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(CNN) -- When President Obama called for a world free of nuclear weapons in Prague, Czech Republic, this spring, many dismissed this part of his speech as idealistic rhetoric. But the abolition of nuclear weapons is not an unrealistic fantasy. It is a practical necessity if the American people are to have a secure future. President Obama should use his Nobel speech this week to reaffirm his commitment to this essential and obtainable goal. It is essential because a world armed with nuclear weapons is simply too dangerous for us to countenance. Since the end of the Cold War we have tended to act as though the threat of nuclear war had gone away. It hasn't. It is only our awareness of this danger that has faded. In fact, there are some 25,000 nuclear weapons in the world today; 95 percent of them are in the arsenals of the United States and Russia. Just this past weekend, the START treaty limiting the number of U.S. and Russian warheads expired. Negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland, have not yet been able to work out the details of a follow-up treaty. We must hope they will be able to agree to deep reductions. A recent study by Physicians for Social Responsibility showed that if only 300 of the weapons in the Russian arsenal attacked targets in American cities, 90 million people would die in the first half hour. A comparable U.S. attack on Russia would produce similar devastation. Further, these attacks would destroy the entire economic, communications and transportation infrastructure on which the rest of the population depends for survival. In the ensuing months the vast majority of people who survived the initial attacks in both countries would die of disease, exposure and starvation. The destruction of the United States and Russia would be only part of the story. An attack of this magnitude would lift millions of tons of soot and dust into the upper levels of the atmosphere, blocking out sunlight and dropping temperatures across the globe. In fact, if the entire Russian and U.S. strategic arsenals were involved in the fighting, average surface temperature worldwide would fall 10 degrees Centigrade to levels not seen on Earth since the depth of the last ice age 18,000 years ago. For three years there would not be a single day in the Northern Hemisphere free of frost. Agriculture would stop, ecosystems would collapse and many species, perhaps even our own, would become extinct. This is not just some theoretical scenario; it is a real and present danger. On January 25, 1995, we came within minutes of nuclear war when Russian military radar mistook a Norwegian-U.S. scientific rocket for a possible attack on Moscow. President Yeltsin, a man reportedly suffering from alcoholism and other major medical problems, was notified and given five minutes to decide how to respond. Then as now, both the United States and Russia maintained a policy of "launch on warning," authorizing the launch of nuclear missiles when an enemy attack is believed to be under way. We don't know exactly what happened in the Kremlin that morning, but someone decided not to launch Russian missiles and we did not have a nuclear war. January 25, 1995, was five years after the end of the Cold War. There were no unusual crises anywhere in the world that day. It was a relatively good day in a time much less dangerous than our own. And we almost blew up the world. That was 15 years ago and the United States and Russia still maintain more than 2,000 warheads on high alert ready to be launched in 15 minutes and to destroy each other's cities 30 minutes later. Nuclear weapons are the only military threat from which U.S. armed forces cannot protect us. It is urgently in our national security interest to eliminate these instruments of mass annihilation from the arsenals of potential adversaries. If we have to get rid of our own nuclear weapons to achieve this, it is a deal well worth making. Make no mistake, the elimination of nuclear weapons is an attainable goal. These bombs are not some force of nature. They are the work of our hand. We built them and we can take them apart.	[ "Halfand says 95 percent of nuclear weapons in the world are where?", "Is Threat of nuclear war real", "What should be abolished" ]	[ [ "in the arsenals of the United States and Russia." ], [ "had gone away. It hasn't." ], [ "nuclear weapons" ] ]	Ira Helfand: Abolishing nuclear weapons is not an unrealistic fantasy . Helfand: Threat of nuclear war still real, still terrifying and did not go away with the Cold War . Helfand: About 25,000 nuclear weapons in world; 95 percent in U.S. and Russia . Helfand: Many important issues, but none as urgent as eliminating threat of nuclear war .
(CNN) -- When Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard invaded Kuwait in 1990, they brought back some unusual war booty to Baghdad: tapes of the region's "Sesame Street" show. Troops also took a Muppet camel. Haneen and Karim are two of the Muppet stars in "Shara'a Simsim," the Palestinian version of "Sesame Street." The camel, Cookie Monster and the other Sesame friends immediately became permanent POWs in Iraq. "To this day, they've never been recovered," Sesame Workshop President and CEO Gary Knell said. "That's how much the show is loved there." That "kidnapping" is just one example of Sesame Street's devoted global following. And Sesame is trying to use that following to foster a culture of understanding worldwide, beginning with children. In the Palestinian territories, Muppets teach nonviolence on a local version of Sesame Street called "Shara'a Simsim." Sesame Workshop calls this effort "Muppet diplomacy." "This means using our characters -- characters children love and parents trust -- to bridge some of the world's most intractable divides," Knell said. "Muppets give children, and the parents who watch the show with them, a chance to explore other cultures from the safety of their living room, where no one will criticize them for being curious." Daoud Kuttab, executive producer of "Shara'a Simsim," knows that the Muppets are highly effective communicators. "Anything the Muppets do, anything they say, any idea they transmit, the children accept." Watch a clip from the Palestinian version of "Sesame Street" » An internationally respected Palestinian journalist, Kuttab began working with the show more than a decade ago. After covering the war-torn region for years, he realized that Sesame was a great way to reach Palestinian children who desperately needed an alternative to the harsh lessons they were absorbing. "I would say 3-, 4-, 5-year olds -- if we don't catch them at that early age, we do risk losing them to all kinds of propaganda, whether it's conservative, religious or fundamentalist," Kuttab said. Hamas television runs a weekly program for kids, that sometimes preaches violent resistance. "They have to be willing, prepared for the future. And that's why the Palestinians are showing seriousness," said Ahmed Yousef, a political leader in Hamas, the party in power in Gaza. "To keep our dignity and our independence, we have to sacrifice our life. We are either victorious, or we die for the good cause." With some funding from the U.S. State Department and guidance from the U.S. producers, Kuttab's team developed the Sesame program into something uniquely Palestinian, complete with live-action segments filmed in the West Bank and Gaza, a set that looks like a typical Palestinian street and Muppets named Haneen and Karim. Watch Palestinian Americans trying to instill peace in society's youngest members » "We are interested in teaching tolerance, respect, pride in their own country and their own nation, and also in understanding that there are people who are different, and that's OK," Kuttab said. Worldwide influence Sesame's influential roots go back decades. The creators of "Sesame Street" launched the show in the 1960s to fill a gap in American education. Studies had presented compelling evidence that solid early education was vital for a child's later learning; still, public pre-kindergartens were scarce, and early education was rarely available to underprivileged children. Although it was designed to address an American need, Sesame Street had immediate global appeal. In the 1970s, German producers put their version of the show on air. Today, children in 120 countries watch some version of "Sesame Street." "When I saw [Sinn Fein leader] Gerry Adams wearing a Cookie Monster watch," Sesame Workshop's Knell said, "I knew we had made it in Northern Ireland." The program has always found fun and funny ways to teach reading and counting. But interspersed with those ABCs and 123s are lessons in cooperation,	[ "on how many countries does the children watch sesame street?", "how many countries?", "What type of culture is Sesame Street trying to foster?", "what is the palestinian version called?", "What are children in 120 countries watching some version of?", "what show do children watch?", "Sesame street is trying to use that following for what purpose?", "\"Shara's Simsim is the Palestinian version from what?" ]	[ [ "120" ], [ "120" ], [ "of understanding worldwide," ], [ "\"Shara'a Simsim,\"" ], [ "\"Sesame Street.\"" ], [ "\"Shara'a Simsim,\" the Palestinian version of \"Sesame Street.\"" ], [ "foster a culture of understanding worldwide, beginning with children." ], [ "\"Sesame Street.\"" ] ]	Children in 120 countries watch some version of "Sesame Street" Sesame is trying to use that following to foster a culture of understanding . The Palestinian version is called "Shara'a Simsim"
(CNN) -- When Sen. John McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, announced that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was pregnant, the news prompted a big response from the iReport.com community. iReporter Darla Jones, who had a child at a young age, said she sympathizes with the Palin family. Palin revealed Monday that her daughter Bristol is pregnant and plans to marry the father. The announcement followed Internet rumors that Sarah Palin's 4-month-old baby was actually Bristol's. iReport.com users posted dozens of stories and hundreds of comments in response to the news. Many iReporters said that the issue is a personal matter, while others believed that the pregnancy deserves public attention. Republican presidential candidate McCain was aware of Bristol's pregnancy before he chose Palin as his running mate, a top adviser to the Arizona senator said. Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama said that families should be off-limits in presidential campaigns after learning of the news. "Let me be as clear as possible," Obama said. "I think people's families are off-limits, and people's children are especially off-limits." iReporter Darla Jones of Roseburg, Oregon, who supports McCain, agrees that the media and public should leave Bristol and the Palin family alone. iReport.com: Were you married at a young age? "I had a daughter very young," Jones wrote on iReport.com, explaining that being a young mother made it difficult to get jobs and complete her education. "This should not affect the presidency in any way." Sabrina Lee also had a child at a young age, but believes that the news of Bristol Palin's pregnancy merits attention. "Personally, I have a right to know anything and everything about the next president and vice president," she wrote on iReport.com. "I want to know the truth," Lee said. "I feel as a voter I have the right to know everything about each nominee. This is just my opinion, but it's also my vote and it's precious." The Laveen, Arizona, resident said that she plans to vote for Obama. Although Lee said she was previously undecided, she decided to vote for Obama after McCain announced his running mate. "Family values are a Republican platform," she said, describing the news of Bristol's pregnancy as "a travesty." Alicia Summers of El Mirage, Arizona, agrees that the vice presidential candidate and her family deserve scrutiny. "Did Palin really think she could come into a race at the 23rd hour and not be subjected to questions?" she asked. iReport.com: See, share your thoughts on Sarah Palin Summers, an Obama supporter, noted, "the press only has two months to find out info about you that they took years to get on everyone else." She suggested that Palin drop out of the race out of respect for the privacy of her family. Graduate student Kristine Phillips also believes that Palin should withdraw. "An unmarried 17-year-old pregnant daughter is not consistent with conservative principles," she wrote on iReport.com. Phillips, who describes herself as politically moderate, said conservatives' support of Palin is "absolutely hypocritical." "While I understand that Palin's role as a mother may or may not be debated here for the political sphere, this situation does call into question some of her policies during her role as governor and her character as a person," Phillips said. iReport.com: Read more from Phillips Mark Swiger of Jonesboro, Georgia, urged iReporters to "be professional and ethical by not bringing Sarah Palin's teenage daughter into politics." Swiger cited Obama and senior McCain adviser Steve Schmidt, who both asked the media and public to leave politicians' children out of the spotlight. Swiger, who is leaning toward McCain, said he usually votes based on moral issues. He believes that Bristol's pregnancy should have no bearing on her mother's political career. "This is a moral line of decency that must not be crossed by Democrats, Republicans or human beings,	[ "Who sympathizes with the Palin family?", "where Darla Jones sympathizes with the Palin family?", "What is Sarah Palin's daughter's condition?", "What are they reacting to?", "Who is pregnant?" ]	[ [ "Darla Jones," ], [ "the" ], [ "pregnant," ], [ "unmarried daughter was pregnant," ], [ "Bristol" ] ]	iReporters react to news that Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter is pregnant . Sabrina Lee questions McCain's judgment in picking Palin . Darla Jones sympathizes with the Palin family . iReport.com: Share your thoughts on McCain's running mate .
(CNN) -- When Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would be pushing for a public option in the final health care bill, it looked as if he had given up on the possibility of a bipartisan agreement. Most Republicans have been steadfast in their opposition to the Democratic health care proposals. The only serious possibility for GOP backing has come from Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. While expressing support for much of the Senate Finance Committee bill, she has said she would accept a public option only if private markets and new regulations fail to control costs and lower premiums. Reid's decision is not a sign of commitment to an ideal but rather an act of political realism. The notion that either party will be able to find substantive bipartisan support for legislation today is dubious. The political forces that generate partisan conflict in Washington are deeply rooted and hard to change. Partisanship is not always a bad thing for politics. Strong parties can give voters real choices at the ballot box, and party leaders are willing to push for bold objectives that centrists often avoid. But bipartisanship is also a valuable objective, and good to have as part of our political mix. When both parties are open to sometimes entering into negotiations and reaching agreements, this improves the chances for major policy breakthroughs that will last over time. When Americans see that their leaders are willing, under the right circumstances, to focus on doing what the country needs even if the other side might receive more credit, citizens are exposed to a side of government that is usually overshadowed by the political machinations that dominate the news. But the pressures against bipartisanship are enormous. Gerrymandered congressional districts favor representatives who play to the party base. The number of centrists in both parties has steadily diminished. The campaign finance system empowers party leaders and conservative activists who are able to raise and distribute substantial amounts of campaign funds to pay for television ads and get-out-the-vote operations. Within the GOP, their power was recently on display in New York's 23rd district. Conservatives pressured centrist Republican Dede Scozzafava to step down from the special election to clear the way for Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, who has received the strong support of national conservative groups. "Doug's campaign," Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele announced, "will receive the financial backing of the RNC and get-out-the-vote efforts to defeat Bill Owens on Tuesday." In the Senate, the constant threat of the filibuster offers the minority party an easy way to thwart the agenda. The media favors stories about conflict over consensus. People tend to be a nostalgic for moments when the two major parties worked together. In fact, this has rarely been the case. But when there were periods with some bipartisanship in the 20th century, what is striking is how much more substantial they were. They involved significant numbers of legislators from one party joining forces with the other. One of the most famous examples of bipartisan leadership involved Republican Sen. Arthur Vandenberg, who in 1947 and 1948 chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Vandenberg worked with President Harry Truman to pass some of the key policies of the Cold War, including the National Security Act, the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. Many Republicans disagreed with Vandenberg, focusing much more on attacking Truman. But Vandenberg still delivered Republican votes for that short period. During the Senate vote on the Marshall Plan in 1948, which provided economic assistance to help rebuild Western Europe, 31 Republicans joined 38 Democrats to vote for the bill. The same held true with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We often remember the important work of Republican Sen. Everett Dirksen, an Illinois conservative who joined forces with Johnson in the summer of 1964 to vote for cloture to end the filibuster by Southern Democrats. Dirksen was one of 27 Republicans who voted to end the filibuster and then to vote for civil rights. Today, discussions of bipartisanship focus on obtaining one or two votes from the opposition party. This is a phenomenon we have seen intensifying since the 1970s. Republicans also had trouble obtaining Democratic votes under President George W. Bush.	[ "What did bipartisanship once involve?", "Who is giving up on bipartisanship?", "What did Harry Reid give up on?" ]	[ [ "significant numbers of legislators from one party joining forces with the other." ], [ "Harry Reid" ], [ "the possibility of a bipartisan agreement." ] ]	Julian Zelizer says Harry Reid appeared to be giving up on bipartisanship . He says Democrats are more focused on unity than on attracting GOP votes . Bipartisanship once involved many legislators crossing party lines . Today, Zelizer says, many forces make bipartisanship hard to achieve .
(CNN) -- When Tiffany Wilson noticed a small growth on her left hip, she didn't think much of it. Tiffany Wilson, 41, found a bump on her hip that she thought was a pimple. It turned out to be skin cancer. "It was bizarre," recalled the 41-year-old salon owner from Minneapolis, Minnesota. "I just thought it was a pimple." Wilson, who is African-American, can't say exactly what prompted her to point out the bump to her physician, but she said she remembered thinking the diagnosis wouldn't be anything serious. "It never occurred to me that it was skin cancer," she said. But it was. She had basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer. Wilson spent long hours as a child in the summer sun at Lake Nokomis in Minnesota and went to the tanning bed before visiting relatives in the Caribbean, she said. She also said she never wore sunscreen. "Back then, I just don't think people were aware of the effects [of the sun]," she said. Those may seem like obvious red flags to people who are sun-conscious, but they were foreign concepts to Wilson, which is why her diagnosis came as a shock. "I just assumed, 'I'm a person of color, I'll be OK,' " she said. Dermatologists say they are concerned because skin cancer rates are increasing among minority groups in the United States. Like Wilson, many people of color often mistakenly believe skin cancer is not something they should be worried about. Pigmentation is no 'free pass' The reasoning is not completely far-fetched: Darker-skinned people do benefit from the protective effects of skin pigmentation. In fact, some studies suggest that for the darkest skin tones, pigmentation cells provide a natural sun protection factor, or SPF, of about 13. The problem is many dark-skinned people believe that means they are born with a natural immunity to skin cancer. "Pigmentation doesn't give you a free pass," said Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III, a dermatologist specializing in ethnic skin and the doctor who treated Tiffany Wilson. "It doesn't matter what color your skin is, everyone can get skin cancer." Bob Marley, for example, died of malignant melanoma, the most lethal type of skin cancer, that spread to his lungs and brain. All types of skin cancer are increasing among blacks and Hispanics, and their melanomas are more often fatal because they are usually caught later, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Crutchfield pointed out that pigmentation may have sun-protective qualities but even for the darkest skin it falls short of the AAD's recommendation of a daily SPF of at least 15 for everyone. Crutchfield feels many ethnic groups are missing that key part of the message, if they are getting the message at all. Blog: How to pick the right sunscreen Researchers acknowledge that many of the messages regarding skin cancer prevention have traditionally targeted fair-skinned people, a group 10 times more likely to develop melanoma. Now, dermatologists say, more needs to be done to encourage all groups to take precautions against sun damage. A Consumer Reports survey found only 27 percent of people with self-described darker skin applied sunscreen when they were in the sun for four hours or more, compared with 64 percent of people with self-described light skin. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009 there will be more than 1 million unreported cases of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer -- most of them curable -- and that more than 68,000 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed. For melanoma, the key to a cure is early detection. That's why dermatologists caution everyone to be vigilant and learn the risks for their skin type. "Race is very important because not all skin is the same," said Dr. Susan Taylor of The Skin of Color Center, a dermatology group focusing on the needs of patients of color. According to Taylor, people with darker skin often	[ "Who had an increased incidence of skin cancer?", "Minorities believe what makes them immune to skin cancer?", "Who have increased chances of skin cancer?", "What cancer is being reported on?", "How many new cases of skin cancer are reported a year?", "Who is at an increased chance of getting skin cancer?", "In 2009, how many skin cancer cases were diagnosed?" ]	[ [ "minority groups in the United States." ], [ "Darker-skinned" ], [ "minority groups in the United States." ], [ "skin" ], [ "more than 68,000" ], [ "fair-skinned people, a group 10 times more likely to develop melanoma." ], [ "68,000" ] ]	Dermatologists report increased incidence of skin cancer among people of color . Minorities often believe pigmentation makes them immune to skin cancer . More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are estimated in 2009 . Every 62 minutes, one American dies of melanoma .
(CNN) -- When Tyra Smith's boyfriend, Chris Lewis, first suggested they be guinea pigs in a H1N1 vaccination study in August, she wasn't so crazy about the idea. But then she warmed to it: While she doesn't like needles, she thought she'd help out because she knew H1N1 was a serious virus. To cut your risk of catching a bug, doctors say wash your hands and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes. "I heard people might die from it," Smith said. "So I think it's a good idea to help people, by being involved." Lewis and Smith, both from Baltimore, Maryland, were among the first Americans to receive H1N1 flu shots. As part of a trial of 2,400 people, they gave blood samples and kept diaries of their symptoms, all in an effort to get an H1N1 vaccine ready for the fall. Now that the results from this and other trials are in, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that the FDA has approved applications from four manufacturers to make H1N1 flu vaccine, which should be ready for high-risk patients by October 15. She said there will be enough vaccine available for everyone eventually. And that's just in time. With fall in the air and old man winter right around the corner, seasonal flu and the common cold are sure to follow -- and H1N1 is here; in its most recent H1N1 update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 21 states are reporting widespread flu activity. This cold and flu season could star a cornucopia of viruses. Doctors say they worry the two flu strains (H1N1 and seasonal) could combine, further complicating the situation. Mix in colds, which are prevalent this time of year, and the immune system of Americans could be dealt a one-two punch. So, how can someone tell if those sniffles they're having is something to be concerned about? Infectious disease experts say people need to be aware of the symptoms. Dr. Shmuel Shoham, an infectious-disease specialist at Washington Hospital Center, says the common cold, seasonal flu and H1N1 are all respiratory illnesses, but they're caused by different viruses. Symptoms of the cold are more common, and can make the patient miserable for three to five days. A patient usually has a stuffy nose, congestion, some body aches and a growing cough. According to the CDC seasonal flu and H1N1 symptoms consist of fever, more painful body aches, dry cough, diarrhea and severe fatigue. It's hard, without testing, to tell apart the seasonal strain of flu from the H1N1 variety. Watch more on cold, flu and H1N1 symptoms » "People need to take notice when they begin to feel bad. If they start to have respiratory problems, or are dehydrated because of a bug, they should go to the doctor. It could be H1N1 or seasonal influenza," says Shoham. "Some people with influenza can get very sick and could end up in the hospital if it's not taken care of." People at greatest risk for catching H1N1 include young people ages 6 months to 25 years, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. The CDC recommends that these groups -- as well as health care workers -- get vaccinated first. The seasonal influenza vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, according to the CDC, including children ages 6 months to 18 years, people with immune system problems, women who plan on being pregnant during the flu season, those 50 years and older and health care workers. But if someone doesn't fall into these categories, it doesn't mean he or she should skip vaccinations altogether. Experts say everyone should get both flu shots. "It's the best way to protect yourself," Shoham says. Other than flu shots, are there other ways to stay healthy and avoid all of these bugs? Doctors say wash your hands and keep your fingers away from your mouth, nose and eyes	[ "What are more severe than cold symptoms and include fever?", "What are some symptoms related that you should see your doctor for?", "Without what, a person can't tell seasonal flu from H1N1 flu?", "Is there a way to tell the differnce between seasonal flu and H1N1?", "What should you do if you are dehydrated or having repiratory problems?", "What are the symptoms of H1N1 and seasonal flu?" ]	[ [ "H1N1" ], [ "respiratory problems, or are dehydrated because of a bug," ], [ "testing," ], [ "symptoms consist of fever, more painful body aches, dry cough, diarrhea" ], [ "go to the doctor." ], [ "fever, more painful body aches, dry cough, diarrhea" ] ]	Seasonal flu, H1N1 and common cold will all be around this flu season . Without testing, a person can't tell seasonal flu from H1N1 flu . The symptoms of both are more severe than cold symptoms and include fever . Expert: If you are having respiratory problems or are dehydrated, see your doctor .
(CNN) -- When a film cast includes names like Ben Stiller, Robin Williams and Owen Wilson, a bit of improvisation on set is to be expected. Ben Stiller and the gang are back in "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian." "I think the movie is really only 25 percent scripted, maybe even less than that," said Shawn Levy, director of the new film "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," which boasts those comedic actors and several others. "It just so happens that the scenes that get some of the biggest laughs are the improvised scenes, so it feels like more than that, but we had a very good script and it's still very much there." The sequel to 2006's "Night at the Museum" welcomes back the trio and director as well as other original cast members, including British actor Ricky Gervais, while also adding fresh faces such as Hank Azaria (as a villainous pharaoh) and Amy Adams (as Amelia Earhart). Watch the group laugh about the film » The new romp features Stiller's character, security guard Larry Daley, in action at the Smithsonian, where some of the pieces from the Museum of Natural History -- the setting for the original movie -- are now being housed. Story writer Robert Ben Garant said watching the actors take the script and run with it was painless. "It's always hard to watch bad actors improv on your skit," Garant said. "But when it's Ben Stiller and Jonah Hill and Hank, it's such a pleasure because it always starts with the idea of our script and sometimes they stick to the words, but most of the time they do stuff much, much funnier and weirder. It's really great to watch." Owen Wilson is back as Jedidiah the miniature cowboy, who is now being held hostage at the Smithsonian. Azaria turns up the mean as Kahmunrah, the bitter brother of the pharaoh from the last film. Azaria said he thoroughly enjoyed his turn as the film's resident bad guy. "When the villain is this ridiculous, it's fun," Azaria said. "When he actually has a sense of humor and self-awareness, and goes from frivolous to really mean bully." "In the end I had to be forced to do the mean stuff because I always wanted to do the silly stuff," he added. "But watching it ... I enjoyed the mean stuff the most. " Even with the good times on set, filming at the iconic Smithsonian was a monumental task, given that it wasn't always closed while the actors worked. Stiller said the crowds who watched the movie making magic were respectful and quiet during filming, often breaking into applause after a scene. "We weren't really doing much, it was just the best audience in the world," he said. "So it was sort of like doing a live show at the Smithsonian." Funny man Stiller even got to monkey around on set -- literally. In this film, there were two simians that took on the actor in a scene that found him getting the short end of the branch. "I basically get slapped by both of them, but I am not allowed to slap them back because of animal rights, so I have to slap a dummy or a tennis ball when they're off-screen," Stiller told the British newspaper, The Mirror. "It's a weird experience." Robin Williams, who is recovering from heart surgery, said he was excited to return as Theodore Roosevelt -- this time with a twist. "I got to play two versions of Teddy Roosevelt," Williams said. "One, the Teddy that was in the first movie and the other was kind of a brassy, bitchy Teddy and the one that's a bust of Teddy Roosevelt." With so many comics on board, it can't help but be a zany ride. Wilson said he believes those good times will translate to the audience	[ "Who is the star of the film?", "What is the name o the movie?", "What new movie reunites cast and director?", "Who stars in Night at the Museum?", "When did the original night at the museum come out?", "Who got intoa slap fest with a pair of monkeys?", "Which actor got into a slap fest with monkeys?", "Whne was the first film released>" ]	[ [ "Ben Stiller" ], [ "\"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.\"" ], [ "\"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.\"" ], [ "Ben Stiller, Robin Williams and Owen Wilson," ], [ "2006's" ], [ "Funny man Stiller" ], [ "Stiller" ], [ "2006's" ] ]	"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" reunites cast and director . Director says cast improvised much of the film . Movie is sequel to a 2006 film . Ben Stiller got into a slap fest with a pair of monkeys .
(CNN) -- When an earthquake threatens to turn part of an ocean into fast-moving walls of water, tsunami warning scientists can do nothing for the first five minutes except wait for information. But within the next five minutes, they have to decide whether to issue a warning of danger. Brian Shiro has been a geophysicist at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for four years. And you thought your job was high pressure. "If we see a set of circumstances and it fits into our criteria for [the] event, we just follow that criteria because we don't have much time to think. There isn't a lot of time for decision-making," said Paul Whitmore, director of the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. "Weighing back there [in your mind] also is the effect of your decision. If the effect of your decision is going to evacuate the entire West Coast waterfront, you don't want to take that lightly," he said. With Tuesday's tragic tsunami that engulfed villages in Samoa and American Samoa, the pace of events was so frenetic that the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii --which tracks earthquakes and tsunamis for countries throughout the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Caribbean Sea -- had already been alerted to the looming disaster by the time the seismometer evidence came in. "The National Weather Service director in American Samoa called the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center a few seconds before the alarms went off here, so we had an advanced warning and we were already sitting at the computer, looking at the data in real time," said Brian Shiro, a Pacific warning center geophysicist. It can take 30 seconds to five minutes for information from earthquake sensors placed strategically around the globe to roll into the two U.S. tsunami warning centers. When there's a clear tsunami threat, the center's operation room -- built to accommodate the two workers on duty -- becomes flooded with people all jostling to offer assistance. The phone lines consistently ring and "people are yelling at each other so everyone will be on the same page, and you don't miss something important that someone else caught," said Bill Knight, a West Coast and Alaska warning center scientist. Scientists must "locate the earthquake and then determine based on the science data whether there should be just a normal bulletin or whether there should be a warning," said Laura Kong, director of the International Tsunami Information Center. She added that it took the Pacific warning center 15 minutes to issue a warning for Tuesday's tsunami. This wasn't because the center's scientists were moving slowly, Shiro said, but a result of the sparse number of seismic stations in the Southwest Pacific region. The fewer stations there are, the longer it takes for scientists to receive adequate information. "There was no delay yesterday," he said. "You're only restricted by the earth itself and how fast the seismic waves can travel." As a result, workers at the two U.S. warning centers said they often have to make decisions based on incomplete information, erring on the side of caution by issuing a tsunami warning and canceling it later if more monitoring reveals a less dangerous situation. "It can be a lot of pressure at first, and you have to get used to that," Shiro said. "You do have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders: You have to act quickly and sometimes you have to issue your very first initial message based on incomplete information, because one of the important factors is time and you want to get it out." Since the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the question of time has become more critical to tsunami warning scientists. The staff has doubled at the Pacific warning center, and when they're "on shift," they sleep in on-site housing, said spokeswoman Delores Clark. The warning centers have turned into 24/7 operations. Scientist Knight and director Whitmore at the West Coast and Alaska center said constantly being on call does not interrupt their personal lives; neither of them have kids at home.	[ "Where are stations located", "What area is affected" ]	[ [ "the Southwest Pacific region." ], [ "villages in Samoa and American Samoa," ] ]	Time is always crucial when you work as a tsunami warning scientist . A warning can be issued anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes after a threat is identified . At the Pacific warning center, workers live on site for two days to monitor data . After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, warning centers operate around the clock .
(CNN) -- When an overwhelmed Shreve Stockton tweeted: "I need an assistant!" she considered it more of a joke than a serious request, because she couldn't pay a salary. "I can't even offer room & board, only a camp trailer named the Psychedelic Jellybean & an unlimited supply of milk!" she tweeted last month. Shreve is not a celebrity or executive requiring a personal assistant, but a published writer and photographer who lives in a log cabin on 40 acres in the rolling hills near Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Her homestead includes a dog, tomcat, dairy cow, baby calf, young bull she's training to work like an ox, two horses and, of course, Charlie the coyote. She feels overwhelmed with the daily care of all the animals. But she'd also like to share her home with visiting assistants because "it's becoming so rare in America to have the time and space and the openness of the rural landscape that is shrinking." The only "luxury" she will be able to provide a starving artist is the time "to work on whatever they want art-wise" in their off time, without having the stress of coming up with money for rent or utilities. Her ad was only posted for a day or two but drew around 100 responses -- with one person offering to pay her for the opportunity to be her assistant. She directed them to an application. She shared a few of the forms with her boyfriend, Mike, a trapper with the Bureau of Land Management, who found all the applicants interesting and told her if he had to choose, he'd have to move into a tent so they could all move into his house. The application also came with an unusual warning to all would-be helpers that there would be no petting, no face-to-face time and no "hanging out" with Charlie. The wild-born Charlie earns his keep by allowing Shreve to take photos of his everyday activities and write about him in her book as well as on her blog -- both titled the Daily Coyote. She's raised him since he was 10 days old, after his parents were shot for attacking sheep. Although he walks on a leash, co-exists with Eli the cat, plays with Chloe the dog and often visits inside Shreve's house, Charlie does not like strangers. So for everyone's safety, her new helper will not be visiting inside the electric fence that surrounds his territory. But that's OK with self-taught artist Sarah Frary of Kentucky, who plans to move into the trailer and spend part of her days helping Shreve with household tasks such as cleaning milk pails and maintaining her Web site, and the rest of her time on her art. Frary, 23, expects the experience will have a "monumental" effect on her drawing, painting and screen printing. She describes her current drawings as "very primordial and ancient feeling," while her new boss calls them fantastic. Frary has already started blogging about her new life and plans to set off later this month. She sought out the position because Shreve's "energy and everything about her just completely resonates and it's something I connect with." Shreve was a little concerned about sharing her space with a stranger, but said she felt "a kindredness" with the young woman, who has been working as an apprentice tattoo artist in Louisville, Kentucky. Frary also performs "live art," which she describes as taking place in a theater during a concert or play with her perched near the edge of the stage, painting on a large scale that has her "throwing paint and finger painting -- getting crazy with it." The work-exchange program will give Shreve more time to "concentrate on her next artistic endeavor." She has a few ideas percolating and hopes to decide on one "the day after my new help arrives." Frary, a tattooed former military brat, feels her arrival won't go unnoticed, with her PT Cruiser covered in	[ "who is the creator of DailyCoyote.net website?", "What is the Kentucky artist's name?", "Who created the DailyCoyote.net Web site?", "Who was the assistant?", "Where is Sarah Frary heading?" ]	[ [ "Shreve Stockton" ], [ "Sarah Frary" ], [ "Shreve Stockton" ], [ "Sarah Frary" ], [ "into the trailer" ] ]	Author and photographer tweets in frustration and gets an artist as assistant . Shreve Stockton is the creator of DailyCoyote.net Web site . Kentucky artist Sarah Frary is headed to Wyoming to be her helper .
(CNN) -- When animal rights activist Jasmin Singer found herself face to face with a scientist who conducts animal testing, a cupcake was exchanged instead of harsh words. "A good vegan cupcake has the power to transform everything for the better," Singer said. "It's almost like a political statement with icing." Singer was co-hosting a vegan bake sale in New York last week as part of the second annual Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale. More than 120 groups across six continents are holding vegan bake sales from April 24 through May 2. Bake sale participants see the sweet treats as a way to introduce those unfamiliar with a vegan diet to some of the flavorful foods they can eat. While vegetarians stay away from meat but may consume dairy and eggs, vegans give up all animal products. Some people become vegan for animal welfare reasons. Others view it as a way to reduce their carbon footprint. Still others choose the plant-based diet as part of a healthier lifestyle. Ruxandra Costescu, of Bucharest, Romania, said most attendees at the bake sales she helped organize weren't vegan. One person who showed up couldn't decide what he wanted, so he took one of everything, she said, adding that he came back later to buy more of his favorites for his family. "It's really nice to have people who eat anything really appreciate the vegan treats," Costescu said. "Usually people are amazed that they're so tasty." In Sydney, Australia, Amanda Salles was inspired to start regularly holding vegan bake sales after joining the first worldwide bake sale last year. She has never gone to an animal rights rally, but she tries to make a difference by baking vegan desserts like gingerbread cookies. "I know a lot of people probably think it's not enough or that you should be going to protests or demonstrations," she said. "But it's a good way to participate. It's not very aggressive." Some approaches to vegan outreach are less subtle. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has had half-naked activists campaign against meat consumption by covering themselves in fake blood and lying in human-sized meat packages. PETA's theatrics may seem a far cry from a bake sale, but the organization sees the sales and protests as means of reaching the same goal. "Even if [people] don't like the medium that we're using to get things across, we really just try to make sure they understand why we're doing it," said PETA senior campaigner Ashley Byrne. Gary Loewenthal, director of the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale, said he believes bake sales can be a nice change of pace for people used to more confrontational forms of activism. "I liked it because it combined this time-honored, well-liked tradition with vegan outreach," he said. He started planning last year's event from his home in Falls Church, Virginia, after brainstorming fundraising opportunities with Compassion for Animals, the animal advocacy group he helps run. Loewenthal sent invitations to cities all over the world and soon generated a buzz online. In 2009, the event had close to 100 participants and raised more than $25,000. Each group decides where to direct the proceeds of its own bake sale. While the money is not required to go to any specific type of organization, many opt to donate to nonprofit groups. Two events in Seattle, Washington, last week raised $1,770 for Pigs Peace Sanctuary, where Edgar, a potbellied pig, is being treated for a broken leg. Funds from a vegan bake sale in California on Sunday will benefit breast cancer research and education through the Avon Foundation. A group in Louisiana will send its proceeds to Food For Life, a vegan hunger-relief organization. When Loewenthal started researching vegan bake sales in 2008, a Google search yielded few results. Now, he says, one can find at least a handful of them taking place in any given month. In late January, more than 25 U.S. cities held vegan bake	[ "What the activist animal rights says?", "When does the sale run?", "How many groups there are about?", "What do the tasty treats not contain?", "What are 120 groups selling?", "On what date runs Vegan Bake Sale", "What did animal rights activist say?", "When does the bake sale run?" ]	[ [ "\"A good vegan cupcake has the power to transform everything for the better,\"" ], [ "April 24 through May 2." ], [ "More than 120" ], [ "animal products." ], [ "vegan bake sales" ], [ "April 24 through May 2." ], [ "\"A good vegan cupcake has the power to transform everything for the better,\"" ], [ "April 24 through May 2." ] ]	Second annual Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale runs from April 24 to May 2 . More than 120 groups worldwide selling tasty treats that contain no animal products . Animal rights activist: "It's almost like a political statement with icing"
(CNN) -- When does a cult become a religion? When the cult leader dies. Only then do L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics practitioners become the religion of Scientology, the followers of Joseph Smith become full-fledged Mormons, or -- by the same logic -- a few anti-establishment apostles become Christianity. What then of the cult of Apple after the death of its own leader, Steve Jobs? I like Apple products as much as any user, and respect the contributions that Apple under Jobs' leadership made to the co-evolution of human beings and their technologies. But all along I have also been aware of the closed nature of Apple technologies, as well as the leap of faith that has been required to accept Jobs' promise that doing things in some new way will be "fantastic." Without Jobs telling us to cross the chasm, will we continue to embrace each of Apple's future revolutions in hardware, software or both? For most of us, particularly those of us who want to know as little as possible about technology in order to use it, Apple has been a perfect answer. As members of the first generation of a digital society -- digital immigrants, if you will -- we could not relate to computers and software directly. Steve Jobs found and employed interfaces that quite literally translated the directories and sub-directories of computers to the files and folders of a desktop. He promoted real world metaphors for otherwise obscure processes, making the immense power of computers accessible to many of us much sooner and more completely than we would have achieved without him. And moving on from there, he and his teams liberated digital music files with iTunes and the iPod, and popularized the smartphone with the iPhone. At each step, however, we consumers and users had to make certain compromises. Some of them we know about, and others most of us are much less aware of, at least right now. Back when Jobs returned to Apple and came out with the iMac, many users were aghast at being asked to purchase a computer with no floppy drive! Sure, Steve saw the writing on the wall (or felt confident enough to scribble it up there himself), and decided for us that floppy drives were obsolete. If you can burn CDs, why mess with floppies? Besides, Internet speeds were starting to increase and it was just a matter of time before people exchanged files by e-mail instead of handing and mailing physical disks to one another. But to take this leap required a bit of faith from consumers. It was a level of faith that I suspect only a leader as charismatic as Jobs could elicit from us. Time after time, Jobs told us to trust him, and time after time we did. No serial port? No firewire? No Flash? No keyboard? Just trust Steve, he has a vision for how this is all going to work out. Meanwhile, all along the way, we were also being asked to surrender a certain degree of authority over our own devices. Part of the reason Apple products work so well is that they are closed to our intervention. Unlike Microsoft PC's, early Apple products only worked with Apple-made peripherals. That's why Apple machines never (or very rarely) had conflicts or crashes. They weren't trying to accommodate everybody else's printers and modems and drivers. Likewise, Apple iPhones are closed systems. Unless we "jailbreak" our phones, software and content must be purchased from Apple. The iPhone's capabilities are similarly limited to activities that Apple deems appropriate and profitable for itself and its partners. As beginning users, which most of us are, these are compromises we don't really care too much about. Who wanted to do something with his phone that Jobs said was unnecessary, anyway? But as we get increasingly comfortable with computers and networking, we may start to want to have more of a say in the way we use our devices and for what purposes. Just like AOL subscribers who finally decided they could leave the wading pool and swim out to the real Internet, Apple users might	[ "Is Steve Jobs alive?" ]	[ [ "death of its own leader," ] ]	Douglas Rushkoff: Now that Steve Jobs is dead, will cult of Apple endure? He says Jobs guided many into digital society with user-friendly computers . He says Jobs told users what they did and didn't need; they trusted his judgment . Rushkoff: As consumers rely on their own judgment, not Jobs', will they stay with Apple?
(CNN) -- When iReporter Carlos Ortega evacuated Galveston's West End last week, there was a road, a row of houses and about 150 feet of sand between his house and the water. Now the surf laps about 30 feet from his door. iReporter Carlos Ortega says there's "not an inch that isn't damaged" in his Galveston, Texas, neighborhood. Hurricane Ike devastated the Texas city over the weekend, and Gov. Rick Perry said it could be weeks before residents could return. "There's substantial structural damage, obviously ... (no) electrical power," he said. "It's going to be a while." Ortega, a professor at the University of Houston, and his partner walked about six miles down the beach on Sunday and said there's "not an inch that isn't damaged." iReport.com: See Ortega's home before and after Ike He said one beachfront house was knocked off its stilts and was lying on the ground like an amusement park funhouse. A dead cow washed in front of another home. "It was pretty depressing and devastating to see how everything was just torn up," he said. "People's lives and houses were just torn up." All but two of the houses on the "front row," nearest the beach, in their Bermuda Beach subdivision were destroyed, he said. "You wouldn't know there was a house there." "The house across the street from us is completely gone, and there's no trace of it," he said. The first floor of their house is covered with 3 to 4 feet of sand and debris, including huge chunks of asphalt from the road that ran in front of the house. "We don't keep anything of value down there," he said, because people expect to get high water occasionally. There were some windows out on the second level, but they did not have much water damage. Ortega said the storm washed a Jet Ski out of the garage and dumped it about five blocks away. iReport.com: Have you been home after Ike? Share your story It still worked, Ortega said, but was stuck in the sand. Ortega rode out the storm at his house in Houston, which also suffered some damage. "The expectation was that it was going to be like three years ago when the last storm (Rita) came through, and it was so much worse," he said. iReporter Matteu Erchull stayed on Galveston Island during the storm. "I think everybody downplayed the severity of the storm, including myself," he said, adding that he didn't regret staying. iReport.com: Ike passes over Galveston iReporter After the storm, he put on his fishing waders and helped rescue some of his neighbors. "Some people literally hid in their attics. Right after the storm, you go into these areas, and they were just helpless," the former Eagle Scout said. "They were just waiting." Nearly 2,000 people who did not evacuate have been rescued along the southeastern Texas coast, said Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Office of Homeland Security. On Sunday, a Galveston County sheriff's official said three bodies were pulled from storm wreckage in Port Bolivar, bringing to 10 the number of reported deaths in Texas linked to Ike. Erchull said he got through the storm OK, but most of his stuff was ruined. "I lost everything. Water rose up to about 10 feet. Got into everything and flooded everything I had," he said. He said he tried to wash his clothes, but he just couldn't get the smell out. "The smell was just this really musky moldy wet smell, it's really hard to explain. Imagine leaving your clothes accidentally in the washer for 10 days, it's just disgusting," he said. Erchull said there's no power on the island, and the National Guard was going door-to-door asking people to leave. He went to Dallas	[ "What happened to Matteu Erchull", "What did iReporter Carlos Ortega announce", "What happened in Galveston?", "What did Matteu Erchull lose?", "Who may not be able to come home for weeks?" ]	[ [ "lost everything." ], [ "there's \"not an inch that isn't damaged\"" ], [ "Hurricane Ike devastated the Texas city over the weekend," ], [ "everything." ], [ "residents" ] ]	Galveston residents may not be able to come home for weeks . iReporter Carlos Ortega says beachfront houses are gone in his neighborhood . iReporter Matteu Erchull rode out storm and lost everything . Are you cleaning up after Ike? Share photos, videos .
(CNN) -- When it came to second bananas, Ed McMahon was second to none. Ed McMahon turned being a sidekick into art. McMahon, known to generations of Americans through "Tonight," "Star Search," "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes" and as a commercial pitchman, died Tuesday. He was 86. For 30 years on the "Tonight Show" -- and several years more beforehand -- he was Johnny Carson's trusty sidekick, introducing him, feeding him straight lines, making the guests comfortable on the couch. It was a job that generally aimed the spotlight at Carson, the host. But it made McMahon a star nonetheless. "He was a star in his own right. Being a sidekick didn't mean he was any less," Doc Severinsen, the longtime "Tonight" bandleader, told CNNRadio. "Johnny defined what the host should be and Ed defined what the sidekick was." David Letterman, whose "Late Night" followed Carson's show on NBC from 1982 to 1993, said in a statement: "Ed McMahon's voice at 11:30 was a signal that something great was about to happen. Ed's introduction of Johnny was a classic broadcasting ritual -- reassuring and exciting. Ed was a true broadcaster, and an integral part of Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show.' We will miss him." Gallery: Ed McMahon through the years » McMahon, known to generations of Americans through "Tonight," "Star Search," "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes" and as a commercial pitchman, died Tuesday. He was 86. While Carson could be insular and shy off camera, McMahon was always possessed of an outsized, hail-fellow-well-met attitude, comedian Joan Rivers -- a frequent "Tonight" guest and guest host -- told CNN. "I remember him with great affection, and I remember him [as] very solid whenever I hosted the show. ... When you needed him, he was a rock. A real rock," recalled Rivers. "He went beyond the 'Tonight Show' and had his own identity and America liked him very much. He was a good guy. He was the neighbor." Watch Rivers' memories of McMahon » Dick Clark -- who really was McMahon's neighbor in 1950s Philadelphia, when Clark hosted "American Bandstand" and McMahon was a local TV star -- remembered his "Bloopers" co-host as a man with "a really big heart." "Fifty years ago, Ed and I were next-door neighbors. Over the years, our friendship grew while he became one of America's favorite television personalities," he said in a statement. "We were together for years. Ed was a big man, had big talent and a really big heart. We'll all miss him." Rivers remembers McMahon as someone who was always willing to reach out. After she left the Carson show -- which she had hosted frequently in Johnny's absence -- for her own late-night show, she remembered becoming persona non grata with many in Hollywood. But not McMahon. "Ed McMahon always, whenever he would come in a restaurant or see me anywhere, would make it his business to come over and say hello," Rivers said. "And that was going against, quote-unquote, 'boss' orders.' " Watch McMahon recall the invention of "Carnac the Magnificent" » The boss, however, knew his sidekick's value. In vaudeville vernacular, a "second banana" was the guy who played off the star comedian (the "top banana"). He was the straight man, the set-up guy, the performer who smoothed the way and occasionally got in his own line, all in the service of the lead. And few were better than McMahon. "Ed was the best at what he did and will never be replaced," said Don Rickles, a longtime friend, in a statement. "Another giant is gone."	[ "What is the name of the \"Tonight\" bandleader?", "What did Joan rivers say?", "What was he known as?", "Who said: \"When you needed him, he was a rock\"?", "When did Ed McMahon die?", "When did End and Johnny start working together?" ]	[ [ "Doc Severinsen," ], [ "\"I remember him with great affection, and I remember him [as] very solid whenever I hosted the show. ... When you needed him, he was a rock. A real rock,\"" ], [ "Johnny Carson's trusty sidekick," ], [ "Joan Rivers" ], [ "Tuesday." ], [ "For 30 years on the \"Tonight Show\"" ] ]	Ed McMahon, who died Tuesday, was known as a sidekick -- but also a "star" His outgoing public persona was in contrast to that of his boss, Johnny Carson . "Tonight" bandleader Doc Severinsen: "Ed defined what the sidekick was" Joan Rivers: "When you needed him, he was a rock"
(CNN) -- When it comes to the Academy Awards, Hollywood has some biases. The late Heath Ledger won a Golden Globe for his performance as The Joker in "The Dark Knight." Summer blockbusters get short shrift. Comedies aren't taken seriously. And animated features? They almost never get drawn. Which, on the surface, doesn't bode well for three of the biggest movie stories of the year: "The Dark Knight," Robert Downey Jr.'s performance in "Tropic Thunder," and Pixar's latest marvel, "WALL-E." Each earned critical plaudits and box office success. And each faces an uphill struggle nabbing major-category Oscar nominations when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces its shortlists Thursday morning. Awards expert Tom O'Neil, who follows the Oscars for the Los Angeles Times' TheEnvelope.com, says the best-picture front-runners are "Frost/Nixon," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Milk" and Golden Globe best drama winner "Slumdog Millionaire." Barring a completely out-of-the-box surprise, that leaves "Dark Knight," "The Reader," Clint Eastwood's fast-gaining "Gran Torino" and possibly "Doubt" or "Revolutionary Road" to battle for the final slot. Watch who took home the Globes » O'Neil believes "Dark Knight," the year's top box office draw, has "an excellent shot" of making the best-picture list. "We know that because Oscar voters belong to guilds that have their own awards, 'Dark Knight' has a strong chance," he says, noting that the Directors Guild, Producers Guild and Writers Guild have all nominated "Dark Knight" for their top awards. Read what EW's Dave Karger has to say about that "WALL-E," however, is almost certainly out of the best-picture race, he says. Animated features, no matter how successful, have fared poorly in general categories. Indeed, only one animated feature -- 1991's "Beauty and the Beast" -- has ever been nominated for best picture. With the addition of the best animated feature category in 2001, it's doubtful that even the best Pixar has to offer will cross over to best picture, particularly since the Academy ignored classics including "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Fantasia" and "Toy Story." "Oscar voters like reality," says O'Neil. Either way, the Oscars could probably use the ratings help a box office success can bring to its broadcast. In recent years, the Academy has nominated several independent or low-budget films for top awards, many of which didn't crack the $100 million mark at the box office. Oscar ratings have tumbled; last year's numbers for "the Super Bowl for women" -- as the Oscar broadcast is known by advertisers -- were the lowest on record and a far cry from 1998, when more than 55 million people watched all-time box office king "Titanic" take home the top prize. That's not to downgrade the expected front-runners, especially since the Oscars' intention is to honor some of the year's best films and performances (though critics have carped they've often not done so). Still, it might behoove the Academy to pay attention to box office as well as prestige, particularly when several films have garnered both. Almost three-quarters of the respondents to an unscientific USA Today Internet survey have said they'd be more likely to watch the Oscar ceremony February 22 if "The Dark Knight" is nominated for best picture. "If a film is very successful, it shouldn't be automatically relegated to the minor leagues," producer Peter Guber told The Associated Press. (Ironically, Guber co-produced the 1989 "Batman," which, despite big box office and Jack Nicholson's Joker, was nominated for just one Oscar -- for Anton Furst's set design. It won.) Historically, summer blockbusters haven't always been ignored. "Jaws,	[ "What is awarded to \"prestige\" works?", "Who believes \"Knight's\" could win best picture?", "What does one observer believes \"Knight's\" chances of getting a best picture nomination?", "What kind of works do Oscar nominations tend to go to?", "What do Oscar nominations tend to go to?", "Who believes \"Knight's\" prospects for best picture nod are excellent?", "What was the year's top box office film?" ]	[ [ "Golden Globe" ], [ "O'Neil" ], [ "\"an excellent shot\"" ], [ "\"Oscar voters like reality,\"" ], [ "reality,\"" ], [ "Awards expert Tom O'Neil," ], [ "\"Dark Knight,\"" ] ]	"The Dark Knight" was year's top box office film, also critically praised . Oscar nominations tend to go to "prestige" works . One observer believes "Knight's" prospects for best picture nod are "excellent" Other strong possibilities: "Slumdog Millionaire," Mickey Rourke, Heath Ledger .
(CNN) -- When makers of one of the most anticipated video games of the year invited users to help design part of the game, the gamers jumped at the chance to create animated characters. Users will have the option to incorporate other people's "Spore" designs or choose to block them all. But some took it upon themselves to create something entirely different: a new kind of Internet porn. It started when the makers of "Spore" released a Creature Creator program that allowed users to develop their own characters to drum up hype before the game's scheduled release in September. The game, a joint venture from "Sims" creator Will Wright and Electronic Arts, allows users to create a unique creature and then control its evolution from a single cell into a complex cultural civilization. Within 24 hours of the Creature Creator's release, gamers had gone creature-crazy, designing millions of critters that were all thrown into a database and shown on a YouTube channel for the public to see. But scrolling through the database -- past the three-legged sea horse, past the seven-eyed wildebeest and the half-motorcycle-half-pig -- revealed something many users didn't expect. Buried among the more wholesome attempts were two-legged dancing testicles, a "giant breast monster" and a four-legged "phallic fornication machine," for starters. Watch Bradshaw demonstrate the "Creature Creator" and "Spore" » These naughty -- some would say obscene -- creations have spawned an Internet meme nicknamed "Sporn," short for "Spore" porn. For EA, the developer of "Spore," it's the downside to tapping into the booming user-generated content arena, which has made sites like YouTube, Flickr, MySpace, Facebook and Second Life so popular. These games and sites often allow people to create and host their own content in addition to creating cartoon personas, called avatars, for themselves. Many of the popular user-generated content sites have faced similar challenges in trying to control obscene material. In Second Life, users can read Slustler, a cyberporn magazine, or buy programs that allow them to have animated sex with other characters. "Whether it's modeling clay, dolls or crayons, a small number of people can be counted on to use it for something vulgar," said Lucy Bradshaw, "Spore's" executive producer. Despite its "Sporn" issues, "Spore" is poised to become one of the most popular games because of its ability to let people tell their own story, rather than one mapped out for them, Bradshaw said. "Rather than putting players in the shoes of Luke Skywalker or Frodo Baggins, we're giving them the opportunity to be George Lucas or Peter Jackson, as they create their own universe from scratch," she said. But for every George Lucas and Peter Jackson, there's always a spoiler. Enter the Spornmaster, a 37-year-old Web developer who refused to give his name for this interview. He, like many others, has spent hours creating characters and turning them into sexual beings. "It came up simply as something silly and juvenile to do," he said. The creatures are not just static. Users can create animated scenarios for the characters to engage in, some of which include sexually graphic acts. When EA got word of the Sporn creations, it began working with YouTube to pull them down. Players who repeatedly upload "offensive content" are warned, suspended and eventually banned, Bradshaw said. But the policing isn't restricted to EA and YouTube. Users also are able to flag and report content that they find offensive. That angered some content creators, who feel that they should be able to create whatever they want. "It was a totally ridiculous overreaction," the 37-year-old Web developer said. "I admit it is silly and juvenile, but I don't think there's anything perverted, vile or awful about it. If people find it offensive, they can simply not search for it online.	[ "What are the sexual creatures know as?", "Who is banning them?", "Who is EA banning?", "For which new game does Creature Creator allow gamers to design characters?", "What is used to design characters in the Spore game?", "What company created Spore?", "What company allows gamers to design characters for Spore?", "What are the sexual creatures called?" ]	[ [ "\"Sporn,\" short for \"Spore\" porn." ], [ "EA and YouTube." ], [ "Players" ], [ "\"Spore\"" ], [ "a Creature Creator program" ], [ "Will Wright and Electronic Arts," ], [ "Electronic Arts," ], [ "\"Sporn,\"" ] ]	Creature Creator allows gamers to design characters for new "Spore" game . Some users have created sexual creatures, now known as "Sporn" "Spore" maker EA is banning those who continue to upload offensive creations . One Sporn creator: "I don't think there's anything perverted, vile or awful about it"
(CNN) -- When news breaks, D.L. Hughley will be ready to mock it. D.L. Hughley starred in "The Hughleys" and "The Original Kings of Comedy." CNN announced Wednesday that it will premiere a new, "unconventional" weekend show hosted by comedian D.L. Hughley. "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News," as the show is currently titled, will feature Hughley's humorous take on the week's events. It will also include interviews with newsmakers and reporters, according to the network. "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News" is scheduled to debut Saturday, October 25. "I am very excited for the opportunity to work with the network that I have watched for a very long time, and that to a large extent, has shaped my comedic view," Hughley said in a press release. "CNN offers the perfect blend of news and information on a local, national and international level. What more can a comedian ask for?" "D.L. is a news junkie who is bursting with things to say about what is going on in the world -- most of them funny, all of them thoughtful, none of them predictable," said Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. "When you watch as much news as our audience does, there comes a time you just want to stop and laugh -- and that time will be Saturday nights at 10 on CNN." The show will resemble the late-night talk shows of Jay Leno and David Letterman more than Jon Stewart's "Daily Show," according to Hughley. Hughley is known for his acting and his standup performances. The comedian spent four seasons on his own sitcom, "The Hughleys," and was one of the stars of Aaron "West Wing" Sorkin's series, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." The performer was also one of the "Original Kings of Comedy," along with Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer. CNN and CNN.com are units of Time Warner.	[ "What will the show feature?", "When does D.L. Hugley's show Break the News start", "What premieres on CNN?", "What is Hughley known for?", "When does \"D.L. Hughley Breaks the News\" premiere?", "What is D.L. Hugley known for", "What is comedian Hughley known for?", "Who is known for \"The Hughleys\"?", "What will be featured on the show?", "What will premiere on CNN October 25?", "What else will the show feature?", "Which network will D.L. Hugley's show be on" ]	[ [ "Hughley's humorous take on the week's events." ], [ "Saturday, October 25." ], [ "\"D.L. Hughley Breaks the News,\"" ], [ "his acting and his standup performances." ], [ "Saturday, October 25." ], [ "acting and his standup performances." ], [ "acting and his standup performances." ], [ "D.L. Hughley" ], [ "Hughley's humorous take" ], [ "\"D.L. Hughley Breaks the News\"" ], [ "Hughley's humorous take on the week's events." ], [ "CNN" ] ]	"D.L. Hughley Breaks the News" premieres on CNN October 25 . Comedian Hughley known for "The Hughleys," "Studio 60" Show to feature interviews, comedic takes on the news .
(CNN) -- When pitcher Josh Faiola walks out of the dugout on opening day with the Lake Erie Crushers, he'll already have a large group of fans in the stands -- his new roommates at the Belvedere of Westlake assisted living facility. Pitcher Josh Failoa stands as residents and friends of The Belvedere of Westlake welcome him Tuesday. The 25-year-old, who was drafted in 2006 by the Baltimore Orioles and is trying to work his way to the majors, admits he was caught a little off guard when he was told about his new housing situation. "At first I was like, 'OK, that's a little different,' " he said. "I was taken aback at first." And he was also the butt of a couple jokes from his teammates. "They were saying things like 'So what's the deal? Do you have to go to bed early?' " Faiola said. But then he told them about his room -- a large suite, with his own kitchenette, washer and dryer, furniture and a TV. "Then they changed their tune," he said. "They were like 'That's awesome. Are they any other vacancies?' " Like many of the players in the independent Frontier League who don't rake in the big bucks, Faiola is living with a host family. But his host family is a little different. Most of the players live with families with younger children. But in his case, Faiola is the young one -- about 55 years younger than the rest of his "roommates." Eighty-four-year-old Meda Dennis, who has been living in the center for four years, said Faiola's arrival is the most exciting thing to happen since a good Elvis impersonator showed up. "It's been quite exciting because he's young and new and interesting and we're old," she joked. Faiola made his way to the assisted living center in Westlake, Ohio, near Cleveland, with the help of Cindy Griffiths-Novak. She heard the new local baseball team was looking for host families for the players. But because she has a 3- and 4-year-old at home, she turned to her family's assisted living center as an option for Faiola. Griffiths-Novak went to the residents with the idea and they unanimously voted for Faiola to live there. But his new housing situation is about more than just a place to crash after the game. "It certainly is great for the residents because now we get a lot of energy and youth and excitement," Griffiths-Novak said. It has turned into an exciting time for the residents, who jumped at the chance to decorate the entire facility before the pitcher's arrival. "You should see the decorations," Griffiths-Novak said. "The residents all signed motivational good luck pennants for him, there's a 40-foot banner, we have a whole thing dedicated to Josh. I'm sure he is so embarrassed with all of the baseball cards with their face on it." They've made signs telling him he's in a league of his own, but they've also set their expectations high for him. "Some of the pendants say things like 'Don't get cut, move your butt,' " Griffiths-Novak said. "He's certainly going to be under the microscope! We'll be watching and keeping track of all of his stats." Faiola was awestruck when he walked in and saw all of the decorations. The activity director has been doing craft activities with the residents -- making visors with baseball logos and Crushers necklaces in anticipation of the game. Dennis is looking forward to watching their new ace pitcher hit the mound even though she hasn't seen a baseball game live in a while. "Anything's better than the Indians right now," Dennis joked. "We'll definitely be cheering for him, though, and if he happens to have a bad game, he'll have a lot of shoulders to cry on.	[ "Who will the doctors be watching?", "Who is staying at Belvedere of Westlake facility?", "Where is the Belvedere of Westlake facility?" ]	[ [ "Griffiths-Novak" ], [ "Josh Faiola" ], [ "Ohio," ] ]	Because of little pay in independent league, players stay with host families . Pitcher Josh Faiola staying at Belvedere of Westlake facility near Cleveland, Ohio . Faiola says teammates joked first, but he's thrilled to bring energy to residents . Residents decorated facility, will be watching pitcher's every throw .
(CNN) -- When pro quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting operation in 2007, there was a spike in reports of dogfighting in the United States. One of six dogs recovered from a Sumter County, South Carolina, dogfight waits in a kennel last week. But when the headlines faded, the blood sport grew stronger and went even more underground, with thugs taking inventive precautions to keep police at bay, animal cruelty experts say. "They know it's just not smart to have large crowds anymore, so we've seen fights where you've got the two handlers, a referee and Web cams everywhere broadcasting the fight on the Internet," said Mark Kumpf, an investigator based in Ohio who directs the National Animal Control Association. Fights are also being staged on the move -- in 18-wheelers. "These guys are very sophisticated," Kumpf said. "If you're driving down the road, there could be dogs in that truck driving next to you that are dying." Dozens more dogfighting cases have been investigated and prosecuted since the Vick case, said Alison Gianotto, who runs the database PetAbuse.com. The computer programmer, horrified when a neighbor's cat was set on fire eight years ago, created the California-based organization to track animal cruelty cases and animal abusers. The database, which logs media stories, has also become a popular place for law enforcement to send reports. "There's not a central body keeping track of what's happening nationally, which is unfortunate when you consider that a lot of these cases cross state lines," she said. Still, detectives, animal welfare professionals and prosecutors agree that the attention the Vick case has brought to dogfighting has been positive because more people are inclined to report their suspicions. Dogfighting is illegal in all states; penalties vary but usually include heavy jail time or steep fines. The National Football League suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia. Vick, 29, was freed from federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 20 and returned to Virginia to serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement. "At the height of attention on the Vick case, things quieted down across the country with some of these dogfighters getting out of the business," veteran animal abuse investigator Tim Rickey said. "But then, the headlines went away, and people thought the attention was off. It just started right back up, almost stronger than before." "Every Saturday night in every county in Missouri, there is a dogfight going on," Rickey said. While the Vick case was making its way through the court system, Rickey, who directs the animal cruelty task force at the Humane Society of Missouri, was initiating what would become an 18-month investigation linking dogfighting rings in eight states. That probe led to the July 8 arrest of 28 people from eight states. As many as 400 dogs were confiscated in raids coordinated by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, Rickey said. He said it was the largest such case involving dogfighting in the U.S. While those involved with the national case declined Monday to give details about that investigation, CNN spoke with several detectives across America who have worked other dogfighting cases. Among the abuses they've uncovered: • Dogs with missing ears and patches of skin • Animals with teeth shaved down to the bone • "Vets" who have used leg splints that are to tight to "treat" animals in dogfighting rings • Contraptions, usually fashioned out of wood, much like a treadmill, that force chained dogs to run or be choked. Detective Keith Coberly of the police vice squad in Dayton, Ohio, described a case he recently investigated that resulted in the convictions of three men. A neighbor called police when she saw a mangled dog that had apparently escaped from a home where investigators found 60 chained pit bull terriers, many being starved and wallowing in their own waste. There were thousands of hypodermic needles scattered	[ "Where are fights being staged?", "What are dogfighters doing to avoid police?" ]	[ [ "on the move -- in 18-wheelers." ], [ "Fights are also being staged on the move" ] ]	Dogfighters are using Web cams, staging fights in 18-wheelers to avoid police . Vick case brought attention to dogfighting, but cases have not decreased . Detective: Anyone who wants to get into dogfighting needs "bad character" reference .
(CNN) -- When rehab and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings didn't work for Eddie Freas, he sought another way to kick his 20-year drug and alcohol addiction. Eddie Freas fights drug addiction by putting all his energy into training for triathlons. He swam 2.4 miles. He biked 112 miles. He ran 26.2 miles. The Pennsville, New Jersey, resident found relief in triathlons. "I feel better when I'm working out," said Freas, 33. "It does wonders for the mind. The reason I started running -- it was a switch that went off in my head. I started feeling positive and feeling great about myself." Freas spent his youth in pursuit of drugs. At the age of 13, he snuck bottles of Amaretto and rum from his mother's liquor cabinet. He also developed a taste for marijuana and cocaine. By his senior year of high school, Freas was kicked off the wrestling and football teams after failing a drug test. Then in 2007, after a three-day binge, "I came home and was crying," Freas said. "I was so depressed. I turned on the TV." The set was tuned to ESPN, which was airing a story about a former drug addict who competed in triathlons. The program's subject was Todd Crandell, who had lost a college hockey scholarship because of a drug addiction. After 13 years of using drugs, Crandell started competing in Ironman races and championed finding positive ways to fight addiction through his program called Racing for Recovery. "Having an athletic background, I was drawn to getting back in shape," Crandell said. "It makes you turn intellectually and spiritually fit. Exercise is essential. It decreases addiction, depression and you use it as part of the recovery." Freas was entranced by the parallels. "His whole story seemed like mine," Freas said. "That's why it hit me so much. It was my story but it happened to somebody else. I knew I had to get back into fitness." He took a bus to Racing for Recovery's office in Sylvania, Ohio. There, Freas said he learned to "stay clean and use other things -- fitness, instead of drugs." On his first day, Freas pushed himself to run 10 miles. "It killed me," Freas said. "I was just motivated. I was sore for a week and I gradually got into it. As soon as I started including fitness into my everyday lifestyle, it made it so much easier. It kept me busy and because of the physical fitness, it was making me feel better about myself." He pushed himself to run farther and raced in his first Ironman competition in 2008. "It's different when you use drugs, you temporarily feel good and afterwards, you feel like doing more drugs," Freas said. "When you go for a long run and do physical fitness, you feel good doing it." Research in animals and humans show that exercise can be a mild antidepressant. "It isn't a huge surprise when you consider many positive effects exercise can have with regards to the brain chemistry: dopamine, serotonin, endorphin, epinephrine -- these are all associated with mood altering effects," said Dr. Cedric Bryant, the chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise. "If they're able to get this natural high, through a natural endeavor such as exercise, it allows them to replace the means to achieve that high with a more positive approach." One study showed that women trying to quit smoking were more successful when they exercised. And the National Institute on Drug Abuse held a conference last year to explore the possible role of physical activity in substance abuse prevention. "The thought centers around the release of mood-altering brain chemical, mainly endorphins," Bryant said. "It gives you euphoria or what you call 'runner's high.' " Crandell said some people who battle drug addiction "want something more than sitting in support groups filled with smoke,	[ "What does Freas compete in", "where does the man find solace", "What does the group advocate", "Who finds solace in exercise after spending youth on drugs?", "In what does the New Jersey man find solace" ]	[ [ "triathlons." ], [ "working out,\"" ], [ "\"stay clean and use other things -- fitness, instead of drugs.\"" ], [ "Eddie Freas" ], [ "triathlons." ] ]	New Jersey man finds solace in exercise after spending youth on drugs . Eddie Freas now member of group that advocates physical fitness in place of drugs . Freas competes in Ironman and also mentors a New Jersey teenager .
(CNN) -- When scores of disgruntled Tunisians took to the streets in January to demand the ouster of their country's president, actor Dhafer L'Abidine was watching from afar. Based in the UK, L'Abidine, who is one of Tunisia's most famous actors, went through a roller-coaster of emotions as he watched the unfolding of the uprising that subsequently spurred the Arab Spring. "I was trying to keep in touch all the time and see what happens and follow the news and understand what's happening," remembers L'Abidine. "You go through everything," he says. "Sadness, frustration and then happy moments at the end so it was a difficult time but I think it was an amazing time and I think what's happening now is quite amazing because you've got the first free elections coming in October -- it's a new page in the Tunisian history." The months of civil unrest culminated in the collapse of the regime of Tunisia's President Zine el Abidine who ruled the country for more than 20 years. Today, the north African country is still dealing with the aftermath of the revolution but people remain optimistic that the move to democracy can still be achieved. L'Abidine, who has set up a production company in Tunisia, believes the recent events will open up opportunities for artists in the country, giving them the freedom to express themselves without any restrictions. "Before, if you write something that doesn't suit the ideas of the dictatorship or the government then there's no way you're going to make it," says L'Abidine, a former football player and model. "Now, at least we've got the freedom to write stories that we want to tell -- the censorship is not there. I think this is a great opportunity for artists, whether singers or writers or filmmakers, just to go for it and use the opportunity into progressing the movie industry back home." The talented actor is perhaps best-known for his part in big-budget romantic comedy "Sex and the City 2," in which he played the role of a charming host whose job was to look after the film's four main characters on a trip to Abu Dhabi. "It was great fun," says L'Abidine about his part in the Hollywood movie. "I had some filming to do in New York and then in Morocco and it was a great experience -- just to be involved in such an iconic TV program and then a film, so I'm very happy about having been part of that." While L'Abidine has been carving a successful path as an actor in the international stage -- his work also includes roles in "Centurion" and "The Stone Merchant" -- he's maintained links with the region he's from, getting the best of the two worlds. The much-traveled actor has appeared in several TV series across the Middle East and North Africa and also presented one of the biggest talent shows in the region -- "Prince of Poets" -- with an audience of about 20 million viewers per show. "I'm lucky in a way that actually I can go back to Tunisia or in the Middle East and do different roles in Arabic or sometimes in French or in English," says L'Abidine who is fluent in four languages. "Playing different parts and also being in England there's a great opportunity to do different roles." But long before wowing moviegoers, L'Abidine pursued his teenage passion for football in Tunisia, going to school during the day and training in the evening. After spending three years in France, where he studied computer science and played football, L'Abidine returned to Tunisia before relocating to the United Kingdom to follow his dream of acting. But settling in his new environment wasn't without challenges -- L'Abidine, who at the time didn't speak the language, had to divide his time between studying hard and working part-time in restaurants and bars in London to support himself. "There were hard times but now when you look back they were very useful and actually you can learn from them and they make you	[ "What show is he know for appearing in?", "What is the name of the actor?", "Is he a famous person in tunisia?", "What role is he best known for?", "which role is he best known for?", "What country is the actor from?", "when was the uprising in Tunisia?" ]	[ [ "\"Prince of Poets\"" ], [ "Dhafer L'Abidine" ], [ "Dhafer L'Abidine" ], [ "of a charming host whose job was to look after the film's four main characters on a trip to Abu Dhabi." ], [ "\"Sex and the City 2,\"" ], [ "Tunisia's" ], [ "in January" ] ]	Dhafer L'Abidine is one of Tunisia's most famous actors . He says there's no more censorship in the country after January's uprising . The actor is best-known to Western audiences for his role in 'Sex and the City 2'
(CNN) -- When she heard news of the Continental Airlines plane that plunged into a house in suburban Buffalo, New York, on Thursday night, killing 50 people, Jenny Gomez experienced a familiar feeling creep deep within her psyche. "It definitely sparked those old feelings of anxiety," she said. The risk of dying in a jet crash has been estimated to be one in 70 million, according to an MIT analysis. Gomez, 31 and a mother of two, was never afraid to fly during her childhood and early adolescence. "I had flown all my life since I was very small, getting on a plane to visit my grandparents at least a couple of times a year, and I was fine," she remembered. Then, in her late adolescence, the panicky feelings began, slowly at first, but then the anxiety and nervousness started to snowball. "Every bump, every shake of the plane would set me off." Finally, during a college psychology class, she realized she fit the classic criteria for someone with a fear of flying, also known as aviophobia or aviatophobia. For five years, Gomez avoided flying altogether. "I missed out on some really cool things in my life back then because I wouldn't get on an airplane," she said. An estimated 10 percent to 25 percent of the U.S. population experiences the phobia of flying, according to the American Psychological Association. View a timeline of recent notable crashes » In contrast, the risk of dying in a domestic jet crash has been estimated to be one in 70 million, according to MIT statistician Arnold Barnett, who has performed statistical analyses for the Federal Aviation Administration. Among the causes for aviatophobia is what many will experience as a result of seeing reports about the crash near Buffalo: vicarious trauma. This is trauma that one observes and subsequently develops within based on that observation. "They see it, and they imagine what would that be like if it happened to me," said anxiety disorder psychologist R. Reid Wilson. By focusing on the possibility instead of the actual probability of the plane crashing, someone who's vulnerable to such fears can grow even more anxious about flying, he said. The fear of flying constitutes one of the two most common fears humans grapple with (the other one being fear of public speaking), said Wilson, who served as lead psychologist for American Airlines' first national program for fear of flying. Gomez's development of the phobia later in life is not unusual either, Wilson said; the average age of onset is 27, which is relatively old compared with when most other phobias begin. Some people who are subject to vicarious trauma actually see the crash scene in the media and actively put themselves in the scenario. Wilson has seen patients who fixate on visualizing themselves in the plane and who go so far as to seek out information such as how long the plane fell through the sky so they can intensify the reality of the experience in their minds. "They get wrapped up in what is actually happening. Your body reacts to what you're seeing," he said. Another cause of the condition is the perception of a non-dangerous event -- such as turbulence or normal sounds that planes make -- as being an actual threat to one's safety. Many people afraid to fly actually have panic disorder, which is an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms. Having what Wilson refers to as a "constellation of other fears" could also contribute to the phobia of flying; claustrophobia, fear of death and being afraid of turning control over to the pilot could all contribute to the ultimate fear of the not-so-friendly skies. Visit CNNhealth.com, your connection for better living Overcoming the fear of flying begins with a solid trust in the aviation industry and the ability of the plane, the pilot and everyone involved in the safety of the flight to be competent. "If it's about someone else, then you have no control, but if you shift your	[ "What is average age of phobia onset", "What percentage of US population has flying phobia", "What is the average age of the onset of the phobia?", "What is the average age of onset of the phobias?", "10-25% of which country experiences a phobia of flying?" ]	[ [ "27," ], [ "10 percent to 25 percent" ], [ "27," ], [ "27," ], [ "U.S. population" ] ]	10 percent to 25 percent of the U.S. population experiences the phobia of flying . Fear can be exacerbated by watching reports of other crashes . Average age of onset of such phobias is 27 . Relaxation, meditation, breathing skills can improve the chances of beating fear .
(CNN) -- When she was about 8, Frida Sepulveda developed dark folds of skin around her neck. It's a well-known warning sign of type 2 diabetes. Blanca Sepulveda, right, was "devastated" when her daughter Frida began showing signs of type 2 diabetes. Frida's mother, Blanca Sepulveda, who has watched other family members struggle with diabetes and obesity, was "devastated" to see her daughter experience similar health problems. Now at age 11, Frida is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds, her mother said. Despite a high body weight for her age and height, Frida does not seem to have additional symptoms of diabetes -- or any other major health concerns -- but her parents are trying to reverse the weight problem Frida has had since infancy. The San Diego, California, family is among a disproportionately high number of Latino-American families with overweight and obese children. According to the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, 16.6 percent of Latino high school students were obese and 18.1 percent were overweight. The corresponding national averages for high school students were 13.3 percent obese and 15.8 percent overweight. It's an epidemic that shocked and saddened Lorena Garcia, a chef who appears on Univision and Telemundo. "I travel all over the country to the major Hispanic festivals and I realized that 90 to 95 percent of the kids that I saw at the festivals were overweight," said Garcia, who established the Big Chef Little Chef program to teach Latino youth healthy cooking and eating habits. Watch Garcia interact with her fans » The problem is caused by a wide range of cultural, social, economic, environmental and possibly genetic factors. Experts agree it is an uphill battle to solve. "You can't just try to change someone's behavior necessarily without trying to change their environment," said Dr. Michael Goran, director of the University of Southern California's Childhood Obesity Research Center. How can childhood obesity be reduced? Blanca Sepulveda, 38, believes her own upbringing in Mexico before coming to the United States in junior high school ultimately contributed to her daughter's weight problem. "The way I was raised ... you don't [leave] the dinner table until you're done with all your food. That's instilled in you," Sepulveda said. Back in Mexico, she said, the food was healthier and fresher, and she didn't drink soda. But she still applied that mentality to her own children, who were born and raised in the United States, where sugar-laden and fattening foods are widely available. The Sepulveda family's story is similar to that of other immigrants who are healthier than their American-born children: Those born outside the United States are less likely to be obese than native-born children, said Luisa Franzini, Ph.D., of the University of Texas School of Public Health. Despite the trends, more study is necessary to determine whether American acculturation is entirely to blame for poor diets among Latinos, an expert says. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, a nutrition and public health professor with the University of Connecticut, wrote in the June 2009 issue of Journal of the American Diabetic Association that adaptation to U.S. society may explain, to some degree, "deterioration of dietary quality" and the risks of diabetes and other chronic diseases. However, he wrote, it's still not completely clear. Healthy food harder to come by Economic factors play a major role for many Latinos in their weight struggles. Angelica Delgado is trying to overcome the obstacle with the Healthy Latino Families initiative, a culturally tailored nutrition and exercise program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As the Community Research Supervisor for the United Community Center, Delgado is trying to get healthy school lunches in the Bruce-Guadalupe Community School, with which she's working on Healthy Latino Families. About 80 percent of Bruce Guadalupe's student body, which is 97 percent Latino, come from low-income households and therefore are eligible for reduced-price or free lunch. Without money coming in to support the lunch program, it	[ "What are the factors?", "What is a latino-american family problem?", "What plays a major role in the problem?", "What are Latino-American families struggling with?", "What was the result of the program?" ]	[ [ "Economic" ], [ "families with overweight and obese children." ], [ "weight" ], [ "overweight and obese children." ], [ "teach Latino youth healthy cooking and eating habits." ] ]	A disproportionately high number of Latino-American families struggle with obesity . Programs designed specifically for Latino children have had mixed results . Economic factors play a major role for many Latinos in their weight struggles . Exercise, and whether or not children feel safe to play, is another factor .
(CNN) -- When tens of thousands hit the streets to decry an authoritarian regime -- calling for its overthrow, trying to overrun police, setting fires -- one might expect the arrival of army tanks would be met with fear, consternation and violence. But not in Egypt. The warm embrace that demonstrators gave troops this week illustrated the military's respected and central role in Egyptian society. This fact makes the armed forces potentially a kingmaker in the current crisis, while also showcasing its challenge to somehow re-establish security without undermining its popularity. "How they behave on the streets is going to matter a whole lot," said Shibley Telhami, a Middle East expert and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank. "That's going to be the dilemma: Can they maintain the order without antagonizing the public that they need?" The ascendance began in 1952, when the military helped overthrow Egypt's ruling monarch. Its support for a constitutional democracy and its performance in various wars and battles earned it the admiration of many Egyptians. "There's a good reason that the Egyptian military is held in pretty high esteem," said Peter Bergen, a CNN national security analyst, author and fellow at New York University's Center on Law and Security. "The army has done relatively well." All males between ages 18 and 30 must serve one to three years, as the CIA World Factbook notes, meaning almost every family in Egypt has some personal connection to the military. Still, one of the military's biggest assets in the eyes of everyday Egyptians may be that it is not the widely reviled security force. The U.S. State Department has frequently blasted Egyptian police for torture and otherwise depriving citizens of their civil rights, including in its most recent 2009 Human Rights Report. "They're held in great disdain by their own population, for very good reason," Bergen said. "They know that security forces have tortured literally thousands of people ... for almost any reason." This animosity boiled over this week, when angry demonstrators burned and ransacked police stations. On Friday, there were reports of casualties after police fought back citizens' attempts to take the Interior Ministry in Cairo, the security forces' headquarters. Just blocks away, in Tahrir Square, it was a very different and far more festive scene: Joyous demonstrators gathered near troops and embraced them, sometimes literally. This showering of love on the military, which were deployed Friday to patrol the streets for the first time since the mid-1980s was repeated many times over throughout Egypt. Video footage from Cairo showed some protesters celebrating by scaling tanks, with no repercussions. Many of them smiled and shook hands with troops on patrol, with one soldier even cradling a baby and posing for a picture. In Alexandria, where at least 2,000 gathered in Raml Square on Saturday, protesters chanted, "The military and the people together will change the regime." That said, these same demonstrators were demanding the overthrow of President Mubarak -- a former hero in the Air Force and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He has largely surrounded himself politically with other veterans, including Saturday's appointment of Omar Suleiman (a former lieutenant general in the army) as vice president, the first time Mubarak has tapped someone for that role in his 30 years in power. Experts aren't surprised Mubarak has moved to align himself with the military even more so, recognizing the armed forces' place in Egypt. Still, by doing so, he also created a quandary for the military: Do they back Mubarak, whom they report to? Or do they support the people, having largely been among them not long ago and wanting to preserve their reputation? Andrew Pierre, a senior fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace, said he expects top military officials to remain loyal to the president. But the rank and file are a different story, especially if they are called on to beat back civilians. "They're military people for two years or so, and I don't know that they will be willing to shoot	[ "The military must decide how to keep order without antagonizing who?", "Who have embraced Egyptian troops?", "Who embraced the Egyptian troops?", "What did an expert say about the military?", "What have protesters embraced?", "Where is the military now well represented?", "Who is well represented in Mubarak's government?" ]	[ [ "the public" ], [ "demonstrators" ], [ "demonstrators" ], [ "\"How they behave on the streets is going to matter a whole lot,\"" ], [ "troops" ], [ "in Egypt." ], [ "the military's" ] ]	Protesters have embraced Egyptian troops since they were deployed on the streets . This is in sharp contrast toward how they've approached the much reviled national police . The military is well represented in Mubarak's government . An expert says the military must decide how to keep order without antagonizing the public .
(CNN) -- When the 13th cannon raised from Blackbeard's flagship, Queen Anne's Revenge, came to the surface this morning, researchers at the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources had one question: Was it loaded? The 8-foot cannon is one of 25 found since the vessel's discovery in 1997, a treasure trove of 280,000 artifacts pulled to surface over 14 years. Shackles, ship riggings, crystal wine glasses' remains, and cannon shot are among the booty. Four cannons have so far been found "with cannon shot and wads in place ready to be fired," said Sarah Watkins-Kenney, Queen Ann's Revenge chief conservator. Christened "Baby Ruth," the newest cannon can only reveal its secrets after researchers painstakingly remove the "concretion" from the 1-ton weapon. Concretion is a cement-like shell of sand, salt and sea life that can take archaeologists up to five years to remove. The Queen Anne's Revenge's remains are scuttled two miles off the North Carolina coast near Atlantic Beach in 25 feet of water, where the pirate Blackbeard left the vessel in June 1718. Historians believe Blackbeard and his fleet of 300 to 400 pirates wanted to rid themselves of the vessel. "It's believed he ran this aground intentionally as a part of corporate downsizing," said Fay Mitchell with North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. Researchers continue to work the site. "Our goal is to have research on the site completed by 2013, assuming the funding holds out," Mitchell said.	[ "How long can it take concretion if shell of sand, salt and sea life to remove?", "What must researchers now remove from the 1-ton weapon?", "what does concretion consist of?", "How many years does it take to remove concreation?", "How many 8-foot cannons have been found since the vessel's discovery in 1997?", "The 8-foot cannon is one of 25 that have been discovered since what year?", "what was the length of the cannon?", "when was the vessel discovered?", "How many tons is the weapons?" ]	[ [ "up to five years" ], [ "\"concretion\"" ], [ "cement-like shell of sand, salt and sea life" ], [ "five" ], [ "25" ], [ "1997," ], [ "8-foot" ], [ "1997," ], [ "1-ton" ] ]	The 8-foot cannon is one of 25 found since the vessel's discovery in 1997 . Researchers must now remove the "concretion" from the 1-ton weapon . Concretion is shell of sand, salt and sea life; can take up to five years to remove .
(CNN) -- When the 2,455th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is laid on Monday for actor Steve Guttenberg, Ana Martinez will once again be working behind the scenes as curator-in-chief to the iconic attraction. The Walk of Fame is one of showbiz's most visible landmarks,and Martinez has been its inconspicuous producer for almost half the attraction's 51 years, making sure the constellation of stars is perfectly aligned on the Hollywood sidewalks. For 24 years, she has been the person deciding where celebrities will receive their coveted symbol of fame in the heart of Tinseltown. When a star is unveiled to the international press corps, Martinez is the field marshal orchestrating every detail of one of showbiz's alpha moments. "If there was one phrase to describe Ana, it would be mistress of ceremonies," said Sam Smith, the former chairman of the board for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. "She truly is a master of the ceremonies." Martinez has produced 586 star ceremonies. On Monday, Martinez will be at the ready with clipboard and iPhone in hand, negotiating over an obstacle course that typically numbers 22 film crews with 39 people, 22 still photographers, eight wire photographers, three newspaper reporters, two radio reporters, two photographers from the Chamber of Commerce and sometimes a celebrity's personal photographer. "She is a gatekeeper of the integrity of the Walk of Fame. At the same time she's responsible for promoting the Walk of Fame all around the world," said Smith. A star is awarded after a lengthy process in which hundreds of nomination applications are sent to the Hollywood chamber, and then its Walk of Fame committee selects the winners, with the approval of the chamber's board of directors. The names also are submitted to the city of Los Angeles' Board of Public Works Department. The chamber requires a $30,000 "sponsorship fee," often paid by a studio, recording label or even a group of fans, chamber officials said. Martinez also coordinates when her boss, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, and various political figures speak in honor of the star. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa recognizes the importance of the walk as a civic landmark. He said it is "a powerful magnet which brings people from around the world to Los Angeles." "Ana Martinez and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce have played a vital role cementing L.A.'s reputation as the creativity capital of the world," Villaraigosa said in a written statement to CNN. It's clear that Martinez loves what she does. Martinez, who is 5 feet 4 inches with shoulder-length brown hair, declined to give her age, but said she started her career at the chamber as a receptionist in her early 20s after a brief stint at CBS. She assisted the then-publicist in handling the Walk of Fame. The publicist left the chamber six months later and even though Martinez was the obvious person to fill the role, management initially hesitated. "The other staff and management said I was too nice, too shy," Martinez said. But Martinez eventually evolved in a way many stars do. "I had to create a different persona for the (star) ceremonies," she said. "I have to control everything." With her staple head-to-toe black regalia to her dark shades -- green or gray depending on how bright it is outside -- she definitely controls the event. When singer Shakira received her star in November, fans turned out in full force. The emotional followers swelled to nearly a thousand and nearly spilled over barricades when they saw their idol. Martinez said she welcomes fans because it also is a big day for them, but she keeps a close eye on security. When one enthusiastic Shakira fan jumped over a barrier to meet his idol, the no-nonsense show-runner sprang into action. "I grabbed his wrist, pushed him back and our security girl carried him out," Martinez said. Then of course, there is the celebrity. Martinez often already knows each family member and friend	[ "What is her title?", "How many ceremonies Martinez produced?", "Who is Ana Martinez?", "Who is unveiling the Steve Guttenberg's star?", "Whose star is she unveiling on Monday?", "What number of star ceremonies has she produced?", "How many ceremonies produced Martinez?" ]	[ [ "master of the ceremonies.\"" ], [ "586 star" ], [ "curator-in-chief" ], [ "Ana Martinez" ], [ "Steve Guttenberg," ], [ "586" ], [ "586" ] ]	Ana Martinez is the curator-in-chief for the Hollywood Walk of Fame . So far Martinez has produced 586 star ceremonies . On Monday she will be at the helm for the unveiling of Steve Guttenberg's star .
(CNN) -- When the Connecticut Huskies take to the field to play West Virginia on Saturday, their helmets will carry the initials of cornerback Jasper Howard, who was stabbed to death over the weekend. The incident happened at 12:33 a.m., shortly after a sponsored student dance on campus. "It'll be good to get on the practice field tomorrow," UConn head football coach Randy Edsall told reporters Monday. Asked whether the team considered postponing the game, he said, "I know Jasper wouldn't want us to do that. I just know that." Howard, a 20-year-old cornerback who started in every game for the team last season, was killed in a fight after a student dance on campus Saturday night, authorities said. Edsall said two other UConn players were with Howard at the time of the incident, but declined to identify them. On Monday, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Howard died of a stab wound to the abdomen. The death has been classified as a homicide, said Bill Farrell, an investigator in the medical examiner's office. During the dance at the university's student center, a fire alarm was pulled at 12:26 a.m., campus police Maj. Ron Blicher told reporters. More than 300 people who were attending the dance left the building and spilled out into the street. A fight broke out between two groups, and Howard and another person were stabbed, police said. Watch family, friends react to loss » The incident happened at 12:33 a.m. Howard and the other victim were taken to a local hospital. Howard was then airlifted by helicopter to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, where he later died, police said. The second victim, who was treated and released, was 19-year-old Brian Parker, a redshirt freshman on the UConn football squad, according to CNN affiliate WTNH. Johnny F. Hood, 21, was arrested in connection to the fight -- not for the stabbing -- and charged with interfering with an officer and breach of peace, according to a police report. He was released on $100,000 bond. Hood's attorney said his client was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, WTNH reported Monday. UConn police and the Connecticut State Police are investigating the incident. They don't have a suspect in the stabbing, but they "don't believe it was a random act," Blicher said. Both students and nonstudents were in the area at the time. Authorities are investigating whether alcohol was involved and what the altercation was about, he said. Anyone with information is asked to contact UConn police. Howard, a father-to-be, was a cornerback for the Huskies, who are 4-2 this season. The team's Web site says he started in every game last year and led the Big East conference in punt returns. On Saturday, the Huskies beat Louisville 38-25. Howard was awarded the game ball after the game, Edsall said. Howard's mother, Joangela, said her son called her after the game, which she watched from her Miami home. Just hours after that chat, she received another call from Edsall, who told her Howard had been stabbed. "He was a good child, a wonderful, sweet, loving child," Joangela Howard told CNN affiliate WSVN. "I just hope whoever did it turns himself in. [Jasper] didn't deserve this." Edsall said Howard's family would be arriving in Connecticut Monday afternoon. CNN's Gabriel Falcon contributed to this report.	[ "What happened to Jasper Howard?", "What does his mother say about him?", "Who was killed after the student dance?", "What was his death classified as?", "What was Howard's death classified as?", "Who was killed?", "When was he killed?", "What are police saying about the crime?" ]	[ [ "died of a stab wound" ], [ "\"He was a good child, a wonderful, sweet, loving child,\"" ], [ "Jasper Howard," ], [ "homicide," ], [ "homicide," ], [ "Jasper Howard," ], [ "Saturday night," ], [ "\"don't believe it was a random act,\"" ] ]	Jasper Howard, 20, killed after a sponsored student dance on campus . Howard's death has been classified as a homicide . No suspects, but police "don't believe it was a random act" Slain football player a "wonderful, sweet, loving child," his mother says .
(CNN) -- When the January 12 earthquake hit Haiti, I watched hour upon hour of coverage on CNN. Like everyone else in the world, I saw images that were among the most horrifying caused by a natural disaster in our time. I had never been to Haiti at the time. Like many, I have friends and even family members of Haitian descent. But what occurred to me and most others were the questions: "How could this happen and be so destructive?" "Why the lack of infrastructure?" "Why the lack of preparation for disaster?" No country could be totally prepared for that kind of disaster, but Haiti and its people seemed to be particularly disadvantaged against Mother Nature's might. Click to find out more about CNN documentary "Rescued" I immediately got on my computer and began doing research, reading about Haiti's history. Admittedly, my American history dates were a bit foggy, so I tried to give myself a brief refresher. In school, we learned very early on about the abolition of slavery and Abraham Lincoln. But I was never taught that there was a small black nation in the Caribbean that had defeated Napoleon's army in 1803. That was the same year the French decided to sell their only other colony in the Western Hemisphere: Louisiana. Had the slaves, led by Toussaint L'Ouverture, not overthrown the French Army in Haiti, would the French have sold Louisiana to the United States? The Louisiana Purchase instantly doubled our country's size. Now, I have spent my time in Louisiana. I graduated from Louisiana State University. But I never linked these two events. I am sure historians do, but does the average American know that the Haitian revolution possibly played a large role in the history of the United States of America? So, I ask myself, had Toussaint L'Ouverture not lived, would America be the America it is today? If his army and the slaves had not defeated the French, would the French have wanted to sell their only other colony, so close to Haiti? So, the earthquake made me begin to read about history and look at events a little more closely. I do not understand why a country so close to some of the richest economies in the world could be in this position. I am not a political person by nature. But it does make you wonder how politically and historically, Haiti's own government and those of nearby countries have shown no accountability. That same day, I began to get calls from many organizations, people I do business with, friends asking for financial assistance and donations. I kept responding: "Get back to me on what to do for the children." "Call me on what we can do with the schools." "Can someone find me someone dealing with the orphan situation?" "Are these kids going to be out on the streets being sold into God knows what?" I continued to be overwhelmed with requests, and to be honest, was very concerned about people taking advantage, or looking for their "moment in the spotlight to look like a savior," or that conversations seemed premature or were losing focus on the big picture. You could not be human and look at the images and hear the stories and not feel helpless and complete empathy for those who were suffering. Amid the chaos of what was unfolding on television, I tried my best to put myself in the place of the people and children who were living this reality. What does it feel like to lose a family member, or many family members and friends all at one time? Parents? Children? What does it feel like to be trapped inside a building that has fallen around you, in many cases for days, waiting for someone to find you and dig you out. What does it feel like to be hungry and without water for days at a time, not knowing if you will ever taste anything again? Now, months later: What does it feel like to be abandoned? What does it feel like to have a leg amputated, no parents,	[ "Which country experienced an earthquake?", "What is CNN's documentary called?" ]	[ [ "Haiti," ], [ "\"Rescued\"" ] ]	Shaquille O'Neal saw images from Haitian earthquake and asked "How could this happen?" O'Neal: He and others knew little about Haiti and its slave revolution's impact on U.S. It's essential for Haiti's future to remember its children, make sure they thrive, O'Neal writes . Learn about Haiti's orphans on CNN's documentary "Rescued," Saturday at 8 p.m. ET .
(CNN) -- When the highly anticipated movie "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" opened Friday in theaters, many fans had already seen it. The pirating and distribution of "Wolverine," starring Hugh Jackman, is being investigated by the FBI. The online leak of a pirated, unfinished version of the 20th Century Fox film a month ago sent federal authorities springing into action and stoked a heated conversation within the entertainment industry about digital piracy. Piracy of upcoming films is not new, but the theft of "Wolverine" is especially troubling for an industry concerned with a stalled economy and the financial bottom line. It's rare for high-quality copies of a big-budget blockbuster to appear on the Internet more than a month before the film's release, experts say. Within a week of "Wolverine's" March 31 leak, more than a million people had downloaded the movie, according to TorrentFreak, a blog devoted to the BitTorrent file-sharing protocol. Watch intrepid reporter look for answers » "Unfortunately, the recent leak of the Fox film 'Wolverine' provided a stark backdrop to the impact that digital piracy has on the large investments that producers make in creating state-of-the-art films," said Rep. Howard Berman, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, who oversaw a congressional hearing on piracy after the leak. "During our hearing in Los Angeles, director Steven Soderbergh said that in 2007, the entertainment industry generated a trade surplus of $13.6 billion," Berman added. "Imagine what those numbers would be if we could rein in piracy." Bootleg, or illegally copied, movies have long been a thorn to the film industry. In 2003, a version of Universal's "The Hulk" appeared on the Internet two weeks before the film opened. A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to the theft. And in 2005, a pirated print of "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" was uploaded to the Web within hours of the movie's release. But where Hollywood's biggest headache used to be murky, muffled copies of films taken by someone who snuck a camcorder into a theater, today's pirates are getting more sophisticated and gaining access to better-quality goods. Greg Sandoval, who covers media and digital entertainment for CNET News, said that in the digital age, thieves can gain access to near-perfect advance copies of films on DVD that have greater potential to undermine a movie's box-office prospects. And even studios' attempts at safeguarding their products against piracy, such as by encoding DVDs with digital watermarks that allow authorities to trace individual copies, aren't enough, Sandoval said. He said tech-savvy thieves have figured out how to strip such watermarks from DVDs. "When you're talking about digital content ... it's impossible to lock it down completely" from theft, Sandoval said. "These hackers are very creative. Sometimes, they're one step ahead of the security experts." 20th Century Fox issued a statement vowing to prosecute the "Wolverine" thief "to the fullest extent of the law." The FBI is investigating, but as of Thursday, no arrests had been made. Darcy Antonellis, president of technical operations for Warner Bros. (which is owned by the parent company of CNN), said the growth of technology has aided the pirates. "Digital piracy has continued to increase with greater access to [files] and improved broadband services," said Antonellis, who helps oversee Warner Bros.' anti-piracy efforts. "As broadband services increase their capacity to support legitimate services, they also enable increased illegal file-sharing. Technologies have evolved to encumber such distribution but must compete with the strength of viral or super distribution of content." The bad guys aren't the only ones keeping up with the technology. Keith Bolcar, special agent in charge of the FBI's cyber division in Los Angeles, said agents and their partners as "doing everything we can to keep up with the learning curve of technology,	[ "Which movie had pirated versions distributed online?", "What is used by the industry to hinder thieves?", "who should consider the livelihood of those who make films?", "What movie was pirated before the debut?", "What happened weeks before the \"Wolverine\" movie premiere?", "What is a digital watermark?" ]	[ [ "\"Wolverine,\"" ], [ "digital watermarks" ], [ "tech-savvy thieves" ], [ "\"X-Men Origins: Wolverine\"" ], [ "The online leak of a pirated, unfinished version" ], [ "allow authorities to trace individual copies," ] ]	Pirated version of "Wolverine" distributed online weeks before movie's debut . Industry employs technology like digital watermarks to hinder thieves . Pending French legislation would shut down Internet accounts of downloaders . MPAA exec says fans should consider the livelihood of those who make films .
(CNN) -- When the series "ER" airs its finale on Thursday, the event will not only mark the completion of one of NBC's most successful shows, but it can also be viewed as the end of an era for the network. NBC's "ER," which ends on April 2, helped launch the careers of several actors, including George Clooney. "What's so symbolic about 'ER' leaving is that that 10 o'clock Thursday night slot started out what I always called the beginning of the second golden age of television with 'Hill Street Blues'," said Robert Thompson, a professor and founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University. "In almost a quarter of a century it went from 'Hill Street Blues' Thursday at 10 to 'L.A. Law' Thursday at 10 to 'ER' Thursday at 10. 'ER' is kind of occupying sacred space." Beginning this fall, such prime time real estate, which also previously housed another acclaimed hospital drama, "St. Elsewhere." will be occupied by a new talk show helmed by "The Tonight Show" host Jay Leno. It's a significant move for NBC in an age where sitcoms and dramas have increasingly given way to the less-expensive-to-produce reality TV shows. "ER," which at one point was paying millions of dollars per episode just in actor salaries, definitely fit into the realm of costly productions. Despite the price tag, the show ran for 15 seasons and is the most Emmy-nominated series in television history with 122 nominations, 22 of which resulted in wins. Check out a timeline of the show's actors » It almost never made it out of a pile of scripts. Created by the late author Michael Crichton and steered by the creative team at Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, the concept didn't immediately tickle the fancy of television honchos. "Every network had passed on it, twice," the show's longtime executive producer, John Wells, told The New York Times. "It had all these characters and medical dialogue, and they found it utterly impossible to follow." Once it did get the green light, it caught on like a house afire. "ER" quickly attracted legions of fans and catapulted many members of the ever-changing ensemble cast to superstar status -- most notably George Clooney, who played hunky Dr. Doug Ross. Baltimore Sun television critic David Zurawik, who writes about the industry in the paper's "Z on TV" blog, said there may never be another collection of such talent in an ensemble drama on network television. "There's just no way in the business model of network television for a producer out in Hollywood to say 'Here's the concept, and I've got this star, this star and this star,' " Zurawik said. "By the time they got two sentences out, the production studio head they are pitching would say 'Who's going to be paying for that.' The economics for that are just not there, and neither is the audience." Zurawik noted that audiences and actors alike now have gravitated to cable television, where dramatic hits such as "Mad Men" and "Rescue Me" are being produced by the likes of AMC and FX. "Cable is growing whereas network TV isn't," Zurawik said. "The better actors, the ones who work in film and theater, really like doing cable because cable has been flexible. It's not, if you sign on to this series you are going to do 22 episodes a year and you have to sign away five or six years of your life. Nobody wants to do that anymore." Former Dallas Morning News TV critic Ed Bark, who now runs the site Uncle Barky's Bytes, said he believes in the coming years most of the Emmy-caliber shows will be on cable. Cable television benefits, he said, from the double revenue stream of both money from advertisers and subscribers, so	[ "\"ER\" ends its NBC run on what date?", "ER ran for how many seasons?", "er ends its NBC ON WHICH DATE?", "who is now drawing audiences for popular dramas?", "how long was it on air for" ]	[ [ "April 2," ], [ "15" ], [ "April 2," ], [ "AMC" ], [ "15 seasons" ] ]	"ER" ends its NBC run on Thursday, April 2, after 15 seasons . Drama to be replaced by new Jay Leno talk show . The popular show had continued long tradition of drama in 10 p.m. slot . Cable television now drawing audiences for popular dramas .
(CNN) -- When the stirring speeches, heavyweight debates and fevered campaigning of the U.S. elections are long forgotten, a handful of far less noble incidents are likely to be our enduring memories of the 2008 White House race. "Hey America, I'm Paris Hilton and I'm a celebrity too." While the candidates would like us to view their bids for the top job as an honorable battle of wits, policies, values and big issues, the sad truth is that it's more likely to boil down to a list of gaffes, embarrassments and sideshows. Both Democratic and Republican PR machines have been working hard to keep their campaigns on-script, but with a cast list of John McCain, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Sarah Palin and the Clintons, they had their work cut out. Alaskan "hockey mom" Palin's late arrival undoubtedly stirred things up, adding a dash of vigor as the race lumbered into its final straight, but even before she began stealing the show, there was no shortage of scrapbook moments. Sound off: Which do you think are the most memorable moments from the 2008 election? In no particular order, here is a selection of some of the best: 1. Crying game: Back in January's New Hampshire primaries, Hillary Clinton welled up with emotion, almost crying into her coffee cup during a chat with voters. This unexpected exposure of her human side was credited with winning back some women supporters. Read more 2. McCain bombs: John McCain displayed rather off-key singing and diplomacy skills when asked if there was a plan to attack Iran back in April 2007. Changing the words to the classic Beach Boys' song "Barbara Ann," the Arizona senator responded: "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." Read more 3. Pastor disaster: Proving once again that religion and politics don't mix, Barack Obama was forced to distance himself from his former pastor and mentor Jeremiah Wright, after a series of pulpit fulminations in which he made racially-charged criticisms of Hillary Clinton and said of the 9/11 terror attacks: "American's chickens are coming home to roost." Read more 4. Ramblin' man: Garrulous "gaffe machine" Joe Biden got the last word in a primary debate about his tendency to speak his mind and not shut up. Asked if he could hold his tongue enough to "reassure your voters in this country that you have the discipline you would need on the world stage," Biden replied succinctly: "Yes." Read more 5. The pig issue: Obama may have been hoping to generate oinks of outrage when he commented in September that McCain's policies were like "lipstick on a pig," after the Arizona senator named Sarah Palin as running mate. The Democratic candidate refused to apologize for what Republicans said was a misogynistic response to Palin's own claim to be a pitbull in lipstick. You couldn't make it up. Read more 6. Miss-firing: Hillary Clinton had her campaign guns blazing in March when she described the drama of a visit to Bosnia 12 years earlier. "I remember landing under sniper fire," she said. Clinton was later forced to admit "misspeaking" after video footage of the event showed her strolling leisurely from the aircraft. Read more 7. Ordinary Joe: First there was Joe Biden, then there was Palin's mythical beer swiller Joe Sixpack and finally there was Joe the Plumber -- just a regular guy worried about his business going down the drain. Despite not actually being a licensed plumber, and not even being called Joe, he has been seized on by McCain as an everyman hero. This endorsement sprung more leaks when Joe failed to appear on cue to a recent McCain event. Read more 8. Bad business: Neither presidential candidate makes claim to being psychic, but McCain might have done better consulting his tea leaves rather than the advisors who led him to say "the fundamentals of our economy are strong" on the eve of America's worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Read more 9.	[ "Which Clinton ran for president?", "What did McCain hit the headlines for?", "Who is Sarah Palin?", "What were the most memorable election moments?" ]	[ [ "Hillary" ], [ "displayed rather off-key singing and diplomacy skills when asked if there was a plan to attack Iran back in April 2007. Changing the words to the classic Beach Boys' song \"Barbara Ann,\" the Arizona senator responded: \"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.\"" ], [ "Alaskan \"hockey mom\"" ], [ "McCain bombs:" ] ]	Most memorable election moments likely to include gaffes and embarrassments . Biden, Obama, McCain and Clinton all hit headlines for wrong reasons . Palin generated many headlines for wrong reasons in last weeks of campaign .
(CNN) -- When the water of Lake Delton ripped through the highway and drained into the Wisconsin River this week, so did the lifeline for much of the surrounding community. Boats sit mired in mud Tuesday after Lake Delton drained into the Wisconsin River the day before. Lake Delton Village and Wisconsin Dells, the self-professed "waterpark capital of the world," are home to about 5,000 residents. But the area's motels, resorts and vacation homes can accommodate more than 10 times that, according to the visitors bureau. Innkeepers, restaurateurs and other business owners were getting ready for the typically bustling tourist season this week when torrential rains sent the 267-acre lake rushing through an embankment propping up Highway A. The manmade lake sucked a 200-foot swath of highway and a half-dozen homes into the Wisconsin with it. "I was on the water when I realized the plug had been pulled," said Steve Zowin, who was towing a capsized pontoon boat when he noticed the water level quickly diminishing. "It drained like a bathtub." Watch a report from the lake » Zowin and his wife, Kathy, have owned Lake Delton Watersports for almost three decades. In addition to running a marina, the couple offers parasail rides and rents boats. Personal watercraft and ski boats are their most popular wares, he said. "My gross income will be reduced by about 75 percent, and that's huge," he said Wednesday. "It's a big step backwards for someone who's been in business for 29 years." Zowin, 56, says that most of the tourists hail from metropolises like Chicago, Illinois; St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- all "within a gas tank of the Dells." They start trickling in on Father's Day, and tourism booms between Independence Day and mid-August, he said. Like many business owners around Lake Delton, Zowin is seeing canceled reservations from disenchanted visitors who will be spending their summers elsewhere. Asked whether visitors were canceling reservations at her lakeside resort, one owner who didn't want to give her name replied, "Every day, many." Thomas Brown, who owns Port Vista, a popular burger and steak joint on the lake, said that one of his resort-owner friends has refunded $10,000 in deposits for canceled reservations. The friend has closed his resort until at least July, Brown said. iReport.com: Are you near the floods? Send photos, video Brown, 49, who has owned the bar and restaurant for 15 years, said business hasn't been hit hard yet. "The first couple of days has been absolutely packed because of all the people coming by to look at the lake and stopping by for a burger or steak," he said, adding that he doesn't expect business to boom for long. "I think when people see what they have to see, it's going to be not so good." Some business owners who aren't on the lakefront are still trying to gauge what effect the drained lake will have on them. Watch the rushing lake carry a home away » Del-Bar is a popular seafood and steak restaurant near the lake on Wisconsin Dells Parkway. It's so popular, in fact, that actor Johnny Depp and director Michael Mann recently stopped in during filming of their upcoming movie "Public Enemies," owner Jeff Wimmer said. Wimmer said his restaurant, which he has owned for 30 years, may be more resilient than lakefront businesses because he relies more on Wisconsin Dells locals. The 66-year-old knows that the summer brings hungry tourists; it's just too early to tell how many of them have been deterred by the dry lake bed. "We're anticipating that it's going to affect us, but it's too early to tell right now," Wimmer said. How long the lake will remain dry is also a question. Business owners say, some skeptically, that there are efforts afoot to refill the lake by mid-July. Delton Oaks Resort	[ "What are many businesses already seeing?", "What happened to Lake Delton?", "When was Lake Delton drained?", "What is Lake Delton?", "When is tourist season?", "How much income will be lost by local businesses?" ]	[ [ "canceled reservations" ], [ "ripped through the highway and drained into the Wisconsin River" ], [ "the day before." ], [ "\"waterpark capital of the world,\"" ], [ "between Independence Day and mid-August," ], [ "75 percent," ] ]	Lake Delton went away as businesses were getting ready for busy tourist season . "My gross income will be reduced by about 75 percent," one business owner says . Many businesses at the lake are already seeing canceled reservations . Some owners not on lakefront try to gauge how drained lake will affect them .
(CNN) -- When travel author Beth Whitman was in Vietnam, she witnessed a group of young American male travelers rough-housing in the streets outside of the Rex Hotel. Americans traveling to sites around the world like the Blue Mosque in Istanbul should be respectful. In their youthful, loud exuberance, they ended up ripping each other's shirts as they horsed around. "I thought to myself that those shirts probably cost maybe 20, 30, 40 dollars apiece, and here you are in a culture where the people may not be even making that much on a monthly basis. "It's that sort of thing, just not being aware how off-putting that can be to the local culture." Such behavior, while seemingly harmless, can help to cement the moniker of "the ugly American," which came to refer to loud, rude and thoughtless behavior of U.S. citizens abroad. The term came about as a result of the book "The Ugly American," and more than 50 years after its publication, those from the United States continue to battle an image of arrogance and nationalism. Written by William J. Lederer and Eugene Burdick, the novel chronicled American foreign policy and diplomacy failures in a fictitious developing nation. In the book, the American ambassador to the country is portrayed as crude and inept. That enduring legacy has not been easy to shake, and even the U.S. president knows the score. During a recent trek to Turkey, President Obama said in his remarks at the Tophane Cultural Center in Istanbul that he knows the "stereotypes of the United States are out there." "Sometimes it suggests that America has become selfish and crass, or that we don't care about the world beyond us," he said. "And I'm here to tell you that that's not the country that I know and it's not the country that I love." Whitman, the author of the "Wanderlust and Lipstick" guides and publisher of "Traveling with Kids," often gives lectures and workshops -- many geared toward female travelers -- and speaks on the importance of Americans being stellar representatives of their homeland while abroad. "It's about being respectful of the country and the culture, treating the people respectfully and not flashing around your money and your material possessions," Whitman said. "It's up to every individual to be that ambassador and portray their country well." Author Ann Hulbert wrote a piece for The New York Times Magazine a few years ago about her desire not to be mistaken for an ugly American when her family traveled to Istanbul and the Turkish coast. Hulbert took the step of vetoing one of her teenage son's T-shirts, worried that the message on it, "The Fighting Quakers. Beat them 'til they reach consensus," might be misunderstood in the Muslim country. "I think that when you are a big and powerful country, it's easy for the rest of the world to feel that you don't deal with the kind of consideration and humility that other people do," said Hulbert, who researches the areas she visits prior to her trips. iReport.com: Ever been to the Netherlands? Share your travel pics Christopher P. Baker, who is a Cuba travel expert and award-winning author of the best-selling guidebook "Moon Cuba," said he has concerns about what will happen if and when travel restrictions are completely lifted from that country. He recalled two years ago when he was reviewing one of Havana's first five-star hotels that had just opened. Standing in the lobby with one of the hotel's executives, he witnessed a man, dripping wet from the pool and wrapped in a towel, emerge from the elevator. The man walked through the bar, down the stairs and into the marble lobby just as the staff tried to intercept him, Baker said. "I heard them say, 'We don't allow guests in the lobby dressed this way,' and the man said, 'Yeah, I know' in this deep American brogue,"	[ "What still persists?", "What are Americans perceived as?", "What are visitors urged to be?", "What are travel expert's recommendations?", "What did president Obama say about perceptions of Americans?" ]	[ [ "travelers rough-housing in the streets outside" ], [ "loud, rude and thoughtless" ], [ "respectful." ], [ "being respectful of the country and the culture, treating the people respectfully and not flashing around your money and your material possessions,\"" ], [ "he knows the \"stereotypes of the United States are out there.\"" ] ]	Decades after the publication of "The Ugly American," the perception persists . President Obama spoke of perception of Americans as "selfish and crass" Travel expert urges visitors to be "respectful of the country and the culture" Election of Obama may be helping change America's reputation abroad .
(CNN) -- When word came down Monday that an ownership lockout would cancel at least the first two weeks of this year's NBA season, players' association president and Los Angeles Lakers point guard Derek Fisher had a three-word response. "LET US PLAY." But they didn't come in a press release or a statement in front of a bank of news cameras. Instead, they were on Twitter, the social-media platform where the league's stars have millions of followers and where they hope their high profiles will win public sympathy during an increasingly bitter labor fight. It's not the first time pro athletes have used the site's micro-blasts of info to make their case in such disputes. In fact, "let us play" was a refrain used by the NFL players' association on Twitter during last summer's labor negotiations, which were settled without any regular-season play being missed. But it may be the first time it's been an integral part of a plan to sway public opinion. "This is an orchestrated effort by the players attempting to gather attention and support for their cause, much in the same way carrying a picket sign might have in another era," said Eric Rabe, senior adviser at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government, where he studies the use of social media. Fisher added the hashtag "#standunited" to his post, a tag other players have adopted, allowing Twitter users to follow all of their tweets in one place. In a letter to fellow players after it was clear that negotiations had broken down between players and owners, Fisher said he and New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul would be "utilizing our personal social networking channels to show the fans and you all that we are united and want to get back to work under a fair deal." "We invite you each to do the same," he wrote in the letter, which was obtained by Sports Illustrated. "To show our unity and to remind the fans that this is not our choice and we would like to go back to work and play the game they love to support." Some of the game's biggest stars took the cue. "I wanna sincerely say sorry to all the fans! It's a sad day for all of us, especially u guys!" Miami Heat superstar LeBron James wrote on his Twitter feed. "There's no US w/o You." And that, observers say, is where the players have the advantage. James has 2.5 million followers on Twitter. His teammate Dwyane Wade has 1.7 million. Almost all of the league's top players who are active on the site are followed by hundreds of thousands of fans. (Twitter, not Facebook, has been the go-to platform for NBA stars' messages about the labor dispute.) "It's logical for the players to take this approach," said Rabe, who as head of Verizon's corporate communications was responsible for spearheading that company's social-media efforts, as well as representing it through several labor disputes. "They've got a resource there to exploit and an issue they want to get on the table in front of the fans. I'm sure they'll have some success with it." In most labor situations, management is less apt to appeal directly to the public for a variety of reasons, Rabe said. "I'm not sure that's necessarily wise, but that's a tendency that management has in these situations." That's certainly been the case in the NBA talks, during which owners have remained much lower profile.. Dallas Mavericks boss Mark Cuban is the league's most high-profile owner and one of its most active on Twitter, with more than 700,000 followers. But despite tweeting regularly, the often-outspoken Cuban does not appear to have mentioned the lockout in recent days. One of his other projects, cable channel HDNet, has gotten more mentions than the NBA of late. Other high-profile owners were equally mum about the lockout. Portland	[ "Can players use their personal popularity to spread opinions?" ]	[ [ "they hope" ] ]	As NBA lockout threatens season, players take to Twitter to make their case . Lakers guard Derek Fisher urges colleagues to use social media . Players can use their personal popularity to spread opinion in a way ownership can't . As players tweet, ownership has remained mostly quiet on social-media platforms .
(CNN) -- When you finish one video game in a series and begin the next, you're basically forced to start from scratch without carrying over any of your accomplishments from the previous game. But the popular "Mass Effect" sci-fi action trilogy aims to change that -- by allowing players to complete one game and transfer their character to the next one in the series. It is an ambitious project that involves nearly 35,000 lines of dialogue. "We wanted to create the biggest story we could tell," said Casey Hudson, BioWare's project director for "Mass Effect 2" and executive producer of the "Mass Effect" franchise. The just-released "Mass Effect 2" picks up the story as the lead character, named Shepard, has been brought back to life after a devastating attack by an invading race of machines bent on eliminating organic life. The action takes place shortly after the events of the first "Mass Effect," which was set in the year 2183 in the Milky Way galaxy. In a rare twist, players who played the first "Mass Effect" game are being given the opportunity to import their characters into the new game along with all their rewards, romances and consequences. Hudson said his team tried to create a fictional universe that players could explore over long periods of time to "have an epic experience." By carrying over the data from the original "Mass Effect," Hudson's team tried to show the consequences of characters' choices. But by accounting for so many variables in the first games, Bioware was faced with a daunting task going forward. "We used tech skills we developed going back to 'Baldur's Gate' [in 1998]," Hudson explained. "Writing for 'ME2' was the hardest thing we've ever done." "Mass Effect 2" has 15 to 20 percent more dialogue and 30 percent more key decisions -- choices that affect the game's outcome -- than the first game, said Hudson, who believes the voice acting in the new game is more movie-like than the first one. "It took several months of voice work, and often we would bring back an actor to get the right inflections for the character and the scene," he said. "There are hundreds of characters in the game that needed voices." Although "Mass Effect 2" is being billed as a dark second chapter in the trilogy, there are laugh-out-loud moments of dialogue. Playing the game reveals that even its tense moments are given a softer edge with unexpected comic exchanges between characters. For example, in one scene, Shepard tries to persuade a character not to follow orders that could lead to a "suicide mission." Without missing a beat, Shepard's squad mates look at each other as one says, "We can ignore suicidal orders? Why wasn't I told about that?" "Mass Effect 2" also offers players the opportunity to interrupt a conversation and create a whole new path. During a scene when another character is talking, icons will appear to let you change the conversation with a Paragon move (good) or Renegade move (bad). Side plots tie into the main story more than in the first game, so even these chat-interrupting choices could have an impact later on. "Things can happen in conversation," Hudson said when asked about the interrupt feature. "It makes the conversation feel alive." Work has already begun to complete the final chapter of the "Mass Effect" trilogy. And gamers shouldn't assume that Shepard makes it to the end of "Mass Effect 3." Hudson said Shepard can die a final death if the player makes wrong choices or inspires bad loyalty from his crew. "We made it so you'll still get a satisfying ending, but yes, Shepard can actually die," he said.	[ "How much more dialogue does \"Mass Effect 2\" have?", "What was the hardest thing they've done?", "What is the hardest thing project director did?", "What can players who played the first \"mass effect\" do?", "Are there more decision making options in Mass Effect 2?", "What was the hardest thing ever done", "Who has 30% more dialogue and more decision-making options" ]	[ [ "15 to 20 percent" ], [ "\"Writing for 'ME2'" ], [ "\"Writing for 'ME2'" ], [ "complete one game and transfer their character to the next one in the series." ], [ "30 percent" ], [ "\"Writing for 'ME2'" ], [ "\"Mass Effect 2\"" ] ]	Players who played the first "Mass Effect" game can import their data into the new game . "Writing for 'ME2' was the hardest thing we've ever done," project director says . "Mass Effect 2" has 15% to 20% more dialogue and 30% more decision-making options .
(CNN) -- Whether it's dining, shopping, culture, nightlife or people, everybody has a favorite city. Some cities are great places to live and raise a family. Others provide the backdrop for that once-in-a-lifetime vacation. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I-Reporters have been telling us about their favorite American cities. Here are some of the highlights. Jim Thompson sent the photo of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with this important information: "Be sure to mention that St. Francis Cathedral has been renamed to St. Francis Basilica. ... The request was made by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and was granted by the Vatican, so now St. Francis is the headquarters for the pope when he comes to Santa Fe." Diana Peters moved to New Orleans in 2003, and has experienced the city before and after Hurricane Katrina. Her feelings about recovery are complicated. "But don't turn your back on New Orleans, because she survives in all of us, especially those of use who still see her beauty in what remains." Josh Gorrell sent the photo of the "painted ladies" at Marina Del Rey in southern California. "My favorite part of living by the coast is the constantly fresh ocean breezes, the year-round sunshine and the wonderful seafood! Oh, and the surf!" Raymond Lopera's favorite city in the Los Angeles area is Santa Monica. He lived there briefly when he moved from New York a few years ago and says he goes back every chance he gets. He says Santa Monica is very pedestrian friendly and he enjoys taking long walks, stopping along the way at places like Barnes & Noble or Starbucks. Nikolai Ursin can't get enough of Minneapolis. "I'm 28 and able to live a fabulous life because the cost of living is so low, yet the wages are quite high. My friends in N.Y.C. are jealous. I travel a lot for work and there is nothing quite like landing in Minneapolis and knowing I'm home." I-Reporter Chris Fuhriman is a captain in the Army and completing a master's degree in geography at the University of Hawaii. Fuhriman moved to Honolulu from Utah three years ago with his wife and two children. "His favorite thing about Honolulu? "The international flavor of the city, and the diversity. It's really a city for everyone." Russell Clayton says there's "far too much to do" in Austin, Texas. Then he went on to list a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, swimming, mountain biking, kayaking and canoeing. Clayton says the city's unofficial motto is "Keep Austin Weird." E-mail to a friend	[ "What did I-Reporters weigh in with?", "What will I-Reporters do?", "What did the reporters weigh in with?" ]	[ [ "their favorite American cities." ], [ "telling us about their favorite American cities." ], [ "their favorite American cities." ] ]	Rate your favorite U.S. city by taking the America's Favorite Cities survey . The survey ends on July 15; enter to win a trip to Australia . I-Reporters weigh in with photos and comments about their favorites .
(CNN) -- Whether they're raising their adopted baby girl, dodging homophobic quips from their fraternity brothers or teaching the "Single Ladies" dance to the football team after glee club, it seems gay characters are becoming a vital part of prime time TV. With characters like "Modern Family's" Mitchell and Cameron, Calvin from "Greek" and Kurt from "Glee," the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters on scripted programs has just about doubled since 2005, according to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation. And characters will continue to identify as LGBT as time goes on, such as "Ugly Betty's" Justin, who recently had his first same-sex kiss. But Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD said, "We still have a long way to go before we're fully represented [on] TV." In addition to the increasing number LGBT characters on scripted shows, which currently represents a little more than 3 percent of all leading and supporting characters on broadcast networks, there are also more openly gay actors and producers working in Hollywood, says Barrios. Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson plays the character Mitchell on the ABC prime time show "Modern Family." Like his on-screen role, Ferguson himself is openly gay. "The opportunity to play not only a well developed gay character, but a dad, a son and brother was really appealing to me. ... I chose to play him very close to myself and I think that truthfulness was appealing to the creators," Ferguson told CNN. However, Ferguson says his sexual orientation does not make him any more qualified to tackle a gay role than Eric Stonestreet, his straight co-star who plays Mitchell's partner Cameron. "As a gay man and as someone who is an advocate for equality, truthfulness and fairness, I want to see more gay roles go to gay actors," Ferguson said in an e-mail. "But then on the flip side, as an actor, I want to still be given the opportunity to play roles that are straight." In a recent interview on The Joy Behar Show , Stonestreet said he's excited he has been given the opportunity to portray one half of a committed gay couple raising a child -- a first, he said, for broadcast TV. "Our goal is to make people laugh, but while we're making people laugh, if we can open a couple minds here and there, that's also an added benefit," he said. And while shows like "Modern Family" are working to open peoples' minds about same-sex parents, the "L" and the "T," of LGBT, are still waiting for their TV time, said Hollywood casting director Tammara Billik. It's very common for female characters to be portrayed as bisexuals instead of lesbians, she said. "I wouldn't say it's because of a discomfort with lesbianism, it's just an interest in bisexuality," Billik said. "[People] think it's hot, and it gives characters a wide variety of storylines." And as far as the "T," she said, "transgender people are not represented in our daily lives with the same frequency that gay and lesbian people are. It's harder to find an audience that will embrace a transgender character." Sean Smith, the executive producer of ABC Family's "Greek," said he has loaned some of his own experiences as an openly gay man to the show. And when casting, an actor's sexual orientation does not come into play. "When you're in casting, it's not appropriate or legal to say, 'Hey, are you gay?' Whether they're gay, straight, from the South, British or from Mars, it doesn't matter. The best person who captures that character gets the job." And for Smith, straight actor Paul James was the best person for the role of Calvin Owens, a gay member of Omega Chi, a fictional fraternity on "	[ "when has it doubled from", "What has doubled since 2005?", "What did GLAAD's Jarrett Barrios say?", "LGBT characters represent what percent of characters on broadcast networks?" ]	[ [ "2005," ], [ "the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters on scripted programs" ], [ "\"We still have a long way to go before we're fully represented [on] TV.\"" ], [ "3" ] ]	The number of LGBT characters on scripted programs has doubled since 2005 . LGBT characters represent more than 3 percent of characters on broadcast networks . It doesn't matter if an LGBT actor plays an LGBT role, said GLAAD's Jarrett Barrios .
(CNN) -- Whether you're into baseball or backgammon, Harry Potter or heavy metal, Ning has an online network for you. Gina Bianchini, CEO of Ning, says her site brings together people with common interest and passions. A fast-growing, free Web site launched two years ago, Ning lets members custom build their own social-networking platforms based around their passions and pastimes. As Facebook and MySpace connect people to friends and family, Ning gathers users around common interests. The site hosts networks for hip-hop music lovers, video gaming moms and teens obsessed with the Twilight book and movie franchise. Other popular Ning networks bring people together online for political and social causes such as "Pickens' Plan," which advocates wind energy. Ning had 4.7 million unique visitors as of January and surpassed 1 million social networks -- about one-fifth of them considered active -- last month. Ning also enhanced its site in March with new features such as a real-time activity feed so users can get up-to-the-minute reports -- not unlike Twitter's tweets -- about what others are doing. CNN spoke recently to Ning CEO Gina Bianchini, a Silicon Valley native and former Goldman Sachs analyst, about the company and the future of social networking. Watch Bianchini chat about Ning » CNN: Where did this idea for Ning come from? Bianchini: We really started with a very simple premise. What if you gave people the opportunity to create their own social experiences for their own unique passions/topics/interest? We started on the ground floor to build it in such a way that it can be customized and programmed and made truly unique for each individual. I believe the most powerful ideas are the most simple. CNN: What is the mission of Ning? Bianchini: It's a way to get people to organize and get people to meet around their passions. CNN: Did any specific Web sites or companies inspire you to create Ning? Bianchini: We were really inspired by the first wave of Internet companies truly native to the Web like Craigslist and eBay. They were really around people connecting to other people. They were really about the Internet connecting people to each other. It's completely unique to the Internet -- you can't do it via television or newspapers. CNN: Did you expect the idea of connecting people though common interests to be so successful? Bianchini: Social behavior is really what people want to do online. It was clear for the rapid adoption of social networking in general that it is very much the case. CNN: What are some of the interesting social networks on Ning? Bianchini: There are 200,000 social networks are active right now, and they are across tens of thousands of unique passions. There is a network called 'This is 50.' It's like a hip hop TMZ. Another is the 'Pickens' Plan.' It's a way they are organizing more than 200,000 people around wind-energy policy. There is another one for cricket, specifically Indian cricket, which has added half a million people in the last two and a half weeks. There is another about the Twilight saga for teens. So it ranges from 50 Cent to teens talking about Twilight to serious adults looking at how to make changes in government policy. That's the power of the Internet and the power of connecting people. CNN: What do you attribute to the growth of Ning? Bianchini: What's fundamental in the adoption of Ning is that people are unique. They have unique interest and passion and they like having a contact for that experience and for their identity. CNN: What makes Ning different from other social-networking sites? Bianchini: It's focused on providing the [means for] people to create new social networks around their interests and passions and connect new people around those passions. We think that's a very critical element of organization. The Facebook phenomenon connects you to people you already know and Twitter is amazing for news and real-time events. What we see with people	[ "What does Ning let people do?", "Who is the CEO of Ning?", "How many active social networks are on the site?", "What is the CEO leader of?", "The site boasts how many networks?", "Whst amount of social networks does the supite boast?", "CNN spoke to which CEO?", "What month did they add real-time activity?", "What is the name of the website Gina Bianchini is CEO of?" ]	[ [ "with common interest and passions." ], [ "Gina Bianchini," ], [ "200,000" ], [ "Ning" ], [ "1 million social" ], [ "1 million" ], [ "Gina Bianchini," ], [ "in March" ], [ "Ning," ] ]	CNN talks to Gina Bianchini, CEO of Ning, a fast-growing Web site . Ning lets people with common interests gather around niche social networks . The site boasts more than 1 million social networks -- some 200,000 of them active . In March, the site added a real-time activity feed to help users stay updated .
(CNN) -- Whether you're looking for a laid-back evening or want to party the night away, there are plenty of bars and clubs in Malmo to keep you entertained. Slagthuset is Scandinavia's biggest nightclub. Many nights start out in Lilla Torg, which boasts a wide array of restaurants and lounges. Sip cocktails at Victors -- if the weather's good, grab your drinks and head to the outdoor terrace. An equally popular hangout is nearby Moosehead, which has a more casual-woodsy vibe. Be sure to order the moose meat burger. A vibrant club scene exists in Malmo, which is home to Slagthuset (Jorgen Kocksgatan 7A) -- the largest nightclub in Scandinavia. Young dancers spread out over three dance floors at the club located behind Central Station. As its name suggests, Club Prive (Malmborgsgatan 7) draws an exclusive crowd. To chill in style, head to Torso Twisted (Vastra Varvsgatan 44) in the hip Western Harbor district. The restaurant serves gastronomic delights, and at night the lounge is decidedly cool. Indulge in one of the lavish cocktails or sample from the impressive wine list. You can also find the trendy set partying the evening away at Hipp (Kalendegatan 12). You can hang out in the restaurant or two bars or head straight to the pulsating nightclub. Satisfy your thirst for beer at Tva Krogare (Storgatan 35). The pub dishes up traditional Swedish fare and you'll likely find locals playing a game of darts. For a taste of British in Malmo, try The Bishop's Arms (Norra Vallgatan 62). Located inside the Hotel Savoy, it serves staples like fish and chips and has a wide assortment of beers available. If parties begin in Lilla Torg, they tend to end in Mollevangen. The bohemian neighborhood is dotted with bars that stay open well into the night. Prices in this area aren't as cheap as they once were but are still lower than compared to what you'll find in the city center. Local musicians hang out at hip Tempo Bar and Kok (Sodra Skolgatan 30). For something a little different, try Chokladfabriken (Bergsgatan 33), a club housed in an old chocolate factory that plays mostly hip hop, funk and soul. Malmo's passion for music makes it a great place to take in live performances. Kulturbolaget (Bergsgatan 18), one of the best venues for live acts, is a veritable Swedish institution. The club puts on about 220 rock concerts annually. Inkonst (Bergsgatan 29), a so-called culture house, puts on shows and club evenings. Jazz enthusiasts get into their groove at Jeriko (Spangatan 38), named such because it's housed in a former church. .................... Malmo City Guide: Where to stay \| What to see \| Where to be seen \| Where to eat \| Where to shop Do you agree with our Malmo picks? Share your comments and suggestions in the SoundOff box below.	[ "Where are the bars and restaurants a great place to start the night?", "Type of music played at the venues?", "Where is Malmo?", "What types of musical venues are there?", "What kind of music venues are there?", "Which place is a clubber's paradise?", "Where is a great place to start?", "Place where the bars and restaurants are?", "Name of the city that is a clubber's paradise?" ]	[ [ "Malmo" ], [ "Jazz" ], [ "Scandinavia." ], [ "Kulturbolaget (Bergsgatan 18)," ], [ "live acts," ], [ "Malmo," ], [ "Lilla Torg," ], [ "Malmo" ], [ "Malmo," ] ]	The bars and restaurants around Lilla Torg are a great place to start the night . From rock to jazz, there are plenty of venues to take in live music . Malmo is a clubber's paradise, with several pulsating nightclubs .
(CNN) -- While China is seriously cracking down on the exchange of virtual currencies for real cash, virtual economies backed by newfound legitimacy elsewhere are quickly gaining ground in the real world. There's gold in them there screens: Real-money transactions in virtual worlds are finding new legitimacy. On June 24, 2009, the role-playing game 140 Mafia launched on Twitter, following in the footsteps of highly lucrative games Mob Wars and Mafia Wars on Facebook (and now iPhone) to link virtual-currency exchanges to real-money transactions. In March 2009, MindArk -- creator of the MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) Entropia, where one player famously bought an island for US$26,500 in 2004 -- saw its wholly owned subsidiary Mind Bank granted a banking license from the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority. The new license allows Mind Bank to be the first bank to directly incorporate real-money transactions with virtual-world activities. Selling virtual assets directly between players for real-world cash has been strictly prohibited by most game publishers, which find themselves looped out of the profits. What has been profitable in the meantime to some hardcore players of World of Warcraft and EverQuest (and other games) is "gold farming" -- accumulation of "gold," weapons and other status symbols of a seasoned player -- followed by the online auction of such assets or user accounts. Since games publishers began policing eBay for this type of unauthorized activity, several Web sites such as PlayerAuctions have adopted a PayPal-like approach in order to broker the trading legally, acting as an open marketplace for player-to-player exchange of digital assets. Dual-currency economies However younger games (often aimed at younger audiences) are ditching the conventional subscription-based model of the above games to adopt the "freemium" model, which lets users play for free, but allows them to enhance their experience by purchasing accessories or other premiums through micropayments. Frenzoo, a "3D fashion game for girls", is one game that has adopted this model. CEO Simon Newstead explains: "The idea with dual currencies is that there is a paid currency [Gold Coins], which is paid for using real money and exchanged between sellers and buyers. In addition, there is a second currency -- a free or so-called 'earned' currency [Silver Coins] -- which is gained through activity and progression in the world or game." "In this way," he continues, "the economy can recognize different forms of contribution, and in newer economies these can also be traded between each other. For example, people earning currency and selling it to people who have less time but have real money." Mirrored economies As one of the first successful virtual economies, Second Life's huge marketplace includes objects and services for sale, as well as a real estate market. In 2008, more than $100 million worth of the world's Linden dollars were bought and sold on Second Life's official LindeX exchange, according to its Web site. "In Linden Exchange, the U.S. dollar part of the transaction is via PayPal, a well-known entity, so there's a certain amount of trust that comes with it," says Darrly Chang, co-founder of D&D Dogs, a two-man freelance venture that sells virtual dog pets and avatars to Second Life residents. Recently, however, business has slumped along with the real-world recession. "We'll continue to see a proliferation of alternative currencies associated with specific platforms and communities, much as frequent-flier miles are associated with individual airlines or even networks of airlines," says Dan Jansen, CEO of Virtual Greats, which specializes in creating branded, copyrighted material for virtual worlds. "In the longer term we may see a global standard for virtual currencies, but it will take some time." Golden e-currency? James Turk, chairman of digital-gold company GoldMoney, agrees. "But," he adds, "inevitably digital gold currency will make significant inroads in	[ "What is dual-currency?", "What is a Mind Bank?", "What suffers from real world recession?", "What did mind bank get?", "What does dual-currency economy allow for?" ]	[ [ "\"The idea with dual currencies is that there is a paid currency [Gold Coins], which is paid for using real money and exchanged between sellers and buyers. In addition, there is a second currency -- a free or so-called 'earned' currency [Silver Coins] -- which is gained through activity and progression in the world or game.\"" ], [ "to directly incorporate real-money transactions with virtual-world activities." ], [ "business" ], [ "banking license from the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority." ], [ "directly incorporate real-money transactions with virtual-world activities." ] ]	Entropia Universe's Mind Bank has been granted a real-money banking license . Dual-currency economy allows for free trading between virtual and real money . Second Life can be profitable, but also suffers from real-world recession . Digital gold currency may be promising, but still lacks trust of people .
(CNN) -- While Sen. Barack Obama says he'll visit Iraq and Afghanistan before the election, he's staying consistent with his plans to start withdrawing U.S. troops almost immediately should he become president. Sen. Barack Obama says he'll go to Iraq and Afghanistan before November. Obama says the need to withdraw troops is twofold: "One is to spur more action out of the Iraqis. ... But the second reason for withdrawal is the fact that we're spending $10 [billion] to $12 billion a month in Iraq," Obama said Monday while on a two-day swing through Michigan. "The people here in Flint, Michigan, who I'm going to be talking to, would like to see some of that investment made here at home." Obama also expressed concern that the Bush administration would rush to make some sort of status of forces agreement that would be binding to the next administration. The war in Iraq is a key issue for voters in the United States, and Obama and Sen. John McCain offer vastly different solutions for how to handle it. Obama supports a phased withdrawal of troops. He says he'd remove all combat brigades from Iraq within 16 months of taking office if he becomes president. McCain does not think American troops should return to the United States until Iraqi forces are capable of maintaining a safe, democratic state. He has been a strong advocate of the "surge" -- the 2007 escalation of U.S. troops -- and says troops should stay in Iraq as long as needed. McCain says Obama is wrong for opposing the increased troop presence, and Obama says McCain's judgment is flawed. Obama spoke Monday with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and told him he looked forward to seeing him in Baghdad before November. He also said he planned to visit Afghanistan before the election. Watch Obama say he's going to Iraq » "I emphasized to him how encouraged I was by the reductions in violence in Iraq, but also insisted that it is important for us to begin the process of withdrawing U.S. troops, making clear that we have no interest in permanent bases in Iraq," Obama said. "I gave [Zebari] an assurance that should we be elected, an Obama administration will make sure that we continue with the progress that's been made in Iraq, that we won't act precipitously," he said. Obama said Zebari did not express concern about a withdrawal of American troops, saying, "He did emphasize his belief that we've made real progress and, I think, was eager to see political accommodations between the factions follow up in the wake of this progress." About the same time Obama was speaking to his traveling press corps, McCain told reporters at a press conference at his Arlington, Virginia, headquarters that Obama "is now is closing in on his 900th day since he visited Iraq." The Republican National Committee has a counter on its Web site that clocks the time since Obama's last visit to the country. "The whole debate in this campaign should be about whether we're going to allow that surge to continue to succeed or we're again going to do what Sen. Obama wanted to do, and that is to set a date for withdrawal long ago without giving the surge a chance to succeed," said McCain, again criticizing Obama for not meeting directly with Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq. "I don't know how you can draw conclusions such as Sen. Obama has without even sitting down and talking with our commander on the ground," he added. McCain sat down with the visiting foreign minister one day before Obama. Watch McCain talk with Zebari » The senator from Arizona said they had a "very good discussion about the challenges that have been overcome and the challenges that lay ahead," and he said there is "no doubt" that the surge has succeeded. There have been recent improvements in Iraq, where there are more than 150,000 U.S. troops. The number of deaths of U.S. troops there was at a five-year	[ "Who plans pre-election trips to Iraq and Afghanistan?", "Where do analysts see improvements?", "Where is Obama visiting?", "How different are McCain and Obama's strategies?", "Where did obama say he would visit?", "Where will Obama visit?", "Who has a counter?", "Obama's visit to what location is being clocked?", "What is the RNC website counting?", "What do the candidates' strategies differ vastly on?" ]	[ [ "Sen. Barack Obama" ], [ "in Iraq," ], [ "Iraq and Afghanistan" ], [ "vastly" ], [ "Iraq and Afghanistan" ], [ "Iraq and Afghanistan" ], [ "Republican National Committee" ], [ "Iraq and Afghanistan" ], [ "the time since Obama's last visit to the country." ], [ "The war in Iraq" ] ]	Obama says he'll visit Iraq, Afghanistan before election . RNC Web site has counter clocking days since Obama's last visit . McCain, Obama offer vastly different strategies to deal with Iraq . Analysts see improvement on the ground in Iraq .
(CNN) -- While all eyes seem to be on "Slumdog Millionaire" for the Oscars, one very courageous little girl will be focused on another India-based film at the ceremony. Pinki, like millions in developing countries, had to live with her deformity and suffer the social consequences. It's called "Smile Pinki," and it's up for an Oscar, too -- nominated for best short documentary, which it won on Sunday. The little girl watching it from inside the Oscar ceremony has traveled all the way to Los Angeles, California, from her small Indian village with her dad -- and it has been an incredible journey for Pinki Sonkar. "Smile Pinki" tells the story of her transformation from a sad outcast to a vibrant 8-year-old with plenty of spunk. Pinki was born with a cleft lip, and her impoverished family did not have the money for corrective surgery. Like millions of other children born with the lip deformity in developing countries, Pinki simply had to live with it and suffer the social consequences. Her father Rajendra Sonkar says: "She used to go to school and the kids would not befriend her. She would say, 'I don't want to go to school.'" Watch how Pinki was transformed by the operation » "Pinki was a depressed, sad, lonely, shy, young little girl, growing up on the periphery of the society in a little village," said Satish Kalra, director of Smile Train's South Asian region, after meeting with Pinki. The little girl's own family was ashamed of her, Kalra says. But all of that has changed. Pinki is now a real pistol, full of energy and confidence, and she has a fantastic smile too -- thanks to the Smile Train charity. Smile Train teaches doctors in their own countries to operate on cleft lips, a deformity afflicting up to four million children across the world. iReport: Share your Oscar predictions Pinki just happened to be one of the chosen candidates for surgery and was also chosen to be the subject of the documentary. The film chronicles her transformation, following her from her village to the hospital and home again. "She has absolutely and totally changed," said Pinki's surgeon, Dr. Subodh Kumar. The film's director is Megan Mylan. She has won several awards but not an Oscar -- until now. For Pinki and her dad, being able to see the film's director win an Oscar would be a thrill. But they know they already have the greatest prize: Pinki's new smile. "I am so happy that my daughter's lips have been repaired," her dad Rajendra said with a smile, expressing hope that the movie will inspire people to help children whose families can't afford the surgery.	[ "Which charity provided Pinki's operation?", "What was Pinki Sonkar born with?", "Who was once an outcast?", "where was the documentary filmed", "Where is Pinki Sonkar from?", "How many children worldwide have cleft lips?", "What won best short documentary?", "What is name of the documentary?", "Where was the actress born?", "What is the number of children affected with cleft lips?" ]	[ [ "Smile Train" ], [ "a cleft lip," ], [ "Pinki Sonkar." ], [ "India-based" ], [ "small Indian village" ], [ "four million" ], [ "\"Smile Pinki,\"" ], [ "\"Smile Pinki,\"" ], [ "Indian village" ], [ "four million" ] ]	NEW: "Smile Pinki" wins best short documentary Oscar . Pinki Sonkar was born with cleft lip; her family in India couldn't afford surgery . Smile Train charity provided operation; 4 million children worldwide have cleft lips . Pinki, once an outcast because of the deformity, will attend the Oscar ceremony .
(CNN) -- While investigators trudge through pig farms and remote villages in Mexico, searching for clues about the new swine flu, answers about the virus' origin may finally appear on a computer, based on genetic codes. A researcher investigates swine flu at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. At the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University, researchers are using public databases to trace the origins of the 2009 H1N1 virus. They've found that the closest relatives to the new virus are viruses that were isolated from pigs in the United States in the past few years. Their analysis, recently published in Eurosurveillance, suggests that the virus has at least two swine ancestors, one of them related to a virus isolated in North America in 1998. Still, the relatives are distant, and it's premature to conclude that the virus came from the United States based on this analysis, said Raul Rabadan, study co-author and assistant professor at Columbia. Influenza is like a small jigsaw puzzle with eight pieces, each with its own function, Rabadan said. The puzzle changes all the time, which is why exposure does not lead to total immunity and vaccines need to be updated yearly. When two viruses infect the same cell, they can create yet other viruses with pieces of each of the original strains. This process is called reassortment. The 2009 H1N1 virus is a reassortment of swine, human and avian genes. Rabadan and colleagues are finding the closest ancestors for each of the parts of the virus and then trying to understand how these parts may have combined in the past, a complicated question. It is impossible to know from the available data where geographically the 2009 H1N1 virus came from, but with more samples, researchers may be able to decipher more clues, he said. Just from looking at the genetic code, it is unknown what species is the virus' host, how easily it is transmitted and how deadly it is. "We have a set of letters that you can try to map, and then you can try to see how this map is working, how would you know if a particular combination is giving you something? That's something that has to be solved." Although a 5-year-old boy in the small village of La Gloria, Mexico, is said to be "patient zero," with the earliest confirmed case of 2009 H1N1, no one knows exactly how he contracted the virus. Read more about the boy Some say that tracking the origin of the virus isn't as important as finding ecological weak points and bolstering surveillance. "We may not be able to say precisely say, 'This pig farm spawned this virus' and all that, but I think it's very important to face the facts about what kinds of ecological settings are spawning danger," said Laurie Garrett, senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations. For influenza, the new ecological stress points mostly relate to industrial-scale livestock and, in the case of avian flu, backyard chicken farming, she said. In both of those cases, there are "economic lives at stake" in making decisions such as killing certain animals, she said. "We have to figure out a way we can surveil those populations, surveil that ecology, without the industries at stake -- or, in the case of chickens, the small family farmer in Indonesia -- feeling that their livelihood is challenged just by the very fact that anybody's even trying to do surveillance," Garrett said. But the genetic lineage of the virus does offer useful clues, she said. Cooperation among the United States, Canada and Mexico in every step of the investigation has been profound, she said. By contrast, Indonesia has refused to share bird flu samples with the World Health Organization in the past. Some researchers say it's not surprising that a new virus such as 2009 H1N1 would seem to have its focal point in Mexico. A 2008 Nature study co-written by Peter Daszak, president of Wildlife Trust, an international organization of scientists, used	[ "What does research say is needed?", "in what year was one of swine flu's relatives isolated?", "What is the ecological stress point" ]	[ [ "more samples," ], [ "1998." ], [ "industrial-scale livestock" ] ]	One of swine flu's relatives was isolated in North America in 1998 . Expert: Industrial-scale livestock production is an ecological stress point . Researcher: Better surveillance needed in hot zones of emerging diseases .
(CNN) -- While most Americans continue to get fatter, Coloradans stand out as being among the fittest in the country, the Trust for America's Health says. Exercise and good nutrition are part of the Colorado public consciouness, says one former official. The state ranked 51st in obesity, with 17.6 percent of its 4.3 million residents squeezing into that category. (The rankings included the District of Columbia.) And fewer than one in five state residents leads an inactive lifestyle, the trust found. That appeared to pay off in health benefits, with Colorado ranking 50th in diabetes and high blood pressure. These figures did not surprise Spenser Havlick, former deputy mayor of Boulder, where exercise and good nutrition rank high in the public consciousness and attract like-minded people from other parts of the country, he said. "They are leaving behind a more sedentary life in the larger cities," he said. "Every weekend, there's a 5K race, a 10K race; there are ultramarathons." A number of organic health food stores dot the city, and organic produce "is pushed throughout the schools," he said. Boulder's 100,000 residents have 360 miles of bike paths and 64 underpasses, so cyclists need not stop when they reach an intersection. "We think that's much safer, and it's much faster and it's more fun," said Havlick, 72, who returned last week from hiking on glaciers in Alaska. Exercise is also part of the political culture of Boulder, where seven of the nine City Council members are bicyclists, said Havlick, professor emeritus of architecture and planning at the University of Colorado. "There's a strong inclination for more money to be spent on reducing car dependency." Weather, too, plays a role, with 330 days of sunshine, he said. And social pressure may have an impact. "I think there is a stigma attached to people who have a BMI that's high," he said, referring to body mass index, a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Still, he noted, the percentage of obese Coloradans has gone up slightly in the past two years. "Some of the folks who come to Colorado to work may not have picked up on these healthy lifestyles yet," he said. E-mail to a friend	[ "who are among the countrys fittest?", "What are coloradans explained as being among?", "What state ranks 50th in diabetes and high blood pressure?", "How many are said to lead an inactive lifestyle?", "one in five state residents leads what kind of lifestyle?", "How many coloradans lead inactive lifestyles?", "What is the ranking for diabetes and high blood pressure?", "Who are among country's fittest residents?", "where does the state rank in diabetes and high blood pressure?" ]	[ [ "Coloradans" ], [ "in the country," ], [ "Colorado" ], [ "fewer than one in five" ], [ "inactive" ], [ "than one in five state residents" ], [ "50th" ], [ "Coloradans" ], [ "50th" ] ]	Coloradans are among country's fittest residents, a new report says . Fewer than one in five state residents leads an inactive lifestyle . State also ranks 50th in diabetes and high blood pressure .
(CNN) -- While most parts of the country grapple with massive job loss and a deficit in new jobs, the South is faring a bit better. Hundreds stand in line at the Miami Dade College Mega Job Fair 2009 in Florida. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in December the South recorded one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 7 percent. According to Careerbuilder.com, the nation's largest online job site, the South continues to see growth in the oil and gas industries which means more job opportunities in related fields like engineering. As an attractive destination for senior citizens, the South is also a hot spot for those seeking employment in the health care field or industries that cater to older populations. Education also continues to be an area that many consider "recession-proof." CNN affiliates in the South report there is hope for those seeking jobs at job fairs which are drawing big crowds. Charlotte, North Carolina In a competitive market, job seekers have to be creative and some are turning to Twitter to give them an edge. The Web site TweetMyJobs.com is an online service that couples the social networking capacity of Twitter with more traditional online job-search services. "Pick a location and job type you are interested in -- you subscribe to that. Any time a new job comes out on TweetMyJobs.com, it will automatically be sent to your cell phone," Web site developer Gary Zukowski told News 14 Carolina. Read what developer told News 14 Carolina about the site Antwon Keith, Mecklenburg County employment security commission manager, said that such an instantaneous job alert may be just what job seekers need to stay ahead of other applicants. His concern, he told the station, was that older applicants, who are currently flooding his office, may have a difficult time utilizing the online site. Hope for those in the financial sector There is an expectation that some financial services companies in Charlotte will be hiring soon, a possible bright spot for those laid off from companies like Bank of America and Wachovia. Robert Half International conducts a hiring survey every three months and told WCNC that while some companies are planning reductions due to the economy, others will add staff. "As companies have contracted and realized that their staff may be smaller than they like, they've been looking at the idea of possibly bringing in more talent," Michael Steinitz of Robert Half International said. "And it's actually a really good time to improve your talent pool and make sure you have the best people on your staff." Read about the hopeful survey Winston-Salem, North Carolina Many area residents aren't just looking forward to the summer for the warm weather. They are also looking forward to the baseball season which is slated to bring new jobs. The Winston-Salem Dash baseball team has openings for batboys, ushers, attendants and other hourly positions. Read about resident's excitement over the ballpark jobs Competition for the 150 positions has been fierce, especially since seasonal workers from last year have also been applying to regain their former jobs. Job seeker Akila Covington told the news channel that she has not worked in a long time and she hoped to land one of the positions to help provide for her family. "I need this job badly," she said. "I was working at US Airways last year and lost my job, so I've been out almost a year and most definitely, yeah, need the job." Even those lucky enough to score a position won't begin immediately. Workers won't start until the new ballpark is completed and that date is still tentative, officials told WXII 12 News. Miami, Florida More than 1,000 Floridians stood in line to meet recruiters for the second day of a job fair held at Miami-Dade College's North Campus. Held March 3-4, the number of recruiters present was fewer than years past, but those on hand told local station WPLG there were jobs for qualified applicants. Many of the job-far companies were members of "recession-	[ "What is unemployment like in the South?", "What do CNN affiliates reports?", "what did the website announce", "What industries continue to grow?", "what is the status of the South", "what was the report about", "What is not as hard hit?" ]	[ [ "7 percent." ], [ "there is hope for those seeking jobs at job fairs which are drawing big crowds." ], [ "South continues to see growth in the oil and gas industries which means more job opportunities in related fields like engineering." ], [ "oil and gas" ], [ "lowest unemployment rates in the country at 7 percent." ], [ "The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in December the South recorded one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 7 percent." ], [ "South" ] ]	The South is not as hard hit with unemployment . Careerbuilder.com: Oil, gas and health care industries continue to grow . CNN affiliates report jobs are available and seekers are flocking .
(CNN) -- While several high-profile actors and directors have rallied around Roman Polanski, not everyone in Hollywood believes he should be freed and forgiven. The case surrounding the arrest of director Roman Polanski has both supporters and critics. In the face of a petition signed by notables such as Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese and John Landis calling for the immediate release of Polanski following his detainment in Switzerland, a backlash is building against such support. "I can't believe that Hollywood has separated itself so completely from American morality," said Paul Petersen, a former child actor and president of A Minor Consideration, which advocates on behalf of young performers. "It is yet another case of Hollywood being out of sync with most of America." Polanski pleaded guilty in 1977 to having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, but fled the United States before he could be sentenced. In the years since, the director known for "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" settled in France and avoided authorities until he was arrested Saturday while on his way to the Zurich Film Festival. In the aftermath of Polanski's arrest last weekend, a number of performers -- including Penelope Cruz, Tilda Swinton and Monica Bellucci -- appear as supporters on a petition which states, "Roman Polanski is a French citizen, a renown and international artist now facing extradition. This extradition, if it takes place, will be heavy in consequences and will take away his freedom." Polanski's detention has stirred debate over whether he should be returned to the United States to face possible imprisonment. Supporters make note of his age, the years that have passed, his talent and the victim's own assertion that pursuing the case opens fresh wounds for her as reasons the director should be left alone. But critics observe that Polanski's supporters might be downplaying his crime. "I don't think a lot of people take the sexual assault of children very seriously at all, and it's something we battle everyday," said Grier Weeks, executive director of Protect, a national organization to protect children. "We say at Protect that we are the most bipartisan group in America because we've got everyone from Hollywood liberals like Alison Arngrim [Nellie Oleson] from 'Little House on the Prairie' to extremely conservative people. ... But I will say with the notable exception of a few people from Hollywood, we get blank stares from some of that crowd." Weeks pointed to the example of a discussion on ABC's "The View," in which panelist and actress Whoopi Goldberg made the comment that she didn't believe the original charges against Polanski were for "rape-rape," as what he views as a pervasive attitude. "I assume [Goldberg] regrets saying what she said, but she really didn't say anything that is not under the surface anyway," Weeks said. "This is just the attitude, that children are property and crimes against them are not real crimes." Watch a discussion of about Polanski's supporters » Goldberg's fellow panelist, Sherri Shepherd, said during the show that she believed Polanski should still be punished. On Twitter, she tweeted, "Whew... long day at 'The View'... two shows today... hot debate over the Statutory Rapist Polanski. 45-year-old man plies a 13-yr-old w/drugs & Liquor and anally & orally penetrates her w/o her consent is a RAPIST. We hunt down 75-year-old Nazis. We must protect our children." Actress Kirstie Alley wrote on Twitter "JUST FOR THE RECORD....RAPE IS RAPE...this is one HOLLYWOOD STAR who does not CELEBRATE or DEFEND Roman Polanski..his ART did not RAPE her." "The Biggest Loser" trainer Jillian Michaels said "If she's [the victim] OK and feels that they are resolved then who are we to say" referring to the now adult victim, Samantha Geimer. Despite that, Michaels said, "If somebody drugged and raped my 13-year-old I'd shoot them." Watch stars discuss Polanski's arrest	[ "What did a former child actor say?", "What is a petition with high-profile names calling for?", "Who speaks out against Roman Polanski's crime?", "What has circulated calling for his release?" ]	[ [ "\"I can't believe that Hollywood has separated itself so completely from American morality,\"" ], [ "the immediate release of Polanski following his detainment in Switzerland," ], [ "Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese and John Landis" ], [ "petition signed by notables such as Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese and John Landis" ] ]	Some stars speak out against Roman Polanski's crime . A petition with high-profile names has circulated calling for his release . NOW president calls support of Polanski from some celebs "deplorable" Former child actor says some critics "afraid of the Hollywood power structure"
(CNN) -- While snow from a massive winter storm system continued to fall Wednesday night in parts of the Northeast, millions in the Midwest were left to dig themselves out, brave dangerously frigid temperatures and cope with sporadic power outages. An Arctic cold front followed the storm that dumped nearly 2 feet of snow in some locales, complicating cleanup efforts and spurring freeze warnings that spanned much of the nation's midsection. In much of Wisconsin, for instance, wind chill values were expected between 20 and 25 degrees below zero Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service. Still, Green Bay Packers fans down in north Texas ahead of their team's Super Bowl showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers only got a relative respite, temperature-wise. In Arlington, Texas, site of Sunday's game, there was a wind chill advisory in effect due to very cold conditions that made the temperature feel between zero and minus-10 degrees, and several inches of snow and ice had a debilitating effect in parts of Dallas, Fort Worth and their surrounding areas. "It was funny to see a whole city shut down. Everything was closed," said Packers' defensive lineman Ryan Pickett. "In Green Bay, this is just a normal day." The problems facing Texas were largely because of icy conditions exacerbated by cold temperatures. Besides slick roads, Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement that the weather put an unprecedented demand on the state's energy grid, leading to power outages Wednesday that were expected to continue into Thursday. Furthermore, 50 power plants were out statewide due to the extreme weather, leading to a 10%-15% reduction in electricity production, said the state's utility commission spokesman Terry Hadley. The commission said in a statement that rotating outages would be limited to 10 to 45 minutes, unless equipment fails due to a power surge during the restoration process. It's all part of the effects of a storm system that blanketed 30 states with a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain over several days, producing record-breaking accumulations in several Midwest locales, making for treacherous travel on snow-choked roadways and forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights. The huge demand for information caused sporadic outages for the National Weather Service's web servers, which struggled to handle a deluge of 10 million to 20 million hits per hour, officials said. The site normally get 70 million hits per day. The last of the storm was drenching the Northeast late Wednesday, dumping freezing rain and snow in much of southern New England. While the amounts were less there than what some had forecast previously, the cumulative effect of relentless precipitation had a crippling impact in places. In Massachusetts, for instance, a number of roofs collapsed under the weight of rain-soaked snow, including the roof of a large commercial building in the town of Easton, according to fire captain David Beals. Up to 100 employees were evacuated prior to the collapse, he said. No injuries were reported. About 800 miles away, residents of Chicago were recovering from the system, which at times hit the Windy City hard with its combination of strong gusts and blinding precipitation. O'Hare International Airport received a record-breaking 20.2 inches of snow, according to the weather service. Raymond Roscoe, chief of staff for Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, said that many motorists remained stuck in their cars throughout the night, while others abandoned their vehicles. Police, fire department and sanitation crews spent much of the night pulling people out of their cars, he said. Roscoe said there were no reports of injuries. "There were no cars or people on the street and you couldn't see the buildings nearby because of the thick snow," said city resident Sruthi Swaminathan. "The only thing you could see clearly were the lights from the Chicago theater." The good news was that the blizzard warnings for northeastern Illinois, including the Chicago metropolitan area, were called off. Still, even as the snow tapered off, forecasters said wind chills may fall to 20 to 40 degrees below zero late Wednesday	[ "when did Wisconsin may fall to 20 to 25 degrees below zero?", "when did Extreme weather halts energy ?", "What has halted energy production?", "Wind chills may fall to 20 to 25 degrees where?" ]	[ [ "Wednesday night," ], [ "Wednesday night" ], [ "extreme weather," ], [ "much of Wisconsin," ] ]	NEW: Amtrak, most airports expect to return to normal Thursday . NEW: President Obama declares a federal emergency in Oklahoma, expediting aid . Extreme weather halts energy production at 50 Texas power plants, a spokesman says . Wind chills in Wisconsin may fall to 20 to 25 degrees below zero Wednesday night .
(CNN) -- While some criticism targeting President Obama is racially motivated, the fight over health care isn't, former President Clinton told CNN. Former President Clinton says Democrats need to win the health care debate "on the merits." "I believe that some of the right-wing extremists which oppose President Obama are also racially prejudiced and would prefer not to have an African-American president," Clinton told CNN's Larry King in a wide-ranging interview that aired Monday evening. "But I don't believe that all the people who oppose him on health care -- and all the conservatives -- are racists. And I believe if he were white, every single person who opposes him now would be opposing him then." Clinton discussed a variety of issues facing the Obama administration -- from health care to the war in Afghanistan -- on the eve of the fifth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. Regarding race, the former president was referring to an outburst from Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, who shouted, "You lie!" at Obama during the president's recent joint address to Congress and also former President Carter's assessment that racism is an obstacle for the current president. "While I have devoted my life to getting rid of racism, I think this [health care] is a fight that my president and our party -- this is one we need to win on the merits," Clinton said. Watch Clinton say he thinks a health care bill will pass » On the Arab-Israeli conflict -- which Clinton tried to address while in the White House -- the former president said it's an issue that first has to be addressed by the Palestinians and Israelis. Obama has set up meetings with leaders from both sides this week as the U.N. General Assembly meets in New York. "First, it's more up to them than it is to President Obama," Clinton said. "I think if we can just get them to start talking again around the two-state solutions, around restoring a sense of normalcy and creating a Palestinian state ... I think you would be surprised how quickly at least they would come down to all the same issues that they were down to in 2000 when I made my proposal." In August, Clinton made headlines when he traveled to North Korea to gain the release of two detained U.S. journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling. During his visit, Clinton met with reclusive leader Kim Jong Il, whose government is under U.N. sanctions for its efforts to develop a nuclear weapons program. Asked about how it felt to help the journalists, Clinton said, "It was humbling, and it was a wonderful feeling. They're really fine young women." Clinton also discussed the conflict in Afghanistan, addressing top U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal's report warning Obama that more troops are needed within the coming year or the nearly 8-year-old war "will likely result in failure," according to a copy of a 66-page document obtained by The Washington Post. Obama has promised to ask "tough questions" before deciding whether to send additional troops to Afghanistan, saying it was necessary to have a clear strategy in place before deploying resources. "My guess is that he will say, 'You may be right, general, but we still have this ongoing election count, let's wait until that happens, let's see what the new government's going to be, let's see if both the top two finishers are going to be in the government, which is a possibility,'" Clinton said. "And if that means there's going to be more broad-based support because we got everybody together right after the election was over, then it's clear that more soldiers will be even more effective." Clinton, a New York resident, also touched on a New York Times report that Obama administration officials have urged New York Gov. David A. Paterson to withdraw from the 2010 race. White House officials acknowledged to CNN that aides have conveyed to Paterson's camp they are aware of the governor's	[ "Who are racially prejudiced?", "Who did Clinton say are racially prejudiced?", "Who says race is not behind health care opposition?", "What was a wonderful feeling?", "What did Clinton say was a wonderful feeling?", "What is motivating some of the extremists opposing Obama?", "What did Clinton feel about helping the journalists?" ]	[ [ "right-wing extremists" ], [ "right-wing extremists" ], [ "former President Clinton" ], [ "how it felt to help the journalists," ], [ "how it felt to help the journalists," ], [ "racism" ], [ "\"It was humbling, and it was a wonderful feeling. They're really fine young women.\"" ] ]	Ex-President Clinton says race not behind health care opposition . But some extremists opposing President Obama racially prejudiced, Clinton says . Clinton: "It was a wonderful feeling" to help U.S. journalists in North Korea .
(CNN) -- While the coastal town of Savannah, Georgia, fills with spectators on Saturday for the Rock 'n' Roll marathon, Chris Fenton and Laura Devrieze will be focused on the finish line. For Fenton, crossing that line means completing his 10th marathon in six months. For Devrieze, it means finishing her first. For both, it's about running 26.2 miles for a parent with cancer. Fenton and Devrieze are a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. As the world's largest endurance sports training program, Team in Training has raised $1.2 billion for blood cancer research. The program started 23 years ago when Bruce Cleland formed a group to run the New York City Marathon in honor of his daughter, a leukemia survivor. Approximately 45,000 runners are signed up this year for the New York marathon, which takes place on November 6. Many are associated with one of the 200 registered charities; in 2010 the race raised more than $30 million for different causes. Train with Sanjay: 2012 Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge Leukemia & Lymphoma Society communications manager Kristin Hoose says having a cause helps athletes focus on a goal, and having an athlete to support helps donors open their wallets. "When people share their personal stories, and those of their heroes ... people see that their $10 can make a big difference." A mother's strength Chris Fenton was on a business trip in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when he got a message from the secretary. His sister had called from Manhattan. Fenton looked at his watch and realized it was close to midnight in the States. Something was wrong. "You hear those words for the first time: 'Mom has cancer.' You just kind of drop the phone and go into shock and say 'Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god,'" he said. His mom, Barbara, is the matriarch of the Fenton family. As the second oldest of 14 children and a mother of six, Barbara received an outpouring of love after her non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. She had always taken care of everyone else, now they would take care of her. Treatment was hard. Barbara endured four courses of chemo and four of radiation therapy. In October 2001, she went into remission. Fenton's left Achilles tendon is screaming at him as he talks about his mom -- now the picture of health at 78 -- from home in Kohler, Wisconsin. "She's settling in, loves to be a grandmother and spoil the grandkids, and (is) just kind of enjoying the golden years," he says with a laugh. A long-time runner, Fenton started his journey to honor his mom in May. He's running 10 marathons (to celebrate her 10th anniversary of going into remission) in six months -- the time it took from diagnosis to remission. Since May, he has logged more than 200 official miles. Saturday marks his final race. "I'm still a middle-of-the-pack plodder," he says, "but I'm able to find my way around a marathon course." He has raised close to $100,000 over the last 10 years and hopes to continue supporting blood cancer research with Team in Training. "My mom's story had a positive outcome. There are a lot of people who don't." A father's joy People loved Harry Devrieze. With thinning dark hair and bright blue eyes, he had a smile that lit up a room. Friends and family were his priority and he never hesitated to lend a helping hand. The owner of a construction business, he often came by his daughter Laura's house in Carrollton, Georgia, to make repairs. It was from him that she learned plumbing, drywall and her way around the Home Depot store. "He loved doing that -- he loved fixing things, he loved gardening, he loved working around the house." Two years ago, Harry developed a rare, aggressive form of non-	[ "How many marathons did Chris Fenton run", "What is Chris Fenton running?", "What helps runners focus", "What helps runners focus on the goal?" ]	[ [ "10th" ], [ "marathon" ], [ "having a cause" ], [ "having a cause" ] ]	The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's team raises money for blood cancer research . Chris Fenton is running 10 marathons in six months in honor of his mother . Sharing personal stories helps runners focus on the goal, donors open wallets .
(CNN) -- While the horrors inflicted by the Nazis during World War II are well documented, "Defiance" director Edward Zwick wanted to make sure the stories of those who fought back aren't overlooked. Liev Schreiber, left, and Daniel Craig play freedom fighters in "Defiance." "There is this misperception that the Jews only went willingly to the slaughter," Zwick said. "And in fact, the new history and scholarship tells us that there was so much resistance. This is just one instance." His new film, which goes into wide release Friday, tells the tale of the three Bielski brothers, who led a Jewish resistance group after escaping into the woods of Belarus in Eastern Europe. The movie stars Daniel Craig -- best known for his work as the latest James Bond -- Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell as the trio who took up arms against the Nazis and helped save the lives of more than 1,000 Jewish refugees fleeing occupied Poland. Portraying a slice of Jewish history was somewhat familiar territory for Craig, who plays brother Tuvia Bielski in the movie. He also co-starred as an Israeli agent in Steven Spielberg's "Munich," the dramatization of the murder of 11 athletes during the 1972 Munich Olympics. Craig said the characters' religion had nothing to do with his interest; both roles were just fascinating parts that attracted him. "I think someone said, 'You did something similar to that in 'Munich,' " he recalled. "I said, well it's kind of not. It's a different period in history and I don't think religion is something that should hold me back." Watch Craig talk about the movie's power » Schreiber, who is Jewish, said bringing the story of the heroic yet complex brothers to the big screen gave him "a sense of pride" and he found inspiration in their bravery. "It was in these guys' DNA," said Schreiber, who plays Zus Bielski. "But I also think that it is in our DNA as human beings ... that courage exists, that passion exists, that tenacity to love exists. It's just that we don't experience the kinds of tests nowadays that they did in the 1930s in Eastern Europe -- particularly if you were Jewish." Filming in Lithuania just across the border from Belarus added an element of realism to the role, Schreiber said. "We shot in the woods in the middle of winter, but I think as an actor you're always grateful of these little reminders of where you are and what you're doing, especially when you're doing something on film when it's so naturalistic," he said. "When your hands are frozen and you can barely load a machine gun then you know you're on to something with the character." Jamie Bell, best known for playing the title role in "Billy Elliot," rounds out the cast as younger brother Asael Bielski. He said the bleak setting helped him understand "the minutiae of what these people actually went through." Bell had considered himself pretty knowledgeable about the Holocaust and World War II before learning about the project. "But when I read the script I felt kind of embarrassed that I didn't know about the Bielski brothers and about the Jewish resistance across the board," he said. Heralding the triumph of the Bielski brothers to those who are unaware is just what director Zwick had in mind. He also had a hand in writing the "Defiance" screenplay and is no stranger to heroes in history, having directed the critically acclaimed "Glory." With this new film, Zwick said he found inspiration in the courage displayed by the Bielskis, who were fighting against incredible odds. "You know, that's what's beautiful about their story," he said. "They were unprepared. They were unsophisticated; nothing they had ever done would have led one to expect that they were capable of this. I think that speaks to all of us: what we are able to find within us that is fine, even magnificent within ourselves	[ "What war is Defiance about?", "which is the name of these brothers", "Who are the stars of the film?", "Who is staring in the film?", "What is the movie \"Defiance\" about?" ]	[ [ "II" ], [ "Bielski" ], [ "Liev Schreiber," ], [ "Daniel Craig" ], [ "tells the tale of the three Bielski brothers, who led a Jewish resistance group after escaping into the woods of Belarus in Eastern Europe." ] ]	"Defiance" is about three brothers who helped rescue Jews during WWII . Star Liev Schreiber: Courage "was in these guys' DNA" Movie has wide release Friday .
(CNN) -- While the visiting national news media focuses on the latest utterances of Republican presidential hopefuls in advance of the January 3 caucuses, many Iowans have found a bone to pick with a journalism professor -- from the University of Iowa, no less -- who wrote: "Whether a schizophrenic, economically depressed, and some say, culturally challenged state like Iowa should host the first grassroots referendum to determine who will be the next president isn't at issue. ... In a perfect world, no way would Iowa ever be considered representative of America, or even a small part of it. Iowa's not representative of much." Iowans are wondering what they did to incur the wrath of Stephen G. Bloom, who for 20 years has taught journalism at the state's flagship university and shared his observations in an article for The Atlantic magazine titled "Observations from 20 Years of Iowa Life." It may be a good thing that Bloom, a native of New Jersey, has been away teaching this semester at the University of Michigan because in trying to explain "in both a real and metaphysical way, what Iowa is," he has drawn the ire of Iowans literally from all corners of the state -- from Sibley and Keokuk (whose mayor has invited him to visit and explain the "a depressed, crime-infested slum town" remark) to Decorah to Shenandoah. In the interest of full disclosure, many of my childhood vacations (including winter) were spent visiting my mother's parents in Iowa. I graduated from a college in Iowa, and my first full-time job in journalism was at a newspaper in Iowa, so I admit to a certain fondness for the state. And every four years, as the political spotlight shines on Iowa, I share with colleagues whatever helpful insights I can muster. Blitzer's blog: Turbulence in Iowa The state is not one large cornfield, but driving along Interstate 80, it can appear that way for long stretches. Visit northeast Iowa along the Mississippi River for proof that the state is not flat. Iowa's farms not only help feed the United States, but also much of the world, connecting this piece of "flyover country" to a global view. Still, economists report that agriculture only accounts for roughly one in five jobs in the state. Iowans may be older (the average age continues to increase), whiter and more rural than the United States in general, but its Latino population is increasing and more of its residents are moving to urban areas. Iowa boasts being among the most literate states in the union (though some years ago state officials abandoned a plan to make "Iowa: A State of Minds" its license plate slogan). Politically, over the years Iowans have elected some of the most liberal and some of the most conservative members of Congress. Critics cite numerous examples of a snide tone in Bloom's writing. Consider his assessment of employment prospects in rural Iowa: "Those who stay in rural Iowa are often the elderly waiting to die, those too timid (or lacking in educated) to peer around the bend for better opportunities, an assortment of waste-toids and meth addicts with pale skin and rotted teeth, or those who quixotically believe, like Little Orphan Annie, that the sun'll come out tomorrow." What makes Iowa's GOP caucuses unique And while they wait for that sun to come out, Bloom suggests, these Iowans spend their days stepping in manure from barnyard animals and stuffing their gullets with meat loaf, pork chops and Jell-O molds before heading out to a tractor pull or church. Bloom makes nary a mention of the distinguished academics at the state's universities and colleges, its art museums and orchestras nor even the obvious upgrades to the capital city of Des Moines during the past 20 years. Where he says that "Iowa is a throwback to yesteryear and, at the same time, a cautionary tale of what lies around the corner," critics find many of Bloom's observations to be throwbacks to an Iowa that no longer exists. Many also say there are factual inaccuracies in	[ "What is the name of the professor?", "What did Stephen say?", "Who said \"No way would Iowa ever be considered representative of America\"?" ]	[ [ "Stephen G. Bloom," ], [ "\"Iowa is a throwback to yesteryear and, at the same time, a cautionary tale of" ], [ "Stephen G. Bloom," ] ]	Iowa professor questions state's first-in-the-nation role in presidential campaigns . Stephen G. Bloom: "No way would Iowa ever be considered representative of America" His criticisms draw stinging rebuttals from outraged readers who say he misses the point . University president retorts: "Iowans are pragmatic and balanced"
(CNN) -- Who would open one of the world's biggest casinos in the depths of a global recession? Big city dreams: Lawrence Ho's business portfolio in Hong Kong and Macau is growing. Answer: Lawrence Ho, the scion of a casino business mogul who has clearly inherited his father's love of a calculated risk. Ho's father Stanley is a man synonymous with the creation of Macau as the world's biggest gambling destination. "Over the past 40 years he has put his thumbprints all over Macau. I think if you look at the major infrastructure projects, whether it's the airport, the ferry terminals, he was involved in building up a lot of those," Lawrence Ho told CNN. But in opening City of Dreams in Macau earlier this year, Ho is trying to carve his own niche and continue to build up his own business empire. "I think gone are the days when you can open a property and 'Bang!' you would steal significant market share from others," he told CNN. "Before we opened we were, like the rest of the world, a little bit wary of the timing, but I think in hindsight the world economies are doing a lot better and Macau has seen its first year-on-year increase in July and August was a booming month. So I think all in all we couldn't be happier." Ho's company, Melco-Crown Entertainment, is independent from his father's huge portfolio of businesses and the multibillion dollar City of Dreams project is a partnership with Australian James Packer, himself the son of a media tycoon. Ho is respectful of his ailing father's achievements and the advantages that the family name has given him, but also the desire it fostered to forge his own success. "The bigger the shadow the more we can feel the underdog syndrome. ... being his son opened many doors, but at the same time I grew up in a very big family with our own issues, but all in all certainly being his son has helped a great deal," he said. There are no worries about interference from the mainland -- "I suspect that China definitely wants [Macau and Hong Kong] to do well" -- and Ho remains positive that Asia will see the quickest recovery from the downturn. "A lot of the Asian countries and economies have handled the [economic] crisis this time a lot better than the Asian financial crisis 10 years ago," he said. "So I think, all in all, Asia has managed to come out of this much quicker than the rest of the world. And really when people are feeling better they travel and they spend more, and you know we are in the business of providing leisure and entertainment."	[ "What did Stanley Ho build up?", "What did Lawrence Ho recently open?", "How much did the City of Dreams complex cost?", "What did he recently open?", "What is Macau known for?", "What did his father do?", "What does he now want to do?", "What is the name of son?" ]	[ [ "his own business empire." ], [ "one of the world's biggest casinos" ], [ "multibillion dollar" ], [ "one of the world's biggest casinos" ], [ "the world's biggest gambling destination." ], [ "a man synonymous with the creation of Macau as the world's biggest gambling destination." ], [ "build up his own business empire." ], [ "Lawrence Ho," ] ]	Son of Stanley Ho, business tycoon who built up former-Portuguese colony of Macau . Lawrence Ho recently open multi-billion dollar City of Dreams complex in Macau . Believes he can carve a slice of action from the Asian gambling city .
(CNN) -- Who'll win and who will lose? The following are the nominations for the 80th annual Academy Awards. Winners will be announced February 24. For more details on the nominees in some of the major categories, check out our gallery of nominees. See the nominee gallery » Best Picture "Atonement" "Juno" "Michael Clayton" "No Country for Old Men" "There Will Be Blood" Actor George Clooney, "Michael Clayton" Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood" Johnny Depp, "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" Tommy Lee Jones, "In the Valley of Elah" Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises" Actress Cate Blanchett, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" Julie Christie, "Away From Her" Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose" Laura Linney, "The Savages" Ellen Page, "Juno" Supporting Actor Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men" Hal Holbrook, "Into the Wild" Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War" Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton" Supporting Actress Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There" Ruby Dee, "American Gangster" Saoirse Ronan, "Atonement" Amy Ryan, "Gone Baby Gone" Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton" Director Julian Schnabel, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" Jason Reitman, "Juno" Tony Gilroy, "Michael Clayton" Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men" Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be Blood" Foreign Film "Beaufort," Israel "The Counterfeiters," Austria "Katyn," Poland "Mongol," Kazakhstan "12," Russia Adapted Screenplay Christopher Hampton, "Atonement" Sarah Polley, "Away from Her" Ronald Harwood, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men" Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be Blood" Original Screenplay Diablo Cody, "Juno" Nancy Oliver, "Lars and the Real Girl" Tony Gilroy, "Michael Clayton" Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava and Jim Capobianco, "Ratatouille" Tamara Jenkins, "The Savages." Animated Feature Film "Persepolis" "Ratatouille" "Surf's Up" Art Direction "American Gangster" "Atonement" "The Golden Compass" "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" "There Will Be Blood" Cinematography "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" "Atonement" "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" "No Country for Old Men" "There Will Be Blood" Sound Mixing "The Bourne Ultimatum" "No Country for Old Men" "Ratatouille" "3:10 to Yuma" "Transformers" Sound Editing "The Bourne Ultimatum" "No Country for Old Men" "Ratatouille" "There Will Be Blood" "Transformers" Original Score "Atonement," Dario Marianelli "The Kite Runner," Alberto Iglesias "Michael Clayton," James Newton Howard "Ratatouille," Michael Giacchino "3:10 to Yuma," Marco Beltrami Original Song "Falling Slowly" from "Once," Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova "Happy Working Song" from "Enchanted," Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz "Raise It Up" from "August Rush," Nominees to be determined "So Close" from "Enchanted," Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz "That's How You Know" from "Enchanted," Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz Costume "Across the Universe" "Atonement" "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" "La Vie en Rose" "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" Documentary Feature "No End in Sight" "Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience" "Sicko" "Taxi to the Dark Side" "War/Dance" Documentary (short subject) "Freeheld" "La Corona (The Crown)" "Salim Baba" "Sari's Mother" Film Editing "The Bourne Ultimatum	[ "where Best actress nominees include Julie Christie?", "What movies are nominated?", "Who is nominated for best actress and best supporting actress?", "what George Clooney and Johnny Depp are among?", "What actors are among the nominees for best actor?" ]	[ [ "The Golden Age\"" ], [ "\"Michael Clayton\" \"No Country for Old Men\" \"There Will Be Blood\"" ], [ "Cate Blanchett," ], [ "the nominations for the 80th annual Academy" ], [ "George Clooney, \"Michael Clayton\" Daniel Day-Lewis, \"There Will Be Blood\" Johnny Depp, \"Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street\" Tommy Lee Jones, \"In the Valley of Elah\" Viggo Mortensen, \"Eastern Promises\"" ] ]	"No Country for Old Men," "There Will Be Blood" lead with eight nods each . George Clooney and Johnny Depp are among best actor nominees . Best actress nominees include Julie Christie and Laura Linney . Cate Blanchett is nominated for both best actress and best supporting actress .
(CNN) -- Whoever killed six people in a Memphis, Tennessee, home may still be on the loose, police said Tuesday. They asked the community for help in solving the slayings. Police and fire units responded Monday after six people were killed in Memphis, Tennessee. Police found six people -- two men, two women and two boys -- dead in a home in a north Memphis neighborhood Monday, said Memphis police Lt. Joe Scott. Three other children who were wounded in the home were taken to a hospital. Scott did not release the names of the victims. He said there was no sign of forced entry into the home, and evidence at the scene indicated that the killer or killers left the house. Detectives were trying to determine the day of the killings, which could have occurred as early as Saturday, Scott said. He said police had not developed a suspect and need people to come forward with information. "We need the community's help," he said. "These were children that were brutally killed. We know that there are people out there that heard things, saw something. This is a stain on our community. We really need the community's help to solve this." The four dead adults were shot and the two dead children were stabbed, sources told CNN affiliate WMC-TV. The wounded children -- a 7-year-old boy, a 10-month-old girl and a 4-year-old whose gender wasn't immediately known -- were transported to Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center. They were treated for gunshot wounds, said hospital spokeswoman Jennilyn Utkov, who said she did not have any additional information about their conditions. At least one of the wounded children also was stabbed, police told the Commercial Appeal newspaper. The newspaper reported Tuesday that two of them were in very critical condition and one was in serious condition. A neighbor told CNN Tuesday that he heard gunshots coming from the house Saturday night. "I heard about six or seven shots," said Wayne Bolden, a landscaper who said he lives across the street from the home where the killings occurred. "I did not call the police because you always hear shooting in this neighborhood. Now I wish I would have called." He said he did not see any movement at the home the next day. The two cars, a van and a passenger car, never moved. Monday, he saw many police cars at the home and heard about the killings, he said. Bolden said a family that included a man, a woman and five or six children moved into the home about five months ago. "I did not know him by name," Bolden said of the man. "But the kids were always out playing, and he would barbecue outside on his front porch." A prayer service was held for the victims Tuesday morning at the family's nearby church, said Keith Norman, senior pastor at First Baptist Church. He said he had been asked by the police to counsel the family members of the victims. Another prayer service was scheduled for 6 p.m., he said, and some of the victims' family members are expected to attend. "There are multiple families affected by this," said Norman, who said he did not want to speak about what led to the killings. "We are just praying for the family members and trying to help them get through this." Police do not know what was behind the violence, the Commercial Appeal newspaper reported. "We just don't know the motive or cause of death, but we do have four adults and two children [dead]," Memphis police Lt. Jerry Guin told the paper. Rob Robinson told the Commercial Appeal that he was the landlord for the brick, single-family house that rented for $550 per month. "They were very nice, very polite to me," Robinson told the paper of the residents. "It's kind of surprising, actually. I've never had any trouble with them,	[ "Who were killed?", "What number of people were slain?", "What did the neighbour hear?", "What number died?" ]	[ [ "two men, two women and two boys" ], [ "six" ], [ "gunshots" ], [ "six" ] ]	NEW: Police believe killer or killers left the Memphis house where 6 people slain . Neighbor says he heard shots Saturday night, didn't call police . Police: Four adults, two kids killed; 3 other children wounded . 7-year-old, 4-year-old, and 10-month-old hospitalized .
(CNN) -- Why are some people amazingly successful -- and other people with the same intelligence or abilities just part of the crowd? Malcolm Gladwell tries to find out why some people are successful in his new book, "Outliers." Malcolm Gladwell, the New Yorker writer who's made a living dissecting questions such as how small trends become major movements ("The Tipping Point") and the value of snap judgments ("Blink"), was curious about that subject, and -- typically -- set out to find some answers. The result is his new book "Outliers" (Little, Brown), which finds parallels between the Beatles, Bill Gates and Canadian hockey players -- as well as reasons why planes operated by members of particular cultures have a greater likelihood of crashing. John Roberts of CNN's "American Morning" spoke to Gladwell on Friday. The following is an edited version of that interview. CNN: We always think that it's the smartest people that become the most successful. You postulate in this new book [that] it's not always intelligence that leads to success. You say "it's not the brightest who succeed, it's rather a gift. Outliers are those given opportunities who have the strength and presence of mind to seize them." But there are also some commonalities with these outliers. Malcolm Gladwell: Yes. I'm really interested in things like the effects of generation. So what does it mean? I have a chapter that looks at some of the most powerful people in Silicon Valley. And almost all of them are born in 1955: Steve Jobs at Apple, Bill Gates at Microsoft, Bill Joy -- who is one of those famous programmers -- a bunch of guys at Sun Microsystems. The argument there is that they were 21 when the computer revolution hit, and that's how old you want to be when you're confronted with a new revolution. That's the kind of pattern that you see, over and over again, when you look at the lives of very successful people. That it's not just their own abilities, it's being in the right place at the right time, it's coming from a certain kind of culture, it's having certain built-in advantages. CNN: There were also some happy accidents along the way. For example, if Bill Gates hadn't been put into a private school, which actually had a computer -- one of the first schools to ever have a computer -- perhaps he may not have become the mogul that he was. Gladwell: Yes, he has this incredible childhood. ... I talked to him, and he was going through the extraordinary one-in-a-million lucky breaks that characterized his childhood. He got to start programming on a computer in 1968 as a 13-year-old when nobody was programming. So he was way ahead of the crowd by the time he starts Microsoft. CNN: You and I both lived in Canada, developed a love for Canadian hockey, and you found by looking at Canadian hockey teams that there's a certain commonality between all of the best players, at least in the junior hockey league system, which I imagine translates to the pros as well. Gladwell: Oh, absolutely. An extraordinary number of hockey players who are professionals are born in January, February and March. And that's because the cutoff date for age-class hockey is January 1st. So when they go to ... recruit kids for all-star teams when they're 8 or 9 years old, they think they're choosing the most talented ones, but actually they're choosing the biggest ones. Because if you're born in January and you're 8, you're a lot taller, more mature and taller and bigger and stronger than someone born in December. CNN: Because development is much faster there -- Gladwell: At that age, and so that advantage you get as an 8-year-old, you get plucked out and given proper coaching and more games and more practice -- and by the time you're 18, you actually are	[ "What do successful people have in their favor?", "What does Outliers study?", "What is the name of Malcolm Gladwell's new book?", "What form of media is \"Outliers\"?", "Who wrote \"Outliers\"?", "What is the main subject of the book \"Outliers\"?", "What is the name of Gladwell's new book?", "What does the book also touch on?" ]	[ [ "right place at the right time," ], [ "why some people are successful" ], [ "\"Outliers.\"" ], [ "book," ], [ "Malcolm Gladwell" ], [ "why some people are successful" ], [ "\"Outliers.\"" ], [ "reasons why planes operated by members of particular cultures have a greater likelihood of crashing." ] ]	Malcolm Gladwell's new book, "Outliers," studies reasons for success . Successful people aren't just smart; they've had timing, contacts in their favor . Book also touches on role of culture in creating (or blocking) success .
(CNN) -- Why does French dressmaker Chanel always seem chic? What does British seamstress Vivienne Westwood have that others don't? And even though it's been 25 years since "Top Gun", why does everybody still want a pair of Ray Bans? The short answer is, they're just really cool. It might be a subjective concept -- one man's cool Hawaiian party shirt is another's discarded Christmas gift -- but certain brands do seem to stay in fashion forever. It's a phenomenon highlighted by the UK's annual top 20 "Cool Brands" list released today. Top of the pile is Aston Martin, James Bond's car-maker of choice, followed by Apple and motorbike designer Harley Davidson. But numerous fashion labels make it onto the list, with Rolex highest among them at number four, followed by Nike, British designer Alexander McQueen and perennially cool Ray Ban sunglasses. Why denim never fades from fashion So, how did these brands manage to acquire this ineffable quality -- at least in the eyes of the Brits? We ask chief executive of the Centre for Brand Analysis and "CoolBrand" council chairman Stephen Cheliotis for his six rules of cool. 1. Style is everything From the door handles to the website and the tags on the clothes to marketing events: If people are to be persuaded a brand is the height of cool, the devil is in the detail, says Cheliotis. "It's not just about making your clothes look good," he insists. "Absolutely everything associated with the brand has to exude style -- from the packaging to the company website, to the type-face on the inside label." 2. Never try too hard No one likes a busybody and, says Cheliotis, even the word "cool" suggests a certain relaxed approach. "The original idea of being cool is being laid back, not running around like a headless chicken trying desperately hard to please everyone." This, he says, is true for people and fashion brands alike. So, if it feels like a brand is trying way too hard to impress -- chasing every trend going, for example -- then it probably won't. Celebrity fashion labels: The good, the bad and the ugly 3. Stay true to the brand It's not cool to fake it. In other words, if a company began life selling pretty knitwear, it should think very carefully before venturing into, say, leather jackets. "You must always remain true to your roots," instructs Cheliotis. "Shoppers want something authentic and it's obvious when you're out of your comfort zone." Designer Alexander McQueen may have recently passed away, he adds, but it doesn't mean that his eponymous label should be tempted to change its style. "As long as it (the label) sticks to his original vision it will probably stay on the list." 4) Keep evolving This might sound at odds with the previous rule but, according to Cheliotis, it's certainly not. "One of the reasons we keep seeing the same brands on the list, like Nike and Rolex, is because they're always innovative, but at the same time they retain their core identity." 5) Don't be promiscuous Some fashion houses squander their hard fought cool rep by plastering a company logo on everything that moves. In Cheliotis' view, bootmaker Dr. Martens have been guilty in recent years of such profligacy. "They were known for making really sturdy, simple and good quality footwear. Now they've plastered their name on everything, it's cheapened the brand and undermined their core product." 6) Be humble A stark word of warning for self-satisfied designers everywhere. "Successful brands don't fixate over being cool, instead they just do their own their own thing, stick to their founding principles and follow what they think is right," says Cheliotis. In other words, if you think you're cool, you probably won't be for much longer.	[ "How many labels are featured?", "What is the top brand?", "Who is the council chairman?", "what is rolex and chanel", "How many fashion labels are included?" ]	[ [ "numerous" ], [ "Aston Martin," ], [ "Stephen Cheliotis" ], [ "brands" ], [ "numerous" ] ]	Top "Cool Brands" list has been released, includes seven fashion labels . Rolex and Chanel all make the cut. What do they have that other brands don't? We ask "Cool Brands" council chairman to tell share the secrets of cool brands .
(CNN) -- Why is goal line technology not used by football? Is Africa's hosting of the 2010 World Cup a step in the right direction? Are the world's best players being asked to compete in too many global competitions? These are just some of the issues that may be puzzling you about the beautiful game. Well worry no more because here is your chance to quiz the man in charge of global soccer, Sepp Blatter, the head of world football's governing body FIFA. CNN will speak to Blatter in an exclusive interview at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday 29 March where we will ask him the questions you want answered -- just add your query to the bottom of the page. Are you a World Cup super fan? Represent your team Joseph (Sepp) Blatter, a former Swiss amateur footballer, was voted in as the FIFA president in 1998 before securing a second term in office in 2002, and a third in 2007. His tenure has seen him lead world football through three World Cups -- the fourth will kick off on June 11 in Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium -- five Confederations Cups and the creation of the World Club Cup which has taken place annually since 2005. The 74-year-old has been heavily involved with charitable programs during his presidency. These include UNICEF's "Say Yes for Children" campaign, which aims to increase awareness of children's rights, and the more recent "1Goal" program, that seeks to increase education opportunities in Africa. Blatter was a key figure in securing Africa's inaugural World Cup for 2010 after he introduced a system which saw each regional confederation take turns in hosting the tournament. The soccer chief has also courted controversy during his 12 years in charge, most recently by ruling out the introduction of goal line technology into the game. "The application of modern technologies can be very costly, and therefore not applicable on a global level," Blatter told FIFA's official Web site. "Many matches, even at the highest level, are not even televised. The rules need to be the same for all association football matches worldwide." Blatter has views on the English Premier League's domination of the global game. "In France they have an expression 'l'appetit vient mangeant' [the appetite comes with eating]. It means when you are at a good table you like to eat more and more and more. And this is the success story of the Premier League," he told a FIFA meeting held in Northern Ireland in March 2009. The Swiss administrator has also condemned the hold big clubs have over star players. When Spanish side Real Madrid were negotiating with Manchester United over the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, Blatter told British broadcaster Sky News: "I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere."	[ "to who is going to speak cnn?", "president of FIFA since 1998?", "the head of FIFA?", "Who will CNN speak to in March?", "When did Blatter become president of FIFA?", "whos the boss of global soccer?", "Who is Sepp Blatter?", "who is the president of fifa since 1998?" ]	[ [ "Blatter" ], [ "Sepp Blatter," ], [ "Sepp Blatter," ], [ "Blatter" ], [ "1998" ], [ "Sepp Blatter," ], [ "the head of world football's governing body FIFA." ], [ "Joseph (Sepp) Blatter," ] ]	Your chance to quiz the boss of global soccer, the head of FIFA, Sepp Blatter . Blatter, president of FIFA since 1998, is leading body through fourth World Cup . CNN will speak to Blatter in an exclusive interview in Zurich, on 29 March -- add your question .
(CNN) -- Why leave home when you can send out a sexy, stylish robot version of yourself to do anything you tell it? In "Surrogates," lifelike robots take the place of humans in day-to-day life. That's the world of "Surrogates," a film starring Bruce Willis that opens Friday. Willis plays an FBI agent who investigates the first murder to occur in years in a world where no one worries about crime or pain, because their robots self-heal with a quick reboot. Far-fetched science fiction? Sure. But scientists and the movie's makers say the technology might not be as far away as most people think. Armies use remote-controlled robots to attack enemies and destroy land mines. Emerging technology for the disabled allows users to operate robotic limbs and control computer cursors without touching a keyboard. And emerging "telepresence" technology is letting people see, hear and, increasingly, walk, talk and gesture using human-sized robots a world away. "There are a lot of real-world components to this," said robotics expert and author Daniel H. Wilson, whose books like "Where's My Jet Pack?" and "How to Survive a Robot Uprising" explore the intersections between science fiction and real science. "Clearly, there are not fully functional humanoid robots ... but there are a lot of components to telepresence that already exist." "Surrogates" director Jonathan Mostow, whose film credits include 2003's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," said he was drawn to the concept of surrogate robots as an extension of current technology. And, he said, as he met with scientists, he became convinced that something approaching the concept could one day be a reality. "To me, it's not even a question of the technology. Technology always catches up," he said. "The question is, is some universal human urge being met by this invention? It seems to me we have a fundamental human desire to be lazy, to sort of not have to do things in person and to do it remotely. "That began with the telegraph and the telephone and has morphed into the Internet." The first steps down the road are being taken at Anybots, a Mountain View, California, company founded in 2001 by Trevor Blackwell. The company offers, for about $30,000, a 5-foot-tall, 35-pound robot that allows the user to remotely travel, see, hear and talk. It hopes to release its latest version of the robot at a more affordable price. The robot's vaguely humanoid curves, roughly adult height and ability to move around using technology similar to that of the Segway are important steps up from current teleconferencing technology, Blackwell said. Anybots in the development phase are being designed to run, jump and climb stairs, and they come equipped with fully articulated hands designed to perform increasingly human-like tasks. Blackwell said he's not sure the technology will ever advance to the level imagined in "Surrogates" -- but that may have as much to do with desire as ability. "I don't know if we'll ever get quite to that level, of being that realistic," he said. "Most of the time, you're not trying to fool people; you're just trying to make something human enough so people can relate to it." Wilson, who said he appreciates "Surrogates" because it avoids sci-fi's traditional "man vs. machine" dynamic, also imagines social reasons for not pursuing such technology. "Would humans stand in line at the grocery store behind a robot? Would I let my children play outside if I knew there were robots outside walking dogs?" he said. It's more realistic, Wilson said, that a humanoid robot could be created to remotely perform tasks that would be too dangerous for the machine's operator to do. although NASA employs robots in space, the highly technical work often required for space walks still requires a human touch -- at least for	[ "What do the scientists say?", "what do scientists say?", "What happens in \"Surrogates\"?", "What is the California company?", "What happens in Surrogates?", "What do Scientists think of \"telepresence\"?", "What is Anybots developing?", "Where is the company Anybots based?", "What do scientists say?", "In what movie do stylish robots live life for their owners?", "Where is the company Anybots located?" ]	[ [ "the technology might not be as far away as most people think." ], [ "the technology might not be as far away as most people think." ], [ "lifelike robots take the place of humans in day-to-day life." ], [ "Anybots," ], [ "lifelike robots take the place of humans in day-to-day life." ], [ "the technology might not be as far away as most people" ], [ "a 5-foot-tall, 35-pound robot" ], [ "Mountain View, California," ], [ "the technology might not be as far away as most people think." ], [ "\"Surrogates,\"" ], [ "California," ] ]	In "Surrogates" sexy, stylish robots live life for their owners . Scientists say "telepresence" with robots is real, will improve . California company Anybots developing robot that can jump, climb stairs . Director: Androids are "logical conclusion" of technology that already exists .
(CNN) -- Will Michael Jackson stop the world? Fans have set up impromptu shrines to Michael Jackson, including this one at his family's house. Thousands are expected to swamp Los Angeles, California, to mourn him Tuesday at the Staples Center, and the accompanying media crush will be enormous. The tribute to the King of Pop at Harlem's Apollo Theater earlier this week drew coverage from all over the world, along with a public turnout in the thousands. Given the feverish interest in all things Jackson, the Los Angeles memorial could be one of the most-viewed events of all time. "This will obviously be a huge media event, and with Web streams of the funeral, it may be impossible to say for sure how many people watched once all is said and done, because there's still no comprehensive way to measure Web viewing," said Toni Fitzgerald, of Media Life, in an e-mail interview. A handful of events have earned the kind of worldwide coverage to put the world on pause, if only for a moment. The 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy "had the nation locked in a trance for two or three days," recalled TV critic Ed Bark of UncleBarky.com. The world audience for the Apollo 11 moon landing has been estimated in the hundreds of millions. The BBC estimated 2.5 billion people watched the 1997 funeral of Princess Diana. Watch Jermaine Jackson talk about his brother's legacy » The numbers are easily exaggerated -- nobody knows how many people are watching in groups or in public places -- and the Web has complicated matters further. But in a multichannel, satellite TV, computer-and-cell phone world, the Jackson memorial could have an audience in the hundreds of millions. It was first believed the event would take place at Jackson's Neverland Ranch. But the family announced Thursday that it will hold a private ceremony Tuesday, and then a massive public memorial service at the Staples Center. Fans had until 6 p.m. Saturday to register for free tickets to the memorial service. Organizers used a computer to choose 8,750 names from 1.6 million who registered since Friday. Watch a tour of Neverland » "You have to go back to the Beatles, the death of John Lennon perhaps, and the death of Elvis Presley to find a comparable figure in, not just pop music, but pop culture," said Entertainment Weekly critic-at-large Ken Tucker. (EW, like CNN, is a unit of Time Warner.) "And Jackson so self-consciously turned himself into not just an American pop icon but a global pop icon. I think this does have worldwide implications and interest." See how interest in Jackson's music has skyrocketed » The circumstances of Jackson's death have led to comparisons with Presley's in 1977, but in terms of coverage, the two can't compare. The news wasn't even the top story on CBS' "Evening News," Bark recalled, and there certainly wasn't wall-to-wall nationwide live coverage of his funeral. A public viewing drew about 30,000 fans; the funeral, two days after his death, was held in Graceland's living room. But Bark said there are parallels, at least in terms of coverage, with the Kennedy assassination. "These days it's so much harder to get a bulk audience on any given venue the way the [broadcast networks] did back then, but still the enormity [of the event] -- it's the syndicated tabloid shows ... and TMZ and all the cable networks devoting lots of attention to it, [and] the broadcast networks can't seem to do enough specials in prime time," said Bark. "I do think it's comparative but in a very different way." Officially, the sorts of events that have attracted the largest mass audiences have been scheduled entertainment or sports programs. Sixty percent of America watched the 1983 "MAS*H" finale; more than half watched the 1980 "Who Shot J.R." episode of "Dallas" and the 1977 "Roots" conclusion.	[ "When is the public memorial?", "Whose death was compared to Elvis Presley's death?", "Whose death was Michael Jackson's death compared with?", "What other death would have been most viewed?", "How many people are anticipated to watch the event?", "What event could be the most viewed of all time?" ]	[ [ "Tuesday at the Staples Center," ], [ "Michael Jackson" ], [ "John Lennon" ], [ "The 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy" ], [ "the Jackson memorial could have an audience in the hundreds of millions." ], [ "Los Angeles memorial" ] ]	Public memorial Tuesday could be one of the most-viewed events of all time . It could have a television and online audience in the hundreds of millions . Jackson's death has led to comparisons with Elvis Presley's death . Others see parallels, at least in terms of coverage, with the Kennedy assassination .
(CNN) -- Will Smith's Hancock wasn't the first superhero with bad habits and a bad attitude. Hellboy, the protagonist of "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," has a bit of the devil in him: His skin is red; he has two shorn-off horns on his head, a gargantuan club fist and a long, slippery tail. Ron Perlman returns in the title role in "Hellboy II: The Golden Army." He also has a down-to-earth side: a fondness for Cuban cigars, Mexican beer, TV and candy. He has a short fuse and he'd like a little appreciation for his efforts, please. He deserves it, too. This rank outsider isn't a billionaire like Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark. He's not even a scientist like Bruce Banner. He's more of a working stiff, a slugger with a gruff manner and a stogie in the side of his mouth -- but he wants to bat for the right team. (According to writer-artist Mike Mignola, the character was inspired by his father, a cabinetmaker.) Hellboy -- or "Red" to his friends -- has switched studios since his 2004 big-screen debut, from Columbia to Universal. Not that it shows. Writer-director Guillermo del Toro is still pulling the strings, and the key creative personnel are all back, including Ron Perlman in the title role, Selma Blair as the pyrokinetic Liz (now Mrs. Hellboy), Doug Jones as the piscine Abe Sapien (the brains to Red's brawn), and -- behind the scenes -- cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, and art whizzes Stephen Scott and Peter Francis. Between them, they conjure up one hell of a creature feature. "Hellboy II" boasts a dazzling multitude of imaginary beings: the deceptively delicate tooth fairies (so called because they eat bone, with a fondness for teeth in particular); the elfin king whose antlers grow out of his head to form a crown; the plantlike forest god that collapses into a strangely beautiful floral mulch right under the Brooklyn Bridge; the magnificent Angel of Death, an old crone who unfurls her wings to reveal a sparkling set of eyes (an avian variation on the creepiest creation in the acclaimed "Pan's Labyrinth," del Toro's last movie). Then there's the redoubtable Johann Kraus, an officious but in many ways admirable German who only exists as a vapor trail -- except when he's bottled up in an ingeniously modified, but still splendidly archaic, deep-sea diving suit. When a filmmaker can invest even a puff of smoke with so much chutzpah you know he's on to something. It's wonderful to see del Toro let his imagination run rampant like this. iReport.com: Did you see "Hellboy II"? Share your review The plot concerns an ancient race that's determined to wage war on humanity, but it's secondary to del Toro's amazing characters. The Mexican director's first Hollywood movies ("Mimic" and "Blade II") were far less distinctive than his Spanish-language films: "Cronos," "The Devil's Backbone" and "Pan's Labyrinth." You couldn't really call "Hellboy II" an advance on the latter -- "Pan's" was nominated for six Oscars and won three -- but it's obvious he relishes this material. It's pulpy and hammy and unashamedly lowbrow, and del Toro has the confidence and power to make it his own. The film feels very free, loose and (unusually for a special-effects picture) improvisational. An outsize personality such as Perlman is in his element here. Even when the wisecracks fall short -- there are an awful lot of "ass" gags -- they are closer to the grubby, subversive impulses of the comic books than the over-hyped, market-tested, industrial-strength blockbuster adaptations Hollywood churns out. It's not for nothing that the central tension running through this movie is Red's anarchic streak, his sometimes irresponsible need to be his own man in the Bureau for Paranormal	[ "What movie did CNN report on?", "what is the book called?", "what is hellboy ii", "What is Ron Perlman back doing?", "What is Hellboy known for having in his mouth?", "What is great about the movie besides the plot?", "Who plays Hellboy?" ]	[ [ "\"Hellboy II: The Golden Army.\"" ], [ "\"Hellboy II: The Golden Army.\"" ], [ "His skin is red; he has two shorn-off horns on his head, a gargantuan club fist and a long," ], [ "returns in the title role in \"Hellboy II: The Golden Army.\"" ], [ "a stogie" ], [ "amazing characters." ], [ "Ron Perlman" ] ]	CNN.com's Tom Charity: "Hellboy II" shows more Guillermo del Toro brilliance . Ron Perlman is back as the cigar-chomping title character . Plot is secondary to amazing characters, including a vaporous mass .
(CNN) -- William Beach was one of those people who fixated on certain foods. He would eat the same thing voraciously for a few days, and then, when he tired of the same tastes, he moved onto something else. In August, when summer's heat seemed unending in Mustang, Oklahoma, Beach took to savoring fried chicken -- and soft, sweet cantaloupe. Beach was elderly -- 87 -- but after eating the fruit, his health declined rather suddenly and before anyone in his family knew what was wrong, he was dead. He is among 15 people who died from Listeria monocytogenes in what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling the deadliest U.S. outbreak of a food-borne illness since 1998. Gallery: The decade's 10 biggest food-borne illness outbreaks The bacteria was traced to Rocky Ford cantaloupes grown at Jensen Farms' fields in Granada, Colorado. As of Monday, the outbreak had affected people in 19 states. The CDC first reported it publicly on September 12, six days after William Beach's family buried him. Listeria? What's that? Beach and his wife Monette bought the tainted cantaloupe at a Homeland grocery, where the store motto says: "the best is fresh." A week after he ate the fruit, Beach felt malaise, perhaps not unusual for a man of 87 years. But then his face turned the shade of a tomato. Soon he had trouble breathing and collapsed on the living room floor, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed against Jensen Farms. Monette heard him struggling to pull himself up off the floor. She hobbled into the room with her cane and saw her husband of 67 years unable to speak, unable to get up. She dialed 911 and an ambulance whisked Beach to Baptist Hospital in nearby Oklahoma City. He was discharged the next day but when he got worse at home, he returned to the hospital. One of Beach's six daughters, Brenda Hathaway met her father at the emergency room. Beach told her he didn't want Monette to see him this way. Listeriosis causes fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. It is rarely a serious concern for healthy children and adults, according to the CDC, but it is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and the elderly or people with weakened immune systems. On the evening of September 1, medical staff tried to intubate Beach but he began hemorrhaging from the mouth and nose, the court documents said. Soon after, he died. Monette never saw her husband alive again. Two days after his funeral, an official from the Oklahoma State Department of Health called Hathaway. She was told then that her father had tested positive for Listeria. Hathaway's sister Debbie Frederick said the family wondered why it took the hospital two days to release her father's body. They had assumed he died of natural causes. "We knew it was some sort of infection, but we did not know what it was," she said. But Listeria? She had never even heard that word before. What you need to know about Listeria Health officials began questioning Beach's daughters. What had he eaten in the weeks prior? They specifically asked if he had consumed cantaloupes. Frederick, meanwhile, glued herself to her computer, determined to learn more about the illness that killed her father. "Doing all that reading, it became patently clear that the health departments knew there was an issue," she said. "They knew there was a Listeria problem." The Beach family's angst led to a lawsuit filed against Jensen Farms. Frederick said she hopes the lawsuit will help strengthen food safety laws. "It's a terrible thing to lose someone you love to something that could be prevented," she said. "I pray that it's over. I hope nobody else has to lose a loved one." Battling the bacteria In Littleton, Colorado, Jeni Exley's parents, Herbert and Elaine Stevens, were getting ready to celebrate 60 years of marriage on September 8	[ "What killed William Beach?", "Who died from listeria?", "Beach collapsed after eating what?", "Who is suing jensen farms?", "Where was the cantaloupe from?", "In what state is Herbert Stevens?", "what are suing Jensen Farms?" ]	[ [ "Listeria monocytogenes" ], [ "William" ], [ "cantaloupe." ], [ "The Beach family's" ], [ "Jensen Farms' fields in Granada, Colorado." ], [ "Oklahoma," ], [ "The Beach family's" ] ]	Before his family knew what Listeria was, William Beach was dead . After eating Jensen Farms cantaloupe, Beach collapsed on the floor . In Colorado, Herbert Stevens is still recuperating from his bout with the bacteria . Both families are suing Jensen Farms .
(CNN) -- William Safire, a onetime speechwriter for President Nixon who became a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times, has died at age 79, the newspaper announced Sunday. William Safire died in Maryland following a battle with pancreatic cancer, The New York Times reported. Safire joined the Times as a columnist in 1973. In addition to his conservative news columns, which he wrote until 2005, he wrote a language column for the paper's Sunday magazine from 1979 until shortly before his death. He won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1978. In 2006, President George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian honor. Safire had suffered from pancreatic cancer and died Sunday at a hospice in Rockville, Maryland, the newspaper reported. Born in New York in 1929, Safire began his career as a reporter for newspapers, television and radio stations after dropping out of Syracuse University. After becoming a public relations executive in the late 1950s, he was credited with putting together the 1959 "kitchen debate" between then-Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev at that year's American National Exhibition in Moscow. Safire was the publicist for a builder at the time. "What I was publicizing was the typical American house," he recounted during a conference at George Washington University in July. "It was my kitchen." The next year, he went to work for Nixon's first, unsuccessful presidential bid. He rejoined the Nixon team in 1968, when the Republican eventually won the White House, and became one of the administration's top speechwriters. Perhaps his best-known line in that job was Vice President Spiro Agnew's denunciation of journalists as "nattering nabobs of negativism." But Safire left the administration to join that nattering club in 1973, when he left the Nixon administration to join the Times. His often-pugnacious voice -- he once denounced then-first lady Hillary Clinton as a "congenital liar" -- held down the right flank of the Times' op-ed page for more than three decades. He won his Pulitzer in 1978 for columns on the travails surrounding Bert Lance, who as President Carter's budget director in 1977 resigned amid allegations of bank fraud. Lance was acquitted by a federal jury in 1980. And he was an outspoken advocate of the plight of Iraq's Kurdish population. He sharply criticized U.S. support for Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein in the 1980s, when Hussein used poison gas to put down a Kurdish revolt, and he strongly supported the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, writing that "nobody came out of this war more nobly" than the Kurds. Safire also wrote four novels, several collections of columns and a political dictionary that was first published in 1968. A new edition came out in 2008. He is survived by his wife, Helene, two children and one grandchild.	[ "Did Safire ever win a Pullitzer?", "What did William Safire die from at age 79?", "What age was William Safire when he died?" ]	[ [ "He won his Pulitzer in 1978" ], [ "pancreatic cancer," ], [ "79," ] ]	William Safire dies at age 79, according to New York Times . Safire, a Pulitzer Prize winner, died after pancreatic cancer battle, Times reports . Safire was columnist for the Times, former speechwriter for President Nixon . He coined "nattering nabobs of negativism" for a Spiro Agnew speech .
(CNN) -- William Ward Warren was 15 when his dad dropped him off at Dallas Love Field to see President John F. Kennedy arrive in the city, on the same day JFK was assassinated. Students in Dallas, Texas, had November 22, 1963, off from school in recognition of the visit. Warren decided to take along his 8mm camera. The result was "the best home movie known to exist of the Kennedy arrival," according to Gary Mack, curator of the The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. The color film offers new glimpses of the president and Mrs. Kennedy, wearing a pink Chanel suit, coming down the steps from Air Force One and greeting well-wishers. The Kennedys can then be seen from the side as they walk past the camera smiling. Vice President Lyndon Johnson is seen close up as he greets people standing on the tarmac. "I was very excited," says Warren, now 61. "It had rained the night before and cleared off that next day, which was an interesting event, and it was a very positive day. It was cool and yet the sun was shining bright, and there was lots of excitement." Warren donated the 8mm color home movie to the museum, Mack said in a news release. According to the news release, the only color images of President Kennedy in Dallas were made by amateurs, except for a brief film by a White House photographer. The museum is on the sixth and seventh floors of what was known in 1963 as the Texas School Book Depository. The Warren Commission determined that Lee Harvey Oswald shot Kennedy from that location.	[ "Where was the film donated to?", "when was President and Mrs seen walking through the crowd?", "What was the age of the boy who took the film?", "Who can be seen walking?", "What size was the film?", "What is the name of the museum?", "WHat was on the fil the boy took?" ]	[ [ "The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza." ], [ "November 22, 1963," ], [ "15" ], [ "The Kennedys" ], [ "8mm" ], [ "The Sixth Floor" ], [ "\"the best home movie known to exist of the Kennedy arrival,\"" ] ]	Boy, 15, took color 8mm film of Kennedy's arrival at airport in Dallas, Texas . President and Mrs. Kennedy can be seen walking through crowd on November 22, 1963 . Film was donated to Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas by filmmaker, now 61 .
(CNN) -- William Whitaker is certain that somebody in the central Oklahoman community where he lives knows who killed his daughter. Taylor Paschal-Placker, left, and Skyla Jade Whitaker were found shot to death along an Oklahoma road a year ago. The dirt road where the bodies of 11-year-old Skyla Jade Whitaker and Taylor Paschal-Placker, 13, were found is too remote for the killings to be the work of a stranger passing through, he says. "There's absolutely no way that somebody from out of the area could've just stumbled upon the place," Whitaker said. "I know whoever did it told somebody, whether they were drinking or bragging or whatever, and whoever knows just needs to bring the information forward." It has been a year since the two friends were shot multiple times in the stomach and chest less than a half a mile from Taylor's home in the rural community of Weleetka, with a population just over 1,000. "Taylor was shot five times. My daughter was shot eight times. Thirteen shots between two little girls who never did anything to anyone," Whitaker said. "I don't know how a person can go to work, eat or sleep knowing what they did. I couldn't live with that on my conscience, but they've been doing it for a year now." Watch father plead for answers in killings » In the beginning, hundreds of tips poured in. Authorities pursued leads and analyzed evidence, but a year later, they have no suspects or witnesses leading them to any viable conclusions. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Jessica Brown said during a press conference Monday that authorities have "good evidence" in the case but lack the final piece to make an arrest. "If we could get this one piece of evidence that would help solve this case, that's what we need," Brown said Monday. Investigators believe that the killer or killers could be from Okfuskee County, or that a member of the community knows something about what happened to the girls the afternoon of June 4, 2008. "What we are frustrated about is the lack of cooperation we're getting from members of the public," Brown said. She stressed Monday that a $36,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to a conviction. The girls were shot with two different guns, leading to the possibility that two people were involved, Brown said. The OSBI released a sketch of a person wanted for questioning last year, but they have not received information leading to him, she said. But the killings remain fresh in the minds of Oklahomans. A billboard with the girls' faces and a tip hotline has loomed over Interstate 40 for several months. A memorial service was planned for Monday in Weleetka to mark the anniversary. "I can't go to the dry cleaners, the gym without people asking me, 'what's going on with those two girls?' Everyone in Oklahoma is emotionally involved in this case, and I think it's because it happened to two small children in an area you wouldn't think you'd ever have to worry about," Brown said. The same posters adorn storefronts and bulletin boards in banks, restaurants and post offices throughout Okfuskee County, a sparsely populated manufacturing region best known as the birthplace of songwriter Woody Guthrie. Weleetka Police Officer Stacey Rice will never forget the image of the dead girls. He was the second officer on the scene after a relative called 911 around 5:30 p.m. that day. "I really hope I never see anything like that again. It's just emotionally and visually traumatic. You see two small children lying on the ground like that and it's kind of hard to explain. Makes you want to go find your children," said Rice, a father of two teenage boys. "It took me several minutes to realize what happened, but after a while, it kind of sank in, and that's when emotions started running ... anger, lots of anger, sadness, disbelief. Nobody wanted to believe what	[ "what is on the billboards?", "What is the age of Whitaker?", "did they find who killed them?", "Who were fatally shot on a rural road?" ]	[ [ "with the girls' faces and a tip hotline" ], [ "11-year-old" ], [ "no" ], [ "Taylor Paschal-Placker," ] ]	Skyla Jade Whitaker, 11, Taylor Paschal-Placker, 13, fatally shot on rural road . Local resident may be involved or have information, girl's father believes . Billboard, posters around Okfuskee County serve as reminders of girls' brutal deaths . Skyla's father finds comfort in visiting memorial at crime scene .
(CNN) -- Willie Mitchell, the Memphis producer whose percussive, string-and-horn-tinged R&B sound shaped '70s hits by such artists as Al Green and Ann Peebles, died Tuesday. He was 81. Mitchell had been having health problems and went into cardiac arrest in December, according to his grandson, Lawrence. Mitchell "was doing music all the way till he couldn't," his grandson, whom Mitchell helped raise, said. He worked on Rod Stewart's most recent album, "Soulbook," as well as Solomon Burke's forthcoming CD. Despite being in and out of the hospital, Mitchell would write horn and string arrangements one day and record them the next, Lawrence Mitchell said. In the 1970s, Mitchell was a principal in Hi Records and owned Royal Studios, where musicians such as drummers Al Jackson and Howard Grimes and guitarist Teenie Hodges plied their trade. His biggest success came with Green, whom he guided through a number of '70s hits, including "I'm Still in Love With You," "Let's Stay Together," "Love and Happiness" and "Call Me." In 2003, he and Green re-teamed for "I Can't Stop," their first album together since 1985. Green has often talked about how important Mitchell was to his sound, working him until his voice was just so -- a difference that can be heard on his pre-Mitchell songs, such as "Back Up Train." Mitchell also helmed Peebles' "I Can't Stand the Rain" and O.V. Wright's "The Ace of Spades." A musician himself, he had several R&B hits in the '60s. Memphis named the street in front of Royal Studios for Mitchell in 2004. Funeral arrangements were pending, Lawrence Mitchell said.	[ "At what age did Willie Mitchell die?", "Who helmed key early '70s R&B hits?", "How many years of age was Mitchell when he died?", "Mitchell's drum sound was heard on who's songs?" ]	[ [ "81." ], [ "Willie" ], [ "81." ], [ "Al Green and Ann Peebles," ] ]	Willie Mitchell, helmed key early '70s R&B hits, dies at 81 . Mitchell's tight drum sound was heard on songs by Al Green, Ann Peebles . Mitchell worked right up to his death, his grandson said .
(CNN) -- Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will open proceedings at the WTA Championships in Istanbul Tuesday in her first appearance in the prestigious end-of-season finale. The Czech was a surprise winner at SW19, beating Maria Sharapova in the final of the grass court grand slam, helping her to earn a place in the elite eight-strong field in Turkey. She faces experienced Russian Vera Zvonerava in the first match in Red Group and knows that to progress from the robin stage will be tough. "It doesn't matter who's in the group. All eight players are very strong," she told the WTA official website. Kvitova, with four other titles in her breakthrough season, must emerge in the top two out of section which also includes World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska. Pole Radwanska is also a newcomer to the WTA Championships after a storming late season run with two titles. Arguably, she is in better form than her opponent Wozniacki in the second match on court Tuesday. While she was winning titles in Beijing and Tokyo, Danish ace Wozniacki was making early exits. "I was the last one to get in here so I'm just going to enjoy myself and try to play my best tennis, like in Asia," said Radwanska, who had to sweat on the performance of first alternate Marion Bartoli in the final counting event at the Kremlin Cup before sealing her place. The final match of the first day's proceedings pits Sharapova against newly-crowned U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur in the Blue Group. Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and China's Li Na complete the section and will be in action Wednesday. Stosur, who stunned Serena Williams to claim her first grand slam title at Flushing Meadows, knows she faces a tough task to progress. "Maria (Sharapova) and Victoria (Azarenka) I've never beaten before, so there's a great challenge in itself," she said. Defending champion Kim Clijsters, who beat Wozniacki in last year's final, did not qualify for the tournament after a season ruined by injury, while Williams has not played since reaching the final at the U.S. Open and is in 12th place in the rankings. Sharapova, who beat Williams for the title in 2004, is the only previous winner of the event in an inexperienced field with French Open champion Li Na joining Kvitova and Radwanska as first timers.	[ "Who opens proceedings?", "Who have won the tournament?", "When does the WTA Championship begin?", "Where is WTA Championship?" ]	[ [ "Petra Kvitova" ], [ "Petra Kvitova" ], [ "Tuesday" ], [ "Istanbul" ] ]	WTA Championships begin in Istanbul Tuesday . Eight-strong tournament has three newcomers . Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova opens proceedings against Vera Zvonareva . Maria Sharapova the only member of the field to have won the tournament .
(CNN) -- Wing Bryan Habana became South Africa's all-time leading try scorer on Thursday as the Springboks thrashed Namibia 87-0 at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The 28-year-old went over for the reigning world champions in the first half for his 39th Test try -- his first since a score against Italy in June 2010 -- to move clear of previous record-holder Joost van der Westhuizen. The two-time World Cup winners registered 11 other tries to extend their winning run at the four-yearly tournament to 10 matches, and also condemn Namibia to elimination at the pool stage for the fourth competition in a row. South Africa's comprehensive victory also secured an unwanted record for Namibia, who suffered a 14th successive World Cup defeat -- the worst run in the tournament's 24-year history. After an error-ridden first half, the Springboks scored six tries in the final 20 minutes in only their second encounter with their African neighbors following a 105-13 romp in a warm-up game four years ago. "The first 40 minutes we had a few bad habits which happens as you often get different types of opposition at the World Cup," winning captain John Smit told the tournament website. "It was a good chance for us to refocus at halftime, and we had better shape in the second half and got more rewards. We are making progress. Tonight was a good run-out." Flyhalf Morne Steyn set the 1995 and 2007 champions on their way when he kicked a successful penalty after three minutes, before wing Gio Aplon went over for the game's first try three minutes later. Habana touched down for his historic score on 21 minutes, with South Africa awarded a penalty try after Namibia were overpowered in the scrum on the half-hour. Center Jaque Fourie registered South Africa's fourth and final try of the opening period after 38 minutes, before Steyn again converted to make the halftime score 31-0. Center Francois Steyn added to the tally after the break, and Morne Steyn continued his perfect record in the match by successfully converting before notching a try of his own on the hour mark. The tries kept coming for the Springboks with center Juan de Jongh coming off the bench to go over the Namibia line with 63 minutes gone, and scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar -- on as a replacement for kicker Steyn -- converted to make the score 54-0. There was a second try for the 28-year-old Aplon, before a brace from flyhalf Derick Hougaard and further scores from de Jongh and forward Danie Rossouw completed the rout. South Africa are now in a strong position to reach the quarterfinals ahead of their fourth and final Pool D match with second-placed Samoa on September 30, while Namibia face Wales, who also have last-eight aspirations, in New Plymouth on Monday. The Boks are on 14 points, eight clear of Samoa -- who like Wales, on five, have two matches to play.	[ "What extended the losing streak to 14 matches", "who becomes the Springboks' all-time leading Test try scorer?", "What length is the losing streak?", "What was 87-0 in New Zealand", "who thrash Namibia 87-0 at the Rugby World Cup?", "what is the number of Namibia's World Cup losing streak?", "What did Bryan Habana become", "Where was the Rugby World Cup?" ]	[ [ "South Africa's comprehensive victory" ], [ "Bryan Habana" ], [ "14th successive World Cup defeat" ], [ "Rugby World Cup" ], [ "Springboks" ], [ "14th" ], [ "South Africa's all-time leading try scorer" ], [ "New Zealand." ] ]	South Africa thrash Namibia 87-0 at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand . Bryan Habana becomes the Springboks' all-time leading Test try scorer . Winger's score in the first haf is his 39th international try . Defeat extends Namibia's World Cup losing streak to 14 matches .
(CNN) -- Winning the Masters for the third time meant the world for Phil Mickelson, but nothing could beat seeing his wife Amy and three kids waiting by the 18th green after he completed an emotional victory on Sunday. "It was a very special and emotional moment for us because we've been through a lot this last year," the American told CNN after returning to second in the world golf rankings behind Tiger Woods, who tied for fourth on his comeback. "I was so excited to see her, I wasn't sure if she was going to make it out. To see her and the kids and be able to share that moment with them is something that we'll look back on years from now and cherish." Mickelson went into the tournament, the first of the golf season's four majors, in less than spectacular form after a traumatic year off the course. Blog: Phil's victory perfect tonic for Tiger hype Last May, Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer, then less than two months later his mother Mary was found to have the same affliction and also required surgery. The 39-year-old took two breaks from the PGA Tour to be with his family, but successfully returned to the circuit to win the Tour Championship in September. "We've had a lot of difficult moments in this last year, and we've been fortunate in that we've had good long-term outlook," he said. "But our day-to-day has been tough, she's had a lot of side effects from the medicines and the quality of life isn't great. "I think having something so joyous and exciting and fun for a short while makes you forget some of the symptoms that you have. "She's been inspiring to me throughout not just this past year, but our whole marriage and relationship. But this past year, especially seeing the way she's tackled this fight and the way she's been through so much medically, I just find her to be a very inspiring individual." In 2004, Mickelson finally rid himself of the tag "most talented player yet to win a major" with victory at the famous Augusta National club and claimed the green jacket for a second time two years later, having also won the U.S. PGA Championship in 2005. But Mickelson, nicknamed "Lefty" for his swing despite otherwise being right-handed, said he was still nervous on Sunday despite his previous successes in the Masters as he went into the final round a shot behind Englishman Lee Westwood. "Oh absolutely, but I love it. It's my favorite thing," he said. "It's the thing that was most difficult early in my career and it's the thing that I enjoy the most. "I don't sleep the night before and I'm anxious and excited to get out on the course. You have butterflies all day and you just can't wait to get the round started. I still feel all that, but that's what makes Sunday at Augusta so special." Mickelson said he was confident going into the tournament despite having only one top-10 finish in his previous seven starts in 2010. "I felt like I was playing this well at the start of the year, I just haven't had the results," he told reporters after his victory. "I wasn't discouraged, I felt very confident heading in here. Certainly I wanted to have some wins and be in contention, but when I get here to Augusta I get relaxed and comfortable here. I'm in love with this place, it brings out the best in me."	[ "What type of cancer does Amy have?", "Who has cancer?", "Who was also diagnosed with breast cancer?", "Besides his wife, who else has cancer in Mickleson's family?", "What was Amy Mickelson diagnosed with last May?", "What did Mickelson say was special?", "Who was waiting for Phil Mickelson?", "Who else was recently diagnosed?", "When was Amy diagnosed?" ]	[ [ "breast" ], [ "Amy" ], [ "his mother Mary" ], [ "mother Mary" ], [ "breast cancer," ], [ "seeing his wife Amy and three kids waiting by the 18th green after he completed an emotional victory on Sunday." ], [ "his wife Amy and three kids" ], [ "Mary" ], [ "Last May," ] ]	Phil Mickelson says it was special to have cancer-stricken wife Amy waiting for him . Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer last May and is still recovering . The American says he and his family will cherish the moment in years to come . Mickelson's mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer last year .
(CNN) -- Winter travelers trek thousands of miles to the frozen north each year seeking the sky's "dancing lights," which provoke awe, excitement and, some say, sex. CNN iReporter Bruce Barrett shot this rare red aurora in Canada's Whitehorse, Yukon. Scientists call the natural phenomenon aurora borealis: cascading beams of greens, yellows, blues, purples or reds -- which paint a breathtaking backdrop across the wilderness and attract thousands of tourists annually. "Usually it starts slowly as kind of a hazy greenish color -- like a mist -- building up in frequency dancing across the sky ... and to me that's religion," said photographer Dave Brosha of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, who's seen more than 100 Canadian auroras. "It's just one of the most incredible feelings a person can have -- sitting there watching that." To the west in Canada's Yukon province, tour operator Torsten Eder likes to tell a story about a marriage that was forged under the glowing curtains of light. See spectacular photos of auroras » "I had one guy from Mexico, and he wanted to surprise his girlfriend by proposing marriage with a ring under the northern lights," said Eder from his office in Whitehorse. "We got lucky and the lights were visible ... so our guest went down on his knee and proposed to his girlfriend and she was totally blown away. The funny thing was -- she wouldn't wear gloves for the first three days -- so she could show the ring off." The otherworldly lights also have provided inspiration for almost sacred pilgrimages, Eder said. Guests who said they were going blind or battling cancer told him they wanted to view the auroras at least once in their lives. "It puts enormous pressure on us," said Eder. "You can't guarantee that the lights will be visible because it's a natural phenomenon." The display is generally visible at least every three days, he said. Scientists say the northern lights are created by the sun's super hot atmosphere, which blasts particles into the protective magnetic field surrounding the Earth. The magnetic field forces the particles toward the north and south poles. About 60 to 200 miles overhead, the particles bump into the Earth's atmosphere and become electrically "excited" -- throwing off light of various colors, said Prof. Dirk Lummerzheim of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. "The forecast for this winter is a continued quiet sun, in general," he said. The sun is on the upswing of an 11-year cycle. "Maybe we will have a few periods once a month where the aurora can get a little bit more active." Although the phenomenon occurs around the clock, the lights are only visible at night. The best time of year to see them is during winter, when darkness in the upper latitudes stretches up to 24 hours. See map where northern lights can be seen » Eder's Northern Tales tour company picks up guests at their hotels about 10 p.m. and takes them to an area about 20 minutes outside Whitehorse's city lights. There, travelers can enjoy nature's colorful show from a heated, walled tent until around 2 a.m. "We almost take it for granted sometimes," said Brosha. "No matter how many times you've seen the aurora borealis -- when they really dance, when you get some really unique colors -- you just kind of say, 'Wow, I'm so lucky to see that.' " A warmer way to enjoy the northern lights is a shallow, natural rock lake at Chena Hot Springs outside Fairbanks, Alaska, which allows bikini-clad guests to enjoy the lights in temperatures of 106 degrees Fahrenheit. "I mean, honestly, it's the best way to see them," said spokeswoman Denise Ferree. "Because you're warm and toasty and you're watching the northern lights above." Chena's owner, Bernie Karl -- who's often as colorful as the lights themselves -- said the auroras sometimes spark the libido. "Having sex under the northern lights -- it's an	[ "Who seeks the aurora borealis?", "who saw this phenomenon", "which it is the name of this person", "What is an awesome experience?", "What colors are the dancing lights?" ]	[ [ "Winter" ], [ "CNN iReporter Bruce Barrett" ], [ "Bruce Barrett" ], [ "\"Having sex under the northern lights" ], [ "cascading beams of greens, yellows, blues, purples or reds" ] ]	Sex under northern lights is an awesome experience, says resort owner . People diagnosed with terminal or blinding diseases seek out aurora borealis . Brilliant green, blue "dancing lights" inspire marriage proposals, says guide . Spectacular phenomenon occurs when solar particles hit near Earth's poles .
(CNN) -- Wiping tears from his cheeks, a man who survived avalanches that killed eight snowmobilers in western Canada said Wednesday that he and two others tried to save their friends but eventually left the mountain because of the threat of more slides. Jeffrey Adams says he freed himself and helped free two others before making a "gut-wrenching" decision to leave. Jeffrey Adams, with his his fiancée at his side, said he and the two other survivors "did everything we could to try to save" the eight Sunday. "They died doing what they loved. ... I'm truly sorry to the families that we couldn't find them," Adams said. Adams described digging himself out after the avalanches struck the group Sunday in British Columbia about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) east of Fernie, a town in the Canadian Rockies about 300 kilometers (186 miles) southwest of Calgary, Alberta. Both avalanches left him buried but near the surface, he said. He was able to dig himself out, choking on snow, and free a second companion without gloves or gear. Watch Adams describe digging himself, others out » Adams and six others had been snowmobiling near the base of a mountain when the first avalanche happened, he said. The avalanche buried him for "a minute or two," but he was able to free himself. He started digging for a companion as another group of four people showed up to help, Adams said. One called 911 on a transmitter. But then they heard a crack, and a second slide buried all 11 of them, Adams said. Miraculously, he said, only 8 to 10 inches of snow covered him. "When I opened my eyes, I could see daylight," he said. "I was digging. I managed to get my mouth free. I was already choking. I took a few breaths. After about five minutes of struggling, I got myself out, looked around and realized there wasn't anybody else -- couldn't see any sleds, no gear, nothing." He yelled for his friends and heard an answer, and he was able to dig out one man, whom he identified as Jeremy. The two were working on freeing a third man, James, when they heard another crack. "We said, 'Sorry, James, we've got to run,' " Adams remembered tearfully. "As we were running away from James, he was saying, 'Don't leave me here! Don't leave me here!' We kept saying we're sorry. We went off and sat to the side, and the slide never hit us in the area we were in. We just got the snow cloud. We went back in and finally got James out." But then the three looked around and saw no one. They considered getting the one snowmobile that wasn't struck by the avalanche, but determined that the area was too unsafe. "That's when we had to make the gut-wrenching decision to leave our eight friends and start walking off the mountain," an emotional Adams said. The group had walked for about 10 minutes and was thinking of going back, but when he turned to look, "the whole center of the mountain came down" in a fourth avalanche. "We just decided our best bet was to keep walking," he said. They were hoping for a helicopter in response to the earlier 911 call, he said, and one eventually arrived and picked them up. Searchers found seven bodies Monday and the eighth Tuesday. Royal Canadian Mounted Police identified the dead as Danny Bjarnason, 28; Kane Rusnak, 30; Warren Rothel, 33; Michael Stier, 20; Len Stier, 45; Blayne Wilson, 26; Kurt Kabel, 28; and Thomas Talarico, 32. Adams and the other two survivors, James and Jeremy -- whose last names and ages were not given -- suffered minor injuries. One was hospitalized overnight. "It's hard," Adams said. "I replay it in	[ "What number of bodies were found?", "How many others did Jeffrey Adams claim to help escape?", "What days were eight bodies found?", "How many bodies were found on Monday and Tuesday?", "What way did the survivors describe the decision to leave?", "How many people did the survivor leave behind?", "Who replays the choice in his head all the time?" ]	[ [ "seven" ], [ "two" ], [ "Searchers found seven bodies Monday and the eighth Tuesday." ], [ "seven" ], [ "\"gut-wrenching\"" ], [ "eight" ], [ "Jeffrey Adams" ] ]	Survivor says decision to leave eight behind was "gut-wrenching" "I replay it in my head all the time," Jeffrey Adams says . Adams describes digging himself out twice, helping two others escape . Eight bodies were found Monday and Tuesday .
(CNN) -- With 17 Grammys, five gold records and -- by his count -- almost 130 albums, polka superstar Jimmy Sturr might just be the most successful musician you've never heard of. Polka artist Jimmy Sturr is up for a possible 18th Grammy Award at the upcoming ceremony. Sturr and his orchestra, superstars in the polka world, are one of a multitude of musical acts nominated this year in some of the lesser-known Grammy categories. When there are 110 categories, "lesser-known" might be putting it lightly. "I try not to get too worked up over it," said Sturr, who is once again nominated this year in the best polka album category. "But when the [awards] season comes along I am right there saying 'I hope I win. I hope I win.' It just never gets old." Sturr is among the unsung artists whose statuette presentation doesn't make it to the prime-time televised broadcast, which will air 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS. While categories like best Hawaiian music album, best traditional world music album and best historical album may linger in the shadows of the big Grammy show, they are no less important to the performers and fans who love them. See some of the lesser-known categories » The Grammy Awards are trumpeted as "music's biggest night," and Grammy officials there are cognizant of the heavy competition to appear on the broadcast. There just isn't enough time to honor everyone on the televised presentation, said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy, which presents the Grammy Awards. He said about a dozen awards, including album of the year and best new artist, are given out during the live show. "Every Grammy is of equal value and importance in our minds," Portnow said. "That said, with 110 categories and 3½ hours of television, physics dictate the reality that we can't do everything on the national broadcast." Instead, the other nominees are feted at an event held earlier in the day, Portnow said. "We created a very significant and somewhat extravagant pre-telecast, which is conducted in a separate facility right across from the Staples Center the afternoon of the show," Portnow explained. "We build a substantial stage, we have co-hosts, we have music performances and we have presenters," he said. "Many, many of our nominees come to that event to pick up their Grammys." This year, fans of the best contemporary folk/Americana album or best engineered album (nonclassical) categories -- among others -- will be able to see their favorites on the Web, because this year's pre-telecast will be streamed live on Grammy.com and available for viewing for 30 days after the ceremony. Singer Wayna, who is nominated for best urban/alternative performance for her song "Lovin You (Music)" featuring Kokayi, said she feels honored simply to have been chosen. "I'm not sure if I've taken it all in yet," the Bowie, Maryland, singer said. "I'm really proud of this category." The increase in independent artists shows a trend Portnow said "speaks to the importance of what we do to a very broad segment of the music community." No doubt that community includes at least a few admirers of the vivacious dance music that is polka. Sturr may not be burning up the charts or even generating the heat of fellow Grammy nominees Lil Wayne and Radiohead, but he gets his fair share of love from those who follow his genre. Some admirers have gone on to become collaborators. Sturr's recording partners have included Willie Nelson, the Oak Ridge Boys and Charlie Daniels. He's often surprised by who is a fan, he said. "I was in Jupiter, Florida, a few years ago and the manager of a restaurant I knew came up to me and said there's a fan of yours that would like to meet you," recalled Sturr. "I went over	[ "who could win their 18th grammy?", "what's a lesser known Grammy category?", "What is polka?", "What genre does Jimmy Sturr sing?", "what is of equal value and importance?", "Who is about to win their 18th Grammy?" ]	[ [ "Jimmy Sturr" ], [ "best Hawaiian music album, best traditional world music" ], [ "vivacious dance music" ], [ "Polka" ], [ "\"Every Grammy" ], [ "Jimmy Sturr" ] ]	Polka is among several of the lesser known Grammy categories . Artist Jimmy Sturr up to possibly win Grammy number 18 . Academy exec: "Every Grammy is of equal value and importance in our minds" Pre-telecast for those not included in live show growing in popularity .
(CNN) -- With Congress on its August recess, lawmakers are back in their home districts to meet with their constituents. Voters are confronting lawmakers with tough questions on health care at town hall meetings across the country. Across the country, members of Congress are holding town hall meetings where voters are encouraged to voice any questions or concerns about what's happening on Capitol Hill. Health care reform has dominated the conversation at the meetings. President Obama has called on Congress to pass legislation this year, but lawmakers are hearing from their constituents that they want more specifics on what reform will mean for them. In addition to taking questions, lawmakers are trying to set the record straight and put an end to the spread of misinformation. Many town hall meetings are open to anyone. If you're interested in attending one, you're not alone. More than 70 percent of people say they are either very likely or somewhat likely to attend a town hall on health care, according to a recent CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey. To find a meeting near you, determine who your senators and representatives are. You can find this information on the House and Senate Web sites. Some lawmakers have information about their town hall meetings clearly listed on their Web sites. Democratic Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado, for example, has an "events" section detailing the time and location of his upcoming meetings. Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin has a section called "listening sessions." It links to a map that shows where the meetings are by county. Republican Rep. Steve King of Iowa lists his August meetings under the "latest headlines" section of his Web site. Not all of the lawmakers keep their Web sites up to date, and some don't have their town hall meetings listed online. If that's the case, you also can call your senator or representative's office to get more information on upcoming events. It's a good idea to call their office to confirm the time and location, even if the details are online. Meetings are often rescheduled or relocated, and it never hurts to double-check. Find out what time the doors open, and ask whether registration is required. You can also keep track of your senators and representatives on Twitter. Some lawmakers send messages about their upcoming events. Tweetcongress.org has a list of members of Congress who use Twitter.	[ "Congress is on a recess in which month?", "congress is on it's what during August?", "Who are encouraged to attend meetings to voice questions and concerns?", "Who can you call to find information?", "What should be confirmed when people call a senator or representative's office?", "Who are encouraged to attend meetings?", "What are lawmakers doing" ]	[ [ "August" ], [ "recess," ], [ "voters" ], [ "your senator or representative's office" ], [ "the time and location," ], [ "voters" ], [ "trying to set the record straight and put an end to the spread of misinformation." ] ]	Congress is on its August recess, and lawmakers are hearing from constituents . Voters are encouraged to attend meetings to voice questions and concerns . Call your senator or representative's office to confirm the time and location .
(CNN) -- With President Barack Obama limiting how and where detainees at Guantanamo Bay can be interrogated, some analysts are asking if intelligence agencies will be able to get the information they need to keep the country safe -- and where the prisoners will eventually end up. President Barack Obama recently ordered the closing of Guantanamo Bay detention facility. Fresh off his inauguration, Obama issued executive orders relating to Guantanamo, including one requiring that the detention facility be closed within a year. During a signing ceremony at the White House on January 22, Obama reaffirmed his inauguration pledge that the United States does not have "to continue with a false choice between our safety and our ideals." The president said he was issuing the order to close the facility in order to "restore the standards of due process and the core constitutional values that have made this country great even in the midst of war, even in dealing with terrorism." At its peak, Gitmo held 770 people the U.S. government believed may have been involved in terrorist activity or military action against the nation. The facility drew sharp criticism, including from Obama as he campaigned for the presidency. Human and legal rights advocates complained that many Gitmo detainees were being held indefinitely without charge. There were a handful of reports of mistreatment of detainees and Obama, among others, said the facility was not an effective way to deal with alleged enemy combatants or gather good intelligence. With the closing of Gitmo and secret overseas CIA prisons, future detainees may stay in foreign custody. Those countries might not have the same constraints on interrogations, and they could share what they learn or let U.S. intelligence sit in. Watch more on the Gitmo dilemma » "While you're able to say that you don't have U.S. secret prisons, in effect, you may be able to get the benefit through your relationship with foreign intelligence services," said CNN national security contributor Frances Townsend, who served as President Bush's national security adviser. But some say it's the mere image of closing Gitmo that will help U.S. relations around the world. "Guantanamo is an extraordinary debilitating symbol in the United States and the United States' standing in the world community. Closing it makes good sense," Charlie Swift, a former naval defense attorney, said on CNN's "State of the Union with John King," on Sunday. But Douglas Feith, who helped shape the Bush administration's terrorism policy, downplayed that notion. "I don't think that it's much more than a symbolic decision," he said. "The real issue is whether we can make sure that the extremely dangerous people that we're holding at Guantanamo can continue to be held so they don't engage in terrorism in the future." That issue was raised last week amid a new report by the Pentagon -- released days before Obama took office -- which said 18 former detainees are confirmed to have participated in attacks, and 43 are suspected to have been involved in attacks. Watch more on where Gitmo prisoners may go » But security experts are questioning information released by the Pentagon, saying 61 former detainees from Gitmo may have returned to terrorist activities. That figure would be about 11 percent of the roughly 520 prisoners who have been released from the Guantanamo facility. But in a briefing Thursday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates -- an advocate for closing Guantanamo while serving under Bush and, now, under President Obama -- seemed to downplay the number of former detainees who have returned to fighting. "It's not as big a number if you're talking about 700 or a thousand or however many have been through Guantanamo," he said. On Friday, a Pentagon spokesman defended the integrity of the report but would not directly answer questions about where the figures come from. "We don't make these figures up. They're not done willy-nilly," spokesman Geoff Morrell said. Pentagon officials said they would not discuss how the statistics were derived because of security concerns that such information could give clues to how U.S. intelligence officers collect their data. CNN learned	[ "What facility has Obama signed an order to close?", "For what does President Obama sign an executive order?", "CCNN learned some former Gitmo detainees have returned to what?", "Who signed an executive order calling for Gitmo facility to close?", "What are the security experts questioning?", "What are security experts questioning?" ]	[ [ "Guantanamo Bay detention" ], [ "closing of Guantanamo Bay detention facility." ], [ "terrorist activities." ], [ "Barack Obama" ], [ "information released by the Pentagon, saying 61 former detainees from Gitmo may have returned to terrorist activities." ], [ "information released by the Pentagon," ] ]	President Obama signs executive order calling for Gitmo facility to close . Security experts question where the detainees will be relocated to . There are also concerns about how intelligence will be collected under new rules . CNN learned some former Gitmo detainees have returned to terrorism .
(CNN) -- With Wi-Fi access at airports, hotels, and aboard airplanes, business travelers don't have to look very hard for a wireless Internet connection. Wi-Fi hotspots at airports may put users' computers at risk, but no more so than at coffee shops, experts say. But with these public wireless hotspots becoming more prevalent, in addition to more travelers using smart phones for Web access, are business travelers putting themselves at a security risk? The short answer, some technology security experts say, is yes. But they add that the use of Wi-Fi at these spots is no riskier than at a coffee shop. "It's a shared medium, and if you can connect to it, someone else can connect to it and monitor your traffic," said Marty Linder, a senior member of the technical staff at the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute CERT/Coordination Center. "That has nothing to do with the security of the network. It's just the nature of the beast." For Fran Hanna, the convenience isn't worth the risk. The sales representative from Chapin, South Carolina, would frequently bring her computer on business trips and access Wi-Fi through her hotels. Hackers tapped into her computer, resulting in inappropriate material being sent through her account. She had to get her computer restored twice, which cost her $900. And while she still isn't sure where she was when she picked up the malware, she said the only wireless device she will bring with her as she travels is a cell phone for voice calls. On the other hand, picking up public wireless isn't a major concern to Brian Fitzpatrick, the CTO of a technology firm in Alpharetta, Georgia, and a frequent business traveler. He generally avoids transmitting sensitive personal or company data using these hotspots. But as he sees it, having his information stolen "is more likely to happen in some face-to-face transaction than it is even online." In addition to open networks, experts say the physical loss of devices poses a threat for business travelers. The combination of replacement cost, detection, forensics, data breach, lost intellectual property costs, lost productivity, and legal, consulting and regulatory expenses sets a company back an average of $49,246 per lost laptop, according to a study released in April by the Ponemon Institute and sponsored by the Intel Corporation. However, lost laptops with encryption saved companies nearly $20,000, compared with those that did not have encryption, according to the Ponemon study. Encrypted disks safeguard data by scrambling information on them. They unlock that information only when the user enters the proper passcode. "I don't know how many times we've heard about laptops being stolen and they have no encryption on them. And it pretty much means that the bad guys can get to your data. Immediately. They don't have to know your password or anything, they can just get to it," said Patrik Runald, chief security adviser for F-Secure, an Internet security company. And many businesses do not yet require their employees to use passwords on their smart phones, leaving lost devices "woefully unprotected," said Pat Clawson, CEO and chairman of Lumension Security. Tips for staying secure Despite the potential for security breaches, there are simple steps you can take to keep yourself armed as you connect wirelessly on your travels: • Use an encrypted disk to safeguard the information on your laptop or smart phone, Linder said, and make sure you log off of your computer when you're not using it. In most cases, when you hibernate your computer, its memory is recorded unencrypted. "You cannot for convenience close your lid, let your computer go to sleep and believe that if someone steals your computer, your data is protected, because it's not," Linder said. Runald recommended free software called TrueCrypt (truecrypt.org) that you can use to encrypt the content on your local drive and on USB flash drives. • Turn off your wireless and Bluetooth	[ "Use what type of disks to keep your info safe?", "Loss of a single laptop costs a co", "Wi-Fi is risky where?", "Loss of a single laptop costs a company what amount of money?" ]	[ [ "Encrypted" ], [ "$49,246" ], [ "at airports" ], [ "$49,246" ] ]	Wi-Fi at airports, planes, hotels may be risky, but no more than at coffee shops . Study: Loss of a single laptop costs a company $49,246 . Use encrypted disks to keep your information safe, experts say .
(CNN) -- With a chance of winning an Oscar on Sunday, the director of "The Final Inch" says she hopes her documentary will shed light on the often over-looked issue of polio eradication. The more doses of the vaccination a child receives, the better protected the child is from contracting polio. "I felt like I was looking at something that no one in the world talks about," Irene Taylor Brodsky, who also helped produce the film, said in a recent interview. Filming the short documentary was an "eye-opening experience," she said, particularly for one of her co-producers who had to wear a bulletproof vest during filming in Afghanistan. "The Final Inch" is a testament of the health workers around the world laboring to make polio the second globally eliminated disease behind small pox, Brodsky said. The 37-minute film, which is scheduled to air on HBO on April 1, has been nominated for an Academy Award in the best documentary short subject category. The awards ceremony is Sunday night. The film focuses on "the final stages of a 20 year initiative" to eradicate polio around the world, Brodsky said. Polio is a highly infectious disease which lingers in the poor water systems of India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan. The more doses of the vaccination a child receives, the better protected the child is from contracting polio. "The Final Inch" focuses on the polio vaccine efforts in India and Pakistan. Brodsky said she hoped to include Afghanistan, but that became impossible because of the threat of violence and social barriers. Producer Tom Grant had to wear a bulletproof vest while filming in the war-torn country. He was unable to capture compelling footage because of familial protocol that forbids a man from entering a home full of women while no husband is present. Thus, Grant was often denied access, Brodsky said. In many countries, people are hesitant to vaccinate their children against polio because of a distrust of the government. Some civilians believe the vaccination to be "something more sinister like a sterilizing drug" produced to curtail their population, Brodsky explained. She said she often ran into "the skepticism that some communities have against our government in cooperation with their own government." "It never occurred to me that U.S. foreign policies could affect young children living in the most densely populated areas," she said. Although it has been 50 years since the United States developed a vaccination for polio, millions of children abroad remain unprotected. "Ordinary American people have forgotten polio," Brodsky said. And, although the number of polio cases have been reduced by 99 percent, the highly infectious disease is still very real. "It really limits the opportunities a child might have as an adult," said Oliver Rosenbauer, a spokesman for the World Health Organization's Global Polio Eradication Initiative. As part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, 20 million volunteers deliver vaccinations to schools, bus stops and rail stations across the world on a daily basis. Only four countries had recorded cases of polio in 2008, down from 125 countries 10 years ago, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. This year, there have been 26 recorded cases of polio around the world, compared with 46 people who were infected with polio last year. "But we're only in mid-February. That doesn't say much," Rosenbauer said. He said that he is most concerned that a child suffering from polio will have a difficult time integrating into society, building friendships and finding a job. "So it's much more than just the fact that this child will be physically disabled for the rest of his or her life," he added. "It is the opportunity that is lost from the life they might have led." CNN and HBO are both part of Time Warner.	[ "Millions of children are unprotected from what?", "What type of medical efforts does 'The Final Inch\" focus on?", "What is the number of recorded cases of polio worldwide this year?", "What is the subject of \"The Final Inch\"?", "What number of polio cases have been recorded this year?", "What countries are featured in 'The Final Inch'?", "What does 'The Final Inch' focus on?", "What disease are millions of kids vulnerable to?" ]	[ [ "polio," ], [ "polio eradication." ], [ "26" ], [ "polio eradication." ], [ "26" ], [ "India and Pakistan." ], [ "polio eradication." ], [ "polio" ] ]	'The Final Inch' focuses on the polio vaccine efforts in India and Pakistan . Millions of children abroad remain unprotected from polio . This year, there have been 26 recorded cases of polio around the world .
(CNN) -- With a week to go before Election Day, most recent national polls show Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama with an advantage. But how much are they to be believed? As Election Day gets closer, will the race tighten in the polls? The most recent national CNN poll of polls showed Obama with an 8-point lead over Republican presidential nominee John McCain, 51 percent to 43 percent. The polls were conducted October 21 through October 26. Most other national polls show Obama with a lead ranging between 5 points and double digits. A look at CNN polling during the same period before Election Day in 2000 and 2004 suggests that political observers and campaign supporters ought to be cautious in declaring the race over because of current polling numbers. See the latest state and national polls When a presidential race has a non-incumbent in the lead, like this year, the poll numbers tend to tighten as Election Day gets closer, CNN senior researcher Alan Silverleib said. "Any time it looks like they are on the verge of voting somebody new into office, there is buyer's remorse," he said. "Based on that, and the fact that the country has been so polarized in recent elections, there's pretty good reason to think that the polls might tighten up a little bit." Four years ago, a national CNN poll of polls released about a week before Election Day showed President Bush leading Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry by 3 points, 49 percent to 46 percent. The poll was released October 25 and reflected likely voters' choice for president. Election Day was November 2 in 2004. A national CNN poll of polls released November 1 showed Bush leading Kerry by 2 points, 48 percent to 46 percent. President Bush won by 3 percentage points, 51 percent to 48 percent. In 2000, it was a bit of a different story. Election Day arrived November 7 that year. A CNN/USA Today/Gallup tracking poll conducted October 29 through October 31 showed Bush, then the Texas governor, leading Democratic Sen. Al Gore, 48 percent to 43 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. A subsequent poll conducted November 2 through November 4, released two days before the voters cast their ballots, showed the same results. Gore, however, ended up winning the popular vote by about 540,000 votes. When broken down by percentage, both candidates had about 48 percent of the popular vote. Bush won the Electoral College, and thereby the presidency, by 5 electoral votes. Two of the battleground states this year, as in many recent presidential elections, are Ohio and Florida. What did the polls say before Election Day in those states four years ago? In Florida, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll conducted about a week before Election Day showed Bush leading Kerry 51 percent to 43 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points and was conducted October 21 through October 24. Kerry caught up to Bush in the polls before Election Day and led by a single point, 48 percent to 47 percent, in a similar poll conducted October 28 through October 31. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Bush won Florida by 5 percentage points in 2004. In Ohio four years ago, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll showed Kerry leading Bush by a point -- 49 percent to 48 percent -- about two weeks before Election Day. The poll was conducted October 17 through October 20 and had margin of error of plus or minus 4 points. A week before November 7, Election Day, a similar poll showed Kerry leading Bush 50 percent to 46 percent. The poll was conducted October 28 through October 31, and the margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points. Bush won Ohio by 2 points in 2004, 51 percent to 49 percent. Obama leads McCain in recent CNN poll of polls conducted in both states. In Florida, he leads McCain 49 percent to 45 percent. The polls were conducted	[ "What number of points does Obama lead by?", "What tends to tighten up?", "What is Obama's point lead?", "What channel issued these polls?", "When do polls tighten as the election draws near?", "What tracks state and national polls?", "Who has an 8-point edge?", "Who leads by 8 points?", "When do polls tend to get closer?" ]	[ [ "8-point" ], [ "poll numbers" ], [ "8-point" ], [ "CNN" ], [ "a presidential race has a non-incumbent in the lead," ], [ "CNN/USA Today/Gallup" ], [ "Obama" ], [ "Obama" ], [ "as Election Day" ] ]	Obama leads by 8 points in most recent CNN national poll of polls . Polls tend to tighten up as Election Day nears when a non-incumbent leads . Election Tracker: See the latest state and national polls .
(CNN) -- With all of the recent deadly storms in the news, it may seem has though this year as been more active than a normal year. Since September 1 we have seen eight tropical cyclones, five of which became typhoons, two reaching Super Typhoon status, the strongest classification of tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific. A Philippines scientist points to a screen monitoring Tropical Storm Parma and Typhoon Melor. But when we look at the numbers, 2009 has actually been slightly below average. So far we have seen 19 tropical storms in the Western Pacific, which is slightly behind the pace needed to reach the yearly average of 27. Named storms, however, are a notoriously poor metric for measuring the ferocity of tropical seasons. Take this year in the North Atlantic for instance. Yesterday, Tropical Storm Henri became the eighth named storm, coming only a week after the National Hurricane Center would normally name the eighth storm on an average year. So while 2009 may contain an average number of storms, no one will argue that 2009 has so far been a dud of a hurricane season in the Atlantic. This is largely due to the fact a majority of the storms so far this season have been weak, short-lived, and not made landfall (Tropical Storm Grace did not even last one day). A better way to measure hurricane and typhoon seasons is with Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE), a surprisingly simple mathematic calculation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a U.S. scientific agency that studies oceans and the atmosphere, uses ACE to approximate the energy contained in each cyclone. ACE is continuously monitored all around the globe by Ryan Maue, a doctoral student at Florida State University, and according to Maue's numbers the West Pacific is 20 percent below average for the season. For comparison, the North Atlantic is 50 percent below average for the year. Go here to see Maue's research Despite the fact that 2009 has been below average for the season, the past month has been remarkable, with five of the eight storms making direct landfall in Asia. Typhoon Melor made landfall in central Japan early Thursday. In the Philippines, people are still recovering after two typhoons hit the nation in less than two weeks. Typhoon Parma made landfall last weekend, killing at least 16. Filipinos were still recovering from Typhoon Ketsana, which hit the country in late September. Hundreds of people were killed from that storm, primarily in the Philippines and Vietnam. Earlier in the summer, more than 600 people died in Taiwan after Typhoon Morakot struck in August. Also in August, Typhoon Etau killed more than a dozen in Taiwan after it brought flash floods and landslides. What is behind this recent uptick in activity and why are all the storms seemingly coming at once, and late in the season? The answer may be El Nino, which refers to a periodic change in the atmosphere and ocean in the Pacific. During El Nino, the waters in the central and eastern Pacific are warmer than normal, and the effects on global weather can be drastic and far-reaching. According to Maue, we see more cyclones later in the season during El Nino years in the Western Pacific, and they tend to form farther east. With the warmer sea surface temperatures during an El Nino event, this would allow these storms more time over open water to grow into large and powerful typhoons. In fact, we tend to see more "Super Typhoons" during El Nino years, and this is true again this year, as Choi-Wan and Melor both reached Super Typhoon status. El Nino also is a likely culprit for the inactivity in the North Atlantic, since El Nino can cause more wind shear in the upper atmosphere, a condition that limits the ability of Tropical Cyclones to survive.	[ "How many storms were there in the Western Pacific in 2009?", "Where has a spate of deadly storms hit recently?", "Where are storms below average in 2009?", "what is behind the storms", "what happened in 2009", "What is the reason for the recent Asia-Pacific storms?", "Where have deadly storms hit?", "What is likely to blame for the spate of storms?" ]	[ [ "19" ], [ "making direct landfall in Asia." ], [ "Western Pacific," ], [ "El Nino," ], [ "19 tropical storms" ], [ "El Nino," ], [ "Western Pacific." ], [ "El Nino," ] ]	Spate of deadly storms have hit East Asia in recent weeks . Statistics show number of storms in Western Pacific in 2009 is below average . El Nino phenomenon likely culprit behind recent spate of Asia-Pacific storms .
(CNN) -- With an awesome story and continuation of the gameplay that has made the franchise great, "Gears of War 3" ties a brilliant and bloody bow atop a video-game trilogy that's been seven years in the making. The latest third-person shooter game from Epic Games and Microsoft wraps up the "Gears" story arc and answers all the lingering questions that have arisen in the battle against the reptilian Locust and their mutant cousins, the Lambent. Players will control Coalition soldier Marcus Fenix for most of the game. But certain levels require the player to switch off to another member of his Delta Squad. The game starts a couple years after the conclusion of "Gears 2" and finds Marcus in jail. Characters familiar to players of the franchise are re-introduced in the opening scenes, and the action kicks off quickly at an unrestrained pace. Combat typically offers four options for weapons: a primary weapon, secondary weapon, pistol and grenade. Three other players are with the team, and they can be controlled by the computer or by others for co-op play, which is fun if you want to get a real feel for the campaign while enjoying the game with your friends. The weapons have weight to them and feel powerful. Shooting from behind cover, one of the hallmarks of the franchise, is required as enemies appear from nearly every angle. You'll want to keep your head down. Teamwork is key. Not only will a mate come to your rescue when you are down, they can also set up opportunities to flank your opponents and end battles quicker. It all flows naturally (much like the copious amounts of blood spilled in the battles) and is well-paced, with plenty of ammo and weapons to be scavenged and used. The game helps new players along with a casual mode that highlights enemies and objectives for easier play. There is an "aim-assist" mode that will line up enemies if you have trouble getting those pesky Locusts in your crosshairs. Six modes of multiplayer action offer all kinds of mission objectives beyond just killing the other team. Whether it's capturing and holding an enemy leader (while defending your own) or playing as one of the monsters against human opponents, variety will keep players entertained. Dedicated servers around the world, which will host the multiplayer games, also will be available, fulfilling a common player desire from previous "Gears of War" games. Developers said this should eliminate the perception that players hosting multiplayer matches had an advantage over other players. The real victory for "Gears of War 3" is the immersive and gripping story. Lingering questions and mysteries finally get answers, and there is a sense of finality that runs through the entire campaign. The interaction between characters never feels forced or fake. Their emotions are believable, and their concern for one another is genuine. I described it to a friend as a "soap opera for guys," but it is more like a TV mini-series. The action blends well with the dialogue and creates a flow that helps pull the player along from scene to scene. It all comes off seamlessly and leaves the player emotionally invested in all of the characters. But be prepared for the unexpected as people will die and loyalties will be tested. Overall, "Gears of War 3" is exciting, emotional and blends competitiveness with teamwork. Whether playing the campaign alone or with friends, the story mixes with the action fluidly and provides a satisfying feeling even if the ending may not be to your liking. In multiplayer mode, the different modes offer challenges for any type of player and put a premium on strategy to achieve victory. As this trilogy ends, don't be surprised if there is more "Gears" action down the road. Plans for books, comics and film projects are out there, so it may not take much to enlist Delta Squad for another mission. "Gears of War 3" is available now in North America and Europe and will be available Thursday in Japan. It is an Xbox 360 exclusive title	[ "How many games are there?", "When does the third Gears of War take place?", "Which individual in the game is in jail?", "What is the most influential game of this generation?", "Where starts the game?", "Who is the main character?" ]	[ [ "3\"" ], [ "a couple years after the conclusion of \"Gears 2\"" ], [ "Marcus" ], [ "\"Gears" ], [ "couple years after the conclusion of \"Gears 2\"" ], [ "Marcus Fenix" ] ]	"Gears of Wars" described as "the most influential game of this generation" Third installment wraps up the story arc for the Gears team, answers lingering questions . Game starts a couple years after the conclusion of "Gears 2" and finds Marcus in jail .
(CNN) -- With an unbroken chain of blockbuster hits under their belt -- including "Toy Story," "Finding Nemo," "The Incredibles," "Cars" and many others -- the talented team of men and women who work for Pixar seem to have the Midas touch. An elderly balloon salesman uproots his house with the help of thousands of balloons in "Up." Their latest endeavor, "Up," follows the life of Carl Fredricksen, a balloon salesman who has recently lost the love of his life, Ellie. Now in his golden years, Carl decides it's finally time to make Ellie's lifelong wish come true -- to visit Paradise Falls in South America. He quickly becomes aware he has a stowaway: Russell, a young Wilderness Explorer who's trying to earn one more merit badge. It's the unusual form of transportation that Carl chooses that creates the backdrop for this week's "The Scene." Watch the balloons take off » CNN traveled to Emeryville, California -- the site of the famous Pixar campus -- and sat down with actor Ed Asner, who lends his voice to Carl; technical director Steve May; and co-director Pete Docter to get behind The Scene. Ed Asner: Well, the first 10-15 minutes, that's a grabber. Nobody can resist it. Steve May: Even though we have a cartoony world, you are trying to make the audience believe that the world and the characters exist. The biggest challenges were a flying house that flies underneath a big canopy of balloons. So, if we can kind of capture that on the computer and animate our balloons to look believable too, then the audience will believe that the house can fly. Pete Docter: There is an amazing group of computer scientists that really approach these things both as an artist but also as a scientist. May: You have thousands of balloons that all interact with each other, and all the balloons have strings, so this is a very complex animation problem. Docter: They think about the physics of the balloons. They bump into each other, they can turn wind up or down so they can dynamically move, and then you get the strings that attach those balloons to the house. It's a fairly complex mathematical problem. We tried to make things more like a window you look into, opposed to things coming out at you. May: And then when Russell is on the front porch of the house and you look down and see how far down it is, the audience is scared. Docter: This one I really feel close to, and weirdly, even though it's a film about a 70-year-old man who floats his house away, I feel it's a really personal film.	[ "What is the key scene in UP?", "what is the latest pixar film", "what was attached to the house" ]	[ [ "An elderly balloon salesman uproots his house with the help of thousands of balloons" ], [ "\"Up,\"" ], [ "thousands of balloons" ] ]	"Up" is latest Pixar animated film; concerns an old man seeking adventure . Key scene involves attaching balloons to his house, taking off into sky . "Up's" makers say animators, programmers had to pay attention to physics and art .
(CNN) -- With four Phoenix, Arizona, boys ages 9 to 14 charged with sexual assault on an 8-year-old girl, a prosecutor vowed Thursday his office will "seek justice for the young victim in this heartrending situation." Police say a girl was lured to a storage shed at an apartment complex where she was sexually assaulted. "This is a deeply disturbing case that has gripped our community," said Maricopa County attorney Andrew Thomas. According to Phoenix police, the girl was lured to a storage shed at an apartment complex on July 16. The four boys, who had offered the girl chewing gum, allegedly restrained and sexually assaulted her. At a news conference about the case Wednesday, police did not release any information on the girl's condition, but officers called the case one of the worst they have investigated in many years. The 14-year-old was charged as an adult and will face two counts of sexual assault and one count of kidnapping, Thomas said Thursday. The other three boys were charged in juvenile court with sexual assault, and two of them also were charged with kidnapping, Thomas said. All the suspects except for the 14-year-old live in the same apartment complex, according to Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill. The victim and the boys charged are all from refugee families that have come to the United States from the war-torn West African nation of Liberia, police said. Detectives said the girl was placed in the custody of Phoenix child protective services after the attack because of her parents' attitude toward her. "The parents felt that they had been shamed or embarrassed by their child," Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill said. The Phoenix Police Department has a community response unit that assists with such sensitive cases. "They made some initial contacts with the refugee community. They acted as liaison and were present when the child protective services agency took the victim," Hill said. Protective services officers "will determine what's going to happen in the days ahead and they'll look at the past history with that family, if there is one," he said. CNN affiliate KTVK said it interviewed the girl's 23-year-old sister, who said she was baby-sitting the girl at the time of the alleged attack. The sister, who was not identified by name by the station, expressed mixed feelings about her sister's attack. "I came to her and said it's not good for you to be following guys because you are still little," the sister told KTVK. She also said that she wanted the suspects to be released from jail because "we are the same people." "When she comes back I'm going to tell her don't ever do that again because all of us, we are the same family, we are from the same place. Now she is just bringing confusion among us. Now the other people, they don't want to see her," the sister told KTVK. Tony Weedor, a Liberian who fled civil war with his family and now lives in the Denver, Colorado, area, told CNN that cultural aspects are deep in the case. In Liberia rape was not against the law until 2006, he said. "The family [believes they] have been shamed by her, not a crime, but the name of the family has been degraded and news will get back to Liberia. And they're more concerned about that than the crime," said Weedor, who is co-founder of the CenterPoint International Foundation, which aids Liberian refugees in the United States and provides aid for those still in Liberia. Edwin Sele, the deputy ambassador of Liberia to the United States, also responded to the incident. "Having heard the story myself, I'm outraged," he said. "In Liberia, the family and law enforcement officers would be embracing the victim. To hear that the family is not doing that, that should be an isolated case." Resettlement groups around the country help refugees settle into life in the United States	[ "who wants the suspects released ?", "who vows justice for girl ?", "what age was the girl?" ]	[ [ "sister" ], [ "a prosecutor" ], [ "8-year-old" ] ]	Prosecutor vows justice for girl who says she was sexually assaulted by young boys . Officers call the case one of the worst they have investigated . Victim's sister wants suspects released because "we are the same people" Police in Phoenix, Arizona, say 8-year-old girl lured to vacant shed with gum .
(CNN) -- With more than 5 million people suffering from Alzheimer's disease in the United States, a number that's expected to rise to 16 million by 2050, the pressure is on to find better methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Around the world, Alzheimer's disease is the second most feared disease, behind cancer, according to a recent survey of five countries conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health. Yet there is still a lot of misinformation: Only 61% of Americans who responded to the survey correctly identified Alzheimer's disease as a fatal illness. Many participants also mistakenly believe there are sure diagnostic methods and effective treatments to slow the disease, but most would seek medical attention if they became aware of their own early signs. The research that came out of the Alzheimer's Association 2011 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, which took place in Paris last week, reflects a growing emphasis on early detection. Research suggests the best targets for exploring treatments are patients who do not have full-blown Alzheimer's disease, but experience mild symptoms. Scientists have identified biological indicators called biomarkers that seem to be associated with Alzheimer's, although they are not perfect predictors. Alzheimer's Association: 10 signs of Alzheimer's "Things are heading earlier and earlier. And the use of biomarkers has been really essential for helping everybody move toward an understanding of what the earliest changes are and when they can be detected," said Dr. Allan Levey, chair of neurology at Emory University School of Medicine. Early detection So far, no drug has been developed to significantly slow the progression of the disease in all patients. And there's no way to halt or reverse the decline of memory and other cognitive abilities once Alzheimer's has been diagnosed. Since attempts to help patients who already have symptoms in these ways have failed, scientists must look to the earliest stages of Alzheimer's in hopes of stopping it before it begins. Studies presented at the conference reinforced the notion that signs of Alzheimer's may develop in the brain 10 to 20 years before any symptoms begin. A substance in the brain called beta-amyloid has been associated with dementia in people who have those kinds of symptoms. This is the main ingredient of plaques that build up in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. People with a rare genetic form of Alzheimer's, whose specific genetic mutations guarantee that they will develop the disease, tended to show signs of amyloid plaques in PET scans and cerebrospinal fluid 10 to 20 years before the onset of symptoms. These results come from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network project. But that represents only a small fraction of Alzheimer's patients -- 1% of cases worldwide, specifically. If you don't have the genetic form, there's no way to tell if you will go on to develop the disease, even if you have accumulation of amyloid plaques. There are some people who have them but do not show symptoms of Alzheimer's. The kinds of tests that would detect beta-amyloid levels are not widely available. And it's not clear that pulling the amyloid plaques out of the brain reverses the process of cognitive decline; this is one area of research right now. Another biomarker of interest is a protein called tau, implicated in the neurofibrillary tangles -- which basically take the shape of cells and destroy them -- that build up in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, particularly in the memory center called the hippocampus. But there's no scan to detect these tangles in a living patient. A major focus of research on early detection is patients who have mild cognitive impairment, a collection of symptoms involving difficulty with memory, language and other mental functions, but which does not interfere with everyday life. It is not necessarily a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, but it does raise the risk of progressing into that more severe illness. Understanding mild cognitive impairment is important in coming up with better treatments for dementia in general, because the brain hasn't deteriorated as much as in Alzheimer's, so it may not be too late to intervene, experts say. The brain is the	[ "What is the second most feared disease?", "what disease is the second most feared disease?", "what is Emphasis in research?", "What is emphasized in Alzheimer's research?" ]	[ [ "Alzheimer's" ], [ "Alzheimer's" ], [ "early detection." ], [ "early detection." ] ]	Survey: Alzheimer's disease is the second most feared disease, behind cancer . Physical inactivity, depression and smoking are risk factors in the U.S., study says . Emphasis in research is on early detection and identifying biomarkers .
(CNN) -- With phone lines down and communication cut, Haitians living in America are "sick with worry" and scrambling for information about Tuesday's earthquake, while fretting about their troubled homeland and their loved ones. "Well, we're watching the news unfold, and I just don't know what to think," said Gepsi Metellus, executive director of the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center in Miami, Florida. She said her mother, who splits her time between Haiti -- she lives in Pétionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince -- and Miami, just flew back to the island on Friday. While Metellus and others are glued to TVs, she said, "We're not learning a thing. It's just making me sick with worry." Are you looking for loved ones in Haiti? Haiti is the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere. Plagued with "political violence for most of its history," according to the CIA World Factbook, the Caribbean island nation has suffered from colonialism, coups and corruption since becoming the first black republic in 1804. Are you there? Submit an iReport More than half of the country lives in "abject poverty." The nation imports more than four times the goods it exports and about two-thirds of the labor force lacks formal jobs, the CIA reports. "You worry about everything at this point," said Metellus. She said the Haitian community in South Florida numbers from 250,000 to 500,000 people. "The basic infrastructure we're accustomed to here is nonexistent. To assess the damage is going to be a momentous undertaking." Complete coverage of the earthquake Disease is rampant, and it's still common for children to die from drinking and washing in fecal contaminated water. UNICEF estimates that 70 percent of Haitians do not have access to "safe drinking water and adequate sanitation." Nyvrose Fleurent of Brooklyn, New York, works for the community outreach group Haitian American United Progress and said most Haitian immigrants in the United States have family still on the island. They often financially support family members who aren't able to leave, she said. She said this while watching the news. Earlier in the morning she had hugged her brother good-bye before he flew to Port-au-Prince airport in Haiti. She had no idea the city would be hit by an earthquake. Fleurent, 38, remains hopeful her family will be unharmed. Her brother and cousins reside in Cap-Haïtien, in the north, on the opposite side of the country from Port-au-Prince, the city closest to the earthquake's epicenter. Even so, she worried about the impact Tuesday's 7.0 quake will have on her struggling home country. "The people who live there can barely make it," Fleurent said. "They can't even eat and get money for their basic needs, so this is going to be a big blow for them. I don't know where Haiti is going to be in the future. It's already so bad." The State Department Operations Center has set up the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747 CNN's John Blake contributed to this report.	[ "What is the number of the State Department line?", "What is the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere?", "What is the phone number for the state department?", "What phone number is set up for loved ones?", "Who in the U.S. fret about loved one?", "Where is the most impoverished country in Western Hemisphere?", "What is down in Haiti?", "Who said, \"I just don't know what to think\"?" ]	[ [ "1-888-407-4747" ], [ "Haiti" ], [ "1-888-407-4747" ], [ "1-888-407-4747" ], [ "Haitians living in America" ], [ "Haiti" ], [ "phone lines" ], [ "Gepsi Metellus," ] ]	NEW: State Department line for those seeking information about loved ones: 1-888-407-4747 . With phone lines down, Haitians in U.S. fret about loved ones on island . "We're watching the news unfold, and I just don't know what to think," woman says . Haiti is most impoverished country in Western Hemisphere, plagued by violence .
(CNN) -- With record low approval ratings and intense criticism for his handling of the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina and the economy, the word most used to label George W. Bush's presidency will be "incompetent," historians say. President Bush makes remarks on the presidential transition November 6. "Right now there is not a lot of good will among historians. Most see him as a combination of many negative factors," said Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School. "He is seen as incompetent in terms of how he handled domestic and foreign policy. He is seen as pushing for an agenda to the right of the nation and doing so through executive power that ignored the popular will," he added. But like so many presidents before him, Bush's reputation could change with time. Harvard University political history scholar Barbara Kellerman said when President-elect Barack Obama takes over in January, people may view Bush in a new light. Watch Bush address staff about transition of power » "I think it's possible when people have stopped being as angry at the Bush administration as they are now ... that they will realize that some of this is just ... the luck of the draw." Kellerman, author of the book "Bad Leadership: What It Is, How It Happens, Why It Matters," noted that Bush has not had luck on his side for the past eight years. "He [Bush] has been a quite unlucky president. Certain things happened on his watch that most people don't have to deal with -- a 9/11, a [Hurricane] Katrina, the financial crisis, being three obvious examples," she said. "And yet they happened on his watch. He is being blamed," she said. And that fact -- coupled with approval ratings around 27 percent, according to CNN's poll released October 21 -- is in large part why Obama and Democrats won big on November 4. Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian and professor at Rice University, said the country is dealing with a "lame duck president" who will most likely face an uphill battle in getting anything passed through Congress before he leaves office. "We're dealing with an economic meltdown ... We're dealing with two wars. So everything Obama does now is going to be seen as he is the de facto president," Brinkley said Thursday. Read Zelizer's take on what Obama should avoid Historians, beginning to examine Bush's legacy, note that the 43rd president could end up with a better reputation down the road -- something that happened to Harry Truman. At different points in his presidency, Truman earned some of the highest and the lowest public approval ratings in history: 87 percent approval in June 1945 vs. 23 percent approval in January 1952, according to a CNN analysis of polling at the time. Truman, who is often noted for his upset victory over Thomas Dewey in 1948, faced several domestic and foreign policy problems throughout his term in office, which lasted from 1945-1953. Most notably: The Korean War, World War II and later, Cold War relations with an aggressive Soviet Union. "One of the things that has been conventionally done is to compare George W. Bush to Harry Truman, both of whom had upon leaving office dismal approval ratings and of course as it is well known by now, Harry Truman's reputation has, by virtually every account, not only improved, but I would say escalated nearly to the top of the list of greater American presidents," Kellerman added. Another president Bush may be compared to down the road? Ronald Reagan. Prior to leaving office, Reagan faced strong backlash from Republicans and Democrats on opening negotiations with Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev during the Cold War era as well as the handling of the Iran-Contra Affair. "He was seen as bumbling; he was seen as unintelligent; he was seen as a guy driven by his advisers," Zelizer added. "And now he's being talked about like FDR	[ "Bush is often compared to who?", "To whom Bush used to be compared with?", "Who said Bush will be remembered for his incompetence?", "What Zelier said about Bush?", "Whom is the president that the article refers to?", "What did historians weigh in on?", "Who is often compared to Truman?" ]	[ [ "Ronald Reagan." ], [ "Harry Truman." ], [ "historians" ], [ "\"Right now there is not a lot of good will among historians. Most see him as a combination of many negative factors,\"" ], [ "George W. Bush's" ], [ "George W. Bush's presidency" ], [ "George W. Bush" ] ]	Presidential historians weigh in on how history will perceive President Bush . Zelizer: "There is not a lot of good will among historians" for Bush . Bush is often compared to Harry Truman, whose reputation improved over history . Kellerman: Bush will be remembered for his "incompetence"
(CNN) -- With the 2010 World Cup being held in South Africa next year CNN takes a look at one of the greatest talents South African football has ever produced, Jomo Sono. Jomo Sono's international career never took off because of South Africa's exclusion from world football. Matsilela Ephraim Sono was born in 1955 in Soweto, but his career as an international player never got off the ground as South Africa were officially expelled by world governing body FIFA in 1976 during the apartheid regime in the country. The Black Prince, as he was known, made his mark as a player of legendary skill who was denied a world stage through circumstances beyond his control. Sono was a midfield general and renowned for his dribbling and accurate passing -- but it is difficult to say how he would have faired against the best players in the world as he was not given the opportunity. Watch CNN's interview with Sono. "He was one of the first South Africans to play overseas where he played for the New York Cosmos alongside Pele," South African football writer Mo Allie told CNN. "He played at a time when South Africa was internationally isolated so there was no opportunity for players to showcase their skills to the world. "But he was fortunate in that he got the opportunity to go to the U.S. and he did very well there, playing alongside greats such as Pele." After accomplishing everything that he set out to do at home club Orlando Pirates, Sono starred for the New York Cosmos, Colorado Caribous and Toronto Blizzard in the United States. On his return to South Africa after his retirement, Sono bought the Highlands Park Club in Johannesburg in 1982 and renamed it Jomo Cosmos in honor of his old team in New York, before becoming coach of the South African national side. "So many of today's South African players would have heard a lot about Jomo Sono but many wouldn't have seen him in action apart from a few snippets of TV highlights," Allie added. "They will identify more with him as a coach because he led the national side in the 1998 African Cup of Nations and took them to the 2002 World Cup finals." Sono has proved to be as astute off the pitch as he was on it and has become a successful businessman, owning a number of companies around Johannesburg. And the current South African squad will be looking to carry on his footballing legacy when they attempt to become the first African team to win the World Cup next year.	[ "For which team in the USA did Sono play for", "What World Cup finals did he coach?", "one of the greatest footballers", "Jomo Sono is a footballer from which nation", "What sport does Sono play?", "What stopped Sono's international career?", "For what reason did Sono's career never take off" ]	[ [ "New York Cosmos" ], [ "2002" ], [ "Jomo Sono." ], [ "South Africa" ], [ "football" ], [ "South Africa's exclusion from world football." ], [ "South Africa's exclusion from world football." ] ]	Jomo Sono is one of the greatest footballers South Africa has ever produced . Sono's international career never took off because of South Africa's exclusion . He was major success at Orlando Pirates before playing in the United States . Sono also coached South African national side to the 2002 World Cup finals .
(CNN) -- With the movie "Zombieland" sitting on top at the box office, fans of the walking dead got another grisly, ghoulish treat on Wednesday. "He's so meticulous," author Max Brooks said of "Recorded Attacks" illustrator Ibraim Roberson: "The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks," the latest in the series of zombie chronicles by author Max Brooks, is a graphic novel that looks at the undead menace throughout history. "When I wrote 'Zombie Survival Guide,' I always wanted to come back to the historic attacks at the end of the book," said Brooks, whose "World War Z" is in development to become a movie. View a gallery of essential zombie movies In the book, illustrated by Brazilian artist Ibraim Roberson, cavemen, the Roman legions and African slaves all battle the undead with varying degrees of success. "More than a zombie nerd or a science fiction nerd, I'm a history nerd," said Brooks. "I was a history major in college -- history is probably the only subject that allowed me to graduate high school." And in a move sure to please genre fans -- Brooks might say "genre nerds" -- there's even a scrap in feudal Japan between zombies and ninjas. "It's never a bad thing to put zombies and ninjas together," said Brooks, whose father is comedy legend Mel Brooks. In looking for the right artist to set his story to a comic format, Brooks said he reviewed lots of artists before settling on Roberson. "He's head and shoulders above most people illustrating today," Brooks said. "The book itself is unique and I wanted a unique look. His artwork is unlike anything else I've ever seen, zombies or otherwise ... . He's so meticulous." But turning his work into a two-person job required some extra effort. The former "Saturday Night Live" writer said he hadn't worked with a collaborator since being on the show. Roberson was in Brazil during the writing of the book. "It was definitely a new world for me to sharpen my communication skills," he said. "Usually, the way I worked was brain to pen to paper. Now it was brain to e-mail." Next up for Brooks, he said, is a writing project he deems "top secret" and a comic-book mini-series for IDW Publishing detailing the classic comic/action figure characters of "G.I. Joe." "They're not continuing stories," he said of the project with the working title, "Hearts and Minds. "They're up-close and personal stories for G.I. Joe and Cobra characters."	[ "What does Max Brooks say he's always been?", "when is gonna be zombie survival guide released?", "who works in this project?" ]	[ [ "I'm a history nerd,\"" ], [ "Wednesday." ], [ "Ibraim Roberson:" ] ]	"Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks" released Wednesday . Author Max Brooks says he's always been a "history nerd" Romans, cavemen and ninjas all get a crack at undead in graphic novel . Brooks and Brazilian artist Ibraim Roberson worked remotely on project .
(CNN) -- With the people of Haiti hungry, desperate and frustrated nearly a week after a powerful earthquake, sporadic violence and looting are erupting in the badly damaged capital. CNN's Anderson Cooper witnessed a group of young men breaking into a supply store in the city's commercial district and taking away boxes of candles Monday afternoon. They were followed by several hundred others, including women who used sacks to carry away items. Two Haitian police officers and the store owner tried to barricade the property. Police fired shots into the air to try to disperse the crowd, according to Cooper. Fights broke out among looters. Cooper saw one man beaten until one of his arms bled. A boy collapsed onto the street in a pool of blood, Cooper said, describing the situation as "a frenzy of looting." Anderson Cooper in the midst of looting chaos Reports of looting have escalated in the days since Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake leveled Port-au-Prince, leaving the capital in chaos as emergency aid workers and authorities scramble to help. "People are actually stealing this, then will sell it later, and then they'll use that money for their families," Cooper reported. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he wanted to increase the U.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti with 1,500 additional police and 2,000 peacekepping troops to better respond to the quake's aftermath. Ban says he has submitted his request to the U.N. Security Council. The U.S. military considers the security situation "stable," Rear Adm. Mike Rogers, director of intelligence for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Monday. Rogers said that means meant the United States can carry out operations -- including search and rescue, distribution of aid, moving people in and out of the capital and flying aircraft. Nothing suggests "widespread disorder" and panic, Rogers said, citing the well-publicized incidents of unrest as "isolated events." No official death toll has been declared, but estimates range from 100,000 to 150,000 in Port-au-Prince alone. The buildings have crumbled to rubble, leaving hundreds of thousands of homeless survivors roaming the streets. iReport: Looking for loved ones About 3 million people -- one-third of Haiti's population -- were affected by the quake, the Red Cross said. About 10 million people most likely felt the shaking, the U.S. Geological Survey said. All of this has occurred in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, where infrastructure is weak and many people were already living in poverty. In several sections of Port-au-Prince, people could be seen scavenging in the streets, pushing each other away to pick up whatever they could find in the collapsed homes. They rummaged through plastic bags lying amid mountains of debris. Other survivors clutched tightly to their finds as they walked through the streets. For business owners, the growing violence is troubling because there are fewer police officers on duty after the earthquake. Many officers are injured or dead. The police who are on duty are armed with automatic weapons, and they have fired shots in the air to scare off looters. Even before the earthquake, robberies and home invasions organized by gangs were frequent in Haiti, according to the U.S. Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council. Adding to Haiti's frustration is the difficulty in transporting critical aid and supplies to survivors. Shortly after the earthquake, international aid groups responded quickly, trying to get food and medical supplies into Haiti to prevent the situation from going from "dire to absolutely catastrophic." "I think people need to understand that out in Port-au-Prince, it looks ... like Tokyo probably did after World War II. It's flat. It looks like atomic bomb went off. The streets are completely blocked," said Kenneth Merten, the U.S. ambassador to Haiti. He added, "There are rescue efforts going on. It's just difficult to physically get there."	[ "Looting of what?", "What do looters plan on doing?", "Incidents of what are becoming more widespread?", "What do U.N. officials hope to do?" ]	[ [ "boxes of candles" ], [ "\"People are actually stealing this, then will sell it later, and then they'll use that money for their families,\"" ], [ "violence and looting" ], [ "peacekeeping force in Haiti with 1,500 additional police and 2,000 peacekepping troops" ] ]	Incidents of looting are becoming more widespread across Port-au-Prince . U.N. officials hope to send more troops, officers to help respond . Haiti's police force is limited after earthquake killed or injured many officers . CNN's Anderson Cooper said looters plan on selling items later .
(CNN) -- With their nation under high security alert, South Koreans mourned a former leader at a funeral ceremony Friday morning. The hearse carrying Roh Moo-Hyun's coffin heads for Seoul at Roh's hometown village of Bonghwa in Gimhae. Officials and dignitaries gathered in Seoul's Kyungbok Palace to honor former President Roh Moo-Hyun, who committed suicide last week. South Koreans poured into the streets to catch a glimpse of the black Cadillac making a five-and-a-half hour journey from Roh's home in the village of Bongha to the capital. Some bowed their heads or wept openly. Others, still stunned from the loss, stood quietly in black as the hearse drove by. Scores of Roh's supporters handed out yellow balloons, the color associated with Roh's political campaign. Other supporters had posters of Roh's image that read, "President in my heart" and "You are my president." A person who walked by Roh's memorial site said, "Roh understood the difficulties of normal people. We feel he acted like a shield for people with no power. He was the people's president." One woman on her way to work in Seoul said: "He was the first president South Koreans picked with their own hands." She was referring to the fact that Roh didn't have a big political machine behind him. He won the election in 2002 by razor thin margin and his appeal was that he related to the common person. This week has been marred by grief and tension for South Koreans as they grappled with Roh's sudden death and renewed threats from North Korea. Following the official ceremony, Roh's body will be taken to the plaza in front of Seoul's city hall, where large crowds are expected to say goodbye to a beloved leader. He will be cremated later Friday and the remains carried back by hearse to Bongha. Roh, who served between 2003 and 2008, jumped from a hill behind his house last Saturday, government officials said. His death came amid an investigation into a bribery scandal that had tarnished his reputation. However, tens of thousands of people have visited memorial shrines for Roh, laying white chrysanthemums in a traditional show of grief and leaving cigarettes on the altars to remember a man who was reported to have taken up smoking during the investigation. In a suicide note given to the media by his lawyer, Roh wrote: "I am in debt to too many people. Too many people have suffered because of me. And I cannot imagine the suffering they will go through in the future." Prosecutors were investigating the former president for allegedly receiving $6 million in bribes from a South Korean businessman while in office. Roh's wife was scheduled to be questioned by prosecutors Saturday, and Roh was planning to answer a second round of questions next week. Why some South Koreans are angry about Roh's death » The investigation has now been suspended. The debate over Roh's suicide has occupied as much column space in South Korea's press as the recent aggressive behavior shown by the North. On Tuesday, the conservative Chosun Ilbo urged South Koreans to remember the words of the former president's suicide note. "Roh's abrupt death brings home how vain the rise and fall of power is and how futile it is to nurse hatred and conflict in pursuit of them. Roh himself said in his will, 'Aren't life and death both part of nature? Don't blame anybody.' He would not have wished his own death to cause more political confusion and social conflict," the newspaper wrote in an editorial. It also criticized prosecutors who "seem to have worried about public consensus rather than focusing on principles." The left-leaning Hankoryeh called Roh's death "political murder," echoing the widespread feeling that the former president paid too high a price for his alleged crime. "The case of late President Roh was the most unfortunate in South Korean history, brought about by the Lee Myung-bak administration, which despised the person more than the	[ "When was Roh in office?", "Who poured out onto the streets?", "Who took his own life amid an ongoing corruption investigation?", "who took his own life?", "What did the grief-stricken do?", "Where is Roh's body going?", "who did s.koreans pay final repects to?", "Who are grief stricken?", "How long was Roh in office?", "How long was Rou in office for", "What did Roh Moo-Hyn do?", "Where did this all take place", "Who took his own life", "What are South Koreans doing?", "What happened to Roh Moo-Hyun?" ]	[ [ "served between 2003 and 2008," ], [ "South Koreans" ], [ "Roh Moo-Hyun's" ], [ "President Roh Moo-Hyun," ], [ "Some bowed their heads or wept openly. Others, still stunned from the loss, stood quietly in black as the hearse drove by." ], [ "hometown village of Bonghwa in Gimhae." ], [ "Roh Moo-Hyun's" ], [ "South Koreans" ], [ "between 2003 and 2008," ], [ "served between 2003 and 2008," ], [ "committed suicide" ], [ "Roh's hometown village of Bonghwa in Gimhae." ], [ "former President Roh Moo-Hyun," ], [ "mourned a former leader at a funeral" ], [ "committed suicide last week." ] ]	NEW: Motorcade accompanying Roh's body on way to the capital, Seoul . NEW: Grief-stricken S. Koreans pour out onto the streets to pay final respects . Roh Moo-Hyun took his own life amid an ongoing corruption investigation . Roh was in office between 2003 and 2008 .
(CNN) -- Within weeks of British student Meredith Kercher's death in the vibrant college town of Perugia, Italy, prosecutors and police declared the case closed. They'd seized two knives in their search for the murder weapon. They took DNA from the room where Kercher was killed. And at least one suspect had confessed to being at the murder scene. Or so they said. Kercher had been stabbed in a sexual misadventure, officials said. And they knew the killers. American Amanda Knox, Kercher's roommate; Italian Raffaele Sollecito, Knox's boyfriend; and Ivory Coast native Rudy Guede, a drifter known in the area, had their pictures splattered across the world's media. Knox's photo was even hung in the police plaza alongside Italy's most infamous mobsters and criminals. The prosecution case seemed a sensational slam-dunk, almost too good to be true. Knox's supporters say that's because it is. "In the beginning, all of this supposed evidence was being leaked, showing what sounded like a pretty convincing case," Anne Bremner, a lawyer and former prosecutor working with the group Friends of Amanda, told CNN. The case couldn't look more different depending on where you stand. Knox's murder trial is entering its final stages, with closing arguments beginning November 20. The jury will begin deliberating December 4. But there is still no agreement on the key pieces of evidence that prosecutors say convict her and the defense says clear her. Behind the Scenes: How we examined the evidence In Knox's corner: her friends and family from Seattle, Washington. For them, she is the victim - railroaded by an overzealous Italian prosecutor, who faces charges of prosecutorial misconduct in another case. Knox's supporters say he's tried to force the evidence to fit his theory of what happened. And with negative and often false details about the case appearing in the press - all for the jury to read - Knox supporters fear she could be convicted regardless of the facts. On the other side: Perugia's prosecutor Giuliano Mignini. For him and his colleagues, the answer is simple - Guede, Knox and Sollecito are all responsible for leaving Kercher partially clothed, strangled and with her throat cut on November 2, 2007. See a timeline of the case The knife The crime scene was gruesome. The 21-year old British student was found under a duvet on the floor by her bed, covered in blood. A bloody handprint was streaked on the wall above her. A source close to the prosecution says Kercher was held down while she was strangled and stabbed. The source says Sollecito's 6 ½-inch kitchen knife was used to slit her throat and then taken back to his apartment. It is perhaps the biggest piece of evidence the prosecution has presented against Knox. Knox's DNA is on the handle and that of Kercher is on the blade, said a source close to the prosecution who did not wish to be identified discussing an ongoing case. Kercher had never been to Sollecito's apartment and wouldn't have come in contact with the knife, he said, yet there was her DNA. Those "unmistakable facts" show the knife played a role in the murder, the source said. Bremner and experts testifying for the defense say there is no way the knife could be the murder weapon. Dr. Carlo Torre, a leading forensics expert in Italy, testified that the knife taken from Sollecito's apartment wouldn't have made the wounds on Kercher's body. "It doesn't match the size or shape [of the wounds,]" Bremner told CNN. "And Sollecito's knife also doesn't match a bloody outline of a knife left on the bedding." Bremner, who offered her legal advice pro bono to the Knox family, questioned the validity of the DNA evidence, saying the knife had been "improperly transported in a shoe box." Watch Amanda Knox's parents discuss the case Furthermore, Bremner said the jury heard from defense expert Sarah Gino, a geneticist and private coroner in Italy, who	[ "what is being desputed", "What are the opposing sides arguing over?", "Who is on trial?", "What are defense disputing?", "What is nearing its end?", "what is revealed by alleged murder weapon,", "What is being disputed by the defense?", "who is amanda knox" ]	[ [ "key pieces of evidence" ], [ "key pieces of evidence" ], [ "Amanda Knox," ], [ "there is no way the knife could be the murder weapon." ], [ "Knox's murder trial" ], [ "Knox's DNA is on the handle and that of Kercher is on the blade," ], [ "the knife could be the murder weapon." ], [ "Kercher's roommate;" ] ]	Trial of Amanda Knox, accused of murdering fellow student in Italy, is nearing end . Key pieces of evidence that once seemed to signal closed case are disputed by defense . Opposing sides argues over what is revealed by alleged murder weapon, DNA evidence .
(CNN) -- Witnesses began describing the final moments of and futile attempts to save a Connecticut mother and her two daughters inside their burning home, opening the trial Monday for one of the men who authorities claim is responsible for their murders. Prosecutors declined to give an opening statement to start the trial of Joshua Komisarjevsky, 31, who faces 17 charges in a brutal home invasion in Cheshire. But they did introduce tapes from two 911 calls, a bank teller who claimed the mother tried to withdraw $15,000 as ransom and a police officer who found Dr. William Petit -- the lone survivor -- fighting for life outside his family's burning home. The first defendant to stand trial in the case, Steven Hayes, was sentenced to the death penalty in December after being convicted on 16 of 17 charges filed against him. Prosecutors allege that Hayes and Komisarjevsky went into the Petit home, beat and tied up Dr. William Petit, raped and strangled his wife, molested one of their daughters and set the house on fire before attempting to flee. The two daughters, who were both tied to their beds, died of smoke inhalation. William Petit managed to escape. Entering the New Haven court Monday, Petit succinctly told reporters, "I just hope justice was served." He was one of several of the victims' family members packing the courtroom, many of them wearing pins that Judge Jon C. Blue allowed over defense lawyers' objections they might sway the jury. While he didn't present a comprehensive statement, New Haven State's Attorney Michael Dearington briefly spoke to jurors, explaining that prosecutors believe the jury will be able to listen to the evidence and render a decision. Under the law, Dearington said, Komisarjevsky is charged both as a principal and an accessory. Komisarjevsky's defense attorney, Walter Bansley, told jurors that his client never intended to kill anyone, that his sole purpose in breaking into the Petit home was to steal. Bansley said Komisarjevsky did not have a weapon. He told jurors that in order to convict Komisarjevsky of capital murder, they must determine he intended to kill someone. It was Hayes, Bansley said, who raped and strangled Jennifer Hawke-Petit, poured the gasoline and lit the match. Komisarjevsky was a willing participant in the break-in and theft, but not the murders, according to Bansley, who recounted mounting dissension between Hayes and Komisarjevsky as the home invasion progressed through that morning. Hayes felt the Petits needed to be killed, Bansley claimed, but Komisarjevsky refused to kill anyone. Bansley did allude to a "confession" that Komisarjevsky had later made in the incident. While it was not yet entered into testimony on this trial's first day, during Hayes' trial, a court clerk read from writings of Komisarjevsky, in which he described the incident in a 40-page letter that he wrote to author Brian McDonald in 2008. "All were compliant," he wrote. "This time I took a risk, pulled the trigger, and the chamber was loaded. ... The Petit family passed through their fears and into terror. "... It was captivating, validating that this pain in me was real. ... I was looking right at my personal demon, reflected back in their eyes. ... Hayley is a fighter; she tried time and time again to free herself. ... Mr. Petit is a coward; he ran away when he thought his life was threatened, and ran away to leave his wife and children to madmen. ... I was cheated of my retribution, and so was Steve. ... I am what I am; I make no excuses. ... I'm a criminal with a criminal mind." The reading continued, "Michaela, Hayley, and Jennifer, forgive me; I am damned. ... I can't believe I lost control; I hate myself/I love myself. ... I stand condemned." After the defense lawyers presented their opening arguments, the prosecution began to present evidence and call witnesses -- the same five people thus far, in the same order, as they did during Hayes' trial. If they continue	[ "What did a police officer say he found?", "Who is on trial for 17 charges?", "Joshua Komisarjevsky is on trial for how many charges", "What did the police officer find?", "Who is on trial for 17 charges, including murder?" ]	[ [ "Dr. William Petit" ], [ "Joshua Komisarjevsky," ], [ "17" ], [ "Dr. William Petit" ], [ "Joshua Komisarjevsky," ] ]	NEW: A bank employee describes Jennifer Hawke-Petit as "terrified" NEW: A police officer says he found her bloodied husband, then no signs of life inside . Joshua Komisarjevsky is on trial on 17 charges, including murder and arson . A defense attorney says Komisarjevsky didn't intend to kill anyone and didn't have a weapon .
(CNN) -- Witnesses caught up in the terrorist attack on Mumbai have spoken of how they ran for their lives, smashed windows to escape and sheltered in hotel rooms as the horror that has claimed more than 100 lives unfolded. An Indian police officer directs people leaving the Taj Mahal after gunmen attacked the hotel overnight Wednesday. One of the targets for the gunmen was the Taj Hotel, one of Mumbai's most famous landmarks. Anthony Rose, an Australian visiting Mumbai to produce a travel show, told CNN Thursday that he checked into the Taj hotel just a minute before attackers stormed into the lobby Wednesday night. "They came in with all guns blazing," Rose said. "It was just chaos." Watch Rose's comments on terror attacks » Rose and others found refuge in a hotel ballroom, where they waited for six hours hoping to be rescued. Although they could hear explosions and gunfire nearby, there were no sirens or police evident, he said. Watch how terror attacks have shaken India. » Help never arrived and the group were forced to smash a thick glass window and climbed down to the street on curtains. "As soon as the hotel was on fire, we knew we had to go," Rose said. Meanwhile Manuela Testolini, founder of the In A Perfect World children's foundation and ex-wife of music icon Prince, described how she saw someone shot in front of her at the Taj before sheltering with 250 other terrified people in the darkened ballroom. Watch Testolini describe her escape » Testolini was eating dinner at a restaurant across the street from the Taj when she saw the gunmen approach. "We heard some gunshots," she said. "My colleague saw someone get shot just outside of the glass doors of the restaurant. Obviously, that prompted us to jump up and run." Testolini left all her possessions and scurried through the kitchen of the restaurant to the sound of gunshots behind her, before heading with colleagues and restaurant staff to a darkened ballroom in the Taj. There they waited for two hours, listening to constant bullet barrages and grenade attacks outside. Another witness, Yasmin Wong, a CNN employee, was also staying in the Taj Hotel. She said she hid under her bed for several hours after she was awoken by gunfire. Watch Wong's comments on attack » She then received a phone call from the hotel, telling her to turn her lights off, put a wet towel by the door and stay in her room until told otherwise. So Wong sat in the dark, watching smoke rise outside her hotel window. "I saw a guy outside the window above me who had smashed the window and was hanging out," Wong said. "At that point, authorities told us to run out of the hotel." Wong said she passed dead bodies in the hotel's halls as she searched for an exit, finally leaving through the pool entrance. Wong said: "I thought it was going to end but it seemed to never end." Meanwhile Mark Abell spoke to CNN from a hotel room near the Taj. Watch Abell describe attack on Taj » "I came back from dinner last night at nine with a colleague, came into the lobby," Abell said. "The security fences weren't operating; the hotel shook with an immense blast. Three or four minutes later, there was another large blast, the whole building shaking. "I looked outside to see a crowd running. It was chaos, gunshots; it looked all very, very nasty." The Oberoi Hotel, which also has a reputation as one of Mumbai's most famous hotels, was also targeted by the gunmen. Gautam Patel was staying in the Trident Hotel, which is adjacent to the Oberoi, when the attacks began. Watch Patel describe the evacuation » "I was up on the 11th floor and while I was on a conference call, I heard two large noises, and they sounded like thuds from within the room, and that's	[ "Did Hotel guests described the shooting in Mumbai?", "what Hotel guests describe how they saw people?", "when Mumbai terror attacks occured?", "In what words witness at Taj described the shooting in Mumabi?" ]	[ [ "\"They came in with all guns blazing,\"" ], [ "Gautam Patel" ], [ "Wednesday." ], [ "\"They came in with all guns blazing,\"" ] ]	Witnesses speak of their horror at being caught in Mumbai terror attacks . Hotel guests describe how they saw people shot in front of them, fled for their lives . Witness at Taj: "They came in with all guns blazing. It was just chaos" Diner: "My colleague saw someone get shot just outside of the glass doors"
(CNN) -- Women in Somalia's third-largest city, Baidoa, have been ordered to wear Islamic dress starting this week or face jail time, according to a resident and Somali media reports. Somali women wait to get medicine at a clinic near Mogadishu in July. The order -- issued last week by Al-Shabaab, the radical Islamist militia that controls the city -- also warns business owners to close their shops during daily prayers, or they will be temporarily shut down, a local journalist said. The militia has ordered women to cover their bodies and heads from view, according to a resident of Baidoa who did not want to be identified for security reasons. The clothing must be black, red or white, and women in the impoverished city are concerned that they will not be able to purchase clothing that conforms to the order, the resident said. He said women would be jailed if they violated the order after it goes into effect Tuesday. Somalia's Shabelle Media, quoting an Al-Shabaab spokesman, said they would spend 12 hours in jail. Shabelle points out that it is unclear how Al-Shabaab will enforce its order in Baidoa. The militia has issued similar edicts that failed to be carried out, according to Shabelle. But this edict could be bolstered by Somalia's parliament, which voted unanimously Saturday to allow sharia, or Islamic law, in the Horn of Africa country. Lawmakers hope to boost President Sharif Ahmed's efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab, which has vowed to fight the government until sharia is imposed in Somalia. Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke told Voice of America that parliament's vote "removed any justifications for any opposition group ... to use Islam for political ends." There are concerns that Islamic law, which has numerous interpretations and variations, could lead to government-sanctioned human rights abuses in Somalia. The strict interpretation of sharia forbids girls from attending school, requires veils for women and beards for men, and bans music and television. Last week, Al-Shabaab fighters patrolling the streets shot and killed a 20-year-old Somali man because he was not praying at the designated time, according to a local journalist who cannot be named for security reasons. Sharmarke denied that the vote would open the door for a radical interpretation of Islamic law, such as that carried out by the Taliban in Afghanistan. "People always think of the Taliban and Talibanization of a country. But that isn't the case," the prime minister said. "I think sharia in Somalia is part of the laws for thousands of years, and we never had this kind of a thing. Besides, it doesn't have to be that way, cutting hands." Under some strict interpretations of sharia, a thief is punished by having a hand cut off. Al-Shabaab was once the armed wing of the Islamic Courts Union, which took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. The United States says the group is affiliated with the al Qaeda terrorist network, and it backed an Ethiopian invasion that drove the ICU from power in 2006. CNN's Ben Brumfield and journalist Mohamed Amiin Adow contributed to this report	[ "Women who don't conform will risk spending how long in jail?", "What are the rules of the new order?", "What controls Baidoa?", "What can happen to the women who don't obey the order?", "Women's clothing must cover what?", "When is the order in effect?", "What must the clothing cover?" ]	[ [ "12 hours" ], [ "to close their shops during daily prayers," ], [ "Al-Shabaab," ], [ "face jail time," ], [ "their bodies and heads" ], [ "Tuesday." ], [ "their bodies and heads from view," ] ]	Islamist militia that controls Baidoa issued order effective Tuesday . Clothing must cover heads and bodies, must be black, white or red . Somali media say women who don't conform will spend 12 hours in jail . Edict could get a boost from parliament vote to allow Islamic law .
(CNN) -- Woody Allen's lawsuit against American Apparel for unauthorized use of his image on billboards ended Monday with a $5 million settlement to be paid to the actor-director by the clothing company. Woody Allen received $5 million to settle a suit with American Apparel. Allen said the case should discourage advertisers from using celebrities' images without permission, but American Apparel's head said he still thinks his company had a good defense. The settlement, announced just moments before jury selection was to begin in New York, interrupted a trial that lawyers had hinted could include a parade of witnesses testifying about Allen's sex scandals. "Threats and press leaks by American Apparel designed to smear me did not work, and a scheme to call a long list of witnesses who had nothing to do with the case was disallowed by the court," Allen said. "I hope this very large settlement will discourage American Apparel and others from doing this type of thing to myself or others in the future." Dov Charney, founder and CEO of American Apparel, issued a statement published by London's Guardian newspaper saying lawyers for his insurance company -- which will pay the money to Allen -- made the decision to settle the case. "For the record, I personally think we had a good case," Charney said. Allen filed his suit, asking for $10 million, against American Apparel in March 2008 after the company placed several billboards and online ads using an image of Allen dressed as a Hasidic Jew in his 1977 movie "Annie Hall." "I sued American Apparel because they calculatingly took my name, my likeness and image and used them publicly to promote their business," Allen said Monday. "Testimony revealed that American Apparel believed that fear of publicity would keep me from ever taking action, and so they put my face on billboards, on the Internet, and my image on their building," he said. Charney, who said he finally could talk about the case, said the ad was a "an attempt to at least make a joke about" sexual harassment lawsuits filed against him and his company in recent years. "Today, two years later, all the claims in the lawsuits have been completely disproven and yet at the time, some writers characterized me as a rapist and abuser of women, others asserted that I was a bad Jew, and some even stated that I was not fit to run my company." Charney said it was "ironic that I have to explain this to Woody Allen when he has expressed similar frustrations in the past." American Apparel lawyers wanted to call as witnesses Allen's former companion Mia Farrow and Soon-Yi Previn, Farrow's adopted daughter and Allen's wife. Allen's relationship with -- and eventual marriage to -- Previn was scandal material for tabloids beginning in 1992, when she was 21. Allen said the company's lawyers may have been persuaded to settle because the judge made it "clear that the court considered their phony First Amendment ranting and claims of parody, sheer nonsense."	[ "who used the insurance company?", "Who used Allen's image?", "Whose image did American Apparel use without authorization?", "Who sued American Apparel?" ]	[ [ "Dov Charney, founder and CEO of American Apparel," ], [ "American Apparel" ], [ "Woody" ], [ "Allen's" ] ]	Woody Allen's image was used by American Apparel without his authorization . Allen sued; insurance company made decision to settle, CEO says . American Apparel had used image of Allen from "Annie Hall" to promote products .
(CNN) -- Woody Harrelson defended his clash with a photographer at a New York airport Wednesday night as a case of mistaken identity -- he says he mistook the cameraman for a zombie. Woody Harrelson says he got into a clash with a photographer because he mistook him for a zombie. The TMZ photographer filed a complaint with police claiming the actor damaged his camera and pushed him in the face at La Guardia Airport, according to an airport spokesman. "We're looking into this allegation and if it's warranted, we'll turn it over to the proper authorities," said Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesman Ron Marsico. The photographer, who was not identified, captured the encounter on a small camera after his larger one was broken. Harrelson, who is being sued by another TMZ photographer for an alleged assault in 2006, did not deny his involvement. "I wrapped a movie called 'Zombieland,' in which I was constantly under assault by zombies, then flew to New York, still very much in character," Harrelson said in a statement issued Friday by his publicist. "With my daughter at the airport I was startled by a paparazzo, who I quite understandably mistook for a zombie," he said. TMZ.com posted two videos of the incident, including one recorded by the larger camera before it was damaged. The first video shows the photographer following Harrelson and his daughter down an escalator and out of the terminal. It ends with Harrelson apparently reaching for the lens. The second video begins with the photographer accusing Harrelson of breaking his camera. After Harrelson returns the camera to him, a scuffle appears to ensue. "Woody, this is assault. Woody, this is assault," the photographer is heard saying. "Woody, chill out. Would you please chill out?" The photographer continues to follow Harrelson for another four minutes as the actor and his daughter walk to the airport parking lot. At one point, Harrelson again turns toward the cameraman. "I'm being chased by Woody Harrelson while I'm talking to you," the photographer says as he talks to an unidentified person on a cell phone. "He hit me in my face, he broke my friggin' camera, he broke the camera in pieces," he said. Harrelson, his daughter and a driver get inside an SUV and the encounter ends. In the movie "Zombieland," Harrelson plays "the most frightened person on Earth" looking for refuge from zombies, according to the Internet Movie Database Filming on the movie wrapped in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, according to director Ruben Fleischer's Web site. TMZ photographer Josh Levine filed a lawsuit against Harrelson last year for an alleged attack outside a Hollywood nightclub in 2006. Video of that incident, which is also posted on TMZ.com, also appeared to show Harrelson grabbing a camera and clashing with the photographer. Los Angeles prosecutors declined to press charges against the actor, but Levine filed a suit last summer asking for $2.5 million in damages. "Woody Harrelson has a history of anger management issues with people and we intend to put a stop to this," Cyrus Nownejad, Levine's lawyer, said Friday. TMZ is partly owned by AOL, part of CNN's parent company, Time Warner. CNN's Marc Balinsky contributed to this report.	[ "who did Woody Harrelson clash with", "who sued Harrelson?", "who is woody Harrelson?", "Who did the photographer work for", "Who defends his clash with a photographer?", "Where was the airport?", "Who is Harrelson being sued by?", "What did he say when asked about the incident" ]	[ [ "photographer at a New York airport" ], [ "TMZ photographer" ], [ "actor" ], [ "TMZ" ], [ "Harrelson" ], [ "New York" ], [ "TMZ photographer" ], [ "mistook the cameraman for a zombie." ] ]	Woody Harrelson defends his clash with a photographer at a New York airport . Statement through publicist says he was still in character from zombie movie . Harrelson: "I quite understandably mistook [the photographer] for a zombie" Harrelson is being sued by another TMZ photographer for an alleged assault .
(CNN) -- World No. 1 Serena Williams' preparations for her Australian Open title defense suffered a late blip when she was beaten in the final of the Sydney International by Elena Dementieva on Friday. The American, who had struggled past unseeded Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai in three sets in the semifinals when she appeared to injure her left leg, lost 6-3 6-2 to suffer her fifth defeat in her last eight clashes with the Russian. "I was struggling a little bit, but she definitely deserves all the credit," Williams told reporters. "It's definitely not ligament problems. It's just a little pain but the strapping usually helps the pain go away." Dementieva, who beat world No. 2 Dinara Safina in the quarterfinals, successfully defended her title in the final event before the first Grand Slam tournament of this decade starts on Monday. "It's great to play against the best players in the world, especially going into a Grand Slam. It was a great experience and it'll help me next week at the Australian Open," she told the WTA Tour's official Web site Dementieva went into the match against Williams having been handed a potential second-round clash with former world No. 1 Justine Henin, who pulled out of the Sydney event as a precaution after suffering a leg injury in her comeback tournament in Brisbane. Seven-time Grand Slam winner Henin, handed a wildcard after a 20-month retirement, will start against unseeded fellow Belgian Kirsten Flipkens on Monday while fifth seed Dementieva plays fellow Russian Vera Dushevina . Both have avoided the Williams sisters, who are in the top half of the draw with Serena opening against Poland's Urszula Radwanska on Tuesday and sixth seed Venus taking on Czech Lucie Safarova. Four-time winner Serena could face seventh seed Victoria Azarenka in the last eight, with a possible semifinal against her older sibling looming. Last year's losing finalist Safina opens against world No. 44 Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia, and could face fellow Russian Maria Sharapova in the fourth round. Sharapova, the 2008 champion but seeded 14th after struggling with shoulder problems last year, begins with a glamour clash against compatriot and fellow pin-up girl Maria Kirilenko. U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters could face fellow comeback queen Henin in the quarterfinals, having been seeded 15th and facing a qualifier first up. But to set up a rematch of the recent final in Brisbane, which she won, Clijsters is likely to have to overcome third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in the fourth round. The Russian, who has never got past the last eight in Melbourne, takes on unseeded compatriot Anastasia Rodionova in her first match. Australian Open women's singles draw (seeds in bold): 1-Serena Williams (USA) v Urszula Radwanska (Pol) Petra Kvitova (Cze) v Jill Craybas (USA) Qualifier v Andrea Petkovic (Ger) Ayumi Morita (Jpn) v 32-Carla Suarez-Navarro (Spa) 21-Sabine Lisicki (Ger) v Petra Martic (Cro) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) v Alberta Brianti (Ita) Kristina Barrois (Ger) v Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) Qualifier v Samantha Stosur (Aus) (13) 9-Vera Zvonareva (Rus) v Kristina Kucova (Svk) Kai Chen Chang (Tpe) v Iveta Benesova (Cze) Qualifier v Gisela Dulko (Arg) Qualifier v 20-Ana Ivanovic (Ser) 28-Elena Vesnina (Rus) v Tathiana Garbin (Ita) Kimiko Date Krumm (Jpn) v Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz) Stefanie Voegele (Swi) v Melinda Czink (Hun) Stephanie Cohen Aloro (Fra) v 7-Victoria Azarenka (Blr) 4-Caroline Wozniacki (Den) v Aleksandra Wozniak (Can) Tamira Paszek (Aut) v Julia Goerges (Ger) Galina Voskoboeva (Kaz) v Tsvetana Pironkova (Bul) Lucie Hradecka (Cze) v 29-Shahar Peer (Isr) 22-Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) v Viktoriya Kutuzova (Ukr) Jarmila Groth (Svk) v Qualifier Stephanie Dubois (Can) v Agnes Szavay (Hun) Marina Erakovic (Nzl) v 16-Na	[ "Who won the final?", "Which match was Serena Williams beaten in?", "Where was Serena Williams beaten?", "Where will the second round be?", "Who could face Justine Henin?", "What had she injured before?", "Who is Justine Henin?" ]	[ [ "Elena Dementieva" ], [ "the final of the Sydney International" ], [ "in the final of the Sydney International" ], [ "Sydney" ], [ "Kirsten Flipkens" ], [ "left leg," ], [ "former world No. 1" ] ]	World No. 1 Serena Williams beaten in final of Sydney International by Elena Dementieva . Williams was playing with injured leg ahead of Australian Open title defense . American in same half of draw as sister Venus for the first Grand Slam of decade . Dementieva could face former world No. 1 Justine Henin in second round in Melbourne .
(CNN) -- World No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki hopes to be fit for this year's second grand slam tournament, the French Open, despite suffering an ankle injury in an American event. The Dane had to retire hurt during her semifinal match against Russian seventh seed Vera Zvonareva in Charleston, South Carolina, on Saturday while trailing 5-2 in the first set. The top seed slipped on the green clay in the sixth game and rolled her ankle, meaning Zvonareva went through to Sunday's final where she will face Australian Samantha Stosur. Wozniacki, who won the WTA Tour tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach last weekend, told reporters that she hoped to be able to play at Roland Garros when play begins on May 24. "I certainly hope so. As it looks right now, it's not too bad," said the 19-year-old, who will have a scan on the injury. "I was surprised that I could stand on my leg, which was very positive, actually. "But as soon as I was moving to the sides, it was impossible, so I couldn't play." Fourth seed Stosur reached the final of the Family Circle Cup with a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) victory against No. 8 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. Meanwhile, top seed Francesca Schiavone won the Barcelona Ladies' Open after thrashing fellow Italian Roberta Vinci 6-1 6-1 in just under an hour in Saturday's final.	[ "who hopes to be fit for French Open despite suffering ankle injury?", "Who is the top seed?", "Who retires hurt?", "where is it held", "What are Caroline Wozniacki hopes?", "who retires hurt at 5-2 down in first set of Family Circle Cup?", "what is the french open" ]	[ [ "Caroline Wozniacki" ], [ "Francesca Schiavone" ], [ "Caroline Wozniacki" ], [ "Charleston, South Carolina," ], [ "to be fit for this year's second grand slam tournament," ], [ "Caroline Wozniacki" ], [ "this year's second grand slam tournament," ] ]	Caroline Wozniacki hopes to be fit for French Open despite suffering ankle injury . World No. 2 retires hurt at 5-2 down in first set of Family Circle Cup semifinal . Russian seventh seed Vera Zvonareva faces fourth seed Samantha Stosur in final . Italian top seed Francesca Schiavone wins Barcelona Ladies' Open title .
(CNN) -- World No. 2 Novak Djokovic stumbled at the opening hurdle at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, but Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick cruised into the third round. Second seed Djokovic, who had a first-round bye, was surprisingly beaten 6-2 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 by Belgian Olivier Rochus on Friday. The world No. 59 could have won in straight sets after leveling at 6-6 in the tie-break, but held his nerve to break Djokovic in the final game of the decider to triumph. Serbian Djokovic, the 2007 champion, successfully defended his Dubai title last month but bowed out in the last-16 at Indian Wells two weeks ago. The reward for Rochus is a third-round clash with Brazilian 27th seed Tomaz Bellucci, who defeated American James Blake 3-6 6-1 6-2. Nadal, the tournament's last second seed to lose his opening match in 2006, had no such problems this time as he beat another U.S. player, Taylor Dent, 6-4 6-3. The Spanish fourth seed -- beaten in the semifinals at Indian Wells by Djokovic's conqueror and eventual champion Ivan Ljubicic -- will next play Argentine wildcard David Nalbandian, who overcame Serbian 30th seed Viktor Troicki 6-3 4-6 6-4. Sixth seed Roddick, last weekend's losing finalist, gave home fans some cheer as he crushed Russia's Igor Andreev 6-4 6-4 to set up a clash with Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky. Eight seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also progressed with a 6-4 6-3 win over Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, and the Frenchman will next play German 28th seed Philip Kohlschreiber. World No. 1 Roger Federer begins his bid for a record-equaling 17th Masters 1000 tournament victory against Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti on Saturday, while third seed and defending champion Andy Murray takes on American Mardy Fish. In the women's tournament, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin made it a good day all-round for Belgium as the former world No. 1s progressed into the third round. Clijsters, the 14th seed but champion in Miami in 2005, crushed 20-year-old Czech Petra Kvitova 6-1 6-1 to earn a third-round clash with Israel's Shahar Peer. Henin, seeded 33rd after receiving a wildcard, beat Elena Dementieva for the second time in her comeback season, winning 6-3 6-2 against the Russian fifth seed. The Australian Open runner-up will next play Slovakian 26th seed Dominika Cibulkova. Second seed Caroline Wozniacki came from behind to defeat Bulgarian qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova 3-6 6-3 6-4 and set up a third-round tie with Russia's Maria Kirilenko. The Dane had to come back from 3-1 down in the second set and 3-0 adrift in the decider. Fourth seed and defending champion Victoria Azarenka also progressed with Indian Wells winner and No. 7 Jelena Jankovic, No. 9 Samantha Stosur and Russia's No. 11 Vera Zvonareva.	[ "Who lost the opening match at Sony Ericsson Open", "who did djokovic play against?", "Where did Novak Djokovic lose the opening match?", "who are serbians upset by?", "who loses opening match at sony ericsson open in miami?", "where did wozniacki place?", "who upset the serbian?" ]	[ [ "Novak Djokovic" ], [ "Belgian Olivier Rochus" ], [ "Sony Ericsson Open in Miami," ], [ "Olivier Rochus" ], [ "Novak Djokovic" ], [ "Second" ], [ "Belgian Olivier Rochus" ] ]	World No. 2 Novak Djokovic loses opening match at Sony Ericsson Open in Miami . Serbian upset by Belgium's Olivier Rochus, but Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick go through . Former No. 1s Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin cruise through in the women's tournament . Second seed Caroline Wozniacki comes from behind to seal third-round place .
(CNN) -- World No. 2 Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat by sixth seed Mikhail Youzhny in the semifinals of the World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam on Saturday. The Serbian, who had not played since Thursday after being handed a walkover in his quarterfinal, lost 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (8-6) to the Russian despite saving two match-points. Youzhny, who won the Dutch indoor tournament in 2007, will play second seed Robin Soderling in Sunday's final after the world No. 8 edged out sixth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 (7-3) 6-4. Youzhny will have the chance to avenge his compatriot's defeat as he seeks to improve his 1-1 career record against Soderling. The signs are good for the world No. 20, who also defeated Djokovic in the semifinals three years ago. The Muscovite will bid to win his sixth ATP Tour title, having won one in each of the past three seasons. Soderling has bounced back from a poor start to the season that saw the Swede lose in the first round of his first two tournaments in 2010, including the Australian Open. "This is a really tough tournament and it's not easy to reach the final here," last year's French Open finalist told the ATP Web site. "I'm playing better with every match, so I'm very happy. I've had a lot of tough matches with Nikolay in the past few years. He's one of the best players in the world, so it means I am playing great tennis to beat him. My confidence is up and I'm looking forward to the final." Meanwhile, second seed Fernando Verdasco reached the final of the SAP Open in San Jose in the United States after beating Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin on Saturday. The Spaniard won 6-3 2-6 6-4 to set up a clash with the top seed Andy Roddick who overcame a first set loss and two tiebreakers to defeat fellow American Sam Querrey 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4). Top seed Elena Dementieva will play Lucie Safarova in Sunday's Paris Indoor Open final on the women's WTA Tour circuit. Russian world No. 7 Dementieva came from behind to beat young American Melanie Oudin 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the semifinals of the French hardcourt event, where she lost in the final last year to Amelie Mauresmo. Unseeded Czech Safarova upset Italy's Flavia Pennetta, the second-ranked player in the field, as she also rallied from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-4. World No. 46 Safarova lost to Nadia Petrova in the 2007 final. In Thailand, top seed Vera Zvonareva will seek home hope Tamarine Tanasugarn from winning her first Pattaya Open title on Sunday. The Russian is on course to defend her title following a 6-2 4-6 6-3 victory against fourth seed Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan, reaching her 21st career title. The 32-year-old Tanasugarn will have her 10th tilt at a WTA title after crushing Shvedova's compatriot Sesil Karatantcheva, ranked 185th in the world, 6-2 6-0 in the other semifinal on Saturday.	[ "who was defeated in world tennis tournament?", "Where did the Serbian beat the sixth seed?", "where is SAP open?", "what happened to djokovic", "Who reached the finale?", "what is youzhny ranked?", "what is the ranking of soderling", "Who is ranked 20th?", "who reached the final" ]	[ [ "Novak Djokovic" ], [ "Rotterdam" ], [ "San Jose" ], [ "suffered a shock defeat" ], [ "Mikhail Youzhny" ], [ "No. 20," ], [ "second seed" ], [ "Mikhail Youzhny" ], [ "Fernando Verdasco" ] ]	NEW: Top two seeds Roddick and Verdasco reach final of SAP Open in San Jose . World No. 2 Djokovic suffers shock defeat in semifinals of World Tennis Tournament . Serbian beaten by Russian sixth seed Mikhail Youzhny in Rotterdam . Youzhny, ranked 20th, will play world No. 8 Robin Soderling in Sunday's final .
(CNN) -- World No. 2 Novak Djokovic was on track to defend his Dubai Tennis Championship title when torrential rain, thunder and lightning halted play in Saturday's final against Mikhail Youzhny. The Serbian led 7-5 2-0 when the heavens opened on the desert emirate and flooded the court, and after a long delay it was decided to resume play on Sunday afternoon. Top seed Djokovic won a topsy-turvy first set in 63 minutes as there were five breaks in serve overall, then rain forced a half-hour delay. He was 30-15 up in the third game against the Russian seventh seed when the weather intervened again, and umpire Mohamed Lahyani ruled that the court was too wet for further play. Workers tried to clear the water, but to no avail. Djokovic is seeking to avenge his semifinal defeat by Youzhny at the World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam a fortnight ago and claim his 17th ATP Tour title. Youzhny lost to Robin Soderling in the Dutch final after suffering a hamstring injury, leaving him with five career titles. Meanwhile, world No. 7 Elena Dementieva will face fellow Russian Alisa Kleybanova in Sunday's final of the inaugural Malaysian Open as she seeks to win a third title this year. Top seed Dementieva defeated Austria's Sybille Bammer 6-3 6-1 in her semifinal on Saturday, while Kleybanova beat Japan's Ayumi Morita 6-4 6-1.	[ "who must wait till sunday", "what is the reason for the delay", "till when does he have to wait", "when was the last time they played" ]	[ [ "Novak Djokovic" ], [ "torrential rain, thunder and lightning" ], [ "Sunday afternoon." ], [ "a fortnight ago" ] ]	Novak Djokovic leads Mikhail Youzhny 7-5 2-0 in Dubai Tennis Championship final . World No. 2 must wait until Sunday to complete successful defense of his title . Russian seventh seed Youzhny beat Serbian in Rotterdam semifinals two weeks ago . Elena Dementieva will face fellow Russian Alisa Kleybanova in Sunday's Malaysian Open final .
(CNN) -- World No. 3 Maria Sharapova has blasted the ruling body of women's tennis over its demands for top players ahead of this month's Italian Open in Rome. Maria Sharpova is furious after being threatened with a $300,000 fine by the WTA. The Australian Open champion is furious after being threatened with a $300,000 fine if she does not participate in a publicity event before the Tier 1 tournament. "I want all my fans to know that the WTA Tour is forcing me and several of the other top players to do a four-hour commercial shoot for WTA Tour marketing materials," Sharapova told her Web site. "They want me to do this shoot on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday of the Rome tournament after flying 12 hours from Los Angeles. "I have set my own personal rules when it comes to doing shoots and I never do shoots before tournaments because they are mentally draining and I want to just focus on my tennis. "Now the WTA is telling me if I don't do this shoot they will fine me over $300,000. As you can see the WTA Tour loves to fine players. "To be honest, I would love to do this and help promote the tour as much as possible, but to force me to do this shoot the day before a Tier 1 tournament is just not right." The 21-year-old will be returning to action in the event starting May 12 after skipping Russia's Fed Cup semifinal against the United States last weekend. She was beaten by Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston in her last outing two weeks ago. Sharapova also made a statement explaining her absence from the German Open in Berlin starting on May 5. "The WTA Tour makes many players enter tournaments that they know the players will not be playing," she told her Web site. "I informed the WTA several months ago that if I played Charleston, I would have to pull out of Berlin. "Now they are forcing me to give an injury for the reason why I am pulling out or they will give me an additional fine on top of the $125,000 fine already given me. I am a very giving person but I refuse to give any more of my money to the WTA Tour. "So I want everyone to know that apart from getting sick the past few days, I am healthy and I am looking forward to playing Rome." Meanwhile, top seed Vera Zvonareva has reached the final of the Czech Open in Prague, beating Slovenian fourth seed Katarina Srebotnik 6-2 6-4 on Saturday. The Russian will next play either third seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or seventh-seeded Czech Klara Zakopalova as she seeks to clinch her first title this season on Sunday. In Morocco, second seed Gisela Dulko of Argentina reached Sunday's final of the Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem after beating French fourth seed Aravane Rezai 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 in Fez. Top seed Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain will face Greta Arn of Hungary in Saturday's other semifinal. E-mail to a friend	[ "Who wants top players to participate in four-hour photo shoot", "Who wants to players to participate?", "When does the tournament begin?", "Who is unhappy with the rulling?", "What was Sharapova threatened with?", "Who is unhappy with ruling body's publicity demands", "What is Sharapova's rank?" ]	[ [ "WTA." ], [ "WTA Tour" ], [ "May 12" ], [ "Maria Sharapova" ], [ "$300,000 fine by the WTA." ], [ "Maria Sharapova" ], [ "No. 3" ] ]	World No. 3 Maria Sharapova unhappy with ruling body's publicity demands . WTA wants top players to participate in four-hour photo shoot before Italian Open . Russian says she was threatened with $300,000 fine if she does not take part . The Rome top-tier tournament begins on May 12 .
(CNN) -- World Twenty20 champions Pakistan were left stunned after none of their players were signed up for the lucrative Indian Premier League cricket tournament in Tuesday's auction. With this year's budget slashed from $2 million per team to just $750,000, only 11 of the 66 international players on offer were snapped up. West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard and veteran New Zealand pace bowler Shane Bond were the biggest winners as the Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders respectively used their entire allocated funds to sign them for the 2010 season. But Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi, one of the world's most explosive players in the limited-overs format, failed to secure a place along with teammates highly-rated Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul and Umar Akmal. Afridi's manager blamed the Indian government for continuing its long-running tensions with Pakistan. "I'd heard prior to the auction that franchises were being advised not to bid for Pakistani players as the players from Pakistan would not be issued with visas by the Indian government, and that is precisely what has happened," Umar Khan told www.pakpassion.net. "The Indian Premier League have been using Afridi's name and pictures to publicize the tournament and to build up the hype, and he was expected to be one of the most popular players amongst the franchises." Big-hitting all-rounder Afridi was stunned to be left out, having played for the Deccan Chargers in 2008 but did not feature last year as the team won the title. "I'm stunned by the omission and, yes, I'm obviously very disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing once again in the Indian Premier League and testing my skills against the world's best players and against friends and colleagues," he said. "I thought I would be picked and am very surprised at the outcome of the auction." Pollard was sought by four teams, with Mumbai heading off Kolkata, the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Chennai Super Kings after making a sealed-envelope final bid. The 22-year-old Pollard, who has played only 15 one-dayers and 10 Twenty20 internationals, takes $750,000 as his payment while the undisclosed extra money goes to the IPL. The 34-year-old Bond, who has retired from Test cricket to prolong his career, has been welcomed into the IPL fold despite having signed up with its unsanctioned rival Indian Cricket League, which has not been staged since 2008. He went into the auction with a $100,000 reserve price tag, but both Kolkata and the Chargers bid the full amount for him. West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach went to the Chargers for $720,000 while Delhi Daredevils signed South Africa fast bowler Wayne Parnell for $610,000 -- $510,000 more than his reserve price. Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif was sold to the Kings XI Punjab franchise for $250,000 after his contract was bought out by the Rajasthan Royals, while Bangalore signed England one-day specialist Eoin Morgan for $220,000. Rajasthan also snapped up former Australia batsman Damien Martyn ($100,000) and his compatriot Adam Voges ($50,000), while Chennai Super Kings signed South Africa's Justin Kemp ($100,000) and Sri Lanka's Thissara Perera ($50,000). In the only other sale, Punjab bought South Africa's Yusuf Abdulla for $50,000. Meanwhile, India reached 122-1 in their second innings at stumps on the third day of the opening Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong, having bowled out the home side for 242. The tourists narrowly avoided conceding a first-innings deficit for the first time against cricket's lowest-ranked Test nation, with Bangladesh falling one run short after resuming on 59-3 after bad light and fogged delayed the start of play on Tuesday. Mahmudullah scored a personal best 69 as he added 108 for the seventh wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim (44), but spinner Amit Mishra cleaned up the tail to finish with three wickets to match the feat of left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan. Mishra was then unbeaten on 24 at stumps along with opener Gautam Gambhir,	[ "What did Shane Bond go for?", "How much cut happened to the budgets?", "Four teams bid on who?", "How many Pakinsti players wre bought?", "What was paid for Shane Bond", "What number of players were snapped up?", "What was the budget slashed to?", "How many players were snapped up?" ]	[ [ "full amount" ], [ "$2 million per team to just $750,000," ], [ "Pollard" ], [ "only 11" ], [ "$100,000" ], [ "11" ], [ "$750,000," ], [ "11" ] ]	No Pakistan players are bought in auction for lucrative Indian Premier League cricket series . Only 11 of the 66 players on offer were snapped up as budgets slashed to $750,000 . West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard went for the full amount as four teams bid for him . Veteran New Zealand pace bowler Shane Bond also sold for maximum $750,000 .
(CNN) -- World champion Casey Stoner won the Valencia MotoGP, the final race of the season, after a thrilling battle with American Ben Spies all the way to the line. Stoner led for most of the 30-lap race before Spies overtook him with three laps remaining. However, the Australian regained the lead to win by just one hundredth of a second and secure his 10th victory of a dominant season. Spies, who won his first ever MotoGP at Assen in June, had to settle for second place with Italian Andrea Dovizioso third. Briton Cal Crutchlow, Spain's Dani Pedrosa and Katsuyuki Nakasuga of Japan completed the top six. Spies told reporters: "We tried to just be careful on the last lap as it had started to rain quite heavily. "Casey took a couple more risks in the last couple of corners and had a bit more motor than me down the straight," he added. Stoner, who had already sealed his second world championship triumph prior to Sunday's race, said: "It was the last lap of the last race of the year so I thought, 'Let's just go for it' -- and I got it. It was one of the hairiest races of my career." The win ensured the Honda rider finished on 350 points, 90 points ahead of 2010 world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who was forced to miss the final race because of a finger injury. Dovizioso's third place ensured he claimed third in the overall standings with 228 points, ahead of Pedrosa on 219 points and Spies on 176. The race was the first since the tragic death of Marco Simoncelli in a crash in Malaysia a fortnight ago and, prior to racing, riders from the MotoGP, Moto2 and 125cc categories united to perform a lap of honor to remember the late Italian.	[ "what sport is this article talking about", "Where is Casey Stoner from?", "Who is the world champion", "who edged out Ben Spies", "Where is Ben Spies from?", "Who claims a victory>", "What claims Casey Stoner?", "Who was third?" ]	[ [ "MotoGP," ], [ "Australian" ], [ "Casey Stoner" ], [ "Casey Stoner" ], [ "American" ], [ "Casey Stoner" ], [ "It was one of the hairiest races of my career.\"" ], [ "Andrea Dovizioso" ] ]	World champion Casey Stoner claims a thrilling Valencia MotoGP victory . Australian Stoner edges American Ben Spies with Andrea Dovizioso third . The final MotoGP of the season was the first race since Marco Simoncelli's death .

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