Datasets:

glnmario
/

news-qa-summarization

Dataset card Data Studio Files Files and versions Community

Split (1)

train · 10.4k rows

story stringlengths 117 4.55k	questions sequence	answers sequence	summary stringlengths 65 465
(CNN) -- The U.S. government warned consumers Sunday to avoid oysters from San Antonio Bay in Texas after investigators found the oysters caused a highly contagious virus. Consumers who bought San Antonio Bay-harvested oysters on or after November 16 should throw them away, the Food and Drug Administration announced. The agency also advised restaurant managers and grocers not to serve or sell the Texas oysters. About a dozen cases of norovirus-related illnesses in North Carolina and South Carolina were "definitely linked" to oysters recently harvested from the San Antonio Bay, FDA spokeswoman Rita Chappelle told CNN. Texas' health department has already recalled all oysters harvested from the bay between November 16 and November 25, the health department said in a statement on its Web site. San Antonio Bay has also been closed to commercial oyster harvesting, the statement said. Texas authorities are still investigating how the oysters were contaminated and where they were distributed, Chappelle said. Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu. They are highly contagious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Aside from contracting the virus from food or drink, one can become ill by touching contaminated surfaces and then their mouth, or by coming into direct contact with an infected individual. Symptoms associated with the virus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. Affected individuals often experience low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. The illness typically lasts one to two days according to the CDC. Anyone who ate the now-recalled oysters and who are now showing symptoms of norovirus should see a doctor and contact the local health department. CNN's Khadijah Rentas contributed to this report	[ "What is US government warning against?", "what authorities are investigating?", "Which state are investigating how the oysters were contaminated?", "what does the us government warn against?", "What are Texas authorities investigating?", "Which oysters are the U.S. government warning against eating?", "What are oysters contaminated with?" ]	[ [ "oysters from San Antonio Bay" ], [ "oysters from San Antonio Bay in Texas" ], [ "Texas" ], [ "oysters from San Antonio Bay in Texas" ], [ "highly contagious virus." ], [ "from San Antonio Bay" ], [ "highly contagious virus." ] ]	U.S. government warns against eating oysters from Texas' San Antonio Bay . Oysters contaminated with highly contagious noroviruses, which cause stomach flu . Texas authorities are investigating how oysters were contaminated .
(CNN) -- The U.S. military did major damage to the site of one of the wonders of the ancient world while converting it into a base, the United Nations said in a new report. An U.S. soldier looks over the ancient city of Babylon in Iraq in 2004. The site of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was converted into Camp Alpha shortly after the United States invaded Iraq in 2003. The troops and their contractors caused "major damage" by digging, cutting, scraping and leveling while they were revamping the site to meet military standards, the U.N. cultural agency, UNESCO, said in a report. "Key structures that were damaged include the Ishtar Gate and the Processional Way," the report added. The Ishtar Gate, an entrance to the northern part of the city, is decorated with animals that portray the symbol of the god of the city of Babylon. "Damage to the gate includes smashed bricks on nine of the bodies of the animals adorning the gate," according to the report. A military official said she had not seen the U.N. report, but added that one of the reasons troops set up a base at the site was to safeguard it. "Coalition forces first occupied the Babylon site in April 2003 during the ground campaign of Operation Iraqi Freedom with a purpose, among others, of protecting the ruins from looting after the provincial museums in Babylon and Kufa were robbed of their entire contents," said Lt. Col. Tamara Parker, a spokeswoman. "U.S. forces respect historical sites in Iraq," she added. The United Nations lists additional damage to the site, including trenches used as firing positions and barbed wire secured to various spots. The stakes used to set up the barbed wire damaged walls, according to the report. Babylon, an hour's drive south of Baghdad, dates to ancient Mesopotamia. The city on the banks of the Euphrates River was the home of Hammurabi and later Nebuchadnezzar, who built the famous gardens for his wife. Alexander the Great wished to make Babylon his capital, but died before realizing his plan. During colonial times, archaeologists hauled off Babylon's artifacts to Europe. Some of those artifacts can be seen in a museum in Berlin, Germany. The site was occupied by Camp Alpha from September 2003 till December 2004, the report said. The United States has agreed to pay $800,000 to help rehabilitate the Babylon site, an Iraqi official said. "We were very disappointed when multinational forces took over these ancient sites as bases although they knew how important these sites are to Iraqis and to the entire world," said Abdulzahra al-Talaqani, spokesman for the ministry of tourism. Plans are under way to clean up the area in August with the help of hundreds of volunteers, according to al-Talaqani. The U.N. report noted that U.S. troops were not solely responsible for ruining the 4,000-year-old city. Before their arrival, local residents had contributed to the damage, mostly through development, the report said. "The features of the western side of the city of Babylon disappeared many years ago due to encroachment by agriculture and development on the archaeological zone," the report said.	[ "How much is the U.S. paying to clean the site?", "Where was Camp Alpha built?", "what was build on historic site", "What does the U.N. report claim about Babylon?", "What landmark suffered extensive damage?", "who damaged babylon", "Where was Camp Alpha?", "Who is accused of damaging Babylon?", "how much damage" ]	[ [ "$800,000" ], [ "Hanging Gardens of Babylon" ], [ "Camp Alpha" ], [ "U.S. military did major damage to the site" ], [ "The site of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon" ], [ "U.S. military" ], [ "site of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon" ], [ "U.S. military" ], [ "major" ] ]	U.N. report claims U.S. troops damaged city of Babylon during Iraq invasion . Camp Alpha was built on site of Iraq's historic Hanging Gardens . Report cites extensive damage to Ishtar's Gate, Processional Way . United States to pay $800,000 to clean Babylon site .
(CNN) -- The U.S. military is distributing pamphlets in eastern Afghanistan in an effort to find a soldier who has been missing for more than two weeks, the military said Thursday. A soldier mans a weapon at the rear of a U.S. Army helicopter over Afghanistan in May. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for kidnapping the soldier, who has not been identified, along with three Afghan soldiers. All went missing on June 30 in southeastern Afghanistan. The military believes the soldier may have been moved to various locations, including across the border into Pakistan, U.S. military officials said. There are two versions of the pamphlets, which are in the Pashto language and were made available to CNN by U.S. Forces Afghanistan. One shows the image of an American soldier shaking hands in a group of kids with the message, "One of our American guests is missing. Return the guest to his home. Call us at ..." and lists a phone number. The other shows a U.S. soldier kicking down a door, and then an outstretched hand with the superimposed image of a soldier, his head and arms drooping, and the words, "If you do not release the U.S. soldier then ... you will be hunted," Capt. Elizabeth Mathias, a U.S. military spokeswoman, said Thursday. Soldiers have posted and handed out the pamphlets across Ghazni and Paktia provinces over the past 24 hours, Mathias said. Days after the soldier went missing, a senior U.S. military official said, he and the three missing Afghan soldiers were captured by low-level militants and then quickly "sold" to the clan and network led by warlord Siraj Haqqani, who is believed to be deeply involved in the action. The Haqqani clan operates on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border and is well known to the U.S. military. The soldier apparently left his small outpost on his own on June 30 with no apparent means of defending himself, the official said. Taliban commander Mulvi Sangeen said the U.S. soldier visited a military post in the Yousaf Khel district in Paktika province, got drunk, and was ambushed while returning to his car. Sangeen said the soldier was taken to a safe place. Paktika and Paktia provinces are adjacent. CNN could not independently verify Sangeen's claims. A source with the U.S. military denied the claim that the soldier was drunk. "The Taliban are known for lying, and what they are claiming [is] not true," the source said.	[ "have they identified him yet?", "Who went missing?", "In which country the soldiers gone?", "What do pamphlets say?", "Who kidnapped soldiers?" ]	[ [ "has not been" ], [ "American soldier" ], [ "Yousaf Khel district in Paktika province," ], [ "One shows the image of an American soldier shaking hands in a group of kids with the message, \"One of our American guests is missing. Return the guest to his home. Call us at ...\" and lists a phone number." ], [ "The Taliban" ] ]	Taliban says it kidnapped U.S. soldier, who has not been identified . Soldier, with 3 Afghan soldiers, went missing June 30 in southeastern Afghanistan . Pamphlets come in two versions: One has an appeal, the other has a warning . Soldier apparently left outpost on his own with no means of defending himself .
(CNN) -- The U.S. military is promising action to address conditions in a barracks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, after a soldier's father posted images on YouTube showing a building that he said "should be condemned." A soldier battles overflowing sewage in the Fort Bragg barracks shortly after coming home from Afghanistan. "This is embarrassing. It's disgusting. It makes me mad as hell," Ed Frawley said of the building where his son, Sgt. Jeff Frawley, had to live upon his return this month from a 15-month deployment to Afghanistan. Frawley said Monday that Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Dick Cody called him to say he shares Frawley's anger and that "there's no excuse." Cody said he would not want his own sons or any troops to return to such conditions, Frawley said. Frawley's 10-minute video shows still photos from throughout the building, which appears to be falling apart and filled with mold and rust. Paint -- which Frawley said is lead-based -- is chipping. Ceiling tiles are missing. A broken drain pipe allows sewer gas into the building, while another one has tissues stuffed into it in an apparent effort to stop the gas from coming in. Photos from the communal bathroom show some of the most disgusting images. In one, a soldier stands in a sink to avoid what Frawley describes as 3 inches of sewage water that filled the floor when toilets overflowed. Watch the run-down conditions that soldiers have been living in » At times, "sewage water backs up into the sinks in the lower floors of these barracks," Frawley said in his narration. "The soldiers have to tell one another who's taking a shower when they turn the sinks on, or the person taking the shower gets scalded with hot water." Frawley said the Army promised to have new barracks ready when his son's unit, part of the 82nd Airborne Division, returned. "The conditions depicted in Mr. Frawley's video are appalling and unacceptable, and we are addressing the concerns he expressed," said Maj. Tom Earnhardt, spokesman for the 82nd Airborne, in a written statement. "Our paratroopers are our most valuable resource, and our commitment is to their well-being. Our actions now must represent the best we can do for our soldiers." "Fundamentally, we acknowledge these conditions are not adequate by today's standards," he added. "The images in Mr. Frawley's video are alarming, and our soldiers deserve the best conditions we can provide as an institution." Watch an interview with Frawley » Officials at the base invited the media into the barracks and acknowledged that there are serious problems. Earnhardt said the building had been mostly unused during the 15 months Frawley and his unit were away. Fort Bragg has a massive construction project under way to create housing, but it is behind schedule, Earnhardt said. The buildings used by the 82nd Airborne are about 50 years old, he said. Earnhardt said the incident with the overflowing toilet took place the first day after the unit's return and has been addressed. Sen. Elizabeth Dole is among government officials who have responded to the video. In a written statement, she called living conditions in the barracks "unacceptable" and said the situation "must be immediately corrected." Ed Frawley said he is "hoping no one gets fired. I just want to see it get fixed." "They have the slowest contractors in the world," he said, adding that people in jail live "in better conditions." E-mail to a friend CNN's Mike Phelan, Sarah Carden and Mary Lynn Ryan contributed to this report.	[ "what did the video show", "what does the video shows?", "what the soldier's father says?", "what was in the picture", "what did the father say" ]	[ [ "still photos from throughout the building, which appears to be falling apart and filled with mold and rust." ], [ "a building that he said \"should be condemned.\"" ], [ "\"This is embarrassing. It's disgusting. It makes me mad as hell,\"" ], [ "the building, which appears to be falling apart and filled with mold and rust." ], [ "\"This is embarrassing. It's disgusting. It makes me mad as hell,\"" ] ]	Video shows moldy, rusty building with paint chipping; broken drain pipe . Picture: Soldier in a sink to prevent 3 inches of sewage water from overflowing . "This is embarrassing. It's disgusting," soldier's father says . Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Dick Cody: "There's no excuse" for conditions .
(CNN) -- The U.S. military said it is investigating claims from Syria that U.S. helicopters based in Iraq killed eight people and wounded another Sunday in an attack inside Syria's territory Sunday. A U.S. army Apache helicopter flies over southern Baghdad, Iraq. Syria's state news agency SANA said four U.S. helicopters crossed the border and struck a farm about 8 kilometers (5 miles) inside Syria before returning to Iraqi airspace. The raid occurred about 4:45 p.m. (1345 GMT). The helicopters hit a civilian building under construction on the farm, killing a father and his four sons, a married couple and another man, SANA said. Syria's deputy foreign minister contacted the U.S. embassies in Damascus and Baghdad, SANA said. Military officials are investigating the claims, Sgt. Brooke Murphy, a U.S. military spokeswoman, told CNN. "Unfortunately, we cannot confirm anything at the moment," she said. The attack occurred near the town of Al-Bukamal, which is home to a Red Crescent camp for Iraqi refugees. The town is across the border from the Iraqi city of Qaim, which has been a major route for Sunni Arab fighters battling U.S. troops in Iraq. Watch CNN's Cal Perry explain the implications of the possible attack » Syria has said it has made efforts to secure the 600-km desert border, which is marked largely by a sand wall. But Maj. Gen. John Kelly, the U.S. commander in western Iraq's sprawling Anbar province, told reporters last week that much of the border remains "uncontrolled." "We still have a certain level of foreign fighter movement, not much, through Anbar, because of our activities out there," Kelly said. But he said Iraqi intelligence believes al Qaeda operatives and others "live pretty openly on the Syrian side, and periodically we know that they try to come across." Syria demanded Iraq's government "immediately investigate this serious violation" and bar U.S. forces from striking Syria from its territory. The Syrian government summoned U.S. and Iraqi diplomats to the Foreign Ministry in Damascus to condemn the attack, SANA reported. CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report, Nada Husseini, Mike Mount and Cal Perry contributed to this report.	[ "How many SANA says helicopters from Iraq?", "How many helicopters from Iraq crossed the border into Syria?", "Who were killed near the Iraq-Syria border?", "Who says it is investigating claims?", "What says U.S. Military?", "Which state news agency says?", "Where is the Foreign Ministry? (city)", "How many helicopters crossed border about 5 miles into Syria?" ]	[ [ "four" ], [ "four" ], [ "eight people" ], [ "U.S. military" ], [ "helicopters based in" ], [ "Syria's" ], [ "Damascus" ], [ "four" ] ]	State news agency says 3 men, 1 woman, 4 children killed near Iraq-Syria border . SANA says 4 helicopters from Iraq crossed border about 5 miles into Syria, hit farm . Syrian government summons U.S., Iraqi diplomats to Foreign Ministry in Damascus . U.S. Military says it is investigating claims, cannot confirm anything right now .
(CNN) -- The U.S., European Union and international security organizations Friday called for an end to fighting between Georgia and militant separatists that has dragged in Russian forces. Russia's Channel 1 shows heavy tanks purported to be on their way to South Ossetia. President George Bush and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin discussed the conflict in Georgia, the White House confirmed. Both men were attending the opening of the Summer Olympics in the Chinese capital and spoke during a luncheon hosted by Chinese President Hu Jintao. White House spokesman Tony Fratto did not provide any additional details. But Putin, according to his spokesman, said: "There are lots of volunteers being gathered in the region, and it's very hard to withhold them from taking part. A real war is going on." White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said: "I want to reiterate on [President Bush's] behalf that the United States supports Georgia's territorial integrity and we call for an immediate cease fire. "We urge all parties, Georgians, South Ossetians and Russians to de-escalate the tension and avoid conflict. We are working on mediation efforts to secure a cease fire and we are urging the parties to restart their dialogue." The U.S. military was also reviewing plans for the possible evacuation of the more than 2,000 of its citizens in the Republic of Georgia, two military officials said Friday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his counterparts in the United States and Germany and the European Union's foreign policy chief that Georgia was the aggressor and should immediately withdraw its troops from South Ossetia. The EU and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are sending envoys to Georgia to secure a cease-fire, but a senior U.S. State Department official said the United States would only send a representative after a cease-fire is in place. The European Union said it was working with other parties "towards a ceasefire in order to prevent further escalation of this conflict." EU spokeswoman Christina Gallach told CNN: "We think it is not acceptable to see these scenes of bloodshed and destruction." OSCE chairman-in-office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, said: "The intense fighting in the South Ossetian conflict zone risks escalation into a full-fledged war. "War would have a devastating impact for the entire region. I urge the Georgians, South Ossetians and Russians to cease fire, end military action and stop further escalation. We need to pull back from the brink of a full-fledged war." NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer issued a statement Friday saying he was seriously concerned about the recent events in the region, and he called on all sides to end armed clashes and begin direct talks. Watch more about NATO's attempts to help Georgia » Carmen Romero, a NATO spokeswoman in Brussels, said NATO was in regular contact with Georgia's president and was talking to Russia. Britain also urged all sides to bring an immediate end to the violence. "We are monitoring developments. We urge an immediate cease-fire in the fighting in South Ossetia and for a resumption of direct dialogue between all parties." Georgia, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is now looking west and has ambitions of joining NATO. South Ossetia has longed for and sometimes fought for independence since the 1920s when the Soviet Government made it an autonomous region within Georgia. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia broke away from Moscow in 1991 and South Ossetia voted overwhelmingly for its own independence. Violence has been mounting in the region in recent days, with sporadic clashes between Georgian forces and South Ossetian separatists. Georgian troops launched new attacks in South Ossetia late Thursday after a top government official said a unilateral cease-fire offer was met with separatist artillery fire. An emergency session of the U.N. Security Council on Friday discussed the dramatic escalation of violence. The session ended Friday morning without a statement about the fighting.	[ "When did the fighting escalate?", "Who is the fighting between?", "Is NATO involved?", "Who calls for end to fighting?", "Which country has ambitions of joining NATO?" ]	[ [ "Friday" ], [ "Georgia and militant separatists that has dragged in Russian forces." ], [ "attempts to help Georgia" ], [ "U.S., European Union and international security organizations" ], [ "Georgia," ] ]	International organizations call for end to fighting in breakaway Georgia region . Fighting in South Ossetia escalated Friday; Russian tanks moved to the region . President Bush: The United States supports Georgia's territorial integrity . Georgia, formerly part of the Soviet Union, now has ambitions of joining NATO .
(CNN) -- The U.S.-led war against the Taliban in Afghanistan has been a tough slog, a nearly eight-year conflict replete with gloom. U.S. Staff Sergeant Robert Brunner secures an area in the Baraki Barak district of Logar Province on August 22. Lately a lot of the news from Afghanistan seems particularly grim for the United States and its allies. More U.S. troops have been killed there in August than in any month since the war began. There are indications that more U.S. troops could be deployed to the country. The Afghan presidential elections this month were rife with charges of fraud. Corruption plagues the political system. The poppy trade is flourishing. And, in the words of the top U.S. military official, Adm. Mike Mullen, the "Taliban insurgency has gotten better, more sophisticated." Support for the war hit a new low among Americans, a CNN poll found this month. So why do the United States and its allies continue to pour money and troops into Afghanistan? "The importance of the place is pretty substantial," said Michael O'Hanlon, senior fellow for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution. Al Qaeda has used that part of the world as a sanctuary, he said. Neighboring Pakistan has been serious about vanquishing the militants there and that helps the fight against militants in Afghanistan. A victory for al Qaeda in a conflict there would represent an important public relations triumph for the militants, he said. He understands why Americans are displeased but said people need to feel that progress is being made in the region. "We haven't been winning for eight years," O'Hanlon said. "They want to know why." U.S. President Barack Obama has tackled the question head-on. The al Qaeda and Taliban militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan represent an urgent threat to the United States, he said in March, just as they were when al Qaeda attacked the United States in 2001, when the then-ruling Taliban harbored the terror network. "Many people in the United States -- and many in partner countries that have sacrificed so much -- have a simple question: What is our purpose in Afghanistan?" the president said. "After so many years, they ask, why do our men and women still fight and die there? And they deserve a straightforward answer. "So let me be clear: Al Qaeda and its allies -- the terrorists who planned and supported the 9/11 attacks -- are in Pakistan and Afghanistan. "Multiple intelligence estimates have warned that al Qaeda is actively planning attacks on the United States homeland from its safe haven in Pakistan. And if the Afghan government falls to the Taliban -- or allows al Qaeda to go unchallenged -- that country will again be a base for terrorists who want to kill as many of our people as they possibly can." The questions have come up in Britain, too, where the deaths of 15 British troops in July stirred outrage and criticism of Britain's strategy in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Gordon Brown told his countrymen that British involvement in that country now is as crucial as it was after the 2001 terrorist attacks. "In 2001 the case for intervention in Afghanistan was to take on a global terrorist threat and prevent terrorist attacks in Britain and across the world," he said. "In 2009 the overriding reason for our continued involvement is the same -- to take on, at its source, the terrorist threat, and prevent attacks here and elsewhere." Obama said the Afghan insurgency "feeds instability" in Pakistan and Pakistan extremists have the proven ability to undermine the Afghan government. He cited the importance of confronting the heroin trade that finances the insurgency. Obama has listed several objectives in dealing with Afghanistan and Pakistan, such as promoting an accountable Afghan government and self-reliant security forces, developing a stable government and strong economy in Pakistan, and disrupting terror networks. Pakistani security forces have been battling militants in the northwestern part of the country, and drone strikes thought to be conducted by the United States have been carried out from Afghanistan against militants in Pakistan. "The future	[ "who give specific details of this", "how many deaths", "what has hit a new low" ]	[ [ "Barack Obama" ], [ "15" ], [ "Support for the war" ] ]	Number of U.S. military deaths in August stands at 46, highest monthly toll . Support for the war has hit a new low among Americans, says CNN poll . Among allies, political leaders have had to defend sending troops to Afghanistan . U.S. military: Taliban insurgency has gotten better, more sophisticated."
(CNN) -- The United Nations is urging countries to invest in green jobs working with "sustainable forest management" to address the growing problem of unemployment worldwide. A deforested area appears in a rain forest in Brazil's Para state in October. At least 10 million such jobs could be created, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization will say in a report to be released this week. The report does not mention any countries but is aimed at "mainly regions with substantial rural unemployment and degraded land areas," said C.T.S. Nair, chief economist in the U.N. Forestry Department and one of the authors of the report. While all countries could benefit from investing in these green jobs, Nair said, Asia and Africa -- and to some extent Latin America -- could benefit the most. India, China and almost all countries in Africa stand to benefit, he added. The United Nations said it already is seeing indications that some countries -- such as the United States, India and South Korea -- are interested and taking action to invest in sustainable forest management by making it part of their economic stimulus plans. Sustainable forestry aims to prevent depletion of forests by managing them and making sure their use does not interfere with natural benefits or the local environment. For example, in forests where wood is being removed, the United Nations is suggesting that people be hired to monitor and manage how much wood is taken out to ensure the forest does not become depleted and can grow back fully. Managers also would make sure the wood harvest wouldn't affect biodiversity and the water supply. The report will be discussed and analyzed next week at the U.N. Committee on Forestry meeting in Rome, Italy. The Food and Agriculture Organization has designated next week as World Forest Week.	[ "What is the goal of sustainable forestry?", "What does sustainable forestry aim to prevent?", "When will the report be discussed?", "What kind of jobs should countries invest in?", "Which continents could benefit the most from green jobs?", "What type of jobs support sustainable forest management?", "What continents stand to gain most from these jobs?", "Where will the report be discussed?" ]	[ [ "prevent depletion of forests by managing them" ], [ "depletion of forests" ], [ "next week at the U.N. Committee on Forestry meeting in Rome, Italy." ], [ "green" ], [ "Asia and Africa" ], [ "green" ], [ "Asia and Africa" ], [ "in Rome, Italy." ] ]	U.N. says countries should invest in green jobs for "sustainable forest management" Sustainable forestry aims to prevent depletion of forests . Asia and Africa could benefit the most from such jobs, report co-author says . Report will be discussed next week at meeting in Italy .
(CNN) -- The United Nations' refugee agency said Tuesday that more Africans have fled poverty and conflict on the continent during the first 10 months of this year than in all of 2007. A woman who has been displaced by the current fighting in the Congo. The bulk of the more than 96,000 African refugees headed to Yemen and Italy, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees office. The rest sought refuge in Malta, Greece, Spain and the Canary Islands, the agency said. Last weekend, at least 60 refugees died en route to Yemen, a frequent destination for Somali and Ethiopian refugees, according to Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF. UNHCR said most of those who died were forced overboard in deep water off Yemen's coast by smugglers who demanded more money than the $100 they paid for the journey. "Those who did not or could not pay extra were severely beaten by the smugglers," UNHCR said in a news release Tuesday. "Up to 40 -- mainly Ethiopians -- [were] thrown overboard despite their pleas for mercy." Andreas Koutepas, MSF's field coordinator in southern Yemen, said such a high number of refugee deaths in a short period of time "is not usual at all." "For the whole of September until now, we've had 27 dead and now suddenly we reach this number," Koutepas told CNN from MSF's base in Ahwar, Yemen. "We are quite shocked here." About 30,000 African refugees arrived on boats on Italy's shores during the first 10 months of this year compared with 19,900 refugees last year, according to UNHCR. In Malta, an estimated 2,600 boat people arrived in the first nine months of this year from North Africa, compared with 1,800 last year, UNHCR said.. The agency said that from January to October this year, 509 of those attempting to make the journey to Italy and Malta died, compared with last year's death toll of 471. More than 38,000 people have made the perilous journey across the Gulf of Aden from Somalia to Yemen during the first 10 months of this year, a "considerable increase from the 29,500 who made the same journey during the whole of last year," UNHCR said Tuesday. However, the death toll on that route has remained lower so far this year: more than 600 have died or disappeared en route to Yemen compared to 1,400 killed last year. In late September, at least 52 Somalis died when the boat smuggling them across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen broke down, and they were left adrift with no food or water for 18 days, according to the U.N. Many are fleeing the war in Somalia, but Koutepas of MSF told CNN on Monday that he has noticed a recent increase in the number of refugees from Ethiopia. "It used to be 10 percent of total arrival, and now it's around 50-50," he said. Yemen is a common destination for Somalis fleeing economic hardship and war because of its proximity. It is also an attractive location because Somalis receive automatic refugee status in the fellow Muslim country. New smuggling routes, including some based out of Djibouti -- which lies north of Somalia and is much closer to Yemen -- have also led to the increase in refugees, according to the UNHCR. But according to the Yemen Post, Yemen is just a stopping point for most of the refugees, who then travel on to the wealthier Persian Gulf states or Europe and the United States. Earlier this year, Yemen's coast guard stepped up patrols of its coastline in an attempt to deter the smugglers. Some of the smuggling boats seized by Yemen's coast guard are given to Somali fishermen who suffered losses in the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. As part of a $19 million operation, UNHCR operates shelters and reception centers for the refugees in Yemen and has increased its efforts to discourage people from making the illegal crossing to Yemen. It has also sponsored training programs for coast guard personnel and other officials. MSF said the plight of the refugees has	[ "Where did they head?", "What did Africans flee?", "How many refugees are there?", "How many headed to Yemen and Italy?", "What have more Africans fled this year than in 2007?", "Where did the bulk head to?", "What did the Africans flee?" ]	[ [ "Yemen and Italy," ], [ "fled poverty and conflict" ], [ "96,000" ], [ "96,000" ], [ "poverty and conflict" ], [ "Yemen and Italy," ], [ "poverty and conflict" ] ]	More Africans have already fled poverty and conflict so far this year than in 2007 . Bulk of the more than 96,000 African refugees headed to Yemen and Italy, U.N. says . Rest sought refuge in Malta, Greece, Spain and the Canary Islands .
(CNN) -- The United States and Russia were absent Wednesday as representatives from countries from around the world gathered to sign a treaty banning the use of cluster bombs. French troops examine cluster bombs collected after the Lebanon conflict of 2006. Some 111 countries were due to adopt the Convention on Cluster Munitions at an all-day signing ceremony in Oslo, Norway. But four of the biggest cluster bomb makers -- Russia, China, Israel and the United States, which claims the devices are a vital part of its defense strategy, stayed away. Cluster Munition Coalition activists behind the agreement expressed disappointment at the absence of the big four, but insisted it wouldn't undermine the treaty as it passes into international law. "Obviously it's very disappointing that those countries aren't here, but at the same time, the strong message that this treaty sends will make it very clear to those countries that these are unacceptable weapons and inappropriate in future conflicts," CMC Co-Chair Richard Moyes told CNN from Oslo. "The treaty and the stigma that it builds will make it practically and politically much more difficult for them to use these weapons again in the future," Moyes added about the absent countries. "Many of their partners will no longer be allowed to use these weapons, and clearly recognize these weapons as far too costly in humanitarian terms." Cluster munitions, which break apart in flight to scatter hundreds of smaller bomblets, are described by the International Committee of the Red Cross as a "persistent humanitarian problem." Most of a device's bomblets are meant to explode on impact, but many do not. Credible estimates show the weapons fail between 10 and 40 percent of the time, leaving civilians at risk of harm from unexploded ordnance, the ICRC says. In addition to calling for a total, immediate ban of the weapons, the Oslo accord calls for strong standards to protect those injured. It urges that contaminated areas be cleaned up quickly and weapons immediately destroyed, the CMC said. The agreement requires the destruction of stockpiles of the weapons within eight years, said Thomas Nash, coordinator of the Cluster Munition Coalition. Earlier this year, a U.S. State Department representative called it "an absolute moral obligation" to rid a battlefield of unexploded ordnance after battle, but the insists cluster munitions are an important part of its defense strategy that can be regulated post-conflict. During the 34-day war in Lebanon in 2006, the United Nations estimated that Israel dropped 4 million bomblets, 1 million of which may not have exploded, according to the ICRC. More than 250 civilians and bomb-disposal operators have been killed or injured by them in southern Lebanon since the war ended. Cluster bombs were also used in the 1999 war in Kosovo. In more than 20 countries, according to the ICRC, cluster bombs have created lasting "no-go" areas, rendering them as dangerous as minefields. Laos is the most affected country. Millions of bomblets dropped during the Vietnam War continue to kill civilians more than three decades later.	[ "What did Russian not sign?", "Who makes bombs?", "What does the US insist?", "Who was absent from the signing?", "Where are they made?", "Who makes cluster bombs?", "Who was absent from the treaty?", "Who are the top producers?" ]	[ [ "a treaty banning the use of cluster bombs." ], [ "Russia, China, Israel and the United States," ], [ "cluster munitions are an important part of its defense strategy that can be regulated post-conflict." ], [ "United States and Russia" ], [ "Russia, China, Israel and the United States," ], [ "Russia, China, Israel and the United States," ], [ "United States and Russia" ], [ "Russia, China, Israel" ] ]	United States, Russia absent from signing of cluster bomb ban treaty signing . U.S., Russia, China, Israel are top four cluster bomb producers . U.S. insists the devices are important part of its defense strategy .
(CNN) -- The United States are aiming to win the Solheim Cup for a fourth successive occasion when they face Europe in the 12th edition of the women's team golf tournament, which begins at the Killeen Castle Golf Resort in Ireland on Friday. The competition, an exact replica of the men's Ryder Cup, begins on Friday morning with four foursomes, where the players alternate playing the same ball, before the afternoon's four fourballs -- which sees each player playing their own ball. Saturday's two sessions then follow exactly the same format, before Sunday's 12 individual singles, which will determine the winners. With a total of 28 points up for grabs, the winning team is the first to reach 14 1/2 points, with the Americans securing 16-12 triumphs in Illinois in 2009 and Sweden in 2007. Alison Nicholas, who is captaining Europe for a second time following their 2009 defeat, has paired Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist in the opening foursomes match -- with the Swedish duo lining up against Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr. The English duo of Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid face Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome in the second of the foursomes, while the third sees veteran Scot Catriona Matthew and Spanish rookie Azahara Munoz against Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford. And Friday's morning session is completed by Suzann Pettersen of Norway and Sweden's Sophie Gustafson facing Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster -- who becomes the oldest-ever Solheim Cup player at the age of 51. The United States lead Europe 8-3 overall and both Nicholas and her American counterpart Rosie Jones are aware of the need to get a good start in the competition. Nicholas told the official Solheim Cup website: "I think I have a good blend in my team and I am very happy with the way the draw has worked out. "Catriona, for instance, is a great leader and gets on so well with everyone. She has lots of experience and I think she will make a great pairing with Azahara. They are both steady players." The United States come into the match as favorites to retain their title, with four of the world's top 10 amongst their ranks. "I've put Michelle and Cristie out first because they are both good leaders," Jones told the official website. "They have played a lot together and had success. I want them to get out there and put up a point." She continued: "I've got heavy hitters in every match. I have a master plan and I'm going to stick to it as much as possible. But you have to wait and see how the matches go and maybe adjust." European team: (number of previous Solheim Cup appearances in brackets) Melissa Reid (Eng) (-) Laura Davies (Eng) (11) Karen Stupples (Eng) (1) Suzann Pettersen (Nor) (5) Sophie Gustafson (Swe) (7) Maria Hjorth (Swe) (4) Anna Nordqvist (Swe) (1) Caroline Hedwall (Swe) (-) Catriona Matthew (Sco) (4) Azahara Munoz (Sp) (-) Sandra Gal (Ger) (-) Christel Boeljon (Net) (-) United States team: Michelle Wie (1) Julie Inkster (8) Cristie Kerr (5) Paula Creamer (3) Angela Stanford (3) Brittany Lang (1) Brittany Lincicome (2) Morgan Pressel (2) Christina Kim (2) Vicky Hurst (-) Ryann O'Toole (-) Stacy Lewis (-)	[ "What are the American women aiming for?", "How many times have the American women won?", "What happens at the Killeen Castle resort?", "When is the 12th edition of golf's Solheim Cup?", "What starts on Friday?", "Where does the action start?", "Where does it take place?", "When does the 12th edition of the Solheim Cup start?" ]	[ [ "win the Solheim Cup" ], [ "fourth successive occasion" ], [ "Solheim Cup" ], [ "Friday." ], [ "Solheim Cup" ], [ "Killeen Castle Golf Resort" ], [ "Killeen Castle Golf Resort in Ireland" ], [ "Friday." ] ]	Europe and the United States begin the 12th edition of golf's Solheim Cup on Friday . The American women are aiming to win the title for a fourth successive time this weekend . The action starts at the Killeen Castle Resort in Ireland with the opening fourballs .
(CNN) -- The United States believes that some members of Pakistan's spy service provided support for the deadly bombing last month of India's Embassy in Afghanistan, a U.S. counterterrorism official told CNN Friday. The Indian Embassy in Kabul was badly damaged in the July 7 bombing. Pakistan strongly denied the allegation Friday, but Afghanistan and India have previously accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack which killed 58 people including an Indian defense attache. The official told CNN the evidence was not strong enough to draw a firm conclusion but there is a "strong suspicion" the Taliban was behind the attack, and that some unspecified aid came from Pakistan's Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI. The official would not say how the intelligence was gathered, but he said the evidence was presented to senior Pakistani officials by a top CIA official, Deputy Director Stephen Kappes. The New York Times, sourcing U.S. government officials, reported Friday that the United States intercepted communications between Pakistani intelligence officers and militants who carried out the attack in Kabul. Pakistani Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said the report "unfounded and malicious" and an "effort to malign the ISI," -- Pakistan's Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence. The bombing killed 58 people. "The ISI is a very disciplined organization, manned by military officials. It has played the most crucial role in the war on terror and apprehended members of al Qaeda, the Taliban, and those linked to the attack on mainland America on 9/11," Abbas said. Abbas said "despite our insistence, no evidence has been provided to us about these allegations." Afghanistan claims Pakistan informally supports militants operating from havens in Pakistan's lawless tribal regions near the porous 1,500-mile border the two countries share. Earlier this month, Afghan lawmakers directly accused Pakistan's ISI in connection with a string of attacks in Afghanistan. Among these were the Kabul strike and an assassination attempt on Afghan President Hamid Karzai at an April 27 military ceremony. A senior Afghan government official said the charges were based on phone intercepts of conversations of plotters in Kabul with ISI officers in Pakistan. A U.S. government official, who would not comment on the specifics of the New York Times story, said, "We've long noted the troubling reports of a relationship between the ISI and the Taliban, and the incident at the Indian Embassy seems to fit the pattern of those reports." India has previously blamed militants from Pakistan for the July 7 car bombing at the embassy. Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan's high commissioner to Britain, and Hamid Gul, former head of the ISI, firmly denied the agency's involvement in the attack. Watch Pakistan deny the allegations » "There seems to be a bit of sensationalism in this story," Hasan said. He said the government has regularly denied claims that ISI is involved with militants in Afghanistan and noted that Pakistan has been cooperating in the fight against terrorism. Gul said the claims are "preposterous" and "totally false," and cautioned that the CIA has been proven to be wrong about intelligence in the past. The New York Times report also sourced the U.S. officials as saying "there was new information showing that members of the Pakistani intelligence service were increasingly providing militants with details about the American campaign against them, in some cases allowing militants to avoid American missile strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas." Pakistan and Afghanistan have a tumultuous past. During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, religious schools in Pakistan helped train fighters who battled the Soviets. After the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 1996 and imposed fundamentalist rule, Pakistan was one of the few countries that recognized the regime diplomatically. It dropped its support after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on Washington and New York. Pakistan also has a troubled history with India, and in the past India has accused the ISI of supporting militant separatists in Indian-administered Kashmir, which has been the root of two wars between them.	[ "Who denies it spy agence helped plan bombing?", "Who do India say is involved?", "Which country's agents where involved in the attack?", "What was the number killed in the bombing?", "Who said this was an 'effort to malign the ISI'?", "Who does U.S. intelligence point to in attack?", "Who accused Pakistan in a role in the attack?", "What did Maj. Gen Athar Abbas say about the report?" ]	[ [ "Pakistan" ], [ "Pakistan" ], [ "Pakistan's" ], [ "58" ], [ "Pakistani Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas" ], [ "some members of Pakistan's spy service" ], [ "Afghanistan and India" ], [ "\"unfounded and malicious\" and an \"effort to malign the ISI,\"" ] ]	U.S. intelligence points to Pakistan agents involved in attack on Indian Embassy . Pakistan denies its spy agency helped plan bombing that killed 58 . Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said the report was an "effort to malign the ISI" India and Afghanistan both accuse Pakistan of role in the attack .
(CNN) -- The United States shares the blame for Mexican drug trafficking and the attendant violence that has killed thousands in the past year alone, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Mexico for a series of meetings on the drug crisis and other issues. "Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade," she said en route to Mexico City, Mexico, according to pool reports. "Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians. So, yes, I feel very strongly we have a co-responsibility." Clinton will meet with President Felipe Calderon and other Mexican leaders to discuss bilateral strategies for the drug war. But her aides said she will also make an effort to show that the U.S.-Mexican relationship is not restricted to matters related to drug violence. As Clinton arrived in the Mexican capital Wednesday, a day after the United States unveiled its plan to improve security along the southern border, the United States' investment in the drug war emerged as a predominant theme. Watch Clinton acknowledge the U.S. role in Mexico's drug war » She emphasized that the United States has already appropriated $700 million in aid to Mexico, and Congress wants to see how the administration is applying it before sending more. "We are going to demonstrate that we are spending it in an accountable and effective manner that will assist the Mexicans" in law enforcement and justice, she said. The United States needs to stop the flow of guns, body armor and night-vision goggles to the cartels, Clinton said. "When you go into a gunfight or are trying to round up these bad guys and they have military-style equipment that is much better than yours, you start out at a disadvantage. Since we know the vast majority of that comes from our country, we are going to help stop it from getting there in the first place." Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico's ambassador to the United States, called the Obama administration's willingness to accept co-responsibility "a very encouraging sign." Watch Sarukhan share his thoughts on the U.S. move » "I think that the fact that the Obama administration is seized with the importance of this issue is a clear indication that they understand that, to defang the drug syndicates in Mexico, we have to eliminate two of their most powerful sources -- bulk cash from the United States into Mexico and illicit weapons." In most instances, local and state police "are outgunned by the drug syndicates," which has necessitated the use of federal forces, he said. The Mexican army arrested a man Mexico calls a top drug cartel chief and four of his bodyguards, the government announced Wednesday. Hector Huerta Rios, also known as "La Burra" or "El Junior," was arrested Tuesday in the city of San Pedro Garza Garcia, outside Monterrey in Nuevo Leon state, a little more than 100 miles from Mexico's border with the United States. The Obama administration announced a crackdown on border violence and on the smuggling of cash and weapons into Mexico on Tuesday, a step that could mark an end to a nasty blame game over where responsibility for the violence lies. Clinton called the fighting "a terrible law-enforcement problem" in U.S. cities along the Mexican border, but said it does not yet pose a major threat to overall U.S. security. "This is more about trying to act proactively," she said in an interview with CNN's Jill Dougherty in Mexico City. "We need to help them, or we'll see the results in our own country. "[Traffickers] are distributing these drugs in our country. They're causing all kinds of criminal activity in our country. It has an effect on us, so we want to prevent it from going any further." Clinton will visit a Mexican police base to show U.S. support for the nation's embattled police force. And she will travel to Monterrey, a thriving industrial town, to	[ "Who said fighting does not pose a threat to US security?", "Who is Mexico's US ambassador?", "What is fueling the drug trade?", "What does the US need to stop?", "Does the fighting pose a major threat to U.S. security?", "What does Clinton say fuels the drug trade?" ]	[ [ "Clinton" ], [ "Arturo Sarukhan," ], [ "\"Our insatiable demand for illegal" ], [ "the flow of guns, body armor and night-vision goggles" ], [ "not yet" ], [ "\"Our insatiable demand for illegal" ] ]	NEW: Clinton says fighting does not pose major threat to U.S. security -- yet . Mexico's U.S. ambassador says willingness to share an "encouraging sign" "Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade," Clinton says in Mexico . U.S. needs to stop flow of guns, body armor, night-vision goggles to cartels, she says .
(CNN) -- The United States should use the "utmost caution" as it makes the Asia-Pacific region a key focus of its newly announced military strategy, China's state-run Xinhua news agency said in a commentary published Friday. On Thursday, President Barack Obama and top defense officials unveiled a new U.S. defense strategy that focuses heavily on the Asia-Pacific region, a fast-growing economic powerhouse with numerous potential flashpoints that the administration has identified as crucial to U.S. interests. While resulting in a leaner force, the new strategy also calls for the U.S. to increase its military's "institutional weight and focus on enhanced presence, power projection, and deterrence in Asia-Pacific," Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday. While welcoming a peaceful U.S. role in the region, Xinhua's commentary Friday warned the United States against acting like a "bull in a china shop." "The U.S. role, if fulfilled with a positive attitude and free from a Cold War-style zero-sum mentality, will not only be conducive to regional stability and prosperity, but be good for China, which needs a peaceful environment to continue its economic development," the Xinhua editorial said. "However, while boosting its military presence in the Asia-Pacific, the United States should abstain from flexing its muscles, as this won't help solve regional disputes." The new defense strategy, which still lacks many specifics, is meant to pare U.S. defense spending by at least $487 billion over the next decade and drops a long-standing doctrine calling for the ability to fight to simultaneous ground wars. The result will be a more "agile, flexible, ready-to-deploy, innovative and technologically advanced" force prepared to counter terrorists, rogue states and the threat of nuclear weapons worldwide, Panetta said Thursday. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the focus on the Asia-Pacific region is crucial. "The strategy talks about a shift to the future," he said Thursday. "And all of the trends -- demographic trends, geopolitical trends, economic trends and military trends -- are shifting toward the Pacific." With U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan winding down, the focus on the Asia-Pacific region has become a key theme of the administration's foreign policy commentary in recent months. In November, Obama toured the region to highlight its economic and strategic importance to U.S. interests and announced plans to eventually station a task force of up to 2,500 Marines in Australia "The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay," he said at the time, pledging that the coming defense cuts would not affect the country's military posture in the region. He reiterated that pledge Thursday. "As I made clear in Australia, we will be strengthening our presence in the Asia Pacific, and budget reductions will not come at the expense of that critical region,," he said.	[ "What does make Asia-Pacific a key focus?", "What did Officials announce?", "What was announced?", "What is pointing to the Pacific?", "What did the editorial say?" ]	[ [ "its newly announced military strategy," ], [ "a new U.S. defense strategy" ], [ "military strategy," ], [ "new U.S. defense strategy" ], [ "\"The U.S. role, if fulfilled with a positive attitude and free" ] ]	U.S. officials announced new defense strategy this week . It makes the Asia-Pacific region a key focus for U.S. military power . Xinhua editorial says U.S. "should abstain from flexing its muscles" in the region . "All the trends" are pointing toward the Pacific as strategic focus, top U.S. general says .
(CNN) -- The United States successfully tested a sea-based component of its missile defense shield Thursday evening, intercepting a ballistic missile with a dummy warhead over the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said. A dummy missile is launched from a ship during a 2008 test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program. The exercise was the 19th successful test in 23 attempts of the system -- known as the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program -- since 2002. A target missile was fired from Hawaii about 5:40 p.m. (11:40 p.m. ET) and was tracked by Navy ships hundreds of miles away. The USS Hopper, one of three Navy ships tracking the launch, fired an interceptor missile, which struck the target about 100 miles above the Earth. The process -- from launch to shoot-down -- took less than five minutes, according to the U.S. military. The United States plans to use the sea-based system on Navy Aegis-class ships to protect against incoming short- to medium-range missiles fired from hostile countries. Eighty-six of the ships eventually will have the capability. Another part of the missile defense protection -- ground-based midcourse defense -- is designed to strike at long-range missiles. Both the sea-based and ground-based systems are part of the Pentagon's "layered" missile defense plan. Much of the missile defense program is still under development, including lasers fired from a plane that the military hopes would destroy an enemy missile during launch. Other parts of the missile defense would fire short-range missiles at incoming warheads that are close to hitting their targets. Over the past seven years, the U.S. military has spent billions of dollars on the missile defense program. Pentagon officials have said that each missile defense test costs about $85 million.	[ "How many of U.S. ships will be equipped with the Aegis system?", "how many tests were made", "How many trial runs have been successful?", "who was involved in the testing", "How many successful tests has Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense had?", "What shot down dummy missiles?", "What was the number of tests?", "How many US Navy ships will be equipped with the system?", "What did agency say", "What shot down a dummy missile?", "What will be equipped with the system?", "What does the ship-based system shoot down?" ]	[ [ "Eighty-six" ], [ "in 23 attempts" ], [ "19th" ], [ "United States" ], [ "19th" ], [ "United States" ], [ "23" ], [ "Eighty-six" ], [ "tested a sea-based component of its missile defense shield" ], [ "an interceptor" ], [ "Navy Aegis-class ships to protect against incoming short- to medium-range" ], [ "missiles fired from hostile countries." ] ]	Ship-based system shoots down dummy missile from hundreds of miles away . Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense has 19 successful tests in 23 tries, agency says . More than 80 U.S. Navy ships eventually will be equipped with system .
(CNN) -- The United States warned the Indian government about a potential maritime attack against Mumbai at least a month before last week's massacre in the country's financial capital left nearly 180 dead, a U.S. counterterrorism official told CNN. Onlookers in Mumbai read messages posted outside the Oberoi Hotel, scene of one of the attacks. U.S. intelligence indicated that a group might enter the country by water and launch an attack on Mumbai, said the source, who refused to be identified due to the ongoing investigation into the attacks and the sensitivity of the information. Indian security forces have confirmed to CNN that not only did U.S. officials warn them of a water-borne attack in Mumbai -- they were told twice. The area entered a higher state of alert for a week, including tightened security measures at hotels, but those efforts were eventually reduced, Indian officials said. Local fisherman in Mumbai said they witnessed a group of gunmen dock their boat Wednesday night, before heading toward the busy causeway. Also, sources have told CNN-IBN that officials found phones and a global navigational device on an abandoned boat floating off the coast of Mumbai. The boat had been hijacked, intelligence officials told CNN-IBN. Watch Nic Robertson's report about U.S. warning Four crew members who had been on board were missing. The captain was found dead, lying face down with his hands bound behind his back. India has made clear that it believes last week's coordinated attacks in Mumbai originated in Pakistan, but the Indian government is under pressure to explain the lapse of security that allowed the siege to occur. Indian police say 179 people were killed in the attacks on 10 targets in Mumbai. Most of the deaths occurred at the city's top two hotels, the Oberoi and the Taj Mahal. Watch report about nanny saving infant Pakistani authorities say Islamabad has not received any evidence that militants from within its borders carried out the attacks, but have vowed to fully cooperate in the investigation. Suspicion has fallen on Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, a Pakistan-based terror group allied with al Qaeda, even though it has denied responsibility. Watch how attacks could damage relations Â» Pakistan banned the group in 2002 after an attack on India's parliament that brought the two countries to the brink of war. Indian security forces say they arrested a member of the group in February, noting that the man was casing Mumbai for an attack. U.S. counterterrorism officials continue to say signs are pointing to Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and they haven't seen anything to rule it out. However, they will not definitively say the group is responsible. A team of FBI agents is in Mumbai to assist in the investigation, and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is heading to New Delhi on Wednesday to try to ease strained relations between the nuclear neighbors. Watch Pakistan's PM say his country will defuse tensions Â» At the center of India's investigation is the lone suspect in police custody, who Indian authorities say is Pakistani and trained by Lashkar-e-Tayyiba. Indian officials have identified the suspect as a clean-shaven young man who was photographed during the attack on Mumbai's Victoria Terminus train station. One of the still images shows him walking with one arm outstretched and a gun in his other hand, lowered by his side. He is wearing a black T-shirt, cargo pants and a backpack. Watch Anderson Cooper talk with Fareed Zakaria about the attacks Â» Indian police say the other nine attackers were killed in three days of battles with police and the Indian military. CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson contributed to this report.	[ "How many were killed in attacks?", "Number of people killed by the attacks?", "what dose the Pakistan PM reject?", "what did U.S. warn india about?", "where is the suspect from?", "Who warned India about potential Mumbai attack?", "How many people died in recent attacks?", "Where is Mumbai?", "What country did the US warn about the Mumbai attack?" ]	[ [ "180" ], [ "180" ], [ "militants from within its borders carried out the attacks," ], [ "potential maritime attack" ], [ "Pakistani" ], [ "United States" ], [ "179" ], [ "India" ], [ "India" ] ]	U.S. warned India about potential Mumbai attack, source says . Attacks that killed 179 people have strained India-Pakistan relations . Suspect is from Pakistan, Indian authorities say . Pakistan PM rejects accusations his country had role in Mumbai massacre .
(CNN) -- The United States will withdraw another 4,000 troops in Iraq by the end of October, the U.S. military commander in Iraq said in prepared testimony for a congressional hearing Wednesday. The top military commander in Iraq says the U.S. is on track to end its combat mission in Iraq by next year. U.S. Gen. Ray Odierno is expected to tell the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee that there has been a significant drop in violence in Iraq recently, according to the statement obtained by CNN. President Obama has said the U.S. combat mission in Iraq will end by August 31, 2010. Obama also said he plans to keep a range of 35,000 to 50,000 support troops on the ground in Iraq after combat troops are out. "We have approximately 124,000 troops and 11 Combat Teams operating in Iraq today. By the end of October, I believe we will be down to 120,000 troops in Iraq," Odierno said in the remarks. Odierno said statistics show violence has dropped in Iraq. "Overall attacks have decreased 85 percent over the past two years from 4,064 in August 2007 to 594 in August 2009, with 563 in September so far," Odierno said. "In that same time period, U.S. military deaths have decreased by 93 percent, Iraqi Security Force deaths have decreased 79 percent." Odierno said there were still security questions. "Although security is improving, it is not yet enduring. There still remain underlying, unresolved sources of potential conflict," Odierno said. Odierno pointed to the August 19 bombings in Baghdad that targeted the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs that killed more than 100 people as an example of ongoing challenges in Iraq. However, Odierno gave a vote of confidence to the Iraqi forces who had taken over security for Baghdad after U.S. forces handed over control. "The Iraqis wanted to be in charge; they wanted the responsibilities; and they have demonstrated that they are capable," he said.	[ "what has dropped", "When will Odierno talk with the House Panel?", "when these soldiers return", "how many troops to return?", "When will troops return?", "Where will the troops return from?" ]	[ [ "violence in Iraq" ], [ "by next year." ], [ "by the end of October," ], [ "4,000" ], [ "by the end of October," ], [ "Iraq" ] ]	Thousands more troops in Iraq expected to return to U.S. in October . U.S. Gen. Ray Odierno to tell House panel Wednesday violence has dropped in Iraq . President Obama had said U.S. combat troops would leave in August 2010 .
(CNN) -- The University of California San Diego has suspended a student who admitted to hanging a noose in a campus library, school officials announced Friday. "We are feeling real pain, and we will take real action," said UCSD chancellor Marye Anne Fox told reporters. "The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is my primary concern." The student, whose identity was not released, admitted Friday to police at the University of California San Diego that she hung a noose Thursday night in the library, police said. "Detectives have interviewed the student and taken a statement," UCSD police said in a release. "The investigation is ongoing as we continue to identify and interview witnesses." After Thursday's discovery, hundreds of people joined a campus rally to oppose racial intolerance. "It's OK to feel hurt and angry about this," said one participant. "We've been silent for too long." Watch iReport of campus protest One student said she feared for her safety. The student's admission came the day after police were alerted to the presence of the noose in a library bookcase at the school. Fox said the admission was a result of "pressure from our UC San Diego community." "This underscores the fact that our university is banding together," she said. In a crime alert bulletin, police said they received several reports Thursday around 10:30 p.m. of the noose on the seventh floor of the Geisel Library. It was found hanging in an aisle facing windows. "Officers spoke with people who were in the area, but no one witnessed the noose being placed on the bookcase," police said in a campus notice. Hanging a noose with intent to terrorize is a crime, it noted. On Friday, the school announced several measures it was taking in response to recommendations from its Black Student Union. They include the establishment of a task force on minority faculty recruitment, a new commission to addressing declining African-American enrollment and finding space for an African-American resource center. "I want to emphasize these are the initial steps, and I realize we have a lot of work ahead of us," Fox said. The noose incident occurred two weeks after Black History Month was mocked in an off-campus party that was condemned by the school. It's unclear how long the student is suspended for.	[ "who is suspended", "What was mocked at the party?", "What was the rally opposing?", "how many people involved", "when is the incident", "was he punished", "Where did the student hang the noose?", "what was student attempting to accomplish" ]	[ [ "in a campus library," ], [ "Black History Month" ], [ "racial intolerance." ], [ "hundreds" ], [ "Thursday" ], [ "suspended" ], [ "campus library," ], [ "intent to terrorize" ] ]	University suspends student who admits hanging noose in library . Hundreds attend campus rally to oppose racial intolerance . Incident comes weeks after Black History Month was mocked in off-campus party .
(CNN) -- The Virginia Tech community on Monday remembered Deriek Crouse, the police officer who was gunned down last week while conducting a routine traffic stop on campus. The funeral service for Crouse, 39, was held at Cassell Coliseum, near where authorities say he was shot dead Thursday by Ross Truett Ashley. A witness saw Ashley approach the officer's vehicle -- where Crouse was at the time -- and open fire, then flee the scene, police said. The 22-year-old shooter, who was not involved in the traffic stop and had no connection with Crouse before the shooting, killed himself about 30 minutes later a quarter of a mile away, authorities said. "He was a lifelong public servant," Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said of Crouse at Monday's service. "For the last four years, he went to work here protecting the citizens of the state and the students and the faculty and the administrators of Virginia Tech, swearing the oath of the Constitution, strapping on his gun, putting on his badge and doing a police officer's duty." Crouse, an Army veteran, joined the Virginia Tech police force six months after a 2007 mass shooting on the Virginia Tech campus, according to the school's website. He had worked at the New River Valley jail and with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department. Crouse was trained as a crisis intervention officer, firearms instructor and defensive tactics instructor. The Christiansburg, Virginia, resident is survived by his wife, Tina, plus five children and stepchildren, his mother and brother. Students, supporters and others affiliated with Virginia Tech have championed Crouse's memory since his death, including making attempts to help his family. An online effort known as "Hokies for Crouse" had raised nearly $75,000 for the Crouse family as of early Monday afternoon.	[ "who is crouse?", "when Deriek Crouse was killed?", "what was the age of Deriek Crouse?", "What happened in the campus?", "Was he a veteran?", "What did Deriek Crouse do?" ]	[ [ "police officer" ], [ "Thursday" ], [ "39," ], [ "mass shooting" ], [ "an Army" ], [ "police officer" ] ]	Deriek Crouse, 39, was killed Thursday conducting traffic stop on the Virginia Tech campus . Authorities: Crouse shot while he was in his police vehicle, then shooter later killed himself . Crouse, a U.S. Army veteran, had been on Virginia Tech police force since 2007 .
(CNN) -- The West African country of Guinea, reeling after the death of President Lansana Conte, is staring at the prospect of widespread political instability amid an apparent coup. Lansana Conte came to power in a military coup in 1984. Journalist Mohammed Kayta in Conakry said the Guinean military seized control of the capital city's streets in an apparent coup. He reported that the military was holding negotiations to determine who will succeed Conte, who ruled the country for nearly 25 years. The action followed an announcement on national radio Tuesday by army Capt. Foamed Dadis Camara that government and national institutions had been dissolved, according to Le Jour, a national newspaper, and the subsequent announcement by Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare that the government continued to function. Soldiers were out in force, including around the offices of the president and prime minister in Conakry, local journalist Barry Minkalou told CNN. The streets were calm, with no reports of injuries or violence, he said. Camara said Tuesday an "advisory council" of civilians and soldiers would be set up. The Foreign Office in Great Britain said it was "concerned by reports of a military coup. "We condemn any attempt to seize power by force, and call on all parties to ensure respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and to safeguard the well-being of their own citizens and foreign nationals in Guinea," the office said. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who issued a statement commending Conte and passing along condolences, urged "a peaceful and democratic transfer of power" and exhorted "the armed forces and all stakeholders to respect the democratic process." The United Nations told its personnel in Guinea to stay off the streets. "All U.N. staff have been encouraged to stay at home," the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees' spokesman in Guinea, Faya Foko Millimouno, told CNN. "Only the military is in the street now." The U.S. Embassy in Conakry warned Americans in the country "to be particularly alert to their surroundings, and to be prepared for any eventuality." Aboubacar Sompare, president of the National Assembly, announced Conte's death. "We regret to announce to the people of Guinea the death of Gen. Lansana Conte after a long illness," Sompare said, according to Le Jour. Conte was 74. A 40-day period of national mourning has been declared. Conte came to power in a military coup on April 3, 1984. Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite its mineral wealth, according to the British charity Plan UK. The country hosts large refugee populations from neighboring Liberia and Ivory Coast.	[ "Which person announced his death?", "Who has just died?", "What person died?", "What has been declared?", "What did the president announce?", "How many days of mourning are declared?" ]	[ [ "Aboubacar Sompare, president of the National Assembly," ], [ "Lansana Conte" ], [ "President Lansana Conte," ], [ "A 40-day period of national mourning" ], [ "Conte's death." ], [ "A 40-day period" ] ]	Guinea President Lansana Conte dies; 40 days of mourning declared . Army captain says government institutions dissolved . Prime minister insists government is functioning . Conte's death was announced by president of the National Assembly .
(CNN) -- The White House insists that it was entirely former Sen. Tom Daschle's decision to withdraw his nomination, but some observers say he didn't have a choice. Tom Daschle said Tuesday that he's stepping aside as the nominee for secretary of health and human services. Despite the controversy over his tax records and his work in a field that some consider lobbying, Daschle was expected to be confirmed. His withdrawal shocked Capitol Hill, and Democratic colleagues expressed regret over his decision. "I think one of the major factors had to be that the political climate has changed radically just in the last couple of weeks," CNN Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry said. President Obama ripped Wall Street executives last week for their "shameful" decision to hand out $18 billion in bonuses in 2008 while accepting federal bailout money. The next day, news broke that Daschle hadn't paid his taxes in full. Daschle said Monday that he was "deeply embarrassed" for a series of errors that included failing to report $15,000 in charitable donations, unreported car service and more than $80,000 in unreported income from consulting. Daschle recently filed amended tax returns and paid more than $140,000 in back taxes and interest for 2005-07. "That, in this political climate, really tripped up Tom Daschle because it looked awful politically for this White House," Henry said. In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper on Tuesday, Obama said he made a mistake in handling the nomination of Daschle. "I think I screwed up. And, I take responsibility for it and we're going to make sure we fix it so it doesn't happen again. "Ultimately, I campaigned on changing Washington and bottom-up politics," Obama said. "And I don't want to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of standards -- one for powerful people and one for ordinary folks who are working every day and paying their taxes." At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, press secretary Robert Gibbs insisted that the White House did not pressure Daschle to step down. Watch Gibbs answer questions about Daschle's move » Pressed on whether Daschle was given any sort of signal to resign, Gibbs said, "I don't know how much more clear I could be. The decision was Sen. Daschle's." A Daschle ally familiar with his thinking said Tuesday that he was not aware of any White House pressure on the former Senate majority leader to withdraw his nomination. Asked whether Daschle was pushed, the source said, "things don't work that cleanly." The issue was not whether Daschle could "survive"; it was what that process "would do to Obama" and his health care reform and economic agenda. It's a question of the "price of that confirmation," he said. The source said Daschle read the Tuesday New York Times editorial urging him to withdraw from consideration but would not say whether that might have played a part in his decision. "Tom has been a politician for a very long time," the source said. "He understands this town. He made a mistake; he apologized, but timing matters. There was a critical mass building." Obama senior adviser David Axelrod said he thought Daschle made the decision Tuesday morning. "I have to believe that Sen. Daschle having spent as many years as he has up here had a clear picture that there was going to be a delay, and I think he didn't want to contribute to that. In announcing his withdrawal, Daschle said it was an honor to be chosen to lead the reform of America's health care system. "But if 30 years of exposure to the challenges inherent in our system has taught me anything, it has taught me that this work will require a leader who can operate with the full faith of Congress and the American people, and without distraction," he said in a statement. "Right now, I am not that leader and will not be a distraction.	[ "What did senators not see coming?", "What was Daschle worried about?" ]	[ [ "withdraw" ], [ "tax records" ] ]	NEW: Political climate tripped up Daschle, says CNN's Ed Henry . Source says Daschle was worried about what his confirmation would do to Obama . Senators say they did not see the withdrawal coming . Daschle's nomination questioned due to tax problems, work in recent years .
(CNN) -- The White House unveiled a strategy to combat rising drug crimes along the border Friday, vowing to curb the flow of narcotics and weapons that has been endangering more and more U.S. communities. Pedestrians cross the U.S.-Mexico border at the San Ysidro gate in San Diego, California. "The National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy we introduce today provides an effective way forward that will crack down on cartels and make our country safer," Attorney General Eric Holder vowed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the plan "calls for tougher inspections, more enforcement personnel and close coordination with our partners in Mexico as we work across federal, state and local governments. ... Together, we will continue to reduce the flow of illegal drugs across the Southwest border and ensure that those who ignore our laws are prosecuted." The plan did not appear to contain any surprises. It focuses largely on increased intelligence, cooperation among law enforcement agencies and enhanced technology. A summary released by the White House also promises "targeted financial sanctions to disable drug trafficking organizations." Rising drug violence in the United States is one of the administration's top domestic concerns. Among the worst-hit cities in recent years is Phoenix, Arizona, where there's been an average of more than one reported kidnapping every day since 2007, virtually all linked to the drug trade. Home invasions have spiked as well. As drug cartels have extended their reach in the United States, the violence has also been on the rise on the other side of the border. More than 40 people, including two police officers, have been killed in shootings in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez since last weekend, authorities there said. Gil Kerlikowske, President Obama's director of national drug control policy, will oversee the policy announced Friday. "This new plan, combined with the dedicated efforts of the government of Mexico, creates a unique opportunity to make real headway on the drug threat," Kerlikowske said. "At the same time, we are renewing our commitment to reduce the demand for drugs in the United States, which will support this effort. The National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy will improve the safety of communities on the border and throughout our nation." CNN's Terry Frieden contributed to this report.	[ "What does it aim to slow?", "What is the name of the plan?", "what will slow the flow of cash and illegal firearms into Mexico?", "Who is concerned about rising drug violence?", "What is among the White House's top domestic concerns?", "What does the plan involve?" ]	[ [ "flow of narcotics and weapons" ], [ "\"The National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy" ], [ "House unveiled a strategy to combat rising drug crimes along the border Friday, vowing" ], [ "The" ], [ "Rising drug violence in the United States is one of the administration's" ], [ "\"calls for tougher inspections, more enforcement personnel and close coordination with our partners in Mexico as we work across federal, state and local governments." ] ]	Plan involves increased intelligence and enhanced technology . It aims to slow the flow of cash and illegal firearms into Mexico . Rising drug violence is among White House's top domestic concerns .
(CNN) -- The Wiggles have been officially wiggling for 17 years now, entertaining children with music, television, videos and films that have become modern classics. The Wiggles have been entertaining children with colorful, clean-cut songs since 1991. In Australia, their annual end of year national tour sells over 120,000 tickets, while their U.S. fans include John Travolta, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, John Fogarty, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Rock, Courtney Cox-Arquette and Cate Blanchett. And since 2003, in addition to their native English, they also wiggle in Mandarin and Spanish, reaching out to the Taiwanese and Latin American public, respectively. Anthony Field, Murray Cook and Greg Page met at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, where they were studying early childhood education and writing children's songs. Together with fellow musician Jeff Fatt, who played with Anthony in the popular 1980s band The Cockroaches, they formed The Wiggles and released a self-titled album on ABC Music in 1991. Fifteen years and 27 DVD releases later, they had been awarded with 17 Gold, 12 Platinum, 3 Double Platinum and 10 Multi Platinum Awards for sales of over 17 million DVDs and 4 million CDs worldwide. They have also been awarded with Highest Selling Children's Video Sales in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999 at the ADSDA Awards. The Wiggles made their U.S. debut at the famous Wall Mart in June 1999, while performing in shopping mall parking lots. In 2003 they performed 12 sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City and performed to over 250,000 people in November 2005. That year also initiated a series of amusement-park openings, from Wiggles World at Dream World on the Gold Coast of Australia, to a second Wiggly Play Centre to be launched in Dallas, Texas, USA.	[ "What was fan John's last name?", "Did Anthony Field, Murray Cook and Greg Page study early childhood education?", "what did Anthony Field, Murray Cook and Greg Page study", "Who was included in their U.S. fans?", "What else was used besides music to entertain children?", "who was included by the us fans", "Who studied early childhood education?", "What did Anthony Field study?", "What did they entertain children with?" ]	[ [ "Travolta," ], [ "studying" ], [ "early childhood education" ], [ "John Travolta, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, John Fogarty, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Rock, Courtney Cox-Arquette and Cate Blanchett." ], [ "television, videos and films" ], [ "John Travolta, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, John Fogarty, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Rock, Courtney Cox-Arquette and Cate Blanchett." ], [ "Anthony Field, Murray Cook and Greg Page" ], [ "early childhood education" ], [ "television, videos and films" ] ]	Anthony Field, Murray Cook and Greg Page studied early childhood education . Entertain children with music and visuals in English, Mandarin and Spanish . U.S. fans include John Travolta, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Rock, Cate Blanchett .
(CNN) -- The Winter Olympics has been hit by tragedy after the death of a Georgian competitor following a crash during training for the high-speed luge event -- the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Georgian Embassy have confirmed. Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, was on the final corner of the course during official training when he had a "serious crash" and was propelled off the track at the Whistler Sliding Center in Vancouver, Canada, according to the IOC. "Our first thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the athlete. The whole Olympic Family is struck by this tragedy, which clearly casts a shadow over these Games", IOC President Jacques Rogge said in a statement. "We are deeply struck by this tragedy and join the IOC in extending our condolences to the family, friends and teammates of this athlete, who came to Vancouver to follow his Olympic dream", added John Furlong of VANOC, the Games Organizing Committee. In the same statement, International Luge Federation President Josef Fendt said: "This is a terrible accident. "This is the gravest thing that can happen in sport, and our thoughts and those of the 'luge family', are naturally with those touched by this event." The luge event is one of the most dangerous in sport, with competitors sliding down an icy track on a sledge, while steering with their legs, at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. Kumaritashvili was not considered one of the favorites to win a medal and was ranked 44th in the world. However, earlier in practice, gold medal favorite Armin Zoggeler of Italy also lost control and crashed on curve 11, although he was able to walk away from the incident. The accident came just hours before the Games officially started with a lavish opening ceremony on Friday evening.	[ "What age was Nodar Kumaritashvili at the time of his death?", "What happen in Winter Olympics?", "What was the name of the Athlete from Georgia who was killed", "Who was killed?", "What tragedy hit the Winter Olympics?" ]	[ [ "21," ], [ "death of a Georgian competitor" ], [ "Nodar Kumaritashvili," ], [ "Nodar Kumaritashvili," ], [ "death of a Georgian competitor" ] ]	The Winter Olympics are hit by tragedy after the death of a competitor . Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia was killed suring a training crash for luge event . The 21-year-old smashed into a pole after coming off the track at high-speed .
(CNN) -- The World Bank cut China's economic growth forecast in 2009 to 6.5 percent Wednesday, down a full percentage point from November's projection. Workers assemble toys on a production line at a factory in Shantou, in China's Guangdong province. Despite the downgrade, "China is a relative bright spot in an otherwise gloomy global economy," said the World Bank's David Dollar. Last week, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao reiterated projections that the nation's economy will grow by 8 percent in 2009, despite doubts expressed by domestic and international economic analysts. Some have forecast growth as low as 5 percent. "I will admit it will be a difficult job [to reach 8 percent]. This being said, I also believe with considerable efforts it's possible for us to obtain this goal," Wen said at a news conference following the annual session of the country's rubber-stamp legislature. China has seen a sharp decline in demand for its exports since November as other major economies have struggled. In February, Chinese exports plunged 25.7 percent compared with the previous year's, Beijing reported last week. Even with the slowdown, China's economy -- the third largest in the world -- has gone from white-hot to merely robust. In 2007, China's gross domestic product grew at 13 percent. The two largest economies -- the United States and Japan -- are in recession. "So a lot of things will go down in 2009 globally," Dollar said. "But we see China's contribution as being very positive in keeping many markets from going down as far as they would otherwise." The World Bank expects China's economy to outgrow most others in 2009. In November, China announced plans to inject $586 billion (4 trillion yuan) into its economy to offset declines in industrial and export growth. That economic stimulus plan included the loosening of credit restrictions, tax cuts and massive infrastructure spending.	[ "When is the projection?", "What country declined its export?", "What percent was the forecast cut to?", "When was the sharp decline in demand?", "Who cuts china's growth forecast?", "/What did the World Bank say China's economic growth will be in 2009", "What was the projected grow percentage?", "By how much has the World Bank cut China's growth forecast in 2009?", "What has happened to China's demand for exports since November?", "which company is involved" ]	[ [ "November's" ], [ "China" ], [ "6.5" ], [ "since November" ], [ "The" ], [ "6.5 percent" ], [ "6.5" ], [ "6.5 percent" ], [ "plunged 25.7 percent" ], [ "World Bank" ] ]	World Bank cuts China's economic growth forecast in 2009 to 6.5 percent . Reduction is down a full percentage point from November's projection . Last week, Chinese Premier projected nation's economy would grow by 8% in 2009 . China has seen a sharp decline in demand for its exports since November .
(CNN) -- The World Bank said that it is increasing funding to the war-wracked and drought-stricken Horn of Africa to $1.88 billion from more than $500 million, a generous gesture that coincides with a U.N. mini-summit on the devastated region. "Countries in the Horn of Africa that are facing one of the worst droughts in more than half a century, causing mounting malnutrition, food insecurity, and displacement of people," the D.C.-based bank said in a statement on Saturday. The announcement comes as the first week of U.N. debates wrapped up Saturday where delegates continued to outline their visions for peace and global security. "In Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti, more than 13 million people need our help," said U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon during the summit. "In Somalia, famine has spread through large areas of the south." Ban said three-quarters of a million people are "at imminent risk of starvation" as a result of war, rising food costs and droughts that have continually plagued the region. He described the situation in the Horn of Africa "as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world." "Somalia will never be free of the threat of famine until it has peace and stability," said the U.N. chief. "We could save many more lives if we were given free access to areas under the control of Al-Shabaab." The al Qaeda-linked group has been waging an insurgency against Somalia's transitional government since 2006.	[ "what did the chief say", "Who hosted the mini-summit?", "what is the UN hosting", "How many people are at risk of starvation?", "Where is drought and famine occuring?" ]	[ [ "\"Somalia will never be free of the threat of famine until it has peace and stability,\"" ], [ "U.N." ], [ "mini-summit" ], [ "three-quarters of a million" ], [ "Africa" ] ]	The U.N. hosts a mini-summit on drought and famine in the Horn of Africa . Three-quarters of a million people are "at imminent risk of starvation," said the U.N. chief .
(CNN) -- The World Health Organization raised the swine flu alert Thursday to its highest level, saying the H1N1 virus has spread to enough countries to be considered a global pandemic. Kindergarten students, some wearing masks, attend school in a residential estate in Hong Kong on Thursday. Increasing the alert to Phase 6 does not mean that the disease is deadlier or more dangerous than before, just that it has spread to more countries, the WHO said. "This is an important and challenging day for all of us," WHO Director General Margaret Chan said in a briefing with reporters. "We are moving into the early days of the first flu pandemic of the 21st century." The last previous pandemic occurred in 1968. As of Thursday, the virus had spread to 74 countries, the health agency said. There were 28,774 confirmed cases and 144 deaths. The United States had 13,217 cases and 27 deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said June 5 in its weekly update. Cases have been reported in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. See where H1N1 flu cases are in the U.S. » The U.S. death toll is expected be higher when the CDC releases its latest figures Friday, said Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. New England -- particularly Massachusetts -- and the New York and New Jersey areas have been hit the hardest, Schuchat said Thursday at a CDC news conference. The Phase 6 pandemic designation had been widely expected for weeks. "Further spread is considered inevitable," Chan said at a news conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. "The scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met." The announcement came after a meeting of the WHO's Emergency Committee, which has debated since April whether the spread of a novel H1N1 flu virus was fast and widespread enough to warrant a Phase 6 designation. Phase 6, Chan said, is meant as a signal to countries to recalibrate their strategies to minimize the harm from swine flu. In countries where the virus and the response to it are already widespread, it is not likely to mean significant changes, but Chan urged countries that have not seen cases, or seen only limited cases, to get ready. "The virus is not stoppable," she said. "I would advise them to maintain vigilance, enhance surveillance and be prepared for the arrival of the novel H1N1 in their country." The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security said those agencies have been acting for weeks as if Phase 6 were already in effect and no additional measures would be put into effect. The United States declared a public health emergency April 26. "WHO continues to recommend no restriction on travel and on border closures," Chan said. Discussions about shifting to Phase 6 have been under way for weeks. Chan indicated that a major factor in the decision was surveillance from countries in the Southern Hemisphere, where flu season is under way. In Chile and Australia, two countries with many flu cases, she said H1N1 appears to be the dominant strain, "crowding out" the seasonal influenza virus. Chan said she would recommend that vaccine manufacturers proceed with mass production of an inoculation against the new swine flu strain as soon as they finish production of seasonal vaccine, which she estimated would be complete in about two weeks. HHS spokesman Bill Hall said Thursday that no decision has been made on full-scale production because there is no need yet to make that decision. It is a step-by-step process that is moving forward. "We're doing as much as we can now," he said. The agency awarded a contract several weeks ago to five manufacturers to develop an H1N1 antigen. The companies are producing pilot lots. Clinical testing will take place over the summer, Hall said. At the end of the summer, HHS will decide whether to go into production. "There's no specific date on the calendar," Hall said. If officials	[ "Is there a cure for this flu", "What is considered a global epidemic?", "Does the WHO believe the spread of swine flu is inevitable?", "What has the alert for swine flu become?", "What organization calls H1N1 a global pandemic?" ]	[ [ "\"The virus is not stoppable,\"" ], [ "the H1N1 virus" ], [ "is considered inevitable,\"" ], [ "highest level," ], [ "World Health" ] ]	Further spread of swine flu inevitable, World Health Organization says . WHO calls H1N1 a global pandemic, raises alert to highest level . U.N. agency says that doesn't mean disease is worse, but that it's in more countries . Hong Kong orders closure of all elementary schools, kindergartens, day care centers .
(CNN) -- The actors of "Slumdog Millionaire" won outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture, and Heath Ledger posthumously won best supporting male actor at the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday. "Slumdog Millionaire" actors Irrfan Khan, Dev Patel, Freida Pinto and Anil Kapoor accept the film-cast prize. "It was overwhelming enough to be nominated, but to win this is unbelievable," said "Slumdog" actor Anil Kapoor of the award given to him and his cast mates at Los Angeles' Shrine Exposition Center. The cast's win comes two weeks after the modestly budgeted movie, about a poverty-raised orphan in Mumbai who goes on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," won the Golden Globe award for best drama. The film has been nominated for 10 Oscars, including for best picture. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," the big name when the Academy Award nominations were announced earlier this week, was shut out at the SAG Awards. The movie leads all films with 13 Oscar nods. Ledger, who was 28 when he died just more than a year ago of an accidental prescription drug overdose, won his award for his role in "The Dark Knight," 2008's box-office king. Ledger's performance was widely praised, and he won the Golden Globe for best supporting actor two weeks ago. He also is considered the front-runner for an Academy Award for supporting actor. Watch a roundup of SAG winners » Actor Gary Oldman accepted the SAG award for his friend. "He was an extraordinary young man with an extra ordinary talent, and it is wonderful that you have acknowledged that and honored that talent tonight," Oldman said. Josh Brolin, one of four actors who lost to Ledger on Sunday night, compared the SAG awards to "a big campfire we're all showing up for." "It's not a competition," Brolin said. "We're just happy to party together." Meryl Streep echoed Brolin's words when she accepted for best leading actress in a movie for her role in "Doubt." "Can I just say there's no such thing as the best actress," Streep said. Streep was dressed as if she might ready for Brolin's campfire, wearing black pants, a black blouse and no jewelry except for earrings. "I didn't even buy a dress," she said. Watch SAG awards fashion » Sean Penn, chosen as best leading male actor in a movie for "Milk," told the four actors he won against that he wept when he watched their work. "You're stunning," Penn said. Penn's took a brief political turn when spoke about "Milk," the story of a gay San Francisco politician assassinated in 1978. "This is a story about equal rights for all human beings," Penn said. iReport.com: Share your thoughts on the Oscar race Kate Winslet's win as best supporting actress for her performance as Hanna Schmitz in "The Reader" could help her best actress Oscar nomination for the same role. Watch an overwhelmed Winslet backstage » Winslet was nominated for SAG's lead actress in a movie for "Revolutionary Road," but lost to Streep. The SAG Awards are watched closely by Oscar fans, but they're not always a guarantee of Oscar gold. Last year, for example, Julie Christie won the SAG's outstanding lead actress for her work in "Away From Her." At the Academy Awards, she was beaten by Marion Cotillard, who played French singer Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose." Most of the SAG trophies handed out during the first half of Sunday night's show were for TV categories. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney won for their roles in HBO's "John Adams." Giamatti got the trophy for best male actor in a TV movie or miniseries for his role as President John Adams, while Linney won the female actor award for her portrayal of first lady	[ "What is the name of the best leading actor?", "Who was named best leading male actor in a movie?", "What was Sean Penn named?", "What got outstanding performance by cast in motion picture?", "What award did Streep win?", "What award did Millionaire win?", "Who got SAG award for best leading actress in a movie?", "What got outstanding performance?", "What did Meryl get SAG award for?" ]	[ [ "Sean Penn," ], [ "Sean Penn," ], [ "best leading male actor in a movie" ], [ "actors of \"Slumdog Millionaire\"" ], [ "best leading actress in a movie" ], [ "won outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture," ], [ "Meryl Streep" ], [ "actors of \"Slumdog Millionaire\"" ], [ "best leading actress in a movie" ] ]	"Slumdog Millionaire" gets outstanding performance by cast in motion picture . Meryl Streep gets SAG award for best leading actress in a movie . Sean Penn named best leading male actor in a movie . Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock" ensemble cast win television awards .
(CNN) -- The airline operating an Airbus A310-300 jet that crashed in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday with 153 people aboard was being monitored by EU authorities, according to France's transport minister. An Airbus 310 like the one pictured crashed while on the way to the capital of Comoros. Dominique Bussereau told French television that inspectors in his country had also noted several faults on the doomed Yemenia Airways plane, Agence France-Presse reported. "The company was not on the blacklist (of airlines banned from European airspace) but was being subjected to closer inspection by us and was due to soon be heard by the security committee of the European Union," Bussereau said. The Airbus A310 was inspected in France in 2007 by the French civil aviation authority and "a certain number of faults had been noted." "The plane had not since then reappeared in our country," he added. However, Chris Yates, an aviation analyst for Jane's Information Group, said he suspected weather and/or airport failings were a greater factor in the crash than a technical fault. Recent plane crashes » "It's more than likely to be a weather-related incident. Having said that, you cannot rule out a maintenance issue," Yates told CNN. Yemenia Air had used the jet since 1999, on about 17,300 flights, Airbus officials said. The company said it would assist in investigating the crash. "We are extremely saddened and our thoughts are with the families, friends and loved ones affected by this accident," Airbus spokeswoman Maggie Bergsma told CNN. "We are giving our maximum support and assistance to the authorities and the airline." "This includes a team of Airbus experts that will go on site and our crisis center has been open since early this morning, where our specialists work in direct contact with the airline and the authorities," Bergsma added. "The task now is to gather as much information as possible, including retrieval of the black boxes, to help us understand what happened. This will need time and patience." It is the second crash involving an Airbus jet in a month. On June 1, an Air France Airbus A330 crashed off Brazil while en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, France. All 228 aboard are presumed dead. The cause remains under investigation. In the wake of the Air France crash on June 1, United States accident investigators have been probing two recent failures of airspeed and altitude indications aboard Airbus A330s. One flight was between the United States and Brazil in May and the other between Hong Kong and Japan in June. The planes landed safely and there were no injuries or damage, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. CNN's Saad Abedine and Ayesha Durgahee contributed to this report.	[ "who noted faults", "how many people were in the jet?", "when was it inspected?", "how many people were onboard", "How many people were aboard the jet?" ]	[ [ "inspectors" ], [ "153" ], [ "2007" ], [ "153" ], [ "153" ] ]	EU concerned about airline operating jet that crashed in Indian Ocean . Jet was carrying more than 150 people to island of Comoros from Yemen . French officials noted faults with Airbus A310 when they inspected it in 2007 .
(CNN) -- The allegation is shocking: an 8-year-old girl lured to a storage shed with the promise of chewing gum, pinned down and sexually assaulted by four boys, none of them older than 14. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made cracking down on sex crimes a top priority in Liberia. The response from the girl's family sent a second and equally stunning shockwave through their Phoenix, Arizona, community: "The parents felt that they had been shamed or embarrassed by their child," reported Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill. As a result, the girl was taken into custody by Arizona's child welfare agency. The prosecutor who charged the four boys called the crime "heartrending" and "deeply disturbing." But to those familiar with Liberia, the west African nation where the families of all of the children are from, the crime and response are both part of a sadly familiar story. "It's something that happens every day in every community in Liberia," said Tania Bernath, a researcher for the human rights group Amnesty International. The country was racked by a brutal civil war for most of 14 years. During that time, rape was used by fighters on all sides as a tool of war and a way to spread terror and demoralize enemies. A United Nations report in 2004, the year after much of the fighting stopped, estimated that 60 to 70 percent of all women in the nation had been the victims of sexual violence. A 2006 government report said that of 1,600 women surveyed, 92 percent reported some kind of sexual violence, including rape. "They would have cases where they would rape the wife in front of the husband -- things like that, really breaking down communities," said Bernath, who spent several years in Liberia working for a relief organization. While no one yet knows whether the boys charged in the case were exposed directly to violence in their homeland, advocates say they fear that harmful attitudes toward rape in Liberia have followed some members of the tight-knit immigrant community to the United States. Watch a report on the allegations and cultural conflicts » "Things like gang rape were used so often during the war that I think, with kids, if they saw it and heard it or heard about it -- that's part of what you might wonder about [in the Phoenix case]," Bernath said. "It was sort of normalized." In the Phoenix case, a 14-year-old boy who police say was the ringleader is being charged as an adult. The other boys accused are 13, 10 and 9 and were charged as juveniles. Phone calls by CNN to the Maricopa County public defender's office, most recently on Wednesday, have not been returned. It's not known what, if any, exposure the boys or their parents had to the fighting in their homeland, where it was once commonplace for children as young as 7 or 8 to be forced into duty -- the boys handed rifles while the girls were made to perform chores or serve as sex slaves. A United Nations report estimates that about 70 percent of all fighters in the conflict were younger than 18, and former fighters have told U.N. and other researchers about the rapes they say they routinely committed. After the Phoenix attack, a 23-year-old sister of the victim told a reporter that her sister was "bringing confusion" after the assault was discovered by a neighbor. She said that she wanted the suspects to be released from jail because "we are the same people" and that her sister would be ostracized by others in the Liberian community for being a rape victim. It's a reaction that Beverly Goll-Yekeson knows all too well. A native of Liberia, Yekeson was a victim of sexual violence and now works as an advocate for other Liberian women. She says most families in Liberia condemn rape, but the crime is drastically underreported because of the stigma victims and relatives feel. "There are a lot of social illnesses in the society; they are ashamed to come out," said Yekeson	[ "how many women were assualted", "What number of women were assault victims?", "What is used as a weapon", "Who was assualted", "How many women were assault victims?", "What was the age of the girl?" ]	[ [ "92 percent" ], [ "60 to 70 percent" ], [ "rape" ], [ "8-year-old girl" ], [ "surveyed, 92 percent reported some kind of sexual violence, including rape." ], [ "8-year-old" ] ]	8-year-old girl sexually assaulted by fellow Liberia natives, police say . During Liberia's civil war, rape was used as a weapon by soldiers . U.N. report: 60 to 70 percent of Liberian women were assault victims . Johnson-Sirleaf, first elected female leader in Africa, makes stopping rape a priority .
(CNN) -- The alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl on the campus of Richmond High School in Northern California while 10 or more witnesses, most of them students, looked on has sparked familiar questions: "Why are our kids so messed up?" "Why didn't these students try to stop the crime?" "What's happening in our schools?" These are fair questions, and commentators in the media have provided familiar answers. The purported rape is another sad example of today's self-absorbed and uncaring youth. It was the media's glorification of violence that caused it. The horrific act shows how sociopathic brains develop. But it seems as if the majority of commentators have settled on the idea that the Richmond students did nothing because of the "bystander effect": The more people involved in a criminal incident, the less likely any one of them will intervene to do something about it. Unfortunately, this "What's wrong with our children?" approach leads to a dead end, because it results in a sweeping moral condemnation of the schools, families and students in this community. These perpetrators committed a heinous act that should be widely condemned. But a discussion that focuses exclusively on the immorality of these deviant young men does not provide solutions that prevent gang rape from happening. Talking only about the bystander effect wrongly suggests that the vast majority of teens would not call for help. Take Richmond. Claims of depraved acts by a few kids have served to demonize an entire student community. Rather than demonize all teenagers in Richmond High School, we should be asking another question: "What can we do to prevent such heinous acts from happening?" The answer to that question leads to a wholly different kind of dialogue, one that may surprise. It is primarily students, the reputed problem, who can best prevent acts of violence on campus. Make no mistake about it. The alleged two-hour-long gang rape on October 24 was an extreme form of school violence. It unfolded not far from the gym where the school-sponsored homecoming dance, supervised by school staff and police officers, was being held. And students, police say, largely perpetrated it. Research since the massacres at Columbine High School (1999) and Virginia Tech (2007) has taught us a lot about how to prevent such school violence. Chief among them is that school staff and security should patrol campuses, especially violence-prone areas, during and after school events. According to a CNN report, a friend of the alleged victim saw blatant failures in safety precautions. She said, "I looked outside of the gym, and I saw 12 to 15 guys, sitting there, with no IDs. The officers -- not only did they not check the IDs of those students or men sitting outside of of our campus, but the security officers who are employed here did no job of checking either." Virtually all students and teachers at a school can identify these dangerous hot spots. At Richmond High School, one such spot is "a dark alley near the back side of the school," the site of the purported rape. As CNN reported, school officials had even requested that video cameras and more lights be installed in the area, but they were never installed. The alleged rapists and student bystanders probably knew that no one would be patrolling the area. As important as campus patrols are in reducing campus violence, the most powerful form of prevention is believing that students can help stop crime from happening. They didn't stop the purported rape at Richmond, a skeptic might say. A possible reason is that they were not educated on how to stop it. . Research shows us that students often know ahead of time when and where violence will flare up on campus. Strong social networks and the widespread use of cell phones and text messaging rapidly convey such information. This dynamic can fuel violence, as officials say it did at Richmond High School. It can also prevent violence. Thousands of potential school crimes, including violent ones, have been averted on campuses	[ "What are commentators focused on?", "On what are commentators focused?", "What did commentators focus on?", "what are commentators focused on?", "what do the studies show?", "What crime do students not report?", "What do studies show?" ]	[ [ "the idea that the Richmond students did nothing because of the \"bystander effect\":" ], [ "the idea that the Richmond students did nothing because of the \"bystander effect\":" ], [ "\"bystander effect\":" ], [ "\"bystander effect\":" ], [ "students often know ahead of time when and where violence will flare up on campus." ], [ "gang rape" ], [ "that students often know ahead of time when and where violence will flare up on campus." ] ]	Commentators focused on why students didn't report alleged rape, Astor says . Studies of school violence show ways it can be prevented, he says . Astor: Training can prepare students to alert police and avert violence .
(CNN) -- The alleged victim in a 1977 sexual assault case against director Roman Polanski has filed court papers seeking dismissal of the charges against him. Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski has lived in exile in France since fleeing the United States in 1978. The woman's declaration seeking dismissal was filed Monday in Los Angeles, California, in connection with Polanski's efforts to have the 31-year-old case dismissed. Polanski, 75, has lived in exile in France since fleeing the United States in 1978 after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse. Polanski admitted to having sex with a 13-year-old girl, and an arrest warrant against him remains in effect. In her declaration, Samantha Geimer said, "I am no longer a 13-year-old child. I have dealt with the difficulties of being a victim, have surmounted and surpassed them with one exception. "Every time this case is brought to the attention of the Court, great focus is made of me, my family, my mother and others. That attention is not pleasant to experience and is not worth maintaining over some irrelevant legal nicety, the continuation of the case." Geimer, who has spoken publicly about the case before, including a 2003 appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live," added, "I have survived, indeed prevailed, against whatever harm Mr. Polanski may have caused me as a child." She chided the district attorney's office for not dismissing the case earlier and for "yet once again (giving) great publicity to the lurid details of those events, for all to read again. True as they may be, the continued publication of those details cause harm to me ... I have become a victim of the actions of the District Attorney." The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office had no immediate response to Geimer's declaration. Lawyers for the Oscar-winning film director filed a motion for dismissal of the sex offense case against him in December, citing what the defense called "extraordinary new evidence" of "repeated, unlawful and unethical misconduct" by the Los Angeles district attorney's office and the judge in Polanski's case. The December motion also argued that Polanski should not be required to return to the United States to appear in court for the dismissal motion to be considered. In her declaration, Geimer said if Polanski cannot appear in court, she will do so to seek dismissal. "My position is absolutely clear," she said. Polanski's motion for dismissal is scheduled for a hearing on January 21. Polanski, a native of Poland, won the Academy Award in 2003 for his Holocaust drama, "The Pianist." Among his other films from earlier in his career are "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown." His first wife, actress Sharon Tate, was murdered by the Charles Manson family in 1969.	[ "When did Polanski plead guilty?", "What age was the girl?", "Where does Polanski currently live?", "What age is the sex case against Polanski?", "How long ago was the sex offense case?", "Where does the director live?", "Where does the director live in exile?", "What was dismissed?", "What did Polanski plead guilty to in 1978?" ]	[ [ "1978" ], [ "13-year-old" ], [ "France" ], [ "31-year-old" ], [ "1977" ], [ "France" ], [ "France" ], [ "the charges" ], [ "unlawful sexual intercourse." ] ]	Motion filed to dismiss a 31-year-old sex offense case against Roman Polanski . Polanski pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl in 1978 . Director lives in exile in France after fleeing the United States .
(CNN) -- The ambush by up to a dozen gunmen of a bus carrying members of the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore is the realization of fears long held by the sport's leading players. Pakistani policemen outside The National Stadium after masked gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on March 3, 2009. The Sri Lankan team had agreed to tour Pakistan after India pulled out in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last November when more than 160 people died in a three-day siege. The England team was in India -- but not in Mumbai -- during the attacks and promptly cut their tour short and returned home. In September 2008, Cricket Australia decided to push ahead with a tour of India despite a series of bomb attacks in the country's capital New Delhi. In March of the same year, they had pulled out of a tour of Pakistan after a spate of suicide bombings. Before that, the Australian team had not played in Pakistan for 10 years. Such was the concern about the security risks presented to players in Pakistan that in August 2008 the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the biennial Champions Trophy would be postponed until October 2009. The ICC announced last month that it was investigating other venues after three countries -- England, New Zealand and Australia -- expressed reservations about touring Pakistan. South Africa pulled out of the 2008 competition citing security concerns. Long before that, in 2002, a suicide bomb blast outside the New Zealand team's hotel prompted them to pack up and abandon the second Test series in Pakistan. The explosion injured the team physiotherapist and killed 11 French navy experts as well as two Pakistanis. The previous year, the New Zealand team cancelled a scheduled tour of Pakistan in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in the U.S. Most of the team stayed on to play, though under increased security, when a suicide attack closed Colombo's international airport in July 2001. In February 1996, Australia and the West Indies refused to play in preliminary World Cup matches in Sri Lanka after a huge bomb blast killed 80 people and injured 1,200 in Colombo. In November 1992, also in Colombo, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb outside a hotel where the New Zealand team was having breakfast, killing four people. Five players and the coach were allowed to return home on compassionate grounds. Five years earlier, in April 1987, the New Zealand team cut short a three-test tour of Sri Lanka after a car bomb killed 100 people at a bus station in Colombo.	[ "Who is investigating?", "What national team pulled out of tour of Pakistan due to suicid bombings?", "What nation have teams expressed security concerns about?", "What is the ICC investigating?", "Why did the Australian team pull out of the tour last year?", "Who is currently investigating other venues?", "What did the Australia team do?", "What did the team agree to do?", "Who has expressed concern about security in Pakistan?", "What team pulled out of the tour of Pakistan?", "Why did the Sri Lankan team agree to replace India in Pakistan?" ]	[ [ "The ICC" ], [ "India" ], [ "Pakistan." ], [ "other venues" ], [ "suicide bombings." ], [ "the International Cricket Council (ICC)" ], [ "push ahead with a tour of India" ], [ "tour Pakistan" ], [ "South Africa" ], [ "India" ], [ "aftermath of the terrorist attacks" ] ]	Sri Lankan team agreed to replace India in Pakistan after Mumbai attacks . International teams have long expressed concern about security in Pakistan . Australian team pulled out of tour of Pakistan last year after suicide bombings . ICC currently investigating other venues for postponed Champions Trophy .
(CNN) -- The announcement that Chicago, Illinois, will not host the 2016 Olympic Games took the hopeful wind out of many in the Windy City. Dreams of hosting the 2016 Olympics were dashed for many Chicagoans. But for others, the news was welcome. But for almost half of the city's dwellers, the International Olympic Committee's decision was winning news. A spokeswoman for No Games Chicago, a grass-roots organization opposed to hosting the Olympics, said she was "relieved" by the vote Friday in Copenhagen, Denmark. Chicago's Olympic fever, spotty as it was, broke abruptly when the city was the first of four final contenders to be knocked out of the running. The prospective host cities had been whittled down to four finalists -- Chicago; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Tokyo, Japan; and Madrid, Spain. The bid went to Rio de Janeiro, making it the first South American city to host the Olympic Games. Chicago had been seen as a front-runner in recent days, especially after it sent to Copenhagen America's biggest guns -- President Obama and his popular wife, Michelle -- for a last-minute sales pitch. But a poll taken by the Chicago Tribune and CNN affiliate WGN revealed in early September that 45 percent of the city residents didn't want the Olympic Games. And 84 percent of Chicagoans objected to the idea of public money being used to support the effort. Earlier this week, about 250 Olympic-bid protesters gathered in front of City Hall, WGN reported. A sign in the crowd read: "Have the audacity of nope." Many who gathered for the bid slapdown were affiliated with No Games Chicago, which sent three delegates to Copenhagen to state their case. After the vote, however, spokeswoman Francesca Rodriguez said No Games Chicago is "in no way taking any pleasure in this" and feels "sympathy" for those who are disappointed. "In reality, Chicagoans who were for the Games and those who were against them were committed to the same goal: Working hard for what they thought would be best for the city of Chicago in the coming decades," she said. "We're glad that the city won't now be burdened by the distraction of the Olympics at the expense of improving Chicago's schools, transportation, parks and the numerous other public policy initiatives on which the city needs to be focused." Those who believe the Olympics can bring lasting change to a city -- beyond the spike in economic activity during the event -- are often misguided, suggested economist Rob Baade of Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois. "There is no reason to expect that the Olympics, or any mega-event, is going to induce a sustainable boost in the economy," he said. "The cost overruns are pretty legendary. Costs are generally understated and the gains overstated." One Web site set up to rally against bringing the Olympic Games to town relied as much on humor as it did reason. Its name: Chicagoans for Rio 2016. The site showcased unflattering head-to-head comparisons, such as "Naked people dancing" vs. "Chubby people eating." The increasing budget deficit in Chicago was contrasted with a $0 total for Rio. "If you're a Chicagoan, Rio's budget deficit does not matter," the site said. "It would be exciting to host the Olympics here in Chicago. But you know what would be even better? Rio de Janeiro," the site announced. "Just let Rio host the 2016 Olympics. We don't mind. Honest." Wish granted.	[ "How many Chicago residents were opposed to hosting the Olympics?", "How many anti-Olympic protesters rallied?", "What is the first South American host city?", "How many protestors were at Chicago's City Hall?", "For whom is losing out on the Olympics welcome news?", "What do Olympic opponents prefer the city to focus on?", "How many anti-Olympic protesters manifest?", "¿Rio de Janeiro won the bid in what?" ]	[ [ "45 percent" ], [ "250" ], [ "Rio de Janeiro," ], [ "250" ], [ "almost half of the city's dwellers," ], [ "improving Chicago's schools, transportation, parks and" ], [ "250" ], [ "host the 2016 Olympic Games" ] ]	For about half of Chicago's dwellers, losing out on the Olympics is welcome news . Olympic opponents prefer the city's focus to be on schools and other needs . About 250 anti-Olympic protesters rallied outside Chicago's City Hall this week . Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, wins bid, making it the first South American host city .
(CNN) -- The applause that erupted during last week's NBC/Politico debate among Republican presidential hopefuls at the mention of the executions carried out during Rick Perry's tenure as Texas's governor cut off co-moderator Brian Williams' question in midstream. Williams: Gov. Perry, a question about Texas. Your state has executed 234 death row inmates, more than any other governor in modern times. Have you . . . [SUSTAINED APPLAUSE] . . . Have you struggled to sleep at night with the idea that any one of those might have been innocent? The response presumably would have been more muted if Williams had been allowed to finish his question. Most people are less enthusiastic about the death penalty's being applied against the innocent. Following the question's completion, Governor Perry volunteered that he has "never struggled with that at all," explaining that "when someone commits the most heinous of crimes against our citizens, they get a fair hearing ..." Had the governor an opportunity to rephrase his answer, he likely would have clarified that fair hearings also are available to those who have been charged with but did not actually commit a heinous crime, and that such crimes might occasionally involve noncitizen victims as well. But the point is not to quibble about word choices; Texas governors can be forgiven linguistic mistakes if they allow no capital ones to happen. Troy Davis, scheduled to be executed next week in Georgia for the murder of off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail, could be a capital error that is about to happen. Davis was convicted and sentenced to death more than 20 years ago by a jury that heard testimony from at least nine witnesses who implicated him in the killing. Since then, seven of the trial witnesses have recanted or revised their testimony so that it no longer points to Davis' guilt. Of the two witnesses who have not revised their condemning trial testimony, one is believed by Davis' supporters to have been the actual murderer. The last judge to review the case concluded that Davis' conviction and death sentence should not be disturbed, leaving the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, which has previously declined to take action, as the last apparent barrier to Davis' execution. With no DNA or comparably reliable scientific evidence available to help confirm or contraindicate Davis' guilt, the cry to achieve a final resolution of the case appears poised to trump the trial's lingering uncertainties. Davis may or may not be innocent. To acknowledge this much would suggest that he should not be executed. Yet Georgia is ready to move forward. If it is true that justice delayed is justice denied, it must also be true that an injustice not delayed is justice denied. (In another case, yesterday The U.S. Supreme Court delayed the scheduled execution of an inmate on death row in Texas after questions arose about a psychologist who had testified that blacks and Hispanics were more likely to commit future crimes.) To make these observations about the cheering that greeted Perry's execution record and the angst accompanying Troy Davis' scheduled execution is to dwell on symptoms at the expense of their origins and deeper meaning. I want to believe, and I do believe, that few of those celebrating at the mention of the Texas executions would not shed their festive enthusiasm and become reflective, sober, perhaps even somber if enlisted as witnesses to the execution of a fellow human being, even one indisputably guilty of committing murder. I believe that those who cheer are applauding not the ugly reality of death inflicted by lethal injection but rather what it is that the punishment of death symbolizes: the triumph of law over criminal violence, of good over evil, the emphatic denunciation of unspeakably immoral misconduct, the restoration of order and a salve against the fear created in murder's wake. The reality of the death penalty is that even if it is politically popular (to wit, the Perry applause) it is an ineffective criminal justice policy, rarely employed, unevenly distributed and fraught with the potential for error. Its mistakes, unlike those committed in cases resulting in imprisonment, cannot be corrected. Capital punishment is	[ "Who is condemned to die?", "What is fraught with potential error?", "Troy Davis is condemned to what?", "what question drew cheers?", "What was the debate question about?", "what does Death penalty fraught with?" ]	[ [ "Troy Davis," ], [ "death penalty" ], [ "scheduled to be executed" ], [ "Have you struggled to sleep at night with the idea that any one of those might have been innocent?" ], [ "executions carried out during Rick Perry's tenure as Texas's governor" ], [ "potential for error." ] ]	James Acker: Debate question to Rick Perry about Texas' many executions drew cheers . He says most people, though, are cheering triumph of justice, don't want wrongful executions . He says Troy Davis is condemned to die even though witnesses have recanted . Acker: Death penalty fraught with potential error; cases like Davis' focus our attention on this .
(CNN) -- The arrival of autumn in Australia will be a welcome relief for international visitors emerging from a bleak winter in the northern hemisphere. There's no mistaking the city of Sydney -- fine weather means you may struggle to see a cloud in the sky. Peak season may be winding up but with temperatures off their sticky summer highs it's a great time to sample one of the country's most recognizable cities. While few international visitors are likely to find themselves stranded in Sydney for 24 hours (if only!), here's our fast-track tour for travelers short on time. See the sun come up over Sydney Harbour. At this time of year, the sun rises at around 6:30am, an hour after the first ferries leave the wharf, so there's plenty of activity on the water. Early risers can waste no time in immersing themselves in Sydney's cultural highlights. At 7:00am, the Sydney Opera House hosts tours for just eight people to backstage areas normally off-limits to theatre-goers. At $100 per person, the two-hour tour is not a budget option but it does include breakfast. Be warned, the tour includes 300 steps. If you're not exhausted by the machinations of the Opera House, cool off with a relaxing dip. A recent spate of shark attacks may have put you off Sydney's beaches, but there are plenty of outdoor pools that offer both sun and seawater. For serious laps, try the North Sydney Olympic Pool (next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge) or for a lazier affair have a massage at Wylies Bath in Coogee. Image gallery: 24 hours in Sydney » Once in Coogee you can admire the Australian coastline by following it all the way back to Sydney's famous Bondi Beach. Most people start in Bondi but there's no reason why you can't do it in reverse. The two-hour walk takes you past bays and beaches and through the dramatic Waverley Cemetery where you can reflect on life while breathing in the views. The path ends at the Bondi Icebergs surf club where you can grab a cold fizzy beer at the bar or stay for lunch at the Bistro. The hungry seagulls and pelicans at the Sydney Fish Market make lunch there a more interesting affair. Select your meal from the huge variety of seafood inside the market, grab a bottle of wine and an outdoor table and prepare to guard your chips. There is no shortage of up-market alternatives when it comes to dining out in Sydney. For one of the best try Tetsuya's in Kent Street. It was opened by Japanese-born Tetsuya Wakuda in 1989 and was lauded in a recent review as "magical dining." It's only open for lunch on Saturdays and you'd be advised to book well in advance for dinner. A cheaper option would be any of the BYO (bring your own) restaurants dotted around the city. Most restaurants allow you to bring your own bottle of wine, but they will charge you corkage. Still, it's cheaper than the mark-ups on bottles at licensed premises. Until May 24, visitors can drop into the Art Gallery of New South Wales to see the finalists and the winner of this year's Archibald Prize, Australia's leading portraiture contest. Shoppers can pick up a souvenir close by in one of Sydney's oldest and most beautiful shopping centers, the Queen Victoria Building. The building opened in 1898, underwent major refurbishment in the 1980s and is now not only a great example of Victorian architecture but a stunning place to grab a quick coffee. (Note: The builders are back but the building remains open. The new improvements are scheduled to finish in July 2009.) In the evening, take a twilight cruise of Sydney Harbour aboard a yacht. Sunsail invites everyone for a "fun blast" around the harbor every Wednesday evening from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The yacht leaves from the Boat House in Lavender Bay, a short hop from the city on the north side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Two new festivals have been added to a busy calendar in Sydney	[ "Where is the Opera House?", "what can you do at the sydeny fish markt" ]	[ [ "Sydney" ], [ "Select your meal from the huge variety of seafood" ] ]	Start the day in Sydney with a backstage tour of the famous Opera House . Avoid shark scares by swimming in one of the city's many outdoor pools . Eat fish and chips with the seagulls and pelicans at the Sydney Fish Market . End the night in one of the city's Karaoke bars: some allow you to BYO .
(CNN) -- The attack on a Danish political cartoonist "runs totally against the teachings and values of Islam," the umbrella organization representing Muslim countries has said. If the attack was a reaction to Kurt Westergaard's drawing of the Muslim prophet Mohammed with a turban shaped as a bomb, "then it should be rejected and condemned by all Muslims," the Organization of the Islamic Conference said in a statement Sunday. An ax-wielding Somali man is accused of trying to break into Westergaard's home Friday and was charged the next day with attempted assassination. Intelligence officials linked the suspect to an East African Islamist militia allied with al Qaeda. The suspect tried to kill Westergaard and an on-duty police officer, the Danish Intelligence and Security Service said. Danish police shot the 28-year-old suspect Friday night as he tried to enter Westergaard's home in the city of Aarhus. The suspect was shot in the right leg and left hand. He was hospitalized after the incident. Video showed him appearing at court strapped to a stretcher. Authorities did not identify him because the judge decided it would be illegal to disclose his name, said Chief Superintendent Ole Madsen with the East Jutland Police. They said he has legal residency in Denmark and lives in Sjaelland, near Copenhagen. The judge ordered the suspect held for four weeks while the investigation proceeds. Madsen said the man is currently the only suspect in the case, and he would not say whether police were investigating anyone else. Al-Shabaab, the militant organization with alleged ties to the suspect, is waging a bloody battle against Somalia's transitional government and is currently on a U.S. government list of terrorist organizations. At a news conference in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, al-Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage said, "We are very happy with the Somali national who attacked the house of the Danish cartoonist who previously insulted our prophet Mohammed. This is an honor for the Somali people. We are telling that we are glad that anyone who insults Islam should be attacked wherever they are." Police had no indication that an attack was being planned on Westergaard, Madsen said, though the intelligence service said the suspect had been under surveillance because of his alleged terrorist links. Police said the suspect wielded an ax and a knife and managed to crack the glass front door of Westergaard's home. A home alarm alerted police to the scene, and they were attacked by the suspect, authorities said. Westergaard, who was home with his 5-year-old granddaughter at the time of the break-in, hid in a "panic room" when he realized what was happening, Madsen said. Westergaard is ordinarily accompanied by bodyguards when he leaves his home, but nobody was on guard at the house Friday, the Security and Intelligence Service told CNN. Police said Westergaard was "being taken care of" after the break-in, but wouldn't reveal his new location. The incident "once again confirms the terrorist threat that is directed against Denmark and against cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, in particular," said Jakob Scharf, spokesman for the Danish Security and Intelligence Service. Westergaard's caricature of Mohammed -- showing the prophet wearing a bomb as a turban with a lit fuse -- was first published by the Danish newspaper Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten in September 2005. It sparked an uproar among Muslims in early 2006 after newspapers reprinted the images in support of free speech. At the time, Westergaard said he wanted his cartoon to say that some people exploited the prophet to legitimize terrorism. However, many in the Muslim world interpreted the drawing as depicting their prophet as a terrorist. Over the years, Danish authorities have arrested other suspects who allegedly plotted against Westergaard's life. After three such arrests in February 2008, Westergaard issued a statement, saying, "Of course I fear for my life after the Danish Security and Intelligence Service informed me of the concrete plans of certain people to kill me. However, I have turned fear into anger and indignation. It has made me angry that a perfectly normal everyday activity which I used to do	[ "What is Westergaard known for?", "Who did attacked home of Danish cartoonist?", "Whose home was attacked?", "who was attacked", "what is the attack on" ]	[ [ "drawing of the Muslim prophet Mohammed with a turban shaped as a bomb," ], [ "Somali man" ], [ "Kurt Westergaard's" ], [ "Kurt Westergaard's" ], [ "Danish political cartoonist" ] ]	Organization of the Islamic Conference condemns attack on cartoonist . Somali man attacked home of Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard . Westergaard known for controversial cartoons of prophet Mohammed .
(CNN) -- The attorney representing the 22-year-old Kentucky soldier charged with attempted espionage and communicating military information said Tuesday that his client told him he is innocent. "Generally speaking, yes -- that he is not guilty of attempted espionage or spying against the United States," Stephen Karns said of what the solider told him. Spc. William Colton Millay of Owensboro, Kentucky, was charged this week with attempted espionage and communicating military information, allegations that have shocked friends who have described him as a patriotic country boy. The formal charges were issued 10 days after Millay was arrested at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, said Col. Bill Coppernoll, the public affairs officer at the base. According to a statement from the base, issued Monday, Millay "communicated and transmitted unclassified national defense information to an individual whom he believed was a foreign intelligence agent." The Army specialist "believed (this information) could be used to the advantage of a foreign nation." A charge of failure to obey general regulations stems from an assertion that Millay did not "report multiple contacts with someone he believed to be a foreign intelligence agent." He is also accused of "wrongfully concealing and storing two firearms and ammunition in his assigned barracks room." The military further alleges that Millay "wrongfully solicited a fellow-service member to obtain classified information and tangible items" so that they could be given to a foreign intelligence agent, leading to a charge of solicitation. He is also charged with making false statements, having allegedly not been forthright in telling Army counterintelligence officials "the full scope" of his attempted contacts with other governments and "the full nature" of what he'd disclosed to the believed-to-be foreign agent. Military authorities did not disclose what information specifically Millay allegedly obtained and disclosed, but they described it as not classified. Nor did they state which country he believed that information was going to, via a "foreign intelligence agent." He is currently being held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex, according to the military statement. Karns, Millay's attorney, said that it may be important that the material allegedly involved in the case was not classified. "It is very serious charges. My hope is it is not going to amount to what they are claiming," he said. Having enlisted in the Army in November 2007, Millay was based in South Korea and Fort Stewart, Georgia, and spent one tour of combat duty in Iraq before being assigned to the Alaska base in May, according to the military statement. He was assigned to the 164th Military Police Company, 793rd Military Police Battalion, 2nd Engineer Brigade, known as the "Arctic Enforcers." Longtime friend Drew Bramschreiber of Owensboro has said Millay hardly fit the spy persona. "He's just a simple country boy," he said. "He was never the kind of guy who would get into trouble." Another friend, Janssen Payne, said last week that Millay idolized his brother, who is also in the Army, and that he had been in the ROTC program in high school. He was a supporter of President George W. Bush and the U.S. war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan, his friend said. "You've got the wrong guy," Payne said. "That's just not who he is." CNN's Charley Keyes contributed to this report.	[ "What did his lawyer say?", "Who faces charges including communicating military information?", "When did the native enlist in the army?", "Who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2007?", "Who told him he is not guilty?" ]	[ [ "client told him he is innocent." ], [ "Spc. William Colton Millay" ], [ "November 2007," ], [ "Millay" ], [ "his client" ] ]	Spc. William Colton Millay faces charges including communicating military information . His lawyer says Millay told him he is not guilty . Soldier believed he was giving info to "a foreign intelligence agent," military says . The 22-year-old Kentucky native enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2007 .
(CNN) -- The average American woman can live long enough to celebrate her 80th birthday, so if a woman is able to become pregnant using in vitro fertilization with a donor egg at 56, she could still watch her child grow into an adult. But just because it's possible, does that mean she should? Some feel that having children after 45 is unfair because the parents might not live to see the kids become adults. The death of 69-year-old Maria del Carmen Bousada of Spain, who used in vitro fertilization with a donor egg to have twin boys at 66, has the fertility treatment community bracing for a backlash. It could rival the fallout from octuplet mom Nadya Suleman -- and it seems to have already started. In a national online survey about fertility conducted in May by Johnson & Johnson's Babycenter.com, 7 out of 10 moms who responded wanted tougher regulation laws for IVF treatments, and half of the 1,095 respondents thought it was bad for the children if a parent conceived past 45. Fertility specialists understand those concerns, but they say it's not that simple. Although it's rare for anyone older than 55 to get the go-ahead for IVF, that guideline is peer-enforced rather than mandated, and decisions typically are made on a case-by-case basis. Georgia Dardick, an advertising executive in Boynton Beach, Florida, was one of those cases. Dardick tried to conceive via IVF six times and seriously considered adoption, but at 51, she wasn't ready to let go of her desire to have a baby. "Fifty was the cutoff for my doctor, but they agreed to give us one more try," she said. She had her daughter in January. Dardick said she never planned to have a baby at 51, but feels that she made the right decision, despite the judgments others may have. "The word selfish has come into my mind. But for any parent, having a child is selfish. No matter what your age is, once you have that child, you owe that child everything. I live the best, healthiest life I can." Doctors say society's views of aging needs to change. "The 40 and 45-year-old of today is not the 40-year-old of the past; the 50-year-old [today] is not the same of the past," said Dr. John Jain, a physician at the Santa Monica (California) Fertility Clinic who has treated age-related infertility for 15 years. "They're eating healthy. A woman who is 45 is barely halfway through [her] life." Healthy or not, having a child at that age can cause tremendous stress on the body. Candidates for IVF after 45 use either an egg donor or their own frozen embryos from a prior cycle and are screened for underlying medical problems, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension or lung disease, said Dr. Charles Coddington of the Mayo Clinic's reproductive endocrinology department in Rochester, Minnesota. Still, "if somebody were in good health, it would be hard to say, 'you shouldn't have a baby,' " he said. "One has to judge where they are, health-wise and financially." But if a woman who claims to be 55 is actually in her mid-60s -- as Bousada reportedly did -- what's a doctor to do? Not much, physicians say. Watch report on death of 69-year-old mother » "The truth may get dimmed to fit into the realm of a patient that may be acceptable. I don't sit there and say, 'Go get your birth certificate.' If someone's coming in and they're saying they're 52 or 55, I take it at face value," Coddington said, who does refer questionable cases to the fertility center's ethics board. Even for those who choose to use it, the availability of this technology can be a double-edged sword. Dardick said she wouldn't change anything, but if she did have to do it all over again,	[ "Who says tougher regulations would hinder their ability to treat patients?", "When do most fertility centers stop treating?", "How many years old was the Florida woman who had a miracle baby?", "Who was able to have her miracle baby at 51?" ]	[ [ "Dr. John Jain," ], [ "it's rare for anyone older than 55 to get the go-ahead for IVF," ], [ "51," ], [ "Georgia Dardick," ] ]	If a woman is in good health, she can conceive and give birth into her 50s . Most fertility centers stop treating after 55, but there aren't any laws to enforce this . Doctors say tougher regulations would hinder their ability to treat patients . Florida woman was able to have her miracle baby at 51 .
(CNN) -- The average cost of medical care for a premature or low birth-weight baby for its first year of life is about $49,000, according to a new report from the March of Dimes Foundation. Babies born after the 37th week of pregnancy are less costly to the health care system than premature babies. By contrast, a newborn without complications costs $4,551 for care in its first year of life, the report said. Newborns with other kinds of complications, such as congenital defects, have medical expenses of $10,273 on average in the first year. The foundation wants to show employers the importance of good maternity care, maternity coverage, and prevention of prematurity, said Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes, a nonprofit for pregnancy and baby health. "It's in the best interest of the bottom line for the employer, and of course it's certainly in the best interest for the baby, the employee, and ultimately the community in which the business is located," she said. Although most of these costs go straight to the health care plans, even out-of-pocket expenses are far greater for premature babies than for children delivered at a normal time. The average out-of-pocket expense for a premature or low-birth-weight baby in the first year was $1,987. For uncomplicated births, it is $654, and a baby with other kinds of complications averages $953 in out of pocket expenses. But it's important to note that these are average costs for premature babies born at different times -- a baby born closer to 40 weeks will most likely cost much less than a baby born at 26 weeks, said William Sexson, neonatologist at Emory University and prematurity prevention chair for the March of Dimes for the state of Georgia. Sexson was not involved in the new report. The problem of prematurity By definition, a premature baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. About 12 percent of all pregnancies in the United States result in premature birth, according to the National Institutes of Health. A low-birth-weight baby weighs less than 2,500 grams, or 5.5 pounds. Prematurity may contribute to problems such as cerebral palsy, vision problems, learning disabilities, and developmental delays, experts say. The rate of premature babies in the United States has increased 36 percent since the early 1980s, the March of Dimes said. One reason for the abundance of premature births may be the increasing number of elective early deliveries, said Sexson. There is a lack of transparency about both patients' and obstetricians' decisions to, for example, have a Caesarean section close to term -- technically premature. The March of Dimes recommends every elective delivery before 39 weeks be reviewed. "There is a real concern that many of those deliveries are a lot more elective than they ought to be," Sexson said. Uncomplicated Caesarean deliveries cost over 40 percent more than uncomplicated vaginal deliveries, the new report said. These deliveries also resulted in longer inpatient stays, outpatient visits, and more prescriptions filled. Most of the costs get covered by a health plan -- out-of-pocket expenses were similar for normal Caesarian deliveries, uncomplicated vaginal deliveries, and complicated births. Preventing premature births Prenatal care is essential in helping mothers carry their babies to term, experts say. The vitamin folate is especially important for mothers-to-be because it has been shown to prevent congenital abnormalities, said Janet Larson, chief of neonatology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Premature babies cost the United States at least $26 billion each year, according to the Institute of Medicine. Women who have a shortened cervix, or have certain infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, are at higher risk for having a premature baby, according to the NIH. A history of giving birth to premature babies is also a risk factor, said Dr. Charles Macri, obstetrician-gynecologist at the The George Washington University Hospital in Washington. A woman in this situation may take progesterone therapy between weeks 16 and 36	[ "What is the definition of a premature infant?", "What is the cost of premature infants nationally?", "What are risk factors for premature delivery?", "When is a premature baby born?", "Before what week of pregnancy is a baby premature?", "What is the cost in the US of premature babies?" ]	[ [ "a" ], [ "$49,000," ], [ "cerebral palsy, vision problems, learning disabilities, and developmental delays," ], [ "before the 37th week of pregnancy." ], [ "of" ], [ "about $49,000," ] ]	By definition, a premature baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy . Premature babies cost the U.S. at least $26 billion each year . There are risk factors, but not all premature births can be prevented . In tough economic times, pregnant women should not cut back on health care .
(CNN) -- The average temperature in Bloomington, Minnesota, in January was 6.4 degrees Fahrenheit. But that didn't stop Adam Frey from grilling outdoors and burning through 80 pounds of charcoal during the month. Leroy and Judy McMillin of Spring, Texas, own three Big Green Eggs and built an outdoor kitchen to house them. Frey received a Big Green Egg -- a ceramic cooker that serves as a smoker, grill and oven -- for Christmas last year. Since then, he has devotedly grilled six or seven days a week. "Extreme cold isn't an issue as long as you dress warm," Frey said. "I have and will continue to cook out every day if possible." The oval-shaped grill has amassed a cult-like following since it was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1974. Fans of the grill call themselves Eggheads. Tell us about your grill of choice Frey began grilling more than 20 years ago but got his first Egg in 2008. "It changed everything," he said. He now owns two Eggs and calls himself a "grill junkie." "When you find yourself waking up, thinking about what you're going to grill that night, you're pretty addicted," Frey said. iReport.com: See photos of Frey's grilled meals With a hefty price tag and weight -- some Eggs cost up to $900 and weigh more than 200 pounds -- the uninitiated may question whether the cookers are worth it. Eggheads, though, are quick to spread the gospel. Frey, who shared his story on iReport.com as part of CNN's "grill masters" assignment, wasn't the only one to express devotion to the ceramic cooker. Other iReporters shared photos, videos and stories about their egg-centricity. "I am an Egghead. They should pay me, because I constantly encourage people to buy one," joked Brad Cates. Cates, an insurance and financial consultant in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, raves about the ease of heat control and versatility of his Egg. Fueled by charcoal, the Big Green Egg can reach up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit to sear a steak within minutes or cook a slow and low brisket for hours. "It is better than any other grill or smoker I've had," Cates said. "I've had numerous gas grills, and there is absolutely no comparison there." Cates tends to "cook in spurts," firing up the grill for two or three days some weeks. Ribs, covered in his secret homemade rub, are his specialty. "I try to do at least three racks at a time, and they are gone within minutes," he said. Thanks to Cates' enthusiasm, co-worker John Lindsey decided to purchase a Big Green Egg. Now he, too, raves about it. "The grill is like no other," Lindsey boasted. "I have owned all types of grills, from the tiny charcoal grill to the giant stainless steel gas grills. But the BGE is by far my favorite." Lindsey, 34, grills three or four times a week. His specialty is "pork in general"; baby back ribs, pork tenderloin and pulled pork are some of his favorite dishes. He owns an XL Egg, which, according to the manufacturer, can cook 24 burgers, 12 steaks or 11 whole chickens at a time. iReport.com: See some XL Egg creations More than a million Eggs have been sold since the company began, spokeswoman Donna Myers said. "Word of mouth literally made the Egg what it is today," Myers said. She noted that BGE founder Ed Fisher began the company with little advertising revenue. "For many years, these devoted Eggheads became the company's primary sales force," Myers said. Perhaps the biggest Eggheads in the iReport community are Leroy and Judy McMillin of Spring, Texas. The couple owns three Eggs and built an outdoor kitchen to house them. "I think it's easy to see that we love our Eggs," Leroy McMillin said	[ "Which fanatics call themselves \"Eggheads\" spread the gospel.", "What did Leroy McMillin build for his grills?", "Who built a \"coop\" for his three eggs?", "Who grilled oudoors everyday in six degree weather?", "What do the enthusiasts call themselves?", "What temperature is Adam Frey grilling on?" ]	[ [ "Fans of the grill" ], [ "outdoor kitchen" ], [ "Leroy and Judy McMillin" ], [ "Adam Frey" ], [ "Eggheads." ], [ "6.4 degrees Fahrenheit." ] ]	Big Green Egg fanatics call themselves "Eggheads," spread the gospel . Adam Frey grilled outdoors everyday in six degree weather . Leroy McMillin built a "coop" for his three Eggs . iReport.com: Are you a grill master? Show us your custom grills .
(CNN) -- The backdrop to countless movies and television shows, Los Angeles has been reproduced on film more times than any other city on the planet. The L.A. metropolis spreads over nearly 500 square miles. But just like the movie sets that went up in flames last year at Universal Studios, the Tinseltown glamour is often no more than a flimsy facade. Behind the myth of Hollywood lies a swirling melting pot of a place where nearly half of people speak Spanish and where, for every rising star, there's at least a hundred wannabes waiting tables or entertaining tourists on Venice Beach. At once a Lalaland filled with dreamers, Los Angeles has also been scene to some of the worst race riots in American history: a paradoxical place that spawned both Charlie Chaplin and Gangsta Rap. These days, aside from the smog -- an ever present in a city plagued with so many cars and so little rainfall -- the atmosphere is less toxic than two decades ago when the city was awash with crack cocaine and guns. Watch Wolfgang Puck take CNN on a tour of L.A. » Schemes to gentrify the downtown and other areas, such as the construction of the Hollywood and Highland complex that includes the Kodak Theater -- home to the Oscars since 2002 -- have gone some way to revitalizing the inner city. In any case, in a city with an estimated population of 3.8 million sprawling over a metropolis nearly 500 square miles in size, it's easy to avoid the sharper edges if you want to. Not that that's so surprising. After all, where better to detune from reality than in a town whose success is entirely founded on our appetite for escapism. And from its world class art galleries to the unashamed schmaltz of Disneyland and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it offers escapism for all tastes. The Los Angeles story started in the late nineteenth century when Midwesterners attracted by the promise of a warm, dry climate followed the railroad west. The boom times risked coming to a premature halt at the turn of the century due to water shortages, but the smart engineering and dark maneuverings of the city water department (maneuverings that helped inspire the classic film noir, Chinatown) resulted in the construction of water aqueducts that ensured the city's continued growth. See pictures of Wolfgang Puck's Los Angeles In the end though, light was the natural resource that mattered most. From the 1920s onwards, the motion picture industry grew into a worldwide phenomenon thanks to the abundance of clear, blue skies to help light the movie moguls sets. By the time the Golden Age of Hollywood came to an end, the boom town had morphed into a sprawling urban center and the lure of the limelight had earned the city the tag it retains to this day, that of "entertainment capital of the world." In the early nineties, the story lost its luster somewhat when years of marginalization suffered by African Americans found a rallying point in the Rodney King beating. Despite a video that appeared to show police violently attacking King, the accused officers were acquitted. The verdict led to rioting in which 53 people died and large areas went up in flames. The city is certainly no angel, it's true. Even so, whether it's tattooed bodybuilders rollerblading Santa Monica Boulevard, a Marilyn Monroe look alike blowing kisses outside Grauman's Chinese Theater or a blood red sunset dropping into the Pacific, Los Angeles is a place with a rare ability to beguile and bemuse in equal measure.	[ "Los Angeles has gotten how large since the railroad came west?", "What city is known as \"the entertainment capital of the world?\"", "Roughly how many people live in Los Angeles?", "What is the approximate population of LA?", "What is Los Angeles known as?" ]	[ [ "population of 3.8 million sprawling over a metropolis nearly 500 square miles" ], [ "Los Angeles" ], [ "3.8 million" ], [ "3.8 million" ], [ "\"entertainment capital of the world.\"" ] ]	Los Angeles is known as "the entertainment capital of the world" Since the railroad came west it has grown to a metropolis of 3.8 million . The city has seen racial tensions, notably race riots in the early 90s .
(CNN) -- The bad economy and downturn in the housing market aren't the only painful things for Realtor Anne Stephens. Her knees, hips and ankles hurt from arthritis. Anne Stephens, 61, was in her late 30s when she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. "I can't sit too long. I can't stand too long, and I can't walk too long," said Stephens, 61, from Conyers, Georgia. Stephens is among the 27 million Americans who suffer from the most common form of arthritis called osteoarthritis. "I think people tend to think of this as more of a nuisance," said Dr. John Klippel, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. "They think of it as only aches and pains and not the serious problem that it actually is -- the leading cause of disability in this country." Klippel said part of the misconception has to do with all the myths surrounding the disease. Common myth 1: Arthritis is a disease of the elderly While older people do develop arthritis, children and teenagers can get certain forms of the condition, Klippel said. The Arthritis Foundation reports two-thirds of people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are under age 65. Watch more on arthritis fact and fiction Â» Stephens was in her late 30s when she developed osteoarthritis after injuring her knees running and playing volleyball. She felt a sharp pain and recalled, "It was downhill after that." Researchers don't know the exact cause of arthritis, but they do know what puts people at risk. Klippel said that while the disease is associated with aging, other risk factors include heredity, joint injury, obesity and lack of fitness. Common myth 2: Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis Despite what your grandmother told you, experts say cracking your knuckles is not a risk factor for arthritis. "It's annoying -- it's certainly not good for the joints, but on the other hand, it doesn't cause arthritis," Klippel said. Common myth 3: Predicting the weather "Boy, there's a good myth," Klippel said with a chuckle. "I can't tell you how many patients I would take care of who would say they were better than the weatherman at predicting changes in humidity." He said researchers have studied the claims, but concluded there is no scientific evidence to suggest arthritis flare-ups occur during bad weather. Klippel also doesn't buy the argument that arthritis patients are better off if they live in a warmer climate. "If you live in a warmer climate, you're simply more active for more months of the year and that's probably why people feel better," Klippel said. "It probably has very little to do with the weather itself." Common myth 4: Exercise aggravates arthritis Staying active actually is one of the most important ways to prevent and ease the pain of arthritis, Klippel said. It also helps with weight control. "For people with arthritis, it hurts to exercise," he said. "But over time, the post-exercise pain actually diminishes if you push through it." He recommended choosing joint-friendly exercises such as walking, biking or swimming. In addition to putting ice on an aching joint, Klippel suggested taking nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medication before or after exercising to help relieve the pain. "People need to stay active and move their joints to keep the muscles strong and to keep the joints flexible," Klippel said. Common myth 5: Nothing helps Klippel worries about arthritis patients who don't seek medical help because they don't think anything can be done about the pain. He said a proper diagnosis can lead to a host of possible treatments, including the latest prescription medicines for pain and rehabilitating aching joints through physical therapy. Klippel urges people not to wait until the pain is unbearable before seeing a doctor. "If aches and pains persist for more than four weeks, that's a time to pay attention," he said. Anne	[ "How old are two-thirds of arthritic people?", "The most common form of the disease is what?", "Number of Americans affected by osteoarthritis?", "What fraction of arthritis cases are diagnosed in those under 65?", "How many Americans have osteoarthritis?", "What are some ways to help with arthritis pain?", "Age that two-thirds are affected by arthritis?", "What can help with the pain?", "Two-thirds of those diagnosed with the disease are how old?", "Exercise, OTC drugs and what can help with the pain?", "How many Americans suffer osteoarthritis?" ]	[ [ "under age 65." ], [ "osteoarthritis." ], [ "27 million" ], [ "two-thirds" ], [ "27 million" ], [ "prescription medicines" ], [ "under" ], [ "taking nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medication" ], [ "under age 65." ], [ "putting ice on an aching joint," ], [ "27 million" ] ]	Osteoarthritis, the most common form of the disease, affects 27 million Americans . Arthritis is not a disease of the old: Two-thirds of those diagnosed are under 65 . Prescription and over-the-counter drugs can help with pain, as can exercise .
(CNN) -- The bad news came via certified letter to Norma Jimenez, Edna Rodriguez and nearly 17,000 other Puerto Ricans this month. Thousands last week protest government layoffs in Puerto Rico. To cut spending, Puerto Rico announced last month that thousands of government employees would be fired in the second round of layoffs this year. More than 7,800 public employees were fired in March. "I was fearful because of the uncertainty," Jimenez, 42, an auxiliary administrator for the U.S. territory's Department of Education told CNN. "Will the letter come or not come?" The letter came, and it said that under a measure authorized by an emergency fiscal bill, her last day of work would be January 8 of next year. Rodriguez, who worked for the education department for 11 years as a receptionist, got the same letter, but with a November 6 termination date. "It was as if the world collapsed," she told CNN. And presumably, so it goes for the thousands of other public employees who were laid off. The austere measures are a bid by the government to stabilize a fiscal mess and save Puerto Rico's credit rating. According to government figures, the U.S. territory faces a $3.2 billion budget deficit -- proportionally, the largest shortfall in the United States -- and is entering a fourth year of recession. The severity of the plan reflects the aftermath of what experts say is years, maybe decades, of the lack of a forward-looking economic policy. Confronted with the fear that the credit-rating agencies might reduce Puerto Rico's rating to junk status, the administration of Gov. Luis Fortuno has taken strong, but controversial, steps. "Every layoff letter has a name, and every name has a story," Puerto Rico Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock said in an interview with CNN. But, he said, "Doing nothing was not an alternative." The governor and other officials cut their salaries and trimmed spending in other areas, but the massive layoffs were necessary to avert the downgraded credit rating, McClintock said. "If that happened, we would become the first state in the history of the U.S. to have its credit downgraded to junk bond," he said. Puerto Rico's unemployment rate is nearly 16 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to government calculations, a downgraded credit rating would have pushed that figure toward 25 percent unemployment, McClintock said. The government is betting that the reduced spending, combined with $6.5 billion in combined federal and local stimulus funds, will be enough to get the territory back on solid footing. As a U.S. commonwealth, Puerto Rico exercises much autonomy, but still falls under U.S. jurisdiction. In addition to the federal stimulus money, Puerto Rican officials traveled to Washington last month to lobby for discretionary stimulus grants. How did Puerto Rico get into this predicament? "This did not happen overnight," said Miguel Soto-Class, executive director of the Center for the New Economy, an independent think tank in Puerto Rico. For too long, the island has been dependent on a single industry at a time, Soto-Class told CNN. First it was coffee, then sugar, and most recently pharmaceutical production plants. Under the terms of a special tax break, U.S. companies were exempt from paying federal income tax on profits earned by their Puerto Rican manufacturing subsidiaries. This brought plenty of companies and jobs to the island until Congress voted to phase out the benefits between 1996 and 2006. When a number of foreign companies began to pull back, Puerto Rico saw that the local economy had not absorbed many benefits from the foreign plants, Soto-Class said. For instance, local restaurants didn't sprout near the plants because food was usually done in-house. Likewise, the foreign companies used their own accountants, leaving local CPAs few opportunities to grow. "That wasn't the cause, but it laid bare that we hadn't had an economic development model in a long time," Soto-Class said.	[ "how many employees were fired?", "How many public employees are there?", "Who announced thousands of government layoffs?", "How many public employees were fired in March?" ]	[ [ "7,800" ], [ "7,800" ], [ "Puerto Rico" ], [ "More than 7,800" ] ]	Puerto Rico announced last month thousands of government layoffs . Already more than 7,800 public employees were fired in March . Puerto Rico, population 4 million, has 200,000 public employees . California has 1 state employee for every 103 residents, Puerto Rico, 1 for every 20 .
(CNN) -- The battle raging over President Obama's health care plan has spread from across the aisles in Congress to across the country. A Tampa, Florida, health care reform meeting sparks noisy exchanges between attendees. Senators this week joined their colleagues from the House at town hall meetings as they spent their August recess in their home districts. But disruptive protests are turning town hall meetings into shouting matches and drowning out discussion over what is and isn't in health care plans in the House and Senate. Videos of the protests have been circulating on the Internet, showing raucous crowds heckling their congressmen, and carrying posters with devil horns drawn on lawmakers' heads, swastikas or Obama with Adolf Hitler's mustache. Read more about the proposed plans » Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, who had a town hall meeting disrupted by angry protesters earlier this month, said he had never experienced such emotion in his 15 years of holding such forums. Democratic Rep. Brad Miller of North Carolina even had a death threat phoned into his office. A caller said that if Miller supported Obama's plan, it could cost him his life, Miller told CNN. "Of course we want a full debate. Of course we want people who have dissenting views from the administration and Congress to have a full hearing. But that's not what this is about. That's not the intent of most of these people. It's not the way the press is covering it," Mark Halperin, editor-at-large and senior political analyst for TIME magazine, said on CNN's "Reliable Sources." The protesters' gimmicks, Halperin said, are grabbing the public and media's attention, and valid arguments over the cost and content of the proposals are being put on the back burner. "There needs to be a debate in America on whether we should have universal health care. There needs to be a debate on the president's ideas. If these protesters have ideas, great. Let's hear them. But if they're just stunts to cause a disruption that gets the media tripped in every time, again, I think it's bad for the country whether you want the president's plan or not," he said. Watch what Halperin says about the town hall turmoil » Obama's health care battle has been compared to former President Bill Clinton's failed effort more than 15 years ago, but CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider said the climate toward health care reform was actually more negative back then. Clinton's plan had less public support than Obama's, and Clinton himself was less popular than Obama, Schneider said. Clinton's plan also barely got off the ground when it went to Congress, and Obama's proposals have already been through a few congressional committees. So why didn't lawmakers experience the same backlash during the Clinton years? "Three reasons," Schneider said. First of all, "the calendar." Clinton proposed his plan in September 1993, and by the time Congress went on recess in August of the following year, the plan was dead. Learn more about global health care systems » Secondly, people didn't use the Internet the way they use it today, "so you didn't have the viral communications that rally people to attend town halls." And finally, experience. "Conservatives are emboldened by what happened to the Clinton plan. They want to relive 1994," Schneider said. Democrats have accused conservative groups of manufacturing the outrage, while others say the uproar is a reflection of the opposition to Obama's plans. "These are average Americans that are concerned about this long litany of borrowing and spending and bailouts and government takeover of one industry after another. And this government takeover of health care is just the last straw for many Americans," Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, told "Fox News" on Monday. As the emotion has intensified, misinformation has spread about what is and isn't in current health care proposals. "People are just getting information that's flat wrong,	[ "What did Halperin say is taking focus off the real debate?", "Where are town hall meetings taking place?", "What happened at town halls?", "Who claims that \"stunts\" are taking the focus off the real debate?", "What does Halperin say?", "Town hall meetings have turned to what?" ]	[ [ "disruptive protests" ], [ "Florida," ], [ "disruptive protests" ], [ "Halperin" ], [ "this is about. That's not the intent of most of these people. It's not the way the press is covering it,\"" ], [ "shouting matches" ] ]	Town hall meetings across the country have turned into shouting matches . "Stunts" are taking the focus off the real debate, Mark Halperin says . "People are just getting information that's flat wrong," Sen. McCaskill says . Others defend outbursts as indication of opposition to Obama's plan .
(CNN) -- The best way to get tongues wagging is to say nothing at all, and it's a skill Rihanna has down to a science. Rihanna apparently revealed the release date for her new album over Twitter. The Barbadian songstress arrived a bit late to the Twitter party when she -- or her people -- created a "rihanna" tag yesterday and sent out a single, sparse tweet: "The Wait Is Ova. Nov. 23 09." Whether that's the name of a new single, the beginning of a viral marketing campaign -- or both -- is unknown, but a representative for Rihanna told Entertainment Weekly that though the date "looks accurate" for her album release, "The Wait Is Ova" is not the album title. The only other object fans can mine for clues about the singer's upcoming release is the logo, a metallic nail fashioned into a crudely shaped "R" that has swarmed the Internet. The new record would be her fourth since her debut at 17. In the four years since, she's evolved from an unknown, breezy pop singer to a sonically and fashionably more distinct persona. One can only expect that her latest effort would continue to show that growth. Yet there are extra layers of anticipation surrounding the unnamed work: Not only is this Rihanna's follow-up to "Good Girl Gone Bad," the album that made her an international superstar, it's also the first time she is piping up as a solo artist since the infamous fight with her ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, in February. Those who've worked with the star on the record have said to expect something with more ferocity. "Expect an edgier, almost angrier Rihanna on this one," Ne-Yo told E! Online. "Rihanna says some things on this album that you've never heard her say before." But, said Mariel Concepcion, associate editor for Billboard.com, that statement shouldn't be taken too literally. "She has changed a bit, but I think she's simply grown. Fans are expecting her to reveal some details, but I think she's going to subliminally let it be known that 'Yes, [Chris] hurt me, but I'm moving forward with life.' This issue was such a serious issue, it calls for more than putting out an angry song about it." Tracey Johnson, who said she's been a fan of the singer since the beginning, has high expectations for the upcoming release, but not because she expects to hear about Rihanna's personal life. "[Some fans] feel like it would be good for her to represent abused women in some sort of way and say something, but in my perspective, she doesn't owe us anything," Johnson said. "She's always been pretty private about the relationship, and she's never opened a lot in her music anyway." If Rihanna maintains her silence, Johnson said, it will be "kind of a hit back at the critics who said she disappeared after not becoming the spokesperson for domestic abuse. She's saying this is what you should be paying attention to: I'm a fashion icon, and I make great music." Johnson, co-founder and editor of celebrity Web site NeonLimelight.com, has paid close attention to Rihanna's reported studio time over the past few months, but said he didn't expect to see the album appear so soon -- and with a tweet, no less. "I'm definitely expecting more for this album," she said. "Rihanna has a platform now that she didn't have before 'Good Girl Gone Bad.' She's gone a step forward with each album, and I think it's going to be a little more of what we heard on 'Good Girl Gone Bad,' but to the next level." That's a prediction that Concepcion agrees with, considering that the people who have been pulled in on this album resemble the team who worked on "Good Girl": Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo and Tricky	[ "whose personal life is being disdussed", "When is the album release date?", "when is the release", "What did Rihanna tweet?", "what has revealed the released date", "who is relasing", "what is released", "when was the fight", "How many albums has Rihanna released?" ]	[ [ "Rihanna" ], [ "Nov. 23 09.\"" ], [ "Nov. 23 09.\"" ], [ "\"The Wait Is Ova. Nov. 23 09.\"" ], [ "Rihanna" ], [ "Rihanna" ], [ "new album" ], [ "February." ], [ "fourth" ] ]	Cryptic tweet from Rihanna appears to reveal new album release date . Album would be the first since fight with Chris Brown in February . Colleagues expect "edgier" Rihanna on the album . Fan: "She doesn't owe us anything" about personal life .
(CNN) -- The biggest challenge was finding an Edward. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart play Edward and Bella in "Twilight." "The most perfect guy in the world," "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke said, ticking off the characteristics of "Twilight's" vampire hero. "Cannot be Leo [DiCaprio]; cannot be Brad Pitt. They don't fit in high school anymore. And there are a lot of cute guys, but do they really look like they've lived for 108 years?" Probably not, but with a fan base as large as "Twilight's," Hardwicke had to search for one. And if the thousands of screaming girls who show up at autograph signings are any measure, she found him in Robert Pattinson. The actor, best known for playing Cedric Diggory in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," has faced mob scenes wherever he's appeared. Fans in Dallas waited overnight in the rain for a chance to see him; an event in San Francisco was delayed because of the crush. Pattinson is still surprised by the reaction. Though things started quietly during filming, by the time production was wrapping, "there were like 200 people turning up to the set every day," he said. "And now, if we were trying to shoot it now, it would be absolutely impossible to do anything. Because where ever there's a 'Twilight,' anything mentioned about 'Twilight,' thousands of people turn up." "Twilight's" many fans -- most of whom will get their first feature-length glimpse of Edward when the film opens with midnight showings Friday -- can't wait for the witching hour. They also haven't been afraid of letting Kristen Stewart, who plays Bella Swan in the film based on Stephenie Meyer's series of books, know about their feelings for "Twilight" -- and Edward. Some have been downright disdainful, Stewart told CNN at the Los Angeles interviews for the film. "Very communicative looks," Stewart said. "Like, 'I'm just letting you know with this look that you're nothing special. ... I'm here for Edward, and I hope you don't ruin the movie.' It's really crazy." Stewart doesn't let it bother her, though. She's been focused on portraying Bella, a clumsy, awkward 17-year-old who moves into a small town that she finds quite boring. Boring, that is, until she meets and falls in love with Edward(Pattinson). Watch Pattinson greet a line of screaming fans » The vampires created by Meyer are different from those of the past. They dress fashionably, have good taste in art and music, and are very much human. "They are the main characters," Stewart said. "They are the people that you sympathize with. They're not just the villains in the movie." Edward is one of the Cullen family of vampires, a clan that has stopped drinking human blood. "He made his world smaller and smaller so he never killed anybody," Pattinson said of his character. "And he didn't care about anyone else. Imagine, never having an emotion ... and then suddenly this girl comes into your life. As well as breaking down all your self-discipline, which you've had for 80 years, she also makes you feel everything again." Edward and Bella must overcome obstacles worthy of "Romeo and Juliet" in their relationship. (Besides the differences in her background with Edward, Bella is also stalked by a vampire with fewer scruples than the Cullen boy.) But it's that sexual tension that makes the whole vampire culture so undeniably delicious, Hardwicke said. "The idea of this incredibly seductive creature wanting to bite your neck," she said. "And if he does, on one level it could be pleasurable. If he goes too far, you could die. That kind of razor's edge, that sexual tension, is incredibly seductive." That doesn't	[ "Who wrote \"Twilight\"?", "Who wrote the book that this movie is based on?", "Who wrote the book?", "Who wrote the book that the film is based on?", "What is the film about?", "What is the movie about?", "Who co-stars in Twilight?", "Who is the female lead in this movie?", "Who is starring in the film?", "Who plays Edward in this movie?" ]	[ [ "Stephenie Meyer's" ], [ "Stephenie Meyer's" ], [ "Stephenie Meyer's" ], [ "Stephenie Meyer's" ], [ "vampire" ], [ "vampires" ], [ "Robert Pattinson" ], [ "Kristen Stewart" ], [ "Robert Pattinson" ], [ "Robert Pattinson" ] ]	"Twilight" is eagerly awaited movie based on Stephenie Meyer's book . Film concerns romance between a vampire and a high school girl . Co-star Kristen Stewart says fans possessive of Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward .
(CNN) -- The biggest surprise on a busy night of international football on Wednesday came in Duesseldorf, where Euro 2008 finalists Germany were beaten by Norway for the first time in 73 years. Norway players celebrate Christian Grindheim's (No.16) goal in their shock victory over Germany. Midfielder Christian Grindheim scored from close-range, from Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross, in the 63rd minute to give the visitors a 1-0 victory to stun the 45,000 home supporters on a freezing evening. Not since the 1936 Olympics in Berlin had Germany lost to Norway --the defeat even more suprising as Germany coach Joachim Loew had the luxury of naming a full-strength side, while new Norway coach Egil Olsen was missing seven key players. In Marseille, Lionel Messi scored a brilliant solo goal to give Argentina a 2-0 win over France and give Diego Maradona a second straight win as national coach. The Barcelona striker collected the ball outside the penalty area and ran right through the home defense before expertly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez had opened the scoring four minutes before the interval with a shot that went inside Mandanda's left-hand post. Meanwhile, Jamel Saihi scored a second-half equalizer to give home side Tunisia a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Rades. Montpellier star Saihi netted midway through the second-half with a long-range shot that Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg should have saved. Klaas Jan Huntelaar has given the visitors the lead in the 62nd minute when converting his 11th goal in 19 internationals, after Joris Mathijsen had headed down a long ball from Stijn Schaars. Elsewhere, Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva returned to action for the first time since breaking his leg 12 months ago -- helping Croatia to a 2-1 victory over Romania in Bucharest. Eduardo, who fractured his left fibula and dislocated his ankle against Birmingham in February 2008, replaced Ivica Olic in the 61st minute and set up Niko Kranjcar for a 75th-minute winner. Ciprian Marica gave Romania the lead in the 22nd minute but the visitors levelled just six minutes later when Ivan Rakitic scored with a superb long-range free-kick. Unsettled Chelsea striker Didier Drogba scored an injury-time equalizer to give Ivory Coast a 1-1 draw with Turkey in Izmir. Drogba, who has been out of favor for his club side this season, tapped in a cross from the right in the second minute of injury time in his first match for his country in over a year. Gokhan Unal put the European 2008 semifinalists ahead in the 11th minute with a shot into the top right-hand corner of the net. World Cup host nation South Africa's run of five consecutive victories came to an end when they were beaten 2-0 by Chile in Polokwane.	[ "Which team, if any, was considered strong?", "Who was defeated by Norway?", "Who scored the only goal?", "Argentina's score in Marseille is what?", "What is the result of Germany's game?", "Who is on target for victory?", "Who beat France?", "What is the biggest shock?" ]	[ [ "Germany" ], [ "Germany" ], [ "Christian Grindheim's" ], [ "2-0" ], [ "1-0" ], [ "Norway" ], [ "Argentina" ], [ "Germany were beaten by Norway" ] ]	Germany suffer 1-0 home defeat by Norway in biggest shock on Wednesday . Christian Grindheim scores only goal as Norway win for first time in 73 years . Lionel Messi on target for Argentina in their 2-0 victory over France in Marseille .
(CNN) -- The blog "Stuff White People Like" is wildly popular with fans who've embraced the hilarious, satirical sendup of the white middle class that -- according to the list -- have an ongoing love affair with things such as coffee (No. 1), organic food (No. 6), yoga (15) and the Toyota Prius (60). Blogger-turned-author Christian Lander is the force behind "Stuff White People Like." The site also has spurred an outpouring from those who view it as offensive and racist. Now devotees and detractors alike have more to discuss with the release of the book "Stuff White People Like: A Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions" by the blog's creator, Christian Lander. Filled with photos and some content from the blog, the guide includes new entries exclusive to the book. Lander also worked with a designer to create things such as flow charts on "How to Name a White Child" and "White Career Trajectories" as well as a test of the reader's "whiteness." As befitting the genius behind such a site and book, Lander is a bit of a ham (actually, make that Canadian bacon since he hails from Toronto, Ontario). Watch Lander talk about what he likes » The origins of "Stuff" date from January 2008, he said, because of an instant messenger conversation between him and his friend Miles about the HBO drama "The Wire." Miles, who is Filipino, tossed off that he didn't trust any white person who didn't watch the series. That exchange started a back-and-forth between the two about what white people were doing instead of watching the show. "We said, 'Oh, they are going to plays, they're doing yoga, they're getting divorced,' " recalled Lander, who couldn't pass up the gold mine of ideas and started blogging. "The goal was to literally make Miles and a few of my friends laugh, and it just took off." Within six weeks, Random House came calling, and a book deal was finalized. CNN talked to the blogger-turned-author about his "whiteness," whether he is like Stephen Colbert but instead mocks earnest, left-wing types, and why "Stuff White People Like" will never make the list of "Stuff White People Like." CNN: Where do you get your ideas? Christian Lander: Farmers' markets. CNN: How do you get your ideas at farmers' markets? Lander: Keeping my eyes open. I just see what people are up to. And the mirror is another good place to look for inspiration. I really make fun of myself. CNN: So what makes you an authority on white people? Lander: Look at me [laughing]. I mean, I have liberal arts degrees; I look like this. I'm on the inside. CNN: Do you ever worry about offending people? Lander: No. I'm glad when I offend people with this because it's not offensive. What's been great about it is the title draws people in, and right away they are like, "What is this? Am I going to get offended by this?" Then they read it, and it's not what they expect. People see the title and they expect "Stuff White People Like" to be entries like mayonnaise, or dancing poorly, these old stereotypes that are really outdated and aren't even funny anymore. You're sort of expecting it to be the lame white guy stuff and you go, "Oh my God, this is all the stuff I actually like." It's playing off white stereotypes, but it's not stereotypes in a demeaning way. CNN: If those are old stereotypes, could your stuff be considered "new stereotypes"? Lander: No, because they're true [laughing]. I consider these valid observations. It's an update on this idea of a yuppie.	[ "what is now a book", "What do they both have?", "Is anyone offended by the blog and the book?", "what does the book have", "what does the author say", "What blog is now a book?", "What is the author playing off?", "What does the author say about the book?" ]	[ [ "\"Stuff White People Like\"" ], [ "more to discuss" ], [ "people" ], [ "flow charts on \"How to Name a White Child\" and \"White Career Trajectories\" as well as a test of the reader's \"whiteness.\"" ], [ "\"The goal was to literally make Miles and a few of my friends laugh, and it just took off.\"" ], [ "\"Stuff White People Like\"" ], [ "white stereotypes," ], [ "It's playing off white stereotypes, but it's not stereotypes in a demeaning way." ] ]	Popular "Stuff White People Like" blog now a book . Blog and book have its fans and detractors . Author says, "It's playing off stereotypes"
(CNN) -- The bodies of 11 more people have been recovered after the weekend collapse of a Russian oil rig in freezing north Pacific waters, a Russian news agency reported Monday. That brings the total number of dead from the Sunday disaster to 16, according to the state news agency RIA-Novosti. There were 67 people aboard the offshore drilling rig when it capsized during a storm in the Sea of Okhotsk, which lies between the Kamchatka peninsula and the Russian mainland, north of Japan. The rig was being towed from Kamchatka at the time, RIA-Novosti reported. Fourteen people have been rescued and 37 others remain missing, the news agency said. The director of the company that owns the rig, Arktikmorneftegazrazvedka, promised at least 3 million rubles ($93,640) in compensation to each crewmember's family. The rig was carrying out work under a contract with Russian energy giant Gazprom, the news agency said. It was drilling a well about 3,500 meters (11,480 feet) deep, RIA-Novosti said. Taimuraz Kasayev, a spokesman for the regional emergencies service, told RIA-Novosti on Sunday the accident poses no environmental danger because the rig's fuel stocks were hermetically sealed and would not spill. The television channel Russia Today reported that the rig was being towed into position when pumps failed, causing it to take on water and sink.	[ "What is the death toll at?", "What caused the oil rig to capsize?", "Where did it happen?", "What did the people die from?", "What is the death toll?", "How many people were aboard the oil rig when it capsized?", "What sea is it in?" ]	[ [ "16," ], [ "a storm" ], [ "rig in freezing north Pacific waters," ], [ "rig" ], [ "16," ], [ "67" ], [ "of Okhotsk," ] ]	NEW: The bodies bring the death toll to 16 . 67 people were aboard the oil rig when it capsized Sunday . It happened in the Sea of Okhotsk in the north Pacific .
(CNN) -- The bodies of seven of eight snowmobilers missing after Sunday's avalanches in southeastern British Columbia have been found, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Monday. Authorities found seven bodies a day after avalanches in British Columbia, Canada. One man still was missing, but rescue personnel suspended their search near Fernie, British Columbia, at mid-afternoon Monday because of heavy snowfall and dense low clouds, the RCMP said. The search will resume Tuesday morning, authorities said. All eight men -- and three others who escaped -- faced two avalanches Sunday afternoon about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) east of Fernie, a town in the Canadian Rockies about 300 kilometers (186 miles) southwest of Calgary, Alberta. The three survivors suffered minor injuries, and one of them was hospitalized overnight. The men had been in an area called Harvey Pass, which police called a popular backcountry snowmobile destination. Officials said an avalanche buried part of the group, and a second buried the rest as they tried to assist. "Two of the buried riders managed to self-rescue within about 20 minutes. These two used their avalanche beacons to locate a third buried victim who they rescued after an additional 20 minutes of digging," police said. iReport.com: Wyoming avalanche training covers pulling people out of snow A search command post was set up Sunday, but darkness and avalanche hazards prompted authorities to postpone the search until Monday. On Monday morning, before the bodies were found, authorities said searchers and police dogs were being dispatched to the rugged, snowy area, and crews would dig into any sites where searchers thought they might find any of the missing men. The snowmobilers resided in Sparwood, a small town just north of Fernie. Sparwood's mayor, David Wilks, said Monday morning that "it certainly doesn't look good" for the missing. "Reality tells us if you're stuck in the snow for about 24 hours, bad things can happen," he said. The region has had previous coal mine disasters, "but in recent memory, this is the largest single tragic event to hit this community," Wilks said. iReport.com: Are you there? Share photos, video He said the snowmobilers are men in their mid- to late 20s and described them as upstanding citizens, most of them working in coal mines or as businessmen. "All were well aware of the dangers involved in snowmobiling. All are very cautious with what was going on," Wilks said. The mayor said temperatures had been as low as minus-30 degrees Fahrenheit in recent weeks, but the air had warmed up in the last two or three days to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. CNN's Nick Valencia contributed to this report.	[ "When will the search resume?", "When were seven found dead?", "What will resume Tuesday?", "Where was the group snowmobiling?", "Where have they been snowmobiling?", "Who managed to rescue themselves?" ]	[ [ "Tuesday morning," ], [ "a day after avalanches in British Columbia," ], [ "The search" ], [ "British Columbia" ], [ "Harvey Pass," ], [ "\"Two of the buried riders" ] ]	NEW: Seven found dead a day after Canadian avalanches . NEW: Search for eighth missing snowmobiler to resume Tuesday . Group had been snowmobiling in southeastern British Columbia, Canada . Two of 11 buried riders managed to rescue themselves, find third victim .
(CNN) -- The bodies of three men have been found in shallow graves in eastern Ohio, all of them believed to have been killed after answering a Craigslist ad to work on a cattle farm, according to authorities. The Summit County medical examiner's office on Saturday identified one of the victims as Timothy Kern of Massillon, Ohio. The 47-year-old's death, caused by "gunshot wounds to the head," was ruled a homicide, the office said in an audio recording. A phone call led police Friday to Kern's body in a shallow grave behind an Akron mall, authorities said. Multiple law enforcement authorities, including FBI officials, have tied Kern's death to a wider investigation into the two other killings. In his last Facebook posting, dated November 10, Kern wrote: "Just got one of the strangest job offers. A good offer but strange. The job is to watch over 680 acres south of cambridge. Odd jobs and such but mainly just secure it. Trailer, utilities, salary. Drawbacks? No cell phone service, kids are up here, and i have to move this Sunday." Meanwhile, the body of a "white male" was also discovered Friday "in a shallow grave in Stock Township," about 120 miles south of Akron, Noble County Sheriff Stephen Hannum said in a statement. The sheriff did not respond to calls Saturday from CNN. But Hannum said earlier this month that there are "two suspects in custody" in the case. Michael Rafferty told CNN affiliate WJW that his 16-year-old son Brogan Rafferty of Stowe is among them, charged with attempted murder. The father claimed that his son had been "manipulated" and "corrupted," insisting that his son is a "mild-mannered gentleman." The other suspect in the case -- 52-year-old Richard Beasley of Akron, as identified on a Summit County court website -- is being held on unrelated charges. No attorney was listed for Beasley in the court document. The investigation began the night of November 6, when a Noble County deputy sheriff responded to a call and came upon a "white, middle-aged man being treated for a gunshot wound to the right arm," according to Hannum. The shooting victim, who is from South Carolina and was not identified by police, told the sheriff he had answered an ad on the Craigslist website offering work caring for cattle on a 688-acre property. WJW: Body of missing Massillon man identified He met with the two suspects and drove with them toward Stock Township. After being told a road was closed due to a landslide, the South Carolina man got out of the car to start walking toward the property, which he was told was nearby. He told the sheriff that, while walking through a heavily wooded area, he then turned around "to see a gun pointed at his head. He deflected the gun and ran" -- getting shot in the arm while fleeing, according to the sheriff. The victim hid for seven hours in the forest before going to a house and requesting help, Hannum said. Then, on November 11, the sheriff received a call from a Boston, Massachusetts, woman who said her twin brother had not been seen since October 22 in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The brother had also answered a Craigslist ad "and she felt very sure it was the same advertisement (the shooting victim from South Carolina) had answered." On November 15, authorities -- including agents from the FBI and Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigation, plus "cadaver-sniffing" dogs -- found "the body of a white male buried in a shallow grave" near where the first man had been shot, Hannum said. Police have not identified the body. The sheriff tied that man's death to the investigation of the shooting that left the South Carolina man wounded in the arm. Multiple authorities since then have also linked the two bodies discovered Friday -- including that of Kern -- with the same investigation. Zach Kern, 19, told CNN that he last saw his father	[ "Who was stoked?", "What did the man tell police?", "Did they catch the shooter?", "What may be linked?", "Who was the person who was shot?", "How many bodies were found?" ]	[ [ "Timothy Kern" ], [ "he had answered an ad on the Craigslist website offering work caring for cattle on a 688-acre property." ], [ "\"two suspects in custody\"" ], [ "the two bodies discovered Friday" ], [ "Timothy Kern" ], [ "three" ] ]	One man told police he was shot after answering a Craigslist ad for an Ohio job . Nine days later, a body is found in a shallow grave near the shooting site . 2 other bodies found Friday may be linked to the same ad, authorities say . The son of one victim says his father was "stoked" about the online job offer .
(CNN) -- The bodies of three students at a North Dakota university who had been missing since Sunday were found Tuesday in a vehicle submerged in a pond near their school, police said. The discovery came Tuesday afternoon after a search team found tire tracks leading to a stock pond for cattle five miles northwest of Dickinson, North Dakota, Lt. William Leach of the Stark County Sheriff's Office told CNN. The investigators found a white 1997 Jeep Cherokee with California tags containing the bodies, he said. Foul play is not suspected, he said. The Dickinson State University softball players -- Kyrstin Gemar, 22, a senior who owned the car; Afton Williamson, 20, a junior; and Ashley Neufeld, 21, a senior -- had last been reported seen about 10:45 p.m. Sunday, according to CNN affiliate KXMB. At 11:18 p.m. and 11:19 p.m., teammates received two distress calls from the women during which they mentioned water and a lake, said Connie Walter, Dickinson director of university relations. After the calls ended abruptly, the teammates contacted law enforcement and the search began. At 12:07 a.m. Monday, a "ping" on a tower from one of the students' cell phones was traced to a cell tower five miles northeast of Dickinson and authorities concentrated their search in that area, officials said. Watch the women's coach recall "awesome person" Authorities have not identified the owner of the pond, which is 25 yards by 25 yards in area. It was not known how the students ended up in the stock pond, which is on private property and is part of a farm and cattle operation, Walter said. Dickinson Police Officer Thomas Grosz told ABC's "Good Morning America" that authorities believed the women may have gone out to a lake to stargaze. That would not have been unusual, Gemar's father, Lenny, told ABC. Dickinson, he said, is a "pretty small town" without an active nightlife. He said the women routinely drove to a lake to stargaze and chat. Williamson and Gemar were from California, while Neufeld was from Canada, according to KXMB. Dickinson is almost 100 miles west of Bismarck, North Dakota.	[ "What the police found in a car?", "Who was known to stargaze", "When were they last seen", "Who foud the women submerged in a car?", "Who was found submerged" ]	[ [ "bodies of three students" ], [ "the women" ], [ "about 10:45 p.m. Sunday," ], [ "a search team" ], [ "bodies of three students" ] ]	Police find women in car submerged in pond . Friend says the missing women called her, were hysterical, mentioned water . The three students were known to stargaze at lake, father of one tells ABC . Kyrstin Gemar, Afton Williamson and Ashley Neufeld were last seen Sunday night .
(CNN) -- The bodies of young elephants covered in the brown dirt of dried-up wells tell a heartrending story. A baby elephant in the Gourma region of central Mali had been trapped in a well for three days. Reaching desperately for drops of water, they had lowered their trunks, toppled in, remained trapped and died in Mali's scorching heat. The "last desert elephants in West Africa" have "adapted to survive in the harsh conditions" they face, Save the Elephants said Monday. But now, the group says, conditions have gone from bad to worse, and they are living "on the margin of what is ecologically viable." Save the Elephants distributed new pictures Monday that depict the devastating drought and the struggle for survival in Mali, one of the poorest nations in the world. "Six elephants have already been found dead," the group wrote in a news release accompanying the photos. "Four others, including three calves, were recently extracted from a shallow well into which they had fallen when searching for water. Only the largest survived." The youngest are in the most danger, since their smaller trunks can't reach deep into the few remaining wells, the group said. The worst drought in 26 years is threatening the existence of the "last desert elephants in West Africa," the northernmost herds in the continent, Save the Elephants said. The animals, now numbering only about 350 to 450, have been called "the last elephants of Timbuktu," said Jake Wall, a scientist with Save the Elephants. But they're south of Timbuktu, Wall told CNN in a phone interview from Bamako, Mali. "We tend to refer to them as 'the last Sahelian elephants.' " See a map of Mali » Each year, the elephants trek farther on the fringes of the Sahara to find water. They have the longest migration route of any in the continent, traveling "in a counterclockwise circle" of about 700 kilometers (435 miles), Save the Elephants said. The images are signs of the crisis gripping the northwest African nation. The U.N. Development Programme ranks Mali near the bottom of its Human Development Index. It cites a 56 percent poverty rate in the country, with nearly a third of the population unlikely to live past age 40, and an illiteracy rate of 77 percent. The World Food Programme says the majority of infant deaths in Mali are due to malnutrition. The drought, combined with soaring temperatures, has also led to deaths of cattle, Save the Elephants said. "The stench of rotting corpses fills the air, and what little water remains is putrid and undrinkable by all standards." In areas where the elephants live and search for water, "the normal peaceful coexistence between the elephants and herdsmen is starting to break down and giving way to conflict over access to water," Wall said. There is some hope for the weeks and months ahead. "We're hoping the rains start in June, and that will allow the elephants to start drinking out of shallow ponds until the really heavy rains begin" in July or August, Wall said. But "urgent action" is needed in the interim "to secure water for the elephants," Wall's group said in its news release. Save the Elephants, which focuses on helping elephant populations worldwide, said it has partnered with a foundation and the Mali government in its fundraising appeal.	[ "What may provide relief to elephants?", "What is killing cattle?", "Where are elephants dying?", "How many elephants died?", "What may provide relief to the elephants?", "What are dying in Mali?", "What is killing the cattle?" ]	[ [ "the rains" ], [ "The drought, combined with soaring temperatures," ], [ "Mali," ], [ "\"Six" ], [ "the rains" ], [ "young elephants" ], [ "The drought, combined with soaring temperatures," ] ]	Elephants dying in Mali are among 350 to 450 left in the area . Save the Elephants releases photos of elephants struggling during drought . Soaring heat is killing cattle, which is leading to water pollution, group says . There is hope that rain in June may provide relief to elephants .
(CNN) -- The body of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the heir to the Saudi throne who died in New York on Saturday, arrived Monday in the Saudi capital, greeted by crowds of people, authorities and troops. The body was flown into Riyadh Air Base, according to two Saudi government officials. The death of Sultan, the half-brother of King Abdullah, raises succession questions in the key oil-producing country at a time of turmoil in the Arab world. Sultan was thought to be in his 80s. He had been ill for some time -- various reports indicated he was battling cancer -- and was receiving treatment in a New York hospital at the time of his death. His burial is scheduled for Tuesday, officials have said. Sultan had served for decades as the Saudi defense minister. President Barack Obama called him a "valued friend" of the United States. Ascension to the Saudi throne does not pass from father to son. Instead, it's a complex process, and decisions in the conservative kingdom are often cloaked in secrecy. King Abdullah set up the Allegiance Council in 2006 to allow for more transparency in the succession. It was unclear when the group, made up of members of the royal family, will be employed to make a decision on the next crown prince. Sultan's death leaves his brother Nayef, a reputed conservative, as the likely successor. Nayef has served as the Saudi interior minister since 1975 and oversaw the kingdom's counterterrorism efforts. Sultan took a leading role in Saudi Arabia's involvement in the 1991 Gulf War against Iraq, heading a coalition of about half a million troops from more than 30 countries. Abdullah left a hospital in Riyadh on Saturday following successful back surgery, the Saudi Press Agency reported. It was the third back surgery in the past year for the 87-year-old king. CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom contributed to this report.	[ "When is the prince's burial?", "when the burial of crown prince", "What country was the prince from?", "what hospital he died", "When is he being buried?", "Who is being buried?", "When did he die?", "Where did the crown prince die?" ]	[ [ "Tuesday," ], [ "is scheduled for Tuesday," ], [ "Saudi" ], [ "New York" ], [ "Tuesday," ], [ "Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud," ], [ "Saturday," ], [ "New York" ] ]	The crown prince's burial is scheduled for Tuesday . He died Saturday in a New York hospital . His death raises succession questions for Saudi Arabia .
(CNN) -- The body of Luis Francisco Cuellar Carvajal, governor of the department of Caqueta, Colombia, was discovered Tuesday not far from where he was kidnapped the night before, government spokesperson Wilmer Rua said. Cuellar Carvajal's throat was slit, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said in an address to the nation Tuesday night. The governor's body was found by Colombian troops in an area close to his home, where he was kidnapped Monday night, he said. One of his bodyguards was killed in the high-profile abduction, and two other officers were injured The kidnapping was carried out by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC by its Spanish initials, Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva said earlier Tuesday. Uribe had ordered the military to find and rescue Cuellar Carvajal from the rebel group. The Marxist insurgent group has been fighting the Colombian government for more than 45 years. This is the fifth time the governor has been kidnapped, Rua said. This time, he was taken late at night, about two hours before his 69th birthday. Uribe said that members of the FARC kidnapped Cuellar Carvajal at about 10 p.m. Monday. Authorities ordered the city on lockdown in an attempt to keep the kidnappers from carrying out their plan, Uribe said. Instead, the the guerrillas burned the vehicle that authorities believe was used in the kidnapping, and then slit the governor's throat to avoid leaving evidence that may have been traced from a firearm to the killers, Uribe said. The president offered a $1 billion peso reward (U.S. $485,000) for information leading to the arrests of those responsible.	[ "Where was the governor's body found?", "Where was Governor's body found?", "how many times was Governor kidnapped ?", "Who do authorities suspect was responsible for the kidnapping?", "Carvajal was the governor of what state?", "who found Governor's body?" ]	[ [ "he" ], [ "in an area close to his home," ], [ "fifth" ], [ "Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia," ], [ "Caqueta, Colombia," ], [ "Colombian troops" ] ]	Governor's body is found by Colombian troops in an area close to his home . Luis Francisco Cuellar Carvajal was governor of the department or state of Caqueta . Authorities suspect FARC leftist Colombian rebels responsible for the kidnapping . It was fifth time governor had been kidnapped; one of his bodyguards was killed .
(CNN) -- The body of a University of Georgia professor accused of killing three people was found Saturday buried in woods near Athens, Georgia, authorities said. George Zinkhan, a professor at the University of Georgia, disappeared after the slayings of his wife and two others. George Zinkhan, 57, is suspected of fatally shooting his wife and two other people last month outside a community theater in Athens, which is home to the University of Georgia. Cadaver dogs discovered the body with two guns in a wooded area of northwest Clarke County, about a mile from where Zinkhan's red Jeep Liberty was found last week, Athens-Clarke Police Chief Joseph Lumpkin said. Athens-Clarke County police confirmed the identity of the body, citing results from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The guns are like those authorities believe were used in the shootings, Lumpkin said. The body was found "beneath the earth," Lumpkin said, without any clothes. "A person who's not accustomed to the woods would never have found the body," he said. Significant "efforts" were undertaken to conceal the body's location, Jim Fullington of the GBI said. Authorities say Zinkhan fatally shot Marie Bruce, 47, Zinkhan's wife and a prominent Athens attorney, Tom Tanner, 40, and Ben Teague, 63, on April 25. The victims all were associated with the Town and Gown Players, a theater group that was holding a reunion picnic at the time of the shootings. Zinkhan arrived while the Town and Gown event was under way and got into a disagreement with his wife, police said. Police believe he went to his car -- where the couple's children apparently were waiting -- and returned with two handguns. In addition to the three deaths, two other people were wounded, police said. After the shooting, Zinkhan left with his children -- ages 8 and 10 -- in the car, police said. He drove to a neighbor's home in nearby Bogart, Georgia, where he lived, and left the children with the neighbor. Authorities put out bulletins across the nation for Zinkhan after the shootings and revealed that he had purchased a May 2 ticket in March to the Netherlands, where he owns a house. The day of the flight passed without any sign of Zinkhan. He had been an endowed marketing professor at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business. The university fired Zinkhan the day after the shootings. CNN's Marylynn Ryan contributed to this report.	[ "Who was the University of Georgia professor suspected of killing?", "What distance from the vehicle was the body found?", "How far away was the body from the Jeep?", "How far was Zinkhan's body from his jeep?", "Who is the suspect?", "Who found body of George Zinkhan in wood?", "What school did the professor work at?" ]	[ [ "George Zinkhan," ], [ "about a mile" ], [ "about a mile" ], [ "about a mile" ], [ "George Zinkhan," ], [ "Cadaver dogs" ], [ "University of Georgia" ] ]	NEW: Efforts made to conceal body found unclothed with guns, police say . Cadaver dogs searching for George Zinkhan found body buried in woods, police say . Body was a little more than a mile from professor's Jeep . University of Georgia professor was suspected of killing his wife, 2 other people .
(CNN) -- The body of a journalist who was hacked to death in southeastern Nepal was cremated Tuesday as businesses and public transportation in the town of Janakpur remained shut for a second day to protest the killing. Uma Singh, who was murdered in Nepal Sunday, had talked about the difficulties of practicing journalism. Authorities said they arrested four people in connection with the death of Uma Singh, but they did not release the suspects' names or possible motive, said Damakant Jayashi, associate editor of the online news Web site, myrepublica.com. "Journalists and human rights groups have descended on the town, and shops are shuttered in what almost seems like a spontaneous protest," Jayashi said. "Journalists are all wearing black bands on their arms. And the FM stations in the city, all day yesterday, they played mourning tunes instead of their regular programs." The killing of Singh, 26, is the latest in a "troubling trend" of attacks on reporters, the United Nations' human rights office in the country said. It asked the government to investigate the case and prosecute death threats against other journalists. "Doing so will send a strong message that there will be no impunity for attacks against the media, nor for any serious crimes," the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal said. Singh wrote for a daily newspaper and reported for a radio station in Janakpur, about 240 km (150 miles) southeast of the capital city, Kathmandu. When she got home from work Sunday night, a group of about 15 men barged into the room she rented at a house and hacked her with "khukhuris" -- curved knives traditional to Nepal -- in full view of other boarders, authorities said. "I am very very shocked," said Dharmendra Jha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, which is leading the protests. "If the government is not ready to provide any kind of security to journalists, it will be very difficult to do journalism in a free mode." The group said it will announce a new phase of protests Wednesday. Authorities do not have a motive for the killing. In some of her articles, Singh spoke out against the dowry system, where a bride's family is forced to give cash and property to the groom's family before the wedding. Also Sunday, a group of men ransacked the house of another journalist in the same region, leaving a cross on her door and telling her it was her turn next, media groups said. Police do not know if the two incidents are related. In recent months, the number of attacks on journalists in Nepal have shot up. The federation released a year-end report, recording 284 incidents -- including three deaths and a kidnapping. Some of the assailants have ties to the Communist Party of Nepal, the largest party in Nepal's coalition government, according to New York-based Human Rights Watch. The party is led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, or Prachanda -- a man who led a decade-long bloody insurgency before being sown in as prime minister. During the decade-long civil war, Maoist forces under him carried out numerous attacks on journalists they believed were opposed to their cause, Human Rights Watch said. And after he became prime minister, Prachanda issued a public warning to journalists while addressing a massive crowd in Kathmandu: "Now we will no longer tolerate criticism as we have already been elected by the people." Three years ago, Singh's father and elder brother disappeared. Her family has all along accused local Maoist leaders of being behind the disappearances, Jayashi said. Singh, herself, talked about the difficulties of practicing journalism in an interview with the United Nations last year. "Various armed groups that are mushrooming have been a major challenge for us. We have been compelled to dance to their tunes. ...This makes us helpless," she said in the interview. "What do we do? If we don't air the news of their choice, they threaten to kill us.	[ "how many indicidents", "Who hacked to death Sunday?", "What did the U.N. ask?", "Who said before her death: \"Things have become very, very difficult for us\"?" ]	[ [ "two" ], [ "journalist" ], [ "asked the government to investigate the case and prosecute death threats against other journalists." ], [ "Uma Singh," ] ]	Nepalese journalist who reported on women's rights hacked to death Sunday . Uma Singh said before her death: "Things have become very, very difficult for us" U.N. asks govt. to investigate, prosecute death threats against other journalists . Journalists group: 284 incidents against journalists in 2008, including 3 deaths .
(CNN) -- The body of a tourist was found off the coast of Thailand Tuesday, but six others remain missing after a ferry sank over the weekend near a popular diving destination, authorities said. Survivors of the ferry sinking disembark the Thai police boat that rescued them. The body is believed to be that of Austrian tourist Gabrielle Jetzinger, the Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office told the Thai News Agency. A Thai naval helicopter spotted the body floating face down about 12 nautical miles from Phuket's Promthep cape, and a Thai navy patrol retrieved the floating corpse. The body has been sent to a government hospital for an autopsy, the agency reported. Authorities are still searching for the five tourists and one crew member who remain missing. They are thought to be German, Austrian, Japanese, Swiss and one Thai crew member, the news agency said. The tourist boat, the Choke Somboon 19, was taking passengers from the Similan Islands to Phuket -- an area popular with tourists from around the world. It capsized during a heavy storm Sunday night, said Lt. Sattawat Srirattanapong with the Phuket City police. Survivors included 15 international tourists and eight Thais, who were picked up by a rescue boat Monday morning. Phuket and the Similan Islands are famous for their diving spots, attracting international tourists each year from November to May.	[ "who was the body?", "how many tourists are missing", "what was found", "When did the ferry sink?", "where was the body spotted", "where was the body found?" ]	[ [ "Austrian tourist Gabrielle Jetzinger," ], [ "six" ], [ "The" ], [ "capsized during a heavy storm Sunday night," ], [ "off the coast of Thailand" ], [ "off the coast of Thailand" ] ]	Body thought to be of Austrian tourist found off Thai coast . Five tourists, one crew member still missing after ferry sank at the weekend . Body was spotted by Thai rescue helicopter near Phuket's Promthep cape . The ferry sank during heavy storm about 12 miles from shore .
(CNN) -- The body of their 2-year-old granddaughter, Caylee Anthony, was found in Florida in December. And their daughter, Casey Anthony, is charged in her death. She could be executed if convicted. It's a case that has gripped America. George and Cindy Anthony, parents of murder suspect Casey Anthony, on "Larry King Live" Wednesday. George and Cindy Anthony answered their critics in an exclusive interview on "Larry King Live" Wednesday night. Appearing with their lawyer, Brad Conway, they talked about whether they still support their daughter completely and what their lives have been like under the media glare. The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity: Larry King: We are amazed because we've received -- get this -- thousands of blog responses to your appearance here tonight. And, honestly, most of them are critical. Why do you think people are angry at you? Cindy Anthony: Because they don't understand. They've never been in our shoes. So a lot of people, especially bloggers, ... like to pick things apart. And, you know, we're a target. King: But what are they picking apart? Cindy Anthony: They're picking apart the fact that we're standing behind our daughter. They're picking apart the fact that we are trying to make something out of Caylee's tragedy. King: Do you talk to Casey a lot? Cindy Anthony: I haven't spoken to Casey in person since October the 14th. We write. King: Why not? Cindy Anthony: Because every time we go to the jail to see her, it's videotaped and then it's all over "Nancy Grace" and, you know, the six o'clock news. King: How do you explain the body being found so close to home? Cindy Anthony: I can't explain it. I don't know if anybody can right now. Watch how Anthonys cope with granddaughter's death, daughter's incarceration » King: But you have thoughts, don't you, George? George Anthony: Well, I mean there's so many things I really would like to know, but there's a lot of things I just don't know. King: But you've got to ask. George Anthony: I wish I had an opportunity to talk to my daughter. But, again, we don't have that chance. King: But logically, if she's not involved, what could be said that could harm her? Cindy Anthony: You know, people pick everything apart. If Casey cries, she's not crying enough. If she smiles at us like she did in court the first time she saw us, then she's smiling for the wrong reasons. King: [Caylee's] body is stuffed in a laundry bag. The skull is wrapped in duct tape. Could you imagine your daughter would do that? Cindy Anthony: No. Attorney Brad Conway: The duct tape probably was not wrapped around the skull. We know that there was no flesh and no hair attached to the duct tape, yet that's what goes out in the media and that's what people assume to be true. And that's the unfair part: This young lady has not had her opportunity in court, yet people have drawn conclusions from discovery that's out there. King: Cindy, the meter reader who found the body alerted the authorities as far back as August about a suspicious bag. This tip wasn't acted on. Do you think there would be any difference if the body were found earlier? Cindy Anthony: I'm sure there would be, if she was really there back in August. I'm not convinced of that yet. King: Are you trying to find a murderer? I mean do you have a private detective? Cindy Anthony: We have a private investigator who's still investigating Caylee's disappearance. The defense has private investigators. And we're leaving them to their job. King	[ "Who will be called as a witness?", "What do they say the public does?", "Who expects they'll be called as witnesses?", "What does media attention prevent them from visiting?", "Does the public understand their situation?" ]	[ [ "George and Cindy Anthony," ], [ "They're picking apart the fact that we're standing behind our daughter. They're picking apart the fact that we are trying to make something out of Caylee's tragedy." ], [ "George and Cindy Anthony," ], [ "the jail" ], [ "they don't" ] ]	George and Cindy Anthony say media attention prevents them from visiting Casey . They say public doesn't understand their situation, people pick their actions apart . Cindy Anthony said she wrote suicide notes but never acted on them . Their attorney expects they'll be called as witnesses in daughter Casey's trial .
(CNN) -- The bone fragment found near the California home where Jaycee Dugard is said to have been confined for 18 years is "probably human," a sheriff's spokesman said Tuesday. Jaycee Dugard was locked in a shed tucked under a blue tarp in her alleged captor's backyard. Investigators said they found the bone last week on a neighbor's property in an area that Dugard's accused captor and rapist, Philip Garrido, had access to. The fragment, which was analyzed by an outside expert, will go on to the state DNA lab for testing, Jimmy Lee, director of Public Affairs for the Contra Costa County's Sheriff's Office said in an e-mail. "The expert has determined that the bone fragment found in the backyard of Garrido's neighbor is probably human," Lee said. "We will be requesting the state to see if it can develop a DNA profile on the fragment. It should be noted that it is not uncommon to find Native American remains in Contra Costa County," he said. Garrido and his wife, Nancy, have pleaded not guilty to 29 felony charges, including rape and kidnapping, stemming from Dugard's disappearance when she was 11 years old. Investigators believe Garrido kidnapped Dugard in 1991 in South Lake Tahoe, California, fathered two daughters with her and held her captive in a well-hidden compound behind his home in Antioch. After the Garridos were arrested in August, investigators used cadaver dogs to search the couple's ramshackle home and the surrounding rural property for possible connections to unsolved crimes. Police in Hayward, California, are trying to determine whether Garrido is linked to the 1988 kidnapping of Michaela Garecht, Hayward Police Lt. Chris Orrey said last week. Garecht and Dugard were of similar age and appearance, both were abducted in daylight and a sketch of a suspect resembled Garrido, Orrey said. In Dublin, California, investigators said last week they were looking into whether Garrido was connected to the 1989 disappearance of Ilene Misheloff, who was 13 when she was abducted. Garrido was convicted of kidnapping and raping Katie Callaway Hall in 1976. He was released from prison after serving 10 years of a 50-year sentence. He was labeled a sex offender and put on lifetime parole. CNN's Dan Simon contributed to this report.	[ "What was analyzed by an outside expert?", "Who analyzed the fragment?", "What did Nancy plead?", "What was found near the home?", "Who is the accused abductor?", "Who had access to the area?", "What was found near the home that Dugard was found captive?", "Where was the bone found?" ]	[ [ "The fragment," ], [ "an outside expert," ], [ "not guilty" ], [ "bone fragment" ], [ "Philip Garrido," ], [ "Philip Garrido," ], [ "bone fragment" ], [ "a neighbor's property" ] ]	Authorities: Bone found near home where Jaycee Dugard allegedly held captive . Investigators: Accused abductor Philip Garrido had access to area where bone found . Fragment was analyzed by outside expert, will go on to state DNA lab . Garrido, wife Nancy pleaded not guilty to abducting Dugard in 1991, other crimes .
(CNN) -- The box office fright flick "The Haunting in Connecticut" earned $23 million and a second-place ranking the first weekend of its release, satiating the moviegoer appetite for psychological thrills. Carmen Reed's family lived in a former funeral home. Their stories inspired "The Haunting in Connecticut." But what is entertainment for many was reportedly true life for Carmen Reed, who insists on using her maiden name to protect her children and grandchildren. Reed, her husband and four children rented an old colonial home in Southington, Connecticut, in the mid-1980s in order to be close to a hospital where her 13-year-old son was receiving cancer treatment. Soon after, two nieces also joined them in the house that they learned had once been a funeral home. It wasn't long before that son began telling stories about noises he'd heard and visions he'd seen, including the one of the "tall, thin man with long jet-black hair" whom the boy said he saw every night, Reed said. "I was the biggest skeptic of all," she explained. "I put my son in a mental hospital because I didn't believe him." Watch Reed talk about life in a haunted house » Reed sat down with CNN to talk about the spooky stories that later became her own and how what her family experienced inspired a blockbuster film. CNN: Tell me more about sending your son to a mental institution, where he arrived in a straitjacket and where you say he stayed for 45 days. Why did you do this, and what happened next? Carmen Reed: At first I thought it was his cancer treatment. ... I took him to a psychologist, but he got darker and darker. And this one time, he got so bad, he attacked my niece. ... An ambulance came and took him to a mental hospital. ... He was saying, "Mom, don't leave me! It's going to come after you now." And it did. CNN: You mentioned seeing a hand that grasped your niece and that mop water would turn a deep, dark red. What are some other things you saw or heard? Reed: Mattresses would breathe. They had a pulse. ... There was the normal banging on walls, but it always came in threes. ... There was a deep, gravelly voice. CNN: And yet you stayed for two years! If what you were experiencing didn't drive you to move away, what did? Reed: I couldn't go to the grocery store without people telling me their ghost stories. I was usually there for three hours. CNN: You talk about how you read from the Bible in an attempt to drive away demons. How did your experiences in this home influence your faith? Reed: I've learned that most people just believe in this physical world. Some people question if there is a God or angels or demons. I don't need to question that. I found that answer in this house. CNN: Are you still haunted by your experiences in that home? Reed: I do dream about it, and I remember things, but one of the biggest mottos I have is "Be not afraid." When people are afraid to go somewhere, I'll go into the deepest, darkest part of it because I know I'm not alone. CNN: You've consulted on this new film and are writing a book about your story. Why do you insist on using your maiden name? Reed: To protect my children. ... My daughter was more scarred by the publicity than she was by the house. And I have 11 grandchildren, and I want to protect them. CNN: What lesson do you hope people will take away from the film and the increased exposure to what you experienced in that Connecticut home? Reed: Leave the occult alone. You think you can control it, but it's going to backfire on you.	[ "Is \"The Haunting of Connecticut\" based on a true story?", "What is the story based on?", "Did Reed live in a funeral home?", "Where did the family live?", "What was her message?", "What is based on a true story?", "What is Carmen Reed's message?", "What is the big-screen thriller called?" ]	[ [ "life for Carmen Reed," ], [ "Carmen Reed's family lived in a former funeral home." ], [ "Carmen Reed's family lived in a former funeral home." ], [ "former funeral home." ], [ "Leave the occult alone. You think you can control it, but it's going to backfire on you." ], [ "\"The Haunting in Connecticut.\"" ], [ "\"Be not afraid.\"" ], [ "\"The Haunting in Connecticut\"" ] ]	Big-screen thriller "The Haunting in Connecticut" is based on true story . Carmen Reed speaks about her family's time living in a former funeral home . She says mattresses breathed, a hand grabbed and mop water turned red . Her message: "Leave the occult alone"
(CNN) -- The brother of skater Nancy Kerrigan, charged with assault and battery in an incident involving his father, was released on bond, authorities said Wednesday. Mark Kerrigan posted the previously set $10,000 bail and was released from custody, according to the Woburn District Court Clerk's office in Massachusetts. Kerrigan, 45, was fitted with a tracking device and under conditions of his release is not allowed to leave his home other than to visit his attorney, the clerk's office said. He also is forbidden to use any drugs or alcohol other than prescription medication, can have no access to weapons and must have mental health counseling. "The Kerrigan family is delighted to have Mark back with them," family spokeswoman Nancy Sterling said in a statement. "They ask that you respect their privacy as they welcome Mark home." He was arraigned in January and pleaded not guilty to charges he assaulted his father, Daniel Kerrigan, 70. The elder Kerrigan died January 24 after an alleged altercation with his 45-year-old son at the family's home in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Mark Kerrigan, through his attorney, has denied any responsibility in his father's death. Daniel Kerrigan's death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, but Middlesex County prosecutors have not said whether other charges might be filed against the younger Kerrigan in light of the finding. The Kerrigan family has said, in a statement released through their attorney, that they believe the medical examiner's finding to be "premature and inaccurate." "The Kerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan, who had a pre-existing heart condition," said the family statement, released by attorney Tracy Miner. According to Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Keeley, police responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:30 a.m. January 24 from Brenda Kerrigan, wife of Daniel and mother to Mark and Nancy Kerrigan. Keeley told District Court Judge Mark Sullivan during the arraignment for Mark Kerrigan that there was a violent argument and struggle between the father and his son, resulting in the elder Kerrigan falling or collapsing on the kitchen floor. Keeley said that Mark Kerrigan told authorities "that he did in fact have an argument with his father, the argument became physical, he grabbed his father around the neck, and at some point the father collapsed to the floor." According to Keeley, police found Mark Kerrigan in the basement of the house, "clearly intoxicated" and "extremely combative." He refused to comply with police officers, said Keeley, and they had to subdue him with pepper spray before forcibly removing him from the home. Mark Kerrigan's attorney, Denise Moore, said in court that Kerrigan was unemployed, was recently released from a correctional facility and was living at home with his parents. He is taking medications and seeking psychological help for post-traumatic stress, apparently from his time in the Army, she added. Nancy Kerrigan first gained prominence by winning a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. In 1994 she earned an Olympic silver medal in Lillehammer, Norway. She is perhaps best remembered for surviving an attack before the 1994 Winter Games by skating rival Tonya Harding's ex-husband and an accomplice. CNN's Bob Crowley, Evan Buxbaum and Vanessa Juarez contributed to this report.	[ "How much was Mark Kerrigan's bail?", "Daniel Kerrigan was murdered by who?", "How much did Mark Kerrigan post for bail?", "What age was Daniel Kerrigan when he died?", "What must he refrain from using?", "What are the rules Mark Kerrigan must abide by while out on bail?" ]	[ [ "$10,000" ], [ "Mark" ], [ "$10,000" ], [ "70." ], [ "forbidden to use any drugs or alcohol" ], [ "not allowed to leave his home other than to visit his attorney," ] ]	NEW: Mark Kerrigan free after posting $10,000 bail . He is on an ankle monitor and must refrain from using drugs and alcohol . Death of figure skater's father on January 24 ruled a homicide . Daniel Kerrigan, 70, died after a "violent argument and struggle" with his son .
(CNN) -- The brutal winter storm that caused havoc from Texas to Maine has paralyzed swaths of Kentucky, where officials are working to cope with what they say is the worst power outage in the state's history. "We are kind of in a state of emergency. It's pretty bad," said iReporter Dwight Stanley of Louisville, Kentucky. Andrew Melnykovych, spokesman for Kentucky's Public Service Commission, said it is "an indescribable mess everywhere." Ice storms covered parts of the state Friday, with moderate snowstorms expected to continue into Saturday morning, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures that dipped into the teens on Friday are expected to rise to the upper 30s to lower 40s on Saturday, the weather service said. Larry Holeman, deputy emergency management director of rural Grayson County, called his hard-hit community "a war zone." The emergency reflects the challenges faced in states such as Kentucky, where many rural and remote regions struggle to keep warm and dry under dire weather conditions. Nine weather-related deaths have been reported, with two confirmed, said the office of Gov. Steve Beshear. A previously confirmed death has since been found to be unrelated to the weather. In western Louisville, three adults were found dead Friday morning of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator the family brought indoors, Mayor Jerry Abramson said. The deaths prompted authorities to issue a stern warning about the dangers of carbon monoxide. "We've lost three citizens because people weren't listening to the fire department when they look into the cameras and talk on the radios and say, 'listen up, carbon monoxide kills,' " Abramson said in a press conference Friday afternoon. "We can't talk enough about it." The storm caused the largest power outage in Kentucky's history, with more than 607,000 customers out of power. Watch residents of Grayson County, Kentucky, try to cope with outage » But Melnykovych said that while the state is saying 607,000 customers have lost power, he thinks the number is closer to 650,000 because the state figure comes only from utilities it regulates. When Hurricane Ike hit in September, 600,000 customers lost power. Melnykovych said the temperature was around 75 degrees and power outages were more of an "inconvenience than a life-threatening situation." iReport.com: Send your wintry weather photos, videos "Hurricane Ike didn't have this kind of impact," he said. Of the state's 120 counties, 78 have declared emergencies. So have 47 cities, the governor's office said. At least 113 emergency shelters have been opened. Jewel Tomes, who lives in Leitchfield, took shelter at a high school after a complex for the elderly lost power and was "thrilled to have a place to come to." "The high school here was generous, and more than 500 people have been sheltered here, and we have had cots and blankets and three meals a day. And we had medication," she said. Around 93,000 customers on 55 water systems remain without access to water because of outages and storm damage. Photos of storm's impact » Crews across the state were working to clear roads of snow, ice and trees. A key concern is getting generators to water treatment facilities because of the large number of people without water. The Kentucky National Guard, which has had 620 soldiers on duty, is bolstering to 1,000 the number of soldiers aiding recovery efforts. Three of the battalions are headed to Paducah, Owensboro and Benton in the west and others are headed to other hard-hit spots. The state said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will operate out of a National Guard center in Frankfort. Beshear praised the Obama administration's prompt reaction to the storm. "They really hit the ground running," he said. "They're working very hard to get all the equipment and supplies here that we need." For a third day, Beshear on Friday visited regions of the state slammed by the storm. "Western Kentucky has obviously been hit very	[ "What was the cause of death?", "Into when are the snowstorms expected to continue?", "What is the number of those without power?", "How many customers are without power?", "Where did 3 die of carbon monoxide poisoning?", "How many deaths were related to the weather?", "What is the number of dead?", "How many died of carbon monoxide poisoning?" ]	[ [ "carbon monoxide poisoning" ], [ "Saturday morning," ], [ "is closer to 650,000" ], [ "607,000" ], [ "western Louisville," ], [ "Nine" ], [ "three adults" ], [ "three adults" ] ]	NEW: 3 die of carbon monoxide poisoning in Louisville, mayor says . NEW: Moderate snowstorms expected to continue into Saturday . Nine weather-related deaths have been reported, governor says . More than 607,000 customers without power, state says .
(CNN) -- The captain and chief officer of a Chinese-registered ship that ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef will appear in an Australian court Thursday, charged with damaging the reef. The Shen Neng 1 veered more than 27 kilometers (17 miles) off course and ended up on a shoal in the Reef on April 3, prompting concerns of an oil spill near the world's largest coral reef system. On Wednesday, the Australian Federal Police announced that they have arrested the 47-year-old Chinese master of the vessel and the 44-year-old chief officer. The captain was charged with liability for the vessel. He faces a maximum fine of A$55,000 (U.S. $50,852). The chief officer is accused of being on watch when the ship caused the damage. He faces up to three years in prison and a fine of A$220,000 (U.S. $203,411). Authorities did not disclose the name of either man. The ship was carrying about 65,000 tons of coal to China from the Australian port of Gladstone when it ran aground on the shoal -- a combination of shell and sand -- near the southernmost point of the Great Barrier Reef, just north of Great Keppel Island. About 950 tons of oil were on board. A small oil slick caused by the ship's grounding did not threaten the Great Barrier Reef after crews sprayed dispersants on it and surface netting helped to contain it. Officials said the ship's captain had a 10-mile-wide channel to navigate through in an area where pilots aren't needed -- a relatively wide open section of sea, 70 kilometers (43 miles) off shore and away from the larger mass of coral most people associate with the Great Barrier Reef. "He got 15 nautical miles (17.3 miles) off course, which is just outrageous," Adam Nicholson, a spokesman for Maritime Safety Queensland, said at the time. Nicholson likened it to a car veering off a 2-mile wide road. "We have thousands of boats moving in that same space every year and nothing has ever happened like this," he said. The Great Barrier Reef is made up of roughly 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands spanning over 2,600 km (1,600 miles) off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea.	[ "Where are Chinese ship officers to appear in?", "What did the chinese ship veer into?", "Who many miles off course was the ship?", "How far off course was the ship?", "Where was the ship?", "Where did the officers veer onto?", "What is the ship chief officer facing?", "What is the maximum jail term faced?" ]	[ [ "Australian court" ], [ "Great Barrier" ], [ "15 nautical" ], [ "27 kilometers (17 miles)" ], [ "Reef" ], [ "on a shoal in the Reef" ], [ "three years in prison and a fine of A$220,000" ], [ "three years" ] ]	Chinese ship officers to appear in court after veering onto Great Barrier Reef . Ship was over 17 miles off course when it ended up in Reef area . Ship's chief officer faces maxiumum 3-year jail term .
(CNN) -- The car breaks down. The lover jilts you mid-trip. The hotel turns out to be a dump. Pericles Rellas thanks a dumpy hotel and a kind stranger for showing him Old Cairo in Egypt 20 years ago. Travel snafus can throw upside down the most thought-out of vacation plans. But what the mishaps lead to, and how people deal with them, can be blessings in globe-trotting disguise. "When things go wrong, travel gets more interesting," said Jim Benning. "If everything goes exactly as planned, the trip may be all right, but is it the trip you'll tell people about for years to come? Probably not." No stranger to travel trials -- he's heard about and lived plenty -- Benning is the editor of World Hum, an online travel magazine that focuses on the journey as much as the destination. In 2001, he found himself on a 20-hour-long, overstuffed train ride across China. It was so unbearable that he jumped off in Chengdu in Sichuan province, an area he never intended to explore. "The only reason I got off is I couldn't stand another second on that train," he said. "It led to the best week I had in China." Travelers who can stay flexible and roll with the glitches do well, even "thrive," when adversity strikes, Benning said. Nancy Donohue of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is one such person. Back in 2003, the artist joined her grown son, Jeremiah (or "Maia"), in volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala. Once the three-week stint was over, the two set out on a road trip to take his car back to his home in California. But only two days into the drive, the car broke down north of Acapulco, Mexico, leaving them stranded beneath the hot sun for three hours, she said. They found refuge in the town of Coyuca -- her for one week (she had to fly back to the states) and Maia for two weeks -- before the right car part arrived and he could move on. While there, they found bliss, bonding with the locals and spending their days at the beach, swimming in a lagoon and feasting on 10-cent mangoes. iReport: Read about this lucky breakdown "It's the story of my life," Donohue said. "Anything that happens is for the good." Even in the worst of times, there can be blessings, Shirley Brooks-Jones learned. The Columbus, Ohio, resident was on Delta Flight 15 from Frankfurt, Germany, to Atlanta, Georgia, on September 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks had closed U.S. airspace, and for 24 hours, she was on one of nearly 40 airplanes on the tarmac in Gander, Newfoundland, getting bit-piece updates and trying to understand what had happened. When it became clear that they'd be going nowhere anytime soon, she and the others deplaned -- without their luggage. The people of Gander and the surrounding villages wowed Brooks-Jones, 73, and the other stuck passengers with their kindness. Locals gave them shelter, food, and access to phones and televisions so they could follow the news. They made sure prescriptions were filled, gave them clothing when needed and made sure they had every toiletry they lacked. The people of Lewisporte, the modest village where she was stranded, did all of this without allowing the passengers to pay for a thing. "We just landed on their doorstep," said Brooks-Jones, who's been back to visit 16 times since that initial four-day layover. "I fell in love with those people and the area." She wasn't the only one. Those on her flight who were touched by the people of Lewisporte helped fund a scholarship for students there. The Lewisporte Area Flight 15 Scholarship Fund has raised nearly $900,000, she said. For Celeste Botha, a far less warm, even icy, reception turned her travels topsy-turvy.	[ "When things go wrong, travel gets more?", "What went wrong?", "What happened at 9/11?", "Car breakdown leads mother and son to?", "Where is Cairo?" ]	[ [ "interesting,\"" ], [ "car breaks down." ], [ "terrorist attacks" ], [ "spending their days at the beach, swimming in a lagoon" ], [ "Egypt" ] ]	"When things go wrong, travel gets more interesting" and memorable, expert says . Car breakdown leads mother and son to blissful town, lagoon and 10-cent mangoes . 9/11 stranding sparks long-standing relationships and scholarship . The kindness of a stranger in Cairo, Egypt, has changed man to this day .
(CNN) -- The cat that vanished in baggage claim at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and whose plight became an online sensation has been found after being missing for two months. "American Airlines is happy to announce that Jack the Cat has been found safe and well at JFK airport," the carrier wrote in a post on the "Jack the Cat is Lost in AA Baggage at JFK" Facebook page Tuesday evening. "Jack was found in the customs room and was immediately taken by team members to a local veterinarian. The vet has advised that Jack is doing well at present." The airline plans to fly the cat to California to be reunited with his owner, Karen Pascoe. The saga started on August 25, when Pascoe was flying from New York to San Francisco with Jack and a second cat as part of a job relocation. But Jack escaped his kennel and was last seen at JFK's inbound baggage claim. (A Department of Transportation Pet Incident Report released earlier this month explains how it happened: A clerk placed one kennel on top of another on a baggage cart and the kennel on top fell. The impact "caused the kennel to separate," allowing the cat to escape.) When a search failed to turn up Jack after a few days, Pascoe became frustrated with American Airlines and started the Facebook page "to help us put pressure on AA to step up their efforts." She also urged fliers to "do whatever they can do to keep their animals out of cargo." The page now has more than 16,000 followers. In its post, the airline said the search efforts included "many employees at the airport who have remained vigilant in their search and committed to finding Jack." While the cat was missing, workers placed food and water around the airport and set up humane traps. American even hired a pet detective and issued a pet Amber alert in hopes of locating the feline. We "share everyone's relief that he has been found," the carrier said.	[ "Which airport was the cat found at?", "who became a sensation?", "What did the feline become", "who was found?", "What did american airlines find", "What airline found Jack the Cat?", "where was the cat found" ]	[ [ "New York's John F. Kennedy International" ], [ "cat that vanished in baggage claim at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport" ], [ "an online sensation" ], [ "Jack the Cat" ], [ "Jack the Cat" ], [ "\"American" ], [ "JFK airport,\"" ] ]	American Airlines says it has found Jack the Cat after two months of searching . The feline became a Facebook sensation after his owner vented online . The cat was found at John F. Kennedy International Airport's customs room .
(CNN) -- The cause of a South Carolina wildfire that has charred about 19,600 acres appears to be a yard debris fire, the head of the state's Forestry Commission said Friday. Derek Boos sifts through the wreckage of his in-laws' house Friday after a fire in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The blaze seems to have been caused by a yard debris fire in the Woodlawn subdivision, an unincorporated part of Horry County, halfway between Conway and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Forestry Commission Forest Protection Chief Darryl Jones said. The fire began Saturday and rekindled itself Wednesday evening, according to the Forestry Commission. Officials said about 70 homes had been destroyed in the county, which contains a stretch of popular tourist spots, including Myrtle Beach. About 100 other homes were damaged, Horry County officials said. The blaze left only charred rubble and the smoldering, skeletal remains of some houses, even as adjacent homes went untouched. The fire swallowed up pines and dry brush, sending a smoky gray smudge into the sky that could be seen for hours from miles away Thursday. "It's better now, but the smoke was pretty much everywhere," said Chavdar Pavlov, a CNN iReport contributor who lives 20 miles from where the fires raged. "At nighttime, it was like snow in the air, but it wasn't snow; it was ashes." The Horry County Council's Brent Schultz said, "The only way to describe this is tragic." At a Friday morning news conference, frustrated residents who had evacuated demanded to know when they could return home, yelling at Bob Grabowski of the Horry County Council. "I just want to go home," one man cried out, prompting Grabowski to pause. "Come on," others said. "That will be addressed," he said. "We'll get with you on that." About 2,500 people were evacuated Thursday, authorities said, and more than 400 people were in shelters. No fatalities or injuries have been reported from the blaze. Horry County said the fire was about 40 percent contained by early Friday. Watch as residents face uncertainty about their houses » "It's on everybody's mind and in everyone's conversation," said the Rev. Marion Brazell, whose Conway church was serving as a shelter. "It's pretty flat area, so you can see the smoke from a distance." Brazell had not yet arrived at the church Friday, but he said he believed only Red Cross and other emergency workers were staying there. The evacuations occurred north of Conway, he said. He added good-naturedly, "Shelters are often the last place people will go. They'll go to hotels and motels" that may offer rooms for free. "I'd rather go to a motel than sleep in my church. ... It's much more comfortable than sleeping in a cot," he said. The fire has mostly kept its distance from tourist areas, and as the South Carolina officials provided updates and warnings to residents, they urged visitors to stay. "For tourists coming here for vacation, we should have no problems taking care of our guests and visitors that are going to come to Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach," Grabowski said. And North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley, answering a question about tourism, said Thursday: "People who have reservations can certainly come onto the Grand Strand area and enjoy themselves. It is not affecting the majority of golf courses; there should be no reason that anyone is canceling their vacation." Hatley said she could not say if any golf courses had been damaged. "The golf course property itself was not our first priority," she said. CNN's Mike Phelan, Lisa France and Taylor Gandossy contributed to this report.	[ "What consumed about 20,000 acres?", "Where was the blaze?", "Is the fire contained?", "What is the number of homes destroyed by the fire?", "What was contained?", "What has been destroyed?", "What percentage of the fire was contained early Friday?", "What may have caused the fire?", "What is the number of evacuees?" ]	[ [ "South Carolina wildfire" ], [ "South Carolina" ], [ "40 percent" ], [ "70" ], [ "the fire" ], [ "70 homes" ], [ "40 percent" ], [ "yard debris" ], [ "2,500" ] ]	NEW: Yard debris fire may be cause of blaze in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, area . Fire about 40 percent contained early Friday in Horry County . "I just want to go home," one resident yells; nearly 2,500 evacuated . Fire has consumed about 20,000 acres, destroyed about 70 homes .
(CNN) -- The cell phone video stutters as it records the movement of soldiers and Syrian militia on the streets from an upstairs window. A whispered commentary describes the scene. Another video shows vehicles riddled with bullet holes, shattered apartments, glass shards and concrete lumps mixed with patches of blood. In yet another, protesters flee as heavy-caliber weapons fire ricochets off buildings. All are scenes purportedly filmed in recent days in Homs, Syria's third-largest city. Security forces have sealed off entire neighborhoods; others are blocked by barricades thrown up by protesters. At night, street rallies take place in areas "liberated" from government control. The many videos uploaded on social media sites, as well as residents' accounts, suggest some neighborhoods in Homs -- at the heart of opposition to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad -- are beginning to resemble Sarajevo at the height of the Bosnian civil war. That resistance is now becoming more organized and armed. Army deserters calling themselves the Free Syrian Army are helping with the defense of districts opposed to the regime. Some opposition activists say it's time for the international community to declare a no-fly zone over Syria, as it did in Libya, to blunt the regime's overwhelming military advantage. (There is no sign that Western powers are willing to do this.) Confrontations are also taking on sectarian overtones that could lead to a wider explosion of communal violence. There have been sectarian shootings and assassinations of prominent local people outside their homes. Residents say the government has begun deploying largely Alawite militia in Sunni neighborhoods such as Khaldiye, Bab Sbaa, Bab DreÃ¯b and Bab Amro. Though Syria is majority Sunni, its leadership tends to belong to the Alawite sect. Homs has long been a divided city, with Alawites living in the south and a rapidly growing Sunni population predominant in other neighborhoods. Opposition activists claim that the regime is trying to incite sectarian strife in an effort to divide opponents and show what civil war in Syria might look like. Residents of Homs who recently fled to neighboring Lebanon, and don't want to be identified due to security concerns, say that sectarianism is neither endemic nor widespread, but admit that tensions between communities are increasing. They say that they want a united Syria but accuse the al-Assad regime of stoking sectarian flames. The unrest is not confined to Homs. There are daily reports of protests, deaths and clampdowns by the security forces in the suburbs of Damascus, in Daraa to the south (where the unrest began in March), and elsewhere. Army defectors who have reached the relative safety of Lebanon speak of exhaustion after months on the streets, in some cases being ordered to fire on unarmed demonstrators. CNN spoke to one soldier in a hospital in northern Lebanon. "Too much killing, we were always in the streets," he said. State media report ambushes of security personnel by armed gangs on a regular basis, though other accounts suggest these ambushes may often be clashes between defecting conscripts and elite units loyal to the regime. Even so, the U.S. ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, told Reuters last month that the military was still "very powerful and very cohesive." Against this background of growing violence, the Syrian economy is suffering -- its oil revenues declining just as government spending spirals. The government has announced spending will increase 60% in 2012 -- much of it going for subsidies as it tries to tamp down the unrest. Analysts say the state has little chance of improving tax revenues to cover this spending. International sanctions, including those against oil exports and Syrian banks, are adding to the pain. Last week, the European Union followed the U.S. in freezing transactions with the Commercial Bank of Syria, which handles all letters of credit for the regime. The Syrian economy is growing more and more isolated from international trade -- and sources of hard currency. Last month, the Syrian government banned a wide range of imports in an effort to save dwindling foreign exchange reserves, before the economy minister reversed the ban two weeks later "due to the legitimate demands of citizens, as it	[ "What is is also taking on sectarian overtones?", "Which economy is worsening?", "What is happening to the Syrian economy?", "Opposition to the al-Assad regime is becoming what?", "What is taking sectarian overtones?", "What is is becoming more organized ?", "What is making the Syrian economy worse?", "Violence is taking on what overtones?" ]	[ [ "Confrontations" ], [ "Syrian" ], [ "is suffering" ], [ "more" ], [ "Confrontations" ], [ "resistance" ], [ "oil revenues declining" ], [ "sectarian" ] ]	Opposition to the al-Assad regime is becoming more organized and armed . Violence is also taking on sectarian overtones . Along with the increased violence, the Syrian economy is worsening .
(CNN) -- The chairman of one of India's fastest-growing banks, the sister of a Bollywood actor, a Times of India journalist and the chief of India's Anti-Terrorism Squad were among Indians killed in the four-day terrorist siege in Mumbai. National Security Guard troops salute slain commando Gajendra Singh on Saturday in New Delhi, India. Eighteen foreigners, including five Americans, were killed in attacks on nine sites Wednesday through Saturday in India's commercial capital; at least 165 Indians died. Several news outlets reported that Ashok Kapur, chairman of Yes Bank, was killed Wednesday at the Oberoi hotel. He had gone there to have dinner with his wife and some friends, who escaped the carnage, the Indian newspaper Business Standard reported. His body was found not in the restaurant but on the hotel's 19th floor, a bank spokesperson told the paper. Kapur was one of the founders of the bank and held a 12 percent stake in it, Business Standard said. His long banking career included ventures in Singapore and the Netherlands, and he was an adviser to India's wealthy Tata family, the paper reported. Bollywood actor Ashish Chowdhury's sister, Monica Chhabaria, and her husband also were killed Wednesday at the Oberoi, CNN-IBN reported. The actor waited outside the hotel for word of his sister, who he said had stopped answering phone calls after the siege began. Chowdhury has appeared in numerous Indian films. He had a small role in the U.S. film "Fight Club," starring Brad Pitt. The body of Sabina Sehgal Saikia, a Times of India consulting editor and food critic, was recovered Saturday from the Taj hotel, CNN-IBN reported. As the terrorists were seizing control of the hotel, Saikia had sent a text message to hotel employees saying, ''They are in my bathroom,'' CNN-IBN said. She was not heard from again. Hotel staff were also among the many dead. Boris Rego, a management trainee at the Taj Mahal hotel, was killed Thursday, his brother told CNN-IBN. Kevin Rego said his 25-year-old brother was working in the hotel's restaurant when gunmen barged in and opened fire. Boris made several phone calls to his family in Goa, the last one coming in about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Kevin Rego told CNN-IBN. "There was commotion in the background. All he said was 'Daddy ... Kevin ... Kevin.' Then his voice trailed off, and there was silence," his brother said. The chairman of the company that owns the Taj told said the hotel's general manager lost his family in a fire the broke out in the hotel Wednesday night. "I went up to him today, and he said, 'Sir, we are going to beat this. We are going to build this Taj back into what it was,' " Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata told CNN's Fareed Zakaria. The bodies of Karambir Kang's wife and two children of were burned beyond recognition in the fire, The Times of India reported, citing hotel sources, but it was unclear whether they were killed in the blaze. Thousands turned out Saturday in Mumbai for the funeral of Hemant Karkare, chief of Maharashtra state's Anti-Terrorism Squad, who was shot to death Wednesday as the siege unfolded. He was one of at least 17 police officers who died in the attacks. Karkare's cremation was delayed while his two daughters made their way home from the United States and England, The Times of India reported. A military funeral was held Saturday in Bangalore for Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a National Security Guard commando who was killed at the Taj hotel, The Times of India reported. iReport.com: Share tributes to those lost The body of another Security Guard officer, Gajendra Singh, was taken to New Delhi before being transported for last rights in his native Dehradun, The Times reported. He was killed at Mumbai's Chabad House, a Jewish community center where American-born rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his Israeli	[ "At what location was the chairman of Yes bank reported to have been killed?", "What position did Sabina Sehgal Saikia hold before her death?", "How many police were killed?", "Where was the chairman of Yes Bank killed?", "Who was reported dead?", "Who is the deceased consulting editor?", "Who was the chairman of Yes Bank?", "Whose body was found?", "What was Saikia's job?", "Who was the chief of the Anti-Terrorism Squad?" ]	[ [ "Mumbai." ], [ "Times of India consulting editor and food critic," ], [ "at least 17" ], [ "Oberoi hotel." ], [ "Ashok Kapur," ], [ "Sabina Sehgal Saikia, a Times of India" ], [ "Ashok Kapur," ], [ "Ashok Kapur," ], [ "Times of India consulting editor and food critic," ], [ "Hemant Karkare," ] ]	NEW: Hotel employee, Taj GM's wife and two sons reported dead . Ashok Kapur, chairman of Yes Bank, reported killed at Oberoi Hotel . Body of Sabina Sehgal Saikia, Times of India consulting editor, found . Hemant Karkare, chief of Anti-Terrorism Squad, among 17 police killed .
(CNN) -- The chaotic scene unfolded with flash-bang grenades, rubber bullets and clouds of smoke. Canisters whizzed through the air amid deafening booms. Marine Lance Cpl. Scott Olsen went down. "Medic! Medic!" someone yelled. Olsen, 24, had seen his share of war in two tours of Iraq as a Marine. He was lucky, returning home physically unscathed. But Tuesday evening, near the corner of 14th Avenue and Broadway in Oakland, California, Olsen went down. The video images went viral: streams of crimson flowing down Olsen's head, his black T-shirt adorned with a white dove of peace, the war veteran carried to a hospital. And with that, the Occupy movement had a face. "We are all Scott Olsen," declared its website. "It's ironic," said his uncle George Nygaard, that Olsen should be the poster child for this movement. Ironic, said Olsen's Marine buddy and current roommate Keith Shannon, that a young man who fought for American freedoms should be injured exercising those same freedoms at home. He was 14 at the time of the September 11 attacks and graduated in 2005 from Onalaska High School with the same sense of patriotism that drove so many young men and women to join the military. He was working at Lindy's Subs and Salads when he decided to enlist. Soon, he was in Twentynine Palms in the Mojave Desert for training and the next year on his way to war. Olsen deployed twice with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment to Iraq's Anbar province, site of some the war's fiercest battles. Shannon said they often encountered makeshift bombs in their 2006 tour during which 15 of their fellow Marines died. Nygaard said Olsen told him about a couple of close calls, one in which he rolled over a roadside bomb that somehow failed to detonate. Olsen had always been a quiet, shy kid, Nygaard said. A computer whiz, not a jock. And not the type of young man his friends had expected to become an activist. But war touched Olsen as it does almost everyone who comes that close. After his last tour of Iraq, he returned home with serious misgivings and gravitated to Nygaard, a former Marine himself who had returned from Vietnam feeling similarly. In small-town Wisconsin, uncle and nephew talked to each other about the larger issues of war. "He came back thinking there were better ways to deal with things than war," Nygaard said. Olsen's parents, Nygaard said, didn't always understand the change in their son. But Nygaard felt an affinity for the young man. "I am so much more proud of him now than when he was in (the Marine Corps), because he followed through on his convictions," Nygaard said. Those convictions led Olsen to Madison this year to join protests of a bill by Gov. Scott Walker to weaken organized labor in Wisconsin. "Scott thought the workers were getting screwed," said Nygaard, who was on the streets with his nephew. This summer, Olsen's friend Shannon helped him get a job at OPSWAT, a technology firm in San Francisco. By then, Olsen had become deeply involved with Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War. At one event, he stood with a poster that read: "32 veterans will try to commit suicide every day and 18 will succeed." "He worried deeply about his fellow brothers and sisters who are veterans," Nygaard said. That's what prompted him to join the Occupy movement, first in San Francisco and then across the bay in Oakland, Nygaard said. Olsen knew there were many veterans among America's down and out. For the past three weeks, he was working during the day and out all night at the Occupy protests, Shannon said. He came home only three or four times to the Daly City apartment the two shared -- mainly to do laundry. Still, the laid-back Olsen was never a screamer	[ "Who returned from Iraq without injury?", "Scott Olsen returned from where?", "Where did Scott Olsen return from?", "What did his uncle say?", "Who became the face of the movement?", "Did olsen become the face of the movement?" ]	[ [ "Marine Lance Cpl. Scott Olsen" ], [ "Iraq" ], [ "Iraq" ], [ "\"It's ironic,\"" ], [ "Scott Olsen,\"" ], [ "deeply involved with Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War." ] ]	Scott Olsen returned from two tours of Iraq without injury . But he suffered a fractured skull in the Oakland protests . The videos went viral, and Olsen became the face of the movement . His uncle says Iraq changed his nephew's views on war .
(CNN) -- The chief executive of American Airlines, which has grounded almost 2,500 flights over the past three days, accepted "full responsibility" Thursday for failing to meet government inspection standards. "I am profoundly sorry that we've gotten ourselves into this situation, and I thank our customers for their patience under very difficult circumstances," American CEO Gerard Arpey said Thursday afternoon. The airline canceled 933 flights on MD-80 jets Thursday and announced 570 would be scrapped Friday. Potential wiring hazards in wheel wells that could cause fires or problems with landing gear prompted the action. American canceled several hundred flights for the same reason about two weeks ago. Earlier Thursday, American said it expected all of its MD-80 jets to be flight-worthy by Saturday night. The airline has offered to make amends to travelers with refunds, vouchers and compensation for overnight stays. The cancellations have delayed and stranded more than 140,000 passengers. Roger Frizzell, an airline spokesman, said the inspections involve technical compliance as opposed to flight safety. Watch how air travelers deal with disruptions » Although American was most affected by the inspections, the Federal Aviation Administration's orders for safety checks have also affected Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines and Midwest Airlines, which was the latest airline to ground planes: 13 on Thursday. The FAA launched its inspection campaign in March, after CNN obtained documents given to congressional investigators that showed more than 100 Southwest aircraft had not had mandatory safety inspections. At a Capitol Hill hearing Thursday, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration's safety division, Nicholas Sabatini, was told that his agency's performance was woeful. "I think [it's] approaching losing the confidence of the American people and the Congress," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-West Virginia. Lawmakers said the agency has become too close to the airline industry. Sabatini defended the FAA's record but said any lapse was cause for concern. "We found we had achieved 99 percent safety compliance," he told lawmakers. But, he added, "It's the other 1 percent that keeps me up at night." Passengers scheduled to fly on an American Airlines MD-80 between Tuesday and Friday can receive a full refund or apply the value of their ticket to a future flight, the airline said. People who stayed overnight as a result of a canceled flight can go to the company's Web site to inquire about receiving compensation. Arpey said that the MD-80 has been a great plane for American Airlines and that the inspection problems should have "no impact on our long-term fleet plan." "The FAA is stepping up their surveillance and doing their job," Arpey said. "In this case, we failed to get it right, and we're trying very hard to get it right." He said American plans to hire an independent consultant to examine the company's inspection system. Meanwhile, airports are doing their best to keep frustrated travelers happy. "Getting stuck at the airport is not like a day at the beach, but we sure are trying to make passengers as comfortable as possible," said Ken Capps, vice president of public affairs for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. Eateries were staying open all night, some provided free pastries and coffee, and some even handed out diapers. The situation at American's hub at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, "was what you might see on a normal Thursday morning," CNN's Susan Roesgen reported. American employees handing out free coffee and granola bars found few takers. Watch a report from O'Hare » At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, American passengers reported frustration but complimented the carrier's efforts to get them to their destinations. "We were rerouted," said Chad Duncan of San Angelo, Texas, who was in Georgia to watch practice rounds of the Masters golf tournament. "They were very helpful and everything, but it's frustrating. Instead of having one stopover, we now have three	[ "What caused the cancellation?", "What type of jet did experts expect to be flight-worthy?", "Which day of the week did Alaska and Midwest airlines cancel their flights?", "How many flights will be cancelled according to American Airlines?", "What is wrong with the planes?" ]	[ [ "failing to meet government inspection standards." ], [ "MD-80" ], [ "Thursday." ], [ "2,500" ], [ "Potential wiring hazards in wheel wells that could cause fires or problems" ] ]	NEW: American Airlines says 570 flights will be canceled Friday . "I am profoundly sorry," chief executive of American Airlines says . American expects all of its MD-80 jets to be flight-worthy by Saturday night . Alaska Airlines, Midwest Airlines cancel flights Thursday for safety checks .
(CNN) -- The chief operating officer of the National Children's Museum was arrested Tuesday and is charged with distributing child pornography over the Internet, authorities said. Robert A. Singer is accused of sending images depicting child pornography to people he believed to be a 12-year-old girl and her 33-year-old mother, according to a statement issued by U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia of the Southern District of New York. In reality he was communicating with an undercover detective for the New York Police Department. Some of the pornographic images were sent from Singer's computer at the museum, according to an affidavit filed in support of the charges by a special agent who investigates child pornography and child exploitation for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The Washington museum posted a message on its Web site saying officials there are "horrified" by news of Singer's arrest. They reported that he has been suspended from his post, effective immediately, and is barred from the property. Singer, 49, was arrested at his home in Falls Church, Virginia, by federal agents, according to the prosecutors' statement. Authorities allege he engaged in several instant messaging "chats" and e-mail communications with the undercover detective, posing as the woman and her daughter, from August to September. He is charged with five counts of distributing child pornography in interstate commerce. If convicted on each count, he would face a sentence of up to 140 years in prison -- up to 20 years for the first count and up to 40 years for each additional count, prosecutors said. Singer allegedly initiated contact with the undercover detective, posing as the mother, in an America On Line chat room called "Cuties." The chat room attracts people who "are known to trade in pornographic images, including child pornography," according to an affidavit filed in the case by a special agent who investigates child pornography and child exploitation for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "On five separate occasions in August 2007, Singer sent several images of child pornography over the Internet to the mother and the daughter, including images depicting sexual acts between minors and adults and images depicting known victims of child exploitation," prosecutors said. In his communications with the supposed daughter, Singer pretended to be a 15-year-old boy, authorities said. In August 2007, he sent her two images featuring child pornography, according to the affidavit, with the instruction, "just delete it when you are done." A search of Singer's AOL account activity showed that from July to September, he sent about 80 images featuring child pornography to people including the detective, authorities said in the statement. Also, the search revealed that he had received about 10 images and one video depicting child pornography. Singer was expected to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge later Tuesday. He is identified in the complaint as a spokesman for the National Children's Museum, but a spokeswoman who asked not to be identified said he was promoted to chief operating officer within the past few months. He has been employed by the museum for four years, she said. In a written statement, the museum said it was notified by the Department of Homeland Security and ICE of Singer's arrest. "We are horrified by the charges," the statement said. "This news is deeply upsetting to the National Children's Museum family." "As its essence, the National Children's Museum is about enriching the lives of children," the statement said. "We are educators, child advocates and parents. Anyone who does anything that might endanger the welfare of a child has no place here. Harming children is against everything we stand for as an organization and as individuals." The museum, formerly known as the Capital Children's Museum, has been closed to the public since 2004, and operates from administrative offices, the statement said. A new facility is being built and is scheduled to open in 2012. E-mail to a friend	[ "What was the 12 year old girl?", "Who was the accused?", "What are museum officials saying about the charges?", "Who was Singer a spokesperson for", "WHat was the age of the girl?", "WHAT WAS A 12 YEAR OLD GIRL ACTUALLY UNDERCOVER AS?", "which is the age of the girl who was a detective?", "What age was the girl", "What reaction has there been from Washington museum officials?", "Which police department did the undercover agent work for?", "WHAT IS ROBERT A. SINGER ACCUSED OF?", "Who is accused of mailing child porn", "What museum did this happen at?", "what city was the undercover detective from", "What is Robert A Singer accused of?", "Where did Robert A. Singer work?", "What crime is Robert A. Singer accused of?", "What was the singer spokesman for?", "What was the police involvement in this case?", "To whom did Robert A. Singer mail child porn?", "What did Washington museum officials say about the charges?", "what is he accused of" ]	[ [ "an undercover detective" ], [ "Robert A. Singer" ], [ "are \"horrified\" by news of Singer's arrest." ], [ "National Children's Museum," ], [ "12-year-old" ], [ "detective for the New York Police Department." ], [ "12-year-old" ], [ "12-year-old" ], [ "\"horrified\"" ], [ "New York" ], [ "sending images depicting child pornography to people he believed to be a 12-year-old girl and her 33-year-old mother," ], [ "Robert A. Singer" ], [ "National Children's" ], [ "New York" ], [ "sending images depicting child pornography to people he believed to be a 12-year-old girl and her 33-year-old mother," ], [ "National Children's Museum" ], [ "sending images depicting child pornography" ], [ "National Children's Museum," ], [ "undercover detective" ], [ "undercover detective for the New York Police Department." ], [ "\"We are horrified by the charges,\"" ], [ "distributing child pornography over the Internet," ] ]	Robert A. Singer is accused of e-mailing child porn to 12-year-old girl . 12-year-old girl was actually undercover New York City detective . Singer was identified in court document as National Children's Museum spokesman . Washington museum officials say they are "horrified" by the charges .
(CNN) -- The city councils in two of Arizona's largest cities have voted to file suit over the state's controversial new immigration law, which allows police to ask anyone for proof of legal U.S. residency. The Tucson City Council voted 5-1 to file suit, and the city council in Flagstaff approved a similar measure 7-0. Both votes occurred Tuesday. Members of the Phoenix Suns basketball team, meanwhile, plan to wear jerseys that say "Los Suns" in a playoff game Wednesday as "a way for our team and our organization to honor our Latino community," managing partner Robert Sarver said in a statement. Opposition to the law continued Wednesday, with some civil rights and labor organizations saying they will announce a boycott Thursday. Joining in Thursday's announcement will be the National Council of La Raza, which bills itself as the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States; the Asian American Justice Center; the Center for Community Change; the Service Employees International Union; and the United Food and Commercial Workers, the groups said in a release. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed the immigration measure April 23. It is scheduled to go into effect this summer. Critics say the law will lead to racial profiling. Brewer and others who support the law say it does not involve racial profiling or any other illegal acts. The city councils said they passed the measures because of concerns over enforcement costs and negative effects on Arizona's tourism industry. Opponents of the immigration law have called for a boycott of Arizona tourism and urge that no one engage in any commerce with businesses located in the state. In Tucson, council member Regina Romero introduced a motion for "the city attorney to bring a legal challenge" because the immigration bill is "a bad law, which could cost the city millions of dollars in lawsuits and is unconstitutional." "This bill opens the door to racial profiling, and it puts Latinos in Arizona in automatic suspect mode," Romero said. Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup said up to 38 percent of retail sales in the city come from legal Mexican visitors. The state immigration law threatens those businesses, Walkup said, just when "the city is just beginning to recover from the economic downturn." The Mexican government issued an advisory to its citizens last week to avoid travel in Arizona. The Organization of American States expressed its concern about the law last week, and presidents of South American countries meeting in Argentina for a gathering of the Union of South American Nations condemned the law Tuesday. Well-known Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes recommended this week that dark-skinned people, men with mustaches, women who use shawls, or anyone who does not speak English well should not go to Arizona because the state has "officially declared itself racist," the government-run Notimex news service reported Wednesday. The Phoenix Suns basketball team also criticized the new law. "The frustration with the federal government's failure to deal with the issue of illegal immigration resulted in passage of a flawed state law," managing partner Sarver said. "However intended, the result of passing this law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question, and Arizona's already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them."	[ "Tucson and Flagstaff vote to file suit against what?", "What do critics say?", "Who says they'll announce a boycott on Thursday?", "Who will file suit?", "What does law allow the police?", "What boycott will be announced on Thursday?", "What does law allow?", "Critics say what about new law?" ]	[ [ "controversial new immigration law," ], [ "the law will lead to racial profiling." ], [ "some civil rights and labor organizations" ], [ "city councils" ], [ "ask anyone for proof of legal U.S. residency." ], [ "civil rights and labor organizations" ], [ "police to ask anyone for proof of legal U.S. residency." ], [ "lead to racial profiling." ] ]	NEW: Civil rights and labor organizations say they'll announce boycott on Thursday . Tucson and Flagstaff vote to file suit against Arizona's new immigration law . Law allows police to ask anyone for proof of legal U.S. immigration status . Critics say it will lead to racial profiling; supporters disagree .
(CNN) -- The city of New Haven, Connecticut, will promote 14 firefighters who were involved in a workplace discrimination case that worked its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The firefighters were among the New Haven 20 -- one Hispanic and 19 white firefighters -- who fought the city after it threw out the results of a 2003 firefighter promotion exam that left too few minorities qualified for promotions. A U.S. District Court issued a judgment finding the city violated the civil rights of a group of the white firefighters when it threw out the exams in 2004, according to Jessica Mayorga, city spokeswoman. The Tuesday decision follows a court action by seven black New Haven firefighters seeking to delay the promotions. "Yesterday, the court entered an order that provides the City of New Haven with the legal sanction necessary to move forward and promote the fourteen plaintiffs in the Ricci case entitled to promotions," the city said in a statement. "As a result, we intend to do so as soon as practicable." The firefighters will be promoted to either lieutenant or captain. Mayorga said the other six involved in the lawsuit were not eligible for promotions that were available at the time the exams were given. She said the court's order only addresses 14 of the 20 plaintiffs. If the exams had been certified in 2004, the other six plaintiffs would not have been promoted. The case was the center of attention during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of now-Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who was on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals that backed the city in the case. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually overturned the appeals court ruling 5-4 earlier this year when the justices ruled that the city improperly threw out the results of the promotion exams. Key plaintiff Frank Ricci and others took promotion exams in 2003 for lieutenant and captain positions that had become available in Connecticut's second-largest city. New Haven's personnel department had contracted with a private firm to design the exams. When the results came back, however, city lawyers expressed concern about the results because none of the black firefighters and only one Latino who took the exam scored high enough to be promoted. The city said that under a federal civil rights law known as Title VII, employers must ban actions such as promotion tests that would have a "disparate impact" on a protected class, such as a specified race or gender. The group of firefighters, claiming they were wronged by the city's action, then sued, calling themselves the "New Haven 20."	[ "What did the test leave too few of?", "how many firefighters will be promoted?", "What did New Haven lawyers say?", "How many firefighters get promoted?", "who fought the city?", "How many firefighters will get promoted?" ]	[ [ "minorities qualified for promotions." ], [ "14" ], [ "expressed concern about the results because none of the black firefighters and only one Latino who took the exam scored high enough to be promoted." ], [ "14" ], [ "New Haven 20" ], [ "14" ] ]	Firefighters fought city after it threw out the results of a promotion exam . Test left too few minorities qualified for promotions, New Haven lawyers said . 14 of 20 firefighters will get promoted .
(CNN) -- The civil warfare and social instability in Somalia have prompted the flight of more than 50,000 refugees to neighboring Kenya this year alone, the U.N. refugee agency said Friday. The Dadaab refugee complex is the largest of its kind in the world. Somalis are arriving at an average rate of 6,400 a month, and their presence has placed pressure on northern Kenya's Dadaab refugee complex -- bursting at the seams with three times the population it was built to hold. There are more than 281,000 Somali refugees there, and the UNHCR fears that heavy rains in Kenya will lead to flooding at the complex and pose "considerable health risks to the refugees." The International Organization of Migration has been working with the UNHCR, Kenyan authorities and non-governmental organizations to relocate refugees from Dadaab to the Kakuma camp in the northwestern part of the country. Somalia has been in turmoil for years. Clashes have raged between pro-government forces and rebel groups such as Al-Shabaab, the Islamist militia with ties to al Qaeda. And this fighting has prompted widespread displacement in the war-wracked nation. Al-Shabaab has been targeting the most prominent Western-linked entity in the capital, Mogadishu -- the African Union peacekeeping mission, the de facto military force of the weak, transitional Somali government. Fighting has forced about 250,000 Somalis out of their homes in Mogadishu since May and many of the displaced have sought refuge west of the capital in the Afgooye corridor, the U.N. agency said. Also, many Somalis have chosen to flee the country by traveling across the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea to Yemen or the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. Many have drowned or have gone missing in their journey.	[ "Where are the refugees entering?", "how many refugees are arriving every month on Kenya's Dabaab camp", "how many a month?", "how many refugees?", "What forced them out?", "how many somalis were forced out of their homes in Mogadishu?" ]	[ [ "Kenya" ], [ "6,400" ], [ "6,400" ], [ "more than 50,000" ], [ "Fighting" ], [ "250,000" ] ]	More than 50,000 Somali refugees have entered Kenya since the beginning of 2009 . Refugees are arriving at 6,400 every month placing strain on Kenya's Dadaab camp . Fighting forced about 250,000 Somalis out of their homes in Mogadishu since May .
(CNN) -- The co-pilot of a plane that crashed in Buffalo, New York, in February was feeling ill and had considered backing out of the flight, according to a cockpit voice recorder transcript released Monday by the National Transportation Safety Board. First Officer Rebecca Shaw said before takeoff: "You know, we'll see how it feels flying." "You know, we'll see how it feels flying," First Officer Rebecca Shaw said as the plane prepared for takeoff. "If the pressure's just too much, I, you know, I could always call in tomorrow." She added, "I'm pretty tough." At a safety board hearing in May, NTSB investigators said Shaw had pulled an all-nighter before she got on the plane. After three days off, she had commuted through the night from Seattle, Washington, catching rides on FedEx flights to get to Newark, New Jersey, investigators said. Colgan Flight 3407 crashed February 12 during an instrument approach to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. The four crew members and all 45 passengers died; there was also one fatality on the ground. The transcript indicates intermittent sneezes and sniffles during the flight. The report released Monday adds to the factual material connected to the investigation and does not provide analysis into the probable cause of the accident, the safety board said. The other pilot on the flight, Capt. Marvin Renslow had nearly a full day off beforehand, but safety board investigators found that he slept in the Newark Airport crew lounge, against Colgan Air regulations. CNN's Edmund DeMarche contributed to this report.	[ "When did it crash", "When dis Colgan Flight 3407 crash?", "The crash happened during approach to what city?", "What would Shaw do the next day?", "Who was feeling ill?", "What was the flight number", "When did the flight crash?" ]	[ [ "February 12" ], [ "February 12" ], [ "Buffalo-Niagara International Airport." ], [ "said as the plane prepared for takeoff. \"If the pressure's just too much, I, you know, I could always call in tomorrow.\"" ], [ "co-pilot of a plane" ], [ "3407" ], [ "February 12" ] ]	Transcripts show that Rebecca Shaw was feeling ill . Shaw said that if pressure was too much, she could call out the next day . Colgan Flight 3407 crashed February 12 during approach to Buffalo .
(CNN) -- The coming summer and fall could be an "active to extremely active" hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean, U.S. forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted. There is a 70 percent chance that three to seven major hurricanes will swirl in the Atlantic in the six months following the start of the hurricane season on June 1, according to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. "If this outlook holds true, this season could be one of the more active on record," said Jane Lubchenco, the under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere, and NOAA's administrator. The forecast predicts between 14 and 23 storms with top winds of 39 mph or higher, the threshold for tropical storm status. It predicts eight to 14 of those will become named hurricanes, with winds topping 74 mph or higher, and three to seven of those will become major ones, meaning Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Category 3 storms have sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Forecasters have said that El Nino conditions will dissipate by summer and that unusually warm tropical Atlantic surface temperatures will persist, leading to favorable conditions for hurricanes to develop and intensify. A report released in April by Colorado State University's forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach also said that this year's hurricane season could be difficult, but they predicted only 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes. Gray and Klotzbach will issue a revised forecast next Wednesday. A typical season has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes, according to NOAA. The hurricane season ends November 30, although later storms have been known to happen. Last year's hurricane season was below average, with only nine named tropical storms, three of which were hurricanes. The National Hurricane Center said it was the lowest number of tropical storms for the Atlantic basin since 1997.	[ "What effect is the unusually warm tropical Atlantic surface temperatures expected to have?", "What is expected to boost storms?", "When does the Hurrican season start?", "What is unusual?", "What did NOAA predicted?", "How many major hurriances did NOAA predict?", "What does NOAA predict?", "When does Hurricane season start?" ]	[ [ "favorable conditions for hurricanes" ], [ "unusually warm tropical Atlantic surface temperatures" ], [ "June 1," ], [ "unusually warm tropical Atlantic surface temperatures" ], [ "coming summer and fall could be an \"active to extremely active\" hurricane season in the" ], [ "14 and 23 storms" ], [ "coming summer and fall could be an \"active to extremely active\" hurricane season in the" ], [ "June 1," ] ]	NOAA predicts three to seven "major" hurricanes in the Atlantic . Hurricane season starts Tuesday . Unusually warm tropical Atlantic surface temperatures are expected to boost storms .
(CNN) -- The commissioner of the Cambridge, Massachusetts, police department said Thursday he "deeply regrets" the arrest of prominent black Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., but stands by the procedures followed by his department. Sgt. Jim Crowley said he has nothing to apologize for in regards to the arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr. "I believe that Sgt. [James] Crowley acted in a way that is consistent with his training at the department, and consistent with national standards of law enforcement protocol," Commissioner Robert Haas said, referring to the officer who made the July 16 arrest at the professor's home. "I do not believe his actions in any way were racially motivated," Haas said at a news conference. Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct after an exchange with the officer, who was investigating a report of a possible break-in at the house. The police department will create a panel of "independent, notable professionals" to provide an analysis of the incident, he said. The controversial arrest of Gates was criticized Wednesday by President Obama, who said the Cambridge police department "acted stupidly." "My response is that this department is deeply pained and takes its professional pride very seriously," Haas said. Cambridge authorities dropped the charges against Gates on Tuesday. In a statement, the International Association of Chiefs of Police expressed disappointment in Obama's remarks. "Police chiefs understand that it is critically important to have all the facts on any police matter before drawing conclusions or making any public statement," said Russell B. Laine, association president and chief of the Algonquin, Illinois, police department, in the statement. "For these reasons, the IACP was disappointed in the president's characterization of the Cambridge Police Department." Haas' comments followed a statement earlier Thursday from Crowley, who said he would not apologize for his actions. "That apology will never come from me as Jim Crowley. It won't come from me as sergeant in the Cambridge Police Department," Crowley told Boston radio station WEEI. "Whatever anybody else chooses to do in the name of the city of Cambridge or the Cambridge Police Department, which are beyond my control, I don't worry about that. I know what I did was right. I have nothing to apologize for." The mayor of Cambridge said she will meet with the city's police chief to make sure the scenario that led to Gates' arrest does not happen again. "This suggests that something happened that should not have happened," E. Denise Simmons, Cambridge's mayor said on CNN's "American Morning." "The situation is certainly unfortunate. This can't happen again in Cambridge." Obama defended Gates Wednesday night, while acknowledging that he may be "a little biased," because Gates is a friend. "But I think it's fair to say, No. 1, any of us would be pretty angry; No. 2, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home; and, No. 3 ... that there's a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately." The incident, Obama said, shows "how race remains a factor in this society." Crowley also said he is exercising caution and his previous actions clearly show he is not a racist. In fact, Crowley taught a racial profiling course at the Lowell Police Academy, said Deborah Friedl, deputy superintendent of the police department. Last year was his fifth year as a co-instructor of the course, Friedl said. "He seems to be a highly regarded £instructor at the academy. He consistently received high praise from students," she said. Gates told CNN Wednesday that although charges had been dropped, he will keep the issue alive. "This is not about me; this is about the vulnerability of black men in America," Gates told CNN's Soledad O'Brien. Gates said the Cambridge	[ "what says Sgt. James?", "Charges were dropped against which professor?", "What happened to the professor?" ]	[ [ "he has nothing to apologize for in regards to the arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr." ], [ "Henry Louis Gates Jr.," ], [ "Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct after an exchange with the officer, who was investigating a report of a possible break-in at the house." ] ]	Officer: "I know what I did was right. I have nothing to apologize for" Sgt. James Crowley said he was exercising caution during professor's arrest . Crowley tells newspaper he's not a racist, did CPR on black basketball star . Charges were dropped against professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.
(CNN) -- The company owns The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Sands Macau in The People's Republic of China's Special Administrative Region of Macau, as well as Venetian Macau Limited, a developer of additional multiple casino hotel resort properties in Macau. The first phase of the Venetian Casino Resort opened in May 1999, which originally consisted of 3,036 suites though the number of suites was reduced over time to 3,014 based on renovations and remodeling. Since it's opening, the property has received recognition as revolutionizing the Las Vegas hotel industry, and has been honored with architectural and other awards naming it as one the finest hotels in the world. In 2003, The Venetian added the 1,013-suite Venezia tower -- giving The Venetian 4,027 suites, 18 world-class restaurants, and a retail mall with canals, gondolas and singing gondoliers. In May 2004, Las Vegas Sands opened the Sands Macau, located on China's southeastern coast. The Sands Macau includes approximately 163,000 square feet of gaming facilities, luxury suites, specialty restaurants and an International VIP club. In December 2004, in one of the year's most anticipated initial public offerings, Dr. and Mr. Adelson rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange and with it shares of Las Vegas Sands Corp. began trading. The price of the Sands stock rose 61 percent on its opening day, becoming the largest opening day of any American-based initial public offering in the last two years. The Venetian Casino Resort is one of the most productive properties on the Strip, having an occupancy rate of 98.3% and an average daily room rate of $219 during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. E-mail to a friend	[ "What does the company own?", "Which other complexes has it opened?", "What is the name of the third casino complex?", "When did Venetian Casino resort open?", "when open sands vegas?", "The Venetian Casino Resort, which opened in 1999, now has how many suites??", "Where is the Venetian Casino Resort located?", "When did Las Vegas Sands open?", "What is the number of suites that the Venetian Casino Resort has now?", "When did the Sands Macau open?", "What company owns three major casino complexes, in Las Vegas and Macau?", "when open venetian casino resort?", "Who owns three major casinos?", "What was the number of suites in the Venetian originally?", "When did Sands Macau open?", "where The company located" ]	[ [ "The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino" ], [ "The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino" ], [ "Sands Macau" ], [ "May 1999," ], [ "May 2004," ], [ "4,027" ], [ "Las Vegas, Nevada" ], [ "opened in May 1999," ], [ "4,027" ], [ "May 2004," ], [ "Venetian" ], [ "opened in May 1999," ], [ "Las Vegas Sands" ], [ "3,036" ], [ "May 2004," ], [ "Las Vegas, Nevada" ] ]	The company owns three major casino complexes, in Las Vegas and Macau . Venetian Casino Resort opened in 1999, originally consisted of 3,036 suites . In May 2004, Las Vegas Sands opened the Sands Macau .
(CNN) -- The company was founded in 1985 by seven communications industry veterans -- Franklin Antonio, Adelia Coffman, Andrew Cohen, Klein Gilhousen, Irwin Jacobs, Andrew Viterbi and Harvey White. One of Qualcomm's first products was OmniTRACS, introduced in 1988, which is currently the largest satellite-based commercial mobile system for the transportation industry. Today, Qualcomm's patent portfolio includes approximately 6,100 United States patents and patent applications for CDMA and related technologies. More than 130 telecommunications equipment manufacturers worldwide have licensed QUALCOMM's essential CDMA patents. Qualcomm is among the members of the S&P 500 Index, Fortune 500, and a winner of the U.S. Department of Labor's" Secretary of Labor's Opportunity Award." The company has been listed among Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" for nine years in a row and the magazine's list of" Most Admired Companies." Qualcomm's Annual revenue for 2006 was $7.53 billion, with a net income of $2.47 billion. E-mail to a friend	[ "What field is Qualcomm a huge name in?", "What does Fortune list the company as?", "What number of patents does Qualcomm have?", "What is the company a huge name in?", "What do Qualcomm have 6,100 of?", "Who lists Qualcomm as one of the best 100 places to work?", "what company has approximately 6,100 patents", "What has the company had happen?", "the company has become huge in what", "what country is mentioned", "What is the porfolio size?" ]	[ [ "satellite-based commercial mobile system for the transportation industry." ], [ "\"100 Best Companies to Work For in America\"" ], [ "6,100 United States" ], [ "largest satellite-based commercial mobile system for the transportation industry." ], [ "United States patents and patent applications for CDMA and related technologies." ], [ "Fortune's" ], [ "Qualcomm's" ], [ "been listed among Fortune's \"100 Best Companies to Work For in America\" for nine years in a row and the magazine's list of\" Most Admired Companies.\"" ], [ "satellite-based commercial mobile system for the transportation industry." ], [ "United States" ], [ "portfolio includes approximately 6,100 United States patents and patent applications" ] ]	The company has become a huge name in communications in just 20 years . Qualcomm has a portfolio of approximately 6,100 U.S. patents . Fortune lists the company as one of the 100 best places to work in the U.S.
(CNN) -- The congressional showdown over Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' nomination to President Obama's Cabinet may focus less on her qualifications than on the issue of abortion, analysts said. Then-presidential candidate Barack Obama listens to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius during a January 2008 rally. Obama on Monday nominated Sebelius to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Cabinet nominations require Senate confirmation, and anti-abortion groups already are making their views known. Analysts suspected that Obama would face a battle over abortion if and when he makes a nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, but religious conservatives could use Sebelius as a warm-up for the seemingly inevitable fight. Calling Sebelius an "enemy of the unborn," Catholic League President Bill Donohue said the Kansas governor's nomination is particularly disturbing because the health and human services secretary is one of the few members of the administration who can directly affect abortion policy. "Sebelius' support for abortion is so far off the charts that she has been publicly criticized by the last three archbishops of Kansas City," Donohue said in a statement. Watch why filling the Cabinet post is urgent task » The liberal group Catholics United has come to Sebelius' defense, saying the Kansas governor has taken several steps to lower the abortion rate in her state. The group also has posted excerpts of a 2006 speech in which Sebelius said she opposed abortion. "My Catholic faith teaches me that all life is sacred, and personally I believe abortion is wrong," she said then. "However, I disagree with the suggestion that criminalizing women and their doctors is an effective means of achieving the goal of reducing the number of abortions in our nation." In May, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, said that Sebelius' stance on abortion had "grave spiritual and moral consequences." He asked that Sebelius no longer receive Communion until she repudiated her stance and made a "worthy sacramental confession." Naumann was reacting to Sebelius' veto of state Senate Bill 389 and the subsequent House version, titled the Comprehensive Abortion Reform Act, either of which would have tightened abortion regulations in Kansas. In shooting down SB 389 in April, Sebelius wrote that the bill was problematic because it included no exceptions for pregnancies that endanger a woman's life and it allowed for individuals to seek court orders preventing a woman from obtaining an abortion, even if the procedure was necessary to save her life. "I am concerned that the bill is likely unconstitutional, or even worse, endangers the lives of women," Sebelius said in a statement. She further said that Kansas had striven to lower its abortion rates through adoption incentives, extended health services for pregnant women, sex education and support services for families. Another lightning rod for Sebelius is attendance by Dr. George Tiller and his staff at a 2007 reception she held at the governor's mansion in Topeka. The doctor, who specializes in late-term abortions and once received the National Abortion Federation's highest honor, won the reception at a charity auction held for the Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. Tiller is presently facing charges relating to his practice. Last month, a district judge denied a motion to dismiss the case, meaning Tiller will go to trial on 19 misdemeanor counts relating to how he procured second opinions for late-term abortions, according to The Wichita Eagle. Though Sebelius is dogged by many on the religious right, GOP Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts of Kansas seem willing to give her a pass on her stance on abortion. Brownback, who sought the GOP presidential nomination and is one of the leading anti-abortion voices in the Senate, recently released a statement with Roberts, congratulating Sebelius and expressing an eagerness to work with their fellow Kansan on health issues. The senators said they expect to have several differences of opinion with the Obama administration -- especially on health care funding and nationalized health care -- but they make no mention of the abortion issue. David Brody, who covers the White House for the Christian Broadcasting Network	[ "Who did the Archbishop chastise?", "Who chastised Sebelius?", "Which governor do they defend?", "What does the Catholic League president refers to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as?", "Who is defending the governor?", "Who is called the enemy of the unborn?", "What did the league president refer to Kathleen as?" ]	[ [ "Kathleen Sebelius'" ], [ "Catholic League President Bill Donohue" ], [ "Gov. Kathleen Sebelius" ], [ "\"enemy of the unborn,\"" ], [ "The liberal group Catholics United" ], [ "Gov. Kathleen Sebelius'" ], [ "\"enemy of the unborn,\"" ] ]	Catholic League president refers to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as "enemy of the unborn" Progressive groups defend Kansas governor, praise bipartisanship . Archbishop chastised Sebelius over abortion bill that she called unconstitutional . Sebelius nomination likely to get backing of Democrats, moderate Republicans .
(CNN) -- The credit crisis has transformed the global financial landscape, bankrupting established names and prompting unprecedented interventions by governments and central banks to save others from collapse as they buckle under the weight of "toxic debts." This timeline charts the key moments in that process. 2007 Feb. 7: HSBC announces losses linked to U.S. subprime mortgages. May 17: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said growing number of mortgage defaults will not seriously harm the U.S. economy. A trader at the New York stock exchange reacts to the fall of global stock markets June: Two Bear Stearns-run hedge funds with large holdings of subprime mortgages run into large losses and are forced to dump assets. The trouble spreads to major Wall Street firms such as Merrill Lynch, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs which had loaned the firms money. Aug.: French bank BNP Paribas freezes withdrawals in three investment funds. Sept.: Crisis-hit UK bank Northern Rock admits financial difficulties as it asks Bank of England for assistance. Share prices fall as customers queue up to withdraw their money. Oct. 1: Swiss bank UBS announces losses liked to U.S. subprime mortgages. Oct. 5: Investment bank Merrill Lynch reports losses of $5.5 billion. Oct. 15: Cititgroup announces $6.5 billion third quarter losses. Oct. 24: Merrill Lynch announces losses to be over $8 billion. 2008 Jan: Swiss bank UBS announces fourth quarter losses at $14 billion. Jan. 11: Bank of America pays $4 billion for Countryside Financial. Jan. 15: Citigroup reports $18.1 billion loss in fourth quarter. Jan. 17: Merrill Lynch reports $11.5 billion loss in fourth quarter. Washington Mutual posts losses. Feb. 13: UK bank Northern Rock is nationalized. March: UK hedge fund Peloton Partners and U.S. fund Carlyle Capital fail. March 16: Bear Stearns, the U.S.'s fifth largest investment bank, collapses and is taken over by JP Morgan. April 1: German Deutsche Bank credit losses of $3.9 billion in first quarter. April 13: U.S. bank Wachovia Corp. reports big loss for quarter. May 12: HSBC writes off $3.2 billion in the first quarter linked to exposure to the U.S. subprime market. July 22: WaMu reports $3.3 billion loss for second quarter. Aug. 31: German Commerzbank AG takes over Dresdner Kleinwort investment bank. Sept 7: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac effectively nationalized by the U.S. Treasury which places them into "conservatorship." Sept. 9: Lehman Brothers shares plummet to lowest level on Wall Street in more than a decade. Sept 14: Lehman Brothers files for bankruptcy. Stock markets plummet; Central banks inject billions of dollars into money markets. Bank of America agrees to buy Merrill Lynch. Sept. 16: AIG Corp, the world's biggest insurer, bailed out by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Morgan Stanley and Wachovia enter merger talks. Sept. 17: Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) to merge with UK bank Lloyds TSB in an emergency rescue plan. Sept. 18: Federal Bank and other central banks inject billions into global markets to help ease the crunch. Sept. 22: Japan's Nomura Holdings buys Lehman's Asian operations for up to $525 million. Sept. 25: WaMu sold to JP Morgan. Sept. 27: HSBC announces 1,100 job cuts worldwide. Sept. 29: - U.S. Congress rejects $700 billion plan to bail out the U.S. financial system. - UK's Bradford & Bingley nationalized. Santander to buy deposits for $38.2bn - German bank Hypo Real Estate to be bailed out by banks and government. - Citigroup, the world's largest bank, says it will buy Wachovia. - Belgian giant Fortis is bailed out by Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. - Royal Bank of Scotland shares lose a fifth of their value. - Iceland part-nationalizes Glitnir, one of its biggest banks. Sept 30: - Belgian bank Dexia bailed out by France, Belgium and Luxembourg. - Swiss bank UBS announces small profit in third quarter. - Irish government guarantees safety of bonds, debts and	[ "What crisis changed the financial landscape?", "What has the banking crisis done?", "Who was bailed out?", "What did the crisis transform?", "What has transformed the landscape?", "What has happened to many established names?", "What banks announced bankruptcy?" ]	[ [ "credit" ], [ "transformed the global financial landscape, bankrupting established names" ], [ "AIG Corp," ], [ "the global financial landscape," ], [ "credit crisis" ], [ "bankrupting" ], [ "Lehman Brothers" ] ]	Banking crisis has transformed the world's financial landscape . Many established names bankrupted or bailed out as a consequence of bad debts . After inital upswing, world stock markets fall once more . EU leaders at summit call for overhaul of international financial system .
(CNN) -- The crew members of a North Korean freighter regained control of their ship from pirates who hijacked the vessel off Somalia, but not without a deadly fight, the U.S. Navy reported Tuesday. The USS James E. Williams ordered pirates to give up their weapons, the Navy says. When the battle aboard the Dai Hong Dan was over, two pirates were dead and five were captured, the Navy said. Three wounded crew members from the cargo ship were being treated aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams. The captured pirates were being held aboard the North Korean vessel, the Navy said. The bandits had seized the ship's bridge, while the crew kept control of the steering gear and engines, the Navy said. The Koreans moved against the attackers after the Williams -- responding to reports of the hijacking -- ordered the pirates to give up their weapons, according to the Navy. When the crew members stormed the bridge, the deadly battle began. After the crew regained control, Navy sailors boarded the Dai Hong Dan to help with the injured. North Korea and the United States have no diplomatic relations. Watch why the U.S. helped the North Koreans » The incident took place about 70 miles northeast of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, the Navy said. It is the second incident of piracy reported in recent days. A second U.S. Navy destroyer was searching waters off Somalia for pirates who hijacked a Japanese-owned ship, military officials said. Over the weekend, gunmen aboard two skiffs hijacked the Panamanian-flagged Golden Nori off the Socotra archipelago near the Horn of Africa, said Andrew Mwangura, a spokesman for the Kenyan-based Seafarers' Assistance Program. The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke has been pursuing the pirates after entering Somali waters with the permission of the troubled transitional government in Mogadishu, U.S. officials said Monday. In recent years, warships have stayed outside the 12-mile limit when chasing pirates. Two military officials familiar with the details confirmed the ongoing operation. The Navy's pursuit of the pirates began Sunday night when the Golden Nori radioed for help. The Burke's sister ship, the USS Porter, opened fire and sank the pirate skiffs tied to the Golden Nori's stern before the Burke took over shadowing the hijacked vessel. When the shots were fired, it was not known the ship was filled with highly flammable benzene. U.S. military officials indicate there is a great deal of concern about the cargo because it is so sensitive. Benzene, which U.S. authorities have declared a known human carcinogen, is used as a solvent and to make plastics and synthetic fabrics. Four other ships in the region remain in pirate hands, the Navy said. U.S. and NATO warships have been patrolling off the Horn of Africa for years in an effort to crack down on piracy off Somalia, where a U.N.-backed transitional government is struggling to restore order after 15 years of near-anarchy. See how piracy is worse than 2006 » On Monday, the head of the transitional government resigned as his administration -- backed by Ethiopian troops -- battled insurgents from the Islamic movement that seized control of Mogadishu in 2006. Hospital officials reported 30 dead in three days of clashes on the city's south side. In June, the ship USS Carter Hall fired warning shots in an attempt to stop a hijacked Danish cargo ship off Somalia, but the American vessel turned away when the pirated ship entered Somali waters. In May, a U.S. Navy advisory warned merchant ships to stay at least 200 miles off the Somali coast. But the U.S. Maritime Administration said pirates sometimes issue false distress calls to lure ships closer to shore. See the warning area » The pirates often are armed with automatic rifles and shoulder-fired rockets, according to a recent warning from the agency. "To date, vessels that increase speed and take evasive maneuvers avoid boarding, while those that slow down are boarded, taken to the Somali coastline and released after successful ransom payment, often after protracted negotiations of as much as 11 weeks," the warning advised. The	[ "parates aboard what ship", "Who said that two pirates killed, with five captured?", "What was the number of crew members injured?", "Who hijacked the Golden Nori carrying flammable benzene?", "What pirates aboard hijacked Golden Nori ?", "north korean crew recaptured what", "What was the Golden Nori carrying?", "What happened to the pirates?", "Who recaptured the hijacked vessel?", "Was anyone killed?", "Where was the crew captured?" ]	[ [ "Dai Hong Dan" ], [ "the Navy" ], [ "Three wounded" ], [ "gunmen" ], [ "Somalia" ], [ "their ship" ], [ "highly flammable benzene." ], [ "were dead and five were captured, the Navy said." ], [ "crew members of a North Korean freighter regained control of their ship from pirates" ], [ "Hospital officials reported 30 dead in three days of clashes on the city's south side." ], [ "70 miles northeast of the Somali capital, Mogadishu," ] ]	North Korean crew recaptures hijacked vessel . Navy says two pirates killed, five captured; three from crew injured . USS Arleigh Burke enters Somali territorial waters to pursue other pirates . Pirates aboard hijacked Golden Nori carrying highly flammable benzene .
(CNN) -- The crew of an Italian ship seized by pirates on Monday was freed Tuesday thanks to an operation by U.S. and British troops working with the Italian military, the Italian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. Eleven pirates who hijacked the Montecristo surrendered to the troops operating under NATO's Operation Ocean Shield, the ministry said in a statement. All crew members are safe, the ministry said. They barricaded themselves in the engine room after throwing a message overboard in a bottle and putting up a cardboard sign to let rescuers know where they were. They were able to retain control of the ship's steering, even though the pirates destroyed the ship's communications equipment, a NATO officer said. The USS De Wert was the first ship to arrive on the scene, and monitored the hijacked vessel until the British ship HMS Fort Victoria arrived with a boarding team, Lt. Gwenn Laine of NATO told CNN. The pirates threw their weapons into the sea as the boarding team closed in, and stood on deck to surrender once they boarded, Laine said. He praised the crew for following "best maritime practices," saying that by barricading themselves in a safe place they probably avoided violence. The pirates are in NATO custody, said Laine, who works with the alliance's Operation Ocean Shield. The captain sent a message Monday indicating that the vessel had been attacked by a ship with five armed people on board, the D'Alesio Group said in a statement. The captain immediately activated security procedures, the statement said. The ship was about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) east of the Somali coast at the time. The crew includes 23 people from Italy, Ukraine, and India, the D'Alesio Group said. Their rescue came shortly after Italy said it would start putting military guards on ships traversing the pirate-infested waters off the coast of Somalia Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa is signing an agreement Tuesday with the confederation of Italian shipowners to put military guards on board vessels in the area of the Indian Ocean at risk from Somali pirates, his ministry told CNN. Both NATO and the European Union have naval missions dedicated to protecting ships in the region, but hijackings remain common. As of late September there were some 400 hostages held by Somali pirates, according to the International Maritime Bureau. There have been 24 successful hijackings this year to date and 194 incidents. The number of incidents is up from last year, but the number of successful hijackings down, according to the IMB. CNN's Richard Allen Greene, Chris Lawrence, Claudia Rebaza, Gisella Deputato, Laura Perez Maestro and David McKenzie contributed to this report.	[ "where did the message go", "how many hostages are held", "who threw the message overboard", "How many hostages do Somali pirates hold?", "By what means did the crew send a message?", "What did the message in the bottle say?", "Who did Italy's self defense minister sign a deal with?", "How many hostages are being held?", "Who will sign a deal with ship owners?" ]	[ [ "overboard" ], [ "400" ], [ "crew members" ], [ "400" ], [ "in a bottle" ], [ "the vessel had been attacked by a ship with five armed people on board," ], [ "the confederation of Italian shipowners" ], [ "400" ], [ "Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa" ] ]	NEW: The crew threw a message overboard in a bottle to say they were safely barricaded . Italy's defense minister is signing a deal with Italian ship owners . The area has become infested with pirates . Somali pirates hold about 400 hostages, the International Maritime Bureau says .
(CNN) -- The crib in Ellen Darcy's Boston home has sat empty for more than a year. And in suburban Washington, Laura Teresinski has prepared a nursery for a baby that may never arrive. Guatemala has announced it will conduct a case-by-case review of every pending foreign adoption case. They and thousands of prospective parents, eager to adopt children from abroad, have found themselves in an emotional legal limbo since two of the most popular countries for international adoptions -- Guatemala and Vietnam -- recently halted their programs. Now would-be mothers and fathers around the United States wonder what will become of their quest to adopt a child -- a pursuit that can fray nerves, cost up to $30,000 and span several years. Guatemala announced this month that it would conduct a case-by-case review of every pending foreign adoption case. That put on hold the adoption plans of about 2,000 American families. The crackdown comes amid reports that some in Guatemala coerce mothers to relinquish their children for adoption -- or steal the children outright and present them as orphans. Similar accusations have arisen in Vietnam. After the United States accused adoption agencies there of corruption and baby-selling, Vietnam said in April that it would no longer allow adoptions to the United States. "My husband and I were absolutely devastated," Teresinski said. "Adoptive parents have put a lot of emotional energy and a lot of financial resources in the process." Vietnam's decision affects several hundred families. Families in the United States adopted 4,728 children from Guatemala and 828 from Vietnam last year. The halt in adoptions from those two nations unfolds against the backdrop of a dramatic rise in international adoptions in the United States. The number of foreign-born children adopted by U.S. families more than tripled from 1990 to 2004, when it reached a high of 22,884, though the figure has declined slightly each year since. In 2007, the U.S. granted visas to 19,613 children so they could join an adoptive family in the United States, according to U.S. State Department figures. About 70 percent of those children came from four countries: China, Guatemala, Russia and Ethiopia. A few other countries have also halted foreign adoptions at various times, including Kazakhstan and Togo. Yet the suspensions in Vietnam and Guatemala have had the biggest impact -- they're two of the 10 countries that send the most children to adoptive homes in the Unites States. Fear of fraud stirs heartache For Darcy, the review seems more detrimental than helpful. Her adopted daughter, Carolina, remains in a Guatemalan foster home with three dozen other babies. Darcy worries that keeping Carolina, now 15 months old, in a foster home will harm her early development. "She's not getting one-on-one care by a consistent caretaker," Darcy said, adding later, "Nobody is looking at this as a violation of the kids' human rights except for these (American) parents." Guatemala, which until now has had little to no oversight of its foreign adoptions, has the highest per capita rate of adoption in the world. Nearly one in 100 babies born in Guatemala wind up living with adoptive parents in the United States, according to the U.S. consulate in Guatemala. While adoptive parents in the United States undergo rigorous screening, adoptions in Guatemala had been processed by notaries responsible for determining whether the babies were relinquished voluntarily. They also arrange foster care and handle paperwork -- notaries in Latin America tend to have more legal training than notaries in the United States. Both Guatemalan and U.S. officials fear the system leads to practices such as paying birth mothers for children or, in some instances, coercion. Officials in both countries say gaps in regulations and the high sums of money at play -- adoptions can cost up to $30,000 -- may have created unintended incentives in a country where the State Department estimates that 80 percent of the population lives in poverty. The Guatemalan government has said its review could take a month or longer. As for the American families, they can only wait.	[ "Who adopts the babies born in Guatemala?", "Which babies are adopted in the US?", "Which countries have baby-stealing?", "What did the crackdown do?", "Who is at risk?", "Who is adopting Guatemala babies>" ]	[ [ "Families in the United States" ], [ "foreign-born children" ], [ "Vietnam" ], [ "halted their programs." ], [ "children" ], [ "Families in the United States" ] ]	Guatemala and Vietnam say corruption, baby-stealing at heart of crackdown . Nearly one in 100 babies born in Guatemala are adopted by U.S. parents . Crackdown puts children's well-being at risk, adoption advocates say .
(CNN) -- The current debate over controversial interrogation practices -- tactics that some say constitute torture -- is rooted in the early years of the fight against terrorism and the Iraq war. The photographs from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq sparked outrage across the globe. After the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the Bush administration crafted the legal basis for aggressive interrogation techniques of prisoners and terrorism suspects. The techniques included keeping the prisoner in stress positions for extended periods of time, sleep deprivation, slapping, enclosing the prisoner in a box with insects, and waterboarding, which simulates drowning. Those techniques were detailed in four Bush-era legal memos -- one from 2002 and three from 2005 -- released by the Obama administration last month. The memos concluded that such techniques did not constitute torture and were not illegal. See timeline of events » The Obama administration disagrees. President Obama formally banned the techniques by issuing an executive order requiring that the U.S. Army field manual be used as the guide for terror interrogations. "I can stand here tonight and say without exception or equivocation that the United States of America does not torture," he said during an address to a joint session of Congress in February. More than 400 people have been disciplined based on investigations involving detainee abuse, according to Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman. He said the punishments have ranged from prison sentences to demotions and letters of reprimand. "The policy of the Department of Defense is to treat prisoners humanely, and those who have violated that policy have been investigated and disciplined," he said. The most notorious of the cases centered on Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. In 2004, images leaked to the media showed U.S. troops abusing Iraqi prisoners. Some prisoners were stacked atop each other while naked, and others were being threatened by dogs. See disturbing images from Abu Ghraib (discretion advised) » One widely disseminated photograph showed an Iraqi prisoner hooded and wired, as if an electrocution were about to take place. Eleven American soldiers were tried and convicted of Abu Ghraib offenses, and some officers were reprimanded. Some received prison sentences. Janis Karpinski, a brigadier general and commander of the prison during the time the photographs were taken, was demoted to colonel. She was eventually rotated out of Iraq. The prison was shut down in September 2006. Karpinksi, now retired, said the recent disclosures have validated her earlier claims that she and her troops were following orders and that the abuses at Abu Ghraib were not simply the work of a few "bad apples," as once described by then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. See gallery of key players » "That is what we have been saying from the very beginning, that, wait a minute, why are you inside pointing the finger at me? Why are you pointing the fingers at the soldiers here? There's a bigger story here," Karpinski said. "I was never inside an interrogation room where they were conducting interrogations, but I read the memorandums many times over," she added. "Waterboarding is torture." Other recent disclosures of harsh interrogation tactics have also raised questions. One Bush-era memo -- dated May 30, 2005, and recently released by the Obama administration -- said CIA interrogators used waterboarding at least 266 times on two top al Qaeda suspects. The technique was used at least 83 times in August 2002 on suspected al Qaeda leader Abu Zubaydah, according to the memo. Interrogators also waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- said to be the mastermind of the September 11 attacks -- 183 times in March 2003, the memo said. Obama said last week that he felt comfortable releasing the classified memos because the Bush administration acknowledged using some of the practices associated with the memos, and the interrogation techniques were widely reported and have since been banned. "Withholding these memos would only serve to deny facts that have been in the public domain for some time," Obama said in a statement. "This could contribute to an inaccurate accounting of the past and fuel erroneous and inflammatory assumptions about actions taken by the	[ "What was used to interrogate?", "In which countries was interrogation done?", "what was recently released", "What does the Obama administration say?", "what were practices used for" ]	[ [ "keeping the prisoner in stress positions for extended periods of time, sleep deprivation, slapping, enclosing the prisoner in a box with insects, and waterboarding, which simulates drowning." ], [ "Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq" ], [ "The photographs from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq" ], [ "disagrees." ], [ "tactics that some say constitute" ] ]	Recently released Bush-era memos detail controversial interrogation practices . The practices were used to interrogate in Iraq and Afghanistan . The Obama administration has said some of those practices constitute torture . The memos have added to the debate over investigating Bush-era officials .
(CNN) -- The days of being cut off from the Internet while you're on a plane are quickly disappearing. An American Airlines passenger uses Wi-Fi to access the Internet during a flight. A number of domestic airlines have recently begun offering Wi-Fi Internet access aboard planes, and other airlines say they are working toward making it happen. "This is the year" for Wi-Fi on planes, said Jack Blumenstein, president and CEO of Aircell, whose Gogo® Inflight Internet service provides access on Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Virgin America flights, and will begin testing on United flights later this year. Gogo is installed on more than 190 commercial planes, and Blumenstein said he expected 1,200 aircraft to have Gogo capability by the end of 2009. For now, Wi-Fi on domestic carriers' planes is limited to flights within North America. Gogo, which operates by transmitting signals from ground-level towers, functions across the United States and up to about 300 miles offshore. The company's access will cover the entire continent within a year or two, Blumenstein said. Row 44, which uses satellite technology to provide connectivity to Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines, already covers much of North America and will roll out trans-Atlantic and European service in the third quarter of this year, said the company's CEO, John Guidon. Neither company would release the exact cost of turning airplanes into Wi-Fi hot spots. But Blumenstein said Aircell managed to equip a plane for "substantially" less than $100,000. Row 44, which bills itself as the "industrial-strength solution" to airplane connectivity, costs hundreds of thousands of dollars per plane, Guidon said. Another company, LiveTV, is a subsidiary of JetBlue that provides free e-mail and messaging aboard flights but doesn't offer open Web surfing. LiveTV, which uses air-to-ground technology, provides the service on select JetBlue flights and also is working with Frontier Airlines on offering Internet access aboard its planes. The Wi-Fi venture has the potential to be "very profitable," said Harlan Platt, an airline industry expert and professor of finance at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. "Normally, air carriers rush to purchase capital equipment that raises their cost but doesn't raise their revenue. ... This is actually a revenue-producing tactic. And it's a good one because it's providing value to the passenger and it's creating incremental revenues for the airline," Platt said. Aircell, which shares its revenue from Gogo with the airlines, charges $9.95 for flights under three hours, $12.95 for flights longer than three hours and $7.95 to use a Wi-Fi capable handheld device for any flight length. Passengers can begin using the service once the plane reaches 10,000 feet. If the plane remains in flight for longer than three hours as part of a delay, passengers do not pay the higher fee, Blumenstein said. Platt believes that business model will evolve to entice more passengers to use it. The size of those fees could result in "a whole segment of the market that they're not going to capture," said Platt. The airlines will maximize their profits by convincing more passengers to use the system with a lower price, he said. Platt predicted Aircell and the airlines would create a second tier of service, which would be less expensive but with fewer capabilities. He compared the strategy to airlines' price-reducing tactics to avoid empty seats on planes. As Aircell and Row 44's services expand, LiveTV is monitoring passengers' usage to gauge how to move ahead with its own business model, said Mike Moeller, vice president of sales and marketing for the company. "Yes, broadband is coming. We're sitting there asking, 'Who pays? Is it the airlines or the customers? And what will they pay? What is the right technology? ... When does all of this happen?' We're in weird economic times," Moeller said. As for the possibility of passengers offending their seat-mates	[ "What provider Aircell expects to have 1,200 planes equipped by the end of this year?", "Is Wi-Fi available on domestic airlines?", "Who says they will have trans-Atlantic Wi-Fi in the third quarter?", "What is the reason that many domestic airlines have begun offering Wi- Fi Internet access aboard planes?", "When does Row 44 expect to have wi-fi?", "How many planes will Aircell have equipped by the end of the year?", "How many planes are expected to be equipped by the end of the year?", "What are many domestic airlines now offering?" ]	[ [ "Gogo" ], [ "carriers' planes is limited to flights within North America." ], [ "John Guidon." ], [ "The Wi-Fi venture has the potential to be \"very profitable,\"" ], [ "service in the third quarter of this year," ], [ "more than 190 commercial" ], [ "1,200" ], [ "Wi-Fi Internet access" ] ]	Many domestic airlines have begun offering Wi-Fi Internet access aboard planes . Provider Aircell expects to have 1,200 planes equipped by the end of this year . Another company, Row 44, says it will have trans-Atlantic Wi-Fi in the third quarter .
(CNN) -- The days of being cut off from the Internet while you're on a plane are quickly disappearing. An American Airlines passenger uses Wi-Fi to access the Internet during a flight. A number of domestic airlines have recently begun offering Wi-Fi Internet access aboard planes, and other airlines say they are working toward making it happen. "This is the year" for Wi-Fi on planes, said Jack Blumenstein, president and CEO of Aircell, whose Gogo® Inflight Internet service provides access on Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, AirTran and Virgin America flights, and will begin testing on United flights later this year. Gogo is installed on more than 200 commercial planes, and Blumenstein said he expected 1,200 aircraft to have Gogo capability by the end of 2009. For now, Wi-Fi on domestic carriers' planes is limited to flights within North America. Gogo, which operates by transmitting signals from ground-level towers, functions across the United States and up to about 300 miles offshore. The company's access will cover the entire continent within a year or two, Blumenstein said. Row 44, which uses satellite technology to provide connectivity to Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines, already covers much of North America and will roll out trans-Atlantic and European service in the third quarter of this year, said the company's CEO, John Guidon. Neither company would release the exact cost of turning airplanes into Wi-Fi hot spots. But Blumenstein said Aircell managed to equip a plane for "substantially" less than $100,000. Row 44, which bills itself as the "industrial-strength solution" to airplane connectivity, costs hundreds of thousands of dollars per plane, Guidon said. Another company, LiveTV, is a subsidiary of JetBlue that provides free e-mail and messaging aboard flights but doesn't offer open Web surfing. LiveTV, which uses air-to-ground technology, provides the service on select JetBlue flights and also is working with Frontier Airlines on offering Internet access aboard its planes. The Wi-Fi venture has the potential to be "very profitable," said Harlan Platt, an airline industry expert and professor of finance at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. "Normally, air carriers rush to purchase capital equipment that raises their cost but doesn't raise their revenue. ... This is actually a revenue-producing tactic. And it's a good one because it's providing value to the passenger and it's creating incremental revenues for the airline," Platt said. Aircell, which shares its revenue from Gogo with the airlines, charges $9.95 for flights under three hours, $12.95 for flights longer than three hours and $7.95 to use a Wi-Fi capable handheld device for any flight length. Passengers can begin using the service once the plane reaches 10,000 feet. If the plane remains in flight for longer than three hours as part of a delay, passengers do not pay the higher fee, Blumenstein said. Platt believes that business model will evolve to entice more passengers to use it. The size of those fees could result in "a whole segment of the market that they're not going to capture," said Platt. The airlines will maximize their profits by convincing more passengers to use the system with a lower price, he said. Platt predicted Aircell and the airlines would create a second tier of service, which would be less expensive but with fewer capabilities. He compared the strategy to airlines' price-reducing tactics to avoid empty seats on planes. As Aircell and Row 44's services expand, LiveTV is monitoring passengers' usage to gauge how to move ahead with its own business model, said Mike Moeller, vice president of sales and marketing for the company. "Yes, broadband is coming. We're sitting there asking, 'Who pays? Is it the airlines or the customers? And what will they pay? What is the right technology? ... When does all of this happen?' We're in weird economic times," Moeller said. As for the possibility of passengers offending their seat	[ "What do many domestic airlines now offer?", "How many planes will Aircell equip by year-end?", "Where will Row 44 have wifi in the third quarter?", "Which company will be offering trans-Atlantic Wi-Fi service in the third quarter?", "How many planes does Aircell hope to have equipped by the end of the year?", "What have airlines start to offer?", "Is Wi-Fi access available on domestic flights?" ]	[ [ "Wi-Fi Internet access" ], [ "1,200 aircraft" ], [ "planes," ], [ "Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines," ], [ "1,200 aircraft" ], [ "Wi-Fi Internet access aboard planes," ], [ "aboard planes," ] ]	Many domestic airlines have begun offering Wi-Fi Internet access aboard planes . Provider Aircell expects to have 1,200 planes equipped by the end of this year . Another company, Row 44, says it will have trans-Atlantic Wi-Fi in the third quarter .
(CNN) -- The death of Hannover 96 and Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke from an apparent suicide has stunned the football world. The German media reaction to the death of a man many tipped to represent the country at the 2010 World Cup, has been one of shock. Berlin based newspaper Der Tagesspiegel reported "Robert Enke is dead." Despite his absence from the German squad for the upcoming friendlies, they wrote manager Joachim Löw had "clearly signaled that he would continue to be favourite for the number one spot in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa." "He threw himself before the train" was the headline in the Hamburger Morgenpost, the newspaper going onto recall the death of his two-year-old daughter Lara in 2006. "This difficult time greatly influenced Robert Enke." They added that he and his wife had adopted a two-month-old girl earlier this year and Enke had been "shining with happiness, confidence written on his face." Der Bild said it had been revealed "Enke wrote a departure letter." "Goalkeeper Robert Enke is dead. On November 10 at 18.17 the 32-year-old threw himself under a train. "Now the police have confiemd: Enke wrote a farewell letter. Thus there is no doubt a sucicide of the player." Süddeutsche Zeitung was in agreement, writing "Enke leaves suicide note." The Munich paper also wrote of the shock of the "colleagues and fans who appreciated him very much. "But Robert Enke had many setbacks in his career to cope with of a private and professional nature." The football world has also been quick to express their condolences too. Barcelona, who Enke played for between 2002 and 2004 wrote on their official Web site: "The club deeply regrets his death and would like to pass on their sympathies to his current club and his family." Enke enjoyed a more successful spell at Benfica, making his reputation before the Barca move. Chairman Luís Filipe Vieira said: "Nobody is ever prepared to face the loss of someone with whom they have lived together and enjoyed good memories. "When a tragedy reaches someone with the age of Robert Enke the frustration is still bigger." Enke's former team-mate Nuno Gomes added: "I remember how he was just a young kid when he came here but, from day one, he made a great effort to learn our language and did it very quickly. "He was a young kid with a huge desire to reach his goals and learn, a man with a capital M."	[ "What international sporting position did Robert Enke play?", "Who died in an apparent suicide?", "What was his age?" ]	[ [ "goalkeeper" ], [ "Hannover 96 and Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke" ], [ "32-year-old" ] ]	Hannover and Germany international goalkeeper Robert Enke, 32, dies in apparent suicide . Enke's death has sent shockwaves throughout Germany, its media reporting the player left a suicide note . Many in football including his ex-teammates have expressed their condolences .
(CNN) -- The death of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, who was killed Thursday in his hometown of Sirte, Libya, is "an important step" for Libya, but don't expect the fighting to end right away, said CNN senior international correspondent Ben Wedeman. Wedeman, the first Western television reporter to enter and report from inside Libya during the war, talked about how Gadhafi's life ended and what his death means for Libya's future and the civil war. Q: There are reports that Gadhafi was hiding in a hole, possibly a sewer or drainage ditch, like former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein before he was captured. It doesn't seem like Gadhafi's M.O. What do you make of this? Ben Wedeman: We understood when he left Tripoli in August that he left with a large entourage, with lots of cash ... and a lot of weapons. And for him to end up basically in the same sort of spider hole that Saddam Hussein did seems a bit odd, a bit out of character. When I was there, we were hearing all sorts of reports: that he was in Bani Walid -- that was the explanation for the level of resistance there -- that he was in an oasis in the southern part of the country, and that he could be in Sirte. So it's a bit of a surprise the way he, in theory, met his end. He was not somebody that people expected to really go this early. Let's not forget that Baghdad, for instance, in the case of Iraq, it fell in late April (2003) (and) Saddam Hussein was not caught until December of 2003. It was expected that Gadhafi could be able to hold out a bit longer than this. Q: What does Gadhafi's reported death mean to his loyalists, those fighting the National Transition Council? And how will the NTC fill the power vacuum left behind by Gadhafi, who ruled Libya for 42 years? Wedeman: I think perhaps his role as a leader of the anti-NTC insurgency may have been somewhat overstated. I was in parts of Libya where I spoke to lots of people who were opposed to the new rulers of Libya, but not necessarily great supporters of Moammar Gadhafi. There is a worry that this new regime in Libya will be very slow, if (they) succeed at all, in moving to democracy. There's a worry that there's going to be a lot of revenge, a lot of, basically, lawlessness. Some of the times when we were told that these were Gadhafi loyalists fighting for the leader, it was wrong. They were actually people defending their homes, afraid that their homes would be looted, and we have seen instances where looting has been a serious problem. So Gadhafi ... was a rallying point for a certain element of the opponents of the new regime in Libya. But he wasn't necessarily leading all of them. Q: Does that mean you think those loyal to Gadhafi will continue to fight even after his death? Wedeman: We have to realize this has been a complete change of regime, and many of these people (in the NTC) have no experience running the country. Yes, it's an important step along the way, but the killing of Moammar Gadhafi certainly doesn't mean that it's going to be smooth sailing. I mean, all you have to do is look around (Libya): Egypt , the revolution (took) only 18 days -- and months, months and months later, it's still a very unstable and uncertain place. Libya has certain elements working in its favor: a smaller population, a better educated population, lots in the way of natural resources. But no, just because Moammar Gadhafi is gone -- we believe -- doesn't mean things are going to be rosy from here on in. Let's not forget even in Iraq -- and there are huge differences -- the first few months after the fall of Saddam Hussein were relatively quiet. It's when the new people in power start to exercise that power	[ "What did he speak about?", "Who spoke to CNN?", "When was the death of Moammar Gadhafi?" ]	[ [ "how Gadhafi's life ended" ], [ "Ben Wedeman:" ], [ "Thursday" ] ]	CNN's Ben Wedeman spoke to CNN about the death of Moammar Gadhafi . He was the first Western TV reporter in Libya during this year's civil war . Don't expect Libyan civil war to end after Gadhafi's death, Wedeman says .
(CNN) -- The death of Steve Jobs has renewed comparisons to another great innovator who died 80 years ago this month -- Thomas Edison. But there are important differences between the two men. In the 80 years between their deaths, consumers came to dominate the economy, a transformation that was only beginning during the later years of Edison's life. Steve Jobs was a master at understanding how to create transformative consumer technologies. Although Edison was a key innovator in two consumer technologies -- sound recording and motion pictures -- he struggled to understand the consumer markets he helped to create. His most important technological innovation was the electrical system, which made possible the personal computers, music players and smartphones innovated by Jobs. Edison was also more involved in the day-to-day work of invention than Jobs, and his other great innovation was the industrial research and development laboratory While the differences between Edison and Jobs are important, so, are their similarities. These offer lessons for other innovators. Jobs and Edison succeeded because they were good at envisioning how long-term developments in scientific and technical knowledge could be transformed into new technologies. At the start of his electric light research Edison described his vision for an entire electric light and power system and then used the knowledge of decades of research on incandescent lamps and generators to create the first viable incandescent lamp and the entire electric light and power system that made it commercially viable. Similarly, before developing the Macintosh computer, Jobs envisioned how two decades of work on graphical user interfaces and the computer mouse could transform the way people used computers, and also how the development of touchscreens and miniaturization could be transformed into the smartphone. In developing new technologies, both men focused on the long-term. They understood that innovation does not happen overnight and were willing to commit considerable resources to a process that might result in failure. In fact, both had notable commercial failures. With Jobs it was the NeXT computer, and with Edison it was a method for processing low-grade iron ore. Neither was a technical failure, however, and they became successful elements in subsequent innovations. The software that drove the NeXT computer became an important part of the Macintosh operating system, while Edison's rock-crushing technology was widely licensed. Edison himself used this technology to enter the Portland cement industry, where he became a major producer by innovating a long rotary kiln that became the industry standard. As part of their long-term vision of innovation, both Jobs and Edison understood that a device that worked well experimentally might not be suited to everyday use. They therefore spent time and resources to ensure their technology was commercially viable before putting it on the market. Jobs publicly demonstrated the first IPhone six months before it was ready for the market. After his first public demonstration of a lamp and lighting system, Edison spent a year on further development before he introduced them commercially. And, after commercial introduction, both innovators continued to fund research to improve their products and keep them at the forefront of the market. Nonetheless, both Edison and Jobs were better at introducing transformative technologies than dominating the markets they created. Finally, Edison and Jobs were masters at using the media to promote both their products and themselves in ways that captured the public imagination. Such promotion, however, was based on a solid foundation of innovation that helped to transform people's lives. It is for this reason that President Herbert Hoover asked Americans to dim their lights for a minute to honor Edison's memory. It's also the reason that on news of Jobs' death, fans flocked to Apple stores and held vigils -- lit by iPhones. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul Israel.	[ "What were they both masters at?", "Who made the comparison?", "What person was Steve Jobs compared to?", "what were both masters at?", "who was steve jobs compared to?" ]	[ [ "envisioning how long-term developments in scientific and technical knowledge could be transformed into new technologies." ], [ "Paul Israel." ], [ "Thomas Edison." ], [ "using the media to promote" ], [ "Thomas Edison." ] ]	Paul Israel says some have compared Steve Jobs impact to that of Thomas Edison . He says there are differences: Edison not in tune with consumer markets but Jobs was . He says both were good at harnessing scientific knowledge into transformative technologies . Israel: Both had their product missteps but were masters at innovation and media promotion .
(CNN) -- The death of a Canadian soldier in battle-scarred Afghanistan on Thursday brings this month's toll of international military fatalities in the war to 47, the highest monthly tally so far, a CNN count of official statistics shows. Lt. Col Thorneloe was one of 15 British troops killed in action in Afghanistan this month. The Canadian soldier was killed while he was conducting operations in the Panjwayi District in Kandahar province, the Canadian military said. The previous monthly record was 46, a mark reached twice last year, in June and August. The growing death toll, which only accounts for the first half of July, comes amid an uptick in fighting across Afghanistan, where international forces and Afghan troops have been battling the Taliban. The push, called Operation Khanjar, targets militants in Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold and poppy-growing region. The forces are trying to gain and hold ground in the perilous region ahead of national elections this August. Some of the deaths resulted from nonhostile incidents such as accidents, but most have occurred during hostilities. According to a CNN count of figures from various governments, the U.S.-led coalition and NATO's International Security Assistance Force, the deaths in July have included 23 Americans, 15 Britons, five Canadians, two Turks, an Italian and a NATO-led soldier whose nationality has not yet been disclosed. The news coincides with another grim milestone for the British military, which has seen the number of troops killed in Afghanistan surpass the death toll in the Iraq War. An especially bloody 10 days in Afghanistan's Helmand province, the staging ground for several major recent offensives, claimed the lives of 15 British soldiers in July, putting the number of the country's dead in Afghanistan at 184, the Defense Ministry said. The British military has lost 179 soldiers in Iraq. The 15 deaths in July also put the British military on track to be the deadliest month yet for British troops supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 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. Since the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001, 652 U.S. troops have died in hostile and nonhostile activities throughout the country.	[ "Where is the Taliban stringhold?", "What was the previous record for the number of deaths?", "Who die in Kandahar?", "What was the monthly record for coalition forces?", "What happened in Helmand province?", "What is the number of dead this month?", "Where did the soldier die?" ]	[ [ "Helmand province," ], [ "46," ], [ "The Canadian soldier was killed" ], [ "47," ], [ "several major recent offensives, claimed" ], [ "fatalities in the war to 47," ], [ "Panjwayi District in Kandahar province," ] ]	Soldier's death in Kandahar operations brings monthly international death toll to 47 . Previous monthly record for coalition forces was 46 in June and August 2008 . News comes as British death toll in Afghanistan surpasses number of dead in Iraq . Death toll grows amid intense fighting in Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold .
(CNN) -- The death of a passenger last week aboard an American Airlines flight underscores the importance of taking precautions before flying, a travel health industry representative said Monday. An American Airlines passenger complaining that she was having trouble breathing died on a flight last week. Jill Drake, a marketing representative for MedAire, Inc., said its physicians last year advised 74 airlines on how to handle more than 17,000 in-flight medical events. Flight attendants with sick passengers call Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, a level-one trauma center where emergency room physicians and a service able to translate 140 languages are on call to answer questions from any of 2 million airline passengers flying at any given time, she said. "Very rarely" does the call result in a diversion, a decision made not by the doctor but by the pilot who must consider a number of variables beyond the passenger's health, she said. The pilot must weigh weather conditions, remaining fuel and proximity to an airport. As of 1 p.m. (3 p.m. ET) Monday, MedAire had fielded 110 calls, "which is a very busy day for us," she said. On average, the company gets about 50 in-flight calls from commercial airliners for an entire day, and an additional 25 or 30 calls related to events that occur at airport gates or aboard yachts and commercial ships, she said. Airlines contracting with MedAire include Continental, Southwest and British Airways. American has its own in-house medical team. Drake said MedAire's doctors documented 97 onboard deaths in 2007, down from 110 in 2006. The top categories of in-flight illness are fainting, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory issues such as shortness of breath, heart problems ranging from arrhythmias to arrest and orthopedic problems, such as broken bones, Drake said. By law, U.S.-based commercial airlines must carry automatic external defibrillators, oxygen and medical kits. Some airlines choose to carry extra, non-mandated medications. If a passenger already has breathing problems, airplane travel will only worsen the condition because cabins are typically pressurized at 8,000 feet, said Drake. Her advice to anyone not feeling 100 percent: "Do not travel." And anyone with a medical condition who travels should pack any critical medications in a carry-on bag, she said. Though flight attendants are trained to handle on-board emergencies, "they are not medically trained," she said. "To think that they are going to be able to assist your every need, that's quite a high expectation." Hydration and moderation are key, and passengers should carry water and a snack, she said. Vacationers often return home from tropical locales sunburned and, in some cases, drunk. "Altitude amplifies the buzz," Drake said. "You have a couple of cocktails in Denver, you feel it a little bit more than in Omaha." Denver's altitude is 5,280 feet; Omaha's is 1,040 feet. Flying in a fresh cast can also prove dangerous. "Your arm could expand and it could cut off your circulation," she said, noting that the risk is reduced with older casts, which have typically already expanded to accommodate any swelling. Though the FAA began demanding that airlines carry certain medications more than 30 years ago, the list was tiny. During the 1990s, overseas airlines began carrying more sophisticated equipment, and pressure increased for U.S.-based airlines to follow, said Dr. Russell Rayman, executive director of the Aerospace Medical Association, which has roughly 3,000 members including physicians, research scientists and flight nurses. Congress held hearings and then required airlines carry more robust kits and defibrillators by 2004. American Airlines was among the first to do so, said Dr. David McKenas, who served for 10 years as the airline's corporate medical director until 2002. He lauded the defibrillator as "so good it's like 100 cardiologists in a box." The machine will only work if the patient's heart is fibrillating, a condition where the contractions become so irregular it loses its ability to pump blood efficiently.	[ "What did the passenger on an American Airlines flight die from?", "Whether to divert a flight due to passenger illness is decided by whom?", "The hospital had what type of staff?", "A passenger died on what flight last week?", "where A passenger died?" ]	[ [ "she was having trouble breathing" ], [ "the pilot" ], [ "emergency room physicians and a service able to translate 140 languages" ], [ "An American Airlines" ], [ "American Airlines flight" ] ]	Flight attendants call hospital with 24/7 staff, multi-lingual staff who give advice . Pilots, not doctors, decide whether to divert a flight due to passenger illness . U.S.-based commercial airlines carry defibrillators, oxygen and medical kits . A passenger died last week aboard an American Airlines flight .
(CNN) -- The death of longtime Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi is shaking the Arab world. And nations like Egypt, which next month holds its first parliamentary elections since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak in February, are watching. Egypt, like Tunisia -- which holds elections this weekend -- needs a great many positive influences to consolidate its nascent democratic government. If Libya's National Transitional Council should turn in a militant Islamist direction and become hostile to the European Union or the United States, it could jeopardize democratic progress in Tunis and Cairo alike. Egypt's position is precarious enough as it is. Two weeks ago in Cairo, for example, Coptic Christian protesters clashed with security forces, leaving 25 dead and more than 300 injured. The violence stems from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces' refusal to share key decision-making powers with civilians and tests its ability to manage the country's fragile political transition. Today in Egypt, no political faction is strong enough to monopolize power and none is weak enough to be ground out of existence. As a result, the army's failure to build a solid political consensus creates a recipe for ongoing confrontation. As long as Egyptians believe they stand to gain more through violence than peaceful political negotiations, the situation in Cairo will worsen. Three decades ago, after the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Ayatollah Khomeini wasted no time in enacting a brutal purge of the country's secular military elites, whom he feared would endanger his rule. In refusing to establish a new order that Egypt's most powerful political constituencies can all get behind, the Egyptian army may now be leading itself in the same direction. The army's stubbornness in refusing to craft a new constitution before holding elections at the end of November is ill-considered and dangerous. The coming parliament will be charged with choosing 100 experts to draft the new constitution. But Christians and secularists fear that an Islamist-dominated parliament will produce a constitution that discriminates against them. Having had little more than six months of freedom, most Egyptian political parties are still in their infancy, and the older secular parties are not yet ready for elections. Islamist parties are the best prepared, as they have been well funded, are known across the country and have enjoyed most of the coverage in the state-owned media since the fall of Mubarak. Yet secularists -- who constitute 70% or perhaps 80% of Egypt's political parties -- asked for more time to prepare for elections and for the military to facilitate an agreement on a bill of rights that sets down guiding principles for the new constitution. Islamists oppose such a move, as they fear it would create rules the secularists could use to oppress them. As a provisional government, the army must create a new political framework that guarantees majority rule while protecting the rights of religious, ethnic and political minorities. Yet in spite of a worsening domestic situation, the military shows no such desire. After Mubarak's fall, Egyptians hoped the army would be the guarantor of a democratic transition; that it would do this transparently, sharing power with civilian political groups, and presiding over a convention culminating in a modern, democratic constitution that protects every Egyptian individual and political group that rejects violence. In late July, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces sent a worrisome signal when it celebrated National Day, the anniversary of the 1952 coup d'etat in which the military took power. This coup smothered Egypt's nascent democratic process in its cradle and ushered in an era of military rule lasting almost six decades. After the coup, military men in civilian attire rigged every election, abused human rights and monopolized the political system. In years past, National Day was nothing out of the ordinary -- the country had celebrated it every year for almost six decades -- but this year, it signaled the military's intention to backpedal on political reforms and maintain an undemocratic status quo. The 1952 regime has hidden behind many different ideologies and adopted a range of different national and international alliances to suit its needs. It began as a capitalist government, allied with the West, turned to Moscow and became socialist in	[ "What must the army do?", "What does Abaza say about the army?", "What does Khairi Abaza say about Gadhafi's death?" ]	[ [ "create a new political framework that guarantees majority rule while protecting the rights of religious, ethnic and political minorities." ], [ "must create a new political framework that guarantees majority rule while protecting the rights of religious, ethnic and political minorities." ], [ "is shaking the Arab world." ] ]	Khairi Abaza: Gadhafi's death has resonated in Arab Spring countries like Egypt, Tunisia . He says Egypt's transition to democracy has been rough; how Libya proceeds matters . He says Egypt's military rulers aren't managing factions in transition; this isn't encouraging . Abaza: Army must make political framework that ensures majority rule, backs minorities' rights .
(CNN) -- The death toll from Tropical Storm Agatha continued to grow Tuesday, with 152 reported killed in Guatemala, 16 in Honduras and nine in El Salvador. One-hundred people are missing in Guatemala and another 87 are injured, the nation's emergency agency reported Tuesday. In addition, nearly 125,000 people have been evacuated and 74,000 are living in shelters, said emergency official David de Leon. The previously reported toll for Guatemala was 123 deaths, 90 people missing and 69 injured. Guatemala also is feeling the effect of the Pacaya volcano, which erupted Thursday night and continued to spew ash Tuesday. Three people were killed when they were crushed by rocks strewn by the volcano. La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, the nation's capital, has been closed since Friday because of falling ash but was expected to open later Tuesday. Pacaya is located about 18 miles (30 kilometers) south of Guatemala City. Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom declared a 15-day state of calamity after the volcano eruption. Damage from Tropical Storm Agatha added to the devastation. Destruction from the storm has been widespread throughout the nation, with mudslides destroying homes and buildings and burying some victims. At least nine rivers had dramatically higher levels and 13 bridges collapsed, the emergency services agency said. In the northern part of Guatemala City, the downpour created a sinkhole the size of a street intersection. Residents told CNN that a three-story building and a house fell into the hole. Classes have been canceled this week in schools throughout the nation. In Honduras, where 16 people have died, President Porfirio Lobo declared a state of emergency Sunday. Nearly 12,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and about 3,200 were living in shelters, the Honduran emergency agency said Tuesday. More than 140 homes have been destroyed and another 700 have been damaged, the Permanent Commission for Emergencies reported. The situation in El Salvador was improving, officials said Monday. The rain stopped Sunday afternoon and river levels were beginning to diminish, officials said. Classes nationwide remained canceled, however, until further notice. Agatha was demoted from a tropical storm to a tropical depression Saturday night and lost its status as a depression Sunday evening. It was the first named storm for the Pacific hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season started Tuesday. CNN's Arthur Brice contributed to this report.	[ "did the volcano erupt", "what caused the deaths", "Death toll increased to 152 in what country?", "What is the storm called?", "What increases to 152 in Guatemala?", "How many people are in shelters?" ]	[ [ "which erupted Thursday" ], [ "Tropical Storm Agatha" ], [ "Guatemala," ], [ "Agatha" ], [ "death toll" ], [ "74,000" ] ]	Death toll increases to 152 in Guatemala . Nearly 125,000 evacuated and 74,000 in shelters . Guatemala also plagued by volcano . Agatha first named storm of Pacific hurricane season .
(CNN) -- The deaths within a week of four women -- three of whom had advertised in an adult personals section of a website -- are being treated as the work of one person or group of people, Detroit's police chief said Tuesday. "At this point, we are working it as one case or one suspect or set of suspects," Chief Ralph L. Godbee told CNN. "There are too many common links for us not to, at this point, work this as one single investigation." Among those links, he said, is the fact that three of the women had placed online ads dealing with "prearranged adult dating services" and posted on backpage.com, Godbee told reporters Monday. "We felt it is imperative to alert the public that deciding to meet unknown persons via the Internet can be extremely dangerous," Godbee said. But a lawyer for backpage.com, Steve Suskin, said it was not clear that his company's website was involved. "Our team has already provided the police with detailed information about the ads that the suspect or others posted on numerous web sites. Law enforcement authorities now have evidence that the investigation appears to connect to at least 30 different ads or other postings on at least 15 different websites, separate and distinct from ours," Suskin said. "We are not aware of the existence of any evidence that would indicate which of these many sites were used by the suspect to establish contact with his victims." The most recent deaths were discovered early Sunday, when police found the bodies of two women, burned beyond recognition, in the trunk of a burning car. The victims have been tentatively identified and are believed to be 28 and 29 years of age, Godbee said. Neither body showed obvious signs of trauma, he said. Six days earlier, on December 19, the bodies of two other women were found in the trunk of a car parked at a vacant dwelling, Detroit police said. While autopsy results, including toxicology tests, are not complete, "we are proceeding as if this is two murder scenes," he said. Backpage representatives have been cooperating with police, who plan to get search warrants and trace computer Internet Protocol addresses and cell phone numbers in an attempt "to start putting this puzzle together," the police chief said. Postings on the escort section of the website cost $1. Referring to the advertisements on the website as "borderline prostitution," Godbee said that his priorities lie elsewhere. "Right now, we want to get to the bottom of how these four individuals passed away, and who had a hand in their demise," he said. CNN's Dan Verello contributed to this story.	[ "What did Detroit police say?", "Who cites at least 15 different websites?", "What does backpage.com cite?", "Where were the bodies found?" ]	[ [ "\"At this point, we are working it as one case or one suspect or set of suspects,\"" ], [ "Steve Suskin," ], [ "\"prearranged adult dating services\"" ], [ "in the trunk of a burning car." ] ]	NEW: backpage.com cites "at least 15 different websites" linked to the investigation . The bodies of two women were found in the trunk of a burning car . The bodies of another two women were found in a car trunk 6 days earlier . Detroit police say three of the four women had links to online ads .
(CNN) -- The declaration of a state of emergency in Thailand following violent clashes between anti-government and security forces marks the latest escalation in a long-running political crisis which has plunged the southeast Asian country into frequent bouts of disorder and instability. The scene from the streets of Bangkok on Monday showed widespread protests against the government. This weekend's protests, which included forcing the postponement of a summit of Asian leaders in the southern coastal city of Pattaya and demonstrations on the streets of Bangkok, were orchestrated by red-shirted supporters of the controversial and corruption-tainted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin -- a multibillionaire media tycoon elected in 2001 on a populist platform that promised universal healthcare and cash handouts to poor villagers -- was ousted from power in a bloodless army coup in 2006 and has been in exile abroad since being sentenced last October to two years in prison after being convicted of a corruption charge by Thailand's Supreme Court. But Thaksin remains a polarizing figure in Thailand, commanding substantial support in the countryside. Until last year, Thaksin's allies had remained in power with the government headed by the exiled prime minister's brother-in law, Somchai Wongsawat, despite disruptive protests by the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), whose supporters dressed in yellow and represented Thailand's traditional ruling class, suspicious of Thaksin's populist model of democracy. But the PAD achieved its goal of ousting Somchai in December after a week-long occupation of the prime ministerial Government House offices and blockading Bangkok's main airports, stranding thousands of tourists. Thailand's Constitutional Court subsequently disbanded Somchai's People Power Party for electoral fraud and barred Somchai from office for five years, paving the way for Thai lawmakers to elect opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as prime minister. iReport.com: "Red shirts" take to streets But Thaksin's supporters insist that Abhisit was not democratically elected and have vowed to protest until fresh elections are held. On Sunday, Thaksin told protesters via a video link from an unknown location that he would return home to lead them in a march on the capital if necessary. "Now that they have tanks on the street and the soldiers are coming out, so it is time for the people to come out for a revolution," Thaksin said. Writing in a blog, CNN's Bangkok Correspondent Dan Rivers said he saw five possible scenarios emerging from the current crisis. Firstly, Abhisit could call a snap election, which he would be unlikely to win because Thaksin's allies continue to lead polls. Secondly, he could resign, resulting in the creation of another coalition which would struggle to unify the rival factions, leaving open the likelihood of further protests from one side or the other. Thirdly, Thaksin could return from exile to lead a red-shirted uprising; a scenario which Rivers describes as "messy and bloody." iReport.com: "Numerous buses set ablaze" Fourthly, the army could again intervene, as it has done in the past, although Rivers says that would do little to heal the deep divisions between both sides. Finally, Rivers said, Abhisit could choose to ride out the protests or "get tough." But both strategies would likely damage his standing. "Trying to ignore the protests will leave him looking even weaker; ordering a violent crack-down may simply harden the resolve of the red shirts and provide fodder to their questionable claims that Abhisit has dictatorial tendencies," Rivers said.	[ "Who is PM Thaksin?", "What should the people come out for?" ]	[ [ "a multibillionaire media tycoon" ], [ "a revolution,\"" ] ]	Thai state of emergency is latest episode in ongoing political crisis . Thailand has been unstable since former PM Thaksin ousted in coup in 2006 . Thaksin's supporters insist current government is illegitimate, want new elections . Thaksin: "It is time for the people to come out for a revolution"
(CNN) -- The defense attorney appointed to represent an Alabama professor accused of shooting her colleagues said Friday he regrets describing her as "wacko." But at a news conference, Roy Miller said "something's wrong with this lady." He also said his client, Amy Bishop, is "aware of what she's done and she's very sorry for it." Bishop is under suicide watch in jail, Miller said. In an interview Thursday with CNN affiliate WHNT after visiting Bishop, Miller said, "I just think the case speaks for itself." He added, "I think she's wacko." At Friday's news conference, he referred to that remark. "Good lord, y'all," Miller said. "Listen, I went overboard with that. When I talk to y'all I make statements ... I wish I hadn't have made. And probably that's one of them." He added that he was trying to imply that the facts of the case "speak for themselves." Bishop told him she does not remember the incident, Miller said. But now, "she knows she's killed some folks, I'm sure." The biology professor is charged with capital murder and three counts of attempted murder in the shootings at the University of Alabama in Huntsville last week. At the end of a biology department faculty meeting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Bishop suddenly "just stood up and shot," a professor who survived the incident told CNN affiliate WAAY. Three of Bishop's colleagues were killed; three others were wounded. Bishop, a Harvard-trained geneticist, had recently been denied tenure. Bishop, a professor and researcher at the university, was arrested as she was leaving the building. A 9 mm handgun was found inside, on the second floor. A university spokesman, Ray Garner, identified the dead as Gopi Podila, chairman of the biological sciences department; Maria Davis, associate professor of biology; and Adriel Johnson, associate professor of biology. Miller said his client is "trying to keep from cracking up down there emotionally," and is worried that if she breaks down, officials in the jail might think she's going to commit suicide. Discussing his client's mind, he said that doctors of biology "have got, in my estimation, high IQs -- and the high IQ in my opinion is sometimes not good for people." He said Bishop sometimes is "so focused on the mental basis" that she "does not know what's going on around her." He said he believes the case will boil down to Bishop's mental state at the time of the killings. In the wake of the shootings, information came to light about previous run-ins with the law Bishop had. She faced criminal charges after an altercation at a Massachusetts restaurant nearly eight years ago, police said. The police report says Bishop became furious that there was no booster seat available for her child, began screaming at the woman who had taken the last one and struck her in the head. Authorities previously have said Bishop, who is also known as Amy Bishop Anderson, fatally shot her brother in the family's Braintree, Massachusetts, home in 1986. The shooting was ruled accidental, but after a review of the incident after the Alabama shootings, Norfolk County District Attorney William Keating issued a statement saying that probable cause had existed in 1986 to charge Bishop with assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of ammunition. However, the statute of limitations on those charges has expired, as well as on a potential charge of "wanton and reckless conduct" -- the lowest standard for manslaughter in Massachusetts, Keating said. In addition, the Boston Globe reported Monday that Bishop and her husband, Jim Anderson, were questioned in the 1993 attempted mail bombing of a Harvard Medical School professor. Jim Anderson said on Monday that federal investigators had gathered "a dozen subjects" in the attempted bombing, but "there were never any	[ "Bishop was charged with what?", "When was the faculty meeting?", "What is Miller's first name?", "what has roy miller said", "What is Bishop charged with?", "Lawyer told reporters he regrets calling client Amy Bishop what?", "what did the lawyer say", "Who called Bishop \"wacko?\"" ]	[ [ "capital murder and three counts of attempted" ], [ "last week." ], [ "Roy" ], [ "\"something's wrong with this lady.\"" ], [ "capital murder and three counts of attempted murder" ], [ "\"wacko.\"" ], [ "he regrets describing her as \"wacko.\"" ], [ "Roy Miller" ] ]	There's "something wrong with this lady," attorney Roy Miller says . Lawyer told reporters he regrets calling client Amy Bishop "wacko" Bishop charged with murder in killings of three University of Alabama colleagues . She allegedly opened fire at faculty meeting last week .
(CNN) -- The defense budget is going down. Thursday, President Obama personally announced a new strategy to align with the new limits created by the Budget Control Act of last fall. The announcement was light on the budget details to emphasize "strategy." But strategy documents come and go -- it's in budgets that we'll see actual change. The biggest change is a smaller Army — reports suggest troop numbers down to levels last seen in the late 1990s. This change is justified by the strategy's de-emphasis of stability operations like Iraq and Afghanistan and renewed focus on Asia, where naval and air forces are the main tool. If the strategy's blueprint is followed, we could see a fundamental change to our force structure and military posture—more airpower and naval, and fewer ground forces. But everyone Thursday went out of their way to hedge at every turn. Most notably, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey stressed that we weren't giving up the capacity to fight land wars. Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said his theme was reversibility. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said our military will never do just one thing. The President said our military will be ready for the full range of contingencies and threats. These statements don't sound like an overhaul in the Defense Department is imminent to reflect this new strategy. Rather, the administration will more likely make some marginal changes to meet the new budget realities. The Army will still prepare to fight high-intensity land campaigns. The Air Force will still prepare to achieve air superiority. The Navy will still prepare to maintain a presence on the seas. And the Marines will still prepare to land on the beaches. The world is an uncertain place and some hedging is a good thing to protect against surprises. But the United States has a dominant military capable of handling a lot of surprises and will maintain its strength even if we see much deeper cuts in the next decade— even cuts at the levels of previous big reductions in defense spending. The strategy was unveiled today to justify just shy of $500 billion in cuts over the next ten years, which would leave the budget in 2021 just 8% less than it is today compared to an average from previous builddowns of 30% less after ten years. The decline in war costs will account for some of that difference. But even at the levels of savings mandated by the sequester triggered by the supercommittee's failure to reach a deficit reduction deal, the base defense budget would decrease by less than 20% after ten years. If we were truly to tailor our force structure to a strategy, we could find significantly greater savings. If we embrace the current strategy document, the Army could be significantly smaller and still have a cadre to build upon if we needed to conduct another long-term stability operation. Of course, the point was raised in the press conference that we didn't plan on doing stability operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. If we instead accept that we will do more stability operations, we could cut back the Navy and Air Force to focus on the Army and still have plenty of forces to respond to events in the Pacific. It doesn't appear the administration will take the budget to the logical ends of the strategy rolled out today. We would have a better defense—at any spending level—if we actually made budget decisions based on strategy rather than by letting institutional concerns determine what makes up the budget. The press conference Thursday highlighted two key facts about the defense budget. The topline is determined largely by external events—like our economy and fiscal crises. But the budget that meets that topline is determined largely by the institutions within the Pentagon. We may be at an inflection point, as the president said, but it is unlikely that inflection will affect the Pentagon that much. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Russell Rumbaugh.	[ "IN what matter is the money to be spent", "who did announced a new strategy to align with defense budget cuts", "Who announced a new Strategy", "What should determine how money is spent", "who said the military could make deeper cuts and fulfill the strategy", "Who says cuts should be made", "What had to be cut" ]	[ [ "force structure and military posture—more airpower and naval," ], [ "President Obama" ], [ "President Obama" ], [ "based on strategy" ], [ "Obama" ], [ "President Obama" ], [ "defense budget" ] ]	President Obama announced a new strategy to align with defense budget cuts . Russell Rumbaugh says the military could make deeper cuts and fulfill the strategy . He says military services likely to pursue its own goals despite the new strategy . Rumbaugh: Let strategy, rather than institutions, determine how money is spent .

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.