study on moms?",
"What has gotten more competitive?",
"What has gotten more competitive for high school students?",
"Where was the study done?"
] | [
[
"Economics professors Garey and Valerie Ramey,"
],
[
"college admissions"
],
[
"college admissions process."
],
[
"University of California, San Diego."
]
] | Some moms with advanced degrees are quitting their jobs to help their teens get into college .
A University of California, San Diego study found moms are spending more time with their children .
The college admissions process has gotten more competitive for high school students, experts say .
Moms say taking a "college-prep leave" can be beneficial for mother-child bonding . |
(CNN) -- Kaka converted a penalty in time added on to give holders Brazil a dramatic 4-3 win over Egypt who filed an official complaint after their Confederations Cup opener at Bloemfontein on Monday.
Kaka celebrates after his last-gasp penalty gives holders Brazil an opening win in their Confed Cup victory.
Substitute Ahmed al-Muhamadi was red-carded after handling on the goalline in a desperate attempt to deny Brazil -- and Real Madrid's recent $92million signing Kaka rifled home from the spot for his second goal of the game.
But the decision by English referee Howard Webb to award the penalty upset African Nations Cup winners Egypt.
They were unhappy that Webb initially blew for a corner but changed his mind after the fourth official, Australia's Matthew Breeze, spoke to him after reportedly seeing television replays.
"Since when do the regulations say it is a penalty based on the monitors or on the television?" asked Egypt's deputy coach Shawki Gharib. "Egypt is going to file a complaint against the penalty."
Brazil coach Dunga saw nothing wrong with the decision. "It was a clear case of a penalty," he said, adding that his team let a two-goal lead slip because they were tired.
"We had two tough (World Cup) qualifiers, 23 hours of travel and the time difference. The players have not been sleeping well so obviously we are quite happy with the win."
Substitute Giuseppe Rossi scored a brace to help world champions Italy stage a second-half recovery against 10-man United States and claim a 3-1 victory in their tournament debut in Pretoria.
South Africa are staging the tournament as a warm-up for next year's World Cup finals -- with Egypt struggling to qualify for 2010 after their recent 3-1 defeat against Algeria.
But it looked as though Egypt were going to deny five-times world champions Brazil an opening victory in their defense of the Confederations crown after a fightback that saw Mohamed Zidan also score twice.
Brazil were leading 3-1 at halftime with first-half strikes from Kaka (5 minutes), Luis Fabiano (12) and Juan (37) with Zidan heading home Wael Gomaa's cross on nine.
It was all change early in the second half when Egypt drew level with two goals inside a minute.
The first came when Sayed Moawad pulled the ball back from the left to Mohamed Shawky who blasted a superb strike beyond Julio Cesar. And Brazil were left reeling when Zidan pulled Egypt level seconds later.
Brazil coach Dunga took off Manchester City pair Robinho and Elano soon after and replaced them with Benfica midfielder Ramires and Milan striker Alexandre Pato.
And Kaka had the final say in a match played in front of thousands of empty seats despite FIFA president Sepp Blatter's criticism that organisers had not done enough to sell tickets for Spain's game with New Zealand on Sunday.
Brazil next face CONCACAF Gold Cup winners United States on Thursday before facing world champions Italy on June 21.
Egypt play Italy on Thursday before meeting the U.S with the top two from each group go through to the semifinals.
Italy were trailing 1-0 against the U.S. at the interval after Galaxy forward Landon Donovan fired his side ahead from the penalty spot after 41 minutes.
The Americans were already down to 10 men following the dismissal of Ricardo Clark who was given a straight red card after 33 minutes for a foul on Gennaro Gattuso.
But the introduction of Rossi just before the hour mark turned the game. The Villarreal striker blasted home from 30 yards to equalise on 59 minutes before Daniele De Rossi put Italy in front with 18 minutes left.
Rossi then added the finishing touch in injury time as the Azzurri moved joint top of Group B alongside Brazil. | [
"Which team are the world champions?",
"who was red-carded?",
"who complained with FIFA?",
"What was the name of the substitute who red-carded after handling on the goalline?",
"Who are the World Champions?",
"who converts penalty?",
"Which country lodged complaint with FIFA?",
"What did Kaka do?"
] | [
[
"Italy"
],
[
"Substitute Ahmed al-Muhamadi"
],
[
"Egypt"
],
[
"Ahmed al-Muhamadi"
],
[
"Italy"
],
[
"Kaka"
],
[
"Egypt"
],
[
"converted a penalty"
]
] | Kaka converts penalty to give holders Brazil a 4-3 Confed Cup win over Egypt .
Substitute Ahmed al-Muhamadi was red-carded after handling on the goalline .
Egypt lodged complaint with FIFA claiming 4th official influenced ref's verdict .
World champions Italy recover to defeat 10-man United States 3-1 in Pretoria . |
(CNN) -- Kaka underlined his commitment to AC Milan with two goals in a 4-1 Serie A win at Bologna on Sunday when on-loan David Beckham claimed his first goal in Italian football.
Kaka scored twice for AC Milan days after rejecting a world record transfer to Manchester City.
Brazilian star Kaka, playing his first match since the collapse of a proposed world record transfer to Premier League Manchester City, converted from the penalty spot after 17 minutes and added a spectacular second two minutes before half-time.
Kaka's double took the limelight away from former England captain Beckham who made his mark on the hour as Milan kept up the pressure on top two, city rivals Inter and Turin-based Juventus.
Beckham moved to Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy earlier this month and found the target as coach Carlo Ancelotti marked 400 games in charge of the club.
The former Mancherster United star is clearly enjoying his stay in Italy and there have been suggestions he could extend his stay.
"I can't say what will happen," PA Sport quoted him as saying on Sunday. "Even if my contract says that I'll be here until March. We'll have to see.
"At the moment I'm enjoying this experience. I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world. And having won gives us confidence to continue."
He added: "It's great to score my first goal -- I will keep this jersey. It's special to play for Milan and also to score, but what's most important is that we won."
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was delighted with Beckham's performance, but insists the club can do nothing to keep him at the San Siro.
However, he claims the 33-year-old holds his future in his own hands. "If he said 'we'll see' it means he's thinking about staying," Ancelotti told Sky Italia. "However, our hands are tied as he has a clear contract."
Bologna took the lead through a Marco Di Vaio penalty after nine minutes and Clarence Seedorf equalised after Kaka's effort had been spilled by goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli.
AS Roma closed to within three points of fourth, the final Champions League qualifying position, with a stunning 3-0 win at Napoli.
Centre-backs Philippe Mexes (18) and Juan (32) gave Roma a two-goal lead at the interval and Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic added the third four minutes into the second half.
Roma are now only three points behind Genoa who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by Catania who led through a 67th-minute goal from Jorge Martinez. Diego Milito replied six minutes later.
Roma have won eight of their last 10 Serie A matches following an awful start to the season where they won only two and lost six of their first 10 games.
Fabio Simplicio scored twice as Palermo defeated Udinese 3-2 while strugglers Lecce and Torino shared six goals. | [
"Who scored twice in serie a?",
"Who scored twice?",
"Who hits first goal?",
"What did beckham do this week?",
"When did the goals come?",
"Who is the Brazil star?"
] | [
[
"Kaka"
],
[
"Kaka"
],
[
"David Beckham"
],
[
"claimed his first goal in Italian football."
],
[
"Sunday"
],
[
"Kaka,"
]
] | Brazil star Kaka scores twice as AC Milan romp to 4-1 Serie A win at Bologna .
Goals come at end of week that saw him reject world record move to Man City .
David Beckham hits first goal of loan spell as Milan step up their title chase . |
(CNN) -- Kansas leaders Wednesday ended a standoff that had delayed tax refunds and state paychecks by agreeing to borrow $225 million from various state accounts, a spokeswoman for the governor's office said.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius approved $300 million in budget cuts Wednesday.
Republican lawmakers approved moving money into the state's main account to pay the bills after budget cuts agreed to by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, spokeswoman Brittany Stiffler said.
The state resumed processing income tax refunds on Wednesday -- they had been suspended last week because of low funds -- and state employees' paychecks will be paid on time Friday, Department of Administration spokesman Gavin Young said.
Republicans earlier this week denied the Democratic governor's request to move the money, saying they could not approve the certificate of indebtedness, also known as internal borrowing, until they knew the state could repay the money by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.
However, Republicans said they would be likely to approve the internal borrowing if Sebelius agreed to the Legislature's proposed budget cuts for the 2009 fiscal year. On Wednesday, she approved about $300 million in budget cuts.
"She blinked, and that's helpful," Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said Wednesday.
"I'm just sorry we had to have high drama and worry a lot of Kansans about our ability to pay our obligations," Sebelius said Wednesday.
Kansas was one of several states to meet this week to address budget concerns in a time when 43 states are starting the year short on funds, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
"This is an equal-opportunity recession. States in virtually every part of the country are suffering... even the energy states are starting to report problems," Corina Eckl of the National Conference of State Legislatures said. iReport.com: What you'd fix first
"For most, it has only gone downhill. They have tried to make up the difference with expanded gambling, with delays of construction projects, with hiring freezes, with fee and tax increases. But almost all of this has failed to regain lost ground, merely serving as a firebreak against worse troubles," she said.
California faces a $42 billion deficit that prompted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a fiscal emergency in December. California lawmakers worked into early Wednesday but couldn't pass a budget.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued 10,000 layoff notices Tuesday, affecting a wide spectrum of state agencies and employees, in an effort to deal with the budget crisis, a spokesman said.
Another 10,000 layoff notices might be sent Wednesday, the spokesman said. All the layoffs would take effect July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.
The Republican governor has butted heads for months with the Democratic majority over easing the $11.2 billion revenue shortfall this fiscal year alone. Cuts would save California $750 million for the year. The $42 billion deficit is for the current and next fiscal years. Interactive: See projected state budget gaps »
Last month, the state began delaying $3.5 billion in payments to taxpayers, contractors, counties and social service agencies so the state could continue funding schools and making debt payments. Watch more on California's budget woes »
Also today, New Jersey's governor announced that all state employees will be forced to take two unpaid furlough days, a move that will save $35 million, part of the nearly $4 billion in budget cuts that state is making.
In Maryland, tax collections in nearly every category are falling short of expectations, with dismal revenue projects putting more pressure on state legislators to balance the budget without relying on the federal stimulus package, CNN affiliate WBAL reported.
State workers in Colorado may face unpaid time off in an effort to spare the state's colleges and universities millions of dollars in budget cuts, KUSA-TV in Denver reported Tuesday. Interactive: Estimated job growth across the country
Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, announced plans recently to furlough some state workers to balance the budget. Roughly $600 million in budget cuts need to be made by the end of this | [
"How much money was borrowed",
"who apporved the cuts",
"What is the number of furlough days given?",
"What budget year are the cuts approved for?",
"from who did they borrow the money",
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] | [
[
"$225 million"
],
[
"Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius"
],
[
"two"
],
[
"2009"
],
[
"various state accounts,"
],
[
"budget"
]
] | NEW: Gov. Kathleen Sebelius approves $300 million in cuts for 2009 budget .
NEW: State leaders agree to borrow $225 million to pay tax refunds, state employees .
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine announces 2 furlough days for state employees .
43 states starting year short, National Conference of State Legislatures says . |
(CNN) -- Kate Hudson's ex, Black Crowes rocker Chris Robinson, is going to be a dad again, a representative for the band confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Chris Robinson and girlfriend Allison Bridges will be having a child in early 2010. Robinson and girlfriend Allison Bridges, who have been dating for two years, are expecting their first child in early 2010, the statement said. The baby will be the 42-year-old frontman's second child -- he and Hudson have a 5 1/2-year-old son, Ryder Russell, together. Hudson and Robinson were married for six years and their divorce was finalized in October 2006. They were granted joint custody of their son. Robinson and his brother Rich formed the band that would eventually become the Black Crowes in the 1980s. The Crowes' new album, "Before the Frost . . . Until the Freeze," is in stores now. | [
"Who is having a baby with his girlfriend?",
"who is the frontman",
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"Who is his ex?",
"how long have they been dating",
"How long have Robinson and Bridges been dating?",
"how long have they been dating",
"how many children does he have",
"Who is having a baby?",
"How long has Robinson and girlfriend been dating?",
"Who is Robinson's ex-girlfriend?",
"What is the 5 1/2 year old's name?"
] | [
[
"Chris Robinson"
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[
"Chris Robinson,"
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[
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[
"Hudson's"
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[
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[
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[
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[
"Chris Robinson and girlfriend Allison Bridges"
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[
"two years,"
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[
"Kate"
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[
"Ryder Russell,"
]
] | Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson having baby with girlfriend .
Robinson and girlfriend Allison Bridges have been dating for two years .
He and ex Kate Hudson have a 5-1/2-year-old son, Ryder Russell, together . |
(CNN) -- Katie Callaway Hall trembled for four hours when she heard Phillip Garrido was arrested. Katie Callaway Hall said she wanted to scream when she heard that Phillio Garrido kidnapped someone else. His name sent a flurry of emotion running through her mind. "I screamed," she told CNN's Larry King on Monday night. "I started screaming 'Oh my god, Oh my god, it's him.' " She has thought about him every day since November 22, 1976 when he asked her for a ride at a supermarket in California, before handcuffing her, binding her and taking her to a mini-warehouse in Reno, Nevada, where he raped her. Watch victim describe her terror » Garrido was convicted for kidnapping and raping Hall, but was released after serving just over 10 years of a 50-year sentence. He was labeled a sex offender and put on lifetime parole. "In many ways, the capture of Phillip Garrido has closed a chapter in my life," Hall wrote for a Larry King blog. "I don't have to hide anymore. I don't have to live every day of my life wondering if he is looking for me. I am finally free from the fear I have lived with since the day I learned he was paroled." Read what Hall wrote on the blog Garrido and his wife, Nancy, were charged last week with crimes relating to the abduction of 11-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard in 1991 and her captivity in a hidden shed-and-tent compound in the couple's backyard in Antioch, California. "With all the joy I should feel, I want to scream from the depths of my soul," she said. "Scream because my fears turned out to be justified -- he struck again." While Hall has tried to suppress some of the memories of what happened to her that night, Garrido's arrest took her mind back to that night in November. "A man tapped on my window and asked for a ride," she said. "I agreed." When she stopped the car to drop him off, Garrido took the keys out of the ignition, according to court documents from Garrido's appeal in the case. Garrido, then 25, "told [Hall] it wasn't intentional that he had taken her, but that it was her fault because she was attractive," according to the documents. "Soon after, I was cuffed, bound, gagged, and taken to a warehouse," Hall told CNN. She was kept in the 6 by 12-foot storage facility, which Hall remembers was stacked with half-opened boxes with China-type dishes inside. Large, heavy carpets were hanging from the ceiling, spaced apart every few feet. "It was like a maze," she said. "And in the back of the mini warehouse where he had me, he had it set up to keep someone for awhile." "Most of the details about what happened to me after I entered that warehouse have been repressed." She told Larry King that she feared for her life. "I thought I was dead," she said. Hall was held in the small storage facility for five hours before she heard a noise. "My recollections begin around 3 a.m. Someone banged on the door. I remember thinking, 'Oh my God, his friends are coming,' " she said. "Garrido said, 'Do I have to tie you up or are you going to be good.' " She told him she would be good, but she knew if it was the police banging outside, she was going to "have to try something." "I barreled my way out of the warehouse completely naked. I could see the officer and Garrido standing there. They both looked at me like I was crazy," she said. "I couldn't see the officer's car. I thought 'Oh God, he's not a real cop.' My state of mind | [
"Who did he kidnap and rape?",
"What was Phillip convicted of?",
"Where was Hall kept?",
"Who did Garrido kidnap and rape?",
"What was Garrido convicted of?",
"What did Hall say?"
] | [
[
"Jaycee Lee Dugard"
],
[
"kidnapping and raping"
],
[
"in the 6 by 12-foot storage facility,"
],
[
"Katie Callaway Hall"
],
[
"kidnapping and raping Hall,"
],
[
"she wanted to scream when she heard that Phillio Garrido kidnapped someone else."
]
] | Phillip Garrido was convicted for kidnapping, raping Katie Callaway Hall in 1976 .
Hall: "I want to scream from the depths of my soul" knowing he struck again .
Hall was kept in a storage facility for eight hours when a cop came to help .
Victim: "I hate that he did this to me, and I doubt I'll ever get over it" |
(CNN) -- Katy Brown is an Internet-savvy college freshman with conservative perspectives who worries about the future of the Republican Party. Katy Brown, Kevin Neugebauer, Barbara Rademacher and Chuck Burkhard discuss the future of the GOP. Brown, a student at Kent State University in Ohio, joined other Republicans and conservative independent iReporters in an online roundtable discussion. The Republican National Committee selected Michael Steele to become its chairman Friday during its annual winter meeting after the decisive victory of President Obama in November. Over the next four years, Republicans must regroup and establish a strategy, and the new GOP leader must navigate a political landscape where the Democrats control the White House and both houses of Congress. "I think we'll come with somebody who has experience, knows what they're talking about, is good with both liberals and conservatives, both Democrats and Republicans," Brown said of a future Republican presidential nominee. iReport.com: Watch Brown respond to one of Obama's Cabinet picks Kevin Neugebauer of Katy, Texas, a Republican who voted for Sen. John McCain in the election, said during the chat that he thinks the majority of Americans are conservative and that he wants to see the party head in a more conservative direction. iReport.com: 'McCain wasn't conservative enough to win' Neugebauer thinks that abiding by conservative principles, especially fiscally, is the only way to solve the country's financial problems. "I don't want to have to mortgage my kids' future to get us out of the things we're doing today," he said. Another panel participant, Chuck Burkhard of Windber, Pennsylvania, voted for McCain as a registered Republican but plans to become an independent. Watch the iReporters talk over a Web chat » He feels that the Bush administration failed at making government smaller and reducing spending, which he thinks Republicans should make a top priority. He hopes that the party will take a new direction and reach out to more people. "I really think the Republicans will reach out with a grass-roots campaign," he said. iReport.com: 'I choose Sen. McCain' Neugebauer said he thinks the Republican Party needs a "fresh new face" who can set the agenda. He says the government needs to be smaller and thinks politicians waste money on "stuff that the government has no business being in." The fourth panel participant, Barbara Rademacher, said she had a difficult time making her decision during the 2008 election. She finally settled on McCain but says she is very much an independent voter. Social issues such as abortion are what swung her to the right, but she said the party focused too much on attacks. "I hate the Republican Party the way it is right now. I hated the way they acted during the election and some of the ideas they came up with as election strategies," she said. Rademacher said she thinks former Gov. Mike Huckabee, a candidate in the 2008 race, would be a good president because of his experience. She says he has integrity, intelligence and charisma, as well as the ability to manage money. iReport.com: How will Huckabee reform the party? "I think he may be the only hope for the Republican Party," she said. Burkhard, Brown and Neugebauer all agreed that Huckabee would be a good presidential candidate. Neugebauer said he also likes former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and advocated for a return to strong Republican politics. "I just think what we need to do is, we need to concentrate on the core values that the Republican Party was started on," he said. "There's too many fence-huggers. They'll say one thing just to get votes, and they actually are thinking the other way. You really need someone in there that can rally the troops and somebody with good morals and a good record." Paul A. Beck, a political science professor at Ohio State University, said that although Obama is president, there is a large number of conservative people in the country, and they will want their say. "We have | [
"Who was named chairman of the Republican National Committee?",
"What is the name of the new chairman?",
"What did Katy Brown advocate?",
"Who advocates bipartisan cooperation during iReport roundtable chat?",
"Which committee named a new chairman?",
"What did Kevin Neugebauer suggest?",
"What does Neugebauer recommend?",
"Who was named chairman?",
"Who suggests Republicans need to return to conservative roots?"
] | [
[
"Michael Steele"
],
[
"Michael Steele"
],
[
"somebody who has experience,"
],
[
"Newt Gingrich"
],
[
"Republican National"
],
[
"abiding by conservative principles, especially fiscally, is the only way to solve the country's financial problems."
],
[
"Republican Party needs a \"fresh new face\""
],
[
"Michael Steele"
],
[
"Kevin Neugebauer"
]
] | Republican National Committee names Michael Steele as chairman .
Katy Brown advocates bipartisan cooperation during iReport roundtable chat .
Kevin Neugebauer suggests Republicans need to return to conservative roots .
iReport.com: Hao Li asks how the party can reach out to younger voters . |
(CNN) -- Kazakh cyclist Alexander Vinokourov will be free to launch his competitive comeback before the end of next month following a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling in Switzerland on Tuesday. Kazakh rider Vinokourov will be free to resume competitive cycling before the end of next month. Vinokourov was originally suspended for one year by his federation (KCF) after the pre-race favorite was thrown out of the 2007 Tour de France for blood doping. The International Cycling Union (UCI) disputed the length of the ban which should have been for two years under their rules. Parties involved agreed the issue should go to arbitration and Vinokourov, who 'retired' after being banned, has now been told his ban will be for two years. This year's Tour de France runs from July 4-26 while Vinokourov has been told by CAS he can resume competitive action two days before the race ends in Paris. Vinokourov has said he wants to launch a comeback, preferably with Astana alongside Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador. "My dream would be to win the world championship and wear the rainbow shirt for my last year in 2010," he said last month. Swiss-based CAS issued its preliminary decision in the arbitration between the UCI, Vinokourov and the KCF in a Web site statement on Tuesday CAS said: "The decision adopted on 5 December 2007 by the Anti-Doping Commission of the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation is set aside. "Mr Vinokurov committed an anti-doping rule violation under Articles 15.2 of the Anti-Doping Regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale and, according to Articles 261, 268 and 275 of the Anti-Doping Regulations, is declared ineligible for a period of two years commencing on 24 July 2007. "Mr Vinokurov will be eligible to compete in international competitions as of 24 July 2009." | [
"Who was told his doping ban is for two years?",
"When can Alexander Vinokourov resume cycling?",
"How long is Vinokourov's doping ban?",
"What was the reason for the pre-race favorite being thrown out?",
"What reason was the pre race favorite thrown out for?",
"How long is Alexander Vinokourov's doping ban?",
"What date can Vinokourov resume cycling?",
"Who is Alexander Vinokourov?"
] | [
[
"Vinokourov,"
],
[
"before the end of next month."
],
[
"one year"
],
[
"blood doping."
],
[
"blood doping."
],
[
"two years."
],
[
"24 July 2009.\""
],
[
"Kazakh"
]
] | Kazakh cyclist Alexander Vinokourov is told his doping ban is for two years .
Pre-race favorite was thrown out of the 2007 Tour de France for blood doping .
Banned for year by Federation, Vinokourov can resume cycling on July 24 . |
(CNN) -- Keith Felch is admittedly a big guy, but more than a few super-fit cyclists in Southern California have been left wondering how that dude just went flying by. Keith Felch calls his electric bike a "hill eraser" because he can ride it to work without breaking a sweat. And then his wife, Mary, comes motoring past. "They stare, like how can a girl go past me," she says, laughing. It takes the other riders a few seconds but then they figure it out. They have electric motors. The Felches, who live in Aliso Viejo, California, used to drive everywhere, except when they used their bikes for recreation. That changed when they got their new e-bikes, made by a company called Optibike. Now, they ride to go shopping and to go to breakfast -- but mostly they ride to work. Keith Felch says the couple has cut 50 percent of their car-use since they started electric biking. And there are other benefits. Keith Felch dropped 30 pounds and his blood pressure fell 10 points in the first six months he owned the bike, he says. The Felches don't exactly classify themselves as "environmentalists," although Mary said it is important to have a positive effect on the planet. "I learned that the worst amount of smog that you put out [in an automobile] is in the first mile, so if we can make even some of those shorter trips on our bicycles, it makes a big difference," she says. Who wants one? Brent Meyers, director of sales for Ultra Motor US, says electric bikes attract different types of buyers. Many are looking to make a green imprint. Some are "active adults" who have ridden bicycles for years who -- as they get older -- are unable to do the same kind of riding they did when they were young. Other buyers want to ride their bikes to work quickly -- and avoid a sweaty entrance into the office. Oddly -- or perhaps not -- Ultra Motor US sees its strongest sales when the price of oil skyrockets, says Meyers. Two wheels, a motor and 100 million riders Electric bikes are still somewhat of a novelty in the United States, but in China they're everywhere. In fact, Chinese electric bikes number more than 100 million -- which is about four times the number of Chinese private cars, according to Electric Bikes Worldwide Reports. The bikes are popular in Europe as well. Sales figures for the United States are hard to pinpoint. In the United States, about 200,000 electric bicycles were sold last year, said Ed Benjamin of the Light Electric Vehicle Association -- about twice the number sold in 2005. But the industry has hit a bump in the road from the recession, as sales were down about 10 percent in 2009, he said. E-bikes are mostly made by specialty companies, but the growing sales trend has been noticed by the big boys. Trek, a worldwide leader in bike sales, has been making electric bikes for three years, but only introduced them in the United States in the past year. Other well-known companies like Schwinn and Giant are increasing their presence in the e-bike field. At Interbike, the biggest bicycle industry convention in the United States, there were more than 20 companies displaying e-bikes this year. Meyers said only a few years ago, it was about five. Prices range from a few hundred dollars -- the E-Zip Trailz Hybrid costs $398 at Wal-Mart -- to more than $13,000 for OptiBike's top-end model. Prices increase as battery technology and components get better. Steve Roseman of The Electric Bike Network in San Francisco, California, said most buyers he sees don't balk at the price, which can be as much as a good road or mountain bike. They are mostly concerned with how far they can go on a battery charge and how fast. What's an 'e-bike | [
"How many electric bikes does china have?",
"How many electric bikes are in China?",
"What can electric bikes run on?",
"How many more bikes than cars does China have?"
] | [
[
"more than 100 million"
],
[
"more than 100 million"
],
[
"motors."
],
[
"four times"
]
] | Electric bikes can run either on pedal-power or their tiny motors .
"It's like being in a flying dream ... it will blow your mind," says rider .
E-bike commuters like saving gas and arriving at work without breaking a sweat .
China has more than 100 million electric bikes -- four times the number of cars . |
(CNN) -- Kenya has enjoyed a reputation as one of East Africa's most stable nations since achieving independence from the UK in 1963. Residents of the Mathare slum in Nairobi shout at demonstrators during violent clashes. But a booming tourism industry, impressive economic growth -- currently six percent a year according to The Economist -- and decades of peace in a region scarred by conflict have served to disguise widespread poverty, violent crime and corruption and simmering ethnic tensions. Tribal bonds remain stronger than national identity in Kenya, with the country's 36 million people claiming allegiance to around 40 different tribes. Last week's election pitched incumbent President Mwai Kibaki, a member of Kenya's largest Kikuyu tribe, against opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Luo tribe. The Kikuyu make up about 22 percent of Kenya's population. Mostly originating from Kenya's central highlands, the Kikuyu have long wielded strong economic and political power within the country. Kenya's first post-independence leader, Jomo Kenyatta, president from 1964 until 1978, was a Kikuyu. Kibaki, a government minister from 1965 until winning power as head of the Party of National Unity in elections five years ago, also enjoys the support of Kenyatta's successor, Daniel Arap Moi, a member of the Kalenjin tribe who ruled Kenya for 24 years from 1978 to 2002. The Luo make up around 13 percent of the population, mostly in the west of the country. But they also form a sizeable community in some of Nairobi's most notorious slums, such as the vast Kibera shantytown where Odinga enjoys strong support and where some of this week's fiercest violence has occurred. Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement is also backed by many members of the Luhya tribe, Kenya's second largest ethnic group, after Odinga promised to make a leading Luhya his deputy if elected. This week's violence came as election officials declared victory for Kibaki with 51.3 percent to 48.7 percent for Odinga in the closest presidential vote in Kenyan electoral history. But the result has been questioned by international election observers, throwing the country's political future into doubt. Kibaki's first election success in 2002 -- declared free and fair by international observers -- was hailed at the time as a step forward for Kenyan democracy. However, his term has been dogged by allegations of corruption and graft. E-mail to a friend | [
"what is tribe president Kibaki belongs to?",
"What is the Challenger's name?",
"what is the kenya' s 36 million population made up of?",
"What are Kenya's slums dogged by?",
"Who is challenging President Kibaki?",
"Who belongs to the Kikuyu Tribe?",
"who forms sizeable group in west?",
"What is the President's name?"
] | [
[
"Kenya's largest Kikuyu"
],
[
"Raila Odinga"
],
[
"people claiming allegiance"
],
[
"allegations of corruption and graft."
],
[
"opposition leader Raila Odinga"
],
[
"President Mwai Kibaki,"
],
[
"The Luo"
],
[
"Mwai Kibaki,"
]
] | Kenya's 36 million population made up of around 40 tribal groups .
President Mwai Kibaki belongs to the influential and powerful Kikuyu tribe .
Challenger Raila Odinga's Luo tribe forms sizeable group in west, Nairobi slums .
Kenya dogged by poverty, violent crime, corruption, simmering ethnic tensions . |
(CNN) -- Kenya is known for producing some of the world's greatest runners and now a company wants to get them noticed wearing a brand from their country.
A group of young entrepreneurs have launched what they say is the nation's first running brand and they have high hopes of one day transforming Nairobi into the running apparel capital of the world.
"There are a lot of Kenyan athletes and you always see them wearing Nike and Adidas and not something from their own country," said Hussein Kurji, who designs the clothing and heads up the Kenyan operation of Kourage Athletics.
"We do have quite a good track record when it comes to running, so why not match that with an equally big clothing brand," he added.
Kourage says it creates running apparel that's 'designed, manufactured and managed in Kenya by Kenyans.'
The name of the brand forms the backbone of the company's ethos.
"Kourage is all about having the courage to do new things, try new things, be brave and go out and do what you would not normally do," Kurji said.
The brand officially launched in July producing just over 1,000 t-shirts. While initial orders are still low the team plans to eventually make everything from running shorts to hooded sweatshirts once they have more capital.
But they are quick to point out that they're not just selling apparel.
"Our shirts are beautiful. We use the softest fabric available; employ a modern fit and fantastic graphics, but what sets us apart are our ideals," said Chris Markl, the brains behind Kourage.
"By purchasing a Kourage shirt one is investing in Kenya's future. A future that is built upon business and international trade not foreign aid," he continued.
Africa growth vision
Florida-based economics professor and running enthusiast, Markl spent years getting Kourage off the ground. He even rode 1,800 miles on his bike from Canada to Mexico to raise the initial start-up funds.
Markl first became interested in the idea of producing an ethical clothing line when he was researching textiles factories in Honduras as part of his Ph.D.
"I always wondered why 'ethical' clothing lines were so focused on concentrating operations in America or Europe. There are incredible designers and entrepreneurs in impoverished countries," he said.
"To create real economic development, an apparel company needs to create as many economic linkages in a poor country as possible," he continued.
Kenya's 'silent crisis'
The Kourage team pride themselves on being one of the most ethical athletic apparel company in the world, according to Markl.
The clothes are produced by Viva Africa, a Kenyan-owned and operated factory, employing around 200 people, mostly women. The factory makes everything from police uniforms to high-end fashion.
However, the most important thing Markl says is that working conditions are fair and the employees are happy.
But the small team, who all hold down a variety of other day jobs, dream of one day opening up their own factory and headquarters in Nairobi.
While Kourage haven't approached any athletes yet, they hope that in 10 to 20 years Kenyan runners in the Olympics and other major sporting events will be wearing their brand.
They also have plans to approach smaller youth organizations in the country who have a focus on sports.
The group says there aren't many Kenya-based fashion outlets and that most clothing comes from South Africa.
Kourage hopes their industry model could help change the face of business in Kenya by inspiring the younger generation.
"It shows that you don't have to go to India or China to be successful. This could help boost the economy and generate income and jobs," Kurji said.
"We hope the entrepreneurship spirit of Kourage will show other young talent that if you have the courage and you persevere you can achieve what you want to." | [
"when did The brand officially launched ?",
"What do Kourage say?",
"What do they pride themselves on?",
"What do Kourage pride themselves on?",
"When did the branch launch?",
"When was the brand launched?",
"What do the brand hope to do?"
] | [
[
"July"
],
[
"it creates running apparel that's 'designed, manufactured and managed in Kenya by Kenyans.'"
],
[
"being one of the most ethical athletic apparel company in the world,"
],
[
"being one of the most ethical athletic apparel company in the world,"
],
[
"July"
],
[
"July"
],
[
"transforming Nairobi into the running apparel capital of the world."
]
] | Kourage athletics say they're Kenya's first athletic brand made and designed in the country .
The brand officially launched in July and hopes to one day dress Olympic runners .
The Kourage team pride themselves on being the most ethical athletic apparel company .
The brand hopes to inspire other young entrepreneurs to follow their dreams . |
(CNN) -- Kevin Pearce One of the country's top snowboarders, who was considered a favorite to make the U.S. Olympic team, was in critical but stable condition Sunday after an accident while training last week at Park City, Utah.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the 22-year-old from Norwich, Vermont, was wearing a helmet while attempting a twisting double back flip on an icy halfpipe. Pearce hit his head, was knocked unconscious and was then airlifted to the University of Utah hospital for surgery. He sustained severe traumatic brain injury, one of his doctors said in a statement. Pearce, a beloved athlete, was one of the few snowboarders who experts thought could challenge top contender Shaun White, who has won almost every top snowboarding medal.
Los Angeles Times: Snowboarder in critical condition
Adrian Smith One of the world's most widely recognized architects is one of the principal designers of the world's tallest tower, the Burj Dubai, which opens today in the emirate of Dubai. The 160-plus-story structure has already been hailed as a monumental architectural achievement but is seen by some as a symbol of the city's unbridled excess. The majestic silvery construction houses a luxury hotel, apartments and offices. Six years in the making, the Burj Dubai reaches 818 meters, or half a mile, into the sky above Dubai, with dizzying views of the ambitious building program that has transformed the emirate and left it swamped by debt.
Smith worked for four decades at the structure's architecture firm, Chicago, Illinois-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which called the Burj "a bold global icon that will serve as a model for future urban centers." Declaring that "tall buildings are back," the company predicts that the groundbreaking techniques it used to push the Burj to new heights should enable the construction of even taller towers in the future.
CNN: Debt-hit Dubai opens world's tallest tower
Kurt Westergaard The Danish political cartoonist was threatened by a Somali man wielding an ax and knife. According to Westergaard, the man tried to enter the house by breaking through a glass door Friday night. Westergaard took his 5-year-old granddaughter into a specially built "panic room" when he realized what was happening, Chief Superintendent Ole Madsen said. Police said a home alarm alerted them to the scene in the city of Aarhus, and they were attacked by the suspect when they responded. Police shot the suspect and he was taken into custody. Westergaard, who has been threatened for drawing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2005, is ordinarily accompanied by bodyguards, but there were no guards at the house when the break-in occurred.
The New York Times quoted a Danish newspaper report that Denmark's security and intelligence agency knew that the accused Somali man was held in Kenya in September for allegedly helping to plot an attack against Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who visited Kenya in August. The man was released earlier this fall by Kenyan authorities due to lack of evidence, the newspaper Politiken reported. Denmark's ambassador to Kenya told the news agency Ritzau, however, that the Somali man was arrested in Kenya for incomplete travel documents, adding that Kenyan authorities never told the embassy that he was a suspect in a terror plot.
CNN: Cartoonist hid in 'panic room' during attack
Annise Parker Houston's first openly gay mayor will be sworn in today. Parker's election last month also makes her the second woman to become mayor of Houston. Other cities such as Providence, Rhode Island, and Portland, Oregon, have picked openly gay mayors. Houston is the fourth-largest U.S. city.
Parker's victory is also remarkable because a few years ago, Houston rejected a referendum to offer benefits to same-sex partners of city workers. Also, the city sits in a state where gay marriage is against the law. Parker, 53, has never shied away from, nor made an issue of, her sexual orientation. She has been with her partner for 19 years and they have two adopted children.
CNN: Houston elects first openly gay mayor
What makes a person intriguing | [
"Where is the tallest tower in the world?",
"Where is the world's tallest tower?",
"When were injured top U.S. snowboard?",
"Which fourth-largest U.S. has openly gay mayor?",
"Who is openly gay?",
"Where is the world's tallest tower opening?",
"What is the fourth-largest city in the U.S.?",
"When was the snowboarder injured?",
"What is the name of the top U.S. snowboarder?"
] | [
[
"of Dubai."
],
[
"Burj Dubai,"
],
[
"Sunday"
],
[
"Annise Parker"
],
[
"Annise Parker"
],
[
"of Dubai."
],
[
"Houston"
],
[
"Sunday"
],
[
"Shaun White,"
]
] | Top U.S. snowboarder injured during training .
World's tallest tower opens in Dubai .
Fourth-largest U.S. city swears in its first openly gay mayor . |
(CNN) -- Key West's historic Duval Street reopened Monday morning after a fire swept through a building housing three well-known businesses and temporarily shut down other popular spots on the island city's main street. A fire broke out late Sunday night on Duval Street in Key West. The fire, which started at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday and was contained by 1 a.m. Monday, wiped out a crepe shop, an art gallery and a sign shop. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, city spokeswoman Alyson Crean said. The fire department was working Monday to determine the cause of the blaze, Crean said. Singer Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville restaurant and store was one of the businesses initially shut down, halting late-night festivities at the popular watering hole in mid-pour. "I was hoping to go back in, finish off my shift and clean up, but they wouldn't let us back in," said waitress Patricija Hambrook. "It became bigger than we thought. "We couldn't close out checks, and the drinks we made were never served." Margaritaville's restaurant reopened Monday afternoon, and its adjacent retail store reopened a few hours later, the fire department said. In addition to protecting Margaritaville, firefighters kept flames away from the historic San Carlos theater, although the facility's administrator said that a large broken out window and about 2 inches of water on the floor of the lobby would keep it closed for a few days. Alex Pascual said he anticipated the theater would reopen by Thursday, in time for a concert scheduled for that evening. The San Carlos was founded in 1871 and was the site of Cuban patriot Jose Marti's 1892 speech launching his drive for Cuban independence. Fire officials initially shut down Duval Street to vehicular traffic but allowed pedestrians to stroll the sidewalks. Traffic restrictions prompted some business owners to be concerned about their livelihoods, at least for the short term. Robert Porter, assistant manager of Crazy Shirts, was concerned early Monday "because there aren't any cars driving through." But Banana Republic general manager Darren Paugh said the foot traffic and onlookers curious to see the aftermath of the fire "should increase business for the day." Plus, he said, three cruise ships were in port Monday morning. And Crean indicated life for tourists won't stop in Key West because of the fire. "We have a lot of spring breakers on vacation and bikers coming from Bike Week in Daytona," Crean said. All the concern proved unfounded when officials reopened Duval Street at about 10 a.m. Monday morning. For the owners of the three businesses that took the brunt of the fire, however, it will be some time before it's business as usual. "It's a big loss for us. And we worked so hard, it's not fair," said La Creperie Cafe owner Yolande Findlay in a story published on the Keynoter newspaper's Web site Monday. Findlay, according to the paper's Web site, opened the popular crepe shop with her partner, Sylvie Lenouail, six years ago. Both are from Brittany, France. The American Royal Art gallery, which specialized in entertainment art, and the sign shop Montage were destroyed in the fire. | [
"What day were several businesses damaged?",
"What was damaged late Sunday night?",
"What caused damage to several businesses?",
"What initially opened to only pedestrians?",
"Where is Duval Street?",
"What was initially open just to pedestrians?",
"What opened only to pedestrians?",
"Who is working to determine the cause of the blaze?"
] | [
[
"Sunday"
],
[
"a crepe shop, an art gallery and a sign shop."
],
[
"fire"
],
[
"Duval Street"
],
[
"in Key West."
],
[
"Duval Street"
],
[
"Duval Street"
],
[
"fire department"
]
] | Historic Duval Street initially opened only to pedestrians .
Several businesses damaged late Sunday night .
The fire department is working to determine the cause of the blaze . |
(CNN) -- Key structural changes have been identified in the brain images of some patients with mild cognitive impairment which could help determine who's at greatest risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, studied MRI scans of 84 patients with Alzheimer's disease, 175 patients with mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, and 139 images of healthy brains.
"Our initial goal was to locate similarities in the patients with Alzheimer's disease to those with MCI, in the hopes of finding a method to predict [MCI patients'] likelihood of developing the disease," said lead study author Linda McEvoy, assistant project scientist at UCSD's department of radiology.
Neuroimaging results for the patients with Alzheimer's disease were as expected, according to the study, which was published online in the journal Radiology. Atrophy, which is loss of brain tissue, was visible throughout the brain. The temporal and parietal lobes, which affect cognitive function, saw the most damage.
What surprised researchers were the differences in images from the MCI patients. More than 50 percent of the brains in the MCI group showed atrophy similar to the Alzheimer's disease patients. The other half of the MCI patients showed only small amounts of tissue damage. Watch Dr. Gupta explain the findings »
"Although the symptoms for the entire MCI group were primarily memory problems, other parts of the brain were impacted in over half the group," McEvoy said. "And even though these patients [with Alzheimer's-like atrophy] don't have problems with their cognitive function now, their MCI will likely develop to that in the future."
Researchers also evaluated the brains of the MCI group one year after initial testing. They found that patients who earlier had mild cognitive impairment plus signs of atrophy were getting worse. Twenty-nine percent of the group had since been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and the others had begun to show signs of more serious cognitive decline.
The condition of patients in the MCI group whose scans showed minimal signs of atrophy the previous year remained about the same. "Only 8 percent of this group had developed Alzheimer's disease. The rest of the patients were stable and their symptoms had not increased," McEvoy said.
Bill Thies, chief medical and scientific officer for the Alzheimer's Association, underscored the significance of these findings. "What this study really shows is how different people with MCI can be, despite having similar symptoms. We can now use this information to create new treatments," he said.
There are several drugs on the market that treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but none that prevent its progression.
Clinical trials may be able to use this data to select a better pool of candidates when testing new drugs. "If they use a MCI patient with loss of brain tissue, someone who we now know is progressing fast towards Alzheimer's disease, we'd be able to quickly figure out if drug 'X' is slowing things down or not helping at all," Thies added.
In addition, researchers hope that within the next few years patients could regularly be tested by their physicians to determine their risk of developing Alzheimer's. "If nothing else it would be good information for their family members to have early on, to be better prepared for the future." McEvoy said.
Over 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and an estimated three and a half million have mild cognitive impairment. | [
"What changes were seen in scans?",
"When can they be done?"
] | [
[
"structural"
],
[
"one year after initial testing."
]
] | Key structural changes seen in brain scans of some patients with memory loss .
One year later, many patients with brain changes had developed Alzheimer's .
Memory-loss patients without these changes were mostly stable one year later .
Brain scans could identify who gets Alzheimer's, help with drug testing . |
(CNN) -- Key structural changes have been identified in the brain images of some patients with mild cognitive impairment which could help determine who's at greatest risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, studied MRI scans of 84 patients with Alzheimer's disease, 175 patients with mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, and 139 images of healthy brains. "Our initial goal was to locate similarities in the patients with Alzheimer's disease to those with MCI, in the hopes of finding a method to predict [MCI patients'] likelihood of developing the disease," said lead study author Linda McEvoy, assistant project scientist at UCSD's department of radiology. Neuroimaging results for the patients with Alzheimer's disease were as expected, according to the study, which was published online in the journal Radiology. Atrophy, which is loss of brain tissue, was visible throughout the brain. The temporal and parietal lobes, which affect cognitive function, saw the most damage. What surprised researchers were the differences in images from the MCI patients. More than 50 percent of the brains in the MCI group showed atrophy similar to the Alzheimer's disease patients. The other half of the MCI patients showed only small amounts of tissue damage. Watch Dr. Gupta explain the findings » "Although the symptoms for the entire MCI group were primarily memory problems, other parts of the brain were impacted in over half the group," McEvoy said. "And even though these patients [with Alzheimer's-like atrophy] don't have problems with their cognitive function now, their MCI will likely develop to that in the future." Researchers also evaluated the brains of the MCI group one year after initial testing. They found that patients who earlier had mild cognitive impairment plus signs of atrophy were getting worse. Twenty-nine percent of the group had since been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and the others had begun to show signs of more serious cognitive decline. The condition of patients in the MCI group whose scans showed minimal signs of atrophy the previous year remained about the same. "Only 8 percent of this group had developed Alzheimer's disease. The rest of the patients were stable and their symptoms had not increased," McEvoy said. Bill Thies, chief medical and scientific officer for the Alzheimer's Association, underscored the significance of these findings. "What this study really shows is how different people with MCI can be, despite having similar symptoms. We can now use this information to create new treatments," he said. There are several drugs on the market that treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but none that prevent its progression. Clinical trials may be able to use this data to select a better pool of candidates when testing new drugs. "If they use a MCI patient with loss of brain tissue, someone who we now know is progressing fast towards Alzheimer's disease, we'd be able to quickly figure out if drug 'X' is slowing things down or not helping at all," Thies added. In addition, researchers hope that within the next few years patients could regularly be tested by their physicians to determine their risk of developing Alzheimer's. "If nothing else it would be good information for their family members to have early on, to be better prepared for the future." McEvoy said. Over 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and an estimated three and a half million have mild cognitive impairment. | [
"What mental condition is being discussed here?",
"What could brain scans do?",
"What is seen in brain scans?",
"Where have key structural changes been found in those with memory loss?",
"What could identify who gets Alzheimer's?",
"How long does it take for many patients with brain changes to develop Alzheimer's?",
"What did many patients have one year later?",
"What kind of scan could identify those who will get Alzheimers?"
] | [
[
"Alzheimer's disease."
],
[
"help determine who's at greatest risk for developing Alzheimer's disease."
],
[
"structural changes"
],
[
"in the brain images of some patients"
],
[
"brain images"
],
[
"one year after"
],
[
"mild cognitive impairment plus signs of atrophy were getting worse."
],
[
"MRI"
]
] | Key structural changes seen in brain scans of some patients with memory loss .
One year later, many patients with brain changes had developed Alzheimer's .
Memory-loss patients without these changes were mostly stable one year later .
Brain scans could identify who gets Alzheimer's, help with drug testing . |
(CNN) -- Khaled Abdel Nasser, son of late Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser and a key figure during a 1980s Egyptian revolt, is dead, a spokesman for the Egyptian general prosecutor said Sunday. He was 62.
Nasser was battling liver disease and went into a coma two weeks before his death on September 15, said Adel Saeed, the prosecutor's spokesman.
He was accused of organizing a revolt against Egypt's peace treaty with Israel, signed in 1979, and also grabbed headlines after being tried in connection with the deaths of two Israeli diplomats in Egypt. He was eventually acquitted.
The late president's eldest son was an engineering professor at Cairo University and had lived in Yugoslavia.
Nasser was married to Dalia Fahmy, the sister of former oil minister Sameh Fahmy, who is currently facing trial for alleged corruption involving the exportation of gas to Israel. | [
"What was he accused of",
"What was he tried and acquitted of",
"What was he acquitted of",
"Who was Khaled Abdel Nasser the son of",
"Who is the oldest son of the president",
"Who was tried and acquitted",
"What was he accused of doing?",
"Who was the oldest son of President Gamal Abdel Nasser?",
"When was the revolt in egypt"
] | [
[
"organizing a revolt against Egypt's peace treaty with Israel,"
],
[
"deaths of two Israeli diplomats"
],
[
"the deaths of two Israeli diplomats in Egypt."
],
[
"Egyptian president Gamal"
],
[
"Abdel Nasser,"
],
[
"Abdel Nasser,"
],
[
"organizing a revolt against Egypt's peace treaty with Israel,"
],
[
"Khaled"
],
[
"1980s"
]
] | Khaled Abdel Nasser was the oldest son of President Gamal Abdel Nasser .
He was accused of organizing a revolt in Egypt in the 1980s .
He tried and acquitted in connection with the deaths of two Israeli diplomats in Egypt . |
(CNN) -- Khloe Kardashian and her new husband, basketball player Lamar Odom, have found themselves a newlywed love nest. Kardashian, star of the E! network's reality show "Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami" and Odom, a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, have purchased a seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom mansion in Tarzana, California, for nearly $4 million. The pair, who married after a two-month-long courtship, have been looking for a place to call their own since their September 27 wedding. Finding a home was one of the stipulations Kardashian, 25, wanted met before the couple started thinking about growing a family. "I would be over the moon if I was having a baby, but right now, our focus is on finding a house. They say it's a buyers' market, but no one is selling, and I think it would be very stressful to have a baby in a condo downtown," Kardashian told CNN earlier this month. When asked by talk show host Chelsea Handler earlier this month if Khloe is pregnant yet, Odom, 30, responded, "Soon." And when Handler pushed and asked, "You planning on having a baby soon? You want to do that right away?" Odom responded, "I do." Kardashian was even more candid with CNN, saying, "We are not planning to have a baby, but we're not doing anything to not have a baby right now." | [
"Who hs purchased a home?",
"how many bedrooms and bathrooms are in the mansion?",
"How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have?",
"what's the name of the famous people who purchases a home?",
"The mansion cost nearly how much?",
"how much did the mansion cost?"
] | [
[
"Kardashian and her new husband, basketball player Lamar Odom, have found themselves a"
],
[
"seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom"
],
[
"seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom"
],
[
"Lamar Odom,"
],
[
"$4 million."
],
[
"nearly $4 million."
]
] | Khloe Kardashian and husband Lamar Odom have purchased a home .
The seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom mansion cost nearly $4 million .
Finding a home was one of the stipulations Kardashian had before starting a family . |
(CNN) -- Kids dig in the sand at the beach all the time, but the fun nearly turned fatal for an 11-year-old Pennsylvania boy this week. The 11-year-old was given CPR and revived before being taken to a local hospital. The boy was digging a tunnel with friends on a beach in Ocean City, Maryland, on Tuesday when part of it collapsed on top of him, authorities said. Lifeguards rushed to pull him out, but it first appeared that they were too late. The boy was not breathing, and he had no pulse, Beach Patrol Capt. Butch Arbin told CNN on Wednesday. But rescue crews revived the boy by performing CPR, said Arbin, who was at the scene. There was a lot of emotion on the beach when the boy's pulse came back, he said. "He basically went from dead to life," Arbin said, adding that the boy's mother called the rescue a "miracle." As he was being rolled into an ambulance on a stretcher, the boy -- perhaps not realizing the trauma he had just survived -- complained to his mother that he had sand in his eyes, Arbin said. The child, whose family did not want to be identified, was initially taken to Atlantic General Hospital and later flown to the A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Delaware, he said. He's recovering there and probably will be released later Wednesday, Arbin said. | [
"What did the Beach Patrol captain say?",
"Lifeguards rushed to help; boy had no pulse and?",
"Beach Patrol captain: He basically went from?",
"What happened to boy?",
"Where was the boy digging the tunnel?",
"Boy, 11, was digging a tunnel with?",
"Where is Ocean City?",
"When is the boy expected to be released?",
"When is the boy expected to be released?",
"Who was digging a tunnel?",
"where was that accident",
"Who rushed to help?",
"Where is the boy recovering?",
"What was the boy digging?"
] | [
[
"The boy was not breathing, and he had no pulse,"
],
[
"was not breathing,"
],
[
"dead to life,\""
],
[
"was digging a tunnel with friends on a beach in Ocean City, Maryland, on Tuesday when part of it collapsed on top of him, authorities said."
],
[
"on a beach in Ocean City, Maryland,"
],
[
"friends"
],
[
"Maryland,"
],
[
"later Wednesday,"
],
[
"Wednesday,"
],
[
"11-year-old"
],
[
"beach in Ocean City, Maryland,"
],
[
"Lifeguards"
],
[
"A.I. DuPont Hospital"
],
[
"a tunnel"
]
] | Boy, 11, was digging a tunnel with friends on a beach in Ocean City, Maryland .
Lifeguards rushed to help; boy had no pulse and wasn't breathing .
Beach Patrol captain: "He basically went from dead to life"
Boy recovering in hospital, expected to be released later Wednesday . |
(CNN) -- Kim Clijsters continued her successful return to tennis by demolishing American third seed Venus Williams in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Saturday.
The Belgian, a former world No. 1 but seeded 14th for this event following her two-year absence from the women's circuit, will move up to 10th in the rankings next week following her one-sided 6-2 6-1 triumph at Key Biscayne.
Williams had been hoping for a fourth title at the event, having won her last two tournaments, but was well below par as Clijsters added to her 2005 victory in Miami in just 58 minutes.
The 26-year-old claimed her third title since making her comeback last year after giving birth to baby daughter Jada, who was watching her mum from the stands again on Saturday.
The 2009 U.S. Open champion notched up her 37th triumph in WTA Tour events, 28 of those now on hardcourt surfaces.
She passed $17 million in career earnings after taking home the $700,000 first prize -- which is almost $100,000 more than the winner of Sunday's men's final between Andy Roddick and Tomas Berdych will receive.
Clijsters, who defeated fellow comeback queen Justine Henin in an epic semifinal on Friday, broke Williams to love to seal the title.
"It took a lot of hard work to get back into shape and I have a few people to thank, including my fitness coach and husband," Clijsters said on-court after the match.
"It feels really good to be back here, having won the title in 2005. It's always nice to come back to a place you have done well before, and to such a beautiful stadium."
Williams, cheered on by injured younger sister and current No. 1 Serena, made 29 unforced errors to Clijsters' 12 as she struggled to continue her recent good run of form.
"Sometimes when you hit a few bad shots it's not as easy to reel it in, and things start to go a little bit quicker," said Williams, who will rise to fourth in the rankings.
"Obviously against a player like Kim, if you make too many errors, the match can go quickly. I mean, I think she hit eight winners, so it wasn't that she played extremely solid -- it's not like I was blown off the court. Unfortunately I was my own worst enemy today." | [
"What did 26 year old return from doing?",
"How long did the final last and what was the score",
"What did Belgian defeat American in?",
"Who did Kim demolish?",
"who beat williams",
"what was the score",
"How many titles has the winner of the tournament collected on the tour",
"Which player did Venue Williams lose to in the Miami final",
"who had a baby"
] | [
[
"after giving birth to baby daughter Jada,"
],
[
"6-2 6-1"
],
[
"final of the Sony Ericsson Open"
],
[
"Venus Williams"
],
[
"Kim"
],
[
"6-2 6-1"
],
[
"third"
],
[
"Kim"
],
[
"Kim"
]
] | Kim Clijsters demolishes Venus Williams in final of Sony Ericsson Open in Miami .
Belgian beats American third seed 6-2 6-1 in only 58 minutes for 37th career title .
It was the 26-year-old's third triumph since returning last year after having a baby .
Williams had been seeking fourth Miami title but suffered first loss in three tournaments . |
(CNN) -- Kim Clijsters defeated fellow comeback queen Justine Henin in the final of the Brisbane International on Saturday, saving two match-points and wasting three as she won an epic clash. Henin, playing her first tournament since May 2008, fought back from a set and 4-1 down against her fellow Belgian before losing 6-3 4-6 7-6 (8-6) in almost two and a half hours. However, Henin sustained an injury to her left leg and later confirmed on her Web site that she will miss next week's Sydney Invitational, where she faced a possible second-round clash with Serena Williams, in order to recover in time for the decade's first Grand Slam event, the Australian Open. Clijsters, who made history in September as the first unseeded player to win the U.S. Open in her third event back on the WTA Tour following her own short-lived retirement, took control as she won eight straight games. But fellow former world No. 1 Henin dug deep to level the match and then take a 3-0 lead in the deciding set. The 26-year-old Clijsters battled back to tie it up at 3-3, and then both players squandered potentially match-winning break opportunities to ensure a tie-break. Clijsters raced to a 5-1 lead, helped by her first ace of the match -- coming off a second serve -- but then missed three match-point chances at 6-3. Henin again fought back to level at 6-6 but then her 11th double-fault gave Clijsters the chance to finally close out for victory, her 11th in 23 meeting between the two players. Clijsters clinched her 36th WTA Tour title, leaving Henin stuck on 41. "What a match!" Clijsters said. "I think we set the bar pretty high for ourselves for the rest of the year. Justine played at a really high level for the whole tournament, so congratulations." Meanwhile, top seed Andy Roddick will play defending champion Radek Stepanek in Sunday's men's final at the Pat Rafter Arena. Roddick came from behind to beat Stepanek's fellow Czech Tomas Berdych in the semifinals on Saturday, with the American winning 1-6 6-3 6-4 despite being broken for the first time in the tournament in his opening service game. Second seed Stepanek won 6-2 6-1 against Frenchman Gael Monfils, who was struggling with a shoulder problem. The world No. 13 told the tournament's Web site that he was unsure if he would take part in next week's Sydney International. In New Zealand, third seed Yanina Wickmayer shrugged off her difficult end to 2009 by winning the ASB Classic in Auckland on Saturday. The 20-year-old Belgian, who won her appeal against a one-year ban for failing to report her whereabouts for doping tests, defeated top seed Flavia Pennetta 6-3 6-2 to clinch her third WTA Tour title. | [
"What does Kim beat?",
"What were the scores in this game?",
"Who beat Justine Henin in the final of the Brisbane International?",
"Who is defending the championship?",
"Who has suffered a leg injury?"
] | [
[
"Justine Henin"
],
[
"6-3 4-6 7-6 (8-6)"
],
[
"Kim"
],
[
"Andy Roddick"
],
[
"Justine Henin"
]
] | Kim Clijsters beats fellow comeback queen Justine Henin in final of Brisbane International .
Clijsters wins 6-3 4-6 7-6 (8-6), saving two match-points and wasting three .
Former world No. 1 Henin suffers a leg injury and will miss next week's Sydney event .
Top seed Andy Roddick faces defending champion Radek Stepanek in men's final . |
(CNN) -- Kim Jong Il was a source of misery for North Korea's impoverished people and of fear for a world wary of his belligerent rhetoric -- but as an enduringly bizarre presence on the global stage, he was also an unexpected source of entertainment.
While the reputedly ruthless leader was revered by a population weaned on propaganda, outside the hermetic Asian country what were seen as grandiose attempts at myth-making were seized on by popular culture.
Online, Kim's death generated Twitter trends that referenced the movies or shows that caricatured him as a villainous clown trapped in the bathos of his own cruel isolation.
Kim did little to help his own international image. His eccentric appearances sporting bouffant hair, over-sized sunglasses and a succession of drab boiler suits were frequently viewed as comical counterpoints to the rights abuses of his regime.
Meanwhile, as his country's nuclear activities sparked diplomatic tensions, his media mouthpieces -- such as the Korean Central News Agency -- created their own unintentional humor as they swung wildly between angry invective and surreal flatteries of their "Dear Leader."
Kim's defining moment in recent popular culture appears to have been his portrayal in the 2004 film "Team America: World Police," a satire on U.S. President George W. Bush's foreign policy.
The film's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone paint the dictator as a foul-mouthed but misunderstood Bond villain whose plans for global chaos are constantly frustrated by incompetent underlings or bothersome international officials.
In the hours after his death, "Team America" references were trending on Twitter, particularly "Hans Brix," a nod to puppet Kim's mispronunciation of Hans Blix, a real-life U.N. weapons inspector who, in the film, is fed to Kim's man-eating sharks.
Another key "Team America" moment, when Kim ruefully bemoans his isolation in an opulent palace by singing about how he is lonely -- or "ronrey" -- was also being heavily referenced on social media.
Parker and Stone were no strangers to Kim-based satire. Their "South Park" cartoon series cast him as part of a villainous gang that included Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden and, incongruously, magician David Blaine.
In an appearance on media satire "30 Rock," comedian Margaret Cho played Kim as a North Korean weatherman, delivering the disingenuously upbeat forecast: "North Korea, everything sunny all the time always, good time, beach party."
Fellow comic Bobby Lee plays the dictator as host of the "Kim Jong Il Show" on MADtv, shooting dead audience members who fail to cheer and delivering punchlines such as: "Don't cry because I kill your wife and enslave your children."
Post-death, there was renewed interest in websites that have sought to highlight the strange picture of North Korea created by its propaganda machine.
"Kim Jong-Il Looking at Things," is an online gallery of photographs showing the dictator staring at banal objects. The images draw unintentional bleak humor from their repeated and blatant misrepresentation of life under a dictatorship.
Among recent entries, Kim can be seen looking at a pink sweater, pointing at a persimmon tree in full fruit, glumly inspecting a statuette of knights on horseback and grinning at a supermarket shelf packed with sausages.
Another website has trawled news bulletins on the official Korean Central News Agency to create a "random insult generator" that neatly encapsulates the peculiar version of the English language favored by Kim's regime.
As regular KCNA watchers can confirm, typical generator exhortations such as "You bourgeois stooge," and "You reckless human scum, you will be dealt a thousandfold retaliatory blow!" are eerily close to the real thing. | [
"what film features a puppet kim",
"what inspired comedians in north korea",
"What country does Kim Jong II rule?"
] | [
[
"\"Team America: World Police,\""
],
[
"Jong Il"
],
[
"North Korea's"
]
] | Kim Jong Il leaves behind an unlikely legacy in popular culture .
North Korean grandiose portrayal of its leader inspired comedians .
Twitter trends reference "Team America," a film that featured a puppet Kim . |
(CNN) -- Kim Jong Un, successor to his father's dictatorship over North Korea, will have to find ways to balance political factions and generate revenue -- or he may not remain in power for long, analysts said Tuesday.
Shrouded in mystery and believed to be only in his late 20s, Kim marks the third generation in his family to officially reign over the so-called Hermit Kingdom.
"It's unprecedented in modern times," said John Park, an expert on the region with the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
A popular expression, Park said, summarizes one central reason that third-generation dynasties don't occur. "The first generation makes the wealth; the second generation manages the wealth; the third generation squanders the wealth," he said.
Kim Jong Il inherited power from his father, a military leader who built a new North Korean economy. Kim Jong Il maintained a fierce grip, partly through building his country's nuclear arsenal.
It is unknown whether Kim Jong Un has the skills, knowledge or training to lead his country through the next era.
North Korea does not function as a "normal nation state" through imports, exports and taxes, Park said. "Kim Jong Il ran a system that was based on competition among senior officials" who controlled economic institutions such as trading companies.
"The way to view Kim Jong Un is almost as a CEO of North Korea Inc.," Park said. "He either makes money on a recurring basis or he's out. The fact that he's the youngest son won't matter if he can't produce the cash."
Christian Caryl, an editor of foreignpolicy.com, said the younger Kim's lack of experience does not bode well.
"I personally put the odds fairly low" that he will succeed in power, he said.
North Koreans "know much more about the world than they did" when Kim Jong Il came to power, said Caryl, who last visited a few years ago. "They've watched DVDs of South Korean soap operas. People know about China -- and China is light years ahead of North Korea."
"You can no longer expect people to believe in the Kim name the way they used to," he said.
The government still deprives its citizens of basic rights and freedoms, and there is little risk of any popular protest against a leader, Park said. If something were to end Kim Jong Un's time in power, it would be battling forces within the North Korean power structure.
"There are different factions and interest groups," Caryl said. "I wouldn't say organized power blocs, but groups that have big business interests now because they've also been trading with China."
"These things begin to get complicated very quickly" for a new leader at the helm, Caryl said.
Jayshree Bajoria of the Council on Foreign Relations writes that "even with a successor, North Korean observers have for some time feared a behind-the-scenes power struggle or nuclear instability after Kim Jong-Il's death." Still, "some experts doubt that Kim's death will lead to chaos," Bajoria writes, noting that the country has shown resilience in the past.
In the region, analysts and government leaders are looking at early indications in an effort to read the tea leaves.
"Over the span of some 50 hours, North Korea was very effectively able to conceal the death of Kim Jong Il, successfully make the announcement of his death. Seeing that it has gone smoothly so far without any bumps, we can relatively carefully speculate that the leadership is relatively well-grounded," South Korean intelligence committee chairman Kwon Young-se said Tuesday in an interview with CNN.
"But at the same time, Kim Jong Un is still very young and has only gone through a short period of time for grooming as an heir. Also, Kim Jong Il died all of a sudden without having been able to fully accelerate the process of the succession. Depending on the | [
"What could end the younger Kim's reign?",
"What can Kim Jong Un be veiwed as",
"What has not happened in modern times?",
"Who can be viewed \"almost as a CEO of North Korea Inc.\"?",
"What will end the younder kim's reign"
] | [
[
"lack of experience"
],
[
"almost as a CEO of North Korea Inc.,\""
],
[
"third-generation dynasties"
],
[
"Kim Jong Un"
],
[
"lack of experience"
]
] | A third-generation dynasty has not happened in modern times, analysts say .
Kim Jong Un can be viewed "almost as a CEO of North Korea Inc.," an analyst says .
Different factions and interest groups could end the younger Kim's reign, an analyst says .
S. Korean official: A "relatively well-grounded" government seems to be in place . |
(CNN) -- Kimberley Locke knows a thing or two about singing competitions. "American Idol" finalist Kimberley Locke is the new co-host of "Gospel Dream." Having placed third during season two of "American Idol" -- just behind winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken -- the singer is back in reality show action as the new co-host of "Gospel Dream." The Gospel Music Channel's talent search is going into its fourth season, and Locke joins fellow host Mike Kasem (son of Casey Kasem) and the judges -- gospel artist J. Moss, Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams and industry executive Mitchell Solarek -- on the show. Locke has worked steadily since she first burst onto the "Idol" scene in 2003. She has modeled, served as a spokesperson for plus-sized clothier Lane Bryant and Jenny Craig and appeared on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club." All the while, she has continued to pursue her music. Her "8th World Wonder" was a big hit, making the Top 10 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary charts. She's had three dance chart No. 1s. Locke recently spoke with CNN about the "Gospel Dream," life after "American Idol" and the one reality show she really wants to appear on next. CNN: How did you get involved with "Gospel Dream?" Kimberley Locke: Funny enough, I've been wanting to do more hosting, and I had been talking to my manager about it. They contacted me out of the blue, and I was like "Oh, I put it out to the universe, and here it is." CNN: Are you a gospel music fan? Locke: I am a gospel music fan. Of course I grew up in the church singing gospel music. I don't listen to as much as I used to, but I used to sing in a girl a cappella group and that's how we started, performing in church. CNN: Why do you think so many performers in the music industry come out of the church? Locke: I think a lot of people become stars in their church. ... The church environment is so supportive. When you are first starting out and learning how to sing in front of an audience, that's the kind of audience you want to be in front of. Even if you mess up and you sound horrible, they kind of let you stand there and collect yourself while the pianist keeps playing. Then they plow through it with you. That's a part of the business, a professionalism that really comes in handy when you get to this level. CNN: You've had some experiences with singing competitions. How is "Gospel Dream" different? Locke: It's different in that the contestants are very focused on where they want to be and the type of music they want to sing. When you are on "Idol," you are forced to fit into all of these different genres you may or may not want to do and you may or may not even be familiar with them. The "Gospel Dream" contestants' direction is really clear and defined, so they are picking songs that really speak to them on a personal level. Watch Locke talk about the show » CNN: How has life been for you post-"Idol?" Locke: Life has been great post-"Idol." So many opportunities, so many things I would have never imagined. Things that I didn't even associate with singing, like modeling, hosting, being a spokesperson, owning a restaurant. It just opened so many doors. CNN: You were a plus-sized model and spokesperson for Lane Bryant, but now you are way too small to do that. Locke: That really opened me up to bond with my fans. I tell people I'm still a big girl at heart. CNN: When is your next album coming out? Locke: I just started working on the next album. We are in the very | [
"Who finished third in season 2 of American Idol?",
"Who is a co-host on Gospel Dream?",
"Who is Kimberley Locke?",
"What has Locke worked as since appearing on Idol?",
"What place did Locke finish on American Idol?",
"Who is cohosting Gospel Dream?",
"Singer Kimberley Locke was a spokesperson for what show?",
"Who is the singer?",
"What is the show?",
"What show is Locke co-hosting?",
"Who finished first during season two of \"American Idol\"?",
"What place did Locke finish in?",
"On what date did the fourth season of the talent competition \"Gospel Dream\" begin?"
] | [
[
"Kimberley Locke"
],
[
"Kimberley Locke"
],
[
"\"American Idol\" finalist"
],
[
"new co-host of \"Gospel Dream.\""
],
[
"third"
],
[
"Kimberley Locke"
],
[
"\"Gospel Dream.\""
],
[
"Locke"
],
[
"\"Gospel Dream.\""
],
[
"\"Gospel Dream.\""
],
[
"Ruben Studdard"
],
[
"placed third"
],
[
"2003."
]
] | Singer Kimberley Locke finished third during season two of "American Idol"
She is co-hosting the fourth season of the talent competition "Gospel Dream"
Locke has worked steadily since "Idol" as a spokesperson, host and performer .
She says she'd like to appear on "Dancing With the Stars" |
(CNN) -- Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula One in 2012, after Renault announced on Tuesday that the 2007 world champion has signed a two-year deal with the team.
The Finn won the drivers' championship with Ferrari in 2007 before leaving the sport in 2009, but he will return next season after spending time in the World Rally Championship and NASCAR.
"I'm delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break, and I'm grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity," the 32-year-old told the team's official website.
"My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can't deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming.
Final F1 2011 season standings
"It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as I have been impressed by the scope of the team's ambition. Now I'm looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid."
Raikkonen entered F1 with Sauber in 2001 before going on to enjoy a successful five-season spell with McLaren between 2002 and 2006, winning nine grands prix and twice finishing runner-up in the world championship.
Speaking to CNN World Sport, Renault team principal Eric Boullier said he was delighted to have secured Raikkonen's services and insisted the Finn would soon be challenging the sport's top echelon of drivers.
"His motivation is huge and clearly the talent he has will maybe need a little bit of time to get back on track and to adapt to the new car and the new tires but I'm very confident he will get back," he said.
"I hope we push as much as we can, as much as we did at the beginning of the season. It is difficult to set up a competitive Formula One team, it takes time, but we learn every year from the experience.
"Kimi's experience is huge, he has been world champion, he has won many races, he has been working and driving for great constructors like Sauber and McLaren. It will be a huge boost for us and his determination will be a big boost for the team."
Ferrari's Alonso eyes 2012 charge
Boullier said Renault, who will compete under the Lotus name in 2012, were still yet to decide who would partner Raikkonen after they were represented by three drivers last season.
Russian Vitaly Petrov initially partnered Nick Heidfeld before Brazilian Bruno Senna replaced the German in August. Polish driver Robert Kubica raced for the team in 2010, but missed all of last season following a rally crash in Italy in February.
It had been hoped Kubica would return in time for the 2012 season, but the 26-year-old announced last week that his recovery from serious arm injuries was not yet complete.
Boullier said he did not yet know if Kubica would be fit to race: "It's a little bit early to answer this question," he added. "If we can bring him back into F1 we will try our best."
The 2011 season came to an end at last Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel finishing the race second behind teammate Mark Webber having already sealed a second consecutive championship.
The 2012 season will is see a total of six former world champions line-up on the grid, with Raikonnen and Vettel being joined by Mercedes' seven-time winner Michael Schumacher, Ferrari's two-time champion Fernando Alonso and McLaren's championship-winning duo of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. | [
"Who did Finn sign a 2 year deal with?",
"who left F1 in 2009?",
"What kind of deal does Finn have",
"how many years is the deal?",
"Who was the 2007 world champion?",
"What kind of motivation does Raikkonen have",
"who will return?",
"what year was Kimi RFaikkonen world champion"
] | [
[
"Renault"
],
[
"Raikkonen"
],
[
"two-year"
],
[
"two-year"
],
[
"Raikkonen"
],
[
"hunger for F1"
],
[
"Raikkonen"
],
[
"2007"
]
] | 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will return to F1 in 2012 .
The 32-year-old Finn has signed a two-year deal with Renault .
Raikkonen initially left F1 in 2009 and has since raced in WRC and NASCAR .
Renault team boss Eric Boullier says Raikkonen's motivation is "huge" |
(CNN) -- Kitty Kelley, biographer of the rich and famous, is getting ready to release an unauthorized biography on talk show queen Oprah Winfrey. The 544-page book, "Oprah: A Biography," will be released on April 13, with a first printing of 500,000 copies, according to the Crown Publishing Group. "We are excited to be publishing the first comprehensive biography of one of the most influential, powerful and admired public figures of our time, by the most widely read biographer of our era," said Tina Constable, a vice president with Crown. The author spent three years researching for the book and conducted 850 interviews, Crown said. Kelley's previous books have chronicled the Bush family political dynasty, the British royal family, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Nancy Reagan. Winfrey's Harpo Productions had little to say about the book. "Oprah hasn't participated in or read Kitty Kelley's book, so she is unable to comment," said Winfrey spokeswoman Lisa Halliday. | [
"When will the book be released?",
"Who else has the author written biographies on?",
"What is the name of Oprah Winfrey's tell- all?",
"its authorized or not?",
"Who will write the biography?",
"What other biographies has Kelley written?"
] | [
[
"April 13,"
],
[
"the Bush family political dynasty, the British royal family, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Nancy Reagan."
],
[
"\"Oprah: A Biography,\""
],
[
"unauthorized"
],
[
"Kelley,"
],
[
"the Bush family political dynasty, the British royal family, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Nancy Reagan."
]
] | Unauthorized tell-all on Oprah Winfrey set to hit store shelves on April 13 .
Biography will be written by famed biographer Kitty Kelley .
Kelley had written prior biographies on Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor . |
(CNN) -- Known for lederhosen, weisswurst and its beer festival, Munich is a city that counters these brassy cliches with a mix of art, history and style. From onion domes to beer halls, the city of Munich also has more than its fair share to entrance culture vultures. Don't be fooled by the chocolate box architecture in parts of the Altstadt (old town): Munich is the biggest city in the state of Bavaria with an ego to match -- no other state in Germany boasts its own "national museum." Yet the city manages to mix regional traditions with a slice of urban savvy and sophistication. Visitors can take their pick from the cultural attractions and blend a little low and high culture together for a flying visit. The Altstadt is walkable and the place to begin a day with its mix of baroque and gothic architecture. The green onion domes of the Frauenkirche remain visible over the low-rise city center. Mostly destroyed during the Second World War, the Frauenkirche was rebuilt from its rubble and is worth a quick look inside for the peculiar windowless nave -- so designed after the architect made a pact with the devil, apparently. Nearby is Marienplatz and the fine gothic architecture of the new town hall with its ever-so-twee glockenspiel and animated chiming clock. From the Karlsplatz U-Bahn station to Marienplatz you'll find some "any-town, anywhere" shopping options, but push on towards Maximilianstrasse and you'll discover where the Munich money goes to splash the cash, although gaudy ostentation isn't a very Muenchner trait. For more down-to-earth shopping a few steps from Marienplatz is the Viktualienmarkt and Schrannenhalle, the former offering food and drink from across Europe and the re-built Schrannenhalle housing a buzzy mix of shops and places to grab a bite to eat. Alternatively the city is dotted with snack bars where you can grab a würst and hope for the best. From the boutiques and brands to the beer cellers. The city becomes a beer-lover magnet every autumn, when international boozers stagger into the city for the annual Oktoberfest beer festival. Things can get messy, but you can get a taste of the beer hall experience any time of year. There are a number of beer halls around the city, one on Marienplatz itself, although the most famous is the Hofbrauhaus a few minutes to the north. But if a darkened, boozy room with an oompah band and the sight of some ill-fitting lederhosen isn't your preferred choice for lunch, there are many cafes and restaurants around the Altstadt to cater for all tastes. Away from the traditional aspects of the city, Munich is a hub for high tech, high art and high rollers. BMW has its HQ here -- auto fans should motor over to its museum. The city also has more than its fair share of world-class cultural attractions. The Residence Museum, National Theater and Museum of Egyptian Art are just a few to be found between Marienplatz and the Hofgarten. Just to the north is one of Europe's largest city parks, the Englischer Garten, scene of the German tradition of the post-prandial walk. The park stretches about 5 km away from the city center. View photos of the Englischer Garten and more of Munich » As you're walking through you can duck off to the west and you'll be close to Munich's cultural big hitters, the Pinakothek museums. The Pinakothek triumvirate have enough art and history to span hundreds of years, and take almost as long to see in their entirety. If you've only got a few hours it's a better idea to pick one. The latest edition is the Pinakothek der Moderne, which opened in 2002 and houses an impressive collection of 20th century and contemporary art in an almost equally impressive interior. If you've had your fill of art, take a short walk north and you'll hit the formerly bohemian residential area of Schwabing. Now more well-to-do, the area retains a bit of cultural mix, with the nearby university providing some youthful energy. Independent shops, | [
"What is the main characteristics of Bavaria?",
"Which city in Germany?",
"Is this the biggest city in Bavaria?",
"What is unique characteristic for city of Bavaria?",
"When do tourists come?"
] | [
[
"for lederhosen, weisswurst and its beer festival,"
],
[
"Munich"
],
[
"Munich is the"
],
[
"no other state in Germany boasts its own \"national museum.\""
],
[
"every autumn,"
]
] | The biggest city in Bavaria mixes local tradition and cultured sophistication .
From beer halls to 17th-century palaces, visits can be tailored to suit all tastes .
Oktoberfest is an annual exception; city is home to a number of world-class galleries . |
(CNN) -- Korean Air was established as a private airline in March 1969. In nearly 35 years, it has grown 150 times and is poised to continue that growth into the next millennium. With a fleet of 124 aircraft, Korean Air is one of the world's top 20 airlines, and operates almost 400 passenger flights per day to 115 cities in 37 countries. Korean Air was named the Best First/Business Class Airline and the Best Frequent Flyer Program in TIME Readers' Travel Choice Awards 2006. In April and July 2007 respectively, the carrier was named the Best Economy Class in the OAG Airline of the Year Awards and the Skytrax 2006/7 World Airline Awards. It is a founding member of SkyTeam, the global airlines alliance partnering Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM and Northwest Airlines. E-mail to a friend | [
"What is Korean Air a founding member of?",
"How many passenger flights per day are operated?",
"when was it established",
"what does it have in its fleet",
"What was established as a private airline",
"How many passenger flights per day?",
"Which airline was established as private?",
"What is it a founding member of?"
] | [
[
"SkyTeam,"
],
[
"almost 400"
],
[
"March 1969."
],
[
"124 aircraft,"
],
[
"Air"
],
[
"400"
],
[
"Air"
],
[
"SkyTeam,"
]
] | Korean Air was established as a private airline in March 1969 .
It has a fleet of 124 planes and operates almost 400 passenger flights per day .
It is a founding member of SkyTeam, the global airlines alliance . |
(CNN) -- Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, or the "Snow Leopard" as he has been dubbed, is making his final preparations for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
A skier preparing to take part in the Games at this point in the calendar is not the most sensational news, until it is understood the 31-year-old grew up in Accra, Ghana (where the annual average temperature is around 79 degrees Fahrenheit) and learnt to ski only six years ago on a dry slope.
Nkrumah-Acheampong hopes his remarkable and unconventional rise to prominence -- he achieved the strict qualifying criteria set by the world governing body of his sport from his training base at an artificial snow dome in Milton Keynes, England, where he was a former employee -- can act as inspiration to his countrymen.
"The response that I get from emails and phone calls, that more people are going to come into snow sports, that's what I'm hoping to achieve and 10 years from now Ghana should have a ski racer who is 10 times better than me," he told CNN.
The "Snow Leopard" first sprung to prominence after announcing his intention to qualify and compete in the downhill at the Turin Winter Olympics in 2006, despite only having taken up the sport in 2003.
"It took 30 minutes for me to be able to just go in a straight line, slow myself down and stop, and the instructor who was my friend, told me: 'You know something, just go and train yourself now, just carry on.' And that's when I started falling down," he said.
After becoming hooked on downhill and pleased with his natural ability he set about trying to qualify -- a feat that involved traveling around the world.
He narrowly missed qualifying for the Turin-based Games but came back stronger to insure his place in Canada, an achievement the 34-year-old is exceptionally proud of.
"I think it was like sending a Ghanaian to the moon, [but] apart from it being really cool -- I still wake up and still think to myself -- this is going to be really tough, people are going to be watching you -- you can't just go to the Olympics and just have fun," he added.
The father of two will compete in two events, the giant slalom and slalom, and is anxious not to be a figure of fun like British ski-jumper Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, who notoriously captured the headlines at the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary.
He prefers to take his cue from the Jamaican bob sleigh team who also competed in Calgary and inspired the popular film "Cool Runnings".
"The Jamaican bob sleigh team did actually try really hard to have really fast push off times, really moving down the course -- not all the factors were right for them -- and they crashed -- if they didn't crash, they would have done a really good time," he said.
"So I love being compared to Cool Runnings but not Eddie the "Eagle" or Eric the "Eel" (swimmer from Equatorial Guinea) because to me, sports is a serious thing.
"If you want to be a sportsman, be a sportsman. If you want to have fun then do sports for leisure. Don't take the seriousness of sport and make a mockery of it."
There is another serious point to the Ghanaian's participation, his efforts on behalf of the charity which attempts to protect the rare animal from which he gleans his nickname.
"I'm working with the Snow Leopard Trust, they protect the endangered snow leopard," he said.
"I'm also working with Sabre which is a registered charity in Britain, taking kids in tough areas out of London and out to the Alps, showing them a different side to life."
Nkrumah- Acheampong's ambition is to return with his family, who live in Milton Keynes, to Ghana and to open a dry ski slope.
In the meantime, his attentions are fully on next month where he will pit his skills | [
"Winter Games appearance comes after how many years?",
"Which charity does the athlete support?"
] | [
[
"six"
],
[
"Snow Leopard Trust,"
]
] | Winter Games appearance comes only six years after first ski run on a dry slope .
Dream of taking part is similar to sending a Ghanaian "to the moon" says Acheampong .
34-year-old supports a charity which attempts to protect the rare snow leopard . |
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